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JESUS’ FORMULA FOR HAPPINESSText: Matthew 5:1-12 Introduction:
I. Jesus here states eight or nine blessings in the text.
A. Definition of word “Blessed”.
1. Thayer – “blessed; happy”
2. Newman – “blessed; fortunate; happy”
B. Jesus here is stating His formula for happiness.
II. Now, men say that happiness is found in:
A. Being rich.
B. Pursuing pleasure.
C. Intellectualism.
D. Talent. (as in music)
III. Now, let us take a look at Jesus’ formula for
happiness, which are paradoxes in that they declare as
being truly well off, a man who, from ordinary point
of view and perhaps in his own opinion, seems to be
most unfortunate.
Body:
I. Blessed are the poor in spirit.
A. Poor (ptoxoi - ptochoi).
1. Thayer – “reduced to beggary, begging…asking
alms.”
2. Vincent – “conveys the idea of utter
destitution, which abjectly solicits and lives
by alms. ex. Lazarus (Luke 16:20, 22).
Denoting utter spiritual destitution
consciousness of which precedes entrance into
kingdom of God, and which cannot relieved by
one’s own efforts, but only by free mercy of
God.
3. Luke 18:10-13
4. These are those “who have become convinced of
their spiritual poverty.” Hendriksen
B. For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
1. Jesus is trying to give away the Kingdom to
those who want it on His terms.
2. But His terms demand that all admit their deep
spiritual poverty and their dire need of His
wealth.
3. This way, proud, self-righteous spirits would
not be suited for the kingdom.
II. Blessed are they that mourn.
A. Mourn (penountes - penountes)
1. Definition:
a. Vincent: “Signifying grief manifested; too
deep for concealment.”
b. William Barclay: “it is the sorrow which
pierces the heart; it is no gentle,
sentimental, twilight sadness, in which a
man can languish and luxuriate; it is a
sorrow which is poignant, piercing and
intense. It is the sorrow which can be seen
in a man’s bearing, a man’s face, and a
man’s tears.”
c. Hendriksen – this word indicates sorrow that
begins in the heart, takes possession of
entire person, and is outwardly manifested.
2. It is morning of those who recognize their
spiritual bankruptcy. (Hendriksen)
3. Example of Peter.
4. Not all of people who sorrow are not included
in this – 2 Corinthians 7:10; Judas.
B. Shall be comforted.
1. Isaiah 61:1-2
2. “It means that they will be strengthened,
braced up, encouraged or cheered up to face the
situation worthily as a disciple of the Lord.”
III. Blessed are the meek.
A. “Meek”
1. Vincent: “mild, gentle”
2. Robertson: “It is gentleness of strength.”
3. Barclay: “It “is not the gentleness which has
its source in weakness, or in indifference, or
in fear, or in a slack and unprincipled
tolerance. It is gentleness of strength.”
Control of one’s emotions.
4. “It indicates that forbearance and
consideration that is willing to waive its
rights if by so doing the good of others can be
advanced. Fowler (B.S.T.S)
5. Jesus
a. Matthew 11:29
b. The cleansing of the temple. (at the right
time)
B. Inherit the earth.
1. Fowler – they enjoy more fully in this life.
a. Because, more than any others, they enjoy
whatever God sends.
b. Because their character guarantees a greater
measure of peace and stability.
2. Matthew 19:29
3. Barclay – They will “enter into all the
blessings of the Kingdom of God upon the
earth.”
IV. Hungering and thirsting after righteousness.
A. Hungry and Thirst after righteousness
1. Thayer: “to hunger, be hungry. b. metaph. to
crave ardently, to seek with eager desire.
2. Present part. (suggests continuance hungering
and thirsting).
3. “Jesus challenges our real desire for goodness:
‘Are you so intensely and sharply pained by
your need for true righteousness that you
would die unless you get it? Just how badly
do you want to be righteous…Such questions
criticize our satisfaction with partial good,
half-way accomplishment and partly-kept
promises to be good.” Fowler
4. Not our own righteousness:
a. Romans 10:1-3
b. Philippians 3:8-9
5. Psalms 119:172; Romans 10:17; Romans 4:9,11
B. Shall be filled.
V. Blessed are the merciful.
A. Merciful (elehmoves, eleemoves)
1. Thayer – “to succor the afflicted, to bring
help to the wretched.”
2. Vine – “actively compassionate.”
3. Scriptures:
a. Matthew 18:23-25
b. Matthew 25:31-46
c. Colossians 3:12-14
B. Shall obtain mercy. Matthew 6:12,14-15
VI. Blessed are the pure in heart.
A. Pure in heart.
1. Pure - …clean, pure, (c) free from every
admixture of what is false, sincere. Thayer.
2. not just on the outside but in the heart.
3. “as a man thinks in his heart.”
B. Shall see God.
VII. Blessed are the Peacemakers.
A. Peacemaker:
1. Vincent – “The founder and promoters of peace.
2. Matthew 5:23-24
3. Romans 12:18
B. “be called the sons of God.”
VIII. Blessed are the persecuted.
A. Scriptures.
1. 1 Peter 4:14-16
2. 2 Timothy 2:24
3. The reason why:
4. The ways:
a. revile
b. slander
c. others
B. The Promise
1. comfort – not the only ones
2. reward
Conclusion:
I. Happiness is from within.
II. These are things that bring a person to obey the
gospel.
III. Has an enduring happiness.
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