IntroJames drills down on a point of law – a big “no no”believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favouritism

v2-4. The Immediate StoryQuick judgments based on immediate appearances is prejudice1 Samuel 16:7. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looksat the heart.Discrimination – split two ways.

v5-7. The Deeper StoryBlessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matt 5:3)The rich often lacked mercy!Is there fear? Love of money? Thinking of consequences?

V8-11. The Bible Line“Royal Law” – Supreme – overarching – from the King! Romans 13:8-10. love is the fulfilment of the law. Galatians 5:14. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” Malachi 2:9. have shown partiality in matters of the law. Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11. God does not show favouritism.

v12. The Punch LineLaw meant to give freedom – equality and no judgment.Mercy triumphs over judgment!

Intro

James – Jesus’ brother and leader of Jerusalem church – wisdom for us!

Consider it pure joy … whenever you face trials of many kinds (v2)

v2-4. Consider it pure joy

Trial & Temptation similar – a Test.

Purifying. 1 Peter 1:6-7

Perseverance. Romans 5:3-5

Mature & Complete

v5-8. Ask for God’s Wisdom

2 ways to view trials – world or God

God is firm – generous

You be firm – not doubleminded

v9-11. Take a Humble View

Like beatitudes – kingdom is upside down

Hardship brings lasting; Riches are fleeting. Isaiah 40:6-7.

v12. Take a Long View

Crown of Life. Revelation 2:10.

v13-15. We have evil desires

Blaming is as old as Adam & Eve

v16-18. He has good gifts

Good is constantly and reliably good.

He brings us to life and we offer up our life as firstfruits

Intro

The final glorious capstone of the Beatitudes – to be persecuted! Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness (Matt 5:10)

v10. Blessed are those who are persecuted

Another opposite in our comfort addicted world

Proves we are genuine because of righteousness

What it is – personally living out your faith – desire for God.

What it isn’t – protesting against others not living it out

Don’t be persecuted for being self-righteous.

1 Peter 2:20. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

Circling back – reaching the pinnacle – kingdom citizens

v11. Blessed are you when people insult you

It is for Jesus, who predicted it – John 15:18-25.

v12. Rejoice and be Glad

Glad means to leap exceedingly . What is our response?

Reward in Heaven – Matthew 6:19-21.

Comparison to the Prophets – where saints have trod

Finally – are you standing out?

Intro

What is something you appreciate in its most pure state?

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8)

1. Question: Who can ascend the hill of the Lord?

A temple Psalm with enthronement imagery.

Psalm 24:1,2 God is Creator overall of creation.

Psalm 24:6-7 Who can send the hill of the Lord? Those with clean hands and

a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to falsehood (idols)

nor swear deceitfully.

Answer: Clean hands (innocence), pure heart (moral uprightness), not

worshipping idols (falsehood) or living deceitfully

2. The Heart

Metaphorically: The center of all parts of human existence: mind, will, emotion

Mind: Where we think, reason, imagine, create, awareness, conscience

Will: The ability to choose one thing or person over another

Emotion: Helps us evaluate and understand what we are experiencing

3. Pure

Living from ‘unmixed’ motives

King Solomon’s heart was turned away to other gods

2021 Barna Research showed just 9% of Christians align with a biblical

worldview

Finally

How is your devotion and loyalty to Jesus? Mixed or Compromised or Pure?

Intro

This is the 7th Beatitude that encompasses all the previous beatitudes and is an outward expression of all the beatitudes.

1. What does the word ‘peacemaker’ mean?

In Greek it is translated ‘Eirenopoios.’ Hebrew word for peace is ‘shalom’

which means to wish every good thing upon the person.

2. God moved first, and he offers peace through Jesus.

Colossians 1:20 “and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth of things in heaven, by making peace through blood, shed on the cross.”

3. The importance of Peacemaking

2 Corinthians 5:20 “we are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

Finally

Practicing peace making (peacewise)

Peacemaking Pizza.

1. GOD, Seek God get His guidance.

2. ME, own your part.

3. YOU, talk it over with the other person.

4. US, Make it right between each other.

5 A’s of apologies:

1. Admit your part:

2. Apologize, be specific about your own poor choice.

3. Accept consequences.

4. Ask for forgiveness

5. Alter your behavior and attitude.

Intro

Where is one area or time you can see the hand of God’s Providence and/or mercy in your life?

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. (Matthew 5:7)

Khesed (Hebrew): Synonyms & Translations include mercy, loving-kindness, steadfast love, loyal love

1. Khesed: Loyal Love

Ruth’s behavior and act of loyalty to her mother-in-law is an act of khesed because of her character and expression of love. Moses appeals to God’s character of khesed

Numbers 14:19. “Please pardon the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of your steadfast love (khesed)…”

God’s character of khesed endures forever…

Psalm 136 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

2. People’s Khesed

The prophet Hosea compares the khesed of Israel to the morning mist that is here one moment and gone the next.

Khesed is broader and deeper than only forgiving a wrong done to us or seeking mercy when we deserve a consequence for doing wrong..

3. Jesus and Khesed

Jesus concept of mercy is most-likely meant in the context of khesed Matthew 23:23,24 do not neglect the weightier matters of the law justice, mercy and faithfulness.

Matthew 9:10-13 Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice”

Matthew 18:21-35 “I forgave you… should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant…?

4. Khesed as followers of Jesus?

How does this concept of khesed and mercy impact my behavior around others, the decisions I make and how I live among those I may disagree with.

Intro

What is the real state of our appetites and goals?

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness … (Matthew 5:6)

1. A Blessed APPETITE

Natural Hunger

Spiritual Hunger. Matthew 4:4. Man shall not live on bread alone … also Deut 3:3.

Serious Hunger. Psalm 61:1. You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you.

Psalm 42:1-2. As the deer pants for streams of water

2. A Blessed PURSUIT

Personal: Condition in Court. Psalm 24:3. Who may stand?

Romans 3:21-22. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus.

Character & Conduct

Public: Present World

Future Kingdom. 2 Peter 3:13. new earth, where righteousness dwells.

3. A Blessed RESULT

Filled - Greek –

“satisfied”

Psalm 107:9. For he satisfies the thirsty, and fills the hungry. Mary - Luke 1:53.

Psalm 131:1-2. like a weaned child I am content.

Finally

How’s your appetite?

Intro

What does the word meek mean?

The Greek word is translated ‘Praus.’ ‘great strength under control.’

Characteristics of the Meek

1. Considerate of others

Romans 12:10 ‘Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above

yourselves.

2. Sweet tempered

Ephesians 4:26-27 – ‘In your anger do not sin; do not let the sun go down on you while

you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.’

3. Humble-minded

Philippians 2:3 ‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility

value others above yourself,’

4. Courage

2 Timothy 1:7 “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-

control”

5. Strong in gentleness

Proverbs 25:15 ‘Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can

break a bone.’

Finally

The meek will inherit the earth to come, (when Jesus returns) and they will

inherit the earth as in right now. The meek inherit Jesus who is the greatest

inheritance we can have on the earth right now.

Intro

How can it be blessed to mourn?

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted (Matt 5:4)

1. You are aware of true reality

Ecclesiastes 7:2. It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of

feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart.

2. You are aware of God’s comfort

Psalm 34:10. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed

in spirit. Isaiah 61:1-3. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted … to comfort all

who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion.

3. You are aware of pain and care deeply

Isaiah 53:3. a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4. Praise be to the God … who comforts us in all our troubles, so that

we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

4. You are aware of the world’s sin

Ezra 10:1. Ezra was praying and confessing, weeping and throwing himself down

before the house of God.

5. You are aware of your own sin

Psalm 32:1. Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are

covered.

6. You are aware of the Cross

2 Cor 7:10. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation.

Finally

To mourn is blessed – starting point for kingdom living.

1. Point 1

Blessing- Greek ‘Makeiros’ meaning Highly favored, rich, satisfied or

fortunate.

It’s not an external bliss but an inner happiness.

Scriptures:- Mary’s song- Luke 1: 48

James 1: 2… ‘pure joy’

John 20: 29- Jesus words to Thomas

Consider the idea of ‘how fortunate are you’ together.

2. Point 2

Poor in spirit- Greek ‘Tokos’ meaning someone absolutely destitute,

desperately poor, completely out of resource, at whit’s end & bankrupt.

Being brought to ones knees by their poverty. Poor in spirit means we come to

understand that we are so poor (spiritually bankrupt) that we put our whole

trust in the Lord because we see we have nothing to offer Him.

Scriptures:- Job 42: 1- 6

Isaiah 6: 5

Luke 5: 8 (Peter)

Acts 9: 3- 9 (Saul)

Luke 15: 13- 20 (the Prodigal son)

Discuss being Poor in spirit together.

3. Point 3

Pride- Blessed are the popular, the powerful, the self-confident, the one who

esteems self, the assertive, the arrogant.

Values of the world oppose the Kingdom values.

Scriptures- Proverbs 16: 18

Luke 18- Parable of the Pharisee & Tax Collector

Revelation 3: 17- Church of Laodicea

Discuss why God hates pride.

Finally

The Kingdom of Heaven is not of this world. Jesus interchanged it with

Kingdom of God.

Talk about what the Kingdom of Heaven means to you.