Jesus taught the “Beatitudes,” but what are some of the ME-attitudes that make us MEligious? In this message, Pastor Jamie Nunnally shares about the worldly thinking that opposes Jesus’ teaching on living in the Kingdom.
Matthew chapters 5-7 contain Jesus’ famous sermon often called “The Sermon on the Mount.” The sermon starts in verses 3 through 10 with 8 statements that all begin with the phrase “blessed are ________.”
Over time, these statements were called The Beatitudes from the Latin word for “blessed.”
1. Beatitude: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
The “poor in spirit” are those who recognize that their need for God.
MEattitude: I am blessed when I don’t need anyone else’s help.
Galatians 5:25
God will be your crisis manager, but he would rather be your daily planner.
2. Beatitude: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
MEattitude: I am blessed when I never experience loss, grief, or mourning.
Acts 14:22
John 16:33
The Kingdom of God is now and not yet—at the same time.
3. Beatitude: Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Meekness is ability restrained by wisdom.
MEatittiude: I’m blessed when I get to say and do what I want, because I am right.
James 3:13
2 Timothy 2:25
Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
4. Beatitude: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Righteousness is the state of being in acceptable condition to God.
MEattitude: I will feel fulfilled when I get everyone else’s approval.
Galatians 1:10
5. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
MEattitude: People need to get it together and be more like me.
James 2:13
1 Corinthians 4:5
Judge actions, but don’t judge people.
6. Beatitude: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
MEattitude: How I live doesn’t really matter.
Just because God loves us, doesn’t mean He won’t instruct us.
1 Cor. 9:27
Your purity will affect God’s presence in your life.
Your behavior doesn’t earn you a relationship with Jesus, but a relationship with Jesus will affect your behavior.
7: Beatitude: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Peace is not the absence of conflict or troubles, but the learned skill of remaining unaffected by them.
MEattitude: I am under no obligation to help the world around me.
Ephesians 2:10
1 Peter 4:10
The church has got to be more concerned with making a difference than making a point.
If you want to be recognized as a child of God, give what you’ve got.
8. Beatitude: Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
MEattitiude: I am blessed when everyone agrees with my faith.
1 Peter 3:14
If nobody ever disagrees with you, you’re probably not standing for anything.
Are you living according to the MEattitudes?