Lesson 2. The Blessings
The word 'beatitude' means 'being blessed or happy'. The word has its origin from a Latin word 'Beatus', which means 'state of happiness'. We will use the “Beatitudes in order to understand the valuable lessons that can be learned as a result of living for righteousness sake. In His Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew, chapter 5, we note the following words in verses 3-12
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven"
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What do you think “persecuted for righteousness’ sake” means in verse 10? (Please read verses 3 -9, to get the full context of what Jesus was saying in verses 10-12.)
Jesus described what it means to be godly in those verses (3-9). When we become Christ-like and focus our lives on living for God, we voluntarily submit to a lifestyle that is different from that of the world. Those differences may bring about rejection, ridicule, misunderstanding, and loneliness; and may be received from within the Church as well as from those who are un-churched.
When we live according to Matthew 5:3-9, we also put our faith and trust completely in Christ because we know that we are unqualified to enter the kingdom of God without a life of fellowship and communion with God. The term “blessed” in this passage of scripture denotes an inner sense of joy and peace that is felt because one feels he is right with God.
The beautitudes are a prescription for true joy and happiness. They direct us to the path that leads to peaceful and harmonius living. The Bible teaches us that the blessed person is the one who yields his or her members as instruments of righteousness. From this we see that righteousness and true holiness begins with commitment to God’s will through communion with, and obedience to, the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit.
2. Do you live in the way of true communion and let the Holy Spirit lead and guide your daily walk?
3. What should be the result of that walk (daily)?
4. What are the results in your life?
Read each passage of scripture below:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world" (Eph. 1:3-4).
“The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.” (Proverbs 10:22).
"Blessed are all they that put their trust in him" (Ps. 2:12).
"Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them" (Ps. 84:5).
"And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed." (Isaiah 61:9).
5. Take each of the above scriptures, one at a time and relate that scripture to your life.
6. How do the scriptures align with the beatitudes?
