BEATTITUDES

(Katie) Below is my summary of an awesome sermon I heard from Mike Bickle on the Beattitudes. I hope it encourages you!

Jesus revealed 8 beatitudes or 8 attitudes that release blessedness on our lives. To be blessed is to experience abundant life which is the happiness, greatness and freedom that God created us for.

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

(John 10:10)

• Mourning for Breakthrough (for they shall be comforted, Mt. 5:4) to be desperate enough to be “extreme” in pursuit of a progressive breakthrough in our heart (insight/power) and ministry.
• Walking in Meekness (shall inherit the earth, Mt. 5:5) to walk in the fasted lifestyle or to have a servant spirit in the use of our strengths (time, money, energy, reputation, authority etc.).
• Hungering for Righteousness (for they shall be filled, Mt. 5:6) sustained faithfulness in seeking God with wholeheartedness through the changing seasons of our life instead of being burned out by our disappointments with God or by our offense at the way people treat us.
• Relating to others with Mercy (for they shall obtain mercy, Mt. 5:7) having a tender spirit in how we treat others who fail spiritually as well as those who attack, resist or disappoint us.
• Being Pure in Heart (they shall see God, Mt. 5:8) breakthrough of purity in our thoughts (bitterness, immorality) and motives (helping people for their benefit without any personal gain). To “see God” even in a small measure causes our spirit to be bright (i.e., fascinated with God).
• Becoming a Peacemaker (called sons of God, Mt. 5:9) anointing to bring peace (healing, restoration) to that which is out of God’s will (broken relationships, sick bodies, etc.)
• Enduring Persecution (theirs is the kingdom, Mt. 5:10-12) bearing the counterattack for plundering Satan’s Kingdom because we operate in power and/or stand for righteousness. We rejoice for the glory of knowing Jesus and the privilege of suffering for His name. (Acts 5:41).

The Sermon on the Mount is the “constitution of God’s Kingdom.” It is the litmus test to measure spiritual development and ministry impact. We measure our spiritual growth by the extent to which we are walking out the Sermon on the Mount values.