The Sermon on the Mount - Jesus starts this incredible sermon by listing specific characteristics that are essential to the subjects of His Kingdom. Each Beatitude includes; (a) a pronouncement of blessings, (b) a description of the ones considered as blessed, and (c) an explanation of the blessing itself. Note, none of these characteristics can be found in the world system. For instance, a large number of people in today’s society don't like, or are very uncomfortable around, those who are pure, mild, peacemakers, and are principled or honourable in life. But we must understand that such people (those who are uneasy around ‘Christlikeness’), will act on these negative emotions and try to make themselves feel better by mistreating the “righteous.” However, persecution comes in many forms, and some of the persecution may come from people claiming to be Christians. Satan has cunningly placed people in all areas, ready to bring physical, material or emotional harm to anyone who is faithfully following Jesus.

Life Matters TV presents 'The Beatitudes Part 8 - (Persecution)', another teaching from Pastor Chris Demetriou at Cornerstone The Church. For more information visit our website at www.life-matters.tv

Think about the risk of being a peacemaker, because to be a peacemaker is not natural nor normal. We probably all avoid confrontation due to the fact that it’s risky. Everybody who chooses to be a peacemaker enters into the “danger zone”, knowingly or unknowingly. For Jesus Christ, it was a cross. That's also true for any peacemaker. When you're called to be a peacemaker, one side can't be all right, the other side all wrong, and seldom is neither side in the mood for peace. Everybody who is a peacemaker lives in the “combat zone” - whether you choose to or not. Greece, at its height of glory, had all its gods and goddesses and Athena was the goddess of wisdom. Now wisdom was considered the highest value among the Greeks. So in the Parthenon, where they built the great temple that still stands today, they chose the goddess Athena, the goddess of "wisdom," to be the one in that place of honour. And Athena, the goddess of wisdom, wears a helmet, carries an olive branch, and she also holds a spear. Wisdom is peace with strength. You need the olive branch but you also need the spear for strength, for Peacemaking is risky business.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” - Matthew 5:7. A literal translation (from the original Greek)reads, “Exceedingly fortunate are the merciful, for they shall be set free.” Therefore, those who extend mercy are themselves liberated! This lines up with the ‘Parable of the Unmerciful Servant’ in Matthew 18:32-34, "Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I cancelled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had mercy on you?' In anger his master delivered him to the tormentors until he paid all that was owing to him.” Being unmerciful imprisons you, but showing mercy will set you free! What is mercy? A devoted mother once approached Napoleon seeking a pardon for her son. The emperor replied that the young man had committed a certain offence twice and justice demanded death. "But I don't ask for justice," the mother explained. "I plead for mercy." "But your son does not deserve mercy," Napoleon replied. "Sir," the woman cried, "It would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I ask for." "Well, then," the emperor said, "I will have mercy." And he spared the woman's son. This is the essence of mercy. Mercy is compassion on someone based on their need. It is not justice, for mercy extends compassion on others in spite of their deserving it. The Lord tells us that we should extend mercy to others and then be able to receive mercy in return. And in this Beatitude He is teaching us that mercy should be a ‘lifestyle’ - an integral part of our daily Christian walk.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” - Matthew 5:7. A literal translation (from the original Greek)reads, “Exceedingly fortunate are the merciful, for they shall be set free.” Therefore, those who extend mercy are themselves liberated! This lines up with the ‘Parable of the Unmerciful Servant’ in Matthew 18:32-34, "Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I cancelled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had mercy on you?' In anger his master delivered him to the tormentors until he paid all that was owing to him.” Being unmerciful imprisons you, but showing mercy will set you free! What is mercy? A devoted mother once approached Napoleon seeking a pardon for her son. The emperor replied that the young man had committed a certain offence twice and justice demanded death. "But I don't ask for justice," the mother explained. "I plead for mercy." "But your son does not deserve mercy," Napoleon replied. "Sir," the woman cried, "It would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I ask for." "Well, then," the emperor said, "I will have mercy." And he spared the woman's son. This is the essence of mercy. Mercy is compassion on someone based on their need. It is not justice, for mercy extends compassion on others in spite of their deserving it. The Lord tells us that we should extend mercy to others and then be able to receive mercy in return. And in this Beatitude He is teaching us that mercy should be a ‘lifestyle’ - an integral part of our daily Christian walk.

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). Meekness means a calm temper, someone who is not easily provoked. It is a special humility that is considerate and gentle. It does not mean weakness. The greatest leaders among God's true people were meek, that is, strong, but not swaggering: "the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth." (Numbers 12:3 KJV). Meekness is a ‘self-control’ quality that Christians are instructed to learn and develop. Jesus, while physically and psychologically strong, was also meek. The Lord was not proud, not arrogant, not abusive. He always had “power under perfect control” - a true rendition of meekness. Meekness is a necessary quality in a good teacher because all of the knowledge in the world is useless if an abrasive manner causes people to walk away with their hands over their ears. Teachers of the Gospel cannot afford to be obnoxious; the stakes are too high, for everyone. Be bold, be forceful, always proclaim the whole Truth regardless of who likes it or not, but don't be deliberately offensive. "And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. In meekness instructing those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap.” (2 Timothy 2:24-26) Since this Beatitude is probably a reference to Psalm 37, a reliable way for finding out what “meekness” means is to examine how this characteristic appears within the context of Psalm 37... “Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” (verses 1-7)

Certain portions of Scripture seem to be etched more deeply into our minds than others. Psalm 23 is definitely one of these, as are I Corinthians 13 and Hebrews 11. The Sermon on the Mount is another. This detailed description of what the subjects of the “Kingdom of God” should become, is closer to being Christianity's manifesto than any other single portion of the Bible. It is the ‘Constitution of God’s Kingdom’. In this passage, the King (Jesus) summarises the character and conduct expected of His subjects. It was intended to be a system of laws and principles which were to govern the Kingdom’s citizens during Christ’s reign. It was meant for all - past, present and future - who acknowledge Christ as King. When Christ was on earth, it had direct application to His disciples. But now, while our Lord reigns in heaven, it applies to all who crown Him King in their hearts. The Beatitudes are as important to the Christ’s followers as the Law was to Moses’ followers. But notice, the Beatitudes were directed toward a change of ‘attitude’, whereas the Ten Commandments were directed toward a change of ‘practice’. The one tells you what you must ‘do’ or ‘not do’ (“You shall...” “You shall not…”), and the other tells you what you are to ‘become’ (“Blessed are...”). By helping to change our attitudes, Jesus knew that the Sermon on the Mount could effect what we do (change our code of practice). Therefore, when our attitudes are right - so too are our practices!

Certain portions of Scripture seem to be etched more deeply into our minds than others. Psalm 23 is definitely one of these, as are I Corinthians 13 and Hebrews 11. The Sermon on the Mount is another. This detailed description of what the subjects of the “Kingdom of God” should become, is closer to being Christianity's manifesto than any other single portion of the Bible. It is the ‘Constitution of God’s Kingdom’. In this passage, the King (Jesus) summarises the character and conduct expected of His subjects. It was intended to be a system of laws and principles which were to govern the Kingdom’s citizens during Christ’s reign. It was meant for all - past, present and future - who acknowledge Christ as King. When Christ was on earth, it had direct application to His disciples. But now, while our Lord reigns in heaven, it applies to all who crown Him King in their hearts. The Beatitudes are as important to the Christ’s followers as the Law was to Moses’ followers. But notice, the Beatitudes were directed toward a change of ‘attitude’, whereas the Ten Commandments were directed toward a change of ‘practice’. The one tells you what you must ‘do’ or ‘not do’ (“You shall...” “You shall not…”), and the other tells you what you are to ‘become’ (“Blessed are...”). By helping to change our attitudes, Jesus knew that the Sermon on the Mount could effect what we do (change our code of practice). Therefore, when our attitudes are right - so too are our practices!

“Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them” (Psalm 119:140).

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible and virtually every verse praises some aspect of God’s Word. The Psalmist David seems to be in a crescendo of deep appreciation for the Word of God and yet the “Bible” he had would have been essentially the first five books of our present Bible - perhaps along with some of the historical books (hardly among our favourite sources of promises!)
 
“Your promises have been thoroughly tested.” Dr. Herbert Lockyer’s book titled “All the Promises In The Bible” lists over 8,000 promises. These promises are definite, explicit declarations God has made that we can all rely on. Notice, His promises are “thoroughly tested.”  The actual Hebrew words convey ‘a poker that’s constantly in the fire’ - in the refining process of gold.  The Amplified Bible states “tried, tested and well refined.”
 
Consider how these “promises”, that David had regarded as being “tried, tested and well refined,” have been around an additional three thousand years since his writing!  And now we have the entire Bible as a source of revelation from God and a greater source from which to glean His promises.  Notice, in the New Testament Peter writes of God’s “exceeding great and precious promises” (2 Peter 1:4).  We’re certainly blessed aren’t we!

Genesis 17:7, “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.”

God pledges that He will be the Lord Almighty to Abraham and his descendants forever. This pledge is irrevocable and is the foundation stone of all other biblical promises. The “covenant” between God and His people is one of the most important theological truths of the Bible, yet most believers have very little understanding of this truth.  The most striking thing about God’s covenant is that God is “holy”, “all-knowing” and “all powerful”; yet He consents to enter into covenants with people who are weak, sinful and imperfect (like you and me).

Covenant = A legal binding agreement between two people (or two groups of people) that involves specific promises on the part of each to the other - both parties binding themselves to fulfil specific obligations. The Hebrew word “covenant” is derived from a root word meaning “to join together/shackle” but it often implies ‘betweenness’, emphasising the relational element that lies at the core of all Biblical covenants. Human covenants can be between equals or between a superior and an inferior, however, divine covenants are always of the latter type. Furthermore, a divine covenant mostly signifies an obligation undertaken by a single person. When God “cuts a covenant” with His people it is never conditional upon the observance on their part, even though a penalty may be attached to its non-observance.