Author: Art Davison

BLESSED ARE THEY WHICH ARE PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS’ SAKE–MATTHEW 5:10-12

Art Davison THE BEATITUDES 0 Comment
“BLESSED ARE THEY WHICH ARE PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS’ SAKE”
MATTHEW 5:10-12
Introduction:

What is meant by “persecution?” The Greek word “to persecute,” signifies “to vex and molest,” sometimes “to arraign” (legal term), or “to pursue to the death.” Ezekiel describes a persecutor as a “pricking briar,” or a “grieving thorn.” Ezekiel 28:24, “And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel, nor any grieving thorn of all that are round about them, that despised them; and they shall know that I am the Lord GOD.”

A faithful believer in Christ can expect persecution. In fact, it will be a part of his life. Although life is full of roses in regard to the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it is full of thorns in regard to persecution.

The Jews persecuted Jesus for doing the will of the Father and we can expect no less, John 5:16, “And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.” Jesus said in John 15:20, “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.”

I. CONSIDER THE VARIOUS KINDS OF PERSECUTION

A. Persecution of the hand, Acts 7:52, “Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:”

1. Paul was “accounted as sheep for the slaughter,” Romans 8:36, “As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

2. Paul gained strength from the things he suffered, 2 Corinthians 12:10, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

B. The Persecution of the Tongue.

1. Reproach; some do not take this as persecution:

a. Cruel mockings, Hebrews 11:36, “And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:”

b. False accusations, Psalm 35:11,“False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.”

2. Slander: Paul was accused of preaching evil doctrine, Romans 3:8, “And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.”

II. THE PERSECUTION OF THE LORD’S MINISTERS

Remember who the Lord was talking to here in Matthew 5:1-2, “And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,”

A. The Lord warns his disciples, Matthew 5:11-12, “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

1. The prophets are an example, James 5:10, “Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.”

2. As soon as Paul entered the ministry the Lord told him what he was to suffer:

a. Great things, Acts 9:16, “For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

b. Bonds and afflictions, Acts 20:23, “Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.”

3. Paul was prepared for his suffering, 2 Timothy 4:6, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.”

B. The reasons why persecution has mainly fallen on the ministers of God:

1. They have their difficulties as others do, and lest they be lifted up “through the abundance of revelation,” God lets loose some “messenger of Satan” to vex and persecute them, 2 Corinthians 12:7, “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.”

2. The minister is the ensign-bearer of the Lord’s colors, Philippians 1:16-17, “The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.”

a. Being at the battle front, they are shot at the most, Philippians 1:15-17, “Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.”

b. Paul pictures the ministers of Christ as soldiers, 2 Timothy 2:3-4, “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”

3. The malice of Satan is cast upon the ministers of God for he comes to destroy Satan’s kingdom, but the minister is prepared, 2 Corinthians 10:4, “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)”

a. “It shows what a work the ministry is; though full of dignity, yet full of danger. The persecution of the tongue is the most gentle persecution can be expected. It is not possible (says Luther) to be a faithful preacher and not to meet with trials and oppositions.” —Thomas Watson

b. It shows the corruption of man’s nature since the Fall.

1) Men will not endure to have their King, Sin, to be crucified by the preacher.

2) If the fury of the world is against the minister, than you that fear God need to pray much for God’s preachers, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2, “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 2And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.”

III. THE PERSECUTION THAT MAKES ONE BLESSED

A. Suffering persecution that DOES NOT make us blessed.

1. When we put a “cross” on ourselves. “When men through precipitancy and rashness run themselves into trouble, it is a cross of their own making and not of God’s laying upon them.” —Thomas Watson.

2. When we suffer for our own offences, 1 Peter 4:15, “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.”

3. When we suffer out of sinister respects such as leading a faction in the name of the Lord, 1 Corinthians 13:3b, “and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” There have been groups that have espoused a cause that they called “Christian,” but has not real basis in the Word of God. Some of these have even suffered death supposing themselves to be martyrs.

B. Suffering persecution that WILL make us blessed.

1. When we suffer for a good cause, Matthew 5:10, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

a. Paul, “for the hope of Israel,” Acts 28:20, “For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”

b. For the preaching of the Gospel, Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

2. When we suffer with a good conscience, Acts 23:1, “And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”

3. When we have a good call and good ends to our suffering, Matthew 10:18, “And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.”

a. To establish and seal the truth, John 8:32, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

b. To show our love for Christ, 2 Corinthians 2:8-9, “Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. 9For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.”

4. When you suffer as Christians:

a. Suffer with patience, James 5:10, “Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.”

b. Suffer with courage, Daniel 3:18, “But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”

c. Suffer with cheerfulness, Acts 5:41, “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.”

d. Suffer and pray, Luke 6:28, “Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.”

1) Our prayers may be a means to convert the persecutors, Acts 7:60, “And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

2) Paul was definitely influenced by Steven’s prayer.

IV. LESSONS TO BE LEARNED FROM PERSECUTION

A. It shows that the true nature of Christianity is holiness joined with suffering, 2 Timothy 3:12, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

1. Persecution is the legacy left by Christ to His people, John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

2. Our Lord calls persecution “the cross,” Matthew 16:24, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

3. We will reign with our Lord, but suffering will come first, 2 Timothy 2:12, “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:”

4. You can rejoice “inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings,” 1 Peter 4:12-13, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”

B. These persecutions are neither signs of anger God’s nor fruits of the curse of sin, but rather, they are proofs of our blessedness, Matthew 5:11, “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.”

CONCLUSION

Suffering for righteousness sake is to bring glory to our Lord Jesus Christ. It is our privilege to suffer for the One who suffered for us on the tree of Calvary.

Paul summed it up in Philippians 1:29, “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;”

Peter says that we will have “exceeding joy” having suffered for Christ, when Jesus comes again, 1 Peter 4:13, “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”

BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS-MATTHEW 5:9

Art Davison THE BEATITUDES 0 Comment
BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS
MATTHEW 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”
Introduction:

The Scriptures link two of the Beatitudes together, pureness of heart and peaceableness of heart, James 3:17, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” Paul tells us in Hebrews 12:14, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”

Here in this passage the Lord joins the two together, pure in heart and peacemakers, as if there could be no purity where there is not a study of peace.

I. PROMOTERS OF PEACE MUST BE LOVERS OF PEACE

A. Christians must be “peaceable-minded.”

1. Peaceableness of spirit is a jewel of great price, 1 Peter 3:4, “But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”

2. Believers are said to be Christ’s sheep, who are peaceable creatures, John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”

3. They are Christ’s doves, therefore they must be without impudence (rudeness), Song of Solomon, 2:14, “O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.”

B. There is a four-fold peace that we must consider:

1. The peace of the house, peace in families, Ephesians 4:3, “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

2. The peace of the House of God, the Church, 1 Corinthians 1:10, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” One bad member endangers the whole congregation, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.”

3. There is political peace, peace in the city and country.

a. Peace is the best blessing of a nation, Psalm 147:14, “He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.”

b. The godly man “enters into peace” when he dies, Isaiah 57:1-2, “The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. 2He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.” But while he lives peace must enter into him.

II. GOD’S PEOPLE ARE CALLED UNTO PEACE

A. God’s people are commanded to seek peace, Psalm 34:14, “Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.”

B. It is a change that the Grace of God has made in the Believer.

1. The briar has changed into the myrtle tree, Isaiah 55:13, “Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”

2. The lion-like fierceness has turned into a lamb-like gentleness, Isaiah 11:6-9, “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. 7And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. 9They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”

III. PEACEABLENESS IS THE CHARACTER OF THE SAINT

A. He should be of a peaceable disposition, Romans 12:18, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

1. A peaceable spirit is honorable, Proverbs 20:3a, “It is an honour for a man to cease from strife:”

2. A peaceable spirit is highly prudential, James 3:17, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”

3. A peaceable spirit brings peace with it, Proverbs 11:17, “The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.”

B. Christ shed His blood for peace, Colossians 1:20, “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”

C. Take heed to inward hindrances to peace.

1. Self-love, 2 Timothy 3:2, “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,” Philippians 2:21, “For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.”

2. Pride, Proverbs 28:25, “He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.”

3. Envy, 1 Timothy 6:4, “He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,” Proverbs 27:4, “Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?”

4. Credulity, Proverbs 14:15, “The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.”

BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART-MATTHEW 5:8

Art Davison THE BEATITUDES 0 Comment
BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART
MATTHEW 5:8
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”
Introduction:
The Apostle John wrote, “No man hath seen God at any time.” (John 1:18a). The promise here in Matthew 5:8 is that those who are “pure in heart,..shall see God.” Habakkuk 1:13 declares of God, “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity:” What many people have forgotten is that God is a holy God and no one will see or inter into His presence who have not been cleansed from their sin.
Here the Lord continues the spiritual and theological education of the Disciples to enable them to do the work of the Lord after He returns to be with the Father in Heaven.
I. THE NATURE OF THE PURE HEART
A. Holiness (purity) is the glory of the Godhead, Exodus 15:11, “Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?”
B. Purity is required in order to stand in God’s presence, Psalms 24:3-4, “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
1. Civility is not purity. “A man may be clothed with moral virtues – justice, prudence, temperance – YET GO TO HELL.” —Thomas Watson.
2. Profession is not purity, Revelation 3:1, “And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.”
3. Purity consist of two things:
a. Rectitude of mind, i.e., holiness in judgment, Psalm 119:30, “I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.” Compare Proverbs 1:29-30, “For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: 30They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.”
b. Conformity of will, i. e., an embracing of holiness in the affections, Psalm 119:97, 165, “O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day. 165Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” Compare Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
II. REASONS FOR A PURE HEART
A. It is CALLED FOR in the Scriptures, 1 Peter 1:16, “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” Leviticus 11:44a, “For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy:” See also Leviticus 19:2; 20:7.
B. Because of our FILTHY and CURSED CONDITION:
1. Filthy, James 1:21, “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”
a. The plague of man’s heart, 1 Kings 8:38, “What prayer and supplication soever be made by any man, or by all thy people Israel, which shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and spread forth his hands toward this house:”
b. He is blemished by sin, Deuteronomy 32:5, “They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation.”
c. We are as an unclean thing, Isaiah 30:22, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”
2. Man is cursed outside of Christ, 2 Peter 2:14, “Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:”
a. Children of disobedience, Ephesians 2:2, “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:”
b. By nature the children of wrath, Ephesians 2:3, “Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”
C. Purity is the END PRODUCT of our redemption:
1. Christ redeemed us from our iniquity, 1 Peter 1:18-19, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”
2. Christ redeemed us from the wrath of God, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, “And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”
3. Christ has justified us through His redemption, Romans 3:24, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”
4. A pure heart is the END PRODUCT, 1 Timothy 1:5, “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:”
D. Purity is the END of our ELECTION.
1. He has chosen us that we might be holy, Ephesians 1:4, “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:”
2. Not for holiness, but TO holiness, Romans 8:29, “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
3. God predestinates us to Christ’s image, which consists “in righteousness and true holiness,” Ephesians 4:24, “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
III. SIGNS OF AN IMPURE HEART
A. An Ignorant Heart is an Impure Heart, Acts 26:18, “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”
B. Grace cannot reign where ignorance reigns.
1. There is no love for God, Psalm 9:10, “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.”
2. Ignorance will not allow man to worship God correctly, John 4:22, “Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.”
3. Ignorance leads to sin, Ephesians 4:18-19, “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.”
4. Ignorance is the mother of pride, Revelation 3:17, “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:”
5. It is the cause of error, 2 Timothy 3:7, “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
IV. SIGNS OF A PURE HEART
A. A Sincere heart is a pure heart, Psalm 32:2, “Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.”
1. A sincere heart serves God with the whole heart.
a. His praise is with the whole heart, Psalm 9:1, “I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.”
b. He seeks the Lord with a whole heart, Psalm 119:2-3, “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. 3They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.”
2. The sincere Christian is willing to come under trial, Psalm 139:23, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:”
B. A Sincere heart does not go against his conscience.
1. He is bold in suffering, Proverbs 28:1, “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.” Compare Deuteronomy 28:7, “The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.”
2. But he is fearful of sin: Joseph speaks to the wife of his master in Egypt, Genesis 39:9, “There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”
C. The sincere heart is a suspicious heart.
1. The hypocrite suspects others and has good thoughts of himself.
2. The sincere Christian has charitable thoughts of others and suspects himself. This comes from a pure heart knowing that the Old Man still lives within him.
V. THE MEANS TO BE USED TO OBTAIN A PURE HEART.
A. Look to the Word of God regularly.
1. It cleanses, John 15:3, “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.”
2. It sanctifies, John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
B. Go to the bath of God.
1. The bath of tears, Luke 7:38, “And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.”
2. The bath of Christ’s blood. It is “a fountain opened… for sin and uncleanness,” Zechariah 13:1, “In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.”
C. Get faith. It is the soul-cleansing grace of God, Acts 15:9, “And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.”
VI. THE PROMISE OF THE BLESSED PRIVILEDGE OF SEEING GOD FOR THOSE OF A PURE HEART.
Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”
A. Our sight of God shall be TRANSPARENT SIGHT.
1. Here we see “through a glass darkly,” 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”
2. There “we shall see Him as He is,” 1 John 3:2, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”
B. Our sight of God shall be TRANSCENDENT SIGHT.
1. If His TRANSFIGURATION was glorious, imagine what His INAUGURATION will be like, Matthew 17:2, “And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.”
2. There we shall SEE the KING in all His GLORY, Isaiah 33:17, “Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.”
C. Our sight of God shall be a TRANSFORMING SIGHT.
1. We shall be changed, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
2. We shall be like him, 1 John 3:2, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”
D. Our sight of God will be a JOYFUL SIGHT.
1. We shall see His face, Acts 2:28, “Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.”
2. If our faith brings “unspeakable joy,” 1 Peter 1:8, “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:”
3. Imagine what our sight of Him will bring, EVERLASTING JOY, John 16:22, “And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.”
CONCLUSION
“Nothing can have a greater force and efficacy upon the heart to make it pure than faith. Faith will remove mountains, the mountains of pride, lust and envy. Faith and the love of sin are inconsistent.” —Thomas Watson
Nothing will be light the sight of our Lord Jesus Christ on that day. Our rejoicing will be like nothing we have ever experienced before even though we have experienced “joy unspeakable” by faith.

BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL-MATTHEW 5:7

Art Davison THE BEATITUDES 0 Comment
BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL
MATTHEW 5:7
“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”
Psalms 18:25, “With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright;”
Proverbs 11:17a, “The merciful man doeth good to his own soul:”

Introduction:

“These verses, like the stairs of Solomon’s Temple, cause our ascent to the holy of holies. We are mounting up a step higher. ‘Blessed are the merciful…’ There was never more need to preach of mercifulness than in these unmerciful times wherein we live.” Thomas Watson wrote that in 1660.

Mercy is seen as the “duty” of a Christian in the beginning of the text and in the end it is seen as a reward. The Hebrew word for “godly” signifies “merciful;” the godlier, the more merciful. However, the Lord puts a great difference between the merciful and the unmerciful.

I. JUST AS THE MERCIFUL MAN IS BLESSED, THE UNMERCIFUL MAN IS CURSED

A. Why, what is his crime? “He remembered NOT to show mercy,” Psalm 109:16, “Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart.”

B. Look at the vile of plagues of God that are poured out on the unmerciful, Psalm 109:17, “As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him.”

C. The blessing of the God crown and encompass the merciful man, 2 Samuel 22:26, “With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.”

1. His children are blessed, Psalm 37:26, “He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.”

2. The Lord will deliver him from trouble, Psalm 41:1, “Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.”

II. A CONTRAST BETWEEN LOVE AND MERCY

1. Love is like a friend that visits those who are well.

2. Mercy respects those that are miserable.

a. Mercy is like a physician who visits only those who are sick, Matthew 9:12, “Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.”

b. Love acts more out of affection.

c. Mercy acts out of a principle of conscience.

d. Mercy lends its help to another.

e. Love gives its heart to another.

3. Both agree that they are ready to do good.

B. Mercy springs from a work of grace in the heart contrary to the natural man.

1. The natural man is unmerciful, Romans 1:31, “Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:”

a. Foolish – “without understanding.” Romans 3:11, “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.”

b. Faithless – “covenant breakers” 2 Timothy 3:3, “Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good.”

c. No love of kindred – “without natural affections” Matthew 10:21, “And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.”

d. Unforgiving – “implacable” Matthew 6:14-15, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

e. Pitiless – “unmerciful” Psalm 78:37-39, “For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant. 38But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath. 39For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.”

2. The unmerciful man is compared to an adamant stone, Zechariah 7:12, “Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.”

3. They which commit such things are worthy of death, Romans 1:32, “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”

C. The change that grace has made, Colossians 3:12, “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;”

“When the sun shines the ice melts. When the Sun of righteousness once shines with beams of grace upon the soul, then it melts in mercy and tenderness. You must first be a new man before a merciful man.” –Thomas Watson

III. THE REWARDS OF EXTENDING MERCY TO OTHERS.

B. He is blessed in his name, Psalm 112:6, “Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.”

C. He shall abound in much, Proverbs 11:25, “The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.”

D. His posterity shall be blessed, Psalm 37:26, “He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.”

E. He is blessed in his business, Deuteronomy 15:10, “Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.”

F. God always pays us back, Proverbs 19:17, “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”

CONCLUSION

There is much more to this study and I challenge you to search the Scriptures for the rewards of helping others. Our lives are made much more enjoyable when we extend a helping hand to someone in difficulty.

A. The merciful are blessed in his person, Psalm 41:1, “Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.”A. Love is more extensive.Psalm 109:6-9, “Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand. 7-When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin. 8-Let his days be few; and let another take his office. 9-Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.”

SPIRITUAL HUNGER SHALL BE SATISFIED-MATTHEW 5:6

Art Davison THE BEATITUDES 0 Comment
SPIRITUAL HUNGER SHALL BE SATISFIED
MATTHEW 5:6
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”

Introduction:


This is the second part of the text and it deals with the promise that God has made to His people regarding spiritual hunger. Here God gives His word: “they shall be filled.” The Lord has not bids us to seek Him in vain, Isaiah 45:19, “I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.” He has promised a blessing:

1. He promised to fill us with Good Things, Luke 1:53a, “3He hath filled the hungry with good things;” Revelation 7:15-17.

2. He will satisfy our souls, Psalm 107:9, “For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.”

1) The world is fading, not filling, Isaiah 28:1, “Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!”

2) The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways, Proverbs 14:14a, “The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways.”

3) The hungry soul will be filled with God’s goodness, Jeremiah 31:14, “And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the LORD.”

The psalmist said in Psalm 63:5, “My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:”

I. GOD WILL FILL THE HUNGRY SOUL

A. The Lord is a fountain of life, Psalm 36:9a, “For with thee is the fountain of life.”

1. Cisterns may be empty or broken as are people, Jeremiah 2:13, “For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.”

2. The fullness of God’s fountain is constant, even infinite.

a. The fullness of man is mutable; it ebbs and changes.

b. God is a constant fullness, Psalm 102:27, “But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.”

B. The Lord’s Fullness is overflowing and ever-flowing.

1. In His presence is fullness of joy, Psalm 16:11, “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

2. Of His fullness we have received grace, if we know Him, John 1:16, “And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.”

3. In the love of Christ we are “filled with all the fulness of God,” Ephesians 3:19, “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”

II. WHY GOD FILLS THE HUNGRY SOUL

A. Because of His tender compassion, Matthew 15:32, “Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.”

1. The father had compassion on the Prodigal son when he came to himself, Luke 15:17, “And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!”

2. The Lord invites man to come and satisfy his need, Isaiah 55:1, “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.”

3. The Lord knows that we have this need, Matthew 6:21-32, “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.”

B. God will fill the hungry because of the sweet relationship He has with his children.

1. The hungry soul is very satisfied with God’s mercy, Ephesians 2:4-5, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”

2. The hungry soul is most likely to praise the Lord even for the bitter things, Proverbs 27:7, “The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.”

3. The soul that is hungry for correction will praise the Lord, Hebrews 12:7, 10, “If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 10For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.”

III. HOW GOD FILLS THE HUNGRY SOUL

A. God fills the hungry soul with His grace.

1. We are justified by His grace, Romans 3:24, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”

2. We are built up spiritually by His grace, Acts 20:32, “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”

3. We are redeemed through the riches of His grace, Ephesians 1:7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”

B. God fills the hungry soul with peace.

1. The God of hope has filled us with peace, Romans 15:13, Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

2. God gave Israel honey from the rock [ Deuteronomy 32:13, “He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock;”] and that Rock is Jesus Christ, 1 Corinthians 10:4, “And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

3. God has given peace to the spiritually minded, Romans 8:6, “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

C. God fills the hungry soul with BLISS, Psalm 17:15, As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” Philippians 3:21, “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” 1 John 3:2-3, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”

Conclusion

What an encouragement this is to hunger after righteousness. God charges us to fill the hungry, Isaiah 5810-11, “And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: 11And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.”

Now is our opportunity to do just that by reaching out to our neighbors, friends and relatives with the truth from God’s Word. The challenge is has been made, but few have taken it seriously.