Sermon Sandwich
Sermon Sandwich—Matthew 5:1-12
Trinity Church, 1589 Hwy 174, Edisto Island, SC 29438
www.trinityedisto.com 843-869-3568
4th Sunday of Epiphany, January 29, 2023
Holy Eucharist - Renewed Ancient Text; 2019 BCP, p.123
Matthew 5:1-12 Sermon Notes
Intro - Blessing.
The comparison of Jesus and the Beatitudes
to Moses and The Law is striking.
Jesus Intensifies The Law:
Matthew 5:21-28 - 21 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment … 27 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
The purpose of the Law? to convict us of our sin.
Romans 3:20 - For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
Matthew 5:1-6 - Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
The Beatitudes are describing a person; The Blessed One - Jesus Christ.
In his life and on His Cross Jesus took on each of these qualities, attitudes and actions and then He offered His Blessed life as a sinless substitutionary sacrifice upon His Cross in my place and for my sake.
The Beatitudes then describe the condition of the human heart that is open to hearing the Gospel.
The Gospel is the Good News of the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus Christ by which we become the Righteousness of God.
Only Believers, or Those who are Becoming Believers, are:
Poor in Spirit - spiritually bankrupt. Believers, or those becoming Believers, are not those out in the World who say “I’m fine.”
Mourn - over, what? Our sin. We mourn and repent. Believers, or those becoming Believers, mourn our sin.
Meek - without any power and completely dependent in the Kingdom of Heaven.
A Believer, or those becoming Believers acknowledge we must reply completely upon His Holy Spirit, His power and His grace, absolutely Saved only by grace.
Hungers/Thirsts for Righteousness -
Worldly Righteousness - Right Behaving, Self- Righteousness.
Biblical Righteousness - Right Believing, The Gift of Righteousness by the Blessed One - Jesus Christ.