Matthew 5:7-9

Three values that follow a desire for righteousness:

1. Blessed are the Merciful

• Mercy is seen as a noble attitude today. In Jesus’ day, mercy did not have high value.
• That is exactly what Jesus was working on.
• In the story of the Good Samaritan,Luke 10:25-37, Jesus asks a question and makes a statement: verses 36-37
• James 3:17
• Matthew 25:35-40 – The “goats” show no mercy, which was a sign they were not His.
• James 2:13
• The Christ follower’s character is to be marked by

2. Blessed are the Pure of Heart

• Matthew 5:8
• Let the Spirit speak to us as we read the Word:

Psalm 24:3-6

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Psalm 119:9-11

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Isaiah 5:20-23

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James 1:27

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• 1 Peter 1:22-23
• What is the reflection of a pure heart?

Romans 1:28-31

• Our blessing or our curse start at one place. How do we acknowledge God?
• As we have a pure heart, we will see God in the world we live in more clearly.
• As we have a pure heart, we can look forward to standing before Him unashamed in heaven.

3. Blessed are the Peacemakers (versus troublemakers)

• Matthew 5:9
• The promise of being called the sons of God goes beyond not being a troublemaker. The promise goes to being a peacemaker.
• This calls for involvement and it can be hard.
• This is a call to appeal to the highest goal: reconciliation.
• This calls us to challenge.
• The call of the peacemaker is to show a way to forgiveness and boundaries.
• When the trouble is between two followers of Christ, the appeal is for unity in the body of Christ.
• James 3:18

Mercy, purity of heart, and peacemaking are all in the nature and work of Jesus. We are called to be like Him.