The Beatitudes aren't advice for getting ahead; they're an announcement that God's kingdom has arrived and operates by entirely different values.

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The Upside Down Kingdom

The Beatitudes and Kingdom Values  |  Matthew 5:1–12

Central Idea: The Beatitudes aren't advice for getting ahead; they're an announcement that God's kingdom has arrived and operates by entirely different values.

1. THIS IS AN ANNOUNCEMENT, NOT ADVICE

“Jesus is not suggesting that these are simply timeless truths about the way the world is, about human behaviour. If he was saying that, he was wrong. Mourners often go uncomforted.

The meek don't inherit the earth. Those who long for justice frequently take that longing to the grave. This is an upside-down world, or perhaps a right-way-up world; and Jesus is saying that with his work it's starting to come true.

This is an announcement, not a philosophical analysis of the world. It's about something that's starting to happen, not about a general truth of life. It is gospel: good news, not good advice.”

— N.T. Wright

It is gospel. Good news, not good advice.

Jesus says: the knowing-you-have-nothing-together is the entry point.

2. THE UPSIDE-DOWN NATURE OF THE KINGDOM

Blessed are the poor in spirit (v. 3)

Matthew 5:3 NIV

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn (v. 4)

Matthew 5:4 NIV

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek (v. 5)

Matthew 5:5 NIV

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Meekness is not to be confused with weakness: the meek are not simply submissive because they lack the resources to be anything else.

Meekness is quite compatible with great strength and ability... True meekness may be a quality of the strong, those who could assert themselves but choose not to do so.

The strong who qualify for this blessing are the strong who decline to domineer.

— Leon Morris

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (v. 6)

Matthew 5:6 NIV

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful (v. 7)

Matthew 5:7 NIV

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart (v. 8)

Matthew 5:8 NIV

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers (v. 9)

Matthew 5:9 NIV

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are the persecuted (vv. 10–12)

Matthew 5:10–12 NIV

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

3. THIS IS WHO WE ARE, NOT WHAT WE DO TO EARN FAVOR

Jesus isn't saying, "Work really hard to be meek, and then you'll be blessed." He's saying, "Here's what kingdom people look like. Here's what it looks like when someone is deeply rooted in me."

This is the Way

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Acts 9:2 NIV

“…and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.

I. THE WAY HAS A NAME: JESUS

Jesus Claimed Exclusive Access to the Father (John 14:6)

John 14:6–7 NIV

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Jesus Is Personal, Not Philosophical (John 14:7)

"Jesus' solution to perplexity is not a recipe; it is a relationship with him."Merrill Tenney

II. THE WAY REQUIRES CONFESSION

Proverbs 28:13 NIV

Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

We Must Acknowledge the Church's Failures

"I like your Christ; I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."Mahatma Gandhi

We Must Distinguish Jesus from Cultural Christianity

"Jesus — the Jesus we might discover if we really looked! — is larger, more disturbing, more urgent than we — than the church! — had ever imagined.

We have successfully managed to hide behind other questions and to avoid the huge, world-shaking challenge of Jesus's central claim and achievement.

We have reduced the kingdom of God to private piety, the victory of the cross to comfort for the conscience, and Easter itself to a happy, escapist ending after a sad, dark tale.

Piety, conscience, and ultimate happiness are important, but not nearly as important as Jesus himself."

N.T. Wright

III. THE WAY IS A LIFESTYLE, NOT JUST A BELIEF

Following Involves Imitation

Matthew 5:1–2 NIV

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.

Following Requires Community

From its very beginning, the Way was communal.

Two Questions to think about honestly this week and sit with:

Seekers:

• Would you be willing to consider that He might actually be who He claimed to be?

Followers of Jesus:

• Have you settled for Christianity without Christ? Have you inherited a religion but drifted from a relationship? Have you built your faith around the right vocabulary and the right behavior and the right tribe — but somewhere along the way, lost sight of the person you're actually supposed to be following?

Sermon notes coming soon!

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Lead Us Not Into Temptation, But Deliver Us From Evil

Matthew 6:13 NIV

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

I. TWO PETITIONS, ONE REQUEST (v. 13)Two Aspects of One Plea

"The sinner whose evil in the past has been forgiven longs to be delivered from its tyranny in the future."John Stott

Think about the flow of the Lord's Prayer:

• We've prayed for forgiveness for past sins (v. 12)

• Now we pray for deliverance from future sins (v. 13)

The Natural Flow

1. God's holiness to be respected (v. 9)

2. God's kingdom to be realized (v. 10)

3. Our daily needs to be met (v. 11)

4. Our forgiveness to be received (v. 12)

5. Our victory over temptation and evil (v. 13)

II. THE NATURE OF EVIL (v. 13b)Evil or The Evil One?

The Greek word translated as "evil" is ponēros. This word can be translated:

• “Evil” (as in evil in general)

• “The evil one” (as in Satan specifically)

The Reality of Evil

Whether or not Satan is behind all the evil in the world doesn't change the fact that there is evil in the world.

God as Our Protector

The source of protection from such evil is God, whose kingdom believers are taught to pray will be realized on earth.

III. LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION (v. 13a)

"Lead us not into temptation..."

A Theological Puzzle

Does God tempt us?

James 1:13 NIV

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;

The MeaningTrials vs. Temptation

James 1:2 NIV

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

Here's the key: Trials are not the same as temptation.

• Trials = External circumstances that test our faith (can strengthen us)

• Temptation = Enticement to sin (can destroy us)

IV. WE NEED A GUIDE (v. 13)Trusting the Guide

• We don't know the way on our own

• The journey is long and we're tempted to doubt

• We need a guide who knows the terrain

• We're asking God to be that guide

V. DELIVERANCE (v. 13b)

"...but deliver us from evil."

God as Our Deliverer

Not:

• "God, make sure I never face hard times"

• "God, give me a comfortable life with no challenges"

But:

• "God, when I face trials, deliver me"

• "God, when temptation comes, give me a way out"

• "God, when evil threatens, protect me"

The Promise of Deliverance

1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

VI. WHO DO YOU TURN TO? (Application)Two Paths

PATH 1: Turn to God

Result: The trial strengthens your faith, deepens your dependence on God, and refines your character.

PATH 2: Turn to Something Else

Result: The trial leads you into sin, distances you from God, and damages your soul.

The Critical Moment

The critical moment is that first moment of adversity—when the trial hits, when the temptation comes, when the hardship begins.

Building the Habit

This is why Jesus teaches us to pray this prayer daily.

The Complete Prayer

Matthew 6:9–13 KJV 1900

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Matthew 6:14–15 NIV

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Forgiveness isn't optional for Christians. It's essential.

I. JESUS'S TEACHING ON FORGIVENESS WAS UNIQUE (v. 12)

The Daily Prayers in Jesus's Time “Forgive us, our Father, for we have sinned; pardon us, our King, for we have transgressed; for You are a pardoner and a forgiver. Blessed are You, O Lord, the gracious One who abundantly forgives.”

Why Does This Matter? You can't compartmentalize your relationship with God from your relationships with others. The two are inseparable.

II. DEBTS, TRESPASSES, AND SINS (v. 12)

"Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."

The Language of Forgiveness The Aramaic Word Khoba khoba meant both sin and debt.

"The faithful need to remember they are asking for forgiveness for failing to forgive what God requires of them (debts) and for their failure to do the right thing when they did act (trespass)." Ken Bailey

What We're Confessing

• We have sinned against his holiness
• We have failed in what he requires of us
• We need mercy, not justice

III. FORGIVENESS IS ESSENTIAL TO LIFE (v. 12)

"Forgive us our debts..."

Food for the Soul John Stott writes:"Forgiveness is as indispensable to the life and health of the soul as food is for the body."

Make It A Regular Practice Notice Jesus teaches his disciples to pray for forgiveness regularly. This isn't a one-time prayer. It's a daily prayer.

IV. THE TERRIFYING CONNECTION (vv. 12, 14-15)

As We Have Forgiven

Matthew 6:14–15 NIV

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Let's be clear about what Jesus is saying:

• Your forgiveness from God is connected to your forgiveness of others
• If you refuse to forgive, you demonstrate you don't understand forgiveness

An unforgiving heart reveals an unforgiven heart

Why Is This So Serious? Because forgiveness is the very essence of the gospel.

Romans 5:10 NIV

Romans 6:23 NIV

Ephesians 2:8–9 NIV

Colossians 2:13–14 NIV

The Demonstration of Repentance

Luke 7:47 NIV

Romans 5:6 NLT

PRACTICAL APPLICATION Is Your Prayer Life Marked by Forgiveness or Vengeance? Who Do You Need to Forgive?

Forgiveness is NOT:

• Saying what they did was okay (it wasn't)
• Excusing their behavior (it's inexcusable)
• Pretending it didn't hurt (it did)
• Putting yourself back in harm's way (boundaries are healthy)
• Reconciliation without repentance (forgiveness is one-sided; reconciliation requires both parties)

Forgiveness IS:

• Releasing your right to revenge
• Entrusting judgment to God
• Refusing to let bitterness poison your soul
• Choosing mercy over vindictiveness
• Extending the grace you've received

The Hard Work of Forgiving

Let me be honest: Forgiveness is hard. But Jesus is saying: For your sake, for the health of your soul, you must forgive.

The Challenge

1. Make a list of people you need to forgive

2. Pray for them by name every day

3. Ask God to help you forgive from your heart

4. If possible and appropriate, take a step toward reconciliation

Matthew 6:9–13 KJV

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Central Idea: The Lord provides exactly what you need.

Application Question: Instead of praying for what you want, have you ever thought about praying for God to change your desires?

I. THE ORDER OF PRAYER MATTERS (v. 11) God First, Then Us 1. Praise God for who he is

2. Pray for his kingdom to be enacted on earth

3. Then, finally, move on to what you need

Need Over Want Jesus is teaching the disciples the proper focus of our lives:

• Our relationship with God first

• Our care for the world second

• An expression of what we need (over what we want) third

Hebrews 13:5 NIV

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

II. DAILY DEPENDENCE ON GOD (v. 11) Day by Day Faith Exodus 16:2–5 NIV

In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”

Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV

For we live by faith, not by sight.

Building Strong Faith This daily practice can become the basis for a strong faith that can look back and see multiple days when God provided in ample measure.

III. DELIVERANCE FROM THE FEAR OF NOT HAVING (v. 11) The Aramaic/Syriac Translation The Syriac word for amen means "never ceasing, never ending." Thus, Jesus is teaching the disciples to pray for deliverance from the fear of not having what is needed.

The Anxiety of Scarcity Jesus is teaching us to pray: "God, give us never-ending, never-ceasing provision of what we need."

IV. CONTENTMENT WITH BREAD (v. 11) Why Bread? Philippians 4:11–13 NIV

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

The Rich Who Have Everything But Fulfillment “Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done.” C.S. Lewis

Ecclesiastes 5:10 NIV

Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.

What Are You Actually Asking For? Are You Approaching God Daily? Have You Considered Praying for Changed Desires? "God, help me be content where I am" Philippians 4:11

“God, help me be generous with what I have" 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

"God, help me be grateful for shelter" Psalm 5:11

"God, align my wants with what you know I need" 1 John 5:14-15

Matthew 6:9–13 KJV 1900

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Matthew 6:10 (NIV) “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

I. THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS THE WILL OF GOD (v. 10a)

A. Hebrew Parallelism

- The kingdom of God = the manifestation of the will of God

- The will of God = the reign of the kingdom of God

B. Kingdom Means "Reign"

C. Already and Not Yet We live in the tension—the kingdom is here, but not fully here. It's present, but not complete. And Jesus teaches us to pray for its full arrival.

II. WHAT IS GOD'S WILL? (v. 10b)

A. The Range of God's Effective Will "The kingdom of God is the range of his effective will: that is, it is the domain where what he prefers is actually what happens." Dallas Willard

B. Alignment with God's Design

III. IT'S NOT ABOUT US (v. 10)

A. The Focus of Our Lives

B. Transformation Through Prayer

C. Our Lives Characterized by Devotion

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

So what does this mean for you personally? How do we pray "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" in a way that actually changes our lives?

A. In Your Relationships

B. In Your Work

C. In Your Community

D. In Your Heart Matthew 6:9–13 NIV

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,  but deliver us from the evil one.”

The name of God deserves your attention and respect.

P.R.A.Y. Spiritual Exercise

Philippians 4:4–9 NIV

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

P - Pause Before God Be still in His presence

R - Rejoice in the Lord and Reflect "Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!" (v.4)

A - Ask God "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." (v.6)

Y - Yield and Trust "Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand." (v.7)

Throughout your day, when anxiety rises, return to this rhythm:

• (take one deep breath) Pause 

• (name one truth about God) Rejoice 

• (turn the worry into a request) Ask 

• (open your hands and receive peace) Yield 

Sermon Notes: Central Idea: The name of God deserves your attention and respect.

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name." These opening words set the tone for everything that follows. Before we ask for anything, before we confess anything, before we bring our needs before God—Jesus teaches us to begin by recognizing who God is.

I. GOD IS "OUR" FATHER

A. Prayer Begins with Community

Ephesians 4:6 NLT

... one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.

B. God as Father and Creator

C. The Revolutionary Nature of "Father"

II. GOD IS IN HEAVEN

"Our Father in heaven..."

This phrase holds two truths in tension:

- Intimacy: He's our Father—personal, caring, accessible

- Transcendence: He's in heaven—sovereign, holy, glorious

III. HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME

"Hallowed be your name."

B. God's Name Above Our Own - God's holiness comes first

C. The Mystery That Sparks Faith Matthew 6:9–13 NIV

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”