Matthew 5:20 NLT - “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

Jeremiah 17:9 - “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? NLT

SIX SIGNS OF A SPIRITUALLY UNHEALTHY HEART:

1. HARBORING ANGER

Matthew 5:21-26 - You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment. 22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.23 “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.25 “When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny. NLT

2. HARBORING LUST

Mark 5:27-30 – “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery’ 28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 So if your eye—even your good eye— causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

3. UNSCRIPTURAL DIVORCE

Mark 5:31-32 – “You have heard the law that says, ‘A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce.’ 32 But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.

4. PLAYING WITH THE TRUTH

Mark 5:33-37 – “You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’ 34 But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. 35 And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. 36 Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. 37 Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.

5. MAKING RETALIATION

Mark 5:38-42 – “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.

6. HATING YOUR ENEMIES

Mark 5:43-47 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.

Notes coming soon!

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."