ATTITUDES VS BEATITUDES. WHICH DO YOU HAVE?
Attitude – view, opinion, perspective, belief, mood, impression, point of view
• The Sermon on the Mount
• Gospel of Matthew Chapters 5-7
• The shorter version called “Sermon on the Plain” is Luke 6:17-49
Jesus mentions in the Beatitudes (in the first 11 vs of Chapter 5): Humility, Mourning (Opposite of Artificial happiness), Meekness and Lowliness, Justice and goodness, Kindness and mercy, Pure in heart, Work for Peace, Faithfulness
GET OUT OF THAT FLESH MAN and MOVE IN THE INNER MAN
Romans 8:5-7 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh, but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
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
• Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is the exact opposite of society
• Christianity is a change from the inside out
• We are to become more like Christ
• Christian- a believer in Christ or Christ-like
Col 3:10: And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him
CHRISTIAN MORALS AND ETHICS ARE THE BASIS OR OUR SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
Matt 5:43-48: 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray FOR them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
• This scripture to me is the CRUX of our Christianity
• Will dictate how we treat others
• Will dictate how we move in the Spirit realm
• Especially in how we pray for our enemies
WE NEED THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN MOST OF THESE SITUATIONS:
Eph 4:30-32: 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
• The Holy Spirit is our guide
• He is our helper and comforter
• He reminds us of the Word of God
Give your heart to Jesus today by saying this prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. Please forgive me. Come into my life. I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Now, help me to live for you the rest of this life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus, I pray.
Amen.