Matthew 5:1-2  In the sermon on the Mount, Jesus is not writing you a self-help book; he is giving commands that should dictate how you live your life. Attitudes That Every Believer Should Have 1. Know That You Have Things To Work On Matthew 5:3  In any century, a poor person has little reason to be happy based on outward circumstances. However, Jesus clarified in his sermon’s first words that he was not speaking of physical poverty but spiritual poverty—poor in spirit. Certain character requirements must be met if we wish to receive the benefits of God’s kingdom; God’s purposes and values must guide us and not by the ways and values of the world. The beginning of repentance is recognizing one’s spiritual bankruptcy—one’s inability to become righteous.  2. Grieve For The Things That Grieve God Matthew 5:4  The penitent person who recognizes the weight of his or her sin and spiritual bankruptcy can only respond with sorrow.  It also means grieving over the things that grieve God, such as the unfaithfulness, immorality, and cruelty that are rampant in the world. We experience great joy and the comfort of his forgiveness through God’s grace. In a world that celebrates sin, God’s people are called to pray that the sin would stop in our world. 3. Humble and Submissive  Matthew 5:5  This does not simply suggest a modest attitude toward other people. The “meek” are those who are humble and submissive to God. The meek, rather than those who aggressively pursue their own ways, will ultimately inherit God’s benefits and reign with him. The earth’s inheritance here looks ahead to reward in the coming kingdom reign with Christ, which will be the grand climax of history. 4. Hunger To Be Righteous Matthew 5:6  This is one of the most important verses in the Sermon on the Mount. Without this intense desire for righteousness, a person will not pursue a deeper relationship with God or try to develop the other character traits Jesus describes. When a Christian loses his or her hunger for God and his standards, he or she will begin to die spiritually. 5. Have The Heart Of God Matthew 5:7   The “merciful” is full of sympathy and compassion toward those suffering from sin or sorrow. They are part of the kingdom, implying they are objects of mercy. They are “others-oriented.” What we have received in such abundance, we must dispense abundantly. That they are part of the kingdom implies they are objects of mercy. They are “others-oriented.” What we have received in such abundance, we must dispense abundantly. God’s heart is people, and that all people would know him and become more like him. 6. Pure Hearts Matthew 5:8  Purity of heart is not manufactured by the believer but is granted by the God of mercy (5:7) to those who mourn their spiritual bankruptcy (5:3–4) and who seek his righteousness (5:6).  The “pure in heart” are those who have devoted themselves to God and have been freed from sin’s power by God’s grace. 7. A Peacemaker Matthew 5:9  Those who truly have peace with God will make every effort to show that peace to others—including their enemies—and to bring others into a relationship of peace with God. Peace is, first and foundationally, internal and spiritual. Peacemakers are not power brokers but people lovers. 8. Get Excited When Facing Persecution Matthew 5:10-12  Jesus wished to highlight this final Beatitude by expanding on it like he did with none of the other seven. Persecution People who follow Christ and live according to the principles of God’s Word will face opposition and rejection. God wants us to be so on fire for him that Satan has to mobilize an army to snuff out the fire that you have that shines the Goodness of God! What are our transformational moments? 1. If this is not you, it is time to repent.