Sermon | The Beatitudes (Part 2)

We look at the final Beatitudes which present a pro-active stance toward life in God’s kingdom. True spirituality does not exist detached from our relationships with others. Mercy, purity of heart, peacemaking, and even persecution all assume a life connected to others. But in a fallen world relationships carry a significant amount of risk. As Charles Shultz once said, “I love mankind. It’s people I can’t stand.”

Jesus by contrast shatters our illusion of private spirituality with a call not only to endure, but embrace the difficulty of relationships in a fallen world with joy. Not only to avoid sin, but show mercy. Not merely to turn from impurity, but to pursue purity of heart. To pro-actively make peace. To seek the ultimate good of those who slander us. Because our future hope empowers us not only to endure fallen relationships, but to act righteously within them.