Sermon Manuscript: The Beatitudes Part 1 (Matthew 5:3-5)

Welcome: 

Last week, we were introduced to the Kingdom of God, the central theme of Jesus's teachings. We delved into the very first word of His earthly ministry: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). Together, we reflected on the meaning of repentance—not merely feeling regret for past actions, but embracing a change of direction. Repentance is about turning away from what we’ve been chasing and realigning our hearts to pursue Christ above all else. 

I likened repentance to “the Doorway to the Kingdom” of Heaven. It is through this doorway that we begin our journey into the fullness of God’s Kingdom. Without stepping through in humility and surrender, the journey cannot truly begin. 

Now that we have hopefully stepped through the doorway of repentance, with hearts oriented toward Christ and the Kingdom of Heaven, it’s time to turn our attention to the Beatitudes, the first teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. 

If repentance is the doorway to the kingdom, then we can like the  liken the Beatitudes to steps on a stairwell, each one building upon the other, leading us higher and closer to the heart of God. As we ascend, we grow in spiritual maturity, character, and an understanding of what it truly means to live as citizens of Heaven. Each step invites us to reflect, grow, and embody the values of the Kingdom in our lives.

Let us begin by reflecting on the first three beatitudes:

Scripture Reading: 

Matthew 5:3-5 (ESV)

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

“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”  

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”  

Introduction:

Imagine yourself among the crowd gathered on a mountainside. The curious masses linger below, but the faithful disciples draw closer, ascending the mountain to be near Jesus. Then, with the hush of expectation settling over the group, Jesus begins to teach about the dawning of the Kingdom of God. Interestingly, this Kingdom comes not with harsh words of revolution or judgment, but with words of blessing. 

These blessings, known as the Beatitudes, seem paradoxical to the world yet serve as the first steps into the Kingdom of Heaven. They are an invitation to embrace a new way of life, one that aligns our hearts with the values of God’s Kingdom rather than the fleeting values of this world.

As we reflect on these Beatitudes, notice how each one turns worldly wisdom on its head, revealing the wisdom of God. The world celebrates self-reliance, but Jesus blesses the poor in spirit, those who recognize their need for God. The world prizes unshakable happiness, yet Jesus blesses those who mourn, promising them comfort. While the world glorifies power and ambition, Jesus exalts the meek, those who rely not on force but on God’s strength.

This divine reversal echoes the truth we find throughout Scripture: “For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25).

If we are willing to open our hearts and truly hear these words, they have the power to transform us. To live by their teachings is to climb higher into the Kingdom of Heaven, step by step. Together, let us ascend, echoing the words of the prophet Isaiah: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths” (Isaiah 2:3).

The First Step: “Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit”

Jesus declares, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  (Matthew 5:3, ESV)

What does it mean to be "poor in spirit"? It is not merely a lack of material wealth or worldly status, though sometimes God can use physical need to teach us deeper spiritual truths about how much we ought to depend on God. No, this poverty is far more deeper—it speaks of humility before God, a spiritual awareness that we are utterly dependent on Him for all things. It is the recognition that we are not sufficient in ourselves, that apart from God’s grace, we are hopeless, helpless, and lost.  

To be poor in spirit is to acknowledge our spiritual bankruptcy before a holy God. It means recognizing, as the psalmist declares: "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18).  

This brokenness is not a despair that turns inward but a humility that looks upward. It is the confession that, like the tax collector in Jesus’ parable, we stand in need of mercy, crying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Luke 18:13).  

If you or someone you care about has gone through addiction recovery, you know that the first step toward healing is admitting there’s a problem. At the beginning, it can be difficult to recognize the full weight of the struggle, but without that understanding, it’s hard to take the next step. However when someone is able to acknowledge their powerlessness and their need for help, they open the door to recovery. In much the same way, our spiritual journey begins when we honestly face our brokenness and our need for God. Only then can we reach out for His healing and grace. 

This first step on the stairway to spiritual life is a step so low that anyone can reach it. It requires no merit, no achievement, no self-sufficiency—only the humble admission of need. And yet, this lowly step opens the gates to the Kingdom of Heaven. For as the prophet Isaiah reminds us: "But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word" (Isaiah 66:2).  

This blessing, like all the Beatitudes, turns worldly wisdom on its head. The world says, “Blessed are the self-sufficient, the confident, and the capable.” But Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” Why? Because the Kingdom of Heaven is a gift, not a reward. It cannot be earned by human effort or deserved by human merit. It can only be received with empty hands stretched out in faith.

Do you feel the weight of your insufficiency today? Do you sense the gap between your brokenness and God’s holiness? Rejoice, for the kingdom of heaven is nearest to those who recognize their great need. As James reminds us: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6).  

Your need is not a barrier to God’s kingdom. In fact the admission of spiritual poverty is the first step into a life overflowing with the riches of His grace. Jesus’ words are a joyful invitation to all who feel crushed by the burdens of life and sin. If you feel poor in spirit today, hear His promise:  "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).  

This is good news! In your emptiness, God fills you. In your humility, He lifts you up. And in your need, He gives you the greatest treasure—the kingdom of heaven itself.  Let us, like the psalmist, echo this truth: "Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (Psalm 73:25–26).

Rejoice and take that first step, for the kingdom of heaven is yours.

The Second Step: “Blessed Are Those Who Mourn”

Then we read the second beatitude: "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:4, ESV)

Why does Jesus call those who mourn blessed? Surely, He is not celebrating sorrow for its own sake. He is not glorifying pain or grief as an end in itself. Instead, Jesus speaks of a specific kind of mourning—one that reflects a heart in harmony with God’s. It is a sorrow that arises from seeing the brokenness of the world, the weight of sin, and the suffering it brings. This mourning is not passive or hopeless; it is a holy sorrow that drives us toward God, the only source of true comfort, healing, and restoration.

This mourning begins with an honest recognition of the world’s fallen state. It is the grief of realizing that things are not as they should be. Sin has marred God’s creation, leaving behind pain, injustice, and suffering. This sorrow is not limited to personal sin but extends to the collective brokenness of humanity and the created order. 

The apostle Paul captures this well when he writes:  “For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now” (Romans 8:22).  

The psalmist, too, laments this brokenness, crying out:  “My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law” (Psalm 119:136). Such mourning reflects a heart that longs for God’s righteousness to reign—a heart that yearns for the world to be restored to its intended beauty and holiness.

This mourning also stems from a personal awareness of the chasm that sin creates between us and God. When confronted with God’s holiness, we, like Isaiah, are moved to grief and repentance: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” (Isaiah 6:5). 

This is not a mourning of despair but a godly grief that leads to repentance and transformation. As Paul reminds us:  “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10).

The mourning Jesus blesses is not a passive emotion but a call to action. It is the cry of a heart that refuses to accept the brokenness of the world and seeks God’s intervention. Mourning compels us to repentance, intercession, and meaningful action. It says, “this is not how it should be!” and turns us toward the One who can make all things right.

Consider Nehemiah, who mourned deeply over the broken walls of Jerusalem. His grief led him to fast, pray, and seek God’s guidance, which ultimately moved him to act in faith and rebuild (Nehemiah 1:4-11). In the same way, our mourning should propel us to seek God’s comfort and engage in the work of restoration.

Here lies the hope: those who mourn are not left in their sorrow. Jesus promises that they will be comforted—fully, deeply, and eternally. This comfort comes from God’s promises, His presence, and His redemptive power.

The ultimate comfort for those who mourn is the assurance that God is restoring all things. His promise is clear: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).  This hope gives us strength to endure sorrow, knowing that joy awaits.

God does not leave us alone in our grief. He draws near to the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).  

Jesus Himself fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me... to comfort all who mourn” (Isaiah 61:1-2).

Mourning reminds us that while we cannot fix the brokenness of the world, God can. He has the power to bring beauty from ashes, joy from mourning, and praise from despair (Isaiah 61:3). Paul declares this truth with confidence:  

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Do not shy away from mourning. Do not suppress your sorrow or dismiss it as weakness. Instead, bring your grief to the feet of Jesus. Let it draw you closer to Him, trusting that He sees, He cares, and He responds with compassion. As Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:35), so He enters into our sorrow, sharing in our pain with tender love. And just as He raised Lazarus from the dead, so He brings life and hope where there was once despair.

Rejoice, even in your mourning, for it is a sign that your heart is aligned with the heart of God. Know that His promise is sure: “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:5).

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Let us walk forward in this promise, filled with hope and confident in His abiding love. 

The Third Step: Blessed Are the Meek

The third and final beatitude that we will cover this morning is: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." (Matthew 5:5, ESV)  

Meekness is not a word we use often in our modern vocabulary, and when we do we often use it to convey this idea of weakness, passivity, or a lack of confidence. But the meekness that Jesus exalts in this beatitude is nothing like that. Biblical meekness is not weakness, it is strength under control. It is a quiet confidence rooted in humility and trust in God’s sovereignty—a power that is fully surrendered to His will.

Consider Moses, described in Scripture as “very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3). Was Moses weak? There were times when he trembled and was struck by fear, however he also stood boldly before Pharaoh, led the Israelites out of slavery, and interceded with God on their behalf when they strayed. His meekness was not the absence of strength but the submission of that strength to God’s authority. He trusted God to accomplish what he could not on his own.

Even more perfectly, look to Jesus, who called Himself “gentle and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29). Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords, demonstrated the ultimate example of meekness. He possessed all the power of heaven but chose to lay it down in submission to the Father’s will. In the Garden of Gethsemane, facing arrest and crucifixion, He declared, “Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled?” (Matthew 26:53-54).  

Jesus’ meekness was not weakness but supreme strength under perfect control. His submission to God’s plan secured the salvation of the world, displaying a meekness that was both majestic and triumphant.

To be meek is to lay down self-will and pride. It is the willingness to trust God fully, yielding our rights, desires, and ambitions to His perfect will. The meek do not need to assert themselves or grasp for control because they rest in the assurance that God is in control. They are teachable and pliable, like clay in the hands of the Potter: “But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand” (Isaiah 64:8).  

Meekness is not apathy or passivity. It is not a lack of action or courage. Instead, the meek live with quiet boldness, trusting God to work through their obedience. They speak the truth in love, act with integrity, and pursue justice without arrogance or aggression. The meek embody the paradox of surrender and strength, yielding to God while standing firm in faith.

Jesus promises that the meek “shall inherit the earth.” This is not a fleeting promise of wealth or power in this world but an inheritance that transcends time.  

The meek are already heirs of God’s Kingdom. Because they trust in His provision and sovereignty, they experience peace and contentment even in the present age. They are free from the striving and anxieties that plague those who rely on their own strength.

The promise of inheriting the earth points forward to the new heavens and the new earth that will be revealed when Christ returns. As John describes in Revelation: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away... And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man’” (Revelation 21:1-3). 

In that glorious future, the meek will reign with Christ, sharing in His victory and glory. They will inherit a world made new, where God’s justice and peace reign supreme.

Do you see the beauty of meekness? It is not weakness but freedom—freedom from the need to prove ourselves, defend our rights, or control our circumstances. Meekness is the trust that God’s plans are infinitely better than our own. It is the assurance that He is both sovereign and good, working all things for our ultimate good and His glory.  

The world may dismiss meekness as naivety or powerlessness, but in God’s economy, meekness is triumphant. The meek are victorious because they trust in the One who has overcome the world: “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1 John 5:4).

Will you embrace the meekness that Jesus blesses? Will you release the pride, fear, and self-reliance that weigh you down and trust in the One who holds the world in His hands? Meekness is not an easy path—it requires humility, patience, and faith. But it is also the path to true freedom, peace, and blessing.

Let us pray for meekness, echoing the words of the psalmist: “Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long” (Psalm 25:4-5). 

May we walk in the strength and surrender of meekness, confident in God’s promises. For as Jesus assures us: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

Conclusion: 

As we reflect on these first Beatitudes we see the wisdom of Christ inviting us into a life shaped by the values of His Kingdom. Each step draws us closer to the heart of God, teaching us to depend on His grace, grieve the world’s brokenness, and yield to His perfect will. This journey is not about striving but about faith, and the rewards are immeasurable: the Kingdom of Heaven, the comfort of His presence, and the inheritance of a renewed earth. The invitation is open—take the next step and embrace the life Christ offers, knowing He welcomes you with open arms. Amen.