The Beatitudes

The beatitudes are a set of assertions that Jesus gave for all believers. They are actually the preamble to a larger message known as the Sermon on the Mount. The Beatitudes are the seven declarations of blessedness spoken by Jesus at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-12), each beginning with "Blessed are..." It is debated as to exactly how many beatitudes there are. Some speak of seven, nine, or ten beatitudes, but I am convinced that the number appears to be seven (a number of perfection) and that the last "blessed" that deals with persecution is the result of what happens when we allow the seven beatitudes to become operational in our life. The Greek word translated "blessed" is the Greek word "macarios" and it means "happy, blissful" or, literally, "to be stress free." In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses the word to refer to more than a superficial happiness; in this context, blessed refers to a state of spiritual well-being and stress-free life. The happiness is a deep joy of the soul. Those who experience the first aspect of a beatitude (poor, mourn, meek, hungry for righteousness, merciful, pure, and peacemakers) will also experience the second aspect of the beatitude (kingdom of heaven, comfort, inherit the earth, filled, mercy, see God, called sons of God, inherit the kingdom of heaven). The blessed have a share in salvation and have entered the kingdom of God, experiencing a foretaste of heaven. The Beatitudes describe the ideal disciple and his rewards, both present and future. The person whom Jesus describes in this passage has a different quality of character and lifestyle than those still "outside the kingdom." As a literary form, the beatitude is also found often in the Old Testament, especially in the Psalms (1:1; 34:8; 65:4; 128:1) and in the New Testament as well (John 20:29; 14:22; James 1:12; and Revelation 14:13).

The beatitudes are a set of assertions that Jesus gave for all believers. They are actually the preamble to a larger message known as the Sermon on the Mount. To be poor in spirit is to acknowledge one's spiritual poverty, which will enable one to connect with God and enjoy His reign. To mourn or realize one's wretchedness, will open up doors to receive God's comfort. To be gentle is the way to conquer the earth. To hunger and thirst after righteousness is a prerequisite to being satisfied. To show mercy enables one to receive mercy. To be pure in heart helps one to experience the reality of God. To be a peacemaker is befitting of the character of God and shows one how to be a child of God. Kingdom people can endure persecution for righteous sake, for they have great rewards. Christ did not intend these to be a set of rules for believers to do to receive God's blessings in the future, but rather an introduction to the characteristics that covenant people should already be practicing. The present tense in each of the beatitudes indicates that they are to be present within the people of the God's Kingdom. We are often mistaken that the promise that each assertion carries is for the future in Gods heavenly kingdom, somewhere in the sweet by and by. They certainly will make sense for the future which God has promised, but in Christ Jesus the future has arrived. And in Him we are called to live out these glorious assertions. So, let us live them out and experience the goodness of God here and now!

Dr. Bill Jones has served as Director of Missions for the Neches River Baptist Association in Crockett, Texas for 18 years. He accepted this position after serving in 5 Baptist churches, three of which he served as a Senior pastor. All his pastorates have been in Texas including, Latexo Baptist Church, FBC Newton, and FBC Wimberley. He also served in a combination role as a student and worship pastor at FBC Blum, Texas. He received his B.A. Degree from the University of South Carolina in 1978, a Master of Divinity degree in 1981 from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Doctor of Ministry degree in 2000, a PhD degree in Apologetics in 2015, and a PhD in Leadership in May 2021. Dr. Jones is married to Karen Ann who has a Master of Religious Education degree from Southwestern Seminary and a Master of Education degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. Karen retired from public education after 31 years. She served for many of those years as a school counselor. She and Bill have been married for 42 years and have two wonderful sons who are both ordained ministers: Jonathan, who is a worship pastor and lives in West Texas and Joshua, who is married to Jessica, and they have four children, Beckett, Caulder, Adler, and Everett. Joshua serves with a thriving computer company and also volunteers in many capacities for Antioch Church in Waco, Texas. Dr. Jones has served in many capacities over his 43+ years of ministry. He Has served on the Teller's Committee for the SBC and as a Trustee for Lifeway. He served for two terms on the Executive Board of the BGCT, as a Trustee for San Marcos Baptist Academy, and on the Evangelism Committee of the SBTC He also served as President and Vice President of the Alumni Association of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, as the VP for Membership of the Texas Associational Directors of Missions (TXADOM), and as the Alternate Preacher for the Annual Sermon of the SBTC Annual Meeting in 2016. Dr. Jones has also served in numerous associational leadership positions in four different associations over his years of pastoral ministry.