Sermon Outline Title: Beatitudes Teach us to Prosper and Succeed
Bible Text: Matthew 5:1-12
Theme: True Prosperity in God’s Kingdom – Divine Wisdom from the Beattitudes
Big Idea: The traits the world calls weakness are the very qualities Jesus blesses with abundant life.
1. The World’s View Versus God’s View — Matthew 5:11
a. Culture mocks humility, purity, meekness, and mercy as weakness.
b. Men like Ted Turner and Jesse Ventura scoff at faith, but cannot give life or peace.
c. When forced to choose between God’s voice and the world’s opinion — choose God.
2. Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit — Matthew 5:3
a. “Poor in spirit” means humble and aware of one’s need for God.
b. Pride is what cast Lucifer down — it will not be present in heaven.
c. True joy belongs to those who depend on Christ rather than self.
3. Blessed Are They That Mourn — Matthew 5:4
a. Mourning includes sorrow over sin, loss, injustice, and spiritual need.
b. Jesus promises both present comfort and eternal comfort.
c. God heals hurting hearts that the world ignores.
4. Blessed Are the Meek — Matthew 5:5
a. Meekness is strength under control — not weakness.
b. Meek believers are steady, unprovoked, and content.
c. God promises they will inherit the earth.
5. Blessed Are Those Who Hunger for Righteousness — Matthew 5:6
a. The world hungers for wealth and pleasure — and remains empty.
b. God fills those who crave holiness with peace and purpose.
c. Eternal reward far outweighs temporary riches.
6. Blessed Are the Merciful — Matthew 5:7
a. Mercy is compassion in action — forgiveness instead of retaliation.
b. In a cruel world, mercy proves Christ is alive in us.
c. God promises mercy to those who extend mercy.
7. Blessed Are the Pure in Heart — Matthew 5:8
a. Purity means sincerity — unmixed motives through and through.
b. The world may exploit such people, but God protects them.
c. Their reward is the greatest one: “they shall see God.”
Illustration / Example
A wealthy man once mocked Christians as weak. But when tragedy hit his home, money couldn’t comfort him — only the Christian neighbor could. The “weak” proved strong; the “strong” discovered they were powerless.