Publisher's Synopsis
We begin our study on the blessings of the kingdom with the "beatitudes" in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:1-12). The English word "beatitudes" is from the Latin noun, beatitudo, which means, "supreme happiness" or "a state of utmost bliss." The beatitudes are the blessings pronounced by Jesus to those who live the life of the kingdom (vv. 3-12). It is important to remember one key principle in studying the beatitudes. The beatitudes describe the character of the righteous life of citizens of the kingdom. But it does not tell us how to attain righteousness. The reason-Jesus addresses His words to disciples who have already received His righteousness (vv. 3-16). This book is Volume II of my four-part book series (tetralogy) on the Kingdom of God. It is based on my expository sermon series. In Volume I, I explain the nature of the kingdom in the parables (Matt. 13). In Volume II, I explore the blessings of the kingdom in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:1-11). In Volume III, I elucidate the lifestyle of the kingdom in Jesus' ethical examples (Matt. 5:13-7:11). In Volume IV, I expound the exhortations of the kingdom in the same Sermon (Matt. 7:12-27). Join me as we explore the blessings of the kingdom in the landscape of God's Word.
