Living a Blessed Life in the Lord

01 Feb 2026 — St. Jesri HT Purba & AI

Sermon

Scripture: Matthew 5:1–12

Have you ever noticed how many voices promise “instant happiness”? Buy this. Achieve that. Reach that milestone—and peace will finally come.
But why do people who “have it all” still feel empty? Why does the heart keep running—one achievement after another—yet never truly arrives?


Today, on Septuagesima Sunday—when the church begins to prepare the heart for the journey toward repentance—Jesus gives us a different definition of happiness.
On the hillside, He opens His mouth, and He opens our eyes: “This is the blessed life—in the Lord.”

<h3>Text Background</h3>

Matthew 5:1–12 opens the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). Jesus sits as the true Rabbi, teaching His disciples and the crowds.
This is not a list of “success tips,” but a Kingdom manifesto: the character of Kingdom people, the values of the Kingdom, and the joy of the Kingdom.
The word “blessed” is the Greek makarioi—not merely a happy feeling, but a God-given state: favored, whole, secure under God’s smile.
Jesus does not offer escape from reality. He offers a life that stands firm because God holds it.

<h3>Big Idea</h3>

The blessed life in the Lord is a life rooted in the grace of the Kingdom, growing through righteousness and mercy, and shining as peace and endurance—even under pressure.

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<h2>I. Blessedness Rooted in the Grace of the Kingdom (Matt. 5:3–5)</h2>

Jesus begins not with what you possess, but with who you are before God. The first beatitude is the doorway to all the others.

<ul>
<li>
“Blessed are the poor in spirit” (v. 3) — ptōchoi tō pneumati 

“Poor” here is not romantic poverty; it is the picture of someone who comes to God with empty hands.
No boasting in morality, achievements, titles, or merits—only surrender: “Lord, I need You.”
And the promise is strong: “theirs is the kingdom of heaven”.
The Kingdom belongs not to the self-sufficient, but to the surrendered.


Application: For employees and workers: your identity is not your KPI, performance review, or position. Come to God with empty hands—and receive the Kingdom as your security.

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<li>
“Blessed are those who mourn” (v. 4) — penthountes 

This is more than ordinary sadness. It is honest grief: over sin, over a broken world, over wounds that still ache.
The world says, “Hide your tears.” Jesus says, “Bring them to Me.”
His promise: “they shall be comforted”—not distraction, but God’s strengthening presence.


Application: For parents: tears at the feet of God are not weakness; they are faith—because only those who trust help dare to admit their need.

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<li>
“Blessed are the meek” (v. 5) — praeis 

Meekness is not being powerless. It is power under God’s control.
The meek do not explode to win; they restrain themselves to love.
And the promise surprises us: “they shall inherit the earth.”
God entrusts space and stewardship to those who do not grasp and dominate.


Illustration: In the workplace, some fight harshly to “secure a spot.” Others are gentle yet firm because they believe God holds their future.

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</ul>

Transition: If the door into blessedness is empty hands, the next step is a hungry heart—not hunger for applause, but hunger for God.

<h2>II. Blessedness Growing Through Righteousness and Mercy (Matt. 5:6–8)</h2>

After grace, Jesus speaks of direction. Kingdom people are not only forgiven; they are formed.

<ul>
<li>
“Hunger and thirst for righteousness” (v. 6) — dikaiosynē 

“Righteousness” is not just correct ideas; it is a life aligned with God’s will—truthful, just, clean.
Blessedness is not produced by compromise, but by holy desire.
Jesus promises: “they shall be satisfied.”
God Himself becomes the fullness of those who seek Him.


Application: For business owners and traders: the strongest temptation is “just a little dishonesty.” But true blessedness grows in integrity—because God satisfies the soul that refuses to sell its conscience.

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<li>
“Blessed are the merciful” (v. 7) — eleēmones 

Mercy is a heart that moves toward suffering—not only feeling, but acting.
The gospel trains us: those who receive mercy learn to give mercy.
Jesus says: “they shall receive mercy.”
This is not a business deal; it is the rhythm of the Kingdom: the one who is watered becomes a stream.


Application: For young people: in a world of harsh comments and cancel culture, mercy is a rare witness—choosing forgiveness, refusing to shame, helping those left behind.

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<li>
“Blessed are the pure in heart” (v. 8) — katharoi tē kardia 

In Scripture, “heart” is the center of desires and decisions. “Pure” means unmixed—no double life, no mask.
The promise is deep: “they shall see God.”
Not merely with physical eyes, but knowing God’s presence as real and near to the purified heart.


Illustration: Like a window: it does not need to be thicker, only cleaner—then the light is seen clearly.

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</ul>

Transition: The righteousness we seek and the mercy we practice cannot stay inside. They will shine outward—making peace, even when the world pushes back.

<h2>III. Blessedness Shining as Peace and Endurance Under Pressure (Matt. 5:9–12)</h2>

<ul>
<li>
“Blessed are the peacemakers” (v. 9) — eirēnopoioi 

Peacemakers are not mere “mood keepers” who avoid conflict. They work for reconciliation.
Biblical peace—shalom—is wholeness in relationships: with God and with others.
The promise: “they shall be called sons of God”—because they reflect the Father who makes peace.


Application: In your family: be the first to say “I’m sorry.” At work: stop gossip and build bridges. Peace is costly, but God’s children pay that cost with love.

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<li>
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake” (v. 10) — dediōgmenoi 

Jesus is realistic: living rightly may invite resistance.
But He gives identity: “theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
When the world rejects you, the Kingdom embraces you. When reputation is attacked, God still names you as His own.

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<li>
“Rejoice and be glad” (vv. 11–12) 

This is not pretending to be strong. This joy stands on hope: “your reward is great in heaven.”
Jesus connects us to God’s people through history: “So they persecuted the prophets.”
Suffering for Christ is not a sign of abandonment, but a sign that we walk the same path as faithful witnesses.


Application: For the employee who refuses corruption, the student who refuses cheating, the trader who refuses dishonest scales—there may be a social cost.
But there is deeper joy: the Lord sees, the Lord holds, and the Lord gives an eternal reward.

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</ul>

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<h3>Supporting Cross References</h3>
<ul>
<li>Psalm 1:1–3 — Blessed is the one who delights in God’s word; like a fruitful tree.</li>
<li>Isaiah 57:15 — God dwells with the contrite and lowly to revive them.</li>
<li>Romans 14:17 — The Kingdom is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.</li>
<li>James 4:6–10 — Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.</li>
<li>1 Peter 3:14–15 — If you suffer for righteousness, you are blessed; honor Christ as Lord in your heart.</li>
</ul>

<h3>Closing (A Clear Call to Respond)</h3>

Friends, the world’s happiness is “when everything goes as planned.” Jesus’ blessedness is “when I belong to the Lord.”
On this Septuagesima Sunday, let us prepare our hearts: enter the Kingdom with empty hands, grow with hunger for righteousness and mercy, and shine as peacemakers who endure.

Concrete responses this week: 
(1) Confess one area where you have relied on yourself—then surrender it to God. 
(2) Choose one act of mercy: visit, call, help, forgive. 
(3) Become a peacemaker: repair one broken relationship—start with prayer, then take a small step.

Blessedness is not a life without storms, but Christ in the boat.
Not a road always easy, but a heart always led.
Not laughter that never fades, but hope that never dies.

Closing Pantun (Indonesian-style poetic ending): 
Ke pasar pagi membeli pepaya, 
singgah sebentar di tepi kali; 
Bahagia sejati di dalam-Nya, 
hidup dipimpin sampai kekal nanti.