Mercy & Peace

Matthew 5:7-12

Introduction

Let’s continue our series, “Summer on the Mount.” Last week, we kickoffed the series with the first half of Beatitudes. Today, we’ll wrap up the introduction to the Sermon on the Mount with the second half of the Beatitudes.

I’ve always found it odd when people ask for a preacher to preach about a specific sin. What I have observed is that when they make that request, it's never a sin they are struggling with personally. They want a sermon about a sin that someone else is struggling with. Typically, it's a sin that is in the media or a popular topic of discussion in culture. But no one goes preacher; I’m struggling with anger, or complaining, or laziness, so preach on that, please. We want to be comfortable with our sins while listening to others' sins being blistered.

If that's you, I have some troubling news. The sermon on the Mount will, at some point, make everyone uncomfortable. Jesus is going to touch on money, marriage, politics, earthly relationships, and many more t…