The Beatitudes & Attitudes
Matthew 5:3-12
May 2, 2026
The Three Pieces of a Peacemaker
Seasoning – Reasoning – Reckoning
1. Seasoning – Your presence should be Salt, Light and Life.
“The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”
Exodus 34:6
Seven times through the pages of scripture God tells us His Name and then what He is like. He appears unable to tell us his name without giving us the four characteristics that define him. Those seven times God gives us his name are found in Exodus 34:6-7, Numbers 14:18, Nehemiah 9:17, Psalm 86:15, Psalm 103:8 and Joel 2:13.
And when you take a closer look at his list of attributes, you should notice not only what they are, but the order in which they are given. Why? Because they are in the exact order of Beatitude 5, 6, 7 & 8. Blessed are the Merciful – Blessed are the Pure in Heart – Blessed are the Peacemakers – Blessed are those Persecuted for Righteousness sake. It’s Mercy, Grace, Peacemaker & Love. The Sermon on the Mount has its foundation in the very Name of God.
Do people say your name and feel incomplete if they don’t fill in a characteristic or two? What might that characteristic be that should be added after your name is announced? What do people feel like after they have been around you for a time? What do they see? Who do they see? What do they remember that echoes for eternity?
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? . . . You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden, neither do people light a lamp and put it on a bow. Instead they put it on a stand so it gives light to everyone in the room. In the same way let your light shine before men that they may see your good words and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-17
“Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered in shame.”Psalm 34:5
“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note
that these men had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13
“Because of Christ we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized bythose on the way of salvation – an aroma redolent with life.”
2 Corinthians 2:15
2. Reasoning – Your Words should be Salt, Light & Life.
“So he (Paul) reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.” Acts 17:17
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt,
so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Colossians 4:6-7
“The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.”Psalm 119:105
“A gentle answer turns away wrath . . . A gentle tongue is a tree of life.”Proverbs 15:1,4
“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart,
and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.
For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Luke 6:45
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
“Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”
Mark 5:19
“Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”
1 Peter 3:14-16
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”James 1:19-20 – (Beatitude 5, 6 & 7?)
“Don’t worry how you will respond, and don’t worry what you will say.
The Holy Spirit will give you the words to say at the moment when you need them.” Luke 11:12
3. Reckoning – Inner Grief . . . The Scary Piece to Peace
“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace— but now it is hidden from your eyes.” Luke 19:41-42.
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”Romans 12:18
“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sin; but you will have saved yourself.” Ezekiel 3:17-19
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” Matthew 18:15-17
“But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong.” Galatians 2:11
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” Proverbs 27:6
“It is better to be divided in truth, than to be united in error.
It is better to speak the truth that hurts and then heals,
than falsehood that comforts and then kills.
It is better to be hated for telling others the truth,
than being loved for telling them a lie.
To stand alone with the truth,
Than to be wrong in the midst of a multitude.”
Pastor Chuck Swindoll
“It is better to be hated for speaking up, than to be loved for remaining silent.”
D. Mike Collins