Sermon on the Mount: The Beatitudes

This sermon on Matthew 5:1-12, the Beatitudes, explores the concept of "Makarios," a Greek word often translated as "blessed." Pastor Debbie Courtney argues that Makarios represents a life of true flourishing that comes from aligning oneself with God's will and living in a covenantal relationship with Him. This flourishing, the sermon emphasizes, is both present ("NOW") and future ("in the Age to Come"). The text further breaks down the path to Makarios by exploring the concept of "righteousness," defining it as aligning one's character, conscience, conduct, and words with God's standards. Finally, the sermon connects the Beatitudes to the metaphors of "salt," "light," and "good deeds," suggesting that embodying the principles of Makarios will naturally result in a life that glorifies God and illuminates His truth to the world.