The Beatitudes as a “Ladder of Divine Ascent” Matthew 4:25-5:12

Audio: http://www.orthodox.net/sermons/gl-sun-04_2023+beatitudes-a-ladder-of-divine-ascent_mat4-25-5-12.mp3
Video: https://youtu.be/K93jJcPXB7U

Audio & Video Timestamps
1:11 – 2:16 The Beatitudes as a “Ladder of Divine Ascent”
2:16 – 10:30 Mat 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
3:13 Children are poor in spirit. An illustration that many former children will remember.
4:37 – 7:48 An example of how the “poor in Spirit” are powerful and confident! From the movie “The Island”, which is fiction, but depicts spiritual truth.
7:48 – 10:34 HOW do we learn to become “poor in spirit?”
9:51 – 10:34 Do NOT say that you are TERRIBLE!
10:34 – 14:24 “Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted”.
13:45 – 14:24 Mourning for ourselves is NOT enough.
14:24 – 18:00 “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5
18:06 – 19:19 “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6
19:19 – 20:20 “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.“ Matthew 5:7
20:22 – 21:10 “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8
21:10 “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9
21:33 “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10 and (23:04) “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” Matthew 5:11
24:23 “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:12
24:41 – 25:59 Let’s struggle to fulfill the first beatitude, the first rung of the ladder of ascent.
25:59 - 27:37 “Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:14-16