February 1, 2026
LINK TO SERMON ON YOUTUBE
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TEXT: Matthew 5:1-12
TOPIC: Character
SERMON SUMMARY:
The Be Attitudes: Character Before Action
Do you remember when you were called to follow Jesus? Not because of your parents' faith, but the moment you personally decided that Jesus would be Lord of your life no matter what?
When Jesus called His first disciples by the Sea of Galilee, He didn't immediately teach theology or strategy. His first sermon was about character. The Sermon on the Mount begins with the Beatitudes—the "Be Attitudes," not the "Do Attitudes."
Being precedes doing. If your character doesn't show Christ, it doesn't matter what you do. You can preach and serve, but if your being is not in Christ, you'll undermine everything.
The Beatitudes call us to become like Jesus: humble, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers. Character determines action, and action reflects character. A Christian cannot rise above the limitations of their character. That's why Jesus began here—to allow the Holy Spirit to transform us from the inside out.
Reputation is what people think of you. Character is what God knows about you. Who you are inside will come out through your words and actions.
We weren't called to keep pews warm. We were called to be fishers of men and women—to save the lost. But this begins with character transformation through the Holy Spirit.
Without the Spirit's help, the Sermon on the Mount becomes impossible. We will fail at every turn. But when we surrender to God's transforming work, He shapes us into His image.
What is the Holy Spirit working on in your life right now? Let Jesus live in you. Struggle with your character flaws. Bring them to the Holy Spirit. Study, pray, and prepare yourself to become what Jesus called you to be in the first place.
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A: Jesus understood that character is the foundation of everything else. Without inner transformation, all our outward actions—no matter how theologically sound or strategically planned—will ultimately be undermined by our attitudes and behaviors. Character determines action, and a Christian cannot rise above the limitations of their character. The Beatitudes teach us kingdom living in a non-kingdom world, shaping us to be like Christ from the inside out so that our ministry flows from authentic transformation rather than mere religious performance.
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A: The Beatitudes focus on who we are becoming, not just what we accomplish. They describe the character qualities Jesus wants to cultivate in His disciples—humility, mercy, purity of heart, peacemaking. These are states of being that must be developed through the work of the Holy Spirit before meaningful doing can follow. If we focus only on actions and ministry without allowing God to transform our character, we risk destroying our own efforts through poor attitudes, pride, or un-Christlike behavior. Being humble, merciful, and pure must precede effective service.
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A: You're right—they are impossible in our own strength. Without the indwelling work of the Holy Spirit, the Sermon on the Mount becomes an impossibility for anyone. The key is not trying harder but surrendering more fully to the Holy Spirit's transforming work in your life. Struggle with your character flaws honestly, bring them to God in prayer, study Scripture, and let Jesus live through you. The life filled with the Holy Spirit resonates with the Sermon on the Mount. It's about what Jesus accomplishes in us, not what we accomplish for Him.
Prayer
Father God, in the name of Jesus, I offer myself to You as a voice in this world. Fill the voids in my heart and life with Your Holy Spirit. Transform my character from the inside out. Make me humble, merciful, pure in heart, and a peacemaker. Help me to mourn with those who mourn and hunger for Your righteousness. I cannot live the Beatitudes in my own strength—I need You to work in me, changing me to become more like Christ. Let my being reflect Jesus before my doing, so that my life becomes a true testimony to Your kingdom. Work on my character flaws, Holy Spirit, and prepare me to be the fisher of men and women You've called me to be. In Jesus's name, Amen.
The Rev. Jose Poch graciously volunteers at St. Luke’s as an Assisting Priest. Retired from over 40 years of rectorship, most recently at St. David’s in Burbank, Fr. Jose has served God and God’s people faithfully as a priest, a police chaplain, a conference and retreat speaker, and a spiritual father to many. During his tenure at St. David’s, he guided the church through a number of major transitions, including the church’s exit from the Episcopal Church and entrance into the Anglican Church. Fr. Jose was one of the founding clergy of the Western Anglican Council and the Diocese of Western Anglicans. Before leading St. David’s, Fr. Jose piloted St. Margaret and St. Ann’s in Los Angeles from a 30-member English-speaking congregation into a bilingual church of over 170. Fr. Jose has a Master in Theology degree from Fuller Seminary. He has been on the board of SOMA and ACTS 29, served as Chairman of the MDP, led numerous mission trips to Latin America, and has been an integral member of the Charismatic Movement in Los Angeles and the Cursillo Movement locally and nationally.
For over a century, the congregation of St. Luke’s has followed Jesus Christ through ancient forms of worship and spiritual growth presented in a contemporary style. St. Luke’s celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2024. The original stone building, made of stones from the local mountains, still stands on Foothill Blvd in La Crescenta—though the Anglican congregation has moved to a new building just a few blocks away near downtown Montrose. Retaining its biblically faithful foundation and liturgically rich worship service through the move, this long-standing Los Angeles church also carries on a tradition of warm welcome for newcomers. St. Luke’s is part of the Diocese of Western Anglicans, Anglican Church in North America, and the Global Anglican Communion. We invite you to join us online or in person this Sunday!
