DEVOTED: Keys to a happy life

DEVOTED: Keys to a happy life

New series on the sermon on the mount. Probably the best sermon ever preached. A great explanation of living life as a disciple of Jesus. A call to impossible living.

Today we will look at the start of this: The beautiful attitudes. All of them start with the word “Blessed.” But are more accurate definition could be happy/ exuberant/ full of joy. So in this opening section Jesus is giving us the attitudes we need/ the keys to a happy life.

But the 1st is where everything hangs from.

Matthew 5:3 (NLT)

“God blesses those who are [spiritually] poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

2 trees.... audience participation.

But the tree of life is back on offer again right at the start of the NT. Jesus wants us to rely on Him. To adopt a “I can’t - but You can in me” attitude. As we recognise our need for God in every area of our lives His divine life/ abundant life pours thru us. A God-dependent life is a grace-filled, God-filled life.

This is where the sermon on the mount starts and everything from here hangs from it. Jesus’ opening statement is: We need God. Trust God and not yourself for everything else I speak. This is the first piece of teaching from Jesus in the NT. Essential. Salvation

Q: How much do we really need God? And why? What for?

Peace? Hope? Faith?

Immediately we get into the upside down nature of Kingdom principles. We are happier when we realise how much we need God. When we realize that without God we can do nothing. Jesus is inviting us into dependent living on Him.

This is the crux of His opening message. Say goodbye to trying to do life by yourself. Stop trying to solve all your problems alone/ cease braving the storms of life alone/ stop fighting fear or sin or addictions alone. Stop trying to be superman. see that self-help doesn’t work. And start trusting in Jesus. For by doing so we unlock the abundant riches of heaven in our hearts.

So, how much does our heart think it needs God? Not your mind. Your heart. How much do we need God’s peace?/ HS & all the fruit HS produces in us/ love/ wisdom/ voice/ strength to persevere thru trials?

The more we recognize we need God, the more grace fills our life/ the more full of HS we are/ the more fruitful we are.

A journey. How do we grow in this awareness? we are all created needing God .

I have learned to start each day in prayer by telling God “I need you today. I’m gonna face challenges that will stretch me/ test me/ push me/ test my patience.” As I reflect on these I am humbled in my heart. My heart begins to remember its need of God. If I think I can do the day without God, I lose patience at the 1st thing that goes wrong. I dropped a spoon! Red light!

As my heart recognises its need for God, I begin to sense God’s Spirit. I connect fully and praying becomes natural, the HS strengthens me with energy/ wisdom. My lamp is filled with fresh oil. I can live with margin.

Matthew 5:4 (NLT)

God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

We will go through sad times. We will desire comfort. Which tree do we feed from? Comfort from alcohol/ retail therapy/ binge tv? True comfort comes only as we Trust Jesus .to comfort us.

Matthew 5:6 (NIV)

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Again which tree? What we think is right? / it feels right so it must be? Or God’s standards?

We are most happy/ most satisfied when pursuing & living out Jesus’ commands. This is the best life possible. Sin promises satisfaction but ultimately steals our life/ joy. Wages war on the soul. Jesus’ top 2 commands are to love God/ love others.

Q: So how are we getting on with hungering to love God more / love others/ pray/ righteous living? Is it something you are always passionately pursuing? Feelings vary. On fire to struggle pray, make right choices.

Thankfully, it is God who creates in us hunger & thirst to live righteously. If we feel our passion for God isn’t as high as we would like pray “God I need you to fill me with your desire”/ hunger . Trust him. STORY [my passion to live 4 God]

Matthew 5:8 (NLT)

God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.

Pure heart is a devoted heart/ undivided heart its loyal to God. Again, we need God to make it pure and keep it pure. PRAY: create in me a pure heart.

The reward here btw is see God. an intimacy of revelation as we fix our eyes on Him who is unseen is on offer.

Matthew 5:9 (NLT)

God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

Our vision is to IBTC. This means we are to go out and make disciples of all our communities. Our neighbours/ schools/ workplaces/ families.

John 15:5 (NLT) “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

Apart from Jesus we can do nothing of eternal significance. Fruit comes as we abide in Jesus/ rely on Jesus to work thru us. We to rely on Jesus that we may demo his love in our communities. We need Jesus for the boldness to declare His gospel, to steer open conversations into ppls lives. DW: “Tend to the tree and the fruit will take care of itself”

Matthew 5:10 (NIV)

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

We need God to fill us with an inner strength to be prepared to suffer for the gospel. To look different to those around us. To stand out from the crowd.

PRAY: Lord, open our eyes to our true need for you. Apart from you we can do nothing of eternal significance. May we live constantly abiding in you.

Bea in prayer form

Lord, open my eyes to my need of you that the riches of your kingdom may be unlocked in me

Lord, I need you to comfort me for then I will be truly blessed

Lord, I need you to make me meek, that I may inherit your promises

Lord, I need you to give me a hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they then I will be truly satisfied

Lord, create in me a pure in heart, for then I will enjoy your presence beyond measure

BAND UP

God desires to have a close, eternal r with every single person on the planet. A r that holds the promise of complete peace, joy and hope. Jesus loves us completely. He desired that r with us so much that He came to this planet and died instead of us that we may have our sins forgiven. Wiped clean. And he was raised to life to make us right with God. To give us peace with God. It is by placing our faith in Jesus that we are made right with God. And so, today is a day to make an extremely important decision.

In a moment I am going to pray and you may find yourself in one of the following three categories. Can I have every head bowed please.

1. You don’t know Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. You have never had a r with Him and would like to make the decision to follow Him today. To receive forgiveness and begin a r with Him.

2. You used to walk with Jesus but of late other things have got in the way and you would like to re-connect with Him today.

3. You’re not sure of your salvation. You’re not sure that at the end of your life you will be going to heaven and you desire that certainty that Jesus offers.

If you relate to any of those 3 then please pray along with me now, repeating these words out of your own heart.

Lord Jesus, I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I ask You to forgive me for all my wrongdoing, and receive me as Your child. I commit my life to You now. Amen

With every head still bowed could I ask you to raise your hand if you prayed that prayer?

Pause

Anybody else?

PAUSE – pray for these ppl to receive God’s peace and presence

Thank you Lord for you all incredible love that you have showed us. Pour out your presence. thank you that for everyone today who raised their hands have entered into a most wonderful relationship with you and can be assured of their salvation.