Untitled Sermon (9)

Be gentle with one another, that you may inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5).

Awe Blessed are the meek. When I think of meekness i think of elephant and how they are super powerful. Yet they can be tamed by the smallest of ropes. Being Meek does not mean weak but one who tames the power for a purpose. Our Lord could have annihilated those who were crucifying Him. Yet in His meekness He chose to love this world.

Make peace with one another, that you may be called the sons of God (Matthew 5:9). When I think of those who are peace makers in the Kingdom. I think of those who have know how to be poor in spirit. They know the affects of sins and the sin that is within themselves. With that perspective they are able to compassion and see all sides of situtation. They are able to walk humbly seeking to restore relationships.

Reconcile with one another, that you may be fit to worship and serve the Lord (Matthew 5:23-24). This is something relational I am finding that more and more nee to do. If we do not reconcile our hearts become hard toward others. Often becoming selfish in protecting ourselves. This is not what the Lord has for us. One of the most beautiful things a Christian can do is seek forgiveness and extend forgiveness.

Give to him who asks of you (Matthew 5:42a). I find that when we live a generous life we make more friends than enemies. It is also an exercise if we own our stuff or does our stuff own us. If our stuff owns us we are quick be protective, not will even to give for a good reason. This may be revealing that we are storing our treasure in the wrong place.

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44). Once again this is one of the greatest litmus test for our maturity. There are those who becomes enemies of the Gospel and are under the spell of the wicked one. These are the same people who need the gospel. I think of the Apostle Paul who was the great enemy of the Cross at the times. Killing many Christians and making it his aim to find them. Yet once He was converted became one of greatest servants. We love the unloveable as Christ loved us.

Forgive others that God may forgive you (Matthew 6:14-15). This verse is one of those verse that the rubber meet the road. When someone wrongs me, I have to weigh that I have many offenses myself. To extend forgiveness is ones of the most beautiful things a christian can do. It also gives us communion with Jesus and experienail of the love that He had for us.

Do not judge others that you may not be judged (Matthew 7:1-2). My understanding is that we are not to judge peoples eternal destiny. We personally do not know the end. Although we are commanded to know fruit. This does not nigate the fact that we are to even love our enemies.

Treat others the same way that you want them to treat you (Matthew 7:12). This is the golden rule. It is amazing that we actually benefit some these proverbs that teach us to deny ourselves. Often in interpersonal relationship we can forget how we would want to be treated. Often our miss treatment of others is a reaction to being wronged ourselves. Yet there is no room for reacting in such a way but we must respond in a way that is helpful to the Gospel. To reaching the one who may not know the Lord.

Reprove your brother so that he may be reconciled with you and with the Lord (Matthew 18:15-17). When this teaching is obeyed, it keeps a domino effect from spreading. This does not say go and tell all your friends and family. It does say go to them first and share with them. There have been church splits because this verse has been disobeyed. It is of the upmost importance to go in humility with the motive of reconciliation and not vengance or a haughty spirit as that will not help.

Serve one another, following the example of Christ (Matthew 20:26-28; John 13:13-17). The church is made of levels of serveants. In Jesus Kingdom the greatest is the servant of all. This can be missed by many in the vocational world of Church. It can be easy to miss the purpose of being there. To glorify God by serving others. This is how the world will know the love of God by being the hands and feet of Christ to others.

Love others as you do yourself so they may know that you are one of Christ’s disciples (Matthew 22:39; John 13:34). We sure do know how to look out for number one. We bath and we do our hair, brush our teeth, we eat and cloth ourselves. I think we know how to care for ourselves pretty well. Now if we care for our neighbors in the same way it will show Christ to them and to the world. It will be the substance that Christ is at work.