Sermon on the Mount: Blessed Be

Announcements

18 September - Fall Semester Home Group Invitational

5th Sunday - Kids Church Takeover; Missions, Communion, and Potluck

18-20 October: Fall Retreat

10 November: Uncover Marriage with Anthony and Shannen Braswell

Intro

Things change when God speaks.

Throughout scripture, we read of moments in history where God had a one-on-one conversation with a person.

Where God had holy moments with His chosen people.

In the Gospels we are given the eye-witness accounts of God no longer cherry-picking specific people in history,

but in Matthew chapter 5, God - in Jesus - sits down on a hill side with men and women of all ages - each having their individual story, and their life, and experience.

And God sits with them, to deliver a new message.

That the kingdom of heaven is near to them - and ready for those who will receive it.

Just like at this special moment in history - we look at today and the reality that

God wants to speak into your life.

There may be some of us here today that feel God’s presence more like God’s judgment. Maybe many times, we feel more concerned that if God is speaking to us it’s bringing more rebuke and wrath than real change.

Sometimes that’s true.

But the overarching theme as we read the Bible is that God sent His Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that by through Him we might be SAVED.

And this is the paradox that we find ourselves in when trying to relate to who God is.

Yes, He is Holy, He is an All-Consuming Fire, He is Judge and Perfectly Judges the world.

AND yet, He is merciful. He is full of grace. He is compassionate. He is love. And His desire is to save you from His own wrath.

It’s like sometimes when you come to God you flip a coin in not knowing which side of God you’re going to get.

God of Love, or God of Wrath. He is both.

But the amazing wonder is that He gives us the choice to choose our encounter with God.

Here’s what He had to say in Matthew 5:

Matthew 5:1–11 CSB

1 When he saw the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to teach them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 11 “You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me.

Blessed Be

God came to deliver a message of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus came to invade the kingdom of darkness and to bring His kingdom of Light.

This invasion is a declaration of war on Satan’s reign and influence - and this world’s predisposition towards darkness.

John said the light of life is in Jesus and that light shines in the darkness - and the darkness did not overcome it. It’s the true light that gives light to everyone - who will receive it.

And all who do receive it, John goes on to say that God gives those the right to be called children of God.

And as children of God - children of a good and heavenly Father - we have His holy covering, His warm embrace, His divine consolation when we go through the trials of this world.

And God’s message here begins with the circumstances we are all going to encounter while here in this world.

“Blessed are those who are poor in spirit…”

“Blessed are those who mourn…”

These two lines indicate circumstances.

Blessed are the poor in spirit…

We are all born into sin, and are therefore spiritually poor.

We are all born spiritually poor. We’re talking about spiritual poverty, and just like those who are poor in life, there is a desire within us for greater things.

Those who are poor financially, desire riches and wealth

Those who are poor in health, desire wellness

Those who are poor in relationships, desire to be married

Those who are poor in spirit - this is describing spiritual poverty - desire then is for something greater (which is to be under God’s reign and provision).

The good news: God’s response to this is ready and available when He says:

“For the kingdom of heaven is theirs.”

Matthew 5:3 CSB

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

God’s Will is for the whole world to be saved and to not live in spiritual poverty, but to have received and embraced the kingdom of heaven and the Glory of God that comes with it.

Isaiah 66:2 CSB

2 My hand made all these things, and so they all came into being. This is the Lord’s declaration. I will look favorably on this kind of person: one who is humble, submissive in spirit, and trembles at my word.

God looks favorably on the humble [poor] and contrite in spirit.

The Hebrew word for humble is also translated as poor.

God’s Will from the beginning of the Book, to the end of the Book, is that the whole would be spiritually wealthy in the kingdom of heaven

Blessed are those who mourn…

2. The next verse is another circumstantial condition:

“Blessed are those who mourn…”

We all go through periods of mourning.

We mourn because we find ourselves in a position of being without someone.

We’re not blessed simply because we find ourselves in mourning.

We’re blessed because we will be comforted.

While this scripture is definitely applicable to all of us who lose loved ones - those who we value in our lives at a very deep and personal level; and the Lord’s promise is be with us and to be our comfort - this is true.

There is still more depth to what Jesus is saying here.

Because spiritually speaking, we mourn as we wait for Christ’s return.

There’s an old song that says “I’m so homesick for a place I’ve never been”

That place in our hearts where we long for and miss the physical presence of God.

Everyone of us here have had a sense of homesickness. Homesick for the familiar, for loved ones that bring a place of comfort and acceptance.

Like a good soldier returning home from a place of war and terror - this is the comfort Jesus is talking about.

Matthew 5:4 CSB

4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

That longing that we have in our hearts, that pleads for Jesus to return quickly - and bring us that consolation of being with Him forever.

Revelation 7:17 CSB

17 For the Lamb who is at the center of the throne will shepherd them; he will guide them to springs of the waters of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Yet while we are here in this world, even dealing with and facing losing loved ones.

Isaiah 40:29 CSB

29 He gives strength to the faint and strengthens the powerless.

God’s blessing does not come with removal of circumstances in our lives.

Rather God’s blessing comes during the circumstances so that we can find strength in Him.

I wouldn’t want to live this world without my God.

I wouldn’t want to try to navigate this life without my Savior.

I wouldn’t want to deal with loss without my Comforter.

God’s Will is that we don’t have to. But it is a choice.

The beauty is there is a blessing in the choice.

BLESSED BE is the message the kingdom of God brings to us.

And it’s a reflection of His heart for you.

I know I need God’s favor and blessing in my life. I need Him active in my life. I don’t want to do life without Him - now that I know Him.

Psalm 116:12–13 CSB

12 How can I repay the Lord for all the good he has done for me? 13 I will take the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.

Transition to Water Baptism