Empty But Open Hands
Notes
Transcript
General introduction to beatitudes.
General introduction to beatitudes.
The eight characteristics and eight blessings are not independent for different types of believers. They are all encompassing, meaning all believers, ideally, should have all eight of these characteristics and all the blessings are the unearned freed gifts given to believers by God.
The eight characteristics and eight blessings are not independent for different types of believers. They are all encompassing, meaning all believers, ideally, should have all eight of these characteristics and all the blessings are the unearned freed gifts given to believers by God.
Blessed(Markarios) is most often interpreted as “happy” but “Makarios” is the equivalent to having God’s kingdom within one’s heart. It is the one who is in the world, yet independent of the world. His/her satisfaction comes from God and not from favorable circumstances.
Blessed(Markarios) is most often interpreted as “happy” but “Makarios” is the equivalent to having God’s kingdom within one’s heart. It is the one who is in the world, yet independent of the world. His/her satisfaction comes from God and not from favorable circumstances.
Read Matthew 5:1-3
Read Matthew 5:1-3
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
Blessed are the poor in Spirit
Blessed are the poor in Spirit
There are two words in the New Testament used for poor
There are two words in the New Testament used for poor
“Penes” which means someone who barely ekes out a living.
“Penes” which means someone who barely ekes out a living.
He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.
“Ptochos” is a beggar who is devoid of resources and completely dependent on others.
“Ptochos” is a beggar who is devoid of resources and completely dependent on others.
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
Which one do you believe Jesus used here to describe a Christian characteristic?
Which one do you believe Jesus used here to describe a Christian characteristic?
In the world it would make sense that “penes” is the answer. It would say that “Blessed are those who work hard for they are blessed by God.” It is the person who attends church regularly, spends time in the Word, prays, donates time and money, helps others, etc.
In the world it would make sense that “penes” is the answer. It would say that “Blessed are those who work hard for they are blessed by God.” It is the person who attends church regularly, spends time in the Word, prays, donates time and money, helps others, etc.
Answer: “ptochos”
Answer: “ptochos”
God wants those who realize they have nothing to offer God, those who are totally dependent on God, as their source of life and strength, those who have learned to trust in God rather than themselves.
God wants those who realize they have nothing to offer God, those who are totally dependent on God, as their source of life and strength, those who have learned to trust in God rather than themselves.
We are saved because we trust that Jesus died for our sins, not because we could ever begin to be good enough to win God’s approval.
We are saved because we trust that Jesus died for our sins, not because we could ever begin to be good enough to win God’s approval.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
When it comes to pleasing God, we must approach Him as beggars with empty but opened hands. True joy(happiness) and comfort are found in relying on God every day, acknowledging that He is our source of protection, strength and sustenance. We cannot have it any other way.
When it comes to pleasing God, we must approach Him as beggars with empty but opened hands. True joy(happiness) and comfort are found in relying on God every day, acknowledging that He is our source of protection, strength and sustenance. We cannot have it any other way.
Visualize yourself approaching Jesus as a beggar, with upturned palms, outstretched to Him. What expression do you see on His face? How Does He respond? In what ways does this image of Jesus influence your relationship with Him right now?
Visualize yourself approaching Jesus as a beggar, with upturned palms, outstretched to Him. What expression do you see on His face? How Does He respond? In what ways does this image of Jesus influence your relationship with Him right now?
Because if you do, Yours is the “Kingdom of Heaven.”
Because if you do, Yours is the “Kingdom of Heaven.”
Visualize yourself approaching Jesus as a beggar, with upturned palms, outstretched to Him. What expression do you see on His face? How Does He respond? In what ways does this image of Jesus influence your relationship with Him right now?(Yours is “The Kingdom of Heaven”)
Visualize yourself approaching Jesus as a beggar, with upturned palms, outstretched to Him. What expression do you see on His face? How Does He respond? In what ways does this image of Jesus influence your relationship with Him right now?(Yours is “The Kingdom of Heaven”)
