Blessed are those
Notes
Transcript
We are going to be in Matthew Chapter 5 this morning. And this is going to be a different type of sermon today. Today we are going to look at some real life theology.
This has been a tough week for everyone, 2 weeks ago there was the shooting at the catholic church, this week we had another school shooting at a school in Colorado and of course the assassination of Charlie Kirk. It was also the anniversary of 9/11.
Wednesday afternoon, I sat at my desk and was honestly at a loss for words. I took out my Bible and turned to The Beatitudes. I want to spend a few moments telling you how God works in your life and How God Leads us through all times. To do that I am going to give you examples out of my own life and my hope is that it will cause you to look at your life different and look at scripture differently.
There is a big difference between what the world believes and what God teaches. I know this is an obvious statement. God overcomes the world through Jesus Christ.
When I was in first grade my family , my mom, myself , my brother and sister moved from California to Bedford VA. We moved in with my Grandparents. I know many of you will relate to my story because it is also your story. My grandfather was the greatest man I ever knew. He taught my brother and I what it meant to be a man. He served his country and all of his life he served his community and his family. This is what I have come to believe. When we moved into that house, God put out the calls on people’s lives to make sure that 3 kids were taken care of. God strengthen my mom and my aunt to watch over us. I have an uncle that lives in Utah. He would come back east often and he always made it a point to visit the 3 of us and spend time with us. When I was 15 we drove to Utah. I don’t know if my Uncle Ron even remembers this moment but I loved professional wrestling. He let me watch it at his house and he sat with me and asked questions and asked my opinions on what was going on. I doubt he even liked professional wrestling and that moment has stuck with me all my life. My uncle Jeff would always come pick up my brother and I as kids to take us out on 4 wheelers and dirt bikes. When I graduated VMI. My uncle Jeff came in uniform to give me my first salute as a 2nd LT. A man I respected so much , was giving me respect. Another moment that carried. I tell you all of this because despite what my family was facing God went into action and people followed God’s call to protect 3 kids and to help them.
These words from Jesus are the greatest and most true words that have ever been spoken. God is fulfilling these words today, when we are angry, or upset go to these words. When you feel alone like I did as a kid so often. Take a step back because you aren’t alone God is with you.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
The poor in spirit, what Jesus means by this is that people have come to realize that we cannot do this on our own. We must depend on God. We cannot have hope without Jesus. We cannot have strength without Jesus. Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Those who mourn are those who recognize the needs of this world, the sin of this world and we present them to Jesus. When Paul walked through Athens in the book of Acts He mourned for those people because they did not know God. I mourn for this world, I mourn for my own sin and the sins of our nation. In those moments Jesus comforts us because He will make them right again.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
This is one of the most misunderstood passages in the Bible. Jesus means those that are humble. Those that recognize the greatness and Glory of God and humble themselves before the Father.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
We always need to hunger and thirst for the knowledge of God for the righteousness. Jesus is the living water. We ask for wisdom and God gives it to us. If you have a hunger to grow in Jesus, this church wants to be the one to help you. We have re-done our Sunday Schools. There are groups and there are calls. There are Pastors , Elders, deacons, flock leaders and small group leaders that would love to talk to you about Jesus.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Our fight is not with people. In weeks like this week. I think this is what God needs us to hear. Blessed are the merciful. As Jesus hung on that cross, He said Forgive them father for they know not what they do. As Jesus hung on the cross those words couldn’t be more true, they didn’t know. People are blinded by their sin, just as I was once blinded by my own sin. Be merciful because God has shown us mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Keep your accounts short with God, repent of your Sins. Fill your heart with Jesus and block out the world. Get off of anything that takes you away from Jesus. Take a break from social media. Why do we fill our minds and hearts with dark and demonic things? and we think it will not effect us. Social media is designed to keep you on there as long as possible. You are not a person, you are part of the algiromathim for them to profit. Cleanse your mind from it and then if you decide to go back, think about what you use it for. Words matter , what we listen to matters. Please repent and keep your heart pure because then you can truly see God working every where.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
The ultimate peace in this world is when you have found peace with God. When you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and that gap which is sin between you and the Father is gone. That is what changes lives and that is what true peacemakers are.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
We have seen this played out in revelation with martyrs. Jesus doesn’t just say that you will have persecution in your life but He says you are blessed.
Blessed are those who are persecuted. We are in good company when that happens. I do not pray for persecution but I will not run from it either. It doesn’t always come in the form of physical violence. It maybe name calling, it may cost something professionally, and it may cost you friends. But do not forget our Lord and Savior was persecuted first.
I have said this before but we are going to look at these scriptures again
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
This is who Jesus says that you are. You are the light of the world. We are to help other people find Jesus and glorify the Father.
I know we have a lot of people who fish in this congregation, we are to be fishers of men.
My resolve is stronger than it has every been before.
You know over the past couple of years, we have all watched as this congregation as grown. It delights my heart to see so many people every week. You know the big church talks about and prays for Revival. This is the resolve that I have now after what happened this week. This country desperately needs the Gospel. Here is my challenge to all of us. Let us fill this church every week. I will go anywhere to talk about the Gospel. If you want me to come to your high school, your nursing homes or college campuses I will go. Our school bus drivers if you want to pick me up and preach the Gospel while you drive the kids to school, you tell me what bus stop to be at. We have got to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. It is time we took it serious that we need to let the light of Jesus shine as bright as ever. This is my prayer that we look back at this as a turning point not as something evil was done. But a turning point that hope is now taking center stage. A turning point that Jesus came back into our country and and our community. A turning point for all Christians that we will be silent no more, that the light of Jesus is shinning bright.
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
I told you a lot about my family at the start of this because in my life darkness could have won but light shined in. There is darkness now but the light will always win because in Jesus we have true and everlasting life. Do not lose hope in these moments but instead cling to the truths about Jesus and leave these doors today be bolder than ever before.
Let us pray
In prayer : Repent for my sins, repent for the sins of our country, commit our lives to Jesus and to spreading his gospel, making disciples of all nations
