Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany (2026)

Identity Revealed (Part 4): “Jesus Calls You Blessed”

Texts: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:11–13 / 1 Corinthians 1:26–31 / Matthew 5:1–12 Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 1:26–31

Goal

That the hearers would receive Christ’s verdict “Blessed” by faith alone, and therefore live with humble confidence and thankful boasting in the Lord, regardless of present weakness or sorrow.

Malady

We struggle to believe we are “blessed” unless life looks blessed. We measure God’s favor by success, strength, comfort, recognition, and we either boast in ourselves or despair in ourselves—forgetting that our identity rests entirely in Christ.

Means

God reveals our true identity by uniting us to Christ crucified, who became our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (1 Cor 1:30). Therefore, our boasting is silenced and redirected: “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Beloved in Christ, one of the quiet struggles of the Christian life is that we often know the right words by heart, even when our hearts struggle to believe them.

We know we should say: “God is good.” “Christ is enough.” “I am forgiven.” “I am blessed.”

But then life happens.

And suddenly, “blessed” doesn’t feel like the right word at all.

Because when the stomach is empty… when the tears won’t stop… when the body grows weak… when the bills stack up… when grief sits down beside you and won’t leave… when you are insulted, accused, misunderstood, pushed aside…

“Blessed” is not the word that comes naturally.

And that is why today’s theme is so important:

Jesus calls you blessed. 

Not because your life is easy. Not because your heart is always strong. Not because you’re always happy. Not because you never struggle.

Jesus calls you blessed because He chose you to be His own. 

1. The World’s Definition of “Blessed”

The world has its own beatitudes.

The world says: Blessed are the impressive. Blessed are the wealthy. Blessed are the powerful. Blessed are the admired. Blessed are the ones who always win.

Blessed are the ones who never need help. Blessed are the ones who never appear weak.

And when the world speaks like that, it does something dangerous: It trains our hearts to believe that God must think the same way.

So we begin to assume that blessing must look like comfort. That blessing must look like success. That blessing must look like strength. That blessing must look like control.

And if that’s the definition, then the weak aren’t blessed.

The mourning aren’t blessed.

The poor in spirit aren’t blessed.

The hungry aren’t blessed.

The insulted aren’t blessed.

And deep down, we begin to wonder:

If my life looks like this… how can I possibly be blessed?

2. We Believe the Wrong Verdict

And now we arrive at the spiritual malady.

The problem isn’t simply that life is hard.

The problem is that our hearts interpret hardship as proof that God is distant.

When things are going well, we are tempted to be proud.

When things are falling apart, we are tempted to despair.

Either way, our eyes are still locked onto ourselves.

We begin to live as if our standing before God is measured by: what we can accomplish, what we can control, what we can hold together.

So we quietly believe: “If I can keep it together, God will be pleased.”

Or: “If I can improve enough, God will bless me.”

Or: “If I can prove myself, I’ll finally have peace.”

And when we can’t?

Then the devil whispers: “You’re not blessed. You’re forgotten.”

But the Holy Spirit will not let us stay trapped inside that lie.

Because today’s Epiphany revelation is this:

God does not bless you because you are impressive. God blesses you because you are in Christ.

3. The Turning Point: “Consider Your Calling”

Listen again to St. Paul:

“For consider your calling, brothers…”

Paul is doing something pastoral and kind. He is forcing Christians to remember how grace actually works.

He says, in effect:

“Think back. What were you when Christ called you?”

Were you wise by human standards? Were you powerful? Were you of noble birth?

Paul’s answer is simple:

Not many.

Not many of you had the trophies. Not many had the reputation. Not many had the credentials.

And that is not an insult—it’s grace.

Because God chose you on purpose this way.

God did not come to collect the impressive.

God came to save sinners.

God did not come looking for strength.

God came bringing mercy.

God does not build His kingdom the way the world builds its kingdoms.

The world says, “Pick the best.”

God says, “I will raise the dead.”

And Paul tells us the reason:

So that no one may boast in His presence.

Because God will not share His glory with our pride.

He will not let salvation become a human achievement.

He will not let the cross become a ladder we climb.

4. “Because of Him, You Are in Christ Jesus”

And here is the beating heart of this text: 1 Cor. 1:30.

“Because of Him you are in Christ Jesus…” 

Because of Him.

Not because of you.

Not because of your wisdom.

Not because of your performance.

Not because of your strength.

Because of Him.

God placed you into Christ.

God joined you to His Son.

God gave you an identity you did not earn.

And then Paul piles up Gospel gifts:

Christ Jesus became for you:

wisdom from God, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.

That means:

When you lack wisdom—Christ is your wisdom.

When your conscience accuses you—Christ is your righteousness.

When sin clings to you—Christ is your sanctification.

When death threatens you—Christ is your redemption.

Dear saints, it doesn’t get more blessed than that.

Because “blessed” is not first a feeling.

“Blessed” is a verdict.

It is what God speaks over those who belong to Jesus.

5. The Only Safe Boast

And so Paul ends with a line that slams the door on pride and opens the door to peace:

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 

Not: “Look what I’ve done.” Not: “Look how strong I am.” Not: “Look how spiritual I’ve become.”

But:

“Look at Christ.” “Look at the cross.” “Look at the mercy of God.” “Look at the Savior who chose the lowly and loved the unworthy.” 

This is a different kind of boast.

It’s not the boast of arrogance.

It’s the boast of faith.

It’s the boast of a sinner who says:

“I have nothing in my hands… but Christ has everything I need.”

And it is exactly what Jesus teaches in the Beatitudes:

The blessed ones aren’t the strong ones.

They are the ones who have been brought to the end of themselves…

…and have been given Christ.

Conclusion: Blessed—Because Christ Says So

So if you have come today mourning… Jesus calls you blessed.

If you have come today weary… Jesus calls you blessed.

If you have come today poor in spirit… Jesus calls you blessed.

If you have come today ashamed of your weakness… Jesus calls you blessed.

Not because your life is perfect.

But because Christ is yours.

And because He is yours, you belong to the kingdom that cannot be shaken.

Dear Brothers & Sisters:

Your identity is revealed.

You are not forgotten.

You are not condemned.

You are not disqualified.

You are in Christ.

And therefore, even in weakness…

Jesus calls you blessed.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prayers of the Church

Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

Heavenly Father, You have called us out of darkness into the marvelous light of Your Son and declared us blessed—not because of our strength or merit, but because we are in Christ. Grant that Your Church would live in humble confidence, boasting only in the Lord, trusting fully in His righteousness and redemption. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

For Your holy Christian Church throughout the world, for pastors, teachers, missionaries, and all who proclaim Christ crucified: preserve them in the pure teaching of the Gospel. Through their preaching and teaching, bring many who despair of themselves to find hope and blessing in Christ alone. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

For our Our Redeemer’s families and all Christian homes: teach us to measure life not by success or comfort, but by Your promises. Strengthen parents in their calling to teach the faith to their children. Let Your Word dwell richly among us, that our homes may be places of prayer, forgiveness, and peace. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

For pray for those who suffer in body or soul, the sick, the recovering, the anxious, the lonely, and all who feel weak or forgotten: remind them that Your verdict in Christ still stands. Give them patience in trial, strength in weakness, and the sure comfort that nothing can separate them from Your love. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

For those who mourn: Comfort all who grieve with the promise of the resurrection. Assure them that those who die in Christ are truly blessed, resting from their labors and held safely in Your eternal care. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

For our nation and all who govern: Grant peace and good order where unrest and division exist. Give wisdom, integrity, and humility to all in authority. Restrain violence and hatred, and lead us to live quiet and godly lives as citizens of both this earthly kingdom and Your heavenly one. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

For our daily vocations: Bless the work of our hands in every calling—at home, at school, in the workplace, and in our community. Help us serve our neighbors faithfully, reflecting Christ’s mercy and love in all we do. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

For those who will receive the Holy Supper today: Grant true repentance and confident faith, that we may receive Christ’s body and blood for the forgiveness of sins, the strengthening of faith, and the comfort of consciences, rejoicing that we are blessed in Him. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy through Jesus Christ, our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption; who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.