Blessed Life: The Needy

Introduction:

RED LETTERS: Series on Jesus’ teachings!

In your Bibles, why are red letters there? | RIGHT—the words of Jesus.

HS inspired Bible’s auth's to include the narr.s they did & His words bc they believed they were useful for guiding us into true life.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

I believe Jesus’ words are important, yes?!

So we’re going to take some time in coming weeks to sit with & Listen to Jesus.

Jesus (famously) called His Way to true life “the Kingdom of God”.

Ans’g 2Q: Who are the types of people that embody God’s priorities & ethic? How do these people stand out from the crowd?

Jesus preached an amazing manifesto concern’g what it would look like which we now call… >>

The Sermon on the Mount

Can find the start of his sermon in Matthew chapter 5…

Matthew 5:1–2 “Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said:”

Scholars debate: all preached consec.? Collection of Jesus’ most memorable tch’gs?

Luke only other gosp. writer has similar parallel—on a plain/field. (Luk6)

The very first words in his sermon is “blessed”

This word IS actually used regularly, but culture has tweaked… >>

The Meaning of "Blessed"

Modern settings: We often use "#blessed" for vacations or showing off family.

In Xian circles: catch ‘self saying “I’m blessed”, really thot about it; wonder what you just said ???

Culture: "blessed" = success, riches, things that make us happy/give us rest. Not quite what Jesus had in mind…

Beatitudes

“Blessed sayings”; Jesus is clarifying the type of person that will see God move in this world

Jesus first recorded word of this sermon is: Makarios that would have shocked His listeners.

By the LXX, that word maps onto a Hebrew word “ashre”.

<SAY “ASHRE”>

In the OT, “blessed” [ashre’] describes someone who is 'on the right track' or 'flourishing.'

It’s a "Congratulations!" to those who have found the path to true life.

In today’s vernacular: “living my best life”.

Psalm 1:1-2 "Blessed [ashre'] is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked... but his delight is in the law of the Lord."

Here, living your "best life" is more about its moral direction & not your bank account.

It’s also about the situation you’ve been dealt, not a position to work toward.

Psalm 32:1-2 "Blessed (Ashrey) is the one whose transgression is forgiven."

It’s the "good life" of being right with God, regardless of physical circumstances.

Jesus is NOT saying, “if you work on being poor in spirit, then I’ll give you peace, blessings”

NOT saying: If you try really hard to have mercy, you’ll receive the kingdom of God.

We miss this when we read the Beatitudes today; make sure you get it:

Jesus isn’t saying, "If you do these things, God will like you." He is saying,

Jesus said: "Look at these people whom the world has cast aside—they are actually the ones in the best position to receive the Kingdom."

The "Good Life" isn’t something you achieve through strength; it’s something you receive in your weakness.

NT Wright takes it a step further.

If ppl LIVING the Good life acc. to God, also the ones to multiply it in the world:

“These are the ones on the front line in my army which are going to bring about God’s kingdom.”

Transition: “If the 'good life' is about being on the right track with God, then Jesus’ list of who is 'on track' is going to turn our expectations upside down.” >>

Surprising Candidates for the Good Life:

Today, we’re going to cover the first triplet in these 9 ‘blessed sayings’.

Each triplet has something in common; synonymous glue to hold it together

To start, Jesus explains the three Needy groups who define ‘the good life’: Matthew 5:3-5

Matthew 5:3–5 ““Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

Let’s look at the first one… >>

The Poor in Spirit [πτωχος]:

The Greek word ptochos doesn't just mean "low income"; it describes a "beggar"

someone who is crouched over because they have absolutely no resources of their own.

Being "poor in spirit" means acknowledging that you are spiritually bankrupt before God; I am helpless to earn salvation. See Isaiah 66:2

Isaiah 66:2 "These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word."

Seems understandable, thinking about it that way.

But 1stC. Jews would NOT have been looking at life like that; they’d be looking for those

who have the biggest bank accts.

or who washed whole bodies before every meal;

regularly went to temple for sacrifices

never assoc. with a sinful person, but cut them off

Demonstrated a holy life!

Great parabolic example in scripture:

The Pharisee & the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9–14)

Jesus tells story: a Pharisee who boldly lists his spiritual "resume."

Tx Collector stands at a distance, not even look up, beats his chest, says, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

X asks, “who was forgiven”? Surprisingly, the answer is: the Tx collector!

He is the definition of spiritually ptochos. He has zero spiritual capital to offer, yet Jesus says he is the one who went home justified.

The spiritually poor are those who have reached the end of their own resources; they are blessed because they have nothing left to lean on but God.

If you feel the weight of your sin, you will be depending on God, and that’s the kind of person the Lord can use…

Jesus ratchets up the description of these Kingdom-builders in our next beatitude. >>

Those Who Mourn [πενθουντες]:

TBP podcast points out that this refers to those who are grieving over the "state of affairs" in the world.

It’s not just personal grief (over loss or personal sin), but a "godly sorrow" over the injustice and brokenness of the human condition.

Jesus announces that those who feel the weight of the world’s brokenness are "on the right track" because they see reality the way God sees it. E.g. Nehemiah 1:2-4

Nehemiah 1:2–4 “One of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, & I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. They said to me, “[They] are in great trouble & disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned & fasted & prayed before the God of heaven.”

Nehemiah hears about the sad state of the walls & people of Jerusalem are broken, he doesn't just say "that's too bad." The text says he "sat down and wept... mourned and fasted and prayed."

Idk about you, but after release of Epstein files, reason to mourn and grieve for days. [Jmail]

Psalm 126:5 "Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy."

His mourning wasn't for his own loss—he had a prestigious job in the palace.

Nehemiah mourned because OTHER PPL had it rough; that the world allowed such injustice or hurt.

Jesus says those who feel that weight will be comforted by the coming Kingdom.

The spiritually poor realize their brokenness; the mourners internalize others’ pain, the world’s hurt and finally we talk about >>

The Meek [πραυς]:

In a world that rewards "the hustle," Jesus congratulates the gentle.

Meek don't need to grab for power because they trust the Father for the inheritance.

Meekness is not weakness, but as "power under control".

Meekness is refusing to use the world's "power-over" tactics (violence, manipulation, or loud-mouthing) to get what you want.

How many know: World tells you that’s how you get ahead?

In Jesus’ kingdom, those ones who receive His blessing.

Numbers 12:3 “Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.”

Moses stood up to Pharaoh, led millions; yet he didn't defend his own honor when his siblings (Aaron and Miriam) attacked his character. He let God be his defender.

Moses didn't "claw" for status; he waited on God.

Not foolish—he was confident in God’s blessings; and so content.

Jesus’ promise? "inherit the earth"—they don't have to grab it; the Father gives it to them.

Psalm 37:11 "The meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity."

Anecdote:

[STORY SPOT #1]: This is a great place for a story about a time you felt "at the end of your rope"—perhaps a moment of failure, a health scare, or a season where you felt "poor in spirit."

Describe how that moment of weakness actually became the door through which you experienced God’s presence more clearly than when things were going "well."

Transition: “When we realize that our low points are actually the places where the Kingdom meets us, it changes how we live our everyday lives.”

Living the "Enviable" Life Today

Stop Chasing, Start Receiving!

The Beatitudes are not a "to-do list" to earn God’s favor. They are a "to-be" list that describes who can best carry the ideals of the Kingd. of Heaven.

The Accessibility of the Kingdom:

The "Good Life" is not reserved for the elite, the seemingly-holy, or the wealthy. It is available right now to the overworked, the grieving, and the "not-enough."

This flips upside-down our same expectations today.

Always trust God first, THEN work hard & strive. Strive to best embody a person who:

Recognizes their own sin. | Grieves over the world’s brok’ss. | Controls our actions.

Matthew 16:25–26 “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”

Anecdote!

[STORY SPOT #2]: Share a story about someone who has very little but has a peace that passes understanding. Use this to illustrate that the "Blessed" life looks different—and better—than the "Successful" life.

Nadia? lkj sfd

Dennis Mcgruan: A man who had been homeless for 25 years won $50,000 and famously decided to share it with 500 homeless people he knew personally.

Transition: “So, as we close, I want us to look at our lives through a different lens—the lens Jesus used on that mountainside.”

A New Way to See

Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Will you continue to measure your "blessedness" by your bank account or your social standing?

Accept Jesus' invitation to find flourishing in the middle of your weakness.

This week, look for the "Kingdom moments" in your places of poverty. That is where Jesus is standing, saying: "Congratulations, the Kingdom is yours."