Untitled Sermon (2)

You Are So Blessed!

Have you ever had someone tell you, “You are so blessed?” Exactly what does that mean? Is it fact or opinion? You’re 65 = fact. You’re ugly = opinion. What would you consider to be a blessing and be blessed?

We’re so undeserving, but we’re blessed b/c of what we’re faced with & how we react.

, pg 448 - Being Blessed is a full-time job! So easy to get caught up in stuff! We want perfection. Get caught up in aches, pains, loss, difficulties. Forget God. Think He doesn’t like us or care! But look at what happens as we walk w/JC. read .

, pg 643 - nation of Israel had a problem as they walked through life. Relied on the nations around them & own strength to give them purpose instead of finding purpose in G alone. Didn’t realize blessing only comes from G. & G wasn’t 2 happy! - “...”

Cursed - Consequences of turning away from G & trusting in self. All revolves around R heart. With no trust in G, life becomes very difficult at best! - “...” the desert. Sounds like here. Lack of water means lack or growth & only certain things grow. When cut off from G, growth which only comes from G, stops or limited. No water 4 roots, stability, fruit. No real value b/c of wrong focus

- “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord” - Trusting is a letting go thing. When U trust UR saying someone’s more powerful & in control. The person who’s blessed is described in 2 ways. He TRUSTS in the Lord, & his HOPE IS the Lord! The person who’s blessed, doesn’t just trust in the LORD to fix whatever crisis might come, but his HOPE is entirely rooted in Him!

- “...” When heart turned 2 G, planted firmly in J, blessed beyond measure. Planted by waters allows roots 2 run deep. Rooted in Him is life w/o fear: 4 nothing, b/c nothing can separate us from Him. When planted in Him, continual water source. He’s like a continual source of life-giving water. Look at , “...”

- “...” When not focused on JC, heart is of no value. Heart is deceitful & wicked. It’s kind of heart that rejoices when G delivers, but soon walks away. G’s there when we need Him, but, when everything’s going well, they don’t even think of Him!

- “...” G judges R hearts by what we do. Blesses faith with ability to do good works b/c know power comes from Him not us. He provides us with everything we need. - “...”

, pg 862. So just who R these blessed people? They’re ones who have joy in life no matter what. Have confidence G will see them through. The destitute / the broken-hearted / those with God-controlled lives / perfect sympathy / clean heart / those who bring people together / those who suffer for Christ / blood-stained.

Opposite of poor in spirit are the proud in spirit / mourners are light-headed bent on pleasure / meek vs. aggressive / persecuted vs. those who play it safe or compromise.Even in midst of negative & difficult things, they’re continually blessed b/c their hearts R firmly connected to Him.

Now wants to share w/them way He feels about them. Gives 4 blesseds. These match the Beatitudes from Mt. 5-7

Lk in giving ‘blesseds” almost makes it sound exclamatory: “O the blessedness of you who ...” Even though world would see negative, J sees positive!

A. The destitute / the broken-hearted / those with God-controlled lives / perfect sympathy / clean heart / those who bring people together / those who suffer for Christ / blood-stained.

B. Opposite of poor in spirit are the proud in spirit / mourners are light-headed bent on pleasure / meek vs. aggressive / persecuted vs. those who play it safe or compromise.

C. Summary of the teachings of Jesus regarding a drastic change in attitude needed to be considered a child of God and therefore truly BLESSED!!!!!

Conclu: A blessing is a by-product of a way of life and of worship. As in Micah – Vs. 8 – He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to work humbly with your God.

v. 20 - “Blessed R U who R poor.” Lk here is focusing on economic poorness or beggarliness of 1st century Jews & Christians. Was also spiritual humility. Look at reward of their faith - “Kingdom of God”. Being part of God’s plan not only here & now, but 4 eternity. Sees us as His family w/all things connected to God.

JC’s kingdom 1 of grace & glory combined. grace is here now, glory isn’t yet revealed. Kingdom centers on King, JC, & His powers of grace, might, & glory that come from Him. Where He is, His Kingdom is! The poor cry out for saving grace & help. JC gives life now & forever.

v. 21 - “Blessed R U who R hungry.” UR not fed 2 the full like others. Even as fed still feel empty . Much R fault 4 U don’t take time 2 eat well. Might B hungry now on earth but will be blessed & full in heaven. U shall hunger no more!

“Blessed R U who weep now.” Often in tears b/c of struggle, tears of repentance, tears of sympathy, tears of mourning. These R ones who mourn over the brokenness of the present world & suffering it causes. They’ll experience great joy when J comes again! In future U will rejoice! You’ll rejoice! You’ll laugh! Day is coming when lips R filled w/laughing & your lips w/rejoicing.

v. 22 - “Blessed R U when people hate U & when they exclude U & revile U & spurn UR name as evil, on account of Me, the Son of Man.” J praises those who suffer 4 sake of doing what is right, & those who R persecuted b/c of allegiance to J Himself.

Summary of the teachings of Jesus regarding a drastic change in attitude and heart needed to be considered a child of God and therefore truly BLESSED!!!!!

A blessing is a by-product of a way of life and of worship. As in “...”

You R so blessed! Never forget that! Walk humbly knowing G is the One who strengthens U, & continually blesses U. Work to take UR blessings to the world around you as you share your heart of faith & hope with the people you meet.