The Paradox of Blessings
Notes
Transcript
Last week, we spoke on Blessings without Boundaries...
And I pointed out many are likely hurting and certainly don’t feel “blessed.”
Today, we will look at The Paradox of Blessings
Remember what a blessing is...
Remember two Sundays ago, I spoke on Our Journey Out of Judgment and stressed, things and people are not always what they seem...
This is true of blessings.
Like children, we think we know what is good and we get upset when we don’t get what we want. But our Father knows what is really lasting and valuable. Illustration of child wanting to play with the box the toy came in rather than the toy!What we think is a blessing may actually be a curse. Remember Adam and Eve’s misjudgment?Look at the paradoxes...
The New International Version (1984) The Beatitudes
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 23:12 NIV84For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
We have taken so many good things and misused them that many of the blessings have become a burden that God may have to burden us so we may be blessed! (Rogers)
The psalmist (?) said, [before they were disciplined, they went astray]
Do you remember the rich young ruler?
As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”
“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
The blessings this young man enjoyed had become burdens keeping Him from salvation!