Practicing the Way: Blessing

Today we are looking at Matthew 5:1-12 and how Jesus shows what true blessing is and where it can be found. Sermon Notes/Quotes: Matthew 5:1-12 Exodus 19:4-6  “The Beatitudes initially seem to be merely soothing and beautiful precepts for overly spiritual and seemingly useless people, but of very little practical use in the rigid, fast-paced workdays of the world in which we live. We soon find, however, that the Beatitudes contain the “dynamite” of the Holy Spirit. And they “explode” when the circumstances of our lives cause them to do so. The teachings of Jesus are all out of proportion when compared to our natural way of looking at things, and they come to us initially with astonishing discomfort. We gradually have to conform our walk and conversation to the precepts of Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit applies them to our circumstances. The Sermon on the Mount is not a set of rules and regulations— it is a picture of the life we will live when the Holy Spirit is having His unhindered way with us.” Oswald Chambers “The terrible, tragic fallacy of the last hundred years has been to think that all man's troubles are due to his environment, and that to change the man you have nothing to do but change his environment. That is a tragic fallacy. It overlooks the fact that it was in Paradise that man fell.” Martyn Lloyd Jones “Lord Jesus, you taught us that in Your kingdom: Blessed are the poor in spirit. But we have been rich in pride. Blessed are those who mourn. But we have not known much sorrow for our sin. Blessed are the meek. But we are rebellious by nature. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. But we have great desire for evil and little longing for Your true goodness. Blessed are the merciful. But we are harsh and impatient. Blessed are the pure in heart. But we have impure hearts. Blessed are the peacemakers. But we have not sought reconciliation. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness. But our lives do not challenge the world. “ Redemption Church Prayer Guide Hebrews 4:14-16 What is blessing, then? Scripture shows that blessing is anything God gives that makes us fully satisfied in him. Anything that draws us closer to Jesus. Anything that helps us relinquish the temporal and hold on more tightly to the eternal. And often it is the struggles and trials, the aching disappointments and the unfulfilled longings that best enable us to do that. Vaneetha Risner What is my vision of the good life? How is it in line with Jesus’ vision of the good life? How is it out of line with Jesus’ vision of the good life? How is Jesus bringing you into closer alignment with the Kingdom of God and our identity in Him?