"One day as He saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up to the and sat down. His disciples gathered around Him and He began to TEACthe "SERMON ON THE MOUNT". Matthew 5:1&2
We often do a lot of TALKING, but do we do take time to LISTEN? Jesus' disciples had a wonderful relationship with Jesus, because they loved hear his VOICE. They sat down with Him in the midst of "noises and distractions" to LISTEN TO HIS TEACHINGS.
As I child, what I loved to do most was to spend time with my Dad, listening to his stories - both from his life and from the Bible. As we read the Bible and prayed together, I discovered that God would sometimes speak to me too, often silently or through the Spirit and other speakers, even Jesus Himself.
These first teachings of Jesus in the Gospels, were what we know of as the Sermon on the Mount - the Beautitudes. It begins with the BLESSINGS from His Father, filling us with JOY, HAPPINESS, and "SPIRITUAL FAVOUR".
"Matthew gathers together the teachings of Jesus. Sitting on a HILLSIDE with his FOLLOWERS around Him, Jesus tells His DISCIPLES how they are meant to live. Their goal is GOD'S GOODNESS which shows no bounds." Pat & David Alexander
Jesus "Sermon on the Mount" in Luke's Gospel is shorter, but the TRUTHS are the SAME! Our hardships will turn out to be BLESSINGS, and our "REWARDS will come from HEAVEN."
"A large crowd of His disciples were there and a great number of people from all over Judea, and from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon, who had come to HEAR HIM and to be healed from their diseases." Luke 6:17b-18a (NIV)
1. BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN SPIRIT for theirs is the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN (Matthew 5:3 : NIV)
The word 'POOR" is another word for 'HUMILITY". There are times when we feel we can not continue on our own, but we can only "depend on God". We need to reach out and TRUST IN HIM for "suppport". We may "acknowledge our need for Jesus", and we need to spend time with Him.
There are times I have felt very spiritually poor, and insignificant in God's eyes, but then I kneel down before Him and He lifts me up. When I place myself in His arms and trust only in Him. This is when I know I am LOVED AND BLESSED.
"Take his hand and He will lead you. Spend time with Him each day and you will have the PURPOSE, PROVISION and PROTECTION, peace, love and contentment. When we come to Jesus we are fed and blessed." Tim Gardiner
"BLESSED (spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired) are the POOR IN SPIRIT (thos devoid of spiritual arerogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant), for theirs is the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN (both now and forever). Matthew 5:3/Luke 6:20-23 (AMP)
2) BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOU MOURN, for they wil be COMFORTED.
Mourning and weeping are something I know a lot about. Over the years I have experienced grief, having lost a number of family members, undergone health issues and encountering job lossess. Anxiety and depression have also overwhelmed me over the years. But God's PROMISES and Jesus' LOVE have always been a "COMFORT" to me.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the FATHER OF COMPASSIONand the GOD OF ALL COMFORT, who COMFORTS US in all our troubles, so WE CAN COMFORT those in any trouble with the COMFORT WE OURSELVES RECEIVE FROM GOD." 2 Corinthians 1:3&3 (NIV)
We can often feel brokenhearted (grieved, sorrowful) and discouraged (depressed); feeling "abandoned" and "alone". Sometimes we we are in pain and ask lots of questions: Why don you stop it? Why don't I understand how I feel? We have 2 choices:
1. We can "dwell on the negative - the fear and anxiety, mourning and weeping.
2. We can TRUST IN CHRIST with His healing and restoration. We can have a "victory, faith filled life". Hold on to HOPE and He will DIRECT YOUR STEPS!
"God is with you always. He will never forsake you. He is on your side. Even though we don't understand our grief, we can give it all to GOD, so that we can be COMFORTED." Vance K Jackson
"Come near to God and He will come near to you." James 4:8 (NIV)
3. BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO ARE MEEK for they will INHERIT THE EARTH." ( Matthew 5:5 NIV)
MEEKNESS can also be known as GENTLENESS and HUMILITY. It is the opposite of pride and "self seeking", wanting to do things our own way. If we want to be BLESSED we want to follow GOD'S WAY.
"The Greek word for MEEK is GENTLE and CONSIDERATE. We show kindness for others. When JESUS IS MEEK He BLESSES US, as "we inherit the earth." Nicky Gumbel
"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are, no more and no less." Matthew 5:5a (MSG)
I have always tried to see myself as MEEK and HUMBLE. It hasn't always been easy, but like Jesus says we need to think of others and their needs, before our own. Paul remiinds us in each of his letters to the Churches that that they need to be "humble and gentle", "compassionate, kind, humble, gentle and patient". These are all aspects of LIVING A MEEK LIFE like JESUS!
Jesus describes Himself as meek and humble. He was such a gentle and kind teacher. Some people wanted Jesus to be a king or a political leader. But Jesus "traded his pride for humility" and gave up his life for "service and love". The original meaning in Jesus' day was to have "power under control" like a meek, "courageous soldier". Jesus lived out His power of LOVE.
"Be completely HUMBLE AND GENTLE; be PATIENT, bearing with one another in LOVE." Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, CLOTHE YOURSELVES WITH COMPASSION, KINDNESS, HUMILITY, GENTLENESS AND PATIENCE." Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
4. BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR THEY WILL BE FILLED (Matthew 5:6 NIV)
"But seek first His Kingdom and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
This is one of my favourite of Jesus' teachings - seeking to live a life that is RIGHT AND GOOD - seeking to following God's will. I am not a perfectionist, but I do my best, by reading and studing GOD'S WORD, PRAYING each day and being a LIGHT to others.
Like, one of my spiritual mentors, Nicky Gumbel, I wake up each morning with an "appetite" for the BIBLE, and the "greatest priority" is to "hunger and thirst for righteousness".
"We will not be empty, but be filled with all the food that God give us." Nicky Gumbel
We are MADE RIGHT WITH GOD - "with boldness, divine holiness, virtue and JUSTICE". There are 4 things we can do to make sure we can live a RIGHTEOUS life
a. BLESS those around us - "I am BLESSED to be a BLESSING to others". Tim Gardiner
b. REPENTANCE - "Martin Luther said: "When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said "REPENT", he intended that the entire life of believers should be REPENTANCE."
c) Live TRUTHFUL, LOVING AND CARING LIVES - "Pursue and strive after Christ's way of doing things in every aspect of your life."Vance K Jackson "He that earnestly seeks after and craves RIGHTEOUSNESS, mercy and lovingkindness, will find life in addition to righteousness (urightness and rightstanding with God) and HONOUR." Proverbs 21:21 (AMPV)
d) JUSTICE - "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to ACT JUSTLY, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 (NKJV)
5. BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL and they will be SHOWN MERCY. Matthew 5:7 (NIV)
"To be a Christian means FORGIVING THE INEXUABLE, for GOD HAS FORGIVEN THE INEXUABLE in you." C.S Lewis
The merciful are "BLESSED BY GOD", when they "SHOW MERCY." We receive GOD'S MERCY when we reflect of Jesus' death. We continue to practice MERCY, GRACE AND FORGIVENESS by showing how grateful we are for all He has done for us. We can receive and give this to others.
"Be kind to each other and COMPASSIONATE to one another, FORGIVING each other, just as in Christ FORGAVE YOU." Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
There are 3 main BLESSINGS that are given to us, and we can give to others:
a) Mercy promotes "reconciliation" and peace with God.
"This means that anyone who BELONGS TO CHRIST has become a NEW PERSON. The old has gone, the NEW LIFE HAS BEGUN! And all of this is a GIFT FROM GOD, who brought us back to Himself through CHRIST. And God has given us the task of RECONCILING PEOPLE TO HIMSELF. For God was in Christ, recociling the world to world to HIMSELF, no longer counting people's sins against them. And He gave us THIS WONDERFUL MESSAGE OF RECONCILIATION. So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us. We speak for CHRIST, when we plead: "COME BACK TO GOD." 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (NLT)
b) "Freedom cancels other debts. They choose to peacefully, forgive and listen to us. We are the witnesses of God's LOVE, GRACE AND MERCY." Sue Gardener.
c) Jesus transforms us! We walk in step with Him and put others first before ourselves. MERCY IS OUR BLESSING!
"LOVE must be sincere (don't just pretend, REALLY LOVE THEM). Hate what is evil (wrong); cling (hold tightly) to what is good. Be DEVOTED TO ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE (with genuine affection). (Take delight in) honouring one another ABOVE YOURSELVES. Never be lacking in zeal (work hard), but keep YOUR SPIRITUAL FERVOR, serving the Lord (enthiastically). Be joyful in (confident) HOPE, PATIENT in afflcition (trouble), FAITHFUL IN PRAYER. Share with the Lord's people who are in need. (Be ready to help, always be eager to) PRACTICE HOSPITALITY." Romans 12:13 (NIV)
6. BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART for THEY WILL SEE GOD. Matthew 5:8 (NIV)
"When we are TRULY PURE we show INTEGRITY in our lives. PURITY is not only in our HEARTS, but also in our THOUGHTS, WORDS and ACTIONS." Nicky Gumbel
How do we purify our hearts?
a) David tells us that we need to "stay on the path of purity", by living according to God's Word.
"How can a young person stay PURE? By obeying YOUR WORD....I have HIDDEN YOUR WORD IN MY HEART that I may not sin against you." Psalm 119:9&11 (NLT)
b) Paul reminded Timothy, even as a youth, he needs to be an example to the people in His Church by His "speech, conduct, love, faith and purity".
"The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with LOVE, that comes from a PURE HEART, a CLEAR CONSCIENCE and a GENUINE FAITH." 1 Timothy 1:5 (NLT)
c) Peter reminds us as Jesus did in his teachings, that we are "purified by gold". If our faith is genuine it needs to be tested, and the flames in the fire need to PURIFY OUR HEARTS.
"These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as FIRE PURIFIES GOLD - our faith is more precious than mere gold. So when FAITH REMAINS STRONG through many trials, it will bring much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." 1 Peter 1:7 (NLT)
"BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS for THEY WILL BE CALLED CHILDREN OF GOD." Matthew 5:9 (NIV)
Jesus is the greatest PEACEMAKER, an He wants to teach us to do the same. In the Gospels and the many letters from the disciples and Paul, we read taught about how to be PEACEMAKERS, not to "stir up conflict". Jesus died on the cross for us so that we could LIVE IN PEACE , and show "cooperation" and joy.
"I have told you these things, so that IN ME, YOU CAN HAVE PEACE. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD." John 16:33 (NIV)
"Why does the world need peace? Because there is so much war, hatred, deceit and anger; in our community, workplaces, marriages and families. There is so mucy worry and anxiety. But, we need to give them all to Jesus, so we can have PEACE." Leonardo Veliz
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by PRAYER and PETITION, with THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God. AND THE PEACE OF GOD, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:6&7 (NIV)
This is one of the hardest things I have had to work in over the years, including the fears, shame and regrets I have from the past. But I have learnt how to surrender these to the Lord, and "leaving these at the foot of the cross", and I have received healing and peace.
"To be a PEACEMAKER, we need to receive PEACE. We cannot be friends with everyone, we cannot have approval from everyone, but we can extend PEACE TO OTHERS - LOVE, FORGIVENESS AND GRACE. But we need to MAKE A CHOICE, IT DEPEND ON US!" Leonardo Veliz
"Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt amony yourselves, AND BE AT PEACE WITH EACH OTHER." Mark 9:50 (NIV)
"Let the PEACE OF GOD RULE IN YOUR HEARTS, since as members of one body YOU WERE CALLED TO PEACE. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15 (NIV)
"BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED, because of RIGHTEOUSNESS, for THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN." Matthew 5:10 (NIV)
"Blessed are you when people INSULT YOU and PERSECUTE YOU, and FALSELY SAY ALL KINDS OF EVIL AGAINST YOU, because of Me. 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 5:11&12 (NIV)
One of my favourite movies I watched this week was "Paul, Apostle of Christ". Luke was risking his life to visit Paul who was in a Roman prison. Paul tells his story, adding to Luke's Gospel and Acts, we are challenged by the Christians in the Early Church.
We have a long JOURNEY, just like Paul, the disciples and the early Christians. There are times we may face opposition, but we can "cultivate a faith" and leadership. Jesus assures us, just as He did His followers, that we would have the "presence of the Holy Spirit", He will GUIDE AND STRENGTHEN US, "navigating the trials that may come our way".
"When the SPIRIT OF TRUTH comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own but will tell you what He has heard. He will tell you about the future." John 16:13 (NLT)
We can overcome persecution, and we will "not face it alone"! All we need to do IS TO TRUST IN JESUS, HIS FATHER and the HOLY SPIRIT!
"Yet what we SUFFER now is nothing COMPARED TO THE GLORY HE WILL REVEAL TO US LATER....In all things, WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM WHO LOVES US" Romans 8:18 &37 (NLT/NIV)
"Lord, help us to LIVE AS YOU WOULD WANT US TO LIVE, by the VALUES of the SERMOM on the MOUNT, characterized and BLESSED by the BEAUTITUDES, so we might be a LIGHT TO THE WORLD around us." Nicky Gumbel
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