Sermon On The Mount part 2

Today I will be continuing my series on the Sermon on the Mount. Today is looking at why the Beattitudes are so important in the first place.

I think it's great to see that the first part of the sermon is a list of "Blessed's"... I've consistently seen this in my life as a series of suggestions to help make things better, and live a good life. Maybe a way to make God smile sometimes. But don't you think it's interesting that "Blessed" is used so much? For instance - the first one is "Blessed are the poor in spirit..." - RIIIGGGHHHTTTT! Because I'm so blessed when I'm poor. (I intend to break each one down in a future post) But, I ran across something interesting in Acts 3... Look at this -

Acts 3:26 "For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways." (NASB, emphasis mine)

Am I the only one that sees a major correlation here between Matthew 5:3-12 with the Beattitudes and Acts 3:26 in this specific breakdown of Jesus being sent? I mean let's logically think about this:
- In Matthew JESUS begins to explain a bunch of blessings and why you are blessed in those senses. Don't we all want to be blessed? Isn't a blessing something to build our faith and our trust? Isn't a blessing a way God so proudly gives to us? So, Jesus starts out by outlining blessings...
- In Acts it is described one of the incredible reasons for the sacrifice of Jesus Himself. "...TO BLESS YOU..."
Here's the point: JESUS IS THE BLESSING! Therefore, what Jesus was doing was describing characteristics of Himself, that you can see throughout scripture! HOW POWERFUL IS THAT!?

He was teaching His disciples about His character... when we just thought He was giving guidelines/suggestions, He was actually giving us all an opportunity to see into His character by understanding that HE IS BLESSING! Everything about a blessing is encompassed within the very nature of Jesus!

Why is that important? As we read and take the Beattitudes to become practices in our lives - we are taking the ways of BLESSING or JESUS, and becoming even more like Him. This, yet again, shows us the great opportunities and open doors to love a perfect God!

Oh, how I love the chances to love God that is afforded to me. Although I do not deserve them, I am given the chance nonetheless, and for that - I am eternally grateful! Thank you for allowing me to endulge in the very character of the blessing itself - Jesus Christ!

Beatitudes

I saw a post on Facebook from a good friend about the Sermon on the Mount... and I decided to go into an in depth study on these powerful, instructional words from Jesus Himself. As I began to read through Matthew chapters 5-7 I couldn't get away from the most basic, heard about instructions at the VERY BEGINNING! Something Sunday School teachers throughout the world teach children, but I don't believe can get into the meat of it all - because I don't think a lot of people GET the meat of it all. This is going to begin a series of blogs on the Beatitudes, I don't intend to make it what you've always heard/read... but to get into the meat of it all. So here goes part 1:

:1-2 > "When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying..."
- I find it interesting here that Jesus sits down, and begins a "sermon" and was seemingly speaking to His 12 disciples, NOT the multitude of a crowd. When we hear the word "sermon" most times we think of a message going out to a multitude of people, at least I think of that automatically. But, in all reality this sermon was not meant to reach to a multitude or a crowd, that was approaching - in fact, trying to visualize this, it seems as if Jesus was getting away from the crowd somewhat with His 12 friends.

- As ministers, which we all are in our own way, we cannot focus so much on being heard by many that we forget to be listened to by some. Jesus wanted His words to mean something, to carry weight, to have promise, purpose, and power behind each one. Therefore, He didn't carefully craft his "sermon" to be heard and enjoyed by many... but he carefully chose His words to be listened to by 12. What's the difference? To be heard, is just that, you are heard. Your voice is heard and recognized, but the words aren't carrying must weight or power. When you are listened to your words matter, they are taken to heart, considered, prayed over, and utilized. Now I don't think there is anything at all wrong with preaching to many - in fact, i will be soon... but I think Jesus was not just "teaching" his disciples, rather He was mentoring His disciples!

- Your congregation, whether it be in a church, work, friendship circles, will hear your voice and message... but hang on to those that LISTEN to your words/message. Go to a mountaintop with them, away from the crowd, and help them understand a deeper meaning behind what you are actually saying!

My next post will be "Why are the Beatitudes so important?" - check out Acts 3:26 - it gives a good glimpse into the importance of all the "Blessed's"!

Boldness

I was sitting in a meeting for lunch today for a tremendous ministry. I was listening to people tell their stories about how God has worked in their participation of this ministry. It was truly great to hear and awesome to see a glimpse of the hearts of the participants. It's tremendous to see people across denominational lines come together, and share the expanding of the Kingdom. But there was one thing that made me think, although it was innocent as innocent can be.

There was a woman that was talking about talking to a student that she had been teaching Biblical truth to and this student brought up a tough topic and she needed help with: homosexuality/lesbianism. This student was dabbling in the lifestyle of lesbianism, and she needed to talk. The woman talked a little with this girl, and by most accounts (in my opinion) she followed protocol pretty well. But she made a statement that struck me the wrong way. "...it was difficult to talk to her about it because no one wants to breach that subject and I surely didn't..." (this is not exact, but it's pretty close) Now, I can understand the innocence of this comment, but the thing that really struck me was this: others in the room (many of which included pastors) agreed! Why is that difficult for me to grasp? Because they were agreeing to the fact that no one should breach the subject of homosexuality, and the reality that it was discussed that even if we are asked, we should not approach it in a group while participating in the ministry. (Now the ministry is a DYNAMIC ministry, and it should not be discounted because of this.)

Again, I understand and realize the innocence and professionalism in which they were trying to approach the subject... but I found myself getting angry in a sense. Why? Because when are we, as believers of Christ, going to become BOLD again!? I'm not against homosexuals and I don't dislike or hate lesbians. In fact I know people that live these lifestyles, and you know what? I would hang out with them any time the opportunity came available. So, please do not take this as bashing homosexuals or lesbians, but I do take this opportunity to respect/understand Biblical TRUTH! The reality is simple: this lifestyle is wrong and sinful. It doesn't matter how you look at it, and it doesn't matter how you try to spin it - the lifestyle is wrong and sinful. (Leviticus 20:13, Leviticus 18:22, 1 Corinthians 6:9 to name a few)

Again, I love the person; but make no mistake about it - I hate the sin! Now, again, don't be deceived I do wrong, and mess up... and if I continue to live in that sin with the knowledge of the wrong, I'm sinning against the will of God - despite my knowledge and there will be judgement as long as I live in that sin! (Hebrews 10:26-27) But God desires for us to be the best person we can be: encompassed with His love, guidance, power, and grace! There is an incredible reason you were created and He wants to see you successfully complete that reason with Him. But, here's my big hang up today: WHERE IS THE BOLDNESS!?

Acts 28:31 talks about Paul arriving at Rome and declaring the TRUTH of the Gospel with BOLDNESS. 2 Corinthians 3:12 talks about having the HOPE of Jesus Christ we are to be very bold! People here's the reality - where is the boldness of the Spirit that we claim we can attain? When the Spirit of God come and graced the 12 disciples, the boldness in which Peter spoke to those many people was incredible. The power in which the disciples walked the earth after that moment was to be envied. The boldness in which Billy Graham was committed to traveling the world spreading the gospel and the boldness of Martin Luther has been forgotten, and dare I say not desired.

Why are we afraid to speak the TRUTH of the Gospel. As I said in the earlier paragraphs we are followers of Christ. As I recall John 14:6 declares that Jesus is "...the way, and the TRUTH, and the life..." (emphasis mine) So again, I ask: where is the boldness in church? School? Life? Religion? Is it hiding under the bed, afraid of what may await? Is your boldness hiding in the closet afraid of the judgement it may receive? Or is your boldness hiding deep within your thoughts afraid to come out because it may cause question of my "reputation"? Wherever your boldness is - find it... coax it out of it's corner and hiding place... and help your boldness to understand that in order to believe in Christ is to stand for TRUTH... and allow your boldness to show off it's muscles, and don't be afraid... just make sure your boldness is biblically based and not opinion driven.

Will you join me in becoming bold for my truthful God?

I want to reiterate: this blog is not to demean or undermind the ministry in which I was referencing, nor the people that made this statement. Nor is this blog to "hate" on homosexuals/lesbians... this blog is simply for the topic of boldness. Yes, it does present my Biblical viewpoint and understanding of the alternate lifestyle... but I love the person that may be encompassed in that lifestyle!

Relentless Mercy

Well, we are 2 Bible studies into Radiate Church and I am seeing God already move in the hearts and lives of those attending. I am so honored to be the pastor of this ministry!

Today I was doing my daily study and it is taking me through Nehemiah again - for the 1000th time! I LOVE NEHEMIAH! But I ran across something that I've read 20-30 times before, I'm sure, and it never quite made sense like it did today. (funny how that happens isn't it?)

In Nehemiah 9 you see where Israel began declaring their past failures/sins. You see the stories of ancestors putting God on the "back burner" and not worrying much about following Him. I began to see an overlying theme in verses 27-31. A principle that is such a powerful thing, yet such an incomprehendable concept.

God stuck beside them, even when they didn't want Him to. See they were using God as a security blanket. They used Him simply as something that would comfort when needed, help when called upon, and restore when asked. He was simply someone that was bigger than they were, and was able to be used when they felt the need. (as we know God doesn't command this type of love for Him... he commands a sacrificial love that requires Him to be above all else.)

Nehemiah 9:31 is where it hit me hard: "Nevertheless, in Your great compassion You did not make an end of them or forsake them, for You are a gracious and compassionate God." (emphasis mine)

Wow... The emphasis added part... I began to think about how I relate to the Israelites in this part, and the other tribes represented. How often do I take advantage of God? How often is He a security blanket to me? When do I sacrifice for Him? I mean REALLY sacrifice!? And to think of the words of Jeremiah - "you did not make an end of them or forsake them." wow!

Why in the world do I deserve for Him to stick with me? I don't... it's his creation that does! I personally don't deserve it... it's the fact that He's perfect, and I'm created in His image - which means that there is greatness and goodness locked up deep down inside of me. And because of that - He doesn't make an end of me! For that matter, if you're reading this - there's a reason He hasn't made an end of you too!

Because YOU MATTER! Think about it.