The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Matthew 5-7, Luke 6:20-49, 11:1-13
Act 3: God’s New Covenant People
Scene 2: Christ’s Ministry; God’s True King Manifests His Kingdom
Background Information: Matthew 5-7, Luke 6:20-49, 11:1-13
Jesus gave the most famous sermon in human history from a hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee. It is commonly known as the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus continues to reveal that he is the fulfillment of the Old Testament. Moses brought the law down from Mt Sinai; Jesus gave the true heart of the law in his mountain sermon. A key part of this sermon is what is called the Beatitudes. The Greek word translated “blessed” means literally “happy.” Our idea of happy normally isn’t in line with the biblical idea of “blessed/happy.” “Happy” for us is largely an emotional state of being, but “happy” in Scripture is a relational state of being. I “feel” happy is contingent on circumstances, moods, and bio-chemical factors. I “am blessed” is independent of these and other changing circumstances. The happiness factors in the Beatitudes are all driven by relationship with God. They have an “already” but largely “not yet” quality to them. The “you will be” promises should not be understood to be immediately realized, but they will be experienced in full in the future coming age. In this sermon, Jesus went straight for the heart of things. Be done with all the play acting… the kingdom of God is about real life, not religious showmanship. Spiritualized image management will not help you when the storm comes; all that nonsense is a life built on sand. The people were aware that they were in the presence of someone entirely different than other men. “Jesus,” they said, “unlike our own leaders, teaches with real authority.” He offered true clarity, not religious diplomacy, when he said to them, “If you don’t do the will of my Father, you will not enter heaven. I will send you away.” How could he send them away if they don’t obey his Father? He is one with the Father; his authority is supreme. Blessed, truly Happy, is the man or woman who aligns their lives under the Lordship of Jesus.
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Ask God for opportunities to have gospel conversations. Pray for those in your life who do not know Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the beauty of the gospel to them.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.