Righteousness and Blessedness

                                              RIGHTEOUSNESS AND BLESSEDNESS

(Words From the Mountain)

 

On May 17, 2026, at the National Mall in Washington, a remarkable event took place. Thousands gathered for Rededicate 250, a nationwide prayer service in connection with the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. President Donald Trump appeared via video, reading II Chronicles 7. Political leaders, along with evangelical figures, prayed and spoke.

The purpose of this gathering, however, seemed to be that if we, as a nation, publicly rededicate our country to God, then God will bless us and make us great and economically prosperous again. But what truly exalts a nation? It is not necessarily a public demonstration of rededication. In God's providence, the USA has been a blessed nation not because of its great people, but because many people trust in a Great God who is Just and Righteous in all His ways.

Thomas Jefferson, one of the founders of the nation, worried about what might happen when we violate God's gifts and turn away from Him. "Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever."[1]

In our series, "Words from the Mountain," Today, we will examine a crucial expectation of God for all His followers and the blessings that come with it, and also answer the question of what truly exalts our country, or any nation, for that matter. I title this message: Righteousness and Blessedness. Our key verse: Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." NASB. This raises several questions: What is righteousness? Who is righteous (Man or God)? What does it mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness, and what blessedness does it carry?

I. What is Righteousness?

 According to the definition, a righteous person is someone who acts in accordance with divine or moral laws, free from guilt or sin. However, the question is whose moral and divine laws are these? The Bible defines righteousness as one of God's moral attributes. It is God's standard that He wants humanity to conform to, but can humanity reach it?

II. Who is righteous, (Man or God)?

Is there anyone truly free from wrongdoing or deception? The wise King Solomon lamented, "Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins." Ecclesiastes 7:20. Paul, writing to the Romans, explains how a sinful person thinks and acts. Romans 3:10-12 states, "As it is written: 'There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away; they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

If none of us is righteous, then who is? Only our God is righteous, and all He does is just and right at all times. Moses wrote this song about God's character after seeing how He brought justice. "I will proclaim the name of the LORD, Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock; his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God, who does no wrong, upright and just is he." Deut 32:3-4. King David confessed, "The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does." Ps 145:17.

Not only is God righteous, but His Kingdom is also righteous. Isaiah prophesied that God, "will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever." Isaiah 9:7.

King David declared, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s throne.” Ps 89:14. What exalts a nation is not man’s great ideas, but it is God and His people living according to His righteous standards.

Paul challenged Corinthian believers to know this fact: “the unrighteous and anyone unholy will not enter God’s Kingdom.” II Corinthians 6:9 In heaven, sin is finally dealt with.

If entering heaven requires a high standard of righteousness, how can a sinful person ever gain entry? In their sinful nature, they are unable to do so, so God provided a solution. That solution was His Son, Jesus Christ, who was completely sinless. God made Him to be sin for us so that, in Him, we might become the righteousness of God and enter His Kingdom. II Cor 5:21

Not everyone, but all those who have believed in Christ, and have their sins confessed and forgiven, will be clothed with robes of righteousness. Listen to the joyful singing of a saved soul, “I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” Isaiah 61:10. Well, it is all about our future in heaven, but we are not there yet! What are we supposed to do in the meantime?

III. Righteousness and Blessedness

Jesus continued his teaching by saying, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." NASB. Let’s look at what it means to hunger and thirst for righteousness and the blessings that are associated with it. An attitude of spiritual helplessness is the entry point into God’s kingdom, enabling us to be sorrowful for our own sins and others’ sins. Through gentleness, a believer actively combats sin rather than adopting a passive, indifferent attitude. Only then do they hunger and thirst for God’s righteousness.

In Greek grammar, those who hunger and thirst are understood not as a continuous action. So, it can be said, “the hungering ones and the thirsting ones,” indicating constant and repetitive satisfaction with God’s righteousness, similar to physical hunger and thirst. Hunger and thirst are our primary drives that fulfill our survival needs.

Jesus used a physical phenomenon to encourage believers to pursue God’s righteousness and to be satisfied with Him. Just as food and water are vital for our physical survival, spiritual bread and living water are crucial for our spiritual growth. Only Jesus can meet both our physical and spiritual needs. After feeding over five thousand people, Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger.” John 6:35. On the last and greatest day of the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus made another powerful declaration of himself.

            John 7:37-38 says, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” The timing of Jesus’ offer of living water was perfect. “During the feast, each morning for seven days, a priest led a procession with music from the temple to the nearby Pool of Siloam.

He fills a golden container with water and carries it back to the temple as the people sing praises to God. At the altar, the priest pours out the water, while another priest offers a drink-offering of wine on the opposite side of the altar. On the eighth and final day, according to some sources, the water-pouring ceremony was not repeated. It was on that waterless day that Jesus stood in the temple and declared that He Himself was the source of living water.”

What does this mean for us? This blessing of contentment with Jesus is granted to those who believe in and accept Him as their Savior. When we regularly and consistently turn to Jesus by reading His Word, He will satisfy our spiritual needs. The Holy Spirit will reveal God’s Kingdom principles and empower us to do His will.

It is the grace of God that “teaches us to say No to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” Titus 2:12-14

 

 

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[1] https://www.azquotes.com/author/7392-Thomas_Jefferson/tag/god

Blessed Are The Gentle (Words From The Mountain)

                                               BLESSED ARE THE GENTLE! 

One day, my wife Wilma and I visited a farm in our small town, Sharon, to buy plants for our church and home garden. As we were leaving, I pulled out of the parking lot in front of a pickup truck driver, whom I believed was at a safe distance. The driver looked angry and honked loudly at me, then continued tailgating to intimidate me. When I slowed to pass a stopped truck carefully, the driver behind me grew even more irritated and honked loudly again.

My wife said, "Don't drive rashly, giving in to his anger." I stayed within the speed limit and, at a traffic light, chose a different route to avoid this unreasonable driver. In similar situations, we have sometimes encountered rude gestures from young, arrogant drivers. Later, when we reached home, we prayed for his soul to be saved. Why is it that, in our culture, more people are becoming impatient, rude, arrogant, and enraged on the road, especially when things don't go their way? Incidents like these are sure signs of the end times. II Timothy 3:1-5

How can we, as followers of Christ, live differently in a culture that values less morality and shows less care for others? I believe the answer is found in following Christ's teachings and helping others do the same. We aim to rediscover the counter-cultural messages of Christ that he shared on a mountaintop with the crowds, his close followers, and all the believers.

We have examined two Beatitudes. First, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom." Second, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Now, we will look at the third one, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5. We must remember one thing as we study the Beatitudes: they are not spoken impulsively by Jesus but in a logical order, with each leading to the next. For example, those who recognize their spiritual poverty would mourn over their own sins and the sins of others; they are the ones who will be meek or gentle and are blessed. I titled the sermon "Blessed Are the Gentle."

The words "meek or meekness" are not commonly used in everyday conversation; furthermore, meekness is often confused with weakness. For our study, instead of meekness, I am using a more familiar word: Gentleness. "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth." Matt 5:5 (NASB). This beatitude especially surprises people because it runs completely counter to the Spirit of this world. "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth!"

It suggests that the conquest or possession of the world belongs to the gentle among all people. However, the world believes differently: it is through military power, strength, and toughness that people think one can conquer. People assume that the more you assert yourself and show aggressiveness and control, the more you will succeed and win in life.

For such people, Jesus' words may serve as a harsh wake-up call. Jesus did not say that the arrogant, proud, rich, or powerful will inherit the earth, but that the gentle will. Therefore, we need to understand what Biblical Gentleness means, identify examples of gentleness in the scriptures, and learn to cultivate and demonstrate it. The world could use a few gentle people!

I. What is Gentleness?

            Let's start by clarifying what gentleness is not. Loyd Jones lists several negatives first before explaining what true gentleness really is. First, it is not a natural trait. It is not a matter of natural disposition because all Christians are meant to be like this regardless of their natural temperament or psychology, is meant to be like this. It is not apathy or being pleasant and soft.

Neither does it mean weakness, compromise, or peace at any price. It is compatible with great strength, authority, and power.

A gentleman is someone who believes and stands for truth, and is willing to die for it if necessary. It is not merely a matter of outward manner but also, and still more, of inward Spirit."[1] What, then, is gentleness? Lloyd-Jones sums it up this way:

            Gentleness is fundamentally a true perception of oneself, expressed through attitude and behavior toward others. It reflects my attitude toward myself and is manifested in my relationships with others. Lloyd-Jones adds, "A gentle man is not proud of himself; he does not in any sense glory in himself and does not assert himself. You see, it is contrary to the popular psychology of the culture, which says, 'assert yourself, and express your personality."

"John Stott provides a modern interpretation of meekness, asserting that it represents a balance between excessive anger and complete absence of anger. Contrary to misconceptions, meekness is not synonymous with weakness; rather, it embodies the gentleness of the strong, who exercise control over their strength."[2] Here are a few biblical figures, aside from our Lord himself, who, despite their natural temperaments, exhibited gentleness.

II. Biblical Examples of Gentleness

            Abraham demonstrated an exemplary gentlemanly attitude when he allowed his nephew, Lot, a younger man, to choose the land first and then accepted what remained without quarreling. Genesis 13. Moses refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter and the privileges that come with it; instead, he chose to be mistreated along with God's people, hence regarded as the meekest man on earth. Hebrews 11:24-25. King Saul, out of jealousy, pursued David to kill him, but David never retaliated. Instead, after he became King of Israel, he showed kindness to Saul's grandson, Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:1-12). We remember him as a man after God's own heart.

Jesus exemplified gentleness. Matthew 11:28-29, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Dane Ortlund, in his book Gentle and Lowly, envisions this gentle Savior this way.

"Jesus is not trigger-happy. Not harsh, reactionary, or easily exasperated. He is the most understanding person in the universe. The posture most natural to him is not a pointed finger but open arms."[3] Paul describes how Jesus personified gentleness in Philippians 2:1-11 and urges the believers to have the same mindset as Christ in their relationships with one another. What blessings are in store for those who are gentle?

III. The Gentle Will Inherit the Earth.

"Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth." Matt 5:5 (NASB). This is certainly not the picture of our world. Who leads the nations today? It is often the rich, powerful, and arrogant. Then what does it mean, and when will the gentle inherit the earth? According to Lloyd Jones, "the gentle already inherit the earth in this life, in this way. A truly gentle man is always satisfied; he is already content."[4] They might be poor, but are very rich in Christ.

In Paul's words, the gentle believers are: "known yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet living on, beaten and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything." II Cor 6:9-10. But the ultimate inheritance is not on this side of the world, but when Christ returns, we will become co-heirs with him, inheriting everything, and will reign with him forever in His everlasting Kingdom.

Romans 8:17, "Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God—and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." In the meantime, as God's children and co-heirs of Christ, let us have Christ's mindset and reflect the heart of our Savior and Lord, as Paul says: "Let our gentleness be evident to all." Phil 4:5:

Let us show kindness in everyday relationships. In workplaces, families, and friendships, our gentleness is demonstrated through speaking graciously, listening carefully, and not seeking revenge when wronged. Kindness is not innate; it can be cultivated, as it is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Gal 5:22-25, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[1] D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “Studies in the Sermon On The Mount.” Pages 55-56

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meekness

[3] Dane Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly, (The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers). Page 19

[4] D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “Studies in the Sermon On The Mount.” Page 59

Mourning, a Blessing?

                                                        MOURNING, A BLESSING?

(Words From the Mountain)

 We started a series called Words from the Mountain, based on the Sermon on the Mount. After witnessing the powerful demonstration of God's Kingdom, crowds followed Jesus. When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up a mountainside. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them these powerful, counter-cultural, and life-transforming teachings of God's Kingdom. His teaching included eight pronouncements of blessings, known as the BEATITUDES.

The Beatitudes and the rest of the teachings show how Christ followers are supposed to live in this World according to God's Kingdom principles. This past week, we examined the first Beatitude, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Being blessed in this verse doesn't refer to material wealth or success. The Greek word for "Blessed" means to be fully satisfied through the indwelling presence of Christ.

We will now examine the second Beatitude in Matthew 5:4, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Like the first, this sets the believer apart from the rest of the World. In fact, the World would see this statement as completely foolish—"Blessed are those who mourn!" The World generally tries to avoid mourning. The overall focus of the World is on being happy and carefree, seeking maximum pleasure through any means.

People fear death, struggle with sorrow and grief, and often do not know how to mourn when someone passes away. Instead of mourning properly, we tend to focus on celebrating the person's life. What did Jesus mean by saying, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted"? Our Lord didn't say, "Blessed are those who mourn over someone's natural death, will be comforted." Instead, He referred to spiritual mourning, as we learn from the first Beatitude, that the poor in spirit are not financially poor but spiritually impoverished.

Similarly, this Beatitude isn't about our physical life and death in this World, but rather focuses mainly on our spiritual condition. Many biblical passages discuss mourning over loved ones' physical death and how the God of all comfort consoles us during our grief. In this context, God cares more about our souls. This Beatitude emphasizes mourning over the state of human souls. Is there a blessing in spiritual mourning, and what does it look like? Matthew 5:1-4

I. Mourning, a Blessing?

Matthew 5:4, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Let's take a closer look at this. In the first Beatitude, the blessedness depends on recognizing one's spiritual poverty or helplessness. In the second, the blessedness comes to those who mourn their own sins and the sins of others. First, let's examine how this personal mourning works.

In the OT, the Israelites quoted a proverb that said, "The parents eat sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?" Ezekiel 18:2. The sour grapes here refer to the sins of the fathers and their negative effects on future generations (Numbers 14:18). The Israelites, quoting this proverb, instead of taking personal responsibility, blamed their ancestors for their sins.

As if God were tired of hearing it, He wanted to eliminate such a flimsy excuse through the prophet Ezekiel. Ezekiel 18:3-4, "As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die."

Let's not underestimate the devastating consequences of parents' irresponsible behaviors on their children. For instance, the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) notes, "unfortunately, abusing drugs while pregnant can have several effects, such as fetal development, birth defects, risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and other physical and behavioral problems, such as difficulties with concentration, attention span, and general conduct."[1] Though children may face consequences because of their parents' sins, ultimately, God holds each person accountable for their own sins, and they must face eternal consequences. Therefore, we need to stop playing the blame game, as Adam and Eve did, and start taking responsibility for our own sins and repenting. In doing so, we will experience God's blessings.   

In the Bible, there are several examples of people who took responsibility for their sins and were comforted, as well as those who didn't repent and faced consequences. Consider these notable Old Testament figures: King Saul and King David. Saul was a typical example of someone from a humble background who rose to the throne of Israel and became a King.

Although he achieved significant victories for the Israelites, he was unable to conquer his inner enemies, such as anger, jealousy, fear, and revenge, nor did he repent for his own sins. Ultimately, he was rejected as king and took his own life amid a war against the Philistines. (I Sam 9-31). On the other hand, David also started humbly and, through God's providence, rose to become king of Israel at age 30, succeeding Saul. He ruled over Israel and Judah for 33 years. (II Sam 5:4-5). Still, he also struggled with his own sins, especially with Bathsheba.

When Prophet Nathan confronted David about his adultery with Bathsheba and the killing of Uriah, David repented of his sin. Instead of passing the blame, he took responsibility for his own actions, saying, "I have sinned against the Lord." (II Samuel 11-12). He lamented over his sin as he wrote a Psalm, begging for God's mercy and forgiveness. Psalm 51:1-12

"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. 5 Surely, I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."

David's mourning and repentant heart earned him the reputation of being a man after God's own heart. Acts 13:22. What sins are you hiding? David knew fully well that he could not hide, so he said, "You, God, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you." Psalm 69:5

Psalm 32:3-5, "When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night, your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord." And you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Pro 28:13, "Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy." Could you hide your sins from God? He knows and sees them fully well. Therefore, before you face consequences, you mourn, repent, and plead for God's mercy. "Godly sorrow leads to repentance and salvation, leaving no regret." II Corinthians 7:10

 We struggle greatly when we live with unconfessed and unrepentant sins, but through mourning and repentance, we will be blessed. The blessedness we experience is the salvation of our souls, the joy, healing, and health that come with that. This Beatitude doesn't stop at seeking our personal salvation; it also includes mourning for others through intense intercession.

II. Mourning and Interceding for the Salvation of Others.

            The scriptures have many examples of people who mourned and interceded for the salvation of others. From the beginning, God has been greatly concerned about humanity's sins. The Lord was grieved in his heart when he saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth. Gen 6:6-9. He decided to wipe out all of them, but he found one righteous man, Noah, and through him, He not only saved the creation but also the human race.

            Abraham pleaded before God for the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah. Gen 18:16-19. Jesus, in his high priestly prayer, prayed not only for himself and his own disciples, but also for the unsaved people in the World. John 17. He left us this mission to intercede for others' salvation.

            I Timothy 2:1-4, I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."

The scriptures tell us we are to have the attitude of Christ. As the first two beatitudes call us, let's empty ourselves to be filled up by God. Let's mourn not only our own sins but also the sins of others, so that we will be comforted and the world will be a better place.

 

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[1] https://www.addictionresource.net/substance-abuse-in-families/parental-drug-use/ 5-8-2026

Spiritual Zeros Enter God's Kingdom

                                                       "Spiritual Zeros" Enter God's Kingdom

Words From The Mountain

In 1972, a young Egyptian businessman named Farahat lost an $11,000 watch. He was shocked when a garbage man dressed in dirty rags found it and returned it to him. Farahat asked him why he didn't just keep the watch. The garbage man said, "My Christ told me to be honest until death." Farahat later told a reporter, "I didn't know Christ at the time, but I told [the garbage man] that I saw Christ in him. I told [him], 'Because of what you have done and your great example, I will worship the Christ you are worshiping.'"

Farahat studied the Bible and deepened his faith. Two years later, he visited the village outside Cairo where the garbage man lived, home to between 15,000 and 30,000 people living in poverty and filth. There was no electricity or running water. Farahat found himself reflecting on the words of Jesus: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Soon afterward, Farahat and his wife began ministering to people's spiritual and material needs. They preached the gospel throughout Egypt, and thousands of people turned to Christ.

In 1978, Farahat was ordained by the Coptic Orthodox Church and became known as Father Sama'an. Today, about 10,000 believers gather in a large cave outside the garbage village. It is the largest Church of believers in the Middle East. In May 2005, a day of prayer was held for Muslims to turn to Christ. Over 20,000 Arab Christians attended. The event was also broadcast on a Christian satellite TV network, reaching millions."[1]

All of this happened because one humble garbage man chose to do the right thing: returning a watch that could have made him the richest man in town. That act led Farahat to Christ, who was later inspired by the Sermon on the Mount and guided many to follow Christ. We are starting a new sermon series called "Words from the Mountain." Let's explore how these powerful words of Jesus from the Mountain will transform our lives. Matthew 4:23-5:1-4

I. Introduction to the Words From The Mountain (Sermon On The Mount)

The words from the Mountain are the Words of Jesus Christ from His very first Sermon, which is popularly known as "The Sermon on the Mount, which is more than the Beatitudes.

"Sermon on the Mount, along with the Ten Commandments, Psalm 23, the Lord's Prayer, and a few other Biblical passages, are acknowledged by almost everyone to be among the highest expressions of religious insight and moral inspiration."[2] Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation of India, was inspired by it. For he said: "Sermon on the Mount went straight to my heart. It left a deep impression on my mind when I read it." What really impressed Gandhi in the Sermon was Jesus' teaching: 'Resist not evil.' So he often quoted from Matt 5:39."[3]

Unfortunately, some Christians argue about these very teachings of Christ, saying that they were only meant for the twelve disciples and not for everyone. Some say they are outdated, ridiculous, and no longer relevant, and yet others say they are too difficult to follow. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, who wrote an entire book on the Sermon on the Mount, has this to say:

"Clearly our Lord was preaching to these men (the twelve disciples), and telling them what they were to do in this world, not only while He was here, but after He had gone. It was preached to people who were meant to practice it at that time and ever afterward." There is nothing, therefore, so dangerous as to say that the Sermon on the Mount has nothing to do with modern Christians. Indeed, I will put it like this: It is meant for all Christian people. It is a perfect picture of the life of the Kingdom of God."[4]

This was what Lloyd Jones further envisioned: "If only every Christian in the Church today were living the Sermon on the Mount, the great revival for which we are praying and longing would already have started. Amazing and astounding things would happen; the world would be shocked, and men and women would be drawn and attracted to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."[5] Keeping that in the background, let's explore the Eight Beautitudes that instruct us on how to live our Christian faith in a highly secular and polarized world. Today, we will look  at the first Beatitude, "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."

 

II. Spiritual Zeros Enter God's Kingdom.

After overcoming the temptations in the Galilean wilderness, Jesus began preaching about the Kingdom of God throughout the region. He demonstrated the Kingdom's power by healing people of all sicknesses and pain, and delivering them from demonic oppression.

Great crowds that were touched by God's power followed Him, along with His disciples.

Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up the mountain to bring his disciples and the people one step closer to following Him, so he delivered this life-changing, counter-cultural message. Vs. 3, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven." What does it mean to be poor in spirit, and why does being poor in spirit qualify us for the Kingdom of heaven?

Dallas Willard coined a contemporary term for the poor in spirit: "spiritual zeros," people with no spiritual qualifications or abilities at all. You would never call on them when "spiritual work" is to be done. There is nothing about them to suggest that the breath of God move through their lives. They have no charisma, no religious glitter or clout."[6]

Being blessed in this verse doesn't amount to material wealth or success. The word for "Blessed" in Greek means to be characterized by the quality of God. Someone is blessed when he is indwelt or filled by God and his nature. He is the one who has God's Kingdom within him.

With this very first Beatitude, Jesus set a standard for anyone to enter into God's Kingdom: upon this blessedness, follow the rest of the blessings. According to Lloyd Jones, being poor in spirit means emptying of one's "self, ego, and pride." It is a complete absence of pride, self-assurance, and self-reliance."[7]  

Our Lord showed us how this emmptying of oneself would look like in Ephesians 2: 5-7, "have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness."

When we empty ourselves, we become spiritual zeroes, receiving God's Kingdom and His dwelling in our hearts. It is like you can not fill a glass that is already full; it has to be emptied first to be filled again.

Similarly, God will not fill someone full of themselves with his presence. We cannot enter God's Kingdom through our good works. When we come to the end of ourselves and reach the point of emptiness in our self-efforts, we become prime candidates for God's assuring presence and will enter into God's eternal Kingdom. Poor in spirit are those who recognize that there is nothing in them that saves them from their sin except Christ alone and His grace alone.

 When we confess our sins and accept Jesus as our Savior, God fully empties our sinful hearts, makes us a new creation, and treats us as if we had never sinned. At that very moment, if we had died, we would have gone straight into his presence and to live with Him in heaven forever. For most of us, that has not been the case; we have continued living, so God also continues this process of emptying our hearts until we are fully full of Him and look like Him.

Spiritual zeros are the primary recipients of God's Kingdom. We see many of them in the scriptures, church history, in today’s world, and even here at Hope Church. Jesus, during His earthly ministry, often overlooked so-called spiritual heroes and spent time with spiritual zeros. 

It was not often the scripturally learned Pharisees, Sadducees, the teachers of the law, who responded to his call to repent, but the tax collectors, the dejected, the prostitutes, the lepers etc repented and entered into God's Kingdom. Jesus was called the friend of sinners (spiritual zeros). Here is Jesus' verdict on those who hear the gospel, time and again, yet do not repent.

Matt 21:31-32, Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God ahead of you. ³² For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him." Are you a so-called proud spiritual hero or a humble spiritual zero? Whatever you are, there is Hope!

 

 

 

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[1] Joel C. Rosenberg, Epicenter, Tyndale House Publishers (2006), p. 206

[2] Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy,  Page 98.

[3] https://www.mkgandhi.org/articles/mahatma-gandhi-and-sermon-on-the-mount.php

[4] D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Studies in the Sermon On The Mount, Pages: 10,11

[5] D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Studies in the Sermon On The Mount, Page 23

[6] Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy, Pages 100-101

[7] D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Studies in the Sermon On The Mount, Page 40

The Lust Of The Eyes & Pride Of Life

                                           THE LUST OF THE EYES & PRIDE OF LIFE

Dress Temptation

Struggling to make ends meet on a limited salary, a Christian husband was furious when he confronted his wife with the receipt for a $250 dress she had bought. "How could you do this?!" "I was outside the store looking at the dress in the window, and then I found myself trying it on," she explained. "It was like Satan was whispering in my ear, 'You look fabulous in that dress. Buy it!'" "Well," the husband replied, "You know how I deal with that kind of temptation. I say, 'Get behind me, Satan!'" "I did," replied his wife, "but then he said, 'It looks fabulous from back here, too!'" We all need to learn how to resist the subtle temptations that come our way.

We began exploring the three BIG temptations that Jesus overcame before He began His public ministry, as recorded in Matthew 4:1-11. We learned how Satan tempts us through legitimate needs. Today, we will examine "The Lust of the Eyes and Pride of Life, as the apostle John called them in 1 John 2:15-17. What do Jesus' temptations mean? The three temptations by Satan were not the only ones. We see in Luke 4:2 that the Devil tempted Him for forty days.

I. Jesus Made Fully Human

Some Bible scholars suggest that the temptations Jesus faced fall into three main categories of human temptation. Not much is written about Him from the age of 12 until He began His ministry. As a young Jewish boy, he may have helped in Joseph's carpentry workshop.

He might have graduated from a local rabbinical college, earning him the title of a Rabbi.

Like many young people, He may have struggled with youthful temptations. Paul, writing to the Hebrews, highlights Jesus' humanity. Hebrews 2:17-18, "For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." Let's see how Jesus overcame the two most common temptations we face.

II. Pride of Life: Wanting to Appear Important (Matthew 4:5-7)

Matthew 4:5-7, "Then the Devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: "He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone." Jesus answered him, "It is also written:

'Do not put the Lord your God to the test." The scene has changed from the wilderness to the holy City of Jerusalem. The Devil took him to the highest point of the Pinnacle of the temple and said, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down." Why did the Devil take Jesus to the Pinnacle of the temple and suggest that he throw himself down? I suggest a couple of reasons.

Firstly, the temple's prime location. The Pinnacle of the temple was probably a roof with a portico at the southeast corner of the temple complex, where a massive retaining wall reached a level well above the temple mount deep into the Kidron valley. The Jewish historian Josephus notes it was a drop of 450 feet. Satan quoted Psalm 91:11-12, tempting Jesus, "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone." This was God's promise of angelic protection against the evil one. It is not about testing God's faithfulness.

Secondly, to abort Jesus' Messianic Mission even before it began. One of the last Messianic prophecies was found in Malachi 3:1, “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the Lord Almighty.

Fast forward 400 years, and the Jewish people were awaiting God's messenger to suddenly appear in the temple. Imagine this scenario: Jesus jumped off the Pinnacle, which is 450 feet high.

As he fell rapidly, God's angels carried him on their wings, and the crowds watched in shock and might have said, "Here is the Messiah we had been waiting for." Wouldn't that have been a historic moment? If Jesus had given in to his human ego and jumped off the Pinnacle instead of becoming the Messiah, he would have been instantly killed.

Jesus fully understood who He was and how He would fulfill His mission. He didn't need to prove anything to anyone, especially to the Devil, so He resisted that temptation by quoting another OT scripture from Deut 6:16, "It is also written, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test." What can we learn from Satan's subtle temptation that appeals to our ego and pride?

Let us humbly accept that, by nature, we are proud people. We want to appear prominent and live in the limelight of success and pompous circumstances. Seizing that inner desire, Satan tempts by appealing to our pride. An arrogant or self-important attitude often precedes a catastrophic mistake, failure, or loss of status. Many have fallen prey to the temptation of pride, ruining their lives. Regrettably, I know several Christians, including successful Christian leaders, who have given in to the temptation of pride and done foolish things; as a result, they have lost their marriages, families, ministries, and credibility. Remember, pride goes before a fall!

III. The Lust of the Eyes: (Wanting all things for yourself)

Matthew 4:8-9, "Again the Devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the World and their splendor. ⁹ "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." By now, the Devil has realized he couldn't tempt Jesus in the area of his identity, so he chose to tempt him in the area of his mission or work.

His mission was to save the World, and the Devil offered a shortcut by showing him all the kingdoms and their splendor in an instant. All Jesus needed to do was bow down and worship him. Gaining the World by just bowing his knee may have seemed appealing to Jesus.

Who wouldn't want an easy way to gain the World without hardship, in this case, avoiding the Cross? Jesus didn't fall for the trap. Once again, for the third time, Jesus drew the sword of the Spirit to resist the Devil, Matt 4:10, "Jesus said to him, 'Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.' Then the Devil left him, and the angels attended him." I like to imagine the angels might have brought Jesus some roasted beef and bread baked on hot stones!

The lust of the eyes is the sinful desire to possess what we see or to have those things that have visual appeal. The Devil tempts us using this avenue. He offers the World to us with a promise of happiness and fulfillment. Soon, we find ourselves running after material wealth at the cost of losing our faith. A media-saturated world advertises heavily to catch our eyes.

A child of God must realize that "All that glitters is not gold, and use discernment not to fall into the temptation of the lust of the eyes. Paul warns young Timothy to be careful of this enemy's trap in I Timothy 6:9-10, "Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."

If we believe the lies of the enemy instead of worshipping and serving God only, we mindlessly do the Devil's bidding for what He offers us in the World. We need to choose whom we shall serve: God or the Devil? You can't serve both. In all three core temptations of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, Jesus successfully defeated the Devil's schemes as He employed God's Word as a weapon. By doing so, Jesus showed us how we, too, become overcomers. The Devil is a defeated enemy! In Christ, we are More than Conquers! By using His Word, the Sword of the Spirit, we can successfully overcome temptations. Amen