Posted on Wed, Nov 19, 2008
Highlights of Pastor Michael's Sermon on November 15, 2008, by Susan Bond
"Knock, knock."
"Who's there?"
"Orange."
"Orange who?"
"Orange you lucky?"
Quite the introduction to a sermon on the beatitudes in Matthew 5, yes?
Pastor Michael explained that the word blessed, which begins each statement in that passage,
means (in the Greek) "fortunate". In our culture today, that would be lucky.
The pastor's point is that people today would think the lucky ones are those who win the lottery. Further examination of the lives of these people, though, shows that they often suffer major losses as a result of this "luck".
Jesus' pronouncements in Chapter 5 turn upside down the thoughts of the world on the meaning of fortunate. For example, the world might say that the "winners" are ones who have it all. Jesus says that it is the poor in spirit, those who know how needy they are and have to rely on God, who "win" the kingdom of heaven, a kingdom marked by grace, judgment and lots of surprises.
And what do those who mourn win? Comfort from God who knows all about suffering; they will know God in a special way since He understands.
What about the meek? Greeks prized meekness: the meek person had self-control, maintaining a balance between unbridled anger and comatose calm. Today, it's often the loudest, most boisterous leader who has a following. The meek faithfully wait, while fools rush in to the pleasures of this present world. The prize for the meek is inheritance of the earth.
Continuing further down the list of "the fortunate" we come to those who show mercy. There are two ways to live: show mercy or keep score. In Jesus' day, the Pharisees were the score-keepers. Question: why keep score when God has smashed the scoreboard? Just as the
Pharisees continually cleaned their hands, believers today get caught up in scouring their thoughts in order to deserve what God has freely given. Warning: don't go through the motions to please God by padding your spiritual resume'. The tone of Jesus' sermon is not one of handing out assignments but of congratulations for what you've "won". Even the persecuted win.
Like the poor in spirit, they are awarded the kingdom of heaven.
Pastor Michael closed his sermon with important descriptions of salt and light. While self-control freaks, like the Pharisees, squeeze the enjoyment out of life, salt makes life tasty.
No one eats a meal and says, "Wow, that's good salt!" Salt does not call attention to itself but enhances what it's in. Salt is salty; it doesn't have to work hard to be salty. Since Christ is in us, we just need to be ourselves and let His flavor bring zest to the world. In the same way,
Jesus is the light and calls us to let His light shine through us. As we bring flavor and enlightenment to our world, we should not bring attention on ourselves but on Jesus. Then, like was said of the disciples in Acts 4:13, people will be able to say of us, "These men have been with Jesus."
No messages have been posted.
|
Post a Message:
|
| Contact: bradentonsdb.org@laura Search |
Copyright © 2012, Bradenton Seventh Day Baptist (S.D.B.) Church Logon |
 |