WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.200 We're going to have the Bible reading now, so please open your Bibles. 00:00:05.139 --> 00:00:07.419 Matthew chapter 5, verses 1 to 10. 00:00:07.660 --> 00:00:13.679 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 00:00:15.060 --> 00:00:17.839 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying, 00:00:19.019 --> 00:00:23.559 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:00:25.560 --> 00:00:29.539 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.560 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 00:00:38.259 --> 00:00:44.079 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 00:00:46.679 --> 00:00:50.299 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 00:00:52.879 --> 00:00:57.039 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:04.840 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 00:01:07.280 --> 00:01:13.579 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:01:13.579 --> 00:01:19.719 Well, yeah, today we return to the life of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. 00:01:19.959 --> 00:01:27.319 And we're going through chapters 5 to 7 and into 8, and it's commonly known, Sermon on the Mount. 00:01:28.560 --> 00:01:29.700 You might know it well. 00:01:30.519 --> 00:01:33.959 And as Simon said, I'm kicking off this series, but there's a bunch of guys, 00:01:33.959 --> 00:01:39.179 so Matt, Sam, Simon and Wilker, who's going to be taking one of these sermons and helping us go through it. 00:01:40.919 --> 00:01:44.839 I reckon the Sermon on the Mount used to be quite well known in society. 00:01:45.059 --> 00:01:48.979 If you said the Sermon on the Mount, most people down the street would know what you're talking about. 00:01:49.259 --> 00:01:52.379 I'm not so sure that the current generation that that's true. 00:01:52.379 --> 00:02:00.599 But it's still got the most quoted verse in the Bible in it from unbelievers and believers alike. 00:02:01.759 --> 00:02:03.399 Any guesses at what that is? 00:02:06.519 --> 00:02:07.359 Judge not, yeah. 00:02:07.579 --> 00:02:09.039 Chapter 7, verse 1. 00:02:09.199 --> 00:02:11.419 Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 00:02:12.259 --> 00:02:15.819 We might think it's John 3, 16, but it's do not judge. 00:02:15.819 --> 00:02:20.239 As if somehow Jesus is saying, yeah, be tolerant. 00:02:20.939 --> 00:02:25.519 Even though a few verses later he's saying, my words will determine, 00:02:25.840 --> 00:02:28.419 how you respond to them will determine your eternal destiny. 00:02:28.939 --> 00:02:30.180 That's not very tolerant. 00:02:31.599 --> 00:02:36.180 So it's still very misunderstood, even though it's got the most quoted verse in it. 00:02:37.479 --> 00:02:38.680 But what about in the church? 00:02:38.919 --> 00:02:40.840 You might be familiar with the Sermon on the Mount. 00:02:40.840 --> 00:02:44.579 I wonder if there's something even more dangerous than ignorance. 00:02:45.819 --> 00:02:49.239 What if we're coming today and we think we already understand it? 00:02:52.060 --> 00:02:55.799 Maybe this term we need to actually unlearn some things. 00:02:57.780 --> 00:03:01.359 So before we get into this series, I want to just ask a few questions about 00:03:01.359 --> 00:03:03.680 how are you coming to the Sermon on the Mount? 00:03:04.919 --> 00:03:10.639 So the first thing I want to ask is, are you treating the Sermon on the Mount as a unified sermon? 00:03:10.639 --> 00:03:14.459 So you're hoping today to hear a unified talk from me. 00:03:14.460 --> 00:03:19.240 You can be the judge of whether I succeed at that or not. 00:03:19.580 --> 00:03:23.140 With an introduction and body and conclusion that all ties together. 00:03:23.520 --> 00:03:27.000 Are we expecting that when we come to the Sermon on the Mount? 00:03:29.140 --> 00:03:34.340 I think in the past I've treated it like this encyclopedia of topics on how to be a good Christian. 00:03:34.340 --> 00:03:41.719 So it's got stuff about lust and anger and divorce and not retaliating, not judging, loving your enemies, 00:03:41.939 --> 00:03:46.500 praying, giving to the needy, not worrying about your material needs. 00:03:46.939 --> 00:03:53.659 Are we treating it like are we dissecting it and just focus in on a little part? 00:03:53.659 --> 00:04:00.859 I think the danger in doing that is it lends itself to becoming moralism, 00:04:01.000 --> 00:04:05.319 where we just need to try better to be good Christians. 00:04:06.539 --> 00:04:10.620 So in this term, we're not going to focus in on those subtopics. 00:04:10.719 --> 00:04:14.340 We're going to do larger chunks of the Sermon on the Mount. 00:04:15.359 --> 00:04:19.920 Hopefully that will help us see that this is a unified sermon. 00:04:19.920 --> 00:04:23.620 Jesus has a unified message he wants us to hear. 00:04:29.199 --> 00:04:32.700 In the sermon, we've got an introduction which we're going to look at today 00:04:32.700 --> 00:04:35.080 and then Matt Hand is going to take us through the next bit. 00:04:35.939 --> 00:04:37.840 So we've got the character of being in the kingdom 00:04:37.840 --> 00:04:42.720 and then Matt Hand will show us how that will make us salt and light in the world. 00:04:42.980 --> 00:04:44.660 So that's the introduction to his sermon. 00:04:44.660 --> 00:04:48.840 Have a look at chapter 5 verse 17. 00:04:49.920 --> 00:04:52.400 Here's the start of the body of the sermon. 00:04:53.199 --> 00:04:56.900 Do not think that I've come to abolish the law or the prophets. 00:04:57.600 --> 00:05:01.460 I've not come to abolish them but to fulfil them. 00:05:02.740 --> 00:05:05.100 So there's the theme of this sermon. 00:05:05.480 --> 00:05:08.300 And then you can see that he finishes the body. 00:05:08.819 --> 00:05:12.200 If you flip over to chapter 7 verse 12. 00:05:12.199 --> 00:05:13.159 Where are we? 00:05:13.259 --> 00:05:13.879 Verse 12. 00:05:13.979 --> 00:05:15.000 Chapter 7 verse 12. 00:05:15.479 --> 00:05:19.959 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you 00:05:19.959 --> 00:05:23.319 for this sums up the law and the prophets. 00:05:26.120 --> 00:05:31.539 Somehow Jesus is going to fulfil the law to bring in the kingdom of God. 00:05:31.540 --> 00:05:35.040 And then you'll see after that, you've got the subheadings there, 00:05:35.100 --> 00:05:36.620 the narrow and wide gates. 00:05:37.000 --> 00:05:38.300 Suddenly we've got two choices. 00:05:38.460 --> 00:05:40.780 You can go down a narrow path or a wide path, 00:05:40.840 --> 00:05:42.540 a narrow gate or a wide gate. 00:05:43.220 --> 00:05:44.939 One leads to life or death. 00:05:45.439 --> 00:05:47.140 There's true and false teachers. 00:05:47.560 --> 00:05:49.220 There's true and false disciples. 00:05:49.879 --> 00:05:53.560 There's the wise and the foolish builders who build their house. 00:05:53.879 --> 00:05:55.520 One house stands, the other falls. 00:05:55.960 --> 00:05:57.080 It's that conclusion. 00:05:57.240 --> 00:05:58.140 We need to respond. 00:05:58.139 --> 00:05:59.639 There's two ways to live. 00:06:00.639 --> 00:06:04.279 So are you coming ready to hear a unified sermon? 00:06:07.060 --> 00:06:08.159 The second thing. 00:06:09.819 --> 00:06:13.740 Are you coming to the sermon with the rest of the gospel in mind? 00:06:15.199 --> 00:06:18.479 Matthew's placed this at the beginning of Jesus' life. 00:06:18.620 --> 00:06:21.139 Now maybe the sermon was the very first thing, 00:06:21.680 --> 00:06:23.379 one of the very first things Jesus did. 00:06:23.579 --> 00:06:24.639 Maybe it was later on. 00:06:24.719 --> 00:06:25.360 I'm not really sure. 00:06:26.000 --> 00:06:27.599 But Matthew places it at the beginning. 00:06:27.600 --> 00:06:31.560 I think that tells us we need to understand the life of Jesus. 00:06:32.860 --> 00:06:34.760 First we need to understand this sermon. 00:06:35.100 --> 00:06:36.620 We need to listen to this sermon. 00:06:37.379 --> 00:06:40.240 And then we can see Jesus' life more clearly. 00:06:41.600 --> 00:06:46.460 I think the sermon actually wants us to become poor in spirit, 00:06:47.020 --> 00:06:49.100 so that then when we look to Jesus' life, 00:06:49.920 --> 00:06:52.680 we can then see what it looks like to be full. 00:06:52.680 --> 00:07:00.079 Or do we remember what the summary of Jesus' ministry is about? 00:07:00.199 --> 00:07:02.079 Chapter 4, verse 17. 00:07:04.360 --> 00:07:05.920 So chapter 4, verse 17. 00:07:06.600 --> 00:07:08.560 From that time on, Jesus began to preach. 00:07:08.639 --> 00:07:09.680 Here's his first words. 00:07:10.500 --> 00:07:12.519 Here's a summary of his entire ministry. 00:07:12.519 --> 00:07:13.519 Repent. 00:07:13.519 --> 00:07:13.560 Repent. 00:07:15.120 --> 00:07:16.279 Turn around. 00:07:16.560 --> 00:07:17.519 Change your life completely. 00:07:18.359 --> 00:07:18.919 Repent. 00:07:19.180 --> 00:07:22.419 For the kingdom of heaven has come near. 00:07:22.839 --> 00:07:25.680 The kingdom of heaven has arrived. 00:07:26.319 --> 00:07:27.180 It is here. 00:07:29.120 --> 00:07:30.180 And so we need to repent. 00:07:30.180 --> 00:07:34.680 That should make us ask, why do we need to change? 00:07:35.699 --> 00:07:38.420 Entrance into the kingdom is not automatic. 00:07:39.759 --> 00:07:45.639 What is it about this kingdom that our normal way of life means we're not in it? 00:07:47.920 --> 00:07:51.540 Our normal way of life from birth, we are not in the kingdom. 00:07:51.699 --> 00:07:52.600 We need to repent. 00:07:52.600 --> 00:07:56.180 Are we coming to the sermon ready to learn that? 00:07:56.879 --> 00:07:57.920 Why do we need to repent? 00:07:59.200 --> 00:08:00.439 What is this kingdom? 00:08:02.300 --> 00:08:05.200 A total change has to occur. 00:08:08.200 --> 00:08:10.220 And why should we listen to Jesus? 00:08:11.960 --> 00:08:14.060 That's a big call that you need to repent. 00:08:14.320 --> 00:08:15.879 You need to change and listen to me. 00:08:16.460 --> 00:08:17.680 Why listen to this guy? 00:08:17.680 --> 00:08:17.759 Why? 00:08:18.639 --> 00:08:26.180 Well, we've seen, last time we went through Matthew, we've seen his birth narratives, as Simon introduced today. 00:08:26.379 --> 00:08:27.740 It was very strange stuff. 00:08:28.340 --> 00:08:31.699 But it all pointed to the fact that this is God's promised king. 00:08:32.259 --> 00:08:33.019 He's arrived. 00:08:33.220 --> 00:08:34.340 The king has arrived. 00:08:35.399 --> 00:08:37.419 And then what have we seen so far? 00:08:37.620 --> 00:08:38.680 He was baptised. 00:08:38.679 --> 00:08:48.859 We can listen to Jesus because the very first act we see him do, I like how Sinclair Ferguson describes this. 00:08:49.259 --> 00:08:53.659 You've got all these people coming to John in the Jordan, having their sins forgiven. 00:08:54.620 --> 00:08:58.539 It's like their sins are washed off into the water of the Jordan River. 00:08:59.000 --> 00:09:02.679 And it's just this murky mess of sin in that river now. 00:09:02.959 --> 00:09:04.019 And what does Jesus do? 00:09:05.959 --> 00:09:08.219 Even though spotless, he wades into it. 00:09:08.679 --> 00:09:12.539 He's picturally taking it upon himself. 00:09:13.699 --> 00:09:15.819 There's a very good reason to listen to this man. 00:09:16.399 --> 00:09:18.739 That's the character of this man, this king. 00:09:20.299 --> 00:09:22.979 And then we see him, he confronts Satan. 00:09:24.539 --> 00:09:29.399 He confronts the enemy that all of us believe his lies and he doesn't. 00:09:29.399 --> 00:09:33.299 He stands firm where the rest of humanity fall. 00:09:33.439 --> 00:09:35.399 This guy can win. 00:09:36.419 --> 00:09:37.579 He's got the power. 00:09:38.679 --> 00:09:43.339 He's got the power to undo Satan's work. 00:09:43.340 --> 00:09:45.660 And he's got the power to call. 00:09:46.220 --> 00:09:47.899 We see the first disciples. 00:09:48.580 --> 00:09:51.399 He's just, Andrew, follow me. 00:09:52.460 --> 00:09:53.660 Simon, follow me. 00:09:53.820 --> 00:09:56.440 And they drop their entire life and follow him. 00:09:57.420 --> 00:09:58.940 This king has the power to summon. 00:09:59.200 --> 00:10:00.860 And then he's got the power to restore. 00:10:01.519 --> 00:10:04.080 All the sickness that comes to him, he heals. 00:10:04.080 --> 00:10:08.900 There's some very good reasons to listen to this man. 00:10:10.160 --> 00:10:11.580 He can defeat the enemy. 00:10:11.800 --> 00:10:13.200 He identifies with our sin. 00:10:13.780 --> 00:10:15.280 He can change our lives. 00:10:16.340 --> 00:10:17.560 He can restore us. 00:10:19.139 --> 00:10:22.520 So are we ready to listen to hear why we need to repent? 00:10:22.519 --> 00:10:30.840 In verses 1 and 2, he goes up onto a mountain. 00:10:30.840 --> 00:10:37.019 I think the fact that he goes up onto a mountain should make us think of Moses. 00:10:37.500 --> 00:10:37.940 Moses. 00:10:38.120 --> 00:10:38.620 Yeah, Moses. 00:10:38.740 --> 00:10:39.080 That's right. 00:10:39.460 --> 00:10:40.899 Moses on Mount Sinai. 00:10:41.580 --> 00:10:50.080 Where all Israel are gathered to Moses to receive the law on what it means to belong in this kingdom. 00:10:50.940 --> 00:10:53.800 Jesus is about to describe what it means to belong in this kingdom. 00:10:53.940 --> 00:10:54.860 He's this new Moses. 00:10:54.860 --> 00:10:58.019 This new connection between heaven and earth. 00:10:59.560 --> 00:11:04.639 Now in these verses, I was sorely tempted to skip over the detail. 00:11:07.240 --> 00:11:12.360 He opened his mouth and he began to teach them, saying, 00:11:12.840 --> 00:11:15.360 like, why tell us that he opened his mouth? 00:11:18.480 --> 00:11:20.200 That's a strange detail, isn't it? 00:11:22.060 --> 00:11:24.480 Is it so that we don't think he was a ventriloquist? 00:11:25.700 --> 00:11:26.779 I don't think so. 00:11:26.919 --> 00:11:27.639 I doubt it. 00:11:28.180 --> 00:11:32.500 Maybe it's saying he's not going to quote other rabbis. 00:11:32.620 --> 00:11:35.039 The source of his authority is himself. 00:11:36.259 --> 00:11:37.100 Maybe that's why. 00:11:37.300 --> 00:11:38.419 I wonder if it's something else. 00:11:39.200 --> 00:11:42.860 I wonder if there's an even deeper reason that Matthew wants us to focus on his mouth. 00:11:44.259 --> 00:11:49.960 This is the first time public came to him, that we're told in Matthew anyway. 00:11:50.639 --> 00:11:51.399 What does he do? 00:11:51.399 --> 00:11:52.860 The first public rally. 00:11:53.459 --> 00:11:54.939 This is a significant moment. 00:11:55.039 --> 00:11:56.399 How's he going to kick off his ministry? 00:11:57.059 --> 00:11:57.740 What's he going to do? 00:11:58.319 --> 00:11:59.799 He could have drawn a sword. 00:12:02.019 --> 00:12:02.639 Let's go. 00:12:02.720 --> 00:12:03.519 The kingdom is here. 00:12:04.319 --> 00:12:09.939 He could have made denarii, coins, fall from heaven and filled up everyone's pockets. 00:12:11.120 --> 00:12:14.500 He could have kept healing all the sickness, but he doesn't. 00:12:14.500 --> 00:12:15.580 He opens his mouth. 00:12:16.840 --> 00:12:23.779 I just wonder if we're meant to think, is the words of Jesus the source of blessing? 00:12:24.120 --> 00:12:29.559 Do we see his mouth as the source of eternal life? 00:12:29.559 --> 00:12:38.439 I keep falling back into the same kind of thinking. 00:12:38.619 --> 00:12:47.899 That if only I add more of God into my life, if I have a closer walk with him, then my mental state will be in a better condition. 00:12:47.899 --> 00:12:57.079 My relationships will be better, more harmonious, and my impact on the world will be more successful. 00:12:59.860 --> 00:13:06.959 I think if we come to Jesus' words here, wanting to add more God into our life, we're going to miss the point. 00:13:06.960 --> 00:13:16.000 If we come to this wanting to add more God into our life, we will miss the point. 00:13:18.200 --> 00:13:23.120 The problem isn't that we're coming to Jesus empty in order to be filled. 00:13:23.240 --> 00:13:27.800 Our problem is we're already half filled on the things of this world. 00:13:27.920 --> 00:13:29.860 We want Jesus to just top us up, please. 00:13:31.300 --> 00:13:32.200 Does that describe you? 00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:33.080 That describes me. 00:13:33.720 --> 00:13:35.680 I'm pretty happy with the things of this earth. 00:13:35.679 --> 00:13:38.639 I just want Jesus to top me up, make me full. 00:13:40.879 --> 00:13:43.859 Our problem isn't that we're empty. 00:13:44.019 --> 00:13:45.379 Our problem is we're half full. 00:13:48.379 --> 00:13:53.799 If we listen to the words that come out of Jesus' mouth, he's going to make us empty. 00:13:55.679 --> 00:13:59.899 The sermon contains some devastating words. 00:14:00.719 --> 00:14:02.339 Blessed are the persecuted. 00:14:05.679 --> 00:14:06.979 Does that jar in your mind? 00:14:07.019 --> 00:14:08.099 It jars in my mind. 00:14:08.179 --> 00:14:09.079 How can that be? 00:14:12.359 --> 00:14:14.599 Or he says at the end of chapter 5, 00:14:14.599 --> 00:14:19.299 if you want to be in the kingdom, you therefore must be perfect, 00:14:20.299 --> 00:14:22.419 as your heavenly Father is perfect. 00:14:22.419 --> 00:14:26.360 That's devastating news. 00:14:27.319 --> 00:14:28.379 Who can do that? 00:14:32.799 --> 00:14:35.699 Don't come expecting to add more God to your life. 00:14:36.559 --> 00:14:40.159 Get ready to be emptied, made poor. 00:14:40.159 --> 00:14:43.500 But don't fear that. 00:14:44.459 --> 00:14:49.439 Because his very first words, as Jen has already helped us understand with the kids' talk, 00:14:50.279 --> 00:14:51.620 he's given us a great promise. 00:14:52.459 --> 00:14:56.199 Bless are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:14:56.539 --> 00:14:57.719 So let's not fear that. 00:14:59.079 --> 00:15:00.860 But let's come ready to be made poor, 00:15:01.500 --> 00:15:03.399 because then the kingdom of heaven is ours. 00:15:03.399 --> 00:15:13.559 So what do you think will make your life blessed? 00:15:14.120 --> 00:15:16.840 A blessed condition. 00:15:18.419 --> 00:15:21.919 At home we've got this magazine called Wellbeing. 00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:25.559 And the front cover, I'm just intrigued by it, 00:15:25.559 --> 00:15:30.360 the front cover has this lady all rugged up with her PJs and a blanket over her, 00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:32.440 with a warm drink in her hands, 00:15:32.639 --> 00:15:34.879 and she's staring off with her eyes closed, 00:15:35.060 --> 00:15:36.639 with a serene look on her face. 00:15:37.480 --> 00:15:38.419 That's well-being. 00:15:39.399 --> 00:15:42.879 Now I like a cup of tea all rugged up as much as the next person. 00:15:42.980 --> 00:15:44.159 I'm not having a go at that. 00:15:45.220 --> 00:15:49.820 But what about those times in life, 00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:53.639 metaphorically speaking, when we are bruised and hurting? 00:15:53.639 --> 00:15:58.860 What about the times when we just feel naked and cold and alone 00:15:58.860 --> 00:16:03.180 and surrounded by so many things that just stress us out? 00:16:04.500 --> 00:16:05.800 Or at the end of life, 00:16:05.860 --> 00:16:08.139 when we know we're not going to leave that hospital bed, 00:16:08.800 --> 00:16:10.960 can we be blessed then? 00:16:12.600 --> 00:16:14.220 Can I look at my life and go, 00:16:14.320 --> 00:16:15.419 I am blessed? 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:21.500 I think we all fall into the trap again and again, 00:16:22.700 --> 00:16:26.800 believing that if only my external circumstances change, 00:16:26.799 --> 00:16:28.259 then I will be blessed. 00:16:28.359 --> 00:16:30.019 Only then I will be blessed. 00:16:30.740 --> 00:16:31.639 For me at the moment, 00:16:32.259 --> 00:16:35.859 I reckon I'll be blessed if Samuel just slept through the night. 00:16:38.419 --> 00:16:39.139 Come on. 00:16:39.479 --> 00:16:42.799 And then my friends with the newborn saying, 00:16:42.899 --> 00:16:43.199 oh yeah, 00:16:43.339 --> 00:16:45.299 my daughter sleeps through the night. 00:16:45.719 --> 00:16:46.719 It's a cinch. 00:16:47.240 --> 00:16:47.439 It's like, 00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:47.620 yeah, 00:16:47.679 --> 00:16:48.859 thank you for telling me that. 00:16:49.519 --> 00:16:50.879 That really helps me. 00:16:50.879 --> 00:16:54.259 If only I would get sleep, 00:16:55.200 --> 00:16:57.799 I would be a better person to Emma. 00:16:58.320 --> 00:16:59.480 My character would be better. 00:17:00.159 --> 00:17:01.559 I would have more productivity. 00:17:02.039 --> 00:17:03.080 My mental state of mind, 00:17:03.179 --> 00:17:03.399 oh, 00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:04.480 it would be so much better. 00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:06.700 If only I had this. 00:17:08.799 --> 00:17:10.180 Change my circumstances, 00:17:10.359 --> 00:17:10.599 God, 00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:11.680 and then I'll be blessed. 00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:13.940 Now you might be sitting there thinking, 00:17:14.359 --> 00:17:15.380 I envy you, 00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:15.740 David, 00:17:15.859 --> 00:17:19.079 that you have a sleepless night with a child. 00:17:19.079 --> 00:17:21.240 You might be envying me. 00:17:23.259 --> 00:17:24.359 What is it for you? 00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:25.879 What do you think? 00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:27.240 If only you had this, 00:17:27.899 --> 00:17:28.779 I'd be blessed. 00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:31.019 I'd be in a blessed condition. 00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:39.519 I like R.T. France's definition of the blessed person. 00:17:40.199 --> 00:17:43.779 It's someone whose place in life is an enviable one. 00:17:49.079 --> 00:17:53.599 The blessed state Jesus is about to describe 00:17:53.599 --> 00:17:57.179 transcends our circumstances. 00:17:59.839 --> 00:18:02.439 We can be blessed no matter what. 00:18:05.779 --> 00:18:07.460 Whether good or ill, 00:18:07.980 --> 00:18:09.139 success or failure, 00:18:09.500 --> 00:18:10.779 acceptance or rejection, 00:18:11.279 --> 00:18:12.599 health or illness, 00:18:13.240 --> 00:18:14.480 stress or at leisure, 00:18:14.480 --> 00:18:16.460 we can be blessed. 00:18:22.519 --> 00:18:24.000 It's the enviable life. 00:18:24.079 --> 00:18:25.099 Are you ready to hear it? 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:27.140 Do you want it? 00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:28.000 I want it. 00:18:29.120 --> 00:18:30.240 I believe I have it, 00:18:30.360 --> 00:18:32.319 but let's see what it is. 00:18:33.660 --> 00:18:36.140 Here's the description of the people who are blessed. 00:18:37.140 --> 00:18:38.099 Poor in spirit, 00:18:39.940 --> 00:18:40.440 mourn, 00:18:40.440 --> 00:18:43.080 meek, 00:18:43.259 --> 00:18:43.580 humble, 00:18:45.120 --> 00:18:46.519 hunger and thirst, 00:18:48.620 --> 00:18:49.080 merciful, 00:18:50.920 --> 00:18:51.840 pure in heart, 00:18:53.400 --> 00:18:54.160 peacemakers 00:18:54.160 --> 00:18:56.220 and persecuted. 00:19:01.180 --> 00:19:02.340 Does it sound very good? 00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:07.460 Is that really the enviable life? 00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:12.519 Now, 00:19:12.660 --> 00:19:14.360 I'm stopping at verse 10 there. 00:19:14.420 --> 00:19:15.100 You might wonder, 00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:17.039 why haven't we gone to verse 11? 00:19:17.200 --> 00:19:18.160 You got blessed again. 00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:20.299 If you notice there that 00:19:20.299 --> 00:19:23.259 verse 3 and verse 10, 00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:25.500 you've got the same promise at the end. 00:19:25.600 --> 00:19:27.039 For theirs is the kingdom of heaven, 00:19:27.200 --> 00:19:28.620 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:19:29.279 --> 00:19:30.380 This whole group, 00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:31.600 3 to 10, 00:19:31.600 --> 00:19:32.440 is describing 00:19:32.440 --> 00:19:35.039 the state of the person 00:19:35.039 --> 00:19:36.100 who's in the kingdom of heaven. 00:19:36.099 --> 00:19:37.519 We can't pick and choose these 00:19:37.519 --> 00:19:37.839 and go, 00:19:37.959 --> 00:19:38.659 I'm a peacemaker, 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:41.659 but I'm not meek. 00:19:41.859 --> 00:19:42.719 I need to work on that. 00:19:42.959 --> 00:19:44.740 This is one group, 00:19:44.899 --> 00:19:46.139 characteristic of the group. 00:19:48.119 --> 00:19:48.899 In verse 11, 00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:50.379 the pronoun changes 00:19:50.379 --> 00:19:51.119 from they, 00:19:51.419 --> 00:19:52.480 describing this group, 00:19:53.459 --> 00:19:54.240 to you. 00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:55.539 Bless you 00:19:55.539 --> 00:19:57.059 when people insult you. 00:19:57.299 --> 00:19:58.179 It starts talking 00:19:58.179 --> 00:19:59.299 direct to the disciples. 00:19:59.740 --> 00:19:59.759 So, 00:20:00.639 --> 00:20:01.339 3 to 10, 00:20:01.539 --> 00:20:03.000 this is what it means 00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:03.919 to belong to the kingdom. 00:20:03.920 --> 00:20:05.759 This is the enviable life. 00:20:06.800 --> 00:20:08.140 Let's quickly go through these. 00:20:08.980 --> 00:20:10.539 Just make sure we understand them 00:20:10.539 --> 00:20:13.060 before we can decide 00:20:13.060 --> 00:20:16.160 how to respond to them. 00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:17.539 So, 00:20:17.620 --> 00:20:17.960 verse 3, 00:20:18.060 --> 00:20:18.900 poor in spirit. 00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:20.539 Have you ever experienced 00:20:20.539 --> 00:20:21.560 those times in life 00:20:21.560 --> 00:20:22.660 where you just come 00:20:22.660 --> 00:20:23.900 to the end of yourself? 00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:25.160 You just, 00:20:25.960 --> 00:20:27.800 you don't have the resources 00:20:27.800 --> 00:20:29.720 to get through. 00:20:29.720 --> 00:20:31.660 you just got nothing 00:20:31.660 --> 00:20:32.339 in the tank. 00:20:33.680 --> 00:20:35.200 You've got absolutely nothing. 00:20:35.620 --> 00:20:36.460 You come to the end 00:20:36.460 --> 00:20:36.940 of yourself, 00:20:37.140 --> 00:20:38.660 all you have to look to 00:20:38.660 --> 00:20:40.480 is that God does something, 00:20:40.799 --> 00:20:41.640 that God helps you. 00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:43.680 Have you ever been to that place 00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:44.779 and yet felt full? 00:20:48.839 --> 00:20:50.019 To have peace, 00:20:50.279 --> 00:20:51.400 even though you're afraid 00:20:51.400 --> 00:20:52.100 and sad? 00:20:52.099 --> 00:20:56.500 I think those times 00:20:56.500 --> 00:20:57.319 are rarer 00:20:57.319 --> 00:20:58.459 than I want them to be 00:20:58.459 --> 00:21:00.179 but there is a real joy there 00:21:00.179 --> 00:21:01.379 when we come to the end 00:21:01.379 --> 00:21:01.899 of ourselves 00:21:01.899 --> 00:21:02.519 and we just, 00:21:02.579 --> 00:21:03.819 we just look to God. 00:21:05.339 --> 00:21:06.740 We have to trust him. 00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:08.199 That's all we've got. 00:21:09.119 --> 00:21:10.240 I think that's what it means 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:11.339 to be poor in spirit. 00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:16.299 And it's in spirit, 00:21:16.419 --> 00:21:17.599 it's not materially. 00:21:17.819 --> 00:21:19.119 This is an internal 00:21:19.119 --> 00:21:20.099 attitude 00:21:20.099 --> 00:21:22.119 that these characteristics 00:21:22.119 --> 00:21:23.039 are describing. 00:21:23.500 --> 00:21:24.740 It's a spiritual reality, 00:21:24.899 --> 00:21:26.240 internal kingdom. 00:21:27.679 --> 00:21:28.899 It's to have an attitude 00:21:28.899 --> 00:21:30.219 of self-emptiness 00:21:30.219 --> 00:21:30.879 before God, 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:32.279 only relying 00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:32.939 on his goodness. 00:21:33.919 --> 00:21:34.659 Now I don't think 00:21:34.659 --> 00:21:35.919 life has to go badly 00:21:35.919 --> 00:21:37.259 to be poor in spirit. 00:21:38.539 --> 00:21:39.779 I think we can be 00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:40.980 empty of ourselves 00:21:40.980 --> 00:21:41.959 relying on God 00:21:41.959 --> 00:21:42.740 all the time. 00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:44.759 But, 00:21:44.919 --> 00:21:45.619 in God's goodness, 00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:46.240 sometimes 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:49.099 he breaks us down 00:21:49.099 --> 00:21:50.559 so that we actually 00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:51.359 get to that point. 00:21:52.359 --> 00:21:53.339 He strips us back 00:21:53.339 --> 00:21:55.000 so that we can actually 00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:56.359 be in this blessed state. 00:21:58.819 --> 00:21:59.019 So, 00:21:59.079 --> 00:21:59.779 poor in spirit. 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:00.419 And then we've got 00:22:00.419 --> 00:22:01.039 verse 4, 00:22:01.179 --> 00:22:01.599 mourn. 00:22:02.859 --> 00:22:03.819 What the Christian 00:22:03.819 --> 00:22:05.299 mourns over, 00:22:05.539 --> 00:22:06.019 I think, 00:22:06.099 --> 00:22:07.839 is kept undefined here 00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:09.759 because sin 00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:10.939 has infiltrated 00:22:10.939 --> 00:22:11.359 everything. 00:22:11.359 --> 00:22:14.740 If we mourn sin 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:15.519 in myself 00:22:15.519 --> 00:22:16.379 and sin 00:22:16.379 --> 00:22:16.939 in others 00:22:16.939 --> 00:22:17.479 and sin 00:22:17.479 --> 00:22:18.219 in this world 00:22:18.219 --> 00:22:18.740 and sin 00:22:18.740 --> 00:22:19.579 in the church 00:22:19.579 --> 00:22:21.519 and we just 00:22:21.519 --> 00:22:22.539 feel the destruction 00:22:22.539 --> 00:22:23.159 of sin, 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.439 why wouldn't 00:22:24.439 --> 00:22:25.039 we mourn? 00:22:25.919 --> 00:22:27.079 There's so much 00:22:27.079 --> 00:22:27.879 to mourn over. 00:22:30.879 --> 00:22:31.939 And then it's 00:22:31.939 --> 00:22:33.199 the meek 00:22:33.199 --> 00:22:34.019 and humble. 00:22:35.319 --> 00:22:35.479 So, 00:22:35.579 --> 00:22:36.119 meek is not 00:22:36.119 --> 00:22:37.099 a false humility 00:22:37.099 --> 00:22:37.979 that still 00:22:37.979 --> 00:22:38.979 keeps the attention 00:22:38.980 --> 00:22:39.620 on yourself 00:22:39.620 --> 00:22:40.860 and you're still 00:22:40.860 --> 00:22:41.839 self-absorbed. 00:22:42.400 --> 00:22:42.940 But meekness 00:22:42.940 --> 00:22:44.319 is a true humility 00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:45.339 before God. 00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:46.420 It's a stance 00:22:46.420 --> 00:22:47.200 before God. 00:22:49.099 --> 00:22:49.400 And 00:22:49.400 --> 00:22:51.339 being in that state, 00:22:52.079 --> 00:22:52.759 you are therefore 00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:53.380 gentle. 00:22:54.339 --> 00:22:55.019 Even when you're 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:55.920 attacked by others, 00:22:56.120 --> 00:22:57.120 because of your 00:22:57.120 --> 00:22:58.420 stance before God, 00:22:59.180 --> 00:23:00.039 you're even gentle. 00:23:02.500 --> 00:23:03.559 Because the person 00:23:03.559 --> 00:23:04.019 who is brought 00:23:04.019 --> 00:23:04.539 to the end 00:23:04.539 --> 00:23:05.059 of themselves, 00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:06.259 relying on God, 00:23:06.480 --> 00:23:07.380 mourning for sin, 00:23:07.380 --> 00:23:08.380 they're just 00:23:08.380 --> 00:23:09.180 totally dependent 00:23:09.180 --> 00:23:09.580 on him. 00:23:10.300 --> 00:23:10.780 They don't have 00:23:10.780 --> 00:23:11.280 to fret. 00:23:11.520 --> 00:23:11.940 They don't have 00:23:11.940 --> 00:23:12.440 to control 00:23:12.440 --> 00:23:13.180 circumstances. 00:23:13.460 --> 00:23:13.720 They just, 00:23:14.600 --> 00:23:15.400 they can be meek 00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:16.820 and gentle. 00:23:18.400 --> 00:23:19.000 And then we've got 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:20.000 hunger and thirst 00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:20.840 for righteousness. 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:22.600 Being freed 00:23:22.600 --> 00:23:23.760 from being obsessed 00:23:23.760 --> 00:23:24.340 with ourselves, 00:23:24.460 --> 00:23:25.320 now looking to God, 00:23:25.400 --> 00:23:26.720 our desires change. 00:23:27.540 --> 00:23:28.600 We've got a taste 00:23:28.600 --> 00:23:29.960 of what God is like 00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:30.860 and we want more 00:23:30.860 --> 00:23:31.160 of it. 00:23:31.280 --> 00:23:31.720 We want to be 00:23:31.720 --> 00:23:32.280 like him. 00:23:32.680 --> 00:23:33.960 But the more 00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:34.820 we get to know God, 00:23:34.940 --> 00:23:35.800 the more we realise 00:23:35.800 --> 00:23:36.520 how much we're not 00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:37.019 like God, 00:23:37.400 --> 00:23:38.359 and so we hunger 00:23:38.359 --> 00:23:39.180 and thirst. 00:23:40.160 --> 00:23:41.220 As a deer pants 00:23:41.220 --> 00:23:41.839 for water, 00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:42.740 so my soul 00:23:42.740 --> 00:23:43.639 longs for you. 00:23:45.900 --> 00:23:46.720 The Christian 00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:47.940 is not finally 00:23:47.940 --> 00:23:48.700 satisfied, 00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:50.180 ultimately anyway, 00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:52.539 until we have God 00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:53.639 and are like him. 00:23:55.639 --> 00:23:56.799 And then merciful, 00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:59.240 having received 00:23:59.240 --> 00:24:00.519 such mercy 00:24:00.519 --> 00:24:01.319 from God, 00:24:02.319 --> 00:24:03.180 how could we not 00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:04.279 just love mercy 00:24:04.279 --> 00:24:06.779 and want to give 00:24:06.779 --> 00:24:07.660 mercy to others, 00:24:07.740 --> 00:24:08.580 want others to have 00:24:08.580 --> 00:24:09.340 the mercy of God 00:24:09.340 --> 00:24:09.700 as well. 00:24:11.000 --> 00:24:12.019 And then pure in heart. 00:24:12.160 --> 00:24:12.779 Pure in heart, 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:13.759 we might think 00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:15.740 it's about being 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:16.660 sexually pure 00:24:16.660 --> 00:24:18.060 or morally pure, 00:24:18.220 --> 00:24:18.940 but it's much 00:24:18.940 --> 00:24:19.700 broader than that. 00:24:19.940 --> 00:24:20.519 Pure in heart 00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:21.820 is having a single 00:24:21.820 --> 00:24:23.940 devotion for God, 00:24:24.440 --> 00:24:25.279 loving the Lord 00:24:25.279 --> 00:24:25.700 our God 00:24:25.700 --> 00:24:26.460 with all our heart, 00:24:26.600 --> 00:24:26.759 soul, 00:24:26.900 --> 00:24:27.680 mind and strength. 00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:28.180 And obviously 00:24:28.180 --> 00:24:28.779 that will show 00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:30.240 itself morally, 00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:31.519 but it's having 00:24:31.519 --> 00:24:32.359 that single 00:24:32.359 --> 00:24:33.779 devotion, 00:24:35.319 --> 00:24:36.920 a pure heart. 00:24:38.940 --> 00:24:40.380 And then peacemakers, 00:24:41.740 --> 00:24:43.000 rejoicing in the 00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:43.359 Father, 00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:44.620 not giving up on us, 00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:45.660 but even sending 00:24:45.660 --> 00:24:47.000 his Son to give us 00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:47.420 peace. 00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:50.000 We want others 00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:50.980 to have that same 00:24:50.980 --> 00:24:51.380 peace. 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:52.859 Not just keeping 00:24:52.859 --> 00:24:53.240 the peace, 00:24:53.359 --> 00:24:54.319 but trying to make 00:24:54.319 --> 00:24:54.900 peace. 00:24:57.420 --> 00:24:58.299 And therefore, 00:24:58.460 --> 00:24:58.960 verse 10, 00:24:58.960 --> 00:25:00.480 persecuted. 00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:03.960 Because these values 00:25:03.960 --> 00:25:05.539 are so foreign 00:25:05.539 --> 00:25:06.539 to this world, 00:25:07.400 --> 00:25:08.480 this kind of person 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:10.360 is not welcome. 00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:15.740 Is this the normal 00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:16.519 way of thinking 00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:17.400 that you've come 00:25:17.400 --> 00:25:18.279 across in others? 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:19.779 Or in yourself? 00:25:19.940 --> 00:25:20.700 Let's make it personal. 00:25:20.819 --> 00:25:21.620 Does it come natural 00:25:21.620 --> 00:25:22.059 to you, 00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:23.160 these kind of 00:25:23.160 --> 00:25:23.640 attributes? 00:25:24.579 --> 00:25:25.480 It doesn't come 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:26.559 naturally for me. 00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:28.940 I come from 00:25:28.940 --> 00:25:29.500 this world. 00:25:29.859 --> 00:25:30.859 I still live 00:25:30.859 --> 00:25:31.639 in this world. 00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:35.000 Consider what 00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:35.539 this world 00:25:35.539 --> 00:25:36.119 might think 00:25:36.119 --> 00:25:36.539 of Jesus' 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:37.079 teaching. 00:25:37.619 --> 00:25:38.480 Poor in spirit. 00:25:40.579 --> 00:25:41.519 If anything, 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.259 this sounds 00:25:42.259 --> 00:25:43.079 psychologically 00:25:43.079 --> 00:25:44.119 dangerous 00:25:44.119 --> 00:25:46.039 to believe this. 00:25:47.339 --> 00:25:48.079 You need 00:25:48.079 --> 00:25:49.559 positive thinking. 00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:50.859 Don't think 00:25:50.859 --> 00:25:51.259 you're poor 00:25:51.259 --> 00:25:51.720 in spirit. 00:25:52.179 --> 00:25:52.980 Think positively, 00:25:53.619 --> 00:25:54.139 and then you'll 00:25:54.139 --> 00:25:54.619 be blessed. 00:25:54.619 --> 00:25:56.339 You need 00:25:56.339 --> 00:25:57.239 self-esteem. 00:25:59.359 --> 00:25:59.919 You need 00:25:59.919 --> 00:26:01.539 self-actualization, 00:26:01.899 --> 00:26:02.739 where you need 00:26:02.739 --> 00:26:03.419 your physical 00:26:03.419 --> 00:26:04.379 and emotional 00:26:04.379 --> 00:26:05.379 and safety, 00:26:05.839 --> 00:26:07.059 all those needs 00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:07.439 met, 00:26:07.579 --> 00:26:08.279 and then you can 00:26:08.279 --> 00:26:08.879 reach your full 00:26:08.879 --> 00:26:09.279 potential. 00:26:09.399 --> 00:26:10.000 Only then. 00:26:11.139 --> 00:26:12.559 This is dangerous 00:26:12.559 --> 00:26:13.399 teaching, 00:26:13.559 --> 00:26:13.859 Jesus. 00:26:15.139 --> 00:26:16.159 Poor in spirit. 00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:20.180 What about 00:26:20.180 --> 00:26:20.540 the rest? 00:26:20.700 --> 00:26:21.140 Mourning. 00:26:22.400 --> 00:26:22.800 That's the 00:26:22.800 --> 00:26:23.380 opposite of 00:26:23.380 --> 00:26:23.960 blessedness. 00:26:25.080 --> 00:26:25.820 What's going 00:26:25.820 --> 00:26:26.000 on? 00:26:26.100 --> 00:26:27.100 Pain is bad. 00:26:27.420 --> 00:26:28.060 Sadness is 00:26:28.060 --> 00:26:28.540 bad. 00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:29.980 Avoid them 00:26:29.980 --> 00:26:30.700 at all costs. 00:26:33.380 --> 00:26:34.040 People might 00:26:34.040 --> 00:26:34.380 say that 00:26:34.380 --> 00:26:35.320 humility is a 00:26:35.320 --> 00:26:35.580 virtue, 00:26:35.820 --> 00:26:37.620 but then 00:26:37.620 --> 00:26:38.440 live all of 00:26:38.440 --> 00:26:39.320 life believing 00:26:39.320 --> 00:26:40.140 I need to 00:26:40.140 --> 00:26:41.080 assert myself 00:26:41.080 --> 00:26:41.779 if I'm going 00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:42.400 to survive in 00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:42.759 this world. 00:26:42.880 --> 00:26:43.440 I need to 00:26:43.440 --> 00:26:44.140 insist on my 00:26:44.140 --> 00:26:44.560 rights. 00:26:44.559 --> 00:26:45.679 They say 00:26:45.679 --> 00:26:46.339 humility is a 00:26:46.339 --> 00:26:46.619 virtue, 00:26:46.779 --> 00:26:48.139 but do 00:26:48.139 --> 00:26:48.599 people live 00:26:48.599 --> 00:26:48.759 it? 00:26:50.460 --> 00:26:51.339 The meek? 00:26:52.139 --> 00:26:52.539 Really? 00:26:54.159 --> 00:26:54.720 And hunger 00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:55.240 and thirst. 00:26:55.379 --> 00:26:55.859 Why hunger 00:26:55.859 --> 00:26:56.339 and thirst? 00:26:56.500 --> 00:26:56.960 You can be 00:26:56.960 --> 00:26:57.859 satisfied now. 00:26:59.079 --> 00:26:59.960 Don't wait. 00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:02.119 Be satisfied 00:27:02.119 --> 00:27:02.579 now. 00:27:03.679 --> 00:27:04.220 And mercy. 00:27:04.399 --> 00:27:04.579 Yeah, 00:27:04.679 --> 00:27:05.359 mercy is good 00:27:05.359 --> 00:27:05.799 as long as 00:27:05.799 --> 00:27:06.259 I'm on the 00:27:06.259 --> 00:27:06.940 receiving end, 00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:07.740 but if you 00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:08.399 wrong me, 00:27:09.419 --> 00:27:10.200 every fiver 00:27:10.200 --> 00:27:11.119 of my being 00:27:11.119 --> 00:27:12.319 wants retaliation, 00:27:12.519 --> 00:27:13.619 wants retribution. 00:27:14.559 --> 00:27:15.460 To show 00:27:15.460 --> 00:27:16.179 mercy would 00:27:16.179 --> 00:27:16.500 be an 00:27:16.500 --> 00:27:17.039 injustice. 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:19.279 I love 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:19.919 mercy when I 00:27:19.919 --> 00:27:20.399 get it, 00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:22.919 but does it 00:27:22.919 --> 00:27:23.299 go the other 00:27:23.299 --> 00:27:23.619 way? 00:27:26.259 --> 00:27:26.879 And 00:27:26.879 --> 00:27:27.559 peacemaking. 00:27:27.960 --> 00:27:28.460 People who 00:27:28.460 --> 00:27:29.000 keep the 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:29.799 peace are 00:27:29.799 --> 00:27:30.119 rare. 00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:32.319 They're rare. 00:27:33.579 --> 00:27:34.259 People say 00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:34.940 comments all 00:27:34.940 --> 00:27:35.839 the time that 00:27:35.839 --> 00:27:37.379 just could 00:27:37.379 --> 00:27:38.299 destroy peace. 00:27:39.639 --> 00:27:40.299 But people 00:27:40.299 --> 00:27:41.119 who are actively 00:27:41.119 --> 00:27:41.679 trying to 00:27:41.679 --> 00:27:42.460 create peace, 00:27:42.460 --> 00:27:43.019 they're even 00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:43.740 rarer still. 00:27:44.559 --> 00:27:45.059 peace. 00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:46.500 When everyone 00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:47.319 is scrambling 00:27:47.319 --> 00:27:47.960 over the top 00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:48.500 of each other 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:48.980 to get a 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:49.639 slice of 00:27:49.639 --> 00:27:50.259 this earth, 00:27:51.919 --> 00:27:52.960 peace is 00:27:52.960 --> 00:27:54.000 only helpful 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:54.779 if it serves 00:27:54.779 --> 00:27:55.240 my own 00:27:55.240 --> 00:27:55.619 agenda. 00:27:57.960 --> 00:27:59.259 These values, 00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:00.159 the world 00:28:00.159 --> 00:28:00.659 does not 00:28:00.659 --> 00:28:01.960 believe them. 00:28:03.119 --> 00:28:03.619 We don't 00:28:03.619 --> 00:28:04.059 naturally 00:28:04.059 --> 00:28:04.799 believe them. 00:28:06.539 --> 00:28:07.299 It's as if 00:28:07.299 --> 00:28:08.940 these are 00:28:08.940 --> 00:28:09.879 two completely 00:28:09.879 --> 00:28:10.679 different 00:28:10.679 --> 00:28:11.240 kingdoms. 00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:11.359 kingdoms, 00:28:11.660 --> 00:28:12.039 the kingdom 00:28:12.039 --> 00:28:12.620 of heaven 00:28:12.620 --> 00:28:13.799 and I'll 00:28:13.799 --> 00:28:14.099 call it 00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:14.420 the kingdom 00:28:14.420 --> 00:28:14.940 of earth. 00:28:15.319 --> 00:28:15.579 They're 00:28:15.579 --> 00:28:16.240 completely 00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:16.779 different 00:28:16.779 --> 00:28:17.220 kingdoms. 00:28:19.599 --> 00:28:20.640 Two ways 00:28:20.640 --> 00:28:21.019 of looking 00:28:21.019 --> 00:28:21.599 at reality, 00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:22.500 two value 00:28:22.500 --> 00:28:23.019 systems. 00:28:26.140 --> 00:28:26.420 And so 00:28:26.420 --> 00:28:27.059 anyone who 00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:28.259 embodies the 00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:28.660 kingdom of 00:28:28.660 --> 00:28:29.240 heaven is 00:28:29.240 --> 00:28:30.099 not welcome. 00:28:31.019 --> 00:28:31.620 You are 00:28:31.620 --> 00:28:32.599 alien and a 00:28:32.599 --> 00:28:33.740 foreigner in 00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:34.059 the kingdom 00:28:34.059 --> 00:28:34.539 of earth. 00:28:34.680 --> 00:28:36.059 You are not 00:28:36.059 --> 00:28:36.480 welcome. 00:28:36.480 --> 00:28:38.440 like a 00:28:38.440 --> 00:28:38.940 foreigner who 00:28:38.940 --> 00:28:39.680 might just, 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:40.620 it might be a 00:28:40.620 --> 00:28:41.220 subtle thing 00:28:41.220 --> 00:28:42.059 where you just 00:28:42.059 --> 00:28:42.559 don't feel 00:28:42.559 --> 00:28:43.740 totally welcome 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:44.720 in a new 00:28:44.720 --> 00:28:45.599 culture or it 00:28:45.599 --> 00:28:46.059 might be an 00:28:46.059 --> 00:28:46.880 overt thing 00:28:46.880 --> 00:28:48.900 like we're 00:28:48.900 --> 00:28:49.360 seeing at the 00:28:49.360 --> 00:28:50.019 moment where 00:28:50.019 --> 00:28:51.559 people were 00:28:51.559 --> 00:28:52.220 spitting. 00:28:52.940 --> 00:28:53.360 I had a 00:28:53.360 --> 00:28:53.759 friend from 00:28:53.759 --> 00:28:54.380 college who 00:28:54.380 --> 00:28:55.660 just down the 00:28:55.660 --> 00:28:56.480 street, she's 00:28:56.480 --> 00:28:57.539 from Hong Kong 00:28:57.539 --> 00:28:58.160 and someone just 00:28:58.160 --> 00:28:58.839 spat on her 00:28:58.839 --> 00:28:59.440 because of the 00:28:59.440 --> 00:29:00.200 COVID going on 00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:00.559 at the moment. 00:29:02.660 --> 00:29:03.519 Sometimes the 00:29:03.519 --> 00:29:04.579 persecution is 00:29:04.579 --> 00:29:05.759 just you don't 00:29:05.759 --> 00:29:06.980 belong, other 00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:08.319 times it's 00:29:08.319 --> 00:29:09.099 quite avert. 00:29:12.160 --> 00:29:12.720 Embodying 00:29:12.720 --> 00:29:14.099 this, don't 00:29:14.099 --> 00:29:14.819 expect to fit 00:29:14.819 --> 00:29:16.000 in in this 00:29:16.000 --> 00:29:16.299 world. 00:29:20.480 --> 00:29:20.740 And yet 00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:21.339 Jesus says 00:29:21.339 --> 00:29:22.220 this is the 00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:23.259 enviable life. 00:29:25.879 --> 00:29:27.099 How is that 00:29:27.099 --> 00:29:27.339 possible? 00:29:27.440 --> 00:29:28.140 How is this 00:29:28.140 --> 00:29:28.779 the enviable 00:29:28.779 --> 00:29:29.299 life? 00:29:33.460 --> 00:29:34.279 I don't think 00:29:34.279 --> 00:29:34.779 there's anything 00:29:34.779 --> 00:29:35.720 inherently good 00:29:35.720 --> 00:29:36.400 about hardship. 00:29:36.839 --> 00:29:37.240 I don't think 00:29:37.240 --> 00:29:39.740 Jesus is 00:29:39.740 --> 00:29:40.400 saying you 00:29:40.400 --> 00:29:40.880 must have 00:29:40.880 --> 00:29:41.539 hardship and 00:29:41.539 --> 00:29:42.160 then hardship 00:29:42.160 --> 00:29:43.059 itself is 00:29:43.059 --> 00:29:43.420 blessed. 00:29:44.980 --> 00:29:45.680 There's nothing 00:29:45.680 --> 00:29:46.720 inherently good 00:29:46.720 --> 00:29:47.339 about hardship. 00:29:48.440 --> 00:29:49.299 So why is this 00:29:49.299 --> 00:29:49.680 the blessed 00:29:49.680 --> 00:29:50.079 life? 00:29:51.079 --> 00:29:51.819 It's blessed 00:29:51.819 --> 00:29:52.360 because of the 00:29:52.360 --> 00:29:52.759 promises. 00:29:53.640 --> 00:29:54.039 The second 00:29:54.039 --> 00:29:54.799 half of each 00:29:54.799 --> 00:29:55.059 of these 00:29:55.059 --> 00:29:55.400 verses. 00:29:56.079 --> 00:29:56.680 You only 00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:57.360 believe that 00:29:57.360 --> 00:29:57.819 this is the 00:29:57.819 --> 00:29:58.620 enviable life 00:29:58.620 --> 00:29:59.380 if you believe 00:29:59.380 --> 00:30:00.420 these gracious 00:30:00.420 --> 00:30:00.920 promises. 00:30:00.920 --> 00:30:01.100 promises. 00:30:03.440 --> 00:30:04.420 Theirs is the 00:30:04.420 --> 00:30:04.900 kingdom of 00:30:04.900 --> 00:30:05.160 heaven. 00:30:06.160 --> 00:30:07.080 They will be 00:30:07.080 --> 00:30:07.680 comforted. 00:30:08.340 --> 00:30:08.920 They will 00:30:08.920 --> 00:30:09.519 inherit the 00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:09.920 earth. 00:30:10.440 --> 00:30:11.200 They will be 00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:11.600 filled. 00:30:12.320 --> 00:30:12.900 They will be 00:30:12.900 --> 00:30:13.660 shown mercy. 00:30:14.300 --> 00:30:15.180 They will see 00:30:15.180 --> 00:30:15.660 God. 00:30:16.080 --> 00:30:16.820 They will be 00:30:16.820 --> 00:30:17.440 called children 00:30:17.440 --> 00:30:18.019 of God. 00:30:18.519 --> 00:30:19.400 Theirs is the 00:30:19.400 --> 00:30:20.580 kingdom of 00:30:20.580 --> 00:30:20.940 heaven. 00:30:20.940 --> 00:30:21.059 God. 00:30:23.700 --> 00:30:24.360 It's the 00:30:24.360 --> 00:30:26.100 promises that 00:30:26.100 --> 00:30:26.860 make this the 00:30:26.860 --> 00:30:27.759 enviable life. 00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:28.779 When your 00:30:28.779 --> 00:30:29.539 confidence in 00:30:29.539 --> 00:30:30.180 yourself is 00:30:30.180 --> 00:30:31.100 stripped away 00:30:31.100 --> 00:30:31.860 forcing you to 00:30:31.860 --> 00:30:32.559 rely on God 00:30:32.559 --> 00:30:33.220 you can look at 00:30:33.220 --> 00:30:34.320 yourself and 00:30:34.320 --> 00:30:35.039 go my life 00:30:35.039 --> 00:30:36.039 belongs in the 00:30:36.039 --> 00:30:36.700 hands of a 00:30:36.700 --> 00:30:37.380 good king. 00:30:38.160 --> 00:30:39.120 I am in the 00:30:39.120 --> 00:30:39.680 kingdom of 00:30:39.680 --> 00:30:40.000 heaven. 00:30:40.519 --> 00:30:41.220 I'm blessed. 00:30:43.559 --> 00:30:44.240 As you 00:30:44.240 --> 00:30:45.160 mourn, as you 00:30:45.160 --> 00:30:46.000 bear the burden 00:30:46.000 --> 00:30:46.759 of living in a 00:30:46.759 --> 00:30:47.600 sin-filled world 00:30:47.600 --> 00:30:48.400 you can say I 00:30:48.400 --> 00:30:50.000 am blessed for I 00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:50.620 soon will be 00:30:50.619 --> 00:30:51.199 comforted. 00:30:53.679 --> 00:30:54.399 As you are 00:30:54.399 --> 00:30:55.119 wronged and you 00:30:55.119 --> 00:30:56.119 don't retaliate, 00:30:56.379 --> 00:30:57.339 you don't strive to 00:30:57.339 --> 00:30:58.079 be on top of this 00:30:58.079 --> 00:30:58.639 world and you 00:30:58.639 --> 00:30:59.679 seemingly miss out 00:30:59.679 --> 00:31:00.779 all because you 00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:01.399 want to wait for 00:31:01.399 --> 00:31:02.439 God to act. 00:31:04.639 --> 00:31:05.379 You can know 00:31:05.379 --> 00:31:05.879 this promise. 00:31:06.019 --> 00:31:06.699 I will inherit 00:31:06.699 --> 00:31:07.279 the earth. 00:31:07.399 --> 00:31:07.899 I don't need to 00:31:07.899 --> 00:31:08.399 have it now. 00:31:09.159 --> 00:31:09.839 I don't need to 00:31:09.839 --> 00:31:10.359 be on top. 00:31:12.379 --> 00:31:13.479 As you feel so 00:31:13.479 --> 00:31:14.519 discouraged by your 00:31:14.519 --> 00:31:15.639 own sin, getting 00:31:15.639 --> 00:31:16.539 the upper hand in 00:31:16.539 --> 00:31:17.359 your own life, 00:31:17.859 --> 00:31:18.899 you're just thirsting 00:31:18.899 --> 00:31:19.619 for righteousness, 00:31:19.619 --> 00:31:20.539 righteousness, you 00:31:20.539 --> 00:31:21.279 want righteousness 00:31:21.279 --> 00:31:22.319 to characterize the 00:31:22.319 --> 00:31:23.419 church and the 00:31:23.419 --> 00:31:24.219 world and you 00:31:24.219 --> 00:31:25.339 just, there's so 00:31:25.339 --> 00:31:26.319 much self-centeredness 00:31:26.319 --> 00:31:27.439 in me and others 00:31:27.439 --> 00:31:31.319 and I will be 00:31:31.319 --> 00:31:31.739 satisfied. 00:31:33.119 --> 00:31:34.159 The kingdom of 00:31:34.159 --> 00:31:34.879 righteousness is 00:31:34.879 --> 00:31:35.199 coming. 00:31:36.339 --> 00:31:37.179 I will be 00:31:37.179 --> 00:31:37.739 satisfied. 00:31:42.000 --> 00:31:43.479 As every fiber of 00:31:43.479 --> 00:31:44.379 your being wants to 00:31:44.379 --> 00:31:45.639 get justice when that 00:31:45.639 --> 00:31:46.539 Christian friend 00:31:46.539 --> 00:31:49.980 offends you, as I 00:31:49.980 --> 00:31:51.039 look forward to the 00:31:51.039 --> 00:31:52.240 day of judgment and 00:31:52.240 --> 00:31:53.559 I know I'm only going 00:31:53.559 --> 00:31:57.680 to receive mercy, I'm 00:31:57.680 --> 00:31:58.139 blessed. 00:31:59.779 --> 00:32:00.740 I'm blessed. 00:32:02.519 --> 00:32:03.799 As you wrestle with 00:32:03.799 --> 00:32:04.859 feeling double-minded, 00:32:05.019 --> 00:32:06.440 your heart desiring 00:32:06.440 --> 00:32:07.700 God but also desiring 00:32:07.700 --> 00:32:08.700 this world and this 00:32:08.700 --> 00:32:09.480 tension is just 00:32:09.480 --> 00:32:10.039 constant. 00:32:10.500 --> 00:32:11.359 I wish I was more 00:32:11.359 --> 00:32:12.539 pure in my devotion 00:32:12.539 --> 00:32:13.000 to God. 00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:15.279 He's the promise. 00:32:15.460 --> 00:32:17.140 I will see God and 00:32:17.140 --> 00:32:18.460 when I see him, I 00:32:18.460 --> 00:32:19.420 will be like him. 00:32:21.460 --> 00:32:22.500 I am blessed. 00:32:24.019 --> 00:32:27.599 That struggle means I 00:32:27.599 --> 00:32:28.420 will see God. 00:32:29.079 --> 00:32:30.099 I am blessed. 00:32:31.440 --> 00:32:33.099 As you feel despondent 00:32:33.099 --> 00:32:33.920 that there's so much 00:32:33.920 --> 00:32:35.380 peace breaking, even 00:32:35.380 --> 00:32:39.079 among Christians, you 00:32:39.079 --> 00:32:41.140 can still pursue it. 00:32:41.140 --> 00:32:42.160 don't give up on it 00:32:42.160 --> 00:32:43.940 because I'll be called 00:32:43.940 --> 00:32:44.800 a son of God. 00:32:45.020 --> 00:32:45.860 Look at the character 00:32:45.860 --> 00:32:46.720 of my father. 00:32:48.300 --> 00:32:49.060 Look at the lengths 00:32:49.060 --> 00:32:50.060 he went to to create 00:32:50.060 --> 00:32:50.500 peace. 00:32:52.560 --> 00:32:53.560 Peacemaking is worth 00:32:53.560 --> 00:32:55.240 it because I'm a 00:32:55.240 --> 00:32:55.900 child of God. 00:32:55.980 --> 00:32:56.620 I'm a son. 00:32:56.700 --> 00:32:57.500 I'm a daughter of 00:32:57.500 --> 00:32:57.780 God. 00:32:59.680 --> 00:33:00.520 And as you feel like 00:33:00.520 --> 00:33:01.500 you don't fit in with 00:33:01.500 --> 00:33:02.440 society, with your 00:33:02.440 --> 00:33:03.160 friends, with your 00:33:03.160 --> 00:33:03.920 colleagues, with 00:33:03.920 --> 00:33:06.360 family even, you can 00:33:06.360 --> 00:33:07.320 say, well, there's a 00:33:07.320 --> 00:33:08.520 reason for that because 00:33:08.520 --> 00:33:09.400 I belong to the 00:33:09.400 --> 00:33:10.060 kingdom of heaven. 00:33:11.140 --> 00:33:12.480 I am blessed. 00:33:14.560 --> 00:33:16.380 I am loved by my 00:33:16.380 --> 00:33:16.620 king. 00:33:17.340 --> 00:33:18.100 I am blessed. 00:33:22.180 --> 00:33:23.259 I don't think we 00:33:23.259 --> 00:33:24.140 value these 00:33:24.140 --> 00:33:25.480 characteristics naturally. 00:33:25.640 --> 00:33:26.360 So how do these 00:33:26.360 --> 00:33:27.660 promises become ours? 00:33:27.740 --> 00:33:28.420 Because they don't 00:33:28.420 --> 00:33:29.500 quite fit us. 00:33:30.360 --> 00:33:32.320 Because we're so in 00:33:32.320 --> 00:33:33.060 bondage to the 00:33:33.060 --> 00:33:33.759 kingdom of earth 00:33:33.759 --> 00:33:34.080 still. 00:33:36.480 --> 00:33:37.560 There's two things 00:33:37.560 --> 00:33:38.160 that need to happen. 00:33:38.160 --> 00:33:39.080 I've already said the 00:33:39.080 --> 00:33:39.560 first one. 00:33:39.559 --> 00:33:40.639 First one, we need to 00:33:40.639 --> 00:33:41.500 be emptied. 00:33:42.720 --> 00:33:44.179 We need to let go of 00:33:44.179 --> 00:33:45.059 the kingdom of earth. 00:33:48.259 --> 00:33:49.639 We need to let go of 00:33:49.639 --> 00:33:50.980 believing that if only 00:33:50.980 --> 00:33:52.000 our circumstances 00:33:52.000 --> 00:33:53.899 change, then and only 00:33:53.899 --> 00:33:54.899 then can we be blessed. 00:33:55.259 --> 00:33:56.159 We need to come to the 00:33:56.159 --> 00:33:57.099 end of ourselves. 00:33:57.799 --> 00:33:58.839 We need to be poor in 00:33:58.839 --> 00:34:00.579 spirit, just only looking 00:34:00.579 --> 00:34:01.039 to God. 00:34:01.039 --> 00:34:01.079 God. 00:34:03.139 --> 00:34:04.579 As we come to the rest of 00:34:04.579 --> 00:34:05.299 the sermon on the 00:34:05.299 --> 00:34:06.279 mount this term, get 00:34:06.279 --> 00:34:07.460 ready to be undone. 00:34:08.779 --> 00:34:10.119 Get ready to be 00:34:10.119 --> 00:34:12.300 flawed, emptied. 00:34:12.300 --> 00:34:15.900 Do not have confidence in 00:34:15.900 --> 00:34:17.060 yourself but in God's 00:34:17.060 --> 00:34:17.380 goodness. 00:34:18.760 --> 00:34:20.160 But again, don't fear 00:34:20.160 --> 00:34:20.460 that. 00:34:21.160 --> 00:34:22.260 Don't resist that. 00:34:23.400 --> 00:34:24.620 Because it's the empty 00:34:24.620 --> 00:34:25.740 who have it all. 00:34:28.120 --> 00:34:30.360 It's the poor who are in 00:34:30.360 --> 00:34:31.519 the kingdom of God. 00:34:32.280 --> 00:34:33.580 And once we are emptied, 00:34:33.760 --> 00:34:34.800 once we are poor in 00:34:34.800 --> 00:34:36.300 spirit, then we're ready 00:34:36.300 --> 00:34:37.340 to hear these promises. 00:34:37.340 --> 00:34:40.380 We will look outside of 00:34:40.380 --> 00:34:42.240 ourselves to our king 00:34:42.240 --> 00:34:43.740 who embodies these 00:34:43.740 --> 00:34:45.140 characteristics perfectly. 00:34:45.760 --> 00:34:47.019 He is the blessed one. 00:34:48.059 --> 00:34:50.200 He is the one poor in 00:34:50.200 --> 00:34:50.559 spirit. 00:34:51.120 --> 00:34:52.100 He is meek. 00:34:52.620 --> 00:34:54.100 He is pure in heart. 00:34:54.880 --> 00:34:55.800 He is merciful. 00:34:56.079 --> 00:34:58.740 He lives the blessed life 00:34:58.740 --> 00:34:59.840 that we have recorded in 00:34:59.840 --> 00:35:00.640 the rest of the gospel. 00:35:02.019 --> 00:35:03.300 He is the blessed one. 00:35:03.720 --> 00:35:05.180 This describes our king. 00:35:05.179 --> 00:35:07.679 He came to fulfill the 00:35:07.679 --> 00:35:07.980 law. 00:35:09.940 --> 00:35:11.859 He was so poor in spirit, 00:35:12.379 --> 00:35:13.460 always trusting his 00:35:13.460 --> 00:35:14.819 father to provide every 00:35:14.819 --> 00:35:16.599 step of the way, even 00:35:16.599 --> 00:35:18.199 trusting his father that 00:35:18.199 --> 00:35:19.259 he would be raised from 00:35:19.259 --> 00:35:19.679 the dead. 00:35:23.379 --> 00:35:24.739 Every step of the way he 00:35:24.739 --> 00:35:25.759 was poor in spirit. 00:35:26.859 --> 00:35:27.799 Who as he approached 00:35:27.799 --> 00:35:29.399 Jerusalem, he weeps. 00:35:30.059 --> 00:35:31.139 He mourns. 00:35:31.739 --> 00:35:33.099 If only you would be 00:35:33.099 --> 00:35:33.819 gathered to me. 00:35:33.820 --> 00:35:35.559 He mourns the sin of 00:35:35.559 --> 00:35:36.080 this world. 00:35:37.519 --> 00:35:38.440 He is the one who 00:35:38.440 --> 00:35:38.880 mourns. 00:35:39.380 --> 00:35:41.840 Who is so merciful, he 00:35:41.840 --> 00:35:43.440 was known as the friend 00:35:43.440 --> 00:35:44.000 of sinners. 00:35:46.780 --> 00:35:48.260 He's the merciful one. 00:35:49.539 --> 00:35:51.460 Who always thirsted to do 00:35:51.460 --> 00:35:53.260 what was right in the eyes 00:35:53.260 --> 00:35:53.860 of his father. 00:35:54.519 --> 00:35:56.200 Who is so pure in heart 00:35:56.200 --> 00:35:58.080 that even in the garden of 00:35:58.080 --> 00:35:59.539 Gethsemane, about to face 00:35:59.539 --> 00:36:01.100 the cross, sweating drops 00:36:01.100 --> 00:36:03.440 of blood, he prays not my 00:36:03.440 --> 00:36:04.700 will but yours be done. 00:36:05.000 --> 00:36:06.380 Every fibre of his being 00:36:06.380 --> 00:36:07.220 wanted to go the other 00:36:07.220 --> 00:36:09.300 way and yet he's purer in 00:36:09.300 --> 00:36:09.639 heart. 00:36:10.599 --> 00:36:12.320 He loves the Lord his God 00:36:12.320 --> 00:36:13.039 with all his heart. 00:36:14.480 --> 00:36:15.960 Who is so meek. 00:36:17.539 --> 00:36:19.519 Being accused and slandered 00:36:19.519 --> 00:36:21.780 at his trial, he didn't 00:36:21.780 --> 00:36:22.420 retaliate. 00:36:23.000 --> 00:36:24.559 He didn't fight back. 00:36:24.559 --> 00:36:28.219 But entrusted himself to his 00:36:28.219 --> 00:36:28.840 father's will. 00:36:29.039 --> 00:36:30.559 That is incredible meekness. 00:36:31.779 --> 00:36:33.480 Whose passion was to see 00:36:33.480 --> 00:36:35.619 people at peace with God. 00:36:35.820 --> 00:36:37.940 So much so that while being 00:36:37.940 --> 00:36:39.779 crucified, his nails going 00:36:39.779 --> 00:36:40.699 through his hands, father 00:36:40.699 --> 00:36:41.320 forgive them. 00:36:42.900 --> 00:36:43.980 What a peacemaker. 00:36:46.719 --> 00:36:48.539 And who accepted the fact that 00:36:48.539 --> 00:36:49.719 belonging to his father would 00:36:49.719 --> 00:36:51.460 mean being rejected by the 00:36:51.460 --> 00:36:52.179 entire world. 00:36:52.179 --> 00:36:54.440 He accepted that persecution 00:36:54.440 --> 00:36:55.440 because belonging to his 00:36:55.440 --> 00:36:56.899 father was worth it. 00:36:58.759 --> 00:36:59.819 He's the blessed one. 00:37:02.159 --> 00:37:03.739 It's a totally different way of 00:37:03.739 --> 00:37:04.039 life. 00:37:05.440 --> 00:37:06.059 And that's the point. 00:37:06.159 --> 00:37:07.119 We need to be emptied of 00:37:07.119 --> 00:37:09.319 ourself and look to him to have 00:37:09.319 --> 00:37:10.739 his life given to us. 00:37:10.739 --> 00:37:16.939 He has come to make us empty 00:37:16.939 --> 00:37:19.159 and then give us his enviable 00:37:19.159 --> 00:37:20.099 life. 00:37:21.099 --> 00:37:22.839 So that looking only to him 00:37:22.839 --> 00:37:25.059 we can say, in Christ I am 00:37:25.059 --> 00:37:26.739 blessed. 00:37:27.219 --> 00:37:29.179 No matter what circumstances 00:37:29.179 --> 00:37:31.679 you might be in, I am blessed 00:37:31.679 --> 00:37:32.979 if I have him. 00:37:33.479 --> 00:37:34.679 If I have his life. 00:37:36.179 --> 00:37:37.159 Could you imagine the 00:37:37.159 --> 00:37:38.819 difference it would make in our 00:37:38.820 --> 00:37:40.900 families, in our workplaces, in 00:37:40.900 --> 00:37:43.380 this church, if we could always 00:37:43.380 --> 00:37:45.340 say I am blessed. 00:37:48.760 --> 00:37:51.320 It would just transform it all. 00:37:52.539 --> 00:37:54.460 It would be such a difference as 00:37:54.460 --> 00:37:56.220 like a light in a dark room. 00:37:56.620 --> 00:37:58.019 As a city on a hill. 00:38:00.360 --> 00:38:01.940 This kind of attitude would just 00:38:01.940 --> 00:38:02.700 stand out. 00:38:02.699 --> 00:38:06.519 Our priorities and goals would 00:38:06.519 --> 00:38:07.079 change. 00:38:07.460 --> 00:38:09.299 Instead of chasing after the 00:38:09.299 --> 00:38:11.319 illusion of blessedness in the 00:38:11.319 --> 00:38:13.179 kingdom of earth as if we need, 00:38:13.279 --> 00:38:14.480 we're clinging on to it as if we 00:38:14.480 --> 00:38:15.199 have to have it. 00:38:16.319 --> 00:38:18.199 This attitude would just stand 00:38:18.199 --> 00:38:18.500 out. 00:38:18.639 --> 00:38:21.359 It would be so different. 00:38:25.399 --> 00:38:28.119 And the promises empower us to do 00:38:28.119 --> 00:38:28.439 this. 00:38:28.440 --> 00:38:31.460 The promises are the ones that 00:38:31.460 --> 00:38:32.860 empower us to have these 00:38:32.860 --> 00:38:33.380 attitudes. 00:38:34.099 --> 00:38:35.800 If we believe we are blessed, 00:38:36.159 --> 00:38:37.820 then we'll be merciful. 00:38:38.059 --> 00:38:39.240 Then we'll be pure in heart. 00:38:39.380 --> 00:38:40.920 If we believe we have it all in 00:38:40.920 --> 00:38:43.760 Christ, then we can start to 00:38:43.760 --> 00:38:44.599 resemble Christ. 00:38:46.500 --> 00:38:48.360 But I think we'll only stand out, 00:38:49.019 --> 00:38:51.639 we'll only be light in our world, 00:38:52.360 --> 00:38:54.780 if it can be clearly seen that we're 00:38:54.780 --> 00:38:56.740 not clinging to this kingdom on 00:38:56.739 --> 00:38:57.039 earth. 00:38:58.619 --> 00:39:01.079 If people can tell that it's not 00:39:01.079 --> 00:39:02.979 our circumstances that we're 00:39:02.979 --> 00:39:06.739 relying on to be blessed, and yet 00:39:06.739 --> 00:39:09.659 we have a joy and peace that's the 00:39:09.659 --> 00:39:14.419 envy of all, that will show that 00:39:14.419 --> 00:39:16.579 we belong to a different kingdom. 00:39:17.439 --> 00:39:19.599 There is a joy that's from outside 00:39:19.599 --> 00:39:20.279 this world. 00:39:22.279 --> 00:39:24.039 That no matter what our 00:39:24.039 --> 00:39:26.039 circumstances, we can say in Jesus 00:39:26.039 --> 00:39:28.239 Christ, I am blessed. 00:39:31.239 --> 00:39:33.400 If you don't know this blessing yet, 00:39:33.960 --> 00:39:35.940 what are you waiting for? 00:39:39.380 --> 00:39:40.360 Will you pray with me? 00:39:40.360 --> 00:39:53.099 Father, empty us and fill us up with 00:39:53.099 --> 00:39:53.519 yourself. 00:39:53.680 --> 00:39:55.680 Please help us to see Jesus as 00:39:55.680 --> 00:39:59.380 just living that enviable life. 00:40:00.019 --> 00:40:01.720 Thank you for your gracious promises 00:40:01.720 --> 00:40:05.220 that we can have it all in you. 00:40:05.219 --> 00:40:09.399 Lord, please speak to each one of us and 00:40:09.399 --> 00:40:11.500 help us to let go of whatever we're 00:40:11.500 --> 00:40:13.039 clinging to in this earth at the 00:40:13.039 --> 00:40:17.279 moment, so that we can look to you and 00:40:17.279 --> 00:40:19.980 know that we are blessed and then act 00:40:19.980 --> 00:40:21.000 like we are blessed. 00:40:22.399 --> 00:40:25.839 Lord, do this so that people would see 00:40:25.839 --> 00:40:28.239 Jesus through us as a church family in 00:40:28.239 --> 00:40:30.919 the way that we live, and so that others 00:40:30.920 --> 00:40:33.159 might come to know the peace and joy that 00:40:33.159 --> 00:40:33.960 we now have. 00:40:35.220 --> 00:40:36.480 I pray this in Jesus' name. 00:40:36.700 --> 00:40:36.980 Amen. 00:40:36.980 --> 00:40:37.059 Amen. 00:40:37.059 --> 00:40:37.079 Amen. 00:40:37.079 --> 00:40:37.139 Amen. 00:40:37.139 --> 00:40:37.159 Amen. 00:40:37.159 --> 00:40:37.200 Amen. 00:40:37.200 --> 00:40:37.260 Amen. 00:40:37.260 --> 00:40:37.280 Amen. 00:40:37.280 --> 00:40:37.320 Amen. 00:40:37.320 --> 00:40:37.380 Amen. 00:40:37.380 --> 00:40:37.420 Amen. 00:40:37.420 --> 00:40:37.480 Amen. 00:40:37.480 --> 00:40:37.500 Amen.