WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.879
 Good morning, everyone. Please open up your Bibles to Matthew chapter 5.

00:00:04.580 --> 00:00:08.540
 For those of you who are new, who haven't met me, my name is Sean, and I'm one of the pastors of

00:00:08.540 --> 00:00:13.439
 Trinity Cambridge Church, and it's my great joy and honor to preach God's Word to you,

00:00:13.820 --> 00:00:20.760
 the beloved body of Christ, this morning. If you don't have a Bible, please raise your hands,

00:00:20.800 --> 00:00:23.660
 and we'd love to bring you a copy of a Bible you could have and use.

00:00:23.660 --> 00:00:32.079
 We're in chapter 5 of Matthew. We've been going through this since beginning of December, this book.

00:00:37.100 --> 00:00:40.539
 Let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's Word.

00:00:46.219 --> 00:00:47.179
 Heavenly Father,

00:00:47.179 --> 00:00:55.500
 my words are inadequate, but your Word

00:00:55.500 --> 00:00:59.359
 never returns empty.

00:01:02.560 --> 00:01:07.960
 So, Lord, now may the preaching of your Word this morning accomplish its purposes.

00:01:09.739 --> 00:01:11.039
 May it exalt

00:01:11.039 --> 00:01:14.560
 your glory and your name.

00:01:14.560 --> 00:01:18.140
 may it humble the pride of man.

00:01:21.100 --> 00:01:21.820
 May it

00:01:21.820 --> 00:01:23.740
 lead us to proper

00:01:23.740 --> 00:01:25.120
 mourning

00:01:25.120 --> 00:01:28.359
 and poverty of spirit in light of your

00:01:28.359 --> 00:01:29.400
 holiness.

00:01:33.000 --> 00:01:34.680
 So that we might experience

00:01:34.680 --> 00:01:36.159
 the true joy of salvation.

00:01:36.159 --> 00:01:45.159
 open

00:01:45.159 --> 00:01:46.939
 our ears.

00:01:47.759 --> 00:01:49.039
 Give us ears to hear

00:01:49.039 --> 00:01:51.420
 and hearts to receive.

00:01:55.640 --> 00:01:57.120
 In Jesus' name we pray.

00:01:57.739 --> 00:01:58.019
 Amen.

00:01:58.019 --> 00:01:58.159
 Amen.

00:01:59.219 --> 00:02:00.959
 If you are able, please stand

00:02:00.959 --> 00:02:03.640
 as I read God's Word.

00:02:03.759 --> 00:02:06.059
 Let's honor God together by sending

00:02:06.059 --> 00:02:08.560
 yet the reading of God's Word from Matthew 5,

00:02:09.060 --> 00:02:10.319
 verses 1 to 12.

00:02:10.719 --> 00:02:13.079
 I'm going to just preach the first four verses today,

00:02:13.340 --> 00:02:15.659
 but I will read all 12 verses.

00:02:21.000 --> 00:02:22.560
 Matthew 5, 1 to 12.

00:02:23.219 --> 00:02:24.400
 Seeing the crowds,

00:02:24.919 --> 00:02:26.319
 he went up on the mountain,

00:02:26.319 --> 00:02:28.299
 and when he sat down,

00:02:28.419 --> 00:02:30.120
 his disciples came to him.

00:02:30.900 --> 00:02:32.780
 And he opened his mouth

00:02:32.780 --> 00:02:33.759
 and taught them,

00:02:33.900 --> 00:02:34.199
 saying,

00:02:35.079 --> 00:02:37.259
 Blessed are the poor in spirit,

00:02:37.819 --> 00:02:39.939
 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

00:02:40.919 --> 00:02:42.639
 Blessed are those who mourn,

00:02:43.060 --> 00:02:44.620
 for they shall be comforted.

00:02:45.719 --> 00:02:46.919
 Blessed are the meek,

00:02:47.259 --> 00:02:48.919
 for they shall inherit the earth.

00:02:49.699 --> 00:02:52.519
 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

00:02:52.859 --> 00:02:54.979
 for they shall be satisfied.

00:02:54.979 --> 00:02:57.299
 Blessed are the merciful,

00:02:57.899 --> 00:02:59.679
 for they shall receive mercy.

00:03:00.679 --> 00:03:02.299
 Blessed are the pure in heart,

00:03:02.699 --> 00:03:04.199
 for they shall see God.

00:03:05.699 --> 00:03:07.339
 Blessed are the peacemakers,

00:03:07.699 --> 00:03:09.799
 for they shall be called sons of God.

00:03:10.759 --> 00:03:12.500
 Blessed are those who are persecuted

00:03:12.500 --> 00:03:13.739
 for righteousness' sake,

00:03:14.060 --> 00:03:16.179
 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

00:03:17.159 --> 00:03:19.399
 Blessed are you when others revile you

00:03:19.399 --> 00:03:20.379
 and persecute you

00:03:20.379 --> 00:03:22.799
 and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely

00:03:22.799 --> 00:03:23.519
 on my account.

00:03:23.520 --> 00:03:24.520
 Blessed are the people of God.

00:03:24.520 --> 00:03:25.740
 Rejoice and be glad,

00:03:26.100 --> 00:03:28.180
 for your reward is great in heaven,

00:03:28.780 --> 00:03:30.680
 for so they persecuted the prophets

00:03:30.680 --> 00:03:31.939
 who are before you.

00:03:32.680 --> 00:03:34.360
 God's holy and authoritative word.

00:03:34.460 --> 00:03:35.580
 You may be seated at this time.

00:03:41.719 --> 00:03:43.840
 Herbert George Wells, H.G. Wells,

00:03:43.939 --> 00:03:46.580
 might be best known for his science fiction writing,

00:03:46.800 --> 00:03:48.080
 including War of the Worlds,

00:03:48.080 --> 00:03:51.400
 but he was also a prolific writer of history.

00:03:52.380 --> 00:03:54.700
 And in 1935, as a historian,

00:03:54.920 --> 00:03:57.160
 he wrote a newspaper article entitled,

00:03:57.540 --> 00:03:58.620
 Greatest in History.

00:03:59.939 --> 00:04:02.939
 Somehow I was able to find the actual clipping of this online.

00:04:03.900 --> 00:04:05.300
 He shared this opinion,

00:04:05.560 --> 00:04:06.340
 his opinion,

00:04:06.439 --> 00:04:09.720
 about the greatest figures in the history of mankind.

00:04:09.719 --> 00:04:12.199
 And even though he was an atheist,

00:04:12.400 --> 00:04:16.579
 H.G. Wells argued that Jesus is the single individual

00:04:16.579 --> 00:04:17.819
 who has, quote,

00:04:17.920 --> 00:04:20.899
 left the most permanent impression on the world.

00:04:22.439 --> 00:04:23.579
 This is what he says.

00:04:24.579 --> 00:04:25.720
 Jesus is, I think,

00:04:26.139 --> 00:04:28.019
 a quite cardinal figure in human history,

00:04:28.720 --> 00:04:31.160
 and it will be long before Western men decide,

00:04:31.540 --> 00:04:32.720
 if ever they do decide,

00:04:32.720 --> 00:04:35.360
 to abandon his life as the turning point

00:04:35.360 --> 00:04:36.480
 in their reckoning of time.

00:04:37.560 --> 00:04:39.700
 We do not know as much about him

00:04:39.700 --> 00:04:40.760
 as we would like to know,

00:04:41.160 --> 00:04:43.200
 but the four Gospels agree

00:04:43.200 --> 00:04:44.500
 in giving us a picture

00:04:44.500 --> 00:04:45.980
 of a very definite personality.

00:04:46.800 --> 00:04:48.920
 They carry a conviction of reality.

00:04:49.640 --> 00:04:51.360
 To assume that he never lived,

00:04:51.880 --> 00:04:53.840
 that the accounts of his life are inventions,

00:04:54.380 --> 00:04:55.640
 is more difficult

00:04:55.640 --> 00:04:58.520
 and raises far more problems for the historian

00:04:58.520 --> 00:05:00.460
 than to accept the essential elements

00:05:00.460 --> 00:05:02.020
 of the Gospel stories as fact.

00:05:02.720 --> 00:05:05.440
 Now, it is interesting and significant

00:05:05.440 --> 00:05:06.340
 that a historian,

00:05:06.920 --> 00:05:08.820
 without any theological bias, whatever,

00:05:09.480 --> 00:05:11.760
 should find that he cannot portray

00:05:11.760 --> 00:05:13.800
 the progress of humanity honestly

00:05:13.800 --> 00:05:16.460
 without giving a foremost place

00:05:16.460 --> 00:05:18.760
 to a penniless teacher from Nazareth.

00:05:19.960 --> 00:05:21.780
 Yet more than 1900 years later,

00:05:22.140 --> 00:05:23.440
 a historian like myself,

00:05:23.820 --> 00:05:25.580
 who does not even call himself a Christian,

00:05:26.040 --> 00:05:28.940
 finds the picture centering irresistibly

00:05:28.940 --> 00:05:30.540
 around the life and character

00:05:30.540 --> 00:05:32.860
 of this most significant man.

00:05:33.420 --> 00:05:36.120
 It is one of the most revolutionary changes

00:05:36.120 --> 00:05:37.460
 of outlook that has ever stirred

00:05:37.460 --> 00:05:38.780
 and changed human thought.

00:05:39.420 --> 00:05:42.260
 The world began to be a different world

00:05:42.260 --> 00:05:45.400
 from the day that doctrine was preached.

00:05:45.399 --> 00:05:48.739
 In our passage today,

00:05:48.939 --> 00:05:51.339
 Jesus opens his mouth

00:05:51.339 --> 00:05:56.519
 to preach his first recorded sermon

00:05:56.519 --> 00:05:58.099
 in all the Gospels.

00:05:59.500 --> 00:06:02.199
 This is that dynamite doctrine

00:06:02.199 --> 00:06:04.139
 that changed the world

00:06:04.139 --> 00:06:06.539
 and changed human thought forever.

00:06:06.540 --> 00:06:09.540
 It says in verses 1 to 2,

00:06:09.660 --> 00:06:10.580
 Seeing the crowds,

00:06:10.700 --> 00:06:11.640
 he went up on the mountain,

00:06:11.760 --> 00:06:12.660
 and when he sat down,

00:06:12.740 --> 00:06:14.260
 his disciples came to him,

00:06:14.600 --> 00:06:16.460
 and he opened his mouth

00:06:16.460 --> 00:06:17.879
 and taught them, saying,

00:06:18.500 --> 00:06:20.020
 To open one's mouth

00:06:20.020 --> 00:06:21.620
 is an Old Testament idiom.

00:06:21.700 --> 00:06:22.640
 It's a Hebrew idiom

00:06:22.640 --> 00:06:25.340
 that precedes significant pronouncements.

00:06:25.439 --> 00:06:27.379
 This is not just us chatting.

00:06:27.939 --> 00:06:30.920
 This is the Messianic manifesto.

00:06:31.780 --> 00:06:32.620
 And in the same way

00:06:32.620 --> 00:06:34.860
 that Moses went up on a mountain

00:06:34.860 --> 00:06:36.500
 to bring down the Ten Commandments

00:06:36.500 --> 00:06:38.199
 which told the old covenant people of God

00:06:38.199 --> 00:06:39.199
 how they ought to live,

00:06:39.620 --> 00:06:42.420
 now Jesus here goes up on the mountain

00:06:42.420 --> 00:06:44.480
 and then teaches us

00:06:44.480 --> 00:06:47.360
 how the citizens of the kingdom of heaven

00:06:47.360 --> 00:06:48.600
 ought to live,

00:06:48.980 --> 00:06:50.100
 what they are really like.

00:06:51.100 --> 00:06:53.460
 So the mountain setting is not incidental.

00:06:54.800 --> 00:06:56.860
 And the audience is focused.

00:06:57.780 --> 00:06:59.620
 The crowds are in the background,

00:06:59.720 --> 00:07:00.720
 as you can see in this passage.

00:07:00.920 --> 00:07:02.840
 They're in the background eavesdropping,

00:07:03.460 --> 00:07:05.660
 but the primary audience of Jesus' teaching

00:07:05.660 --> 00:07:06.500
 is not the crowds.

00:07:07.120 --> 00:07:08.020
 It's his disciples

00:07:08.020 --> 00:07:09.240
 to whom we were just introduced

00:07:09.240 --> 00:07:10.379
 in the preceding chapter.

00:07:11.500 --> 00:07:12.560
 It says in verse 1,

00:07:12.699 --> 00:07:13.860
 When he sat down,

00:07:13.939 --> 00:07:15.580
 his disciples came to him.

00:07:16.700 --> 00:07:17.819
 That's interesting,

00:07:18.180 --> 00:07:18.980
 some cultural background

00:07:18.980 --> 00:07:20.100
 because in our context,

00:07:20.560 --> 00:07:21.520
 when people want to teach,

00:07:21.639 --> 00:07:22.340
 they stand up.

00:07:22.879 --> 00:07:24.100
 When preachers give their sermon,

00:07:24.200 --> 00:07:25.000
 they stand up.

00:07:25.400 --> 00:07:27.100
 When professors give their lectures,

00:07:27.240 --> 00:07:28.180
 they stand up.

00:07:28.660 --> 00:07:30.740
 But in this Jewish ancient context,

00:07:30.740 --> 00:07:32.439
 when teachers are about to teach,

00:07:32.560 --> 00:07:33.460
 they sit down.

00:07:34.160 --> 00:07:36.139
 And then all their disciples come around,

00:07:36.259 --> 00:07:37.780
 gather around to listen.

00:07:38.139 --> 00:07:39.280
 And that is what's going on.

00:07:41.280 --> 00:07:42.500
 The Son of God,

00:07:43.240 --> 00:07:45.220
 the incarnate Word of God,

00:07:45.759 --> 00:07:47.560
 is now speaking.

00:07:47.560 --> 00:07:51.000
 This is what it looks like

00:07:51.000 --> 00:07:51.660
 to follow Jesus.

00:07:52.480 --> 00:07:56.060
 This is what Christian discipleship looks like.

00:07:56.579 --> 00:07:58.399
 This is what the kingdom of heaven

00:07:58.399 --> 00:07:59.120
 is all about.

00:07:59.959 --> 00:08:01.139
 This is what it means

00:08:01.139 --> 00:08:03.240
 to be an alternate society,

00:08:03.379 --> 00:08:04.660
 a counterculture

00:08:04.660 --> 00:08:06.100
 to the kingdoms of this world

00:08:06.100 --> 00:08:07.379
 that Jesus just rejected

00:08:07.379 --> 00:08:08.579
 when he was being tempted

00:08:08.579 --> 00:08:10.139
 by the devil in Matthew 4.8.

00:08:11.120 --> 00:08:12.959
 This sermon is popularly known

00:08:12.959 --> 00:08:14.099
 as the Sermon on the Mount,

00:08:14.539 --> 00:08:15.379
 which is the first

00:08:15.379 --> 00:08:17.259
 of five extended discourses

00:08:17.259 --> 00:08:17.639
 of Jesus

00:08:17.639 --> 00:08:18.659
 in the Gospel of Matthew.

00:08:19.079 --> 00:08:19.699
 The Gospel of Matthew

00:08:19.699 --> 00:08:20.399
 is actually structured

00:08:20.399 --> 00:08:21.779
 around these five discourses.

00:08:21.860 --> 00:08:22.680
 I think I have an outline

00:08:22.680 --> 00:08:23.819
 for you to see.

00:08:24.560 --> 00:08:25.439
 Chapters 5 to 7

00:08:25.439 --> 00:08:26.199
 is the first one,

00:08:26.279 --> 00:08:28.139
 a discourse on discipleship.

00:08:28.539 --> 00:08:29.199
 Chapter 10

00:08:29.199 --> 00:08:30.800
 is the discourse on mission.

00:08:31.500 --> 00:08:32.179
 Chapter 13

00:08:32.179 --> 00:08:33.699
 is the discourse on the kingdom.

00:08:34.379 --> 00:08:34.939
 Chapter 18

00:08:34.939 --> 00:08:36.480
 is the discourse on the church.

00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:37.439
 And finally,

00:08:37.440 --> 00:08:38.680
 24 to 25

00:08:38.680 --> 00:08:40.920
 is the discourse on the end times.

00:08:41.860 --> 00:08:42.800
 After the conclusion

00:08:42.800 --> 00:08:44.220
 of each of these discourses,

00:08:44.280 --> 00:08:45.580
 we find some variation

00:08:45.580 --> 00:08:46.640
 of this phrase.

00:08:46.760 --> 00:08:48.280
 When Jesus had finished

00:08:48.280 --> 00:08:49.520
 these sayings,

00:08:49.700 --> 00:08:51.240
 that's why we call them discourses,

00:08:51.640 --> 00:08:52.900
 and that's how we know

00:08:52.900 --> 00:08:53.500
 that this is

00:08:53.500 --> 00:08:55.020
 an intentional structure

00:08:55.020 --> 00:08:56.400
 that Matthew has placed,

00:08:56.600 --> 00:08:58.060
 organized his Gospel around.

00:08:59.140 --> 00:09:00.620
 The first of these five,

00:09:00.700 --> 00:09:01.520
 which we're starting today,

00:09:01.580 --> 00:09:02.240
 is the longest.

00:09:03.120 --> 00:09:04.140
 And we're at the beginning

00:09:04.140 --> 00:09:04.840
 of that discourse,

00:09:05.040 --> 00:09:06.120
 known famously as

00:09:06.120 --> 00:09:06.980
 the B attitudes.

00:09:07.440 --> 00:09:08.800
 Which means blessedness,

00:09:09.080 --> 00:09:09.900
 or happiness.

00:09:10.980 --> 00:09:12.360
 The first definition

00:09:12.360 --> 00:09:13.580
 of the word blessed,

00:09:13.860 --> 00:09:14.500
 you find,

00:09:14.660 --> 00:09:15.960
 in the Merriam-Western Dictionary,

00:09:16.460 --> 00:09:18.580
 is to be held in reverence,

00:09:19.180 --> 00:09:20.980
 or to be honored in worship.

00:09:22.100 --> 00:09:23.960
 So there is a Greek word

00:09:23.960 --> 00:09:25.220
 that means exactly that,

00:09:25.380 --> 00:09:26.600
 and it's usually used

00:09:26.600 --> 00:09:27.860
 to describe God

00:09:27.860 --> 00:09:29.520
 as one who is blessed,

00:09:30.380 --> 00:09:31.260
 held in honor,

00:09:31.760 --> 00:09:32.540
 honored in worship.

00:09:33.440 --> 00:09:33.840
 For example,

00:09:33.840 --> 00:09:34.880
 Luke 1, 6, 8,

00:09:34.879 --> 00:09:36.519
 blessed be the Lord God

00:09:36.519 --> 00:09:37.000
 of Israel,

00:09:37.120 --> 00:09:37.840
 for he has visited

00:09:37.840 --> 00:09:38.759
 and redeemed his people.

00:09:38.860 --> 00:09:39.500
 And that means,

00:09:39.919 --> 00:09:41.639
 let God be held in honor

00:09:41.639 --> 00:09:43.059
 and worshiped.

00:09:43.259 --> 00:09:44.519
 Blessed be the Lord God.

00:09:45.320 --> 00:09:46.840
 But that is not the Greek word

00:09:46.840 --> 00:09:47.480
 that is used here.

00:09:48.179 --> 00:09:49.220
 There's another word

00:09:49.220 --> 00:09:50.799
 that's used here,

00:09:51.340 --> 00:09:52.860
 and it has a different nuance.

00:09:53.539 --> 00:09:55.259
 It is translated fortunate

00:09:55.259 --> 00:09:57.399
 in Acts 26, verse 2,

00:09:57.460 --> 00:09:58.039
 when Paul says,

00:09:58.039 --> 00:10:00.079
 I consider myself fortunate

00:10:00.079 --> 00:10:01.299
 that I,

00:10:01.579 --> 00:10:02.599
 it is before you,

00:10:02.740 --> 00:10:03.299
 King Agrippa,

00:10:03.379 --> 00:10:04.799
 I am going to make my defense today

00:10:04.799 --> 00:10:05.819
 against all the accusations

00:10:05.819 --> 00:10:06.480
 of the Jews.

00:10:07.099 --> 00:10:09.219
 The same word is translated happy

00:10:09.219 --> 00:10:12.000
 in 1 Corinthians 7, 39-40.

00:10:12.339 --> 00:10:13.779
 A wife is bound to her husband

00:10:13.779 --> 00:10:14.639
 as long as he lives,

00:10:14.719 --> 00:10:15.699
 but if her husband dies,

00:10:15.799 --> 00:10:16.679
 she is free to be married

00:10:16.679 --> 00:10:17.480
 to whom she wishes,

00:10:17.779 --> 00:10:18.599
 only in the Lord.

00:10:19.240 --> 00:10:19.659
 You're wondering,

00:10:19.819 --> 00:10:20.519
 why is this related?

00:10:21.039 --> 00:10:21.519
 And then it says,

00:10:21.599 --> 00:10:22.500
 yet in my judgment,

00:10:22.639 --> 00:10:23.779
 she is happier

00:10:23.779 --> 00:10:26.639
 if she remains as she is.

00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:27.879
 That's the same word

00:10:27.879 --> 00:10:28.899
 that is used here in Matthew.

00:10:29.259 --> 00:10:29.659
 Happy.

00:10:30.480 --> 00:10:30.899
 Fortunate.

00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:33.600
 I don't believe in luck,

00:10:33.939 --> 00:10:35.580
 but in modern parlance,

00:10:35.840 --> 00:10:36.919
 it's similar to how people

00:10:36.919 --> 00:10:38.059
 use the word luck

00:10:38.059 --> 00:10:38.919
 when they say,

00:10:39.139 --> 00:10:40.220
 how lucky are you?

00:10:41.000 --> 00:10:43.519
 How lucky that you have that job?

00:10:43.659 --> 00:10:45.559
 How lucky that you are married

00:10:45.559 --> 00:10:46.120
 to that woman?

00:10:46.580 --> 00:10:47.480
 How lucky?

00:10:47.659 --> 00:10:48.639
 That's similar to how

00:10:48.639 --> 00:10:50.100
 the word blessed is used here.

00:10:50.179 --> 00:10:51.019
 How happy?

00:10:51.799 --> 00:10:53.159
 This is the person

00:10:53.159 --> 00:10:55.399
 that is to be congratulated.

00:10:56.639 --> 00:10:58.379
 How happy is this person?

00:10:58.740 --> 00:11:00.240
 How blessed and fortunate

00:11:00.240 --> 00:11:01.220
 is this person?

00:11:03.679 --> 00:11:05.000
 Do you know that God

00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:06.360
 wants you to be happy?

00:11:09.860 --> 00:11:11.740
 Christian author Randy Alcorn

00:11:11.740 --> 00:11:14.000
 captures a common misconception

00:11:14.000 --> 00:11:14.819
 when he says,

00:11:15.879 --> 00:11:17.860
 being holy is something

00:11:17.860 --> 00:11:19.360
 we can do in God's presence,

00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:21.860
 but being happy is something

00:11:21.860 --> 00:11:23.019
 we're more comfortable doing

00:11:23.019 --> 00:11:24.259
 behind his back,

00:11:24.539 --> 00:11:25.559
 which isn't possible.

00:11:25.559 --> 00:11:29.039
 But truth be told,

00:11:29.159 --> 00:11:30.059
 there is nothing wrong

00:11:30.059 --> 00:11:31.599
 with pursuing happiness.

00:11:33.399 --> 00:11:34.359
 Fourth century,

00:11:34.719 --> 00:11:35.799
 Pastor Augustine wrote,

00:11:36.479 --> 00:11:37.059
 every man,

00:11:37.599 --> 00:11:38.799
 whatsoever his condition,

00:11:39.239 --> 00:11:41.119
 desires to be happy.

00:11:42.399 --> 00:11:43.599
 The problem is not

00:11:43.599 --> 00:11:45.059
 with the pursuit of happiness,

00:11:45.519 --> 00:11:47.159
 but with the pursuit of happiness

00:11:47.159 --> 00:11:48.739
 apart from God.

00:11:48.740 --> 00:11:51.379
 The problem is not

00:11:51.379 --> 00:11:52.639
 the pursuit of happiness itself.

00:11:52.759 --> 00:11:53.500
 Do you know whom

00:11:53.500 --> 00:11:54.799
 the Bible describes

00:11:54.799 --> 00:11:56.180
 in the foremost way

00:11:56.180 --> 00:11:57.899
 as being happy

00:11:57.899 --> 00:11:59.560
 or blessed?

00:12:00.200 --> 00:12:01.200
 It's God himself.

00:12:02.580 --> 00:12:03.680
 That same Greek word

00:12:03.680 --> 00:12:04.480
 used here in Matthew

00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:05.879
 is used to describe God

00:12:05.879 --> 00:12:06.600
 in the cult worship

00:12:06.600 --> 00:12:08.180
 we read in 1 Timothy 1-11,

00:12:08.279 --> 00:12:10.720
 the glory of the blessed God,

00:12:11.080 --> 00:12:13.019
 the glory of the happy God.

00:12:13.620 --> 00:12:14.919
 1 Timothy 6.15 says,

00:12:14.919 --> 00:12:16.419
 God is the blessed

00:12:16.419 --> 00:12:17.500
 and only sovereign,

00:12:17.699 --> 00:12:18.299
 the king of kings

00:12:18.299 --> 00:12:19.059
 and lord of lords.

00:12:19.279 --> 00:12:20.819
 God is the happy

00:12:20.819 --> 00:12:21.939
 and only sovereign,

00:12:22.059 --> 00:12:22.919
 the king of kings

00:12:22.919 --> 00:12:23.759
 and lord of lords.

00:12:27.579 --> 00:12:28.620
 Our God

00:12:28.620 --> 00:12:30.799
 is supremely happy.

00:12:31.579 --> 00:12:33.279
 He is sovereignly happy.

00:12:33.399 --> 00:12:34.879
 He is eternally happy.

00:12:35.439 --> 00:12:36.179
 And because God

00:12:36.179 --> 00:12:37.319
 is the original

00:12:37.319 --> 00:12:38.860
 happy God,

00:12:39.039 --> 00:12:40.120
 the happy one,

00:12:40.120 --> 00:12:41.379
 only those

00:12:41.379 --> 00:12:42.299
 who through faith

00:12:42.299 --> 00:12:43.179
 in Jesus Christ

00:12:43.179 --> 00:12:45.000
 have become partakers

00:12:45.000 --> 00:12:46.460
 in the divine nature

00:12:46.460 --> 00:12:46.919
 as it says

00:12:46.919 --> 00:12:48.019
 in 2 Peter 1-4

00:12:48.019 --> 00:12:50.500
 can be truly happy.

00:12:52.179 --> 00:12:53.259
 It is

00:12:53.259 --> 00:12:54.360
 a spiritual

00:12:54.360 --> 00:12:56.139
 impossibility

00:12:56.139 --> 00:12:58.240
 for any human

00:12:58.240 --> 00:12:59.200
 to be happy

00:12:59.200 --> 00:13:00.000
 apart from God.

00:13:02.940 --> 00:13:03.980
 So it says

00:13:03.980 --> 00:13:05.259
 in Psalm 89-15,

00:13:05.440 --> 00:13:06.600
 happy are the people

00:13:06.600 --> 00:13:07.500
 who walk,

00:13:07.779 --> 00:13:07.940
 O Lord,

00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:08.480
 in the light

00:13:08.480 --> 00:13:09.259
 of your face.

00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:11.840
 C.S. Lewis

00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:12.879
 puts it this way,

00:13:13.960 --> 00:13:15.240
 God made us,

00:13:16.799 --> 00:13:17.560
 invented us

00:13:17.560 --> 00:13:18.560
 as a man invents

00:13:18.560 --> 00:13:19.159
 an engine.

00:13:19.899 --> 00:13:20.740
 A car is made

00:13:20.740 --> 00:13:21.740
 to run on petrol

00:13:21.740 --> 00:13:22.980
 and it would not run

00:13:22.980 --> 00:13:24.259
 properly on anything else.

00:13:24.960 --> 00:13:25.840
 Now God designed

00:13:25.840 --> 00:13:26.659
 the human machine

00:13:26.659 --> 00:13:27.759
 to run on himself.

00:13:28.659 --> 00:13:29.419
 He himself

00:13:29.419 --> 00:13:30.700
 is the fuel

00:13:30.700 --> 00:13:31.519
 our spirits

00:13:31.519 --> 00:13:32.279
 were designed

00:13:32.279 --> 00:13:32.980
 to burn

00:13:32.980 --> 00:13:34.200
 or the food

00:13:34.200 --> 00:13:35.019
 our spirits

00:13:35.019 --> 00:13:35.680
 were designed

00:13:35.680 --> 00:13:36.740
 to feed on.

00:13:37.060 --> 00:13:38.620
 There is no other.

00:13:39.279 --> 00:13:39.899
 That is why

00:13:39.899 --> 00:13:40.860
 it is just no good

00:13:40.860 --> 00:13:41.579
 asking God

00:13:41.579 --> 00:13:42.379
 to make us happy

00:13:42.379 --> 00:13:43.559
 in our own way.

00:13:44.519 --> 00:13:45.299
 God cannot

00:13:45.299 --> 00:13:46.179
 give us

00:13:46.179 --> 00:13:46.959
 a happiness

00:13:46.959 --> 00:13:48.139
 and peace

00:13:48.139 --> 00:13:49.559
 apart from himself

00:13:49.559 --> 00:13:51.199
 because it is not there.

00:13:52.340 --> 00:13:54.199
 There is no such thing.

00:13:56.740 --> 00:13:57.779
 In these

00:13:57.779 --> 00:13:59.019
 eight beatitudes,

00:13:59.679 --> 00:14:00.879
 Jesus tells us

00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:02.699
 that what true happiness

00:14:02.699 --> 00:14:03.399
 on earth

00:14:03.399 --> 00:14:04.419
 looks like.

00:14:05.240 --> 00:14:06.679
 This is what it looks like

00:14:06.679 --> 00:14:07.659
 to find true happiness

00:14:07.659 --> 00:14:08.639
 as you follow Jesus.

00:14:09.620 --> 00:14:10.539
 If you are a stickler

00:14:10.539 --> 00:14:11.459
 and you counted

00:14:11.459 --> 00:14:12.219
 the word blessed

00:14:12.219 --> 00:14:13.219
 in this passage already

00:14:13.219 --> 00:14:14.039
 and you counted

00:14:14.039 --> 00:14:14.939
 that it occurs

00:14:14.939 --> 00:14:15.579
 nine times

00:14:15.579 --> 00:14:16.319
 and not eight,

00:14:17.079 --> 00:14:18.240
 I think that is because

00:14:18.240 --> 00:14:19.259
 verse 11 and 12

00:14:19.259 --> 00:14:20.179
 are an expansion

00:14:20.179 --> 00:14:21.899
 of beatitude number eight

00:14:21.899 --> 00:14:23.500
 in verse 10

00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:24.679
 because it continues

00:14:24.679 --> 00:14:25.240
 the theme

00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:26.079
 of being persecuted

00:14:26.079 --> 00:14:27.279
 and because verses

00:14:27.279 --> 00:14:27.980
 11 and 12

00:14:27.980 --> 00:14:29.120
 deviate from the standard

00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:30.139
 third person form

00:14:30.139 --> 00:14:31.079
 and it starts saying

00:14:31.079 --> 00:14:32.100
 blessed are you

00:14:32.100 --> 00:14:33.860
 instead of blessed are they.

00:14:33.860 --> 00:14:35.740
 so I think it's part

00:14:35.740 --> 00:14:36.759
 of beatitude number eight

00:14:36.759 --> 00:14:37.539
 so I think there's eight

00:14:37.539 --> 00:14:38.680
 but that's really

00:14:38.680 --> 00:14:39.379
 not that important.

00:14:40.740 --> 00:14:42.060
 We can subdivide

00:14:42.060 --> 00:14:42.899
 the eight beatitudes

00:14:42.899 --> 00:14:44.000
 into two halves.

00:14:44.560 --> 00:14:45.440
 The first half

00:14:45.440 --> 00:14:46.460
 ends with the mention

00:14:46.460 --> 00:14:47.120
 of righteousness.

00:14:48.680 --> 00:14:49.539
 Blessed are those

00:14:49.539 --> 00:14:50.440
 who hunger and thirst

00:14:50.440 --> 00:14:51.240
 for righteousness

00:14:51.240 --> 00:14:53.000
 and then the reward

00:14:53.000 --> 00:14:53.800
 is for theirs

00:14:53.800 --> 00:14:54.379
 is the kingdom.

00:14:54.639 --> 00:14:54.940
 Oh sorry,

00:14:55.379 --> 00:14:56.320
 that's the reward

00:14:56.320 --> 00:14:56.659
 is the same

00:14:56.659 --> 00:14:57.080
 from the beginning

00:14:57.080 --> 00:14:57.419
 and the end.

00:14:58.100 --> 00:14:58.480
 And likewise,

00:14:58.600 --> 00:14:59.460
 the second half

00:14:59.460 --> 00:15:00.399
 ends with the mention

00:15:00.399 --> 00:15:01.240
 of righteousness.

00:15:02.279 --> 00:15:03.060
 Blessed are those

00:15:03.059 --> 00:15:03.879
 who are persecuted

00:15:03.879 --> 00:15:05.359
 for righteousness sake.

00:15:06.439 --> 00:15:07.639
 And then the first half

00:15:07.639 --> 00:15:08.599
 begins with the reward

00:15:08.599 --> 00:15:08.979
 for theirs

00:15:08.979 --> 00:15:09.739
 is the kingdom of heaven

00:15:09.739 --> 00:15:10.799
 and the second half

00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:12.019
 ends with the reward

00:15:12.019 --> 00:15:12.419
 for theirs

00:15:12.419 --> 00:15:13.519
 is the kingdom of heaven.

00:15:14.239 --> 00:15:15.239
 So once you discern

00:15:15.239 --> 00:15:15.779
 this pattern

00:15:15.779 --> 00:15:16.959
 that there are two halves

00:15:16.959 --> 00:15:18.379
 you can also see

00:15:18.379 --> 00:15:19.179
 that those two halves

00:15:19.179 --> 00:15:20.159
 have distinctive themes.

00:15:21.219 --> 00:15:22.479
 The first four beatitudes,

00:15:22.959 --> 00:15:24.039
 the poor in spirit,

00:15:24.199 --> 00:15:25.000
 those who mourn,

00:15:25.119 --> 00:15:25.519
 the meek,

00:15:25.619 --> 00:15:26.179
 those who hunger

00:15:26.179 --> 00:15:27.359
 and thirst for righteousness

00:15:27.359 --> 00:15:30.039
 all describe being empty

00:15:30.039 --> 00:15:32.139
 or devoid of something.

00:15:32.139 --> 00:15:34.259
 you lack wealth

00:15:34.259 --> 00:15:36.399
 or you lack pride

00:15:36.399 --> 00:15:37.059
 in spirit.

00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:38.899
 You mourn the lack

00:15:38.899 --> 00:15:40.580
 of loss of something.

00:15:40.960 --> 00:15:42.439
 You lack action

00:15:42.439 --> 00:15:43.220
 or initiative

00:15:43.220 --> 00:15:44.379
 if you're meek.

00:15:44.799 --> 00:15:45.500
 You hunger

00:15:45.500 --> 00:15:46.600
 and thirst

00:15:46.600 --> 00:15:48.500
 because you lack something

00:15:48.500 --> 00:15:50.199
 and you need more of it.

00:15:50.939 --> 00:15:52.419
 But the last four beatitudes,

00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:53.159
 merciful,

00:15:53.779 --> 00:15:54.659
 pure in heart,

00:15:54.960 --> 00:15:55.600
 peacemakers,

00:15:55.899 --> 00:15:57.340
 persecuted for righteousness sake,

00:15:57.620 --> 00:15:58.480
 they all describe

00:15:58.480 --> 00:15:59.379
 being full

00:15:59.379 --> 00:16:01.059
 or overflowing

00:16:01.059 --> 00:16:01.699
 with something.

00:16:02.419 --> 00:16:03.459
 You are full of mercy

00:16:03.459 --> 00:16:04.479
 so you show mercy

00:16:04.479 --> 00:16:05.000
 to others.

00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:06.539
 Your heart is full

00:16:06.539 --> 00:16:07.059
 of purity,

00:16:07.179 --> 00:16:08.019
 it's undivided.

00:16:08.319 --> 00:16:09.319
 So you're pure in heart,

00:16:09.419 --> 00:16:10.000
 you're full

00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:11.859
 of the peace of Christ

00:16:11.859 --> 00:16:13.339
 and so you make peace

00:16:13.339 --> 00:16:13.879
 with others.

00:16:14.419 --> 00:16:15.579
 You no longer just hunger

00:16:15.579 --> 00:16:16.039
 and thirst

00:16:16.039 --> 00:16:16.619
 for righteousness,

00:16:17.119 --> 00:16:17.939
 you are full

00:16:17.939 --> 00:16:18.579
 of righteousness

00:16:18.579 --> 00:16:19.519
 and so you are

00:16:19.519 --> 00:16:20.539
 persecuted

00:16:20.539 --> 00:16:22.079
 on account of it.

00:16:22.639 --> 00:16:23.119
 So there is

00:16:23.119 --> 00:16:24.000
 a logical flow

00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:25.019
 to these beatitudes

00:16:25.019 --> 00:16:25.919
 from the first half

00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:26.719
 to the second half.

00:16:27.659 --> 00:16:28.819
 Each of these beatitudes

00:16:28.820 --> 00:16:30.080
 is so revolutionary

00:16:30.080 --> 00:16:31.740
 and countercultural

00:16:31.740 --> 00:16:33.000
 that we have decided

00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:33.700
 as a leadership team

00:16:33.700 --> 00:16:34.720
 to slow down

00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:36.100
 and take one

00:16:36.100 --> 00:16:37.140
 or two beatitudes

00:16:37.140 --> 00:16:37.840
 per week

00:16:37.840 --> 00:16:39.040
 in similar to how

00:16:39.040 --> 00:16:40.440
 we did the 10 commandments

00:16:40.440 --> 00:16:40.860
 when we were

00:16:40.860 --> 00:16:41.660
 in Exodus 20.

00:16:42.680 --> 00:16:43.280
 And today I'm going

00:16:43.280 --> 00:16:43.660
 to go over

00:16:43.660 --> 00:16:44.740
 just beatitudes one

00:16:44.740 --> 00:16:45.280
 and two

00:16:45.280 --> 00:16:46.220
 because they're very

00:16:46.220 --> 00:16:47.400
 closely related

00:16:47.400 --> 00:16:48.100
 in verse three

00:16:48.100 --> 00:16:48.640
 and four.

00:16:50.180 --> 00:16:51.080
 Blessed are the poor

00:16:51.080 --> 00:16:51.680
 in spirit

00:16:51.680 --> 00:16:52.860
 for theirs

00:16:52.860 --> 00:16:53.520
 is the kingdom

00:16:53.520 --> 00:16:53.980
 of heaven.

00:16:55.180 --> 00:16:56.080
 Blessed are those

00:16:56.080 --> 00:16:56.680
 who mourn

00:16:56.680 --> 00:16:57.660
 for they shall

00:16:57.660 --> 00:16:58.940
 be comforted.

00:16:59.920 --> 00:17:00.320
 And I think

00:17:00.320 --> 00:17:00.920
 the main point

00:17:00.920 --> 00:17:01.800
 that God's driving

00:17:01.800 --> 00:17:02.560
 home with this,

00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:03.660
 these two beatitudes

00:17:03.660 --> 00:17:04.440
 is that only

00:17:04.440 --> 00:17:05.940
 the spiritually poor

00:17:05.940 --> 00:17:07.279
 and sad

00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:08.279
 possess

00:17:08.279 --> 00:17:09.539
 the kingdom

00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:10.600
 of heaven.

00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:14.620
 It's a counterintuitive

00:17:14.620 --> 00:17:16.480
 and paradoxical statement.

00:17:18.140 --> 00:17:19.140
 How in the world

00:17:19.140 --> 00:17:20.180
 is it blessed

00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:21.480
 or happy

00:17:21.480 --> 00:17:22.920
 to be poor

00:17:22.920 --> 00:17:23.620
 in spirit

00:17:23.619 --> 00:17:24.979
 and to mourn?

00:17:27.819 --> 00:17:28.739
 If I were to

00:17:28.739 --> 00:17:29.779
 compose

00:17:29.779 --> 00:17:30.619
 the beatitudes

00:17:30.619 --> 00:17:31.779
 according to

00:17:31.779 --> 00:17:32.819
 the moral values

00:17:32.819 --> 00:17:33.559
 and the cultural

00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:34.379
 norms of

00:17:34.379 --> 00:17:35.519
 our world,

00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:36.799
 I think it would

00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:37.679
 look quite different.

00:17:37.879 --> 00:17:38.439
 So I tried

00:17:38.439 --> 00:17:39.159
 writing it down

00:17:39.159 --> 00:17:39.959
 and this is what

00:17:39.959 --> 00:17:40.679
 I came up with.

00:17:41.399 --> 00:17:41.539
 I think

00:17:41.539 --> 00:17:43.299
 blessed are the

00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:44.199
 wealthy in spirit

00:17:44.199 --> 00:17:45.339
 for theirs

00:17:45.339 --> 00:17:45.799
 is the kingdom

00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:46.299
 of earth.

00:17:47.639 --> 00:17:48.219
 Blessed are those

00:17:48.219 --> 00:17:48.799
 who laugh

00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:49.739
 for they shall

00:17:49.739 --> 00:17:50.599
 forget their troubles.

00:17:51.859 --> 00:17:52.379
 Blessed are the

00:17:52.379 --> 00:17:53.000
 assertive

00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:54.039
 for they shall

00:17:54.039 --> 00:17:54.839
 inherit the earth.

00:17:55.920 --> 00:17:56.640
 Blessed are those

00:17:56.640 --> 00:17:57.180
 who are full

00:17:57.180 --> 00:17:57.720
 of righteousness

00:17:57.720 --> 00:17:58.579
 and signal

00:17:58.579 --> 00:17:59.119
 their virtue

00:17:59.119 --> 00:18:00.259
 for they shall

00:18:00.259 --> 00:18:00.880
 be affirmed.

00:18:01.960 --> 00:18:02.559
 Blessed are the

00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:03.400
 justice warriors

00:18:03.400 --> 00:18:04.640
 for they shall

00:18:04.640 --> 00:18:05.640
 execute justice.

00:18:06.440 --> 00:18:06.960
 Blessed are the

00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:07.500
 double-hearted

00:18:07.500 --> 00:18:08.880
 for they shall

00:18:08.880 --> 00:18:09.440
 see men

00:18:09.440 --> 00:18:10.339
 in high places.

00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:11.599
 Blessed are the

00:18:11.599 --> 00:18:12.160
 war makers

00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:13.559
 for they shall

00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:14.579
 be called gods.

00:18:15.339 --> 00:18:15.940
 Blessed are those

00:18:15.940 --> 00:18:16.680
 who are praised

00:18:16.680 --> 00:18:17.799
 for their worldliness

00:18:17.799 --> 00:18:19.039
 for theirs

00:18:19.039 --> 00:18:20.039
 is the kingdom

00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:20.660
 of earth.

00:18:20.660 --> 00:18:24.700
 I think

00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:25.700
 if we're honest

00:18:25.700 --> 00:18:26.460
 with ourselves

00:18:26.460 --> 00:18:27.640
 we'd agree

00:18:27.640 --> 00:18:28.860
 that we have

00:18:28.860 --> 00:18:29.680
 assimilated

00:18:29.680 --> 00:18:31.320
 many of these

00:18:31.320 --> 00:18:32.300
 worldly attitudes

00:18:32.300 --> 00:18:33.940
 into our own

00:18:33.940 --> 00:18:34.480
 morality

00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:35.320
 and our own

00:18:35.320 --> 00:18:36.160
 outlook on life.

00:18:39.160 --> 00:18:40.160
 But Jesus'

00:18:40.400 --> 00:18:40.820
 beatitudes

00:18:40.820 --> 00:18:41.840
 turn all these

00:18:41.840 --> 00:18:43.080
 things upside

00:18:43.080 --> 00:18:43.620
 down on their

00:18:43.620 --> 00:18:43.920
 heads.

00:18:43.920 --> 00:18:46.300
 sure

00:18:46.300 --> 00:18:47.600
 maybe the rich

00:18:47.600 --> 00:18:48.100
 and powerful

00:18:48.100 --> 00:18:48.759
 possess the

00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:49.440
 kingdom of earth

00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:50.620
 now to a certain

00:18:50.620 --> 00:18:50.940
 degree

00:18:50.940 --> 00:18:52.080
 but it's the

00:18:52.080 --> 00:18:53.279
 poor in spirit

00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:53.759
 who possess

00:18:53.759 --> 00:18:54.340
 the kingdom

00:18:54.340 --> 00:18:54.820
 of heaven.

00:18:56.279 --> 00:18:57.160
 All of the

00:18:57.160 --> 00:18:57.800
 beatitudes

00:18:57.800 --> 00:18:58.539
 command

00:18:58.539 --> 00:18:59.779
 the exact

00:18:59.779 --> 00:19:00.420
 attitude

00:19:00.420 --> 00:19:01.160
 and behavior

00:19:01.160 --> 00:19:02.080
 that the world

00:19:02.080 --> 00:19:02.900
 views with

00:19:02.900 --> 00:19:03.420
 contempt.

00:19:06.420 --> 00:19:07.259
 These are the

00:19:07.259 --> 00:19:07.519
 people,

00:19:07.600 --> 00:19:08.180
 the beatitudes

00:19:08.180 --> 00:19:09.500
 in Matthew 5

00:19:09.500 --> 00:19:10.440
 are the people

00:19:10.440 --> 00:19:11.080
 that the world

00:19:11.080 --> 00:19:11.460
 would view

00:19:11.460 --> 00:19:12.240
 as the losers

00:19:12.240 --> 00:19:12.920
 of the world.

00:19:13.920 --> 00:19:14.580
 the scums

00:19:14.580 --> 00:19:15.180
 of the world.

00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:17.480
 No wonder

00:19:17.480 --> 00:19:18.200
 Jesus often

00:19:18.200 --> 00:19:18.820
 refers to his

00:19:18.820 --> 00:19:19.220
 disciples

00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:19.700
 throughout the

00:19:19.700 --> 00:19:20.320
 gospel of Matthew

00:19:20.320 --> 00:19:21.920
 as little ones.

00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:24.220
 To be a

00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:24.620
 Christian

00:19:24.620 --> 00:19:25.800
 is to be

00:19:25.800 --> 00:19:26.700
 a little one.

00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:29.019
 A small one.

00:19:30.180 --> 00:19:31.019
 Poor in spirit.

00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:33.599
 The word

00:19:33.599 --> 00:19:34.039
 poor

00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:35.039
 here is a

00:19:35.039 --> 00:19:35.619
 key word

00:19:35.619 --> 00:19:36.240
 throughout the

00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:36.500
 Bible

00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:37.200
 and occurs

00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:37.819
 many times

00:19:37.819 --> 00:19:38.160
 in the Old

00:19:38.160 --> 00:19:38.500
 Testament

00:19:38.500 --> 00:19:39.639
 and it

00:19:39.639 --> 00:19:40.779
 often refers

00:19:40.779 --> 00:19:41.220
 to people

00:19:41.220 --> 00:19:41.420
 who are

00:19:41.420 --> 00:19:41.700
 literally

00:19:41.700 --> 00:19:42.079
 poor

00:19:42.079 --> 00:19:42.799
 but also

00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:44.180
 often refers

00:19:44.180 --> 00:19:44.500
 to the

00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:45.039
 people of

00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:45.440
 God.

00:19:46.039 --> 00:19:46.599
 People of

00:19:46.599 --> 00:19:47.039
 God are

00:19:47.039 --> 00:19:47.440
 consistently

00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:47.960
 described as

00:19:47.960 --> 00:19:48.339
 those who

00:19:48.339 --> 00:19:48.879
 are poor.

00:19:50.220 --> 00:19:50.740
 Psalm 9

00:19:50.740 --> 00:19:51.279
 12 says

00:19:51.279 --> 00:19:51.639
 for the

00:19:51.639 --> 00:19:52.200
 needy shall

00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:52.639
 not always

00:19:52.639 --> 00:19:53.200
 be forgotten

00:19:53.200 --> 00:19:53.519
 and the

00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:53.839
 hope of

00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:54.180
 the poor

00:19:54.180 --> 00:19:54.599
 shall not

00:19:54.599 --> 00:19:54.980
 perish

00:19:54.980 --> 00:19:55.480
 forever.

00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:57.440
 Often

00:19:57.440 --> 00:19:57.779
 the people

00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:58.039
 of God

00:19:58.039 --> 00:19:59.240
 were financially

00:19:59.240 --> 00:19:59.619
 poor,

00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:00.440
 physically poor,

00:20:00.440 --> 00:20:01.820
 but because

00:20:01.820 --> 00:20:02.100
 of that

00:20:02.100 --> 00:20:02.620
 it comes

00:20:02.620 --> 00:20:03.299
 to represent

00:20:03.299 --> 00:20:03.799
 not just

00:20:03.799 --> 00:20:04.140
 those who

00:20:04.140 --> 00:20:04.680
 are literally

00:20:04.680 --> 00:20:05.200
 physically

00:20:05.200 --> 00:20:06.080
 poor but

00:20:06.080 --> 00:20:06.700
 those who

00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:07.960
 are poor

00:20:07.960 --> 00:20:08.620
 in spirit,

00:20:09.680 --> 00:20:10.080
 those who

00:20:10.080 --> 00:20:11.000
 are meek,

00:20:11.360 --> 00:20:11.620
 those who

00:20:11.620 --> 00:20:11.940
 are not

00:20:11.940 --> 00:20:12.620
 haughty,

00:20:13.640 --> 00:20:13.960
 those who

00:20:13.960 --> 00:20:14.580
 are humble,

00:20:15.120 --> 00:20:15.460
 those who

00:20:15.460 --> 00:20:16.940
 are afflicted.

00:20:17.620 --> 00:20:18.000
 For example,

00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:18.900
 it's translated

00:20:18.900 --> 00:20:19.400
 the same

00:20:19.400 --> 00:20:21.100
 word that's

00:20:21.100 --> 00:20:21.980
 translated poor

00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:22.559
 in other parts

00:20:22.559 --> 00:20:22.860
 of the Old

00:20:22.860 --> 00:20:23.340
 Testament is

00:20:23.340 --> 00:20:23.940
 translated as

00:20:23.940 --> 00:20:24.519
 meek in

00:20:24.519 --> 00:20:25.259
 Isaiah 29

00:20:25.259 --> 00:20:25.680
 19.

00:20:26.140 --> 00:20:26.779
 The meek

00:20:26.779 --> 00:20:27.460
 shall obtain

00:20:27.460 --> 00:20:28.180
 fresh joy

00:20:28.180 --> 00:20:28.620
 in the Lord

00:20:28.620 --> 00:20:29.680
 and the poor

00:20:29.680 --> 00:20:30.380
 among mankind

00:20:30.380 --> 00:20:31.060
 shall exalt

00:20:31.060 --> 00:20:31.540
 in the Holy

00:20:31.540 --> 00:20:32.220
 One of Israel.

00:20:33.140 --> 00:20:33.380
 It is

00:20:33.380 --> 00:20:33.800
 translated

00:20:33.800 --> 00:20:34.620
 afflicted

00:20:34.620 --> 00:20:35.040
 in Psalm

00:20:35.040 --> 00:20:35.340
 10.

00:20:35.420 --> 00:20:35.700
 12.

00:20:36.180 --> 00:20:36.620
 Arise,

00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:36.960
 O Lord,

00:20:37.020 --> 00:20:37.400
 O God,

00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:37.880
 lift up

00:20:37.880 --> 00:20:38.160
 your hand,

00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:39.000
 forget not

00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:39.980
 the afflicted.

00:20:40.240 --> 00:20:40.640
 It's calling

00:20:40.640 --> 00:20:41.180
 all God's

00:20:41.180 --> 00:20:41.740
 people as

00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:42.280
 the afflicted

00:20:42.280 --> 00:20:42.540
 ones.

00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:43.480
 It's

00:20:43.480 --> 00:20:43.880
 translated

00:20:43.880 --> 00:20:44.360
 humble

00:20:44.360 --> 00:20:44.960
 in Zephaniah

00:20:44.960 --> 00:20:45.160
 2.

00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:45.400
 3.

00:20:45.540 --> 00:20:45.760
 Seek

00:20:45.760 --> 00:20:46.120
 the Lord,

00:20:46.200 --> 00:20:46.580
 all you

00:20:46.580 --> 00:20:47.220
 humble

00:20:47.220 --> 00:20:47.660
 of the

00:20:47.660 --> 00:20:47.920
 land

00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:48.580
 who do

00:20:48.580 --> 00:20:48.980
 his

00:20:48.980 --> 00:20:49.320
 just

00:20:49.320 --> 00:20:49.880
 commands.

00:20:50.340 --> 00:20:50.640
 Psalm

00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:51.320
 149.

00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:51.900
 For the

00:20:51.900 --> 00:20:52.400
 Lord takes

00:20:52.400 --> 00:20:52.780
 pleasure

00:20:52.780 --> 00:20:53.100
 in his

00:20:53.100 --> 00:20:53.560
 people,

00:20:54.020 --> 00:20:54.560
 he adorns

00:20:54.560 --> 00:20:55.300
 the humble

00:20:55.300 --> 00:20:56.180
 with salvation.

00:20:56.340 --> 00:20:56.620
 So who

00:20:56.620 --> 00:20:57.160
 are these

00:20:57.160 --> 00:20:57.900
 poor people?

00:20:58.220 --> 00:20:58.640
 Who are

00:20:58.640 --> 00:20:59.320
 these humble,

00:20:59.319 --> 00:21:00.039
 afflicted,

00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:00.679
 meek people?

00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:01.039
 They are

00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:01.500
 the people

00:21:01.500 --> 00:21:02.039
 of God.

00:21:05.419 --> 00:21:06.319
 The poor

00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:06.879
 in spirit

00:21:06.879 --> 00:21:07.619
 are those

00:21:07.619 --> 00:21:08.539
 who humbly

00:21:08.539 --> 00:21:09.299
 acknowledge

00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:10.159
 their need

00:21:10.159 --> 00:21:10.700
 for God.

00:21:11.659 --> 00:21:12.240
 They are

00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:13.179
 needy people,

00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:14.480
 not in a

00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:15.159
 general sense,

00:21:15.599 --> 00:21:16.639
 but specifically

00:21:16.639 --> 00:21:18.039
 needy for

00:21:18.039 --> 00:21:18.779
 God.

00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:21.220
 In the

00:21:21.220 --> 00:21:21.720
 New Testament,

00:21:22.460 --> 00:21:22.960
 the poor

00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:24.460
 gets lumped

00:21:24.460 --> 00:21:24.960
 in together

00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:25.700
 with some

00:21:25.700 --> 00:21:26.919
 people like

00:21:26.919 --> 00:21:27.439
 this.

00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:29.620
 the crippled,

00:21:30.340 --> 00:21:31.039
 the lame,

00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:32.259
 the blind.

00:21:33.940 --> 00:21:34.660
 In Luke

00:21:34.660 --> 00:21:35.080
 14,

00:21:35.140 --> 00:21:35.799
 12-14,

00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:36.440
 Jesus says

00:21:36.440 --> 00:21:36.720
 that when

00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:37.080
 you throw

00:21:37.080 --> 00:21:37.519
 a party

00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:37.820
 that you

00:21:37.820 --> 00:21:38.340
 should invite

00:21:38.340 --> 00:21:39.059
 the poor,

00:21:39.440 --> 00:21:40.000
 the crippled,

00:21:40.140 --> 00:21:40.580
 the lame,

00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:41.160
 the blind.

00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:42.440
 Because then

00:21:42.440 --> 00:21:43.140
 God will

00:21:43.140 --> 00:21:43.860
 bless us

00:21:43.860 --> 00:21:44.400
 for inviting

00:21:44.400 --> 00:21:44.820
 those who

00:21:44.820 --> 00:21:45.480
 cannot repay

00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:45.900
 us.

00:21:46.340 --> 00:21:46.740
 And God

00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:47.140
 will repay

00:21:47.140 --> 00:21:47.440
 us.

00:21:48.620 --> 00:21:49.400
 In his

00:21:49.400 --> 00:21:50.080
 sermon on

00:21:50.080 --> 00:21:50.799
 this passage,

00:21:50.960 --> 00:21:51.980
 John Piper,

00:21:52.080 --> 00:21:52.400
 a pastor,

00:21:52.820 --> 00:21:54.259
 mentioned a

00:21:54.259 --> 00:21:55.539
 story of

00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:56.080
 when he was

00:21:56.079 --> 00:21:56.679
 speaking at

00:21:56.679 --> 00:21:57.019
 a small

00:21:57.019 --> 00:21:57.519
 conference

00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:58.000
 before I

00:21:58.000 --> 00:21:58.339
 was born.

00:21:59.179 --> 00:21:59.559
 And he,

00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:00.779
 after his

00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:01.159
 message,

00:22:01.359 --> 00:22:01.799
 a student

00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:02.339
 came up,

00:22:02.439 --> 00:22:02.839
 a college

00:22:02.839 --> 00:22:03.159
 student,

00:22:03.619 --> 00:22:04.319
 and asked

00:22:04.319 --> 00:22:04.539
 him a

00:22:04.539 --> 00:22:05.240
 very commonly

00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:06.099
 asked question.

00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:07.819
 Isn't

00:22:07.819 --> 00:22:08.460
 Christianity

00:22:08.460 --> 00:22:10.039
 a crutch

00:22:10.039 --> 00:22:11.059
 for people

00:22:11.059 --> 00:22:11.619
 who cannot

00:22:11.619 --> 00:22:12.199
 make it

00:22:12.199 --> 00:22:12.439
 on their

00:22:12.439 --> 00:22:12.639
 own?

00:22:14.699 --> 00:22:15.500
 And John

00:22:15.500 --> 00:22:15.819
 Piper

00:22:15.819 --> 00:22:17.199
 thought for

00:22:17.199 --> 00:22:17.699
 a few

00:22:17.699 --> 00:22:18.099
 seconds,

00:22:18.859 --> 00:22:19.639
 and then he

00:22:19.639 --> 00:22:20.179
 said he just

00:22:20.179 --> 00:22:21.119
 responded simply,

00:22:22.259 --> 00:22:22.539
 yes.

00:22:23.879 --> 00:22:24.639
 Full stop.

00:22:26.079 --> 00:22:28.500
 Yes,

00:22:29.619 --> 00:22:30.000
 Christianity

00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:31.419
 is for

00:22:31.419 --> 00:22:32.579
 the poor,

00:22:33.399 --> 00:22:34.220
 the crippled,

00:22:34.599 --> 00:22:35.179
 the lame,

00:22:35.639 --> 00:22:36.220
 the blind.

00:22:37.339 --> 00:22:38.159
 But why

00:22:38.159 --> 00:22:38.899
 is being a

00:22:38.899 --> 00:22:39.439
 crutch a

00:22:39.439 --> 00:22:39.960
 bad thing?

00:22:41.220 --> 00:22:42.059
 If you have

00:22:42.059 --> 00:22:42.500
 a broken

00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:42.939
 leg,

00:22:43.179 --> 00:22:43.639
 isn't it a

00:22:43.639 --> 00:22:44.199
 blessing to

00:22:44.199 --> 00:22:44.500
 have a

00:22:44.500 --> 00:22:44.899
 crutch so

00:22:44.899 --> 00:22:45.099
 that you

00:22:45.099 --> 00:22:45.439
 can walk

00:22:45.439 --> 00:22:45.679
 around?

00:22:47.939 --> 00:22:49.059
 Why is

00:22:49.059 --> 00:22:49.759
 calling

00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:50.159
 Christianity

00:22:50.159 --> 00:22:50.859
 a crutch

00:22:50.859 --> 00:22:51.519
 an insult?

00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:54.900
 To the

00:22:54.900 --> 00:22:55.299
 people of

00:22:55.299 --> 00:22:55.799
 this world,

00:22:56.920 --> 00:22:57.279
 being a

00:22:57.279 --> 00:22:57.619
 crutch,

00:22:57.759 --> 00:22:58.200
 having a

00:22:58.200 --> 00:22:58.740
 crutch is

00:22:58.740 --> 00:22:59.279
 an insult

00:22:59.279 --> 00:23:00.059
 because they

00:23:00.059 --> 00:23:00.519
 don't want

00:23:00.519 --> 00:23:00.900
 to admit

00:23:00.900 --> 00:23:01.240
 that they

00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:01.900
 are cripples.

00:23:06.859 --> 00:23:07.379
 In

00:23:07.379 --> 00:23:08.240
 explaining why

00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:09.000
 he ministered

00:23:09.000 --> 00:23:09.460
 to tax

00:23:09.460 --> 00:23:09.859
 collectors

00:23:09.859 --> 00:23:10.639
 and sinners

00:23:10.639 --> 00:23:11.119
 in Matthew

00:23:11.119 --> 00:23:11.400
 9,

00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:11.680
 12,

00:23:11.779 --> 00:23:12.299
 Jesus said,

00:23:12.680 --> 00:23:13.079
 those who

00:23:13.079 --> 00:23:13.799
 are well

00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:14.779
 have no

00:23:14.779 --> 00:23:15.359
 need of a

00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:15.740
 physician,

00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:16.819
 but those

00:23:16.819 --> 00:23:17.099
 who are

00:23:17.099 --> 00:23:17.599
 sick.

00:23:18.879 --> 00:23:19.599
 That's why

00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:20.279
 Jesus came.

00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:21.359
 Yes,

00:23:21.940 --> 00:23:22.420
 we are

00:23:22.420 --> 00:23:22.920
 blind.

00:23:23.619 --> 00:23:24.000
 Left to

00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:24.220
 our own

00:23:24.220 --> 00:23:24.579
 devices,

00:23:24.720 --> 00:23:25.059
 we are

00:23:25.059 --> 00:23:25.379
 blind,

00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:25.940
 but Jesus

00:23:25.940 --> 00:23:26.680
 has opened

00:23:26.680 --> 00:23:27.079
 up our

00:23:27.079 --> 00:23:27.399
 eyes so

00:23:27.399 --> 00:23:27.899
 that we

00:23:27.899 --> 00:23:28.500
 once were

00:23:28.500 --> 00:23:28.740
 blind,

00:23:28.819 --> 00:23:29.259
 but now

00:23:29.259 --> 00:23:30.019
 we see.

00:23:30.899 --> 00:23:31.359
 Yes,

00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:31.940
 left to

00:23:31.940 --> 00:23:32.160
 our own

00:23:32.160 --> 00:23:32.500
 devices,

00:23:32.660 --> 00:23:33.220
 we are

00:23:33.220 --> 00:23:34.359
 lame and

00:23:34.359 --> 00:23:34.960
 crippled,

00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.839
 but now

00:23:35.839 --> 00:23:36.339
 because of

00:23:36.339 --> 00:23:36.639
 Jesus,

00:23:36.799 --> 00:23:37.299
 we leap

00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:38.220
 like deers.

00:23:39.319 --> 00:23:39.819
 Yes,

00:23:40.160 --> 00:23:40.639
 left to

00:23:40.639 --> 00:23:41.059
 our own

00:23:41.059 --> 00:23:41.539
 devices,

00:23:42.319 --> 00:23:43.440
 we are

00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:43.879
 poor,

00:23:45.019 --> 00:23:45.339
 we are

00:23:45.339 --> 00:23:46.039
 destitute,

00:23:46.519 --> 00:23:46.859
 we are

00:23:46.859 --> 00:23:47.460
 bankrupt,

00:23:47.460 --> 00:23:47.680
 corrupt.

00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:50.360
 But isn't

00:23:50.360 --> 00:23:50.759
 that why

00:23:50.759 --> 00:23:51.299
 he says

00:23:51.299 --> 00:23:52.400
 in 2 Corinthians

00:23:52.400 --> 00:23:52.660
 8,

00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:52.900
 9,

00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:53.539
 though Jesus

00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:54.519
 was rich,

00:23:54.860 --> 00:23:55.299
 yet for

00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:55.860
 our sake

00:23:55.860 --> 00:23:56.759
 he became

00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:57.380
 poor,

00:23:57.779 --> 00:23:58.240
 so that

00:23:58.240 --> 00:23:58.759
 we by

00:23:58.759 --> 00:23:59.420
 his poverty

00:23:59.420 --> 00:24:00.279
 might become

00:24:00.279 --> 00:24:01.160
 rich.

00:24:03.319 --> 00:24:04.059
 As a

00:24:04.059 --> 00:24:04.900
 proof of

00:24:04.900 --> 00:24:05.559
 his messianic

00:24:05.559 --> 00:24:05.860
 ministry,

00:24:05.980 --> 00:24:06.500
 Jesus says

00:24:06.500 --> 00:24:06.880
 this in

00:24:06.880 --> 00:24:07.500
 Matthew 11,

00:24:07.600 --> 00:24:07.880
 5,

00:24:07.980 --> 00:24:08.480
 the blind

00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:09.120
 receive their

00:24:09.120 --> 00:24:09.420
 sight,

00:24:09.700 --> 00:24:10.299
 the lame

00:24:10.299 --> 00:24:10.819
 walk,

00:24:11.200 --> 00:24:11.720
 lepers are

00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:12.180
 cleansed,

00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:12.460
 and the

00:24:12.460 --> 00:24:13.240
 deaf hear,

00:24:13.500 --> 00:24:13.740
 and the

00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:14.240
 dead are

00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:14.579
 raised,

00:24:14.759 --> 00:24:15.180
 and the

00:24:15.180 --> 00:24:16.180
 poor have

00:24:16.180 --> 00:24:17.100
 good news,

00:24:17.099 --> 00:24:17.879
 preached to

00:24:17.879 --> 00:24:18.139
 them.

00:24:20.439 --> 00:24:20.879
 Yes,

00:24:21.319 --> 00:24:21.819
 Jesus is

00:24:21.819 --> 00:24:22.579
 my crutch,

00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:23.659
 and I'm

00:24:23.659 --> 00:24:24.179
 not ashamed

00:24:24.179 --> 00:24:24.599
 of it.

00:24:25.219 --> 00:24:25.599
 In fact,

00:24:25.639 --> 00:24:26.039
 Jesus is

00:24:26.039 --> 00:24:26.439
 more than

00:24:26.439 --> 00:24:26.959
 my crutch,

00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:27.559
 because as

00:24:27.559 --> 00:24:28.039
 if I can

00:24:28.039 --> 00:24:28.439
 do part

00:24:28.439 --> 00:24:28.659
 of the

00:24:28.659 --> 00:24:29.119
 walking on

00:24:29.119 --> 00:24:29.559
 my own,

00:24:29.779 --> 00:24:29.919
 no,

00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:30.339
 Jesus is

00:24:30.339 --> 00:24:30.959
 my wheelchair,

00:24:32.699 --> 00:24:32.980
 no,

00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:33.399
 he's more

00:24:33.399 --> 00:24:33.839
 than that,

00:24:33.959 --> 00:24:34.419
 Jesus is

00:24:34.419 --> 00:24:35.119
 my everything.

00:24:41.059 --> 00:24:41.839
 God does

00:24:41.839 --> 00:24:42.579
 not help

00:24:42.579 --> 00:24:43.000
 those who

00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:43.299
 help

00:24:43.299 --> 00:24:43.859
 themselves,

00:24:44.619 --> 00:24:45.039
 that is

00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:45.459
 deism,

00:24:45.939 --> 00:24:46.259
 that is

00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:46.579
 not the

00:24:46.579 --> 00:24:46.919
 gospel.

00:24:47.099 --> 00:24:49.859
 God

00:24:49.859 --> 00:24:50.219
 helps

00:24:50.219 --> 00:24:50.619
 those who

00:24:50.619 --> 00:24:51.039
 cannot

00:24:51.039 --> 00:24:51.459
 help

00:24:51.459 --> 00:24:51.879
 themselves,

00:24:52.359 --> 00:24:52.819
 those who

00:24:52.819 --> 00:24:53.519
 are poor

00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:54.480
 in spirit,

00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:55.079
 those who

00:24:55.079 --> 00:24:55.839
 recognize

00:24:55.839 --> 00:24:56.319
 their own

00:24:56.319 --> 00:24:56.899
 spiritual

00:24:56.899 --> 00:24:57.659
 bankruptcy,

00:24:58.119 --> 00:24:58.480
 those who

00:24:58.480 --> 00:24:59.059
 recognize

00:24:59.059 --> 00:24:59.679
 their own

00:24:59.679 --> 00:25:00.299
 moral

00:25:00.299 --> 00:25:01.079
 destitution,

00:25:01.500 --> 00:25:02.039
 their own

00:25:02.039 --> 00:25:03.279
 insurmountable

00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:03.759
 debt of

00:25:03.759 --> 00:25:04.879
 sin before

00:25:04.879 --> 00:25:05.399
 the holy

00:25:05.399 --> 00:25:05.839
 God,

00:25:06.219 --> 00:25:06.859
 they are

00:25:06.859 --> 00:25:07.379
 those

00:25:07.379 --> 00:25:09.439
 whom God

00:25:09.439 --> 00:25:09.719
 helps.

00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:12.199
 It is

00:25:12.199 --> 00:25:12.659
 critical that

00:25:12.659 --> 00:25:13.000
 we admit

00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:13.359
 this.

00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:14.359
 Objectively

00:25:14.359 --> 00:25:14.779
 speaking,

00:25:14.899 --> 00:25:15.399
 we are all

00:25:15.399 --> 00:25:15.879
 cripples.

00:25:17.099 --> 00:25:17.619
 We are

00:25:17.619 --> 00:25:18.159
 poor in

00:25:18.159 --> 00:25:18.379
 spirit

00:25:18.379 --> 00:25:18.679
 because we

00:25:18.679 --> 00:25:20.119
 are impoverished

00:25:20.119 --> 00:25:21.159
 in our

00:25:21.159 --> 00:25:21.539
 spirit,

00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:23.439
 but not

00:25:23.439 --> 00:25:23.719
 everyone

00:25:23.719 --> 00:25:24.099
 admits

00:25:24.099 --> 00:25:24.500
 this.

00:25:25.939 --> 00:25:26.539
 So this

00:25:26.539 --> 00:25:26.980
 must become

00:25:26.980 --> 00:25:27.579
 a subjective

00:25:27.579 --> 00:25:28.319
 reality to

00:25:28.319 --> 00:25:28.619
 us.

00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:29.539
 And God

00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:29.899
 tells us

00:25:29.899 --> 00:25:30.219
 that is

00:25:30.219 --> 00:25:30.859
 exactly what

00:25:30.859 --> 00:25:31.059
 he is

00:25:31.059 --> 00:25:31.659
 looking for

00:25:31.659 --> 00:25:31.919
 and the

00:25:31.919 --> 00:25:32.419
 people that

00:25:32.419 --> 00:25:32.679
 he is

00:25:32.679 --> 00:25:33.000
 searching

00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:33.439
 for.

00:25:33.439 --> 00:25:34.059
 Isaiah

00:25:34.059 --> 00:25:34.740
 66,

00:25:34.819 --> 00:25:35.179
 verse 2

00:25:35.179 --> 00:25:35.859
 says this,

00:25:35.859 --> 00:25:40.579
 says the

00:25:40.579 --> 00:25:40.799
 Lord.

00:25:41.979 --> 00:25:42.500
 He who

00:25:42.500 --> 00:25:43.219
 is humble

00:25:43.219 --> 00:25:44.039
 and

00:25:44.039 --> 00:25:45.099
 contrite

00:25:45.099 --> 00:25:45.759
 in spirit

00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:47.299
 and trembles

00:25:47.299 --> 00:25:47.719
 at my

00:25:47.719 --> 00:25:48.179
 word.

00:25:48.819 --> 00:25:49.679
 That's what it

00:25:49.679 --> 00:25:50.159
 means to be

00:25:50.159 --> 00:25:50.979
 poor in spirit,

00:25:51.379 --> 00:25:52.019
 to be humble

00:25:52.019 --> 00:25:53.059
 and contrite

00:25:53.059 --> 00:25:53.799
 in spirit,

00:25:54.019 --> 00:25:54.339
 and to

00:25:54.339 --> 00:25:55.139
 tremble at

00:25:55.139 --> 00:25:56.019
 God's word.

00:25:57.819 --> 00:25:58.119
 And the

00:25:58.119 --> 00:25:58.679
 Bible gives us

00:25:58.679 --> 00:25:59.459
 some vivid

00:25:59.459 --> 00:26:00.159
 pictures of

00:26:00.159 --> 00:26:00.579
 what this

00:26:00.579 --> 00:26:01.199
 looks like

00:26:01.199 --> 00:26:02.359
 in flesh.

00:26:02.359 --> 00:26:04.219
 in Luke

00:26:04.219 --> 00:26:04.859
 chapter 5,

00:26:04.899 --> 00:26:05.159
 verse 8,

00:26:05.219 --> 00:26:05.779
 when Peter

00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:06.740
 realizes who

00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:07.779
 Jesus really

00:26:07.779 --> 00:26:08.359
 is,

00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:10.559
 the usually

00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:14.079
 boastful

00:26:14.079 --> 00:26:14.339
 Peter,

00:26:14.479 --> 00:26:15.019
 the usually

00:26:15.019 --> 00:26:16.079
 kind of

00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:16.459
 put your

00:26:16.459 --> 00:26:16.740
 hand,

00:26:16.879 --> 00:26:17.159
 put your

00:26:17.159 --> 00:26:17.479
 foot in

00:26:17.479 --> 00:26:17.859
 your mouth

00:26:17.859 --> 00:26:18.159
 Peter,

00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:18.740
 the usually

00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:20.559
 the Peter

00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:21.479
 who has all

00:26:21.479 --> 00:26:22.119
 the braggadocio

00:26:22.119 --> 00:26:22.439
 you could

00:26:22.439 --> 00:26:22.859
 want,

00:26:23.779 --> 00:26:25.659
 when he

00:26:25.659 --> 00:26:26.240
 realizes who

00:26:26.240 --> 00:26:26.799
 Jesus really

00:26:26.799 --> 00:26:27.079
 is,

00:26:27.139 --> 00:26:27.799
 he falls

00:26:27.799 --> 00:26:28.359
 down at

00:26:28.359 --> 00:26:28.599
 Jesus'

00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:29.819
 knees and

00:26:29.819 --> 00:26:30.240
 he says,

00:26:30.399 --> 00:26:31.359
 depart from

00:26:31.359 --> 00:26:31.579
 me.

00:26:32.359 --> 00:26:34.619
 depart from

00:26:34.619 --> 00:26:35.019
 me.

00:26:37.899 --> 00:26:38.819
 For I'm a

00:26:38.819 --> 00:26:39.519
 sinful man,

00:26:39.559 --> 00:26:40.019
 oh Lord.

00:26:44.339 --> 00:26:44.959
 In the

00:26:44.959 --> 00:26:45.459
 parable of

00:26:45.459 --> 00:26:46.559
 the Pharisee

00:26:46.559 --> 00:26:47.039
 and the tax

00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:47.519
 collector in

00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:48.179
 Luke 18,

00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:49.019
 while the

00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.740
 Pharisee is

00:26:49.740 --> 00:26:50.699
 looking up to

00:26:50.699 --> 00:26:51.979
 heaven and

00:26:51.979 --> 00:26:52.759
 boasting of

00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.919
 his self-righteousness

00:26:53.919 --> 00:26:54.679
 and raising his

00:26:54.679 --> 00:26:55.419
 arms to heaven,

00:26:55.659 --> 00:26:56.319
 and God,

00:26:56.419 --> 00:26:57.159
 thank you that I'm

00:26:57.159 --> 00:26:58.119
 not like this tax

00:26:58.119 --> 00:26:58.459
 collector,

00:26:58.579 --> 00:26:59.579
 I do everything I

00:26:59.579 --> 00:27:00.039
 need to do,

00:27:00.119 --> 00:27:00.740
 I do all the

00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:01.399
 righteous deeds,

00:27:01.400 --> 00:27:02.800
 and then the

00:27:02.800 --> 00:27:03.640
 tax collector

00:27:03.640 --> 00:27:05.560
 says he's far

00:27:05.560 --> 00:27:05.920
 away,

00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:07.660
 he can't even

00:27:07.660 --> 00:27:09.000
 get himself to

00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:09.840
 draw near the

00:27:09.840 --> 00:27:10.400
 temple because

00:27:10.400 --> 00:27:10.840
 that's how

00:27:10.840 --> 00:27:11.580
 unworthy he

00:27:11.580 --> 00:27:11.900
 feels,

00:27:12.140 --> 00:27:13.180
 he's far off

00:27:13.180 --> 00:27:14.140
 and while he's

00:27:14.140 --> 00:27:14.580
 far off,

00:27:14.620 --> 00:27:15.060
 he does not

00:27:15.060 --> 00:27:15.840
 dare to look up

00:27:15.840 --> 00:27:16.160
 to heaven,

00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:17.000
 he's looking

00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:17.640
 down and he

00:27:17.640 --> 00:27:18.360
 beats his

00:27:18.360 --> 00:27:20.660
 chest and

00:27:20.660 --> 00:27:21.100
 says,

00:27:21.600 --> 00:27:22.560
 have mercy on

00:27:22.560 --> 00:27:23.019
 me,

00:27:25.320 --> 00:27:25.880
 a sinner.

00:27:25.880 --> 00:27:26.880
 God,

00:27:26.880 --> 00:27:27.280
 he's not

00:27:27.280 --> 00:27:27.880
 there.

00:27:27.880 --> 00:27:28.880
 And Jesus,

00:27:29.160 --> 00:27:29.420
 in his

00:27:29.420 --> 00:27:29.920
 kindness,

00:27:30.400 --> 00:27:30.900
 says it's

00:27:30.900 --> 00:27:32.580
 that tax

00:27:32.580 --> 00:27:33.240
 collector that

00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:33.840
 goes home

00:27:33.840 --> 00:27:34.760
 justified by

00:27:34.760 --> 00:27:35.400
 God and not

00:27:35.400 --> 00:27:36.220
 that self-righteous

00:27:36.220 --> 00:27:36.780
 Pharisee.

00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:40.000
 For everyone who

00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:40.900
 exalts himself will

00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:41.340
 be humbled,

00:27:41.680 --> 00:27:42.220
 but the one who

00:27:42.220 --> 00:27:42.860
 humbles himself

00:27:42.860 --> 00:27:43.480
 will be exalted.

00:27:44.800 --> 00:27:45.320
 Job,

00:27:45.800 --> 00:27:46.900
 when he hears the

00:27:46.900 --> 00:27:47.540
 voice of God,

00:27:47.640 --> 00:27:49.400
 this man who

00:27:49.400 --> 00:27:50.940
 was a righteous

00:27:50.940 --> 00:27:51.400
 man,

00:27:51.400 --> 00:27:53.920
 and because of

00:27:53.920 --> 00:27:54.460
 the trials that

00:27:54.460 --> 00:27:54.940
 he went through

00:27:54.940 --> 00:27:56.580
 was accusing God

00:27:56.580 --> 00:27:57.580
 and questioning

00:27:57.580 --> 00:27:58.060
 God,

00:27:58.700 --> 00:27:59.160
 even though he

00:27:59.160 --> 00:27:59.900
 still held on to

00:27:59.900 --> 00:28:00.519
 his faith and

00:28:00.519 --> 00:28:00.940
 integrity,

00:28:02.340 --> 00:28:03.860
 when he hears the

00:28:03.860 --> 00:28:04.600
 voice of God out

00:28:04.600 --> 00:28:05.300
 of the whirlwind,

00:28:06.280 --> 00:28:07.220
 he says in Job

00:28:07.220 --> 00:28:07.580
 42,

00:28:07.720 --> 00:28:08.300
 5-6,

00:28:08.440 --> 00:28:09.120
 I had heard of

00:28:09.120 --> 00:28:09.580
 you by the

00:28:09.580 --> 00:28:10.120
 hearing of the

00:28:10.120 --> 00:28:10.340
 ear,

00:28:10.800 --> 00:28:11.480
 but now my

00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:12.500
 eyes see you.

00:28:14.060 --> 00:28:14.500
 Therefore,

00:28:15.220 --> 00:28:16.620
 I despise

00:28:16.620 --> 00:28:18.940
 myself and

00:28:18.940 --> 00:28:20.100
 repent in dust

00:28:20.100 --> 00:28:20.580
 and ashes.

00:28:21.400 --> 00:28:26.320
 Just one more

00:28:26.320 --> 00:28:26.640
 example,

00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:27.519
 Isaiah 6,

00:28:27.620 --> 00:28:28.140
 verse 5.

00:28:28.900 --> 00:28:29.780
 After seeing a

00:28:29.780 --> 00:28:30.759
 vision of the

00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:31.100
 Lord,

00:28:31.680 --> 00:28:32.660
 a vision of the

00:28:32.660 --> 00:28:34.080
 glory and the

00:28:34.080 --> 00:28:35.340
 majesty of our

00:28:35.340 --> 00:28:36.040
 Lord God,

00:28:36.680 --> 00:28:37.259
 prophet Isaiah

00:28:37.259 --> 00:28:37.700
 laments,

00:28:37.940 --> 00:28:38.940
 woe is me,

00:28:40.200 --> 00:28:41.080
 cursed is me,

00:28:41.560 --> 00:28:42.320
 woe is me,

00:28:42.380 --> 00:28:43.360
 for I am lost,

00:28:43.780 --> 00:28:44.540
 for I am a man

00:28:44.540 --> 00:28:45.740
 of unclean lips,

00:28:45.820 --> 00:28:46.759
 and I dwell in the

00:28:46.759 --> 00:28:47.560
 midst of a people

00:28:47.560 --> 00:28:48.519
 of unclean lips,

00:28:48.880 --> 00:28:49.880
 for my eyes have

00:28:49.880 --> 00:28:50.920
 seen the king,

00:28:50.920 --> 00:28:52.360
 the Lord of hosts.

00:28:53.580 --> 00:28:55.920
 If we have never

00:28:55.920 --> 00:28:57.740
 felt as Christians,

00:28:58.180 --> 00:28:59.100
 in light of the

00:28:59.100 --> 00:29:00.259
 face of the glory

00:29:00.259 --> 00:29:01.120
 of God,

00:29:01.360 --> 00:29:02.900
 to just crumble to

00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:03.360
 the floor,

00:29:04.300 --> 00:29:05.220
 and confess,

00:29:05.440 --> 00:29:06.480
 woe is me,

00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:08.120
 depart from me,

00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:09.019
 I am a sinner,

00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:10.320
 then we have not

00:29:10.320 --> 00:29:11.740
 yet fully appreciated

00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:13.100
 the glory and the

00:29:13.100 --> 00:29:14.259
 holiness of God.

00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:14.319
 God.

00:29:21.200 --> 00:29:21.859
 Do you know,

00:29:21.940 --> 00:29:22.460
 brothers and sisters,

00:29:22.579 --> 00:29:23.700
 that sinful men

00:29:23.700 --> 00:29:25.259
 are just worms?

00:29:29.519 --> 00:29:30.379
 Does that sound

00:29:30.379 --> 00:29:31.400
 too extreme to you?

00:29:33.200 --> 00:29:34.039
 Because that's not

00:29:34.039 --> 00:29:35.359
 my vocabulary,

00:29:35.579 --> 00:29:36.759
 that's God's

00:29:36.759 --> 00:29:37.140
 vocabulary.

00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:41.460
 Isaiah 41,

00:29:41.579 --> 00:29:41.940
 verse 4,

00:29:41.940 --> 00:29:42.420
 what God says

00:29:42.420 --> 00:29:42.940
 to his people,

00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:44.840
 fear not,

00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:46.360
 you warm,

00:29:46.799 --> 00:29:47.080
 Jacob,

00:29:47.720 --> 00:29:49.000
 you men

00:29:49.000 --> 00:29:49.720
 of Israel.

00:29:51.640 --> 00:29:52.759
 I am the one

00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:53.559
 who helps you,

00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:54.720
 declares the Lord.

00:29:55.039 --> 00:29:55.759
 Your redeemer

00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:56.700
 is the holy one

00:29:56.700 --> 00:29:57.180
 of Israel.

00:29:58.320 --> 00:29:58.880
 What is God

00:29:58.880 --> 00:29:59.440
 saying to us?

00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:00.160
 You are but a

00:30:00.160 --> 00:30:00.620
 worm,

00:30:01.460 --> 00:30:02.580
 but don't lose

00:30:02.580 --> 00:30:03.140
 heart because

00:30:03.140 --> 00:30:04.100
 I am your

00:30:04.100 --> 00:30:04.580
 redeemer.

00:30:07.920 --> 00:30:08.360
 Yes,

00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:09.880
 we are creating

00:30:09.880 --> 00:30:10.480
 the image of God,

00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:11.079
 that is true.

00:30:11.819 --> 00:30:12.779
 But morally,

00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:14.440
 spiritually,

00:30:15.120 --> 00:30:15.900
 because of our

00:30:15.900 --> 00:30:16.759
 fallen nature,

00:30:16.860 --> 00:30:17.500
 because of our sin,

00:30:17.559 --> 00:30:18.539
 we are but worms

00:30:18.539 --> 00:30:20.640
 and it is wondrous,

00:30:21.140 --> 00:30:23.019
 breathtaking grace

00:30:23.019 --> 00:30:24.120
 and mercy of God

00:30:24.120 --> 00:30:25.279
 that God takes

00:30:25.279 --> 00:30:26.240
 mere worms

00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:27.480
 and declares

00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:28.420
 them to be

00:30:28.420 --> 00:30:30.160
 sons and daughters

00:30:30.160 --> 00:30:31.140
 of God,

00:30:32.140 --> 00:30:33.019
 heirs of the

00:30:33.019 --> 00:30:34.140
 kingdom of heaven.

00:30:34.140 --> 00:30:39.400
 the presidential

00:30:39.400 --> 00:30:40.080
 inauguration

00:30:40.080 --> 00:30:40.620
 is tomorrow.

00:30:43.620 --> 00:30:44.860
 Some people think

00:30:44.860 --> 00:30:46.180
 that President Trump

00:30:46.180 --> 00:30:47.300
 is unfit

00:30:47.300 --> 00:30:48.480
 for his high office.

00:30:50.360 --> 00:30:51.480
 Some other people

00:30:51.480 --> 00:30:52.440
 think that President

00:30:52.440 --> 00:30:54.000
 Biden was unfit

00:30:54.000 --> 00:30:55.580
 for their high office.

00:30:55.579 --> 00:31:00.220
 I'm not too

00:31:00.220 --> 00:31:00.759
 concerned about

00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:01.419
 either of those.

00:31:03.720 --> 00:31:04.480
 What's more

00:31:04.480 --> 00:31:05.639
 shocking to me

00:31:05.639 --> 00:31:06.819
 and what's more

00:31:06.819 --> 00:31:07.919
 amazing and

00:31:07.919 --> 00:31:09.599
 unbelievable to me

00:31:09.599 --> 00:31:11.699
 than both of

00:31:11.699 --> 00:31:12.279
 those things

00:31:12.279 --> 00:31:13.799
 is that you

00:31:13.799 --> 00:31:14.439
 and I

00:31:14.439 --> 00:31:15.399
 are counted

00:31:15.399 --> 00:31:16.259
 heirs,

00:31:17.059 --> 00:31:17.359
 princes

00:31:17.359 --> 00:31:18.839
 and princesses

00:31:18.839 --> 00:31:19.619
 of the kingdom

00:31:19.619 --> 00:31:20.179
 of heaven.

00:31:21.539 --> 00:31:22.879
 How can it be?

00:31:22.880 --> 00:31:29.400
 For that's what

00:31:29.400 --> 00:31:30.240
 God gives us.

00:31:31.200 --> 00:31:32.020
 Look at verse 3.

00:31:33.560 --> 00:31:34.240
 Blessed are the

00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:34.820
 poor in spirit

00:31:34.820 --> 00:31:35.860
 for theirs

00:31:35.860 --> 00:31:36.880
 is

00:31:36.880 --> 00:31:37.680
 the kingdom

00:31:37.680 --> 00:31:38.600
 of heaven.

00:31:39.160 --> 00:31:39.600
 The Beatitudes

00:31:39.600 --> 00:31:40.700
 begins and ends

00:31:40.700 --> 00:31:41.580
 with this assurance.

00:31:42.200 --> 00:31:42.580
 Verse 3

00:31:42.580 --> 00:31:43.220
 and verse 10.

00:31:43.560 --> 00:31:44.440
 By bookending

00:31:44.440 --> 00:31:45.200
 the Beatitudes

00:31:45.200 --> 00:31:46.500
 with this blessing

00:31:46.500 --> 00:31:47.220
 and this promise,

00:31:47.600 --> 00:31:48.400
 Jesus teaches us

00:31:48.400 --> 00:31:49.020
 that the kingdom

00:31:49.020 --> 00:31:49.540
 of heaven

00:31:49.540 --> 00:31:50.720
 belongs to such

00:31:50.720 --> 00:31:51.160
 as these

00:31:51.160 --> 00:31:51.800
 as described

00:31:51.800 --> 00:31:52.700
 in the Beatitudes.

00:31:53.460 --> 00:31:54.080
 And note well

00:31:54.080 --> 00:31:54.820
 that this blessing

00:31:54.820 --> 00:31:55.980
 is in the present

00:31:55.980 --> 00:31:56.540
 tense.

00:31:58.140 --> 00:31:59.400
 Theirs is,

00:31:59.520 --> 00:32:00.940
 not theirs shall be,

00:32:01.340 --> 00:32:02.440
 theirs is the

00:32:02.440 --> 00:32:03.440
 kingdom of heaven.

00:32:04.060 --> 00:32:05.060
 This is a repetition

00:32:05.060 --> 00:32:05.720
 of what Jesus

00:32:05.720 --> 00:32:06.360
 started preaching

00:32:06.360 --> 00:32:07.100
 earlier in Matthew

00:32:07.100 --> 00:32:07.780
 4, 17.

00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:09.240
 Repent for the

00:32:09.240 --> 00:32:10.340
 kingdom of heaven

00:32:10.340 --> 00:32:12.160
 is at hand.

00:32:12.560 --> 00:32:13.280
 The kingdom of heaven

00:32:13.280 --> 00:32:13.800
 does not lie

00:32:13.800 --> 00:32:14.680
 in the distant future,

00:32:14.780 --> 00:32:15.480
 Jesus was saying.

00:32:16.060 --> 00:32:16.940
 It is now.

00:32:17.920 --> 00:32:19.120
 The reign of God,

00:32:19.180 --> 00:32:19.960
 the God of heaven

00:32:19.960 --> 00:32:20.720
 here on earth

00:32:20.720 --> 00:32:21.700
 is breaking

00:32:21.700 --> 00:32:23.339
 in now.

00:32:25.339 --> 00:32:26.400
 If we are poor

00:32:26.400 --> 00:32:27.079
 in spirit,

00:32:27.539 --> 00:32:28.680
 then we are blessed

00:32:28.680 --> 00:32:29.960
 because already

00:32:29.960 --> 00:32:31.220
 we are in possession

00:32:31.220 --> 00:32:32.400
 of the kingdom

00:32:32.400 --> 00:32:32.920
 of heaven.

00:32:33.920 --> 00:32:34.839
 Not fully,

00:32:35.019 --> 00:32:35.779
 as we'll see later,

00:32:36.220 --> 00:32:37.180
 but in a real way.

00:32:38.460 --> 00:32:39.180
 So my poor

00:32:39.180 --> 00:32:40.380
 brothers and sisters

00:32:40.380 --> 00:32:40.920
 in Christ,

00:32:41.079 --> 00:32:41.900
 hear this assurance

00:32:41.900 --> 00:32:42.539
 of our Lord Jesus.

00:32:42.660 --> 00:32:43.380
 Are you aware

00:32:43.380 --> 00:32:44.000
 this morning

00:32:44.000 --> 00:32:46.359
 of your own

00:32:46.359 --> 00:32:47.519
 spiritual poverty?

00:32:49.220 --> 00:32:50.380
 Are you aware

00:32:50.380 --> 00:32:51.960
 now of your

00:32:51.960 --> 00:32:53.180
 moral bankruptcy?

00:32:54.619 --> 00:32:55.500
 Are you aware

00:32:55.500 --> 00:32:57.059
 of the insurmountable

00:32:57.059 --> 00:32:58.839
 debt of sin

00:32:58.839 --> 00:33:00.460
 that you could never

00:33:00.460 --> 00:33:01.480
 hope to repay to God?

00:33:03.059 --> 00:33:04.279
 Take heart

00:33:04.279 --> 00:33:06.859
 because you have

00:33:06.859 --> 00:33:07.500
 pledged allegiance

00:33:07.500 --> 00:33:08.440
 to Christ the King.

00:33:09.440 --> 00:33:10.920
 Yours is

00:33:10.920 --> 00:33:11.759
 the kingdom

00:33:11.759 --> 00:33:12.799
 of heaven.

00:33:17.220 --> 00:33:18.359
 Beatitude number two

00:33:18.359 --> 00:33:19.279
 flows naturally

00:33:19.279 --> 00:33:20.420
 from Beatitude number one.

00:33:20.859 --> 00:33:21.779
 It says in verse four,

00:33:22.299 --> 00:33:23.079
 blessed are those

00:33:23.079 --> 00:33:23.900
 who mourn

00:33:23.900 --> 00:33:25.099
 for they shall be

00:33:25.099 --> 00:33:26.019
 comforted.

00:33:27.519 --> 00:33:28.279
 Those who are

00:33:28.279 --> 00:33:28.920
 aware

00:33:28.920 --> 00:33:29.799
 of their

00:33:29.799 --> 00:33:30.799
 spiritual bankruptcy

00:33:30.799 --> 00:33:31.440
 and poverty

00:33:31.440 --> 00:33:32.480
 cannot help

00:33:32.480 --> 00:33:33.359
 but mourn.

00:33:35.339 --> 00:33:36.359
 There are two

00:33:36.359 --> 00:33:36.960
 specific

00:33:36.960 --> 00:33:37.660
 and one

00:33:37.660 --> 00:33:38.779
 general sense

00:33:38.779 --> 00:33:39.619
 in which Christians

00:33:39.619 --> 00:33:40.480
 ought to mourn

00:33:40.480 --> 00:33:41.200
 according to the

00:33:41.200 --> 00:33:41.660
 New Testament.

00:33:42.640 --> 00:33:43.079
 First,

00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:43.839
 the word is used

00:33:43.839 --> 00:33:44.559
 to refer to

00:33:44.559 --> 00:33:45.599
 mourning our own

00:33:45.599 --> 00:33:45.960
 sins.

00:33:48.740 --> 00:33:49.539
 James 4,

00:33:49.599 --> 00:33:50.039
 8-10

00:33:50.039 --> 00:33:50.579
 says this,

00:33:50.660 --> 00:33:51.480
 cleanse your hands

00:33:51.480 --> 00:33:51.900
 you sinners

00:33:51.900 --> 00:33:53.339
 and purify your

00:33:53.339 --> 00:33:54.339
 hearts you double-minded.

00:33:54.799 --> 00:33:55.480
 Be wretched

00:33:55.480 --> 00:33:56.500
 and mourn

00:33:56.500 --> 00:33:57.460
 and weep.

00:33:58.059 --> 00:33:58.859
 Let your laughter

00:33:58.859 --> 00:33:59.940
 be turned to mourning

00:33:59.940 --> 00:34:00.720
 and your joy

00:34:00.720 --> 00:34:01.460
 to gloom.

00:34:01.940 --> 00:34:02.799
 Humble yourselves

00:34:02.799 --> 00:34:03.559
 before the Lord

00:34:03.559 --> 00:34:04.240
 and he will

00:34:04.240 --> 00:34:05.099
 exalt you.

00:34:06.559 --> 00:34:07.519
 Mourning our own

00:34:07.519 --> 00:34:07.779
 sins,

00:34:07.960 --> 00:34:08.659
 humbling ourselves

00:34:08.659 --> 00:34:09.340
 before the Lord.

00:34:09.840 --> 00:34:10.219
 Secondly,

00:34:10.320 --> 00:34:11.260
 we not only mourn

00:34:11.260 --> 00:34:11.920
 our own sins,

00:34:11.980 --> 00:34:12.600
 we also mourn

00:34:12.600 --> 00:34:13.640
 the sins of others,

00:34:14.600 --> 00:34:15.280
 especially that

00:34:15.280 --> 00:34:15.760
 of our brothers

00:34:15.760 --> 00:34:16.260
 and sisters

00:34:16.260 --> 00:34:16.840
 in Christ.

00:34:17.720 --> 00:34:18.800
 In 2 Corinthians 12,

00:34:18.860 --> 00:34:19.200
 21,

00:34:19.440 --> 00:34:19.900
 Paul writes,

00:34:20.020 --> 00:34:21.600
 I may have to mourn

00:34:21.600 --> 00:34:23.020
 over many of those

00:34:23.020 --> 00:34:23.860
 who sinned earlier

00:34:23.860 --> 00:34:24.820
 and have not repented

00:34:24.820 --> 00:34:25.620
 of the impurity,

00:34:25.860 --> 00:34:26.740
 sexual immorality,

00:34:27.240 --> 00:34:28.100
 and sensuality

00:34:28.100 --> 00:34:29.040
 that they have practiced.

00:34:29.940 --> 00:34:31.620
 We see how sin

00:34:31.620 --> 00:34:32.540
 wreaks havoc

00:34:32.540 --> 00:34:33.140
 on the lives

00:34:33.140 --> 00:34:33.540
 of our brothers

00:34:33.540 --> 00:34:34.580
 and sisters in Christ

00:34:34.580 --> 00:34:36.340
 and so we mourn.

00:34:36.340 --> 00:34:38.380
 we mourn

00:34:38.380 --> 00:34:39.240
 and cry out

00:34:39.240 --> 00:34:39.960
 to God in prayer.

00:34:42.180 --> 00:34:43.200
 I think we can

00:34:43.200 --> 00:34:43.900
 readily agree

00:34:43.900 --> 00:34:45.320
 that mourning

00:34:45.320 --> 00:34:46.920
 doesn't really

00:34:46.920 --> 00:34:47.760
 characterize

00:34:47.760 --> 00:34:49.420
 many churches

00:34:49.420 --> 00:34:50.220
 in our day and age.

00:34:52.780 --> 00:34:53.740
 There is little

00:34:53.740 --> 00:34:54.340
 solemnity,

00:34:54.940 --> 00:34:55.820
 let alone mourning,

00:34:57.100 --> 00:34:58.120
 in so many

00:34:58.120 --> 00:34:58.820
 church services.

00:34:59.780 --> 00:35:00.980
 Everything is instead

00:35:00.980 --> 00:35:02.860
 bright and peppy.

00:35:02.860 --> 00:35:07.220
 20th century

00:35:07.220 --> 00:35:08.000
 Welsh pastor

00:35:08.000 --> 00:35:08.920
 D. Martin Lloyd-Jones

00:35:08.920 --> 00:35:09.660
 also observed

00:35:09.660 --> 00:35:11.099
 the same phenomenon

00:35:11.099 --> 00:35:12.340
 in his day

00:35:12.340 --> 00:35:13.920
 and he attributed

00:35:13.920 --> 00:35:14.500
 this partly

00:35:14.500 --> 00:35:15.300
 to this,

00:35:16.120 --> 00:35:16.720
 the idea

00:35:16.720 --> 00:35:17.960
 which has gained

00:35:17.960 --> 00:35:18.480
 currency

00:35:18.480 --> 00:35:19.320
 that if we as

00:35:19.320 --> 00:35:19.940
 Christians are to

00:35:19.940 --> 00:35:20.579
 attract those

00:35:20.579 --> 00:35:21.400
 who are not Christians,

00:35:21.640 --> 00:35:22.480
 we must deliberately

00:35:22.480 --> 00:35:24.019
 affect an appearance

00:35:24.019 --> 00:35:24.720
 of brightness

00:35:24.720 --> 00:35:25.640
 and joviality.

00:35:26.680 --> 00:35:27.640
 Thus many try

00:35:27.640 --> 00:35:28.380
 to assume

00:35:28.380 --> 00:35:29.480
 a kind of joy

00:35:29.480 --> 00:35:30.120
 and happiness

00:35:30.120 --> 00:35:31.019
 which is not

00:35:31.019 --> 00:35:31.780
 something that

00:35:31.780 --> 00:35:32.720
 rises from

00:35:32.719 --> 00:35:33.179
 within

00:35:33.179 --> 00:35:34.199
 but is something

00:35:34.199 --> 00:35:35.039
 which is put on.

00:35:36.359 --> 00:35:37.039
 Now probably

00:35:37.039 --> 00:35:37.819
 that is the main

00:35:37.819 --> 00:35:38.319
 explanation

00:35:38.319 --> 00:35:39.239
 of the absence

00:35:39.239 --> 00:35:40.359
 of this characteristic

00:35:40.359 --> 00:35:40.980
 of mourning

00:35:40.980 --> 00:35:41.619
 in the life

00:35:41.619 --> 00:35:42.439
 of the church today.

00:35:43.019 --> 00:35:43.759
 It is this

00:35:43.759 --> 00:35:45.119
 superficiality,

00:35:45.679 --> 00:35:46.779
 this glibness

00:35:46.779 --> 00:35:47.699
 or joviality,

00:35:47.799 --> 00:35:48.219
 thanks John,

00:35:48.779 --> 00:35:49.759
 it is this endeavor

00:35:49.759 --> 00:35:50.719
 to appear to be

00:35:50.719 --> 00:35:51.079
 something

00:35:51.079 --> 00:35:51.879
 and to cut

00:35:51.879 --> 00:35:53.039
 a certain figure

00:35:53.039 --> 00:35:54.259
 instead of a life

00:35:54.259 --> 00:35:55.359
 arising from within

00:35:55.359 --> 00:35:56.480
 which controls

00:35:56.480 --> 00:35:57.199
 and determines

00:35:57.199 --> 00:35:57.959
 the whole of our

00:35:57.959 --> 00:35:59.179
 appearance and behavior.

00:35:59.179 --> 00:35:59.819
 mourning.

00:36:02.239 --> 00:36:02.819
 By the way,

00:36:02.859 --> 00:36:03.619
 I highly recommend

00:36:03.619 --> 00:36:03.980
 this book

00:36:03.980 --> 00:36:04.319
 if you're going

00:36:04.319 --> 00:36:04.839
 to follow through

00:36:04.839 --> 00:36:05.799
 this Sermon on the Mount

00:36:05.799 --> 00:36:07.399
 studies in the Sermon

00:36:07.399 --> 00:36:08.039
 on the Mount

00:36:08.039 --> 00:36:09.079
 by D. Martin Lowe Jones.

00:36:11.759 --> 00:36:12.839
 The shallow

00:36:12.839 --> 00:36:13.539
 understanding

00:36:13.539 --> 00:36:14.059
 of sin

00:36:14.059 --> 00:36:15.579
 combined

00:36:15.579 --> 00:36:16.879
 with a shallow

00:36:16.879 --> 00:36:18.000
 notion of joy

00:36:18.000 --> 00:36:19.739
 produce people

00:36:19.739 --> 00:36:20.579
 who do not mourn.

00:36:20.579 --> 00:36:24.400
 You might be thinking

00:36:24.400 --> 00:36:25.019
 to yourself,

00:36:25.279 --> 00:36:26.039
 well, mourning

00:36:26.039 --> 00:36:27.400
 doesn't seem

00:36:27.400 --> 00:36:28.539
 all that blessed

00:36:28.539 --> 00:36:29.819
 or happy to me.

00:36:32.799 --> 00:36:33.860
 I'd rather forget

00:36:33.860 --> 00:36:34.440
 my guilt

00:36:34.440 --> 00:36:35.639
 than enjoy my life,

00:36:35.739 --> 00:36:36.460
 thank you very much.

00:36:38.400 --> 00:36:39.380
 It is true

00:36:39.380 --> 00:36:40.500
 that sin brings

00:36:40.500 --> 00:36:41.199
 a certain kind

00:36:41.199 --> 00:36:41.639
 of pleasure.

00:36:42.319 --> 00:36:43.360
 Hebrews 11.25

00:36:43.360 --> 00:36:44.319
 speaks of the

00:36:44.319 --> 00:36:45.539
 fleeting pleasures

00:36:45.539 --> 00:36:46.259
 of sin,

00:36:46.539 --> 00:36:47.659
 but that is exactly

00:36:47.659 --> 00:36:48.659
 the problem.

00:36:48.659 --> 00:36:51.139
 sin never leads

00:36:51.139 --> 00:36:52.879
 to lasting joy.

00:36:54.559 --> 00:36:55.119
 Its pleasures

00:36:55.119 --> 00:36:55.879
 are fleeting.

00:36:56.359 --> 00:36:56.819
 It's like

00:36:56.819 --> 00:36:57.960
 ingesting

00:36:57.960 --> 00:36:59.019
 fentanyl,

00:36:59.579 --> 00:37:02.079
 which

00:37:02.079 --> 00:37:03.460
 gives you

00:37:03.460 --> 00:37:04.359
 a brief sense

00:37:04.359 --> 00:37:04.980
 of euphoria,

00:37:05.699 --> 00:37:06.379
 but then leads

00:37:06.379 --> 00:37:07.179
 to destruction

00:37:07.179 --> 00:37:08.739
 and death.

00:37:11.019 --> 00:37:12.799
 It is mourning

00:37:12.799 --> 00:37:15.139
 and our confessing

00:37:15.139 --> 00:37:15.719
 our sins

00:37:15.719 --> 00:37:16.699
 that we find

00:37:16.699 --> 00:37:17.500
 true happiness.

00:37:18.659 --> 00:37:20.940
 as 19th century

00:37:20.940 --> 00:37:21.579
 English pastor

00:37:21.579 --> 00:37:22.239
 Charles Spurgeon

00:37:22.239 --> 00:37:22.879
 once preached,

00:37:23.279 --> 00:37:23.399
 quote,

00:37:23.440 --> 00:37:24.039
 it does not

00:37:24.039 --> 00:37:25.379
 spoil your happiness

00:37:25.379 --> 00:37:26.719
 to confess your sin.

00:37:28.079 --> 00:37:29.319
 The unhappiness

00:37:29.319 --> 00:37:30.579
 is in not

00:37:30.579 --> 00:37:32.099
 making the confession.

00:37:34.339 --> 00:37:35.539
 Any true Christian

00:37:35.539 --> 00:37:36.079
 can attest

00:37:36.079 --> 00:37:36.579
 to the truth

00:37:36.579 --> 00:37:37.139
 of that statement.

00:37:40.079 --> 00:37:41.000
 So months ago,

00:37:41.079 --> 00:37:41.719
 didn't we learn this

00:37:41.719 --> 00:37:42.619
 from Ecclesiastes

00:37:42.619 --> 00:37:43.399
 chapter 7

00:37:43.399 --> 00:37:44.259
 verses 2 to 4?

00:37:44.260 --> 00:37:45.460
 It is better

00:37:45.460 --> 00:37:46.420
 to go to the house

00:37:46.420 --> 00:37:47.040
 of mourning

00:37:47.040 --> 00:37:47.700
 than to go

00:37:47.700 --> 00:37:48.260
 to the house

00:37:48.260 --> 00:37:48.920
 of feasting,

00:37:48.980 --> 00:37:50.040
 for this is the end

00:37:50.040 --> 00:37:50.860
 of all mankind,

00:37:51.180 --> 00:37:51.900
 and the living

00:37:51.900 --> 00:37:52.820
 will lay it to heart.

00:37:53.420 --> 00:37:53.840
 Sorrow

00:37:53.840 --> 00:37:54.540
 is better

00:37:54.540 --> 00:37:55.220
 than laughter,

00:37:55.380 --> 00:37:56.520
 for by sadness

00:37:56.520 --> 00:37:57.180
 of face

00:37:57.180 --> 00:37:57.640
 the heart

00:37:57.640 --> 00:37:58.360
 is made glad.

00:37:58.720 --> 00:37:59.180
 The heart

00:37:59.180 --> 00:37:59.760
 of the wise

00:37:59.760 --> 00:38:00.380
 is in the house

00:38:00.380 --> 00:38:00.900
 of mourning,

00:38:01.140 --> 00:38:01.760
 but the heart

00:38:01.760 --> 00:38:02.280
 of fools

00:38:02.280 --> 00:38:03.120
 is in the house

00:38:03.120 --> 00:38:03.860
 of mirth.

00:38:05.540 --> 00:38:06.340
 When we come

00:38:06.340 --> 00:38:07.260
 face to face

00:38:07.260 --> 00:38:08.320
 with our own

00:38:08.320 --> 00:38:08.900
 sinfulness

00:38:08.900 --> 00:38:10.260
 and this world's

00:38:10.260 --> 00:38:11.320
 profound

00:38:11.320 --> 00:38:12.260
 brokenness,

00:38:12.260 --> 00:38:13.220
 there are only

00:38:13.220 --> 00:38:13.780
 two ways

00:38:13.780 --> 00:38:14.380
 we can try

00:38:14.380 --> 00:38:15.420
 to fight off

00:38:15.420 --> 00:38:16.060
 despair.

00:38:16.840 --> 00:38:17.600
 The first way,

00:38:17.720 --> 00:38:18.220
 as I mentioned

00:38:18.220 --> 00:38:19.220
 in the Ecclesiastes series,

00:38:19.300 --> 00:38:19.800
 is to party

00:38:19.800 --> 00:38:20.760
 like there's no tomorrow.

00:38:21.840 --> 00:38:22.780
 Drink the night away

00:38:22.780 --> 00:38:24.000
 and dance the night away.

00:38:25.600 --> 00:38:26.360
 Divert yourself

00:38:26.360 --> 00:38:27.820
 with endless comedy shows.

00:38:28.860 --> 00:38:29.700
 Forget all your troubles,

00:38:29.900 --> 00:38:30.460
 but that route

00:38:30.460 --> 00:38:31.500
 doesn't ultimately work.

00:38:33.420 --> 00:38:34.760
 The true path

00:38:34.760 --> 00:38:35.820
 to the peak

00:38:35.820 --> 00:38:36.540
 of joy

00:38:36.540 --> 00:38:38.340
 always goes

00:38:38.340 --> 00:38:39.300
 through the valley

00:38:39.300 --> 00:38:39.800
 of mourning.

00:38:39.800 --> 00:38:43.180
 If we mourn,

00:38:43.460 --> 00:38:44.120
 we cultivate

00:38:44.120 --> 00:38:44.700
 humility

00:38:44.700 --> 00:38:45.560
 and submission

00:38:45.560 --> 00:38:46.320
 before God,

00:38:46.480 --> 00:38:47.400
 which then

00:38:47.400 --> 00:38:48.080
 produces

00:38:48.080 --> 00:38:49.800
 profound

00:38:49.800 --> 00:38:50.660
 and lasting

00:38:50.660 --> 00:38:51.320
 gratitude

00:38:51.320 --> 00:38:52.000
 and joy.

00:38:54.300 --> 00:38:55.440
 That is,

00:38:55.580 --> 00:38:56.120
 brothers and sisters,

00:38:56.240 --> 00:38:56.960
 the secret

00:38:56.960 --> 00:38:58.300
 to Christian joy.

00:38:59.039 --> 00:39:00.120
 That is the secret

00:39:00.120 --> 00:39:01.820
 to Christian joy.

00:39:02.440 --> 00:39:03.240
 Only those

00:39:03.240 --> 00:39:03.860
 who are poor

00:39:03.860 --> 00:39:04.480
 in spirit

00:39:04.480 --> 00:39:05.240
 can be filled

00:39:05.240 --> 00:39:05.840
 with the spirit.

00:39:05.840 --> 00:39:08.660
 only those

00:39:08.660 --> 00:39:09.200
 who repent

00:39:09.200 --> 00:39:10.120
 can be forgiven.

00:39:10.660 --> 00:39:11.180
 Only those

00:39:11.180 --> 00:39:11.980
 who have a real

00:39:11.980 --> 00:39:13.120
 sense of sin

00:39:13.120 --> 00:39:14.200
 can have a true

00:39:14.200 --> 00:39:15.340
 sense of joy,

00:39:15.440 --> 00:39:16.079
 of salvation.

00:39:16.700 --> 00:39:17.200
 Only those

00:39:17.200 --> 00:39:17.920
 who have died

00:39:17.920 --> 00:39:18.460
 to self

00:39:18.460 --> 00:39:19.660
 can have resurrection

00:39:19.660 --> 00:39:21.059
 life in Jesus Christ.

00:39:21.600 --> 00:39:22.100
 Humility

00:39:22.100 --> 00:39:23.440
 comes before

00:39:23.440 --> 00:39:24.380
 exaltation.

00:39:25.579 --> 00:39:26.320
 That's how it

00:39:26.320 --> 00:39:27.120
 always works

00:39:27.120 --> 00:39:27.920
 in God's economy.

00:39:31.720 --> 00:39:32.500
 So we mourn

00:39:32.500 --> 00:39:33.140
 our own sins

00:39:33.140 --> 00:39:33.539
 and we mourn

00:39:33.539 --> 00:39:34.120
 the sins of others.

00:39:34.220 --> 00:39:34.700
 There's still yet

00:39:34.699 --> 00:39:35.379
 one more thing

00:39:35.379 --> 00:39:35.980
 that we mourn

00:39:35.980 --> 00:39:36.519
 in general.

00:39:38.759 --> 00:39:40.199
 Later in Matthew 9, 15,

00:39:40.319 --> 00:39:41.259
 some people will ask

00:39:41.259 --> 00:39:41.739
 Jesus,

00:39:42.199 --> 00:39:43.099
 why don't your

00:39:43.099 --> 00:39:44.279
 disciples fast

00:39:44.279 --> 00:39:45.059
 like these other

00:39:45.059 --> 00:39:45.819
 devout Jews?

00:39:47.019 --> 00:39:47.839
 And this is

00:39:47.839 --> 00:39:48.859
 Jesus' answer.

00:39:49.460 --> 00:39:49.980
 Can the wedding

00:39:49.980 --> 00:39:51.299
 guests mourn

00:39:51.299 --> 00:39:52.739
 as long as

00:39:52.739 --> 00:39:53.199
 the bridegroom

00:39:53.199 --> 00:39:53.719
 is with them?

00:39:54.139 --> 00:39:55.299
 The days will come

00:39:55.299 --> 00:39:55.980
 when the bridegroom

00:39:55.980 --> 00:39:56.639
 is taken away

00:39:56.639 --> 00:39:57.019
 from them

00:39:57.019 --> 00:39:58.259
 and then they will fast.

00:39:59.239 --> 00:40:00.259
 What Jesus is saying

00:40:00.259 --> 00:40:00.599
 is this,

00:40:00.679 --> 00:40:01.500
 as long as

00:40:01.500 --> 00:40:02.960
 the bridegroom

00:40:02.960 --> 00:40:04.019
 of the church,

00:40:04.179 --> 00:40:04.460
 Jesus,

00:40:04.699 --> 00:40:06.019
 is with us

00:40:06.019 --> 00:40:06.899
 in the flesh,

00:40:07.519 --> 00:40:07.939
 it would be

00:40:07.939 --> 00:40:08.419
 inappropriate

00:40:08.419 --> 00:40:09.379
 for his followers

00:40:09.379 --> 00:40:10.079
 to mourn.

00:40:11.480 --> 00:40:11.919
 You don't go

00:40:11.919 --> 00:40:12.519
 to a wedding

00:40:12.519 --> 00:40:13.779
 to mourn.

00:40:15.519 --> 00:40:16.559
 But when Jesus

00:40:16.559 --> 00:40:17.579
 is taken away,

00:40:18.399 --> 00:40:19.460
 after his death

00:40:19.460 --> 00:40:20.199
 and resurrection

00:40:20.199 --> 00:40:21.219
 and ascension

00:40:21.219 --> 00:40:21.919
 and he's no longer

00:40:21.919 --> 00:40:22.919
 physically with them

00:40:22.919 --> 00:40:23.319
 anymore,

00:40:23.719 --> 00:40:24.559
 Jesus assures them,

00:40:24.639 --> 00:40:24.719
 yeah,

00:40:24.819 --> 00:40:25.919
 then they will fast.

00:40:26.500 --> 00:40:27.879
 Then they will mourn.

00:40:28.939 --> 00:40:30.179
 We live in this

00:40:30.179 --> 00:40:31.359
 intervening age

00:40:31.359 --> 00:40:32.379
 between Christ's

00:40:32.379 --> 00:40:33.019
 first coming

00:40:33.019 --> 00:40:33.719
 and then his

00:40:33.719 --> 00:40:34.639
 second coming

00:40:34.639 --> 00:40:36.400
 and that intervening

00:40:36.400 --> 00:40:37.840
 age is characterized

00:40:37.840 --> 00:40:38.840
 by mourning.

00:40:41.679 --> 00:40:42.699
 Because even though

00:40:42.699 --> 00:40:43.739
 Christ has already

00:40:43.739 --> 00:40:45.380
 inaugurated the

00:40:45.380 --> 00:40:46.019
 kingdom of heaven,

00:40:46.280 --> 00:40:47.139
 he has not yet

00:40:47.139 --> 00:40:48.039
 consummated the

00:40:48.039 --> 00:40:48.579
 kingdom of heaven.

00:40:49.239 --> 00:40:50.259
 We are already

00:40:50.259 --> 00:40:50.860
 in possession

00:40:50.860 --> 00:40:51.780
 of the kingdom of heaven,

00:40:51.840 --> 00:40:52.699
 but we are not yet

00:40:52.699 --> 00:40:53.639
 in full possession

00:40:53.639 --> 00:40:55.039
 of the kingdom of heaven.

00:40:56.099 --> 00:40:57.259
 Apart from the first

00:40:57.259 --> 00:40:57.840
 and the last

00:40:57.840 --> 00:40:58.480
 beatitudes,

00:40:58.480 --> 00:40:59.460
 all the promises

00:40:59.460 --> 00:41:01.039
 are in the future tense.

00:41:02.920 --> 00:41:03.579
 Look at verse 4.

00:41:03.740 --> 00:41:04.679
 Blessed are those

00:41:04.679 --> 00:41:05.280
 who mourn,

00:41:05.579 --> 00:41:06.460
 for they shall

00:41:06.460 --> 00:41:07.400
 be comforted,

00:41:08.340 --> 00:41:09.340
 for they shall

00:41:09.340 --> 00:41:10.260
 inherit the earth,

00:41:10.659 --> 00:41:11.440
 for they shall

00:41:11.440 --> 00:41:12.159
 be satisfied,

00:41:12.280 --> 00:41:12.960
 for they shall

00:41:12.960 --> 00:41:13.679
 receive mercy,

00:41:13.780 --> 00:41:14.460
 for they shall

00:41:14.460 --> 00:41:15.219
 see God,

00:41:15.219 --> 00:41:16.139
 for they shall

00:41:16.139 --> 00:41:16.699
 be called

00:41:16.699 --> 00:41:17.539
 sons of God.

00:41:17.920 --> 00:41:19.079
 We do all

00:41:19.079 --> 00:41:20.139
 already have this

00:41:20.139 --> 00:41:21.179
 in some measure.

00:41:22.119 --> 00:41:22.679
 We know that

00:41:22.679 --> 00:41:23.360
 because even though

00:41:23.360 --> 00:41:24.179
 verse 9 says,

00:41:24.519 --> 00:41:24.980
 blessed are the

00:41:24.980 --> 00:41:25.480
 peacemakers,

00:41:25.599 --> 00:41:26.280
 for they shall

00:41:26.280 --> 00:41:26.800
 be called

00:41:26.800 --> 00:41:27.559
 sons of God.

00:41:27.559 --> 00:41:28.820
 we are already

00:41:28.820 --> 00:41:30.179
 called sons of God

00:41:30.179 --> 00:41:31.519
 because throughout

00:41:31.519 --> 00:41:32.159
 the Sermon on the Mount,

00:41:32.259 --> 00:41:32.880
 Jesus will refer

00:41:32.880 --> 00:41:33.699
 to God as

00:41:33.699 --> 00:41:35.219
 God your Father

00:41:35.219 --> 00:41:36.440
 who is in heaven,

00:41:36.619 --> 00:41:37.299
 which means we are

00:41:37.299 --> 00:41:38.460
 his sons and his children.

00:41:40.519 --> 00:41:41.579
 Paul teaches this

00:41:41.579 --> 00:41:42.239
 very clearly,

00:41:42.360 --> 00:41:42.900
 this tension

00:41:42.900 --> 00:41:43.759
 in Romans 8.

00:41:44.000 --> 00:41:44.659
 Even though we have

00:41:44.659 --> 00:41:45.599
 already received

00:41:45.599 --> 00:41:47.000
 the spirit of adoption

00:41:47.000 --> 00:41:48.320
 by whom we cry out

00:41:48.320 --> 00:41:49.099
 Abba, Father,

00:41:50.219 --> 00:41:50.699
 it says,

00:41:50.820 --> 00:41:51.779
 that's Romans 8.15,

00:41:52.320 --> 00:41:53.139
 but then it also says

00:41:53.139 --> 00:41:54.340
 we still groan

00:41:54.340 --> 00:41:55.980
 inwardly as we wait

00:41:55.980 --> 00:41:57.239
 eagerly for adoption

00:41:57.239 --> 00:41:57.839
 as sons,

00:41:57.939 --> 00:41:58.319
 the redemption

00:41:58.319 --> 00:41:59.019
 of our bodies.

00:42:00.799 --> 00:42:01.759
 Until the final

00:42:01.759 --> 00:42:02.199
 redemption

00:42:02.199 --> 00:42:02.779
 and resurrection

00:42:02.779 --> 00:42:03.559
 of our bodies,

00:42:03.739 --> 00:42:04.979
 we cannot fully realize

00:42:04.979 --> 00:42:06.079
 our spiritual sonship

00:42:06.079 --> 00:42:07.239
 via our union

00:42:07.239 --> 00:42:08.159
 with Christ,

00:42:08.239 --> 00:42:08.879
 the Son of God.

00:42:09.819 --> 00:42:10.539
 So even though

00:42:10.539 --> 00:42:11.139
 we are already

00:42:11.139 --> 00:42:11.819
 sons of God,

00:42:11.899 --> 00:42:12.519
 we are not yet

00:42:12.519 --> 00:42:14.599
 fully sons of God.

00:42:16.199 --> 00:42:17.159
 Both of those things

00:42:17.159 --> 00:42:17.559
 are true.

00:42:18.319 --> 00:42:19.359
 Same goes down

00:42:19.359 --> 00:42:19.759
 the list

00:42:19.759 --> 00:42:20.719
 of all of the

00:42:20.719 --> 00:42:21.319
 Beatitudes.

00:42:21.979 --> 00:42:22.719
 We are already

00:42:22.719 --> 00:42:23.459
 comforted

00:42:23.460 --> 00:42:25.099
 in significant

00:42:25.099 --> 00:42:25.559
 measure,

00:42:26.059 --> 00:42:27.420
 but ultimate

00:42:27.420 --> 00:42:28.199
 comfort lies

00:42:28.199 --> 00:42:28.699
 in the future.

00:42:29.500 --> 00:42:30.039
 We already

00:42:30.039 --> 00:42:30.860
 inherit the earth

00:42:30.860 --> 00:42:31.740
 in some measure,

00:42:31.860 --> 00:42:32.539
 but then we shall

00:42:32.539 --> 00:42:33.820
 fully inherit

00:42:33.820 --> 00:42:34.280
 the earth.

00:42:34.780 --> 00:42:35.619
 We are already

00:42:35.619 --> 00:42:36.760
 satisfied in Christ,

00:42:36.860 --> 00:42:38.260
 but then we shall

00:42:38.260 --> 00:42:39.320
 fully be satisfied.

00:42:40.400 --> 00:42:41.360
 In this intervening

00:42:41.360 --> 00:42:41.539
 age,

00:42:41.599 --> 00:42:42.440
 we groan along

00:42:42.440 --> 00:42:42.960
 with the rest

00:42:42.960 --> 00:42:43.480
 of creation

00:42:43.480 --> 00:42:44.119
 because we have

00:42:44.119 --> 00:42:44.679
 been subjected

00:42:44.679 --> 00:42:45.400
 to futility.

00:42:46.139 --> 00:42:47.000
 And we can see

00:42:47.000 --> 00:42:47.940
 how sin wreaks

00:42:47.940 --> 00:42:49.300
 havoc upon our world

00:42:49.300 --> 00:42:50.800
 and upon our bodies.

00:42:51.440 --> 00:42:52.900
 We look around us

00:42:52.900 --> 00:42:53.760
 and we read the news

00:42:53.760 --> 00:42:54.940
 and we see the heartbreak

00:42:54.940 --> 00:42:56.019
 news after news

00:42:56.019 --> 00:42:56.660
 of wars

00:42:56.660 --> 00:42:58.039
 and of fires

00:42:58.039 --> 00:43:00.800
 and destroyed homes

00:43:00.800 --> 00:43:01.720
 and diseases

00:43:01.720 --> 00:43:02.960
 and deaths.

00:43:03.580 --> 00:43:04.740
 So we mourn.

00:43:06.080 --> 00:43:07.200
 In this sinful world,

00:43:07.300 --> 00:43:08.480
 we are poor in spirit

00:43:08.480 --> 00:43:10.080
 while the haughty

00:43:10.080 --> 00:43:11.039
 gloat over us.

00:43:11.580 --> 00:43:12.519
 In this sinful world,

00:43:12.620 --> 00:43:13.340
 we mourn

00:43:13.340 --> 00:43:14.760
 while sinners laugh at us.

00:43:15.340 --> 00:43:16.120
 In this world,

00:43:16.240 --> 00:43:17.000
 we are meek

00:43:17.000 --> 00:43:17.640
 while sinners

00:43:17.640 --> 00:43:19.019
 step all over us.

00:43:19.300 --> 00:43:22.640
 In this world,

00:43:22.740 --> 00:43:23.420
 we are persecuted

00:43:23.420 --> 00:43:24.600
 for righteousness' sake.

00:43:25.280 --> 00:43:26.480
 But Jesus assures us,

00:43:26.600 --> 00:43:28.140
 do not lose heart

00:43:28.140 --> 00:43:30.100
 for yours is

00:43:30.100 --> 00:43:31.300
 the kingdom of heaven.

00:43:34.060 --> 00:43:35.200
 You already have

00:43:35.200 --> 00:43:36.140
 the first fruits,

00:43:36.620 --> 00:43:37.519
 the down payment

00:43:37.519 --> 00:43:38.640
 of the Holy Spirit

00:43:38.640 --> 00:43:39.780
 and the rest of it

00:43:39.780 --> 00:43:40.660
 is definitely coming.

00:43:41.519 --> 00:43:42.500
 Your full inheritance

00:43:42.500 --> 00:43:43.960
 as heirs of the kingdom

00:43:43.960 --> 00:43:44.360
 of heaven.

00:43:44.980 --> 00:43:46.340
 You will be comforted

00:43:46.340 --> 00:43:46.940
 on that day

00:43:46.940 --> 00:43:48.120
 and there will be

00:43:48.120 --> 00:43:49.160
 no more tears.

00:43:49.300 --> 00:43:50.620
 And God himself

00:43:50.620 --> 00:43:51.780
 will wipe the tears

00:43:51.780 --> 00:43:53.000
 away from your face.

00:43:57.100 --> 00:43:58.140
 But why

00:43:58.140 --> 00:43:59.920
 do we deserve

00:43:59.920 --> 00:44:01.820
 such a wonderful blessing?

00:44:01.820 --> 00:44:06.039
 we who are just

00:44:06.039 --> 00:44:07.220
 poor in spirit,

00:44:07.360 --> 00:44:08.080
 impoverished,

00:44:08.080 --> 00:44:09.500
 we who mourn

00:44:09.500 --> 00:44:10.780
 our brokenness

00:44:10.780 --> 00:44:11.240
 and sin,

00:44:11.500 --> 00:44:12.140
 who are we

00:44:12.140 --> 00:44:12.880
 to deserve

00:44:12.880 --> 00:44:14.960
 all these blessings

00:44:14.960 --> 00:44:16.080
 and happinesses?

00:44:17.800 --> 00:44:19.000
 The happiness

00:44:19.000 --> 00:44:21.180
 that God promises us here

00:44:21.180 --> 00:44:23.300
 comes at a high cost,

00:44:23.980 --> 00:44:24.940
 a heavy cost.

00:44:25.980 --> 00:44:26.280
 Jesus,

00:44:26.620 --> 00:44:27.920
 who is without sin,

00:44:27.920 --> 00:44:29.840
 Jesus,

00:44:29.840 --> 00:44:31.000
 who is the perfect

00:44:31.000 --> 00:44:31.800
 son of God,

00:44:32.320 --> 00:44:33.820
 who knew

00:44:33.820 --> 00:44:35.559
 eternal happiness,

00:44:36.760 --> 00:44:39.920
 he should have

00:44:39.920 --> 00:44:40.940
 never known sorrow.

00:44:42.300 --> 00:44:43.280
 He should have

00:44:43.280 --> 00:44:43.880
 never known

00:44:43.880 --> 00:44:44.519
 any grief.

00:44:45.820 --> 00:44:46.820
 He should not

00:44:46.820 --> 00:44:47.360
 have been poor

00:44:47.360 --> 00:44:47.880
 in spirit.

00:44:49.099 --> 00:44:50.119
 He should not

00:44:50.119 --> 00:44:51.260
 have had to mourn.

00:44:51.260 --> 00:44:53.540
 And yet,

00:44:53.800 --> 00:44:54.660
 Isaiah 53,

00:44:54.800 --> 00:44:55.880
 verse 3 prophesied,

00:44:56.820 --> 00:44:57.740
 he was despised

00:44:57.740 --> 00:44:58.840
 and rejected

00:44:58.840 --> 00:44:59.460
 by men,

00:45:00.100 --> 00:45:02.120
 a man of sorrows

00:45:02.120 --> 00:45:03.520
 and acquainted

00:45:03.520 --> 00:45:04.320
 with grief.

00:45:04.320 --> 00:45:04.360
 grief.

00:45:08.420 --> 00:45:10.519
 Why did the eternal

00:45:10.519 --> 00:45:11.300
 son of God,

00:45:11.960 --> 00:45:12.640
 who according

00:45:12.640 --> 00:45:13.600
 to Proverbs 8,

00:45:13.620 --> 00:45:14.340
 30, 31,

00:45:14.700 --> 00:45:15.600
 was daily

00:45:15.600 --> 00:45:16.660
 in eternity past,

00:45:16.800 --> 00:45:17.860
 daily the delight

00:45:17.860 --> 00:45:18.800
 of his father,

00:45:19.400 --> 00:45:21.140
 who was in eternity past,

00:45:21.460 --> 00:45:23.260
 rejoicing before him

00:45:23.260 --> 00:45:23.780
 always,

00:45:23.920 --> 00:45:24.620
 before the father,

00:45:24.740 --> 00:45:25.900
 rejoicing always,

00:45:26.700 --> 00:45:27.780
 why did he

00:45:27.780 --> 00:45:29.059
 come down to earth

00:45:29.059 --> 00:45:30.019
 to become a man

00:45:30.019 --> 00:45:31.039
 of sorrows,

00:45:31.920 --> 00:45:33.360
 acquainted with grief,

00:45:34.320 --> 00:45:36.539
 because he came

00:45:36.539 --> 00:45:38.039
 to bear our sorrows,

00:45:38.440 --> 00:45:39.960
 because he came

00:45:39.960 --> 00:45:41.519
 to bear our griefs,

00:45:41.960 --> 00:45:42.880
 because he came

00:45:42.880 --> 00:45:44.240
 to die on the cross

00:45:44.240 --> 00:45:45.380
 so that we who

00:45:45.380 --> 00:45:45.800
 should know

00:45:45.800 --> 00:45:46.660
 only sorrow

00:45:46.660 --> 00:45:47.960
 and only grief

00:45:47.960 --> 00:45:49.700
 can be happy,

00:45:51.360 --> 00:45:52.400
 can be happy.

00:45:54.620 --> 00:45:56.539
 And know true happiness,

00:45:57.320 --> 00:45:58.539
 true blessedness,

00:45:58.960 --> 00:45:59.400
 true joy.

00:46:02.280 --> 00:46:03.320
 It's because Jesus

00:46:03.320 --> 00:46:04.140
 was laid low

00:46:04.139 --> 00:46:04.819
 that we are now

00:46:04.819 --> 00:46:05.460
 lifted up.

00:46:10.000 --> 00:46:11.079
 It's because he was

00:46:11.079 --> 00:46:11.900
 the man of sorrows

00:46:11.900 --> 00:46:12.619
 that we are now

00:46:12.619 --> 00:46:13.480
 a happy people.

00:46:18.859 --> 00:46:20.159
 We sang these lines

00:46:20.159 --> 00:46:21.079
 from the song earlier,

00:46:21.219 --> 00:46:22.259
 Good and Gracious King,

00:46:22.460 --> 00:46:24.139
 and it perfectly captures

00:46:24.139 --> 00:46:25.299
 these two Beatitudes.

00:46:25.300 --> 00:46:28.580
 I approach the throne

00:46:28.580 --> 00:46:29.100
 of glory.

00:46:30.380 --> 00:46:31.760
 Nothing in my hands

00:46:31.760 --> 00:46:32.260
 I bring,

00:46:33.480 --> 00:46:34.360
 but the promise

00:46:34.360 --> 00:46:35.060
 of acceptance

00:46:35.060 --> 00:46:36.780
 from a good

00:46:36.780 --> 00:46:38.539
 and gracious king.

00:46:40.460 --> 00:46:41.500
 So let's approach

00:46:41.500 --> 00:46:42.680
 God with empty hands

00:46:42.680 --> 00:46:43.840
 and rejoice

00:46:43.840 --> 00:46:45.460
 before his face.

00:46:46.019 --> 00:46:46.680
 Let's pray together.

00:46:46.679 --> 00:46:55.940
 Father,

00:46:56.359 --> 00:46:57.839
 we want to be

00:46:57.839 --> 00:46:59.639
 a truly joyful

00:46:59.639 --> 00:47:00.779
 and happy people.

00:47:02.359 --> 00:47:03.519
 We don't want anything

00:47:03.519 --> 00:47:04.359
 to do with this

00:47:04.359 --> 00:47:06.219
 forced,

00:47:06.699 --> 00:47:08.419
 affected happiness,

00:47:08.420 --> 00:47:12.159
 masks,

00:47:12.639 --> 00:47:13.340
 and pretensions

00:47:13.340 --> 00:47:14.760
 of happiness.

00:47:15.000 --> 00:47:15.119
 Lord,

00:47:15.159 --> 00:47:16.139
 we want the real thing.

00:47:17.300 --> 00:47:18.720
 We want real happiness

00:47:18.720 --> 00:47:19.500
 and real joy.

00:47:19.619 --> 00:47:20.500
 And so for that end,

00:47:20.579 --> 00:47:21.240
 to that end,

00:47:21.280 --> 00:47:21.579
 Lord God,

00:47:21.659 --> 00:47:22.940
 won't you please grant us

00:47:22.940 --> 00:47:25.099
 true poverty of spirit,

00:47:27.159 --> 00:47:28.599
 the true spirit of mourning.

00:47:28.599 --> 00:47:39.519
 so that we might be,

00:47:40.199 --> 00:47:41.420
 though ever afflicted,

00:47:42.539 --> 00:47:44.139
 yet always rejoicing.

00:47:52.139 --> 00:47:54.019
 In the name of your precious son,

00:47:54.099 --> 00:47:54.759
 Jesus Christ,

00:47:54.839 --> 00:47:55.139
 we pray.

00:47:55.699 --> 00:47:55.980
 Amen.