WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:13.960 Thank you for having me here this morning. 00:00:14.580 --> 00:00:19.980 As Chad said, my name is Matt Terrell, and I am the RUF campus minister down the road 00:00:19.980 --> 00:00:22.019 about an hour and a half at Samford University. 00:00:22.420 --> 00:00:23.679 Some of you may recognize me. 00:00:23.679 --> 00:00:29.219 I was actually here a year ago on this very same Sunday for Senior Sunday. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:36.060 You are in danger of creating a tradition that every Senior Sunday you have to have me here, 00:00:36.179 --> 00:00:39.399 so you might want to talk to Chad about that if that's not something you're interested in. 00:00:42.179 --> 00:00:44.719 I'm especially excited for you seniors. 00:00:45.840 --> 00:00:46.519 You did it. 00:00:46.980 --> 00:00:50.500 You graduated high school, or maybe you're about to graduate high school. 00:00:50.500 --> 00:00:52.359 Maybe you have a couple more tests to go. 00:00:53.280 --> 00:00:54.399 I'm excited for you. 00:00:54.859 --> 00:00:55.620 That's a big deal. 00:00:55.859 --> 00:00:56.780 College is a big deal. 00:00:56.780 --> 00:01:01.039 Phil, you have a lot of exciting things on your horizon. 00:01:02.060 --> 00:01:04.400 I'm reminded of Phil Dunphy. 00:01:04.859 --> 00:01:10.379 For any of you Modern Family fans out there, Phil Dunphy is the goofy dad, father of three, 00:01:11.060 --> 00:01:12.579 in the television show Modern Family. 00:01:13.560 --> 00:01:16.659 And when his oldest daughter is getting ready to go off to college, 00:01:17.200 --> 00:01:22.120 he creates a book of words to live by, a book of wisdom for her. 00:01:22.120 --> 00:01:24.400 His name is Phil, and he calls it Phil's Ossophy. 00:01:25.300 --> 00:01:31.760 And it is a bunch of pithy sayings, wise words for her to live by that she can sort of take with her 00:01:31.760 --> 00:01:36.740 to give her direction while she is away at college, away from home for the first time. 00:01:36.780 --> 00:01:38.000 I'm just going to read you a couple of these. 00:01:39.580 --> 00:01:40.340 Phil's Ossophy. 00:01:40.340 --> 00:01:50.219 He says, the most amazing things that can happen to a human being will happen to you if you just lower your expectations. 00:01:53.800 --> 00:01:57.980 Another thing, another bit of advice from Phil Dunphy. 00:01:58.080 --> 00:02:03.600 He says, if you love something, set it free unless it's a tiger. 00:02:03.599 --> 00:02:07.719 Words to live by from Phil Dunphy. 00:02:07.879 --> 00:02:12.979 And really what he's trying to do, this is a father's attempt to give his daughter direction, 00:02:13.439 --> 00:02:18.900 to give her something, a compass, words to live by as she heads off to college. 00:02:20.060 --> 00:02:23.419 Jesus is doing something similar here in this passage. 00:02:24.699 --> 00:02:29.180 That right here in the words that we're about to read, these are words to live by for the Christian. 00:02:30.859 --> 00:02:32.719 This is the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. 00:02:32.719 --> 00:02:38.539 This is the longest stretch of teaching uninterrupted that we have from Jesus in the Bible. 00:02:39.379 --> 00:02:41.620 And where he begins here is he's giving direction. 00:02:41.780 --> 00:02:42.639 He's giving a compass. 00:02:44.460 --> 00:02:49.939 He's giving us true north, something to know for certain. 00:02:51.639 --> 00:02:55.919 I think this is particularly important for us to look at this morning for you seniors 00:02:55.919 --> 00:03:00.539 because you have a lot of exciting things in your future. 00:03:00.539 --> 00:03:03.060 You have a lot of change in your future. 00:03:03.199 --> 00:03:05.280 And what comes with that is a lot of upheaval. 00:03:06.919 --> 00:03:07.400 Oftentimes. 00:03:08.560 --> 00:03:14.359 A lot of new things, new people, new ideas, new experiences, new places. 00:03:14.360 --> 00:03:23.580 And what comes with that is a lot of upheaval and confusion and frustration and disorientation. 00:03:23.660 --> 00:03:28.960 And what Jesus is doing here in this passage is he is reorienting us around what is true. 00:03:31.660 --> 00:03:32.820 He's giving us a compass. 00:03:33.900 --> 00:03:34.720 Words to live by. 00:03:34.719 --> 00:03:40.000 So let's look together at Matthew chapter 5 beginning in verse 1. 00:03:40.000 --> 00:04:09.979 Verse 1. 00:04:10.000 --> 00:04:39.980 Verse 1. 00:04:40.000 --> 00:04:41.139 On my account. 00:04:43.240 --> 00:04:44.379 Rejoice and be glad. 00:04:45.519 --> 00:04:48.040 For your reward is great in heaven. 00:04:49.000 --> 00:04:52.740 For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 00:04:54.699 --> 00:04:56.180 This is God's word and not mine. 00:04:56.259 --> 00:04:59.399 So let's pray and ask for his help as we look at it this morning. 00:04:59.399 --> 00:05:00.399 Our Father in heaven. 00:05:00.399 --> 00:05:05.859 Our Father in heaven, you are good and you are faithful. 00:05:05.860 --> 00:05:13.300 We thank you that you do not leave us lost. 00:05:13.300 --> 00:05:13.860 And disoriented. 00:05:13.860 --> 00:05:14.540 And disoriented. 00:05:14.540 --> 00:05:15.620 And disoriented. 00:05:17.400 --> 00:05:18.579 But you give us your word. 00:05:18.819 --> 00:05:19.759 You give us your truth. 00:05:19.879 --> 00:05:20.680 You give us your son. 00:05:20.680 --> 00:05:26.379 That we might know what is real and what is true. 00:05:26.379 --> 00:05:32.199 Holy Spirit as we study your word this morning. 00:05:32.259 --> 00:05:34.680 Would you come and do what only you can do. 00:05:34.680 --> 00:05:39.680 Would you bring us out of darkness and into light. 00:05:39.759 --> 00:05:42.220 Would you bring the dead to life in us. 00:05:42.220 --> 00:05:48.300 It's in the name of Jesus that we pray. 00:05:49.500 --> 00:05:49.940 Amen. 00:05:49.939 --> 00:05:56.379 You may have noticed as we read through this passage that the word blessed or blessed shows up a bunch. 00:05:56.500 --> 00:06:01.540 In fact, nine times in these 12 verses, Jesus says the word blessed. 00:06:01.800 --> 00:06:04.259 It's a key concept here in this text. 00:06:04.899 --> 00:06:09.959 And what Jesus means here by the word blessed is basically this. 00:06:11.000 --> 00:06:11.920 He means happy. 00:06:13.779 --> 00:06:14.879 Happy are those. 00:06:15.060 --> 00:06:15.699 Happy are those. 00:06:15.699 --> 00:06:18.479 Now when Jesus says happy, he doesn't mean happy in a shallow way. 00:06:18.879 --> 00:06:21.300 Like just sort of put on a smiling face and everything is going to be okay. 00:06:21.379 --> 00:06:25.360 He means happy in a much deeper, a much more lasting way. 00:06:25.439 --> 00:06:31.959 When Jesus says the word blessed here, he means a deep assurance of being cared for. 00:06:34.099 --> 00:06:36.680 There's a television character by the name of Don Draper. 00:06:36.819 --> 00:06:41.159 He's the main character in a TV show called Mad Men that's set in the 1960s. 00:06:41.160 --> 00:06:51.860 He is an advertising executive just sort of at the very beginning of the advertising industry in New York in the 1960s. 00:06:51.980 --> 00:06:53.520 And he is in the business of happy. 00:06:54.680 --> 00:06:59.780 What he does is he studies happy and he learns how to sell happiness to people. 00:06:59.860 --> 00:07:02.000 That's his job is to sell happiness. 00:07:02.240 --> 00:07:06.379 This is what he says in the very first episode of the very first season. 00:07:06.480 --> 00:07:07.120 This is what he says. 00:07:07.120 --> 00:07:07.480 He says, 00:07:08.000 --> 00:07:09.540 Do you know what happiness is? 00:07:11.439 --> 00:07:13.480 Happiness is the smell of a new car. 00:07:14.680 --> 00:07:15.860 It's freedom from fear. 00:07:17.240 --> 00:07:23.360 It's a billboard on the side of the road that screams with reassurance that whatever you are doing is okay. 00:07:24.939 --> 00:07:27.439 You are okay. 00:07:30.340 --> 00:07:34.840 That's actually a decent description of what Jesus means by the word blessed here. 00:07:34.839 --> 00:07:38.479 That when Jesus is pronouncing blessing, what he's saying is, 00:07:39.000 --> 00:07:40.319 You are okay. 00:07:41.759 --> 00:07:42.639 I've got you. 00:07:43.799 --> 00:07:44.919 I'm caring for you. 00:07:44.979 --> 00:07:47.379 It carries with it this idea of validation. 00:07:47.819 --> 00:07:48.739 What Jesus is saying is, 00:07:49.000 --> 00:07:50.199 You are beloved. 00:07:51.559 --> 00:07:52.679 You are cared for. 00:07:53.759 --> 00:07:55.879 You can be certain of that. 00:07:57.419 --> 00:07:59.979 That's what Jesus means by blessedness here in this passage. 00:07:59.980 --> 00:08:06.080 So what we're going to do for the next few minutes is unpack this idea of blessedness from this text. 00:08:06.560 --> 00:08:07.660 We're going to look at three things. 00:08:07.680 --> 00:08:09.819 If you're an outlined person, this is your outline for the morning. 00:08:10.560 --> 00:08:12.780 We're going to look at three different aspects of this blessedness. 00:08:12.900 --> 00:08:14.319 The priority of blessedness, 00:08:14.920 --> 00:08:16.439 the character of the blessed, 00:08:17.439 --> 00:08:18.840 and the source of blessing. 00:08:19.259 --> 00:08:20.620 So the priority, the character, 00:08:21.259 --> 00:08:22.160 and the source. 00:08:22.560 --> 00:08:24.759 So first, the priority of blessing. 00:08:25.439 --> 00:08:28.639 It's really easy, particularly because this is a familiar passage to us, 00:08:28.959 --> 00:08:30.180 to breeze on by this. 00:08:30.339 --> 00:08:35.740 But it's important to note that Jesus begins this teaching by pronouncing blessing. 00:08:37.059 --> 00:08:41.939 That as he is starting his teaching ministry here in Matthew chapter 5, 00:08:42.200 --> 00:08:43.620 in this long Sermon on the Mount, 00:08:43.840 --> 00:08:45.720 that he doesn't begin with something to do. 00:08:47.019 --> 00:08:48.539 He begins with blessing. 00:08:48.539 --> 00:08:52.219 And he has really challenging words for us 00:08:52.219 --> 00:08:54.879 and for the people that he's speaking to later on in the Sermon on the Mount 00:08:54.879 --> 00:08:56.639 about how we should conduct ourselves 00:08:56.639 --> 00:08:59.079 and what our lives should look like as followers of Jesus. 00:08:59.679 --> 00:09:01.839 But he starts with blessing. 00:09:03.299 --> 00:09:04.379 Not with what to do, 00:09:04.679 --> 00:09:06.480 but with pronouncing blessing. 00:09:06.599 --> 00:09:08.919 This is actually the way that God has always worked. 00:09:10.279 --> 00:09:11.419 Way back in the Garden of Eden, 00:09:12.339 --> 00:09:13.819 before Adam and Eve, 00:09:13.879 --> 00:09:15.319 before sin even entered into the world, 00:09:15.320 --> 00:09:17.360 God creates Adam and Eve 00:09:17.360 --> 00:09:19.420 and before he sends them out and commissions them, 00:09:19.500 --> 00:09:20.379 the creation mandate, 00:09:20.500 --> 00:09:21.540 be fruitful and multiply, 00:09:21.720 --> 00:09:22.560 fill the earth and subdue it. 00:09:22.560 --> 00:09:23.360 All these great things. 00:09:23.720 --> 00:09:24.500 Before that, it says, 00:09:24.780 --> 00:09:25.660 he created them. 00:09:26.700 --> 00:09:27.740 And he blessed them. 00:09:28.900 --> 00:09:30.660 Before he sent them out to do anything, 00:09:30.780 --> 00:09:31.100 it says, 00:09:31.340 --> 00:09:32.080 he blessed them. 00:09:33.100 --> 00:09:34.780 The same thing with the people of Israel. 00:09:35.140 --> 00:09:37.420 God rescues them out of slavery in Egypt. 00:09:38.080 --> 00:09:40.240 And he's getting ready to constitute for himself 00:09:40.240 --> 00:09:41.400 a new people. 00:09:41.399 --> 00:09:43.419 And in Exodus, 00:09:43.559 --> 00:09:45.319 he's about to give them the Ten Commandments 00:09:45.319 --> 00:09:45.860 and the law 00:09:45.860 --> 00:09:47.179 and the instructions for the tabernacle 00:09:47.179 --> 00:09:47.879 and all this stuff. 00:09:47.939 --> 00:09:48.519 And he's basically saying, 00:09:48.699 --> 00:09:49.360 this is what it looks like 00:09:49.360 --> 00:09:50.740 to be my people in the world. 00:09:51.059 --> 00:09:52.600 Before he does any of that, 00:09:53.419 --> 00:09:54.559 what does he say? 00:09:55.620 --> 00:09:57.379 In Exodus chapter 20, verse 2, 00:09:57.459 --> 00:09:57.879 he says, 00:09:58.559 --> 00:10:00.100 I am the Lord your God 00:10:00.100 --> 00:10:02.959 who brought you out of slavery in Egypt. 00:10:03.740 --> 00:10:06.039 See, before he asks anything of us, 00:10:06.279 --> 00:10:06.939 he says, 00:10:07.399 --> 00:10:08.159 I bless you. 00:10:08.159 --> 00:10:11.759 He pronounces his grace upon his people. 00:10:11.839 --> 00:10:12.819 This is the way that God works. 00:10:13.139 --> 00:10:14.719 Now, here's why this is important. 00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:18.059 Because we often don't see 00:10:18.059 --> 00:10:20.219 or experience God in this way. 00:10:21.980 --> 00:10:23.919 We often see and experience God 00:10:23.919 --> 00:10:24.519 as, you know, 00:10:24.559 --> 00:10:25.779 he's disappointed in us 00:10:25.779 --> 00:10:26.919 or he's at least waiting 00:10:26.919 --> 00:10:28.120 to be disappointed in us 00:10:28.120 --> 00:10:29.179 or he's angry with us 00:10:29.179 --> 00:10:30.139 or he's at least waiting 00:10:30.139 --> 00:10:31.299 for us to screw up 00:10:31.299 --> 00:10:32.959 so that he can be angry with us. 00:10:33.039 --> 00:10:33.339 And, you know, 00:10:33.360 --> 00:10:34.959 he may be okay with you this morning 00:10:34.959 --> 00:10:36.079 because you're sitting in church 00:10:36.079 --> 00:10:37.159 and that's the right thing to do 00:10:37.159 --> 00:10:37.799 on a Sunday morning 00:10:37.799 --> 00:10:38.639 is to come to church. 00:10:39.600 --> 00:10:40.919 It's just a matter of time 00:10:40.919 --> 00:10:43.379 before you mess things up 00:10:43.379 --> 00:10:45.600 and you're back in the doghouse 00:10:45.600 --> 00:10:46.819 with God. 00:10:48.159 --> 00:10:49.179 And we often think 00:10:49.179 --> 00:10:51.539 that the real stuff of Christianity 00:10:51.539 --> 00:10:53.120 is our obedience, 00:10:53.459 --> 00:10:55.899 is the stuff that we do for God. 00:10:56.519 --> 00:10:57.439 Now, don't hear what I'm not saying. 00:10:57.480 --> 00:10:58.459 I'm not saying that our obedience 00:10:58.459 --> 00:10:59.159 is irrelevant. 00:11:00.019 --> 00:11:01.459 Again, Jesus has some really 00:11:01.459 --> 00:11:02.899 challenging things to say 00:11:02.899 --> 00:11:04.539 later on in the Sermon on the Mount 00:11:04.539 --> 00:11:06.319 about how we should conduct ourselves. 00:11:06.320 --> 00:11:07.280 But he's saying 00:11:07.280 --> 00:11:08.580 that's not his priority. 00:11:09.440 --> 00:11:10.379 By beginning here, 00:11:10.460 --> 00:11:11.260 what he's telling us 00:11:11.260 --> 00:11:12.379 is that the real stuff 00:11:12.379 --> 00:11:12.920 of Christianity 00:11:12.920 --> 00:11:15.060 is not what we do for God, 00:11:15.580 --> 00:11:17.440 but what God does for us. 00:11:18.620 --> 00:11:20.460 By beginning the Sermon on the Mount here, 00:11:20.580 --> 00:11:21.480 Jesus is showing us 00:11:21.480 --> 00:11:23.320 that the whole of the Christian life 00:11:23.320 --> 00:11:25.860 is bathed in God's grace, 00:11:27.200 --> 00:11:28.400 is baptized, 00:11:29.220 --> 00:11:31.540 is washed in God's grace, 00:11:31.640 --> 00:11:34.440 is lived in light of his blessing. 00:11:34.440 --> 00:11:37.660 That Jesus is blessing you, 00:11:37.760 --> 00:11:38.820 is blessing me 00:11:38.820 --> 00:11:40.500 before we do anything. 00:11:42.940 --> 00:11:43.900 Here's why this matters. 00:11:46.040 --> 00:11:47.920 This matters because you have a list. 00:11:49.200 --> 00:11:50.140 Particularly you seniors, 00:11:50.220 --> 00:11:50.880 you're about to graduate, 00:11:51.180 --> 00:11:51.860 you have a list. 00:11:51.900 --> 00:11:53.080 You have a list of the things 00:11:53.080 --> 00:11:54.420 that you want to accomplish 00:11:54.420 --> 00:11:56.100 when you're in college. 00:11:57.180 --> 00:11:59.000 The ways in which you want to grow. 00:11:59.000 --> 00:12:01.299 You know, you have a list of clubs 00:12:01.299 --> 00:12:02.059 and organizations 00:12:02.059 --> 00:12:03.360 that you're going to be involved in, 00:12:03.679 --> 00:12:04.700 of Bible studies 00:12:04.700 --> 00:12:05.779 and campus ministries, 00:12:05.899 --> 00:12:06.740 of the kinds of grades 00:12:06.740 --> 00:12:07.480 that you want to get, 00:12:07.840 --> 00:12:09.399 the friendships that you want to build, 00:12:09.539 --> 00:12:10.100 the relationships 00:12:10.100 --> 00:12:11.100 that you want to cultivate, 00:12:11.519 --> 00:12:12.379 the kind of jobs 00:12:12.379 --> 00:12:13.019 that you're going to get, 00:12:13.080 --> 00:12:14.500 and how you're going to grow spiritually 00:12:14.500 --> 00:12:15.139 while you're in college. 00:12:15.200 --> 00:12:16.120 You have a list. 00:12:18.519 --> 00:12:19.639 You don't have to be a senior 00:12:19.639 --> 00:12:20.740 about to head off to college 00:12:20.740 --> 00:12:21.419 to have a list. 00:12:22.340 --> 00:12:23.159 I have a list. 00:12:23.940 --> 00:12:25.340 You have a list this morning 00:12:25.340 --> 00:12:26.179 of things that you think, 00:12:26.179 --> 00:12:27.579 if I can do these things, 00:12:27.620 --> 00:12:29.079 I just need to get my act together 00:12:29.079 --> 00:12:31.759 and then God can really bless me 00:12:31.759 --> 00:12:33.079 and be happy with me. 00:12:33.179 --> 00:12:34.899 If I can defeat this sin 00:12:34.899 --> 00:12:36.519 or if I can get this person 00:12:36.519 --> 00:12:37.579 to convert to Christianity 00:12:37.579 --> 00:12:39.719 or if I can organize this church event 00:12:39.719 --> 00:12:40.859 or fix this relationship, 00:12:41.319 --> 00:12:42.059 you have a list. 00:12:44.620 --> 00:12:45.879 And when Jesus begins 00:12:45.879 --> 00:12:46.859 the Sermon on the Mount 00:12:46.859 --> 00:12:48.259 by pronouncing blessing, 00:12:49.759 --> 00:12:51.959 what He is telling us, 00:12:52.039 --> 00:12:53.319 what He is communicating to us 00:12:53.319 --> 00:12:55.899 is that before we lift a finger 00:12:55.899 --> 00:12:57.079 on that list, 00:12:57.139 --> 00:12:58.980 before we even write the list down 00:12:58.980 --> 00:13:00.120 or think of the items 00:13:00.120 --> 00:13:00.740 on that list, 00:13:00.819 --> 00:13:01.439 Jesus is saying, 00:13:01.899 --> 00:13:03.059 I love you. 00:13:04.679 --> 00:13:05.740 You are blessed. 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:07.980 You are beloved. 00:13:11.860 --> 00:13:13.059 Now this matters because 00:13:13.059 --> 00:13:15.340 some of you will complete your list. 00:13:16.980 --> 00:13:18.179 Some of you will check off 00:13:18.179 --> 00:13:19.419 all the items on your list 00:13:19.419 --> 00:13:20.460 and then you will wonder, 00:13:21.100 --> 00:13:23.439 why do I feel so cold 00:13:23.440 --> 00:13:24.940 and empty? 00:13:26.760 --> 00:13:27.680 I've done everything 00:13:27.680 --> 00:13:29.140 that I think God wants me to do 00:13:29.140 --> 00:13:30.020 and I am still 00:13:30.020 --> 00:13:32.000 not where I want to be. 00:13:33.760 --> 00:13:34.640 And some of you 00:13:34.640 --> 00:13:35.720 will fail miserably 00:13:35.720 --> 00:13:37.840 at checking off the items 00:13:37.840 --> 00:13:38.560 on your list 00:13:38.560 --> 00:13:39.360 and you will wonder, 00:13:39.680 --> 00:13:42.360 can God love someone like me? 00:13:44.420 --> 00:13:46.200 Am I really worthy of blessing? 00:13:46.340 --> 00:13:47.780 Is Jesus talking about me 00:13:47.780 --> 00:13:49.240 here in this passage? 00:13:49.240 --> 00:13:52.720 And what Jesus is saying here 00:13:52.720 --> 00:13:53.080 at the beginning 00:13:53.080 --> 00:13:54.639 of the Sermon on the Mount 00:13:54.639 --> 00:13:54.980 is He's saying, 00:13:55.180 --> 00:13:56.039 before you lift a finger 00:13:56.039 --> 00:13:57.440 at succeeding at your list 00:13:57.440 --> 00:13:58.600 or at failing at your list, 00:13:58.899 --> 00:14:00.480 you are blessed. 00:14:02.700 --> 00:14:03.980 His priority is not 00:14:03.980 --> 00:14:04.899 on your obedience 00:14:04.899 --> 00:14:06.560 or your achievements 00:14:06.560 --> 00:14:08.419 or your spiritual resume. 00:14:08.919 --> 00:14:09.899 His priority 00:14:09.899 --> 00:14:12.379 is His blessing over you. 00:14:12.379 --> 00:14:15.039 He is determined 00:14:15.039 --> 00:14:16.419 to bless. 00:14:19.159 --> 00:14:19.600 Secondly, 00:14:19.879 --> 00:14:20.480 the character 00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:22.159 of the blessed. 00:14:22.600 --> 00:14:23.279 We're familiar 00:14:23.279 --> 00:14:23.980 with this passage. 00:14:24.120 --> 00:14:24.919 It's often referred to 00:14:24.919 --> 00:14:26.340 as the Beatitudes 00:14:26.340 --> 00:14:27.200 and they fall out 00:14:27.200 --> 00:14:29.059 into two major categories. 00:14:29.580 --> 00:14:30.399 And what Jesus is doing 00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:31.460 is He's actually describing, 00:14:31.600 --> 00:14:31.679 okay, 00:14:32.120 --> 00:14:34.080 what do the people of God, 00:14:34.179 --> 00:14:34.879 those who are blessed 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:35.360 by Jesus, 00:14:35.580 --> 00:14:36.460 how do they conduct 00:14:36.460 --> 00:14:37.460 themselves in the world? 00:14:37.860 --> 00:14:38.860 And it really falls out 00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:39.580 into two categories. 00:14:39.679 --> 00:14:40.440 And the first category 00:14:40.440 --> 00:14:41.480 is that the character 00:14:41.480 --> 00:14:42.259 of the blessed 00:14:42.259 --> 00:14:43.320 is humble. 00:14:44.940 --> 00:14:45.600 They're humble. 00:14:46.399 --> 00:14:47.100 Look at what He says 00:14:47.100 --> 00:14:47.580 in verse 3. 00:14:47.680 --> 00:14:47.820 He said, 00:14:48.180 --> 00:14:49.379 blessed are the poor 00:14:49.379 --> 00:14:50.560 in spirit. 00:14:52.080 --> 00:14:52.440 Now, 00:14:52.620 --> 00:14:53.360 poor in spirit, 00:14:53.399 --> 00:14:54.000 what does that mean? 00:14:54.220 --> 00:14:54.600 Basically, 00:14:54.700 --> 00:14:55.620 what Jesus is getting at here 00:14:55.620 --> 00:14:56.399 is blessed are 00:14:56.399 --> 00:14:57.680 the spiritually bankrupt, 00:14:59.120 --> 00:14:59.680 those who know 00:14:59.680 --> 00:15:00.120 that they have 00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:01.700 no spiritual resources 00:15:01.700 --> 00:15:04.340 in and of themselves. 00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:05.720 These are people 00:15:05.720 --> 00:15:06.259 who don't say, 00:15:06.340 --> 00:15:06.480 you know, 00:15:06.680 --> 00:15:06.860 well, 00:15:06.899 --> 00:15:07.899 at least I'm not as bad 00:15:07.899 --> 00:15:08.580 as so-and-so. 00:15:08.639 --> 00:15:09.440 At least I can count 00:15:09.440 --> 00:15:10.940 on that in myself. 00:15:11.480 --> 00:15:11.740 Now, 00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:12.379 what Jesus is saying 00:15:12.379 --> 00:15:13.279 is the poor in spirit 00:15:13.279 --> 00:15:13.940 are people who know 00:15:13.940 --> 00:15:15.560 they've got no leg 00:15:15.560 --> 00:15:16.539 to stand on. 00:15:18.899 --> 00:15:20.139 That all this blessing 00:15:20.139 --> 00:15:21.240 that Jesus is pronouncing 00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:22.259 comes to me, 00:15:22.399 --> 00:15:23.080 comes to you, 00:15:23.480 --> 00:15:24.519 in spite of us, 00:15:25.019 --> 00:15:27.180 not because of us. 00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:29.060 Secondly, 00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:30.100 not just poor in spirit, 00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:31.100 but blessed are those 00:15:31.100 --> 00:15:31.639 who mourn, 00:15:31.720 --> 00:15:32.200 verse 4. 00:15:32.720 --> 00:15:33.139 These are, 00:15:33.539 --> 00:15:34.399 those who mourn, 00:15:34.480 --> 00:15:35.139 he doesn't just mean 00:15:35.139 --> 00:15:35.840 they grieve 00:15:35.840 --> 00:15:36.860 like when somebody dies. 00:15:37.340 --> 00:15:38.379 He's tying this idea 00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:39.920 to poverty of spirit, 00:15:40.259 --> 00:15:41.200 to being poor in spirit. 00:15:41.600 --> 00:15:41.800 Somebody, 00:15:41.940 --> 00:15:42.440 blessed are those 00:15:42.440 --> 00:15:42.780 who mourn. 00:15:42.820 --> 00:15:43.240 These are the people 00:15:43.240 --> 00:15:44.379 who don't just acknowledge 00:15:44.379 --> 00:15:45.780 their spiritual poverty 00:15:45.780 --> 00:15:47.000 in an intellectual sense, 00:15:47.060 --> 00:15:48.000 but they feel it. 00:15:49.759 --> 00:15:51.100 They experience it. 00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:53.680 That their sin 00:15:53.680 --> 00:15:54.900 grieves them 00:15:54.900 --> 00:15:56.960 deeply. 00:15:57.160 --> 00:15:57.700 Blessed are those 00:15:57.700 --> 00:15:58.180 who mourn. 00:15:58.680 --> 00:15:59.140 Verse 5, 00:15:59.240 --> 00:16:00.300 blessed are the meek. 00:16:01.100 --> 00:16:02.200 We tend to think of meekness 00:16:02.200 --> 00:16:02.759 as weakness 00:16:02.759 --> 00:16:03.580 or timidness, 00:16:03.640 --> 00:16:03.960 but that's not 00:16:03.960 --> 00:16:04.640 what Jesus means. 00:16:04.960 --> 00:16:05.580 By meekness, 00:16:05.660 --> 00:16:06.220 what Jesus means 00:16:06.220 --> 00:16:06.920 is confident 00:16:06.920 --> 00:16:08.660 and bold humility, 00:16:08.840 --> 00:16:10.060 a lack of self-assertion 00:16:10.059 --> 00:16:10.979 that these people 00:16:10.979 --> 00:16:11.439 who are meek 00:16:11.439 --> 00:16:13.000 don't need to parade 00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:14.000 their good accomplishments 00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:14.979 in front of other people 00:16:14.979 --> 00:16:17.079 because they know 00:16:17.079 --> 00:16:18.099 that they're taken care of. 00:16:19.039 --> 00:16:20.659 It's a bold humility. 00:16:21.799 --> 00:16:22.059 Fourth, 00:16:22.159 --> 00:16:22.779 in verse 6, 00:16:22.859 --> 00:16:23.179 he says, 00:16:23.259 --> 00:16:23.799 blessed are those 00:16:23.799 --> 00:16:24.339 who hunger 00:16:24.339 --> 00:16:25.319 and thirst 00:16:25.319 --> 00:16:26.299 for righteousness. 00:16:27.579 --> 00:16:28.500 What Jesus is saying 00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:29.419 is these are the people 00:16:29.419 --> 00:16:30.599 who long for righteousness, 00:16:30.819 --> 00:16:31.219 for goodness, 00:16:31.359 --> 00:16:31.879 for justice, 00:16:31.879 --> 00:16:32.659 to characterize 00:16:32.659 --> 00:16:33.879 the world. 00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:35.279 and they know 00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:35.860 that that starts 00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:36.320 with them. 00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:37.820 They know 00:16:37.820 --> 00:16:38.620 that that doesn't start 00:16:38.620 --> 00:16:39.379 with other people 00:16:39.379 --> 00:16:40.419 getting their act together. 00:16:40.519 --> 00:16:41.220 It starts with them. 00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:43.539 It starts with Jesus' 00:16:43.740 --> 00:16:44.519 work of righteousness 00:16:44.519 --> 00:16:46.620 beginning in their own life. 00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:49.460 What Jesus is describing here 00:16:49.460 --> 00:16:51.240 in these first few beatitudes 00:16:51.240 --> 00:16:51.740 is he's saying, 00:16:51.899 --> 00:16:51.919 look, 00:16:52.179 --> 00:16:53.500 the community of people 00:16:53.500 --> 00:16:54.860 who I am blessing 00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:56.840 are a needy people. 00:16:59.440 --> 00:17:00.440 We sang about this 00:17:00.440 --> 00:17:01.240 just a few minutes ago. 00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:02.600 I need thee. 00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:03.000 Oh, 00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:03.740 I need thee. 00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:05.140 Every hour, 00:17:06.339 --> 00:17:07.000 I need thee. 00:17:08.420 --> 00:17:09.940 It's a humble people. 00:17:10.400 --> 00:17:11.359 Jesus is describing 00:17:11.359 --> 00:17:13.980 the island of misfit toys. 00:17:14.079 --> 00:17:14.519 Do you guys remember 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:15.779 the island of misfit toys 00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:16.980 from the old Burl Ives, 00:17:17.579 --> 00:17:19.779 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, 00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:20.740 claymation version? 00:17:21.200 --> 00:17:22.319 They come upon this island 00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:23.160 and it's all these 00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:24.240 rejected toys 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:24.900 because they're not, 00:17:24.980 --> 00:17:25.579 they're just something 00:17:25.579 --> 00:17:26.720 not quite right 00:17:26.720 --> 00:17:28.220 about all the toys 00:17:28.220 --> 00:17:29.240 on the island of misfit toys. 00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:30.019 So there's a, 00:17:30.019 --> 00:17:31.079 there's a Charlie in the box 00:17:31.079 --> 00:17:32.180 instead of a Jack in the box. 00:17:33.060 --> 00:17:33.640 There's a, 00:17:33.640 --> 00:17:34.880 there's a cowboy 00:17:34.880 --> 00:17:36.240 who rides an ostrich 00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:37.019 instead of a horse. 00:17:37.140 --> 00:17:37.980 There's a train 00:17:37.980 --> 00:17:38.759 with square wheels. 00:17:39.080 --> 00:17:39.519 None of them 00:17:39.519 --> 00:17:40.759 quite fit together. 00:17:42.200 --> 00:17:42.880 None of them 00:17:42.880 --> 00:17:43.600 are quite the way 00:17:43.600 --> 00:17:44.560 that they were supposed to be. 00:17:44.640 --> 00:17:44.880 It's an, 00:17:44.880 --> 00:17:45.900 it's an island of misfits. 00:17:46.060 --> 00:17:47.640 And what Jesus is describing here 00:17:47.640 --> 00:17:48.440 is the same. 00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:51.080 It's a community 00:17:51.080 --> 00:17:51.759 of broken, 00:17:52.299 --> 00:17:53.720 messed up people 00:17:53.720 --> 00:17:55.740 who aren't quite 00:17:55.740 --> 00:17:56.500 the way that they are 00:17:56.500 --> 00:17:57.240 supposed to be. 00:17:57.240 --> 00:17:59.279 but they know it 00:17:59.279 --> 00:18:01.559 and they understand it. 00:18:03.400 --> 00:18:04.400 It's a needy, 00:18:04.940 --> 00:18:06.200 humble community 00:18:06.200 --> 00:18:06.859 of people. 00:18:08.500 --> 00:18:09.680 What I would encourage you, 00:18:09.799 --> 00:18:10.559 especially you seniors, 00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:11.019 to do 00:18:11.019 --> 00:18:12.620 is to look for that 00:18:12.620 --> 00:18:15.960 when you get to your college. 00:18:16.079 --> 00:18:16.620 Look for that 00:18:16.620 --> 00:18:17.420 in your local church. 00:18:19.299 --> 00:18:20.259 Look for that 00:18:20.259 --> 00:18:21.500 in your campus ministry. 00:18:21.740 --> 00:18:22.839 Don't look for the campus ministry 00:18:22.839 --> 00:18:23.680 that's going to take over 00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:24.539 the world for Jesus. 00:18:24.859 --> 00:18:25.900 Don't look for the campus ministry 00:18:25.900 --> 00:18:26.860 that has all the right answers. 00:18:27.180 --> 00:18:28.060 Look for the campus ministry. 00:18:28.200 --> 00:18:28.720 Look for the church 00:18:28.720 --> 00:18:29.140 that knows 00:18:29.140 --> 00:18:31.460 we need Jesus. 00:18:33.300 --> 00:18:33.700 Badly. 00:18:36.080 --> 00:18:37.120 A humble community. 00:18:38.100 --> 00:18:39.360 It's not just a humble community. 00:18:39.360 --> 00:18:41.660 It's also a loving community. 00:18:42.080 --> 00:18:43.340 Jesus continues in verse 7. 00:18:43.440 --> 00:18:43.640 He says, 00:18:43.980 --> 00:18:45.560 Blessed are the merciful. 00:18:46.220 --> 00:18:46.820 Blessed are those 00:18:46.820 --> 00:18:48.560 who move towards others in love. 00:18:48.640 --> 00:18:49.460 They give their time 00:18:49.460 --> 00:18:50.140 and their energy 00:18:50.140 --> 00:18:51.300 and their money 00:18:51.300 --> 00:18:52.460 and their love 00:18:52.460 --> 00:18:54.120 to meet the needs 00:18:54.120 --> 00:18:55.100 of other people. 00:18:55.200 --> 00:18:55.800 They're merciful. 00:18:55.900 --> 00:18:56.440 Verse 8. 00:18:56.540 --> 00:18:56.840 He says, 00:18:57.200 --> 00:18:58.660 Blessed are the pure in heart. 00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:00.759 When Jesus says pure in heart, 00:19:00.920 --> 00:19:01.540 it doesn't mean 00:19:01.540 --> 00:19:03.200 inner moral purity here. 00:19:03.700 --> 00:19:04.440 What he means is that 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:05.259 they have a heart 00:19:05.259 --> 00:19:05.700 that is pure, 00:19:05.780 --> 00:19:07.060 a heart that is undivided 00:19:07.060 --> 00:19:08.320 in its allegiance. 00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:11.380 A heart that is undivided 00:19:11.380 --> 00:19:12.280 in what it loves. 00:19:13.360 --> 00:19:14.460 Those who are pure in heart 00:19:14.460 --> 00:19:15.960 are becoming more and more, 00:19:16.080 --> 00:19:17.060 learning more and more 00:19:17.060 --> 00:19:18.759 to love what Jesus loves 00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:20.780 and to hate what Jesus hates. 00:19:21.160 --> 00:19:22.980 To be shaped by him. 00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:25.280 The pure in heart. 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:26.240 Verse 9. 00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:28.160 Blessed are the peacemakers. 00:19:28.279 --> 00:19:29.039 This is a great word, 00:19:29.119 --> 00:19:29.819 the peacemakers. 00:19:30.980 --> 00:19:32.799 It's this great Hebrew word 00:19:32.799 --> 00:19:33.579 for shalom, 00:19:34.559 --> 00:19:36.039 which means universal, 00:19:36.599 --> 00:19:38.299 wholehearted flourishing. 00:19:38.299 --> 00:19:41.299 And what Jesus is saying 00:19:41.299 --> 00:19:42.539 is that those who are shaped 00:19:42.539 --> 00:19:43.619 by my grace, 00:19:43.700 --> 00:19:44.339 by my blessing, 00:19:44.579 --> 00:19:46.019 move out into the world 00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:47.559 to pursue flourishing, 00:19:47.639 --> 00:19:48.359 not just for themselves, 00:19:48.539 --> 00:19:49.720 but for everyone around them. 00:19:50.839 --> 00:19:51.759 Blessed are those 00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:54.419 who make peace holistically. 00:19:54.659 --> 00:19:55.519 Spiritual peace, 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:56.759 physical peace, 00:19:57.259 --> 00:19:57.980 social peace, 00:19:58.440 --> 00:19:59.220 relational peace. 00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:00.599 Blessed are those 00:20:00.599 --> 00:20:02.460 who are peacemakers. 00:20:02.460 --> 00:20:04.740 Then in verse 10, 00:20:04.799 --> 00:20:05.000 he says, 00:20:05.299 --> 00:20:06.799 blessed are the persecuted. 00:20:06.920 --> 00:20:07.880 Because what Jesus understands 00:20:07.880 --> 00:20:08.740 is that as we, 00:20:09.100 --> 00:20:09.980 as Jesus' people, 00:20:10.140 --> 00:20:11.460 move out into the world 00:20:11.460 --> 00:20:12.220 in love, 00:20:12.600 --> 00:20:14.380 we will face opposition. 00:20:15.819 --> 00:20:17.600 You will face opposition. 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:21.519 Sometimes when you move out 00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:23.319 into the world in love, 00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:24.460 it will be beautiful 00:20:24.460 --> 00:20:25.819 to the people around you. 00:20:25.819 --> 00:20:28.559 Sometimes it will be confusing 00:20:28.559 --> 00:20:30.679 and ugly 00:20:30.679 --> 00:20:32.819 and offensive to people. 00:20:34.279 --> 00:20:35.039 And Jesus is saying, 00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:36.079 blessed are those 00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:38.299 who are persecuted. 00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:40.139 And what he's doing 00:20:40.139 --> 00:20:41.339 in all of these beatitudes 00:20:41.339 --> 00:20:42.700 is he's painting a picture 00:20:42.700 --> 00:20:43.500 of a humble 00:20:43.500 --> 00:20:45.399 and a loving community. 00:20:46.460 --> 00:20:47.799 An island of misfit toys 00:20:47.799 --> 00:20:48.879 that moves out 00:20:48.879 --> 00:20:50.299 into the world in love. 00:20:51.599 --> 00:20:52.460 That is what it means 00:20:52.460 --> 00:20:53.579 to begin to be shaped 00:20:53.579 --> 00:20:54.480 by his grace, 00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:56.460 by his blessing. 00:20:56.559 --> 00:20:57.380 The language that I use 00:20:57.380 --> 00:20:57.900 over and over 00:20:57.900 --> 00:20:58.980 with our students 00:20:58.980 --> 00:20:59.700 that are involved 00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:00.480 in RUF at Sanford 00:21:00.480 --> 00:21:01.400 is that we are 00:21:01.400 --> 00:21:02.880 a beautiful mess. 00:21:04.279 --> 00:21:05.200 A beautiful mess. 00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:06.860 This church 00:21:06.860 --> 00:21:08.319 is a beautiful mess. 00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:09.220 RUF at Sanford 00:21:09.220 --> 00:21:10.160 is a beautiful mess. 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:10.740 It's beautiful 00:21:10.740 --> 00:21:11.640 because Jesus 00:21:11.640 --> 00:21:12.720 is blessing it 00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:14.000 and loves it 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:15.539 and loves you. 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:17.940 But it's a mess 00:21:17.940 --> 00:21:20.079 because I'm part of it. 00:21:21.539 --> 00:21:22.380 And it's a mess 00:21:22.380 --> 00:21:23.579 because you're part of it. 00:21:24.480 --> 00:21:26.700 And there's a tension here 00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:28.180 in what Jesus 00:21:28.180 --> 00:21:29.160 is describing. 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:31.120 And the tension 00:21:31.120 --> 00:21:31.819 is that Jesus 00:21:31.819 --> 00:21:33.500 is showing us 00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:34.319 his priority 00:21:34.319 --> 00:21:35.279 to bless, 00:21:35.420 --> 00:21:35.880 to love, 00:21:35.960 --> 00:21:36.740 to bestow honor 00:21:36.740 --> 00:21:37.559 upon his people. 00:21:37.799 --> 00:21:38.599 But he's also 00:21:38.599 --> 00:21:39.299 emphasizing 00:21:39.299 --> 00:21:40.960 the profound neediness, 00:21:41.079 --> 00:21:42.380 the profound unworthiness 00:21:42.380 --> 00:21:43.099 of the people 00:21:43.099 --> 00:21:44.640 that he's blessing. 00:21:46.400 --> 00:21:47.380 He chooses 00:21:47.380 --> 00:21:48.460 to bless those people 00:21:48.460 --> 00:21:49.440 who seem to be 00:21:49.440 --> 00:21:50.700 the least worthy 00:21:50.700 --> 00:21:52.460 of being blessed. 00:21:52.460 --> 00:21:52.940 He chooses 00:21:52.940 --> 00:21:53.600 to bless people 00:21:53.600 --> 00:21:54.160 who struggle 00:21:54.160 --> 00:21:54.819 to recognize 00:21:54.819 --> 00:21:55.660 their own neediness 00:21:55.660 --> 00:21:58.620 or who do not 00:21:58.620 --> 00:21:59.840 rightly appreciate 00:21:59.840 --> 00:22:00.900 his blessing 00:22:00.900 --> 00:22:02.120 in their life 00:22:02.120 --> 00:22:04.039 or who fail 00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:04.600 often 00:22:04.600 --> 00:22:05.660 to move 00:22:05.660 --> 00:22:06.740 towards other people 00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:07.319 in love. 00:22:09.319 --> 00:22:10.380 How does Jesus 00:22:10.380 --> 00:22:11.000 reconcile 00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:12.420 that tension? 00:22:14.180 --> 00:22:14.799 Lastly, 00:22:14.900 --> 00:22:15.259 let's look at 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:15.860 the source 00:22:15.860 --> 00:22:16.819 of blessing. 00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:18.400 What is it? 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:18.640 I mean, 00:22:18.680 --> 00:22:19.019 clearly, 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:20.140 it's not my worthiness 00:22:20.140 --> 00:22:20.720 to be blessed. 00:22:20.820 --> 00:22:21.780 It's not your worthiness 00:22:21.780 --> 00:22:22.400 to be blessed. 00:22:22.840 --> 00:22:23.840 Jesus is not describing 00:22:23.840 --> 00:22:25.420 an all-star roster here 00:22:25.420 --> 00:22:27.320 when he's going 00:22:27.320 --> 00:22:28.020 through the Beatitudes. 00:22:28.120 --> 00:22:28.780 He's not describing 00:22:28.780 --> 00:22:29.960 people who have it 00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:30.600 all together. 00:22:30.700 --> 00:22:31.300 So what is it? 00:22:31.340 --> 00:22:32.100 How can Jesus 00:22:32.100 --> 00:22:32.980 bless 00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:34.660 when we are 00:22:34.660 --> 00:22:35.759 so unworthy of it? 00:22:38.120 --> 00:22:38.700 So far, 00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:39.380 we've only looked 00:22:39.380 --> 00:22:40.440 at the front half 00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:41.400 of each of the Beatitudes 00:22:41.400 --> 00:22:42.120 that describes 00:22:42.120 --> 00:22:42.540 the character 00:22:42.540 --> 00:22:43.000 of the blessed. 00:22:43.280 --> 00:22:43.900 Let's look together 00:22:43.900 --> 00:22:44.940 at the back half 00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:45.720 of what Jesus 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:46.980 is promising 00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:48.480 that the blessed 00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:49.460 will receive 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:49.900 or what they 00:22:49.900 --> 00:22:50.559 will become. 00:22:53.140 --> 00:22:53.680 In verse 3, 00:22:53.740 --> 00:22:54.039 he says, 00:22:54.100 --> 00:22:54.640 they'll receive 00:22:54.640 --> 00:22:55.600 the kingdom of heaven. 00:22:57.500 --> 00:22:58.279 In verse 4, 00:22:58.319 --> 00:22:58.579 he says, 00:22:58.620 --> 00:22:59.539 they will be comforted. 00:22:59.660 --> 00:23:00.819 In verse 5, 00:23:00.880 --> 00:23:01.180 he says, 00:23:01.220 --> 00:23:01.819 they will inherit 00:23:01.819 --> 00:23:02.360 the earth. 00:23:02.819 --> 00:23:03.519 Verse 6 says, 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:04.840 they will be satisfied. 00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:05.480 Verse 7, 00:23:05.539 --> 00:23:06.460 they will receive mercy. 00:23:06.600 --> 00:23:06.980 Verse 8, 00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:08.660 they will see God. 00:23:08.779 --> 00:23:09.240 Verse 9, 00:23:09.299 --> 00:23:10.079 they will be called 00:23:10.079 --> 00:23:12.360 sons of God. 00:23:14.160 --> 00:23:15.819 These are lofty promises 00:23:15.819 --> 00:23:16.920 that Jesus is making. 00:23:16.920 --> 00:23:19.920 And he can promise 00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:20.740 these things 00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:21.980 precisely because 00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:22.759 he knows where 00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:23.360 he is going. 00:23:24.980 --> 00:23:25.920 He can promise 00:23:25.920 --> 00:23:26.420 these things 00:23:26.420 --> 00:23:27.560 precisely because 00:23:27.560 --> 00:23:28.460 of what he 00:23:28.460 --> 00:23:29.759 will accomplish 00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:31.340 on the cross. 00:23:31.480 --> 00:23:32.220 What's happening 00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:32.680 on the cross 00:23:32.680 --> 00:23:33.259 is that what is 00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:34.100 true of us 00:23:34.100 --> 00:23:35.600 in our unworthiness 00:23:35.600 --> 00:23:36.759 to be blessed 00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:38.200 becomes true of Jesus. 00:23:39.660 --> 00:23:40.640 And what is true 00:23:40.640 --> 00:23:41.140 of him 00:23:41.140 --> 00:23:42.500 in all of his worthiness 00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:43.840 to receive the blessing 00:23:43.840 --> 00:23:44.400 of the Father 00:23:44.400 --> 00:23:45.840 becomes true of us. 00:23:45.839 --> 00:23:48.480 that's what happens 00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:49.339 on the cross 00:23:49.339 --> 00:23:50.579 that it is God 00:23:50.579 --> 00:23:51.859 securing blessing 00:23:51.859 --> 00:23:52.899 for the people 00:23:52.899 --> 00:23:54.199 who are unworthy 00:23:54.199 --> 00:23:55.000 of it. 00:23:55.119 --> 00:23:55.699 Our neediness, 00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:56.419 our sinfulness 00:23:56.419 --> 00:23:57.259 is put on Jesus 00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:57.819 and everything 00:23:57.819 --> 00:23:58.919 that he has earned 00:23:58.919 --> 00:24:00.059 is given to us. 00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:03.879 So Jesus can say, 00:24:04.299 --> 00:24:05.720 blessed are those 00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:06.379 who mourn. 00:24:09.299 --> 00:24:10.659 They will be comforted 00:24:10.659 --> 00:24:11.699 because he mourned 00:24:11.699 --> 00:24:12.459 so much 00:24:12.459 --> 00:24:13.659 that he sweat blood. 00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:14.379 And he can say, 00:24:14.380 --> 00:24:15.600 you will inherit 00:24:15.600 --> 00:24:16.260 the earth 00:24:16.260 --> 00:24:18.000 because he lost 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:19.000 everything 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:20.440 on the cross. 00:24:22.120 --> 00:24:23.240 And he can say 00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:24.280 that you will be filled, 00:24:24.380 --> 00:24:25.380 that you will be satisfied 00:24:25.380 --> 00:24:26.680 because he was stripped 00:24:26.680 --> 00:24:28.060 and he was emptied. 00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:28.800 And he can say, 00:24:28.880 --> 00:24:30.000 you will receive mercy 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:30.900 because he received 00:24:30.900 --> 00:24:31.820 no mercy 00:24:31.820 --> 00:24:32.860 on the cross 00:24:32.860 --> 00:24:33.940 in your place. 00:24:34.120 --> 00:24:34.920 And he can say, 00:24:34.980 --> 00:24:35.960 you will see God 00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:39.200 because Jesus lost 00:24:39.200 --> 00:24:40.020 God's face 00:24:40.020 --> 00:24:40.720 on the cross. 00:24:40.820 --> 00:24:41.240 He cried out, 00:24:41.320 --> 00:24:41.800 my God, 00:24:41.799 --> 00:24:42.359 my God. 00:24:43.299 --> 00:24:44.919 Why have you forsaken me? 00:24:46.180 --> 00:24:47.000 Where are you? 00:24:49.819 --> 00:24:50.139 See, 00:24:50.180 --> 00:24:50.960 what Jesus is doing 00:24:50.960 --> 00:24:51.379 is he's saying, 00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:53.079 you receive blessing 00:24:53.079 --> 00:24:56.099 because I receive curse. 00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:59.940 You receive love. 00:25:00.659 --> 00:25:01.619 You receive blessing 00:25:01.619 --> 00:25:03.099 because I receive curse. 00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:04.079 Jesus is bridging 00:25:04.079 --> 00:25:04.539 the gap 00:25:04.539 --> 00:25:06.579 between his determination 00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:07.379 to bless 00:25:07.380 --> 00:25:08.660 and our unworthiness 00:25:08.660 --> 00:25:10.860 of that very same blessing. 00:25:14.120 --> 00:25:15.200 And why does this matter? 00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:18.580 This matters 00:25:18.580 --> 00:25:19.700 because whether you are 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:20.760 a senior in high school 00:25:20.760 --> 00:25:22.960 or a senior citizen 00:25:22.960 --> 00:25:25.100 or somewhere in between, 00:25:25.760 --> 00:25:28.560 there is nothing 00:25:28.560 --> 00:25:29.760 that can sustain you, 00:25:30.760 --> 00:25:32.260 nothing that can give you 00:25:32.260 --> 00:25:32.920 direction, 00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:35.340 nothing that can give you 00:25:35.339 --> 00:25:35.839 hope 00:25:35.839 --> 00:25:37.359 or joy 00:25:37.359 --> 00:25:38.559 or life, 00:25:38.939 --> 00:25:39.919 nothing that can help you 00:25:39.919 --> 00:25:40.679 keep your bearings 00:25:40.679 --> 00:25:41.819 and keep you sane 00:25:41.819 --> 00:25:42.659 in this world 00:25:42.659 --> 00:25:43.699 other than 00:25:43.699 --> 00:25:44.379 the blessing 00:25:44.379 --> 00:25:45.539 and the grace 00:25:45.539 --> 00:25:46.539 of Jesus. 00:25:50.240 --> 00:25:51.500 So the question is this, 00:25:54.299 --> 00:25:55.559 will you trust him 00:25:55.559 --> 00:25:57.220 when he says, 00:25:58.559 --> 00:25:59.919 blessed are you? 00:26:03.199 --> 00:26:03.859 Let's pray. 00:26:05.339 --> 00:26:11.539 Father in heaven, 00:26:11.720 --> 00:26:12.740 you are the giver 00:26:12.740 --> 00:26:14.079 of many good gifts, 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:17.619 many blessings, 00:26:18.659 --> 00:26:20.319 some of which 00:26:20.319 --> 00:26:21.240 we are aware of, 00:26:22.359 --> 00:26:22.980 many of which 00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:23.559 we are not. 00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:29.220 I pray that you would 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:30.220 help us to 00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:35.940 to lay our deadly 00:26:35.940 --> 00:26:36.660 doing down, 00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:39.319 not because obedience 00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:39.940 doesn't matter, 00:26:41.079 --> 00:26:42.220 not because what we do 00:26:42.220 --> 00:26:42.759 doesn't matter, 00:26:42.779 --> 00:26:43.440 because it does, 00:26:44.880 --> 00:26:46.120 but that all of our doing 00:26:46.120 --> 00:26:48.339 and all of our obedience 00:26:48.339 --> 00:26:51.519 would be bathed in, 00:26:53.120 --> 00:26:54.960 would be resting in 00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:57.160 your blessing. 00:26:57.160 --> 00:26:57.200 Your blessing. 00:26:57.200 --> 00:26:57.220 Your blessing.