September 30, 2012 – Pastor Tim – “Reconstruction” – Click to download
Matthew 5:12, Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven..”.
In the Sermon on the Mount …what Jesus promises is not a gimmick to give you goose bumps, it’s not to pump up our mental attitude like a pep rally. The promises found in Matthew 5 are for those children of God whose hearts have been radically reconstructed by God.
Observe the sequence.
- We recognize we are in need (we’re poor in spirit). Verse 3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” We are in need of a Savior. And life begins with Jesus, and is lived in His Kingdom and rule. - We repent of our self-sufficiency (we mourn). Verse 4, “Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.” Our faults and failure brings us to our knees. - We quit calling the shots and surrender control to God (we’re meek). Verse 5, “Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.” How do I stop trying to make it all work on my own? How do I hear His voice when everything else is so loud? - We are so grateful for His presence that we yearn for more of Him (we hunger and thirst). Verse 6,“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.” I cannot survive without His rule in my life. (you know when you get physically hungry, so hungry it must be satisfied).
- As we grow closer to Him, we become more like Him. We forgive others (we’re merciful). Verse 7, “Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.” God’s grace and God’s mercy.
- We change our outlook (we’re pure in heart). Verse 8, “Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.”
King David prayed in Psalm 51:10-11, “Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.” - We love others (we’re peacemakers). Verse 9, “Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.” Finding peace We find peace by making peace. - We endure injustice (we’re persecuted). Verse 10, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Sometimes the right thing doesn’t always happen.
This is no causal shift of attitude. This is a demolition of the old structure and a creation of the new.
2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
The more radical the change, the greater the joy.
Proverbs 4:22-27 (Message), “Dear friend, listen well to my words;
tune your ears to my voice.
Keep my message in plain view at all times.
Concentrate! Learn it by heart!
Those who discover these words live, really live;
body and soul, they’re bursting with health.
23-27 Keep vigilant watch over your heart;
that’s where life starts.
Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth;
avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.
Keep your eyes straight ahead;
ignore all sideshow distractions.
Watch your step,
and the road will stretch out smooth before you.
Look neither right nor left;
leave evil in the dust.”
And this “Reconstruction” is worth every effort, for this is the joy of God.
Pray for JB (John Bloomfield) from Sac State
Hometown Report: Hornets’ Bloomfield on life support – SacBee
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