Beyond the Flannelgraph 7: Sermon on the Mount

Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5:1-11; Micah 6:6-8

GPS – recalculating – the original destination hasn’t moved… but our path towards it has become… OFF. Less than direct. Not optimal. COMPLETELY WRONG. So… the GPS system tells you “Recalculating” because “Taking your bone-headed mistakes in direction into account to get you where you ACTUALLY want to go” doesn’t fit well on a tiny screen…

Jesus Redirects His People With

* Blessed Beattitudes ~ Matthew 5:1-11

• This is the state of bliss gained when one is blessed…
• the most repeated word in all of these is “blessed” So what does THAT mean? From ancient Greek, the idea comes across that at specific times, specific gods paid direct attention to specific individuals. (sometimes good, sometimes bad, sometimes REALLY bad); Jesus, steeped in Jewish culture, would have had a different view – the LORD Yahweh pays attention to ALL of His people; and He wants them to pay attention to HIM right back (Isa 1:13; 29:13; Ez 33:31-32)
• THEREFORE, I think a good understanding of the word “blessing” is this: “God NOTICING you noticing Him. He’s happy with you being happy IN Him.” Blessing isn’t EARNING something; rather, it’s putting oneself in the right place, in the right head-space, to be ready willing and able to receive FROM God that which He most longs to give: increased connection with Himself

* Apprehending Attitudes ~ Matthew 5:3,5,8

• Poor in spirit, meek, pure in heart – holding these attitudes helps grasp the meaning of the Kingdom of Heaven, the earth, and the sight of God Himself.

* Reactive Actions ~ Matthew 5:4,6,7,9

• Mourning, hunger/thirst for righteousness, merciful, peacemakers – all these are responses to outward situations:
• mourning is a response to situations of sorrow;
• hunger/thirst for righteousness a response to unrighteousness;
• merciful a response to oppression/inappropriate uses of power;
• peacemakers a response to conflict

* Persecuted Positions ~ Matthew 5:10-11

• In general, those who are persecuted for righteousness will receive the kingdom of heaven, just as those who are poor in spirit (pretty tough to be happy happy joy joy when being persecuted, so the connection isn’t a surprise)
• Specifically, when we are persecuted because of Jesus, we’re being treated like He was – that means that those doing the persecuting are seeing enough of Jesus IN US TO TRIGGER THEM – so REJOICE!

* Covenant Costs ~ Micah 6:6-8

• 6 Micah addresses those in Israel who are comfortable, and helps them process the KIND of offerings they should be giving to the LORD. Does God want perfect sacrifices?
• 7 Does God want extravagant sacrifices and grandiose guestures to prove one’s devotion
• 8 NO. God wants INTERNALLY DRIVEN actions which reflect HIS heart for humanity

Not just “acts” of justice, but acting justly. Not just emotional recognition of merciful choice, but personal dedication to being people who extend mercy to those who need it. Not just to display modest behavior, but to make the ongoing choice to walk with God, lifting up the name of the Lord instead of advancing our own interests.