Heart Check New Years 2014 (pt. c) Mat 5:1-12 Mark Foreman NC3 v Review Ø You can t change the world but you can change your world. Our purpose as humans is to be the image (nature of God) to others and creation. This means we behold his nature (vertically) and we reflect it horizontally. As believers to be salt and light: Transformed people transforming our world. Who is in your sphere of influence (your transformational footprint)? Begin to pray regularly for them and become a true friend. Ø 7 practices keep us on course: worship, prayer, Bible, discipleship, fellowship, ministry and outreach: http://www.ncccconnections.org/how-do-iconnect.html Ø Who will you be as you transform your world? It s easy for Christians to only want the forgiveness of Jesus and not his values. We are known more for what we are against than what we are for. Who are we? Christians in a secular nation? Politics and religion may have similar agendas at times but completely different tactics. You can t just approach someone and tell them what s wrong with them. v Who Can Be Happy and Fulfilled? (Mat 5:3-11) Ø These are the happy values that make the followers of Jesus distinct. In other words, contrary to popular opinion, happiness is found in these type of people. Many, unfortunately, see the Beatitudes as the conditions of the followers when he calls them, not who do we become once we re in the gate? But the persecution statement makes it clear that these are the happy values of the followers of Jesus. Society implies that happiness is found for those rich (strong) in Spirit, stoic, proud, satisfied, judgmental, duplicitous, divisive king of the mountain. Jesus points in the opposite direction. Even modern behavioral science points to happiness in a different direction: love family & friends, forget themselves in daily tasks,
2 People who only pursue their own happiness are less happy. Family and friends. Involved in daily tasks that cause them to forget themselves. Forgive easily. Spend time alone. Pursue personal growth. Don t judge themselves by other s standards. Don t care about social approval. Are not materialistic. Are thankful. Helpful to others. Ø Jesus challenged religion that claimed happiness was at the top of the mountain: rich, problem-free, proud, judgmental, good actors, divisive & the popular. Ø Instead Jesus carved a new path for the broken, the saddened, the lowly, the dissatisfied, the merciful, the real deal, the peacemakers, and the persecuted. To Find True Spiritual Joy, Look Down, NOT Up The Beatitudes Ø makarioi :"blessed, fortunate, happy, congratulations to." You may think that religion is a sad or somber affair but The kingdom of God is quite different. It is a happy life. Life in the kingdom with Jesus is a profound joy that no one or circumstance can take away. It is not merely reserved for the future, but has broken into the present. The Greek world used this term to describe those of good fortune, But the true background of the concept is the OT. The term occurs 46x in the LXX translating the Heb asheriah ( happy, blessed ). Rather than mundane happiness, this refers to an inner joy and fulfillment. So deeply or supremely happy. Made happy by God. Fulfilled, if I am talking to an unreligious person. V. 12 tips us off of the ultimate meaning: Matt. 5:12 Rejoice and be glad Ultimate happiness is found in the self-giving nature of God. Wanting to be happy is not a bad thing, being too easily please is sad for a divinely made being such as you and I. The God-life is found in the opposite direction from the self-
3 Ø Broken: Poor in spirit vs. rich in self (5:3). The proudly self-reliant are excluded. Not the rich in self. Poor in spirit has a rich OT background (Psa 9:18; 34:18; 40:18; Isa 57:15; Jam 2:5). It signifies those who cling to, trust in, hope in God in an unfair, broken world. It is a cluster-term that combines economics, social justice and spirituality. It s an incarnational term that describes those who have intentionally chosen to identify with the poor and live in humility themselves. Jesus announces the same (Matt 11:5; Isa 61:1): They are now a beggar. The title deed has become a beggar s cup. They have this internal awareness of who they are not. Driven to complete reliance on God. Everything else: pleasure, wealth, power, security, accomplishments, religious esteem has been knocked from their hand. Theirs is (present tense), not waiting for the 2nd coming. In the presence of Jesus the kingdom abundance is theirs. You may be materially poor and personally broken, but you inherit the kingdom of God! You are a king! Luke focuses on the literal, while Mat gives the internal consequence of external circumstances breaking us down. Their joy springs from God s nature: love and faithfulness not circumstances. Theirs-mine all mine! The good news of the kingdom. Present tense, not just future. V. 5 the inherit the earth. V. 12 their reward is in heaven. Ø Tears: They feel deeply about what is wrong in this world vs. those feeling nothing. Those who experience loss vs. those who only gain in this life. A striking reference to Isa 61:2. Penthountas is the same word (those mourning). Rabbis referred to the Messiah as the Comforter. Jesus refers to the Spirit as another Comforter. (Jn 16:6-7). The context is grief. They mourn over their own sin, others loss, and the condition of the world. Not those who have never experienced loss. It may be that no one is comforting you in your loss, but Jesus the great comforter will be there. When you realize you have wasted your resources: life, time, words, relationships, money on what doesn t matter there is a real mourning. They are happier than guests at a party (M. Green).
4 Isa 25:8; 61:1; Rev 7:17; 21:4; Eccl 7:14. Ø Humble: The lowly vs. those who have it all This is a quotation of Psa 37:11 In the Hebrew, this is close to the first beatitude (poor). Isa 61:1. Qumran used this term. This is not a submissive, mild, unassertive, but those who have no recourse that to trust in God. The meek humble themselves before someone greater, in this case God. You may socio-economically be lowly but you will inherit the earth. When God has destroyed all that is false, and all that stands apart from God and is proud is false, only the meek will remain to inherit the earth. The earth is the Abrahamic promise of Gen 13:15 and Gen 1:26-28. But this is the regenerated earth (Mat 19:28; Rom 4:13). Servant, non-controlling leaders. Ø Longing: Those who long for God vs. those who are satisfied with status quo Seems to reflect the language of Psa 104 They are desperate and hungry for God and His goodness. (that is the meaning of righteousness in Matthew) (Green). Longing is a gift. We can live in a way that mutes or dulls our longing. It is the Spirit of God who stirs it up. Like preparing you for Xmas. They want the whole not the part. They are wholehearted in the longing. And long for God to act with justice. Filled with God, goodness and love (Psa 42:1-3; 63:1; John 6:35; Rev 7:16-17). Ø Merciful: Those who are merciful vs. those who are judgmental & unforgiving. This beatitude moves from an inward position to an outward action. Prov. 14:21; 17:5; Matt. stresses mercy (9:13; 12:7; 23:23; 18:33; cf. Jam 2:13). The merciful are happy and judgmental people aren t. Conscious they themselves are unworthy. Ø Real Deal: Those who are authentic vs. those who play performance games.
5 Pure means unalloyed, unmixed motives. Not a fake or adulterated. It refers to the condition of the core of a person: thoughts, imaginations, intents. No duplicity. The heart is not divided. Integrity between heart and action. A divided heart is wasting energy and full of stress. Real/authentic/integrity not performance-based. Pure hearts clearly see God the beatific vision (Rev 22:4). This is the ultimate eschatological reward. Ø Bridge-builders: Those who heal relationships vs. those using religion to divide. This may be directed at the Zealots. Peacemakers (only here in the NT). The same stem occurs in Col 1:20. They are doing something just like God reaching out. Not the dividers. Not co-dependant keep the peace people that is driven out of self-love, but true relationship menders. This becomes a theme in the NT: Rom 14:19; Heb 12:14; Jam 3:18; 1Pet 3:11. Bridge building/partnership not kingdom building Ø Cost Counters: Those who are insulted & hurt vs. those who insult and hurt Not those who are admired and honored by the religious system. On account of me and righteousness (5: 11;10:22) Persecuted for their loyalty to God, their character and values described in the beatitudes (see 2 Tim 3:12; Phil 1:29; Joh 15:18; 1 Pet 4:12-14; 3:14; Mat 5:44). Matt. 5:12 Rejoice and be glad extraordinary response to hurt and pain. What a contradiction to the present because we know and have something more. Misthos ( reward ) Ten occurrences in Matthew and more than any other Gospel (6:1-16; 10:41-42). (see Mat 25: 31-46). Persecution is the true line of descent of the prophets (2Chr 36:15-16; Jer 26:11,23). Jesus is our model: Mat 13:57; 23:37; 26:68. (Tasker). v Decide To Be New: Be transformed and transform your world! Ø You are new on paper (forgiveness, justification); decide to be new in life (sanctification/ transformation). Decide to want Jesus values not simply forgiveness. Ø Which Beatitude(s) drew your attention the most? Why do you think that
6 Ø Pray asking God to help you embrace his values.