WEBVTT 00:00:00.640 --> 00:00:03.919 Over the summer, I preached through the book of Psalms. 00:00:04.160 --> 00:00:13.439 And even on the few Sundays I was on vacation, um, Logan and Ashton, thank you guys so much for uh filling in, and y'all y'all also preach through the book of Psalms. 00:00:13.599 --> 00:00:22.879 I want to start something new this morning and look at in the New Testament at one of the greatest sermons, and which is the Sermon on the Mount. 00:00:23.679 --> 00:00:35.439 Weeks and weeks ago, I began to sort of jot my thoughts down and seek the Lord and pray, and I love what he teaches in the Sermon on the Mount, and we'll look in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter number five. 00:00:35.679 --> 00:00:40.079 And I titled it this way one day as I was studying and jotting some notes down. 00:00:40.240 --> 00:00:42.079 I just wrote down the word different. 00:00:42.560 --> 00:00:43.359 Different. 00:00:43.759 --> 00:00:46.640 Following Jesus in a world that isn't. 00:00:46.960 --> 00:00:47.439 Different. 00:00:47.600 --> 00:00:50.399 We as followers of Christ are to be different. 00:00:50.640 --> 00:00:54.880 And I want to follow him in a world that is not like him. 00:00:55.280 --> 00:01:07.280 And Jesus does some very good teaching in this sermon and shows you and I some things that I believe will help us in our life as we seek him and follow him day to day. 00:01:07.439 --> 00:01:12.959 And I'll read the verses here in a moment, but I want to begin just by simply asking you this question. 00:01:13.120 --> 00:01:16.239 What does it really mean to be blessed? 00:01:16.640 --> 00:01:18.319 What does it mean to be blessed? 00:01:18.560 --> 00:01:22.239 Because everybody would answer that question differently. 00:01:22.560 --> 00:01:28.319 If I passed out a pen and a piece of paper and said, Man, you tell me what it means to be blessed. 00:01:28.959 --> 00:01:31.680 Blessed is the person who, and then you fill the blank in. 00:01:31.840 --> 00:01:34.719 You just tell me what it means to be blessed. 00:01:34.959 --> 00:01:39.760 Oh, we would have all kinds of different things written down. 00:01:40.079 --> 00:01:41.519 How would you finish the sentence? 00:01:41.680 --> 00:01:47.280 I believe some in the house today may simply write, man, I'm blessed if I have a healthy family. 00:01:47.920 --> 00:01:53.040 Some may say, you know what, I'm blessed if I have a successful career. 00:01:53.840 --> 00:02:00.319 I would say that for me to be blessed, I want my children to do better than I did. 00:02:01.040 --> 00:02:01.760 That's a blessing. 00:02:01.920 --> 00:02:04.480 Some people may say, I want a nice house. 00:02:04.560 --> 00:02:07.040 That's how I know that I'm being blessed. 00:02:07.359 --> 00:02:09.439 Others may say, I want good health. 00:02:09.680 --> 00:02:11.360 I don't want to have any health problems. 00:02:11.520 --> 00:02:16.159 I need, if I had good health, I know that I have been blessed. 00:02:16.400 --> 00:02:21.439 Some may even say that they could have enough funds to retire comfortably. 00:02:21.680 --> 00:02:26.719 That might be a way that somebody answers the question: what does it mean to be blessed? 00:02:26.879 --> 00:02:28.560 Now, none of those are bad answers. 00:02:28.639 --> 00:02:31.599 They're all something that we as humans think about as we plan. 00:02:32.400 --> 00:02:36.319 But all those are great and they could be a gift from God. 00:02:36.479 --> 00:02:44.560 And I've met people who have had every one of those listed out and still seem to be miserable in life. 00:02:44.719 --> 00:02:46.479 And I asked the question, why is that? 00:02:46.639 --> 00:02:53.840 How could we say that, but this person has that and doesn't feel blessed, but I don't want it and think that I would be blessed. 00:02:54.080 --> 00:03:07.840 It simply comes down to if we don't have peace or joy or no purpose or no day-to-day relationship with God, then I may, no matter what I have, will never feel truly blessed. 00:03:08.080 --> 00:03:15.199 On the same page, I've also met people on the other end of the pendulum as it swings that had none of those things. 00:03:15.360 --> 00:03:16.960 They didn't have health. 00:03:17.120 --> 00:03:19.120 They didn't have nice possessions. 00:03:19.280 --> 00:03:23.520 They didn't feel like their kids were doing what they should have done. 00:03:23.840 --> 00:03:34.400 And something different about them, as I would sit there, I've stood as I've ministered to people at hospital rooms where the diagnosis was not good. 00:03:34.800 --> 00:03:43.039 It didn't look well, and they would smile and be full of joy and said, Preacher, it's going to be okay no matter what. 00:03:43.439 --> 00:03:51.759 I have sat there with families in a modest home and said, and they had contentment and joy of the Lord deep within them. 00:03:52.319 --> 00:03:57.680 And so I get as humans, we all have different opinions of what it means to be blessed. 00:03:58.000 --> 00:04:06.159 But I'm telling you, having joy and peace and the relationship with Jesus is what absolutely changes everything. 00:04:06.479 --> 00:04:12.639 I have walked in seasons of life where a loved one went to know the Lord. 00:04:12.879 --> 00:04:22.720 And although there was an absence there, there was a void, but yet they knew without a shadow of a doubt they would see them again, and there was an overwhelming joy that came across them. 00:04:23.040 --> 00:04:26.399 And so I totally get when we say, what does it mean to be blessed? 00:04:26.560 --> 00:04:36.560 You may jot a few things down, and I've seen people that had those not be joyful and happy, and I've seen people that didn't have anything be joyful. 00:04:36.879 --> 00:04:39.360 So the question is, who is really blessed? 00:04:39.680 --> 00:04:40.480 What is blessed? 00:04:40.639 --> 00:04:41.519 What does it mean to be blessed? 00:04:41.600 --> 00:04:42.160 I asked you that. 00:04:42.480 --> 00:04:43.279 Who's really best? 00:04:43.600 --> 00:04:44.000 Blessed? 00:04:44.079 --> 00:04:50.240 Because I think there's a vast difference between blessings and being blessed. 00:04:50.399 --> 00:04:56.480 It's two different sort of things, and I want to articulate those, and I want to sort of paint a comparison before I read the verses. 00:04:56.720 --> 00:05:09.040 Because you and I look around this world, and we live in a world where everything that everybody has that seems to be on social media, so we know what everybody has, we know what they bought and what what furniture they have. 00:05:09.199 --> 00:05:09.439 Why? 00:05:09.519 --> 00:05:11.040 Because they post it all the time. 00:05:11.360 --> 00:05:13.680 I like the people that post stuff that's saying they're out of town. 00:05:13.759 --> 00:05:16.560 I'm thinking, are you wanting to get robbed or or what? 00:05:16.720 --> 00:05:17.279 You know? 00:05:17.519 --> 00:05:19.120 But don't do that, okay? 00:05:19.360 --> 00:05:21.600 Um let me make a comparison. 00:05:21.839 --> 00:05:25.600 We often, as people, look at what they possess. 00:05:25.759 --> 00:05:26.480 What do they own? 00:05:26.560 --> 00:05:27.199 What do they have? 00:05:27.439 --> 00:05:30.399 Jesus looks at the person's heart. 00:05:30.720 --> 00:05:34.160 We look outwardly, Jesus looks inwardly. 00:05:35.120 --> 00:05:38.240 Um Jesus measures the outside. 00:05:38.480 --> 00:05:42.800 I mean, the world measures the outside, Jesus measures the inside. 00:05:43.439 --> 00:05:45.199 Why is it that way? 00:05:45.680 --> 00:05:48.639 The world measures what you own. 00:05:49.199 --> 00:05:51.040 Listen, this secret I'll give you. 00:05:52.000 --> 00:05:56.639 Jesus measures your blessings by who you'll become. 00:05:57.439 --> 00:06:00.879 The world measures your blessings by what you own. 00:06:02.399 --> 00:06:06.160 But Jesus measures your blessings on who you will become. 00:06:06.879 --> 00:06:12.800 And that's what the Sermon on the Mount begins to teach me as it begins with these beatitudes. 00:06:13.040 --> 00:06:14.639 That's why he preached what he preached. 00:06:14.879 --> 00:06:15.360 Let me give it to you. 00:06:15.439 --> 00:06:17.759 I'll read the first 12 verses and then we'll dig in. 00:06:18.079 --> 00:06:21.759 And my study Bible says this is the beatitudes. 00:06:22.000 --> 00:06:23.040 What does that mean? 00:06:23.199 --> 00:06:32.560 The definition of a beatitude is supreme blessings, exalted happiness, divine joy is what it ultimately means. 00:06:32.879 --> 00:06:34.399 Start with me in verse number one. 00:06:34.959 --> 00:06:40.079 And seeing the multitudes, he, talking about Jesus, went up on a mountain. 00:06:40.319 --> 00:06:43.839 And when he was seated, his disciples came to him. 00:06:44.480 --> 00:06:50.480 Then he opened his mouth and taught them, saying, This is Jesus' words here, verse number three. 00:06:50.879 --> 00:06:57.439 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:06:58.240 --> 00:07:02.720 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:07.439 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 00:07:07.920 --> 00:07:13.920 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. 00:07:14.639 --> 00:07:18.720 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 00:07:19.120 --> 00:07:22.639 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:28.160 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 00:07:28.800 --> 00:07:36.160 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:07:36.399 --> 00:07:47.759 Verse 11 Blessed are you, makes it personal there, when they reveal and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my name's sake. 00:07:48.079 --> 00:07:53.920 Rejoice and be excitingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. 00:07:54.240 --> 00:07:58.399 For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 00:07:59.199 --> 00:08:03.920 And I started with asking you, what does it mean to be blessed? 00:08:04.160 --> 00:08:14.319 Now, oftentimes you may lay out what you would think what a blessing is, and some people may even describe being blessed as being happy. 00:08:14.480 --> 00:08:23.279 And what's interesting about chapter number five in the Sermon on the Mount here is that the word blessed is used nine times. 00:08:23.519 --> 00:08:34.799 And what's so very interesting to me is that although I read this in English, I understand that the Bible wasn't written in English like you and I understand, so it was translated. 00:08:34.879 --> 00:08:40.240 And when they wrote this in the Greek, it had a far deeper understanding and meaning of the word blessed. 00:08:40.320 --> 00:08:42.960 And here's what ultimately it means. 00:08:43.360 --> 00:08:46.240 It doesn't just simply mean happy. 00:08:46.559 --> 00:08:54.159 Because if it only meant happy, that means when things around me aren't good, then my happiness goes away. 00:08:54.399 --> 00:08:57.600 See, happiness depends on what's happening. 00:08:57.759 --> 00:08:59.200 That's how I like to word it. 00:08:59.679 --> 00:09:01.759 If I get everything I want, I'm happy. 00:09:01.919 --> 00:09:05.360 If dinner's on time and ready, I'm talking it's I'm happy. 00:09:05.519 --> 00:09:08.559 If my steak is cooked just right, I'm happy. 00:09:08.720 --> 00:09:13.279 If I if my salad's perfect and I got the right ranch dressing, I'm happy. 00:09:14.399 --> 00:09:16.960 If my kids obey, I'm happy. 00:09:17.120 --> 00:09:18.080 Come on now. 00:09:18.960 --> 00:09:25.039 If if everything works according to what my current mood wants, I'm happy. 00:09:25.279 --> 00:09:28.320 So happiness depends on what is happening. 00:09:28.559 --> 00:09:30.720 If everything is going well, I'm happy. 00:09:30.879 --> 00:09:32.879 If my life falls apart, I'm unhappy. 00:09:32.960 --> 00:09:34.240 You see the difference. 00:09:34.559 --> 00:09:37.360 Happiness depends on what is happening. 00:09:37.519 --> 00:09:41.279 I love an old quote by Adrian Rogers, a great preacher of the faith. 00:09:41.440 --> 00:09:42.799 I'll put it on the screen for you. 00:09:42.960 --> 00:09:45.759 He said this: happy depends on happenings. 00:09:46.240 --> 00:09:48.559 Blessed depends on God. 00:09:49.519 --> 00:09:50.480 So what does it mean? 00:09:50.639 --> 00:09:54.000 What is he talking about in the Sermon on the Mount, chapter 5? 00:09:54.159 --> 00:09:55.919 He uses the word blessed nine times. 00:09:56.080 --> 00:10:00.960 What does it actually mean when he says blessed? 00:10:01.759 --> 00:10:04.480 It's somebody that enjoys the favor of God. 00:10:05.440 --> 00:10:10.000 Being blessed enjoys when God grants your way. 00:10:10.399 --> 00:10:16.720 He's saying, man, somebody who is spiritually flourishing would arguably be best by God. 00:10:16.960 --> 00:10:19.759 And I want to continue on my spiritual journey. 00:10:19.919 --> 00:10:24.720 I want God to help, allow me to understand and to and to help and to encourage and to disciple. 00:10:24.799 --> 00:10:27.679 He's saying happiness is not what's happening. 00:10:27.759 --> 00:10:28.960 Listen, he's saying blessed. 00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:30.559 It is spiritual flourishing. 00:10:30.960 --> 00:10:34.639 It is somebody that loves the favor of God. 00:10:35.919 --> 00:10:50.559 It is somebody who has joy and contentment, no matter what's going on around them, because they know that their joy and contentment comes from their personal relationship with a living God named Jesus Christ. 00:10:51.120 --> 00:10:55.440 So when he says blessed, don't just think happiness that I'm happy for the moment. 00:10:55.600 --> 00:11:01.600 It is an eternal joy that nothing that happens will ever take it away from you. 00:11:02.159 --> 00:11:05.039 Blessed, he uses it nine times. 00:11:05.279 --> 00:11:08.559 It's the complete opposite of how the world would describe blessed. 00:11:08.799 --> 00:11:10.559 So let's see what Jesus says about it. 00:11:10.639 --> 00:11:18.720 I got three things that have come to the surface in these 12 verses, and we'll look together right here at verse 3 and 4, right at the very beginning, and here it is. 00:11:18.879 --> 00:11:21.600 We're talking about different values, right? 00:11:21.759 --> 00:11:22.720 Being different. 00:11:22.879 --> 00:11:24.799 Here's the first thing that I'll show you, verses three. 00:11:24.879 --> 00:11:26.080 I'll reread verses three. 00:11:26.320 --> 00:11:30.320 But different values begin with humility. 00:11:30.799 --> 00:11:39.600 Now, humility is something that he speaks about all through scripture, but if I'm supposed to be different, it what why is that the case? 00:11:39.759 --> 00:11:41.759 He starts off verses three and four. 00:11:42.080 --> 00:11:47.759 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:11:47.919 --> 00:11:52.960 Blessed are those who mourn, who grieve, who cry, for they shall be comforted. 00:11:53.360 --> 00:12:02.240 So I want to understand what Jesus meant because I understand what I know poor is, and I understand what I know mourning is, but what did it mean? 00:12:02.399 --> 00:12:04.799 What did he mean when he said it the way he said it? 00:12:05.120 --> 00:12:07.600 See, I love how Jesus starts this sermon off. 00:12:07.840 --> 00:12:08.639 He sits them down. 00:12:08.720 --> 00:12:11.600 Now, what has taken place that got them to this point? 00:12:11.919 --> 00:12:20.320 In Matthew chapter number four, Jesus is in the wilderness, and he is uh fasting for 40 days and 40 nights. 00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:28.639 He taught us what fasting was, meaning, if I need to get a hold of God and have and have a connection like none other, I need to get away and fast for a little bit. 00:12:28.720 --> 00:12:29.600 So what does Jesus do? 00:12:29.679 --> 00:12:33.440 He goes into the wilderness and doesn't eat for 40 days. 00:12:33.600 --> 00:12:34.879 And what did the devil do? 00:12:35.120 --> 00:12:36.559 Shows up three times. 00:12:36.799 --> 00:12:40.720 Now listen, this is Jesus, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. 00:12:40.879 --> 00:12:52.399 Jesus, who stepped out of heaven and who was born on earth, now is going to pray to the Father in heaven, steps out and fasts, and says that he's gonna go and conversate with the Father and pray. 00:12:52.559 --> 00:12:54.000 And what does the devil do? 00:12:54.320 --> 00:13:01.120 Rears up his hand and starts uh trying to get him to fall and to fail. 00:13:01.279 --> 00:13:06.159 Now, I don't know about you, but when I start getting hungry, I might start doing some things I shouldn't be doing. 00:13:06.240 --> 00:13:10.159 Well, nothing's gonna stop me between me and a steak or a hamburger. 00:13:10.320 --> 00:13:11.679 Anybody hungry right now? 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:12.720 Yes, yeah. 00:13:12.799 --> 00:13:14.720 I'll try to get you out of here before lunch is done. 00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:15.440 Listen to me. 00:13:15.600 --> 00:13:20.159 He's saying Jesus was hungry and he's praying, he's seeking the Lord. 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:21.120 And what happened? 00:13:21.200 --> 00:13:24.000 The devil shows up and tempts him three different times. 00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:28.799 Jesus leaves the wilderness and begins his ministry work there in Galilee. 00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:39.759 And then you can read in Matthew chapter number four, he goes and begins to talk to some men and these fishermen who were putting their net up, said, Hey, how about you leave your net there and become, I'll make you fishers of men. 00:13:39.840 --> 00:13:41.200 Why don't you come follow me? 00:13:41.440 --> 00:13:43.279 And all this is beginning to happen. 00:13:43.440 --> 00:13:45.679 And these men say, Sure, we'll we're out of here. 00:13:45.759 --> 00:13:49.679 I'll go and follow you and now seek men and lead them to you. 00:13:49.840 --> 00:13:52.320 And all these events are are piling up. 00:13:52.480 --> 00:13:56.320 And he begins to heal some folks right there at the tail end of chapter number four. 00:13:56.399 --> 00:14:06.559 And then he realizes it's time to teach them something, and he gets on top of the mountain and he sits them down and he says, I want to teach you why it's important for us to be different than the world. 00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:09.120 And now it's something for you and I to get a hold of. 00:14:09.200 --> 00:14:11.279 We live in a world that's rotten to the core. 00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:17.919 We live in a world that shows the opposite of what scripture is, and Jesus clarified it and fixed it. 00:14:18.080 --> 00:14:22.080 And right here, he's teaching the disciples something that you and I need to get a hold of as well. 00:14:22.320 --> 00:14:24.639 Different values begin with humility. 00:14:24.720 --> 00:14:26.320 Why did he begin with humility? 00:14:26.879 --> 00:14:28.159 Why did he begin? 00:14:28.399 --> 00:14:34.080 Why does Jesus start the Sermon on the Mount with humility and lowliness? 00:14:34.399 --> 00:14:38.559 Because everything in the Christian life begins right there. 00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:46.720 And without Jesus humbling himself and going up to the cross and dying for you and I, there would be no salvation. 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:51.840 If it wasn't for Christ doing what he did, there would be no salvation. 00:14:52.080 --> 00:14:59.759 If it wasn't for me at eight years old realizing that I couldn't save myself, but he could save me, I wouldn't be saved. 00:14:59.919 --> 00:15:15.039 All the five people that we got to witness getting baptized this morning, all of them at some point in their life were humbled enough to realize they couldn't save themselves, but everything that Jesus did on the cross could save them. 00:15:15.200 --> 00:15:18.240 So the Christian life begins with humility. 00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:24.000 It begins with an element of, I've got to forgive others because he forgave me. 00:15:24.240 --> 00:15:29.039 It begins with spiritual growth, and that happens day by day. 00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:33.440 But none of those things will ever happen until I surrender my life unto him. 00:15:33.919 --> 00:15:39.840 So the first step in the kingdom of God is not climbing higher, it's actually bowing lower. 00:15:40.080 --> 00:15:45.840 And that's what Jesus begins to teach us in chapter 5, verses 3 and verse number 4. 00:15:46.000 --> 00:15:48.159 He's showing us how to humble ourselves. 00:15:48.320 --> 00:15:54.080 First number three, when he talks about blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God. 00:15:54.240 --> 00:15:55.440 What does he mean by poor? 00:15:55.679 --> 00:15:58.799 For one, I've got to recognize that I need God. 00:15:59.200 --> 00:16:04.799 If I ever get to a place in my life where I think I can do it all by myself, I've done messed up. 00:16:05.679 --> 00:16:07.919 I need a savior every day of my life. 00:16:08.080 --> 00:16:12.879 And see, what I think, when I read this word poor, Jesus is not talking about financially poor. 00:16:13.039 --> 00:16:17.519 He's not talking about how much or how little you have in your bank account or under your mattress. 00:16:17.600 --> 00:16:19.759 Some of y'all probably still keep it in your, maybe your freezer. 00:16:19.840 --> 00:16:20.240 I don't know. 00:16:20.399 --> 00:16:22.240 Y'all still hide it in a few places. 00:16:22.399 --> 00:16:23.600 He ain't talking about that. 00:16:23.840 --> 00:16:24.879 What's he talking about? 00:16:25.440 --> 00:16:36.320 The phrase in verse number three, poor in spirit, describes somebody who understands that they are spiritually bankrupt without God. 00:16:36.799 --> 00:16:39.120 Meaning, I can't do it without him. 00:16:39.440 --> 00:16:44.559 If there's ever any ounce of me that thinks I can do something without Christ, it is not good. 00:16:44.720 --> 00:16:46.639 That's why he's talking about poor in spirit. 00:16:46.879 --> 00:16:51.279 Somebody has to recognize that I'm spiritually bankrupt apart from Christ. 00:16:51.440 --> 00:16:58.320 The word poor paints the picture of this: somebody that has absolutely nothing to offer God. 00:16:58.799 --> 00:17:03.440 In reality, there's nothing I can do to earn salvation or even earn his favor. 00:17:03.600 --> 00:17:05.440 He said, I just want to give myself in. 00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:06.960 You know what he wants? 00:17:07.599 --> 00:17:10.559 He wants us to surrender our life and say, I'm here. 00:17:10.880 --> 00:17:12.559 Use me as you will. 00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:14.160 Do whatever it is in your life. 00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:18.000 That's what he wants with all of us, not just me, but for you as well. 00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:21.920 And that's why he's talking about poor in spirit. 00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:25.759 Someone who recognizes that I can't save myself. 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:27.519 I can't earn God's favor. 00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:29.599 I can't, I can't work my way to heaven. 00:17:29.680 --> 00:17:31.440 I desperately need his grace. 00:17:31.680 --> 00:17:34.559 Jesus isn't necessarily talking about low self-esteem. 00:17:34.799 --> 00:17:41.680 He's describing an honest self-awareness of a holy God, meaning I'm aware that he's holy and I need him every day. 00:17:41.920 --> 00:17:43.359 You know what the world teaches us? 00:17:43.519 --> 00:17:44.640 Believe in yourself. 00:17:44.880 --> 00:17:46.640 You know what Jesus teaches us? 00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:49.119 You need to recognize that you need me. 00:17:49.279 --> 00:17:50.880 That's what he said in the scriptures. 00:17:51.119 --> 00:17:52.480 Look at verse 4. 00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:54.960 He starts talking about poor in spirit, verse 3. 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:59.599 Verse 4, blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:00.640 What does he mean? 00:18:00.880 --> 00:18:05.839 He says, he's essentially showing us grief what breaks God's heart. 00:18:06.160 --> 00:18:10.400 You need you what breaks God's heart should break your heart, is what he's essentially saying. 00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:16.079 He immediately follows poverty of spirit with mourning, with crying, with grieving. 00:18:16.240 --> 00:18:17.839 I don't think that's accidental. 00:18:18.880 --> 00:18:24.400 When God, I think when I recognize who God is, I realize who I am, puts it into perspective. 00:18:24.640 --> 00:18:26.880 And I begin to grieve over my own sin. 00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:36.960 And in the true context of what Jesus is trying to articulate to the disciples and to us, he's not talking about somebody that is broken because they got caught. 00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:41.680 He's saying, I want, I'm talking to somebody who is broken over sin in our lives. 00:18:41.920 --> 00:18:46.880 And what's vastly important is for me to recognize that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. 00:18:47.039 --> 00:18:54.000 And I recognize that you and I live in a generation where people sort of categorize sin and say, well, that's not as bad as this one, and this one isn't as bad as that one. 00:18:54.079 --> 00:18:57.359 But the truth of the matter is, if sin is sin in God's eyes. 00:18:57.519 --> 00:19:00.640 And no matter how you categorize it, it's still sin in God's eyes. 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:05.200 And what I often want, and I seek the Lord, say, God, I want my sin to break my heart. 00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:06.799 I don't got time to worry about yours. 00:19:06.880 --> 00:19:07.839 I got to worry about mine. 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:10.720 God, I want what breaks your heart to break my heart. 00:19:10.799 --> 00:19:15.839 And that's what he's speaking about in this verse specifically, because he says in verse number four, he's talking about mourning. 00:19:15.920 --> 00:19:21.839 He says, For those that cry and are broken over sin, those who I will comfort. 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:24.400 Sin itself should break our heart. 00:19:24.640 --> 00:19:28.240 Many people are sorry that they get caught, but that's not what he's speaking about. 00:19:28.400 --> 00:19:33.279 Jesus is talking about sorry because we have grieved the heart of a holy God. 00:19:33.599 --> 00:19:44.240 The exact moment, if I want to articulate that and give you a perfect picture of that happening in Scripture, several weeks ago, I preached in one of the Psalms weeks, I preached in Psalms 51. 00:19:44.880 --> 00:19:46.559 And David had messed up. 00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:48.559 And for years he ran from God. 00:19:48.640 --> 00:19:54.480 And as he ran from God, I'm telling you, it was time after time he could have got right, but he didn't. 00:19:54.559 --> 00:19:58.480 And then he used, God used Nathan to code him and he told him a story. 00:19:58.720 --> 00:20:01.440 And David recognized the story was him. 00:20:01.680 --> 00:20:03.839 And in that moment, what did David do? 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:07.680 You want to see some biblical, some picture of this happening in the Bible? 00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:08.240 It's right here. 00:20:08.319 --> 00:20:10.480 And David didn't say, Oh, I'm sorry, Nathan. 00:20:10.640 --> 00:20:13.119 Oh, I'm sorry, this, or I'm sorry that what did he do? 00:20:13.440 --> 00:20:22.640 Psalms 51, verse number four, David cries out with a loud voice and says, Against you and you alone have I sinned. 00:20:22.960 --> 00:20:38.880 In that very moment, you and I got to see a glimpse and a picture of what true mourning biblically is speaking about right here is it broke the heart of God, therefore it broke David's heart, and he went after the Lord and said, Against you and you alone have I sinned. 00:20:39.039 --> 00:20:44.160 And what I understand from this text is that he's saying, I can give comfort to that. 00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:47.680 And I need the comfort of the Lord, but it takes a part on me. 00:20:48.640 --> 00:20:53.279 I love how Paul wrote it in 2 Corinthians chapter number 7 and verse number 10. 00:20:53.359 --> 00:20:56.319 He says, For godly sorrow produces repentance. 00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:59.200 He's letting us know that there is two different kinds of sorrow in life. 00:20:59.359 --> 00:21:03.920 I can be sorry that I got caught, or I could be having godly sorrow, and it should produce repentance. 00:21:04.079 --> 00:21:06.880 That is exactly what he's speaking about right here. 00:21:07.119 --> 00:21:09.039 Jesus says the person is blessed. 00:21:09.200 --> 00:21:09.680 Why? 00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:11.279 Because they'll be comforted. 00:21:11.680 --> 00:21:13.279 And in life, I need comfort. 00:21:13.359 --> 00:21:14.000 Life is hard. 00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:15.039 It's not easy. 00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:17.519 I'm not going to get comforted by ignoring my sin. 00:21:17.680 --> 00:21:20.319 No, I'm not going to get comforted by acting like it didn't happen. 00:21:20.400 --> 00:21:24.799 I'm going to get comforted owning it and recognize how it breaks God's heart. 00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:28.000 Let me paint a picture to you so I can give you a comparison. 00:21:28.160 --> 00:21:30.640 The world says this: be confident in yourself. 00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:32.960 Jesus says, be poor in spirit. 00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:35.599 The world says, never admit when you're wrong. 00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:38.000 Jesus says, mourn over your sin. 00:21:38.400 --> 00:21:40.640 The world says promote yourself. 00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:43.759 Jesus says, humble yourself. 00:21:43.920 --> 00:21:47.279 That's why following Jesus makes us different than the world. 00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:50.000 Let me give you this, and I'll move on to the next few verses. 00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:54.720 The doorway into God's kingdom is always marked by humility. 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:56.559 I'm not going to humble myself. 00:21:56.720 --> 00:21:58.160 I'm not going to reach his throne room. 00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:58.880 There's no way. 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:01.599 With me in verse number five. 00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:06.720 First thing we saw this morning is different value begins with humility. 00:22:06.880 --> 00:22:10.160 Now different values produce a different life. 00:22:10.400 --> 00:22:15.440 Notice the character changing here in verses five, six, seven, and eight. 00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:20.000 Blessed are the meek, verse five, for they shall inherit the earth. 00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:24.319 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. 00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:27.359 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:29.920 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:34.559 And blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 00:22:35.599 --> 00:22:38.880 People should see the difference in my life when I got saved. 00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:42.880 There should be different fruit produced in my life. 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:51.759 Describe the character that God develops in individual believers. 00:22:52.079 --> 00:22:59.440 He starts with humility because that's where it all begins, but then he now changes to characteristics that are created within each individual believer. 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:00.319 Notice what happens. 00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:06.160 In verse 5, a different life is marked by surrender, meaning every day I've got to surrender. 00:23:06.400 --> 00:23:08.720 If I I got to say that, A, I told you all that. 00:23:08.880 --> 00:23:12.319 If I would have surrendered then and never surrendered again, I wouldn't be where I am today. 00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:16.400 Every day I have to wake up and surrender my life unto the Lord. 00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:18.160 Does that mean I get saved every day? 00:23:18.319 --> 00:23:18.640 No. 00:23:18.880 --> 00:23:20.799 I believe once saved, always said that's it. 00:23:20.880 --> 00:23:22.079 I can show you that in scripture. 00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:23.440 But every day I have to wake up. 00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:34.960 Paul even says that in his new, in some of the letters that he wrote, because he knew that the devil was real and was attacking, and he said, Man, you've got to surrender yourself each and every day unto me. 00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:37.359 And every day I want to wake up and say, God, I need you. 00:23:37.519 --> 00:23:38.079 I need you. 00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:39.759 Look how he words it in verse 5. 00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:40.559 Blessed are the meek. 00:23:40.640 --> 00:23:42.319 What does it mean, meek? 00:23:42.640 --> 00:23:45.759 See, the world shows you and I that meek is weak. 00:23:46.000 --> 00:23:52.079 The world shows you and I that being meek is not only weakness, but it's almost like being a pushover. 00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:54.640 Or you're like a rug, everybody just walks on you. 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:57.599 Being meek is nothing to be proud of. 00:23:57.759 --> 00:24:02.720 But Jesus actually paints that picture way different and shows you and I what meekness is. 00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:07.599 Actually, Jesus said a few chapters later that he is meek and lowly. 00:24:07.759 --> 00:24:12.319 He described himself, Jesus, the creator of all things, is saying, I am meek. 00:24:12.559 --> 00:24:14.880 So what is a great picture of being meek? 00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:16.559 I love using a horse. 00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:18.640 I don't know if you've ever been around horses before. 00:24:18.720 --> 00:24:20.720 I've ridden horses, I've seen them. 00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:28.640 A couple months ago, we went for Holland's birthday to ride horses, and you get to see how power, powerful, and large that they are and strong. 00:24:28.880 --> 00:24:34.319 If you see a horse in the wild, they say, man, they're reckless, they could cause all kinds of havoc. 00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:39.119 And then they go to a trainer and they get broke, and now they are able to be ridden? 00:24:39.359 --> 00:24:40.799 Did they lose their strength? 00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:41.359 No. 00:24:41.680 --> 00:24:43.599 No, their power is just under control. 00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:50.400 And that's exactly what Jesus is speaking about when he says in verse number five about blessed are the meek. 00:24:50.640 --> 00:24:52.319 That is power under control. 00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:55.759 I have to learn to control my power. 00:24:56.319 --> 00:24:57.440 What kind of power do I got? 00:24:57.599 --> 00:24:59.599 I can say things that hurt somebody's feelings. 00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:02.240 I can be a certain way, and I have to be careful. 00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:02.799 Why? 00:25:03.039 --> 00:25:03.839 Because I'm a pastor? 00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:06.000 No, but because I'm a follower of Christ. 00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:09.200 Things happen in this world that cause you and I want to react. 00:25:09.440 --> 00:25:11.759 Anybody ever get on your nerves at the store or anything? 00:25:12.079 --> 00:25:13.440 Oh, it's just me, okay? 00:25:13.680 --> 00:25:15.039 They ain't quick enough, right? 00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:18.319 You go to the dentist's office, I'm like, I had a nine o'clock appointment, bro. 00:25:18.400 --> 00:25:19.440 I got stuff to do. 00:25:19.680 --> 00:25:20.480 9:30. 00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:21.839 They ain't called my name yet. 00:25:21.920 --> 00:25:22.880 What'll I want to do? 00:25:22.960 --> 00:25:25.359 I want to go in there and cause some havoc, but I can't. 00:25:25.599 --> 00:25:27.440 I'm a follower of Christ. 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:31.440 Yesterday at the grocery store, don't go to Kroger's on Saturday. 00:25:31.519 --> 00:25:32.319 I'm just gonna be honest with you. 00:25:32.400 --> 00:25:34.000 Buy your groceries beforehand. 00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:37.359 Everybody in Pauldon County was there, I'll be honest with you. 00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:39.759 And I'm trying, Megan, me and her were together. 00:25:39.839 --> 00:25:41.279 She's like, just go to a self-checkout. 00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:42.640 I hate self-checkout. 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:47.599 Self-checkout took longer than not self-checkout. 00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:48.640 You understand what I'm saying? 00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:49.359 Why? 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:51.119 That thing's a piece of junk. 00:25:51.440 --> 00:25:52.079 Junk. 00:25:52.400 --> 00:25:54.880 It kept telling me, put the item in the bag. 00:25:54.960 --> 00:25:56.319 And I'm like, it's in there. 00:25:57.599 --> 00:25:58.720 It's in there. 00:25:59.920 --> 00:26:02.000 Then two, we had seven items. 00:26:02.160 --> 00:26:03.920 It took like 45 minutes, okay? 00:26:04.079 --> 00:26:04.960 I about stole them. 00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:05.599 No, I'm just kidding. 00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:06.000