Sermon Central
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The Beatitudes
Contributed by Christian Cheong on Aug 27, 2007 (message contributor)
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1. Finding Fulfilment In An Empty World
Contributed on Aug 27, 2007
The Beatitudes are meant for all Christians. Jesus expects us to manifest all of them. They are not learnt traits, but the fruit brought forth by the grace of God in our lives.
[I’ve taken most of the thoughts in this sermon from D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones’book Studies in the Sermon on the Mount.] Read the Beatitudes, and there you have a description of what every Christian is meant to be. • It is not merely the description of some exceptional Christians. • Jesus does ...read more
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2. Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit
Contributed on Sep 20, 2007
The poor in spirit understands that they are bankrupt before God. They have nothing to offer, nothing to plead, nothing with which to buy the favour of heaven. When we understand that, God can use us in a great way.
The Beatitudes describe what every Christian ought to be. • Jesus says these are those who are truly blessed. • And He expects us to manifest these traits. • None of these traits are natural human tendencies; it is what we can become by the grace of God. • They are attainable and achievable ...read more
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3. Blessed Are Those Who Mourn
Contributed on Sep 20, 2007
We are to be grieved by the things that grieves the Lord, to mourn over sin and the effects of sin in our lives and in our world today.
The Beatitudes describe what every Christian ought to be. • Jesus says these are those who are truly blessed. • We are to manifest ALL these traits. • And by the grace of God we can, since these aren’t natural traits that can be cultivated through human efforts. • The Lord wants us to live ...read more
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4. Blessed Are The Meek
Contributed on Oct 4, 2007
The meek are not weak. They trust in God’s sovereign rule over all things, submitting in His way and time. Their strength is Spirit-controlled, so that God’s will be done and His glory be manifested.
The purpose of the Sermon on the Mount is to inform God’s disciples of the qualities they are to possess and display to a watching world. So far we’ve come to see that a blessed Christian is someone who is: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” • We know we ...read more
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5. The Blessing Of A Hungry Heart
Contributed on Oct 16, 2007
The only fulfilment in life is to hunger and thirst for God and the things of God. Nothing else in this world can bring true happiness and lasting blessings.
The purpose of the Sermon on the Mount is to inform God’s disciples of the qualities they are to possess and display to a watching world. So far we’ve come to see that a blessed Christian is someone who is: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” • Blessed are ...read more
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6. Be Merciful
Contributed on Oct 19, 2007
Be merciful and give others a second chance. The merciful demonstrates mercy with acts of kindness and love. The merciful forgives.
Be blessed. Be poor in spirit, always live in need of God’s grace. • Be grieved by the things that grieve the heart of God. • Be humble and submit to God’s sovereign rule in your life. • Hunger and thirst for the things of God. Only such a craving will be filled. Without a returning to God ...read more
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7. Blessed Are The Pure In Heart
Contributed on Oct 27, 2007
God is concerned with the condition of our heart. We are to seek purity of heart in two ways: (1) be right, and (2) be true. Our words and deeds must be in sync with our heart.
Noticed Jesus did not say “Blessed are the pure…” which is correct too. • But He said, “Blessed are the pure IN HEART.” The emphasis is right. • Man concerns the outward – we want to look good, to make an impression. • We need to place more emphasis on what is unseen – the attitudes of our ...read more
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8. Be A Peacemaker
Contributed on Nov 10, 2007
To make peace is not to compromise or avoid confrontation. Abraham set us a good example. We must have the desire to make peace, treasure the relationship, be generous in heart and avoid a self-centred view of things.
JOHN PIPER says the cry of the beatitudes is this: “Get a new heart!” • They are not good suggestions, but what every Christian ought to be. • The beatitudes counter the false understanding that a person can be saved without being changed. Or: that a person can inherit eternal life even if his ...read more
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9. Make A Stand For Christ
Contributed on Dec 16, 2007
Take a stand for Christ. It is a challenge because the world is flowing in the opposite direction. But each time we make a stand, we are bearing testimony that our faith is real.
God wants peacemakers in His church. God wants to peacemakers in the workplace. God wants peacemakers in this world. • If you are a child of God, you are a peacemaker. We are not called to be peacekeepers but peacemakers. • All of us must seek to make peace, to help others make peace, and ...read more