Are You Blessed?

Are You Blessed?

Matthew 5:3-16

Matthew 5:3-16

3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

(NIV)

Are you a

BLESSED person?

Being Blessed has nothing to do with what we have RECEIVED, and everything to do with what we are LACKING!

Blessed are…

… the poor in spirit = DESTITUTE!

Matthew 5:3

"You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope.

With less of you there is more of God and his rule.”

… those who mourn = BROKENHEARTED!

Matthew 5:4

[4] "You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you.

Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

… the meek = ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬CONTENTED!

Matthew 5:5

[5] "You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.

…those who hunger and thirst

for righteousness = WANT GOD AND GOD ALONE!

Matthew 5:6

[6] "You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.

… the merciful =

I’VE GOT YOUR PAIN IN MY HEART!

Matthew 5:7

[7] "You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ’carefull,’ you find yourselves cared for.

… the pure in heart =UNADULTERATED MOTIVES!

Matthew 5:8

[8] "You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

… the peacemakers =

ALWAYS SEEK THE HIGHEST GOOD FOR OTHERS!

Matthew 5:9

[9] "You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.

… those who are persecuted because of righteousness =

TORTURED FOR CHRIST!

Matthew 5:10

[10] "You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

… you!

YOUR NAME HERE!

… when people insult you = PUT YOU DOWN!

… when people persecute you = PUT YOU OUT!

… when people falsely accuse you = TELLS LIES ABOUT YOU

because of Me!

Matthew 5:11-12

[11] "…count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me.

What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. [12] You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—

for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds.

And know that you are in good company.

My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

Matthew 5:13-15

13 "You are the salt of the earth.

But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

14 "You are the light of the world.

A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

You are BLESSED when you…

“… let your light shine before men,

that they may see your good deeds

and praise your Father in heaven.”