Sermon for 3/8/2009
Matthew 5:5- Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Introduction:
A pet store delivery truck driver was traveling down the road. Every time he came to a stoplight, he would get out of the truck and grab a 2 X 4. Then he’d run to the back and start beating on the truck’s back doors. This went on for several miles, and nobody could figure out what he was doing. Finally the guy who had been behind him pulled alongside and just had to ask, “What are you doing?” “This is only a two ton truck,” the driver said, “and I’m carrying four tons of canaries. I’ve got to keep two tons of them up in the air all the time.”
That’s how some of us try to live our lives. We take desperate measures; trying to keep our hurts, hang ups and habits up in the air so they don’t come crashing around us. We try hard to keep up a good front.
WBTU:
Celebrate Recovery
Cycle of despair.
A. It starts by feeling guilty about our sinful behavior.
B. Then it goes to getting angry with ourselves and others.
C. Over time, our anger turns to the fear that things are never going to change.
D. We realize that our problems are controlling us, and our fear eventually turns to depression.
E. Finally, we give up and say, “I can’t change. I quit.” Then the cycle of despair begins all over again with guilt.
How do we break out of the cycle of despair? Last time we talked about those who mourn. The only solution for our sin problem is to seek God’s comfort, his salvation.
(Mat 11:28 NIV) "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Mat 11:29 NIV) Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Mat 11:30 NIV) For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
What an amazing deal! Why would anybody turn Him down?
Thesis: Many people are reluctant to make Jesus Christ their Master and Savior. Why?
For instances:
I. What is holding them back?
1. Pride
A. Happy are the meek. Many say that meekness is weakness. In reality, meekness and weakness are at opposite ends. In fact, the Greek word for meekness actually means “strength under control.” This word is used to describe a wild stallion that is tamed and taught to be ridden. The stallion still has all its strength, but now its strength is under control, ready for its master’s use. God doesn’t ask us to be weak, but He does ask us to lay down our pride and be meek.
B. Meekness is surrender; it is submitting; it is agreeing to do what God wants in our lives.
C. (Prov 18:12 NIV) Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
2. Guilt
A. (Psa 40:12 NIV) For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me.
B. We are ashamed to ask God because we are so sinful.
C. There is no sin that God cannot or will not forgive. He wants to forgive all our guilt. That’s why Christ went to the cross!
D. (Psa 103:2 NIV) Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits--(Psa 103:3 NIV) who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
3. Fear
Fear takes many forms:
1. Sometimes we’re afraid to trust God.
2. There is the story about a guy who falls off a cliff. Halfway down he grabs on to a branch, and he’s hanging on for dear life. He cries out, “Somebody help!” Suddenly, he hears the voice of God, “This is the Lord, trust Me, let go, and I’ll catch you.” The guy looks back down and back up again. Then he calls out, “Is there anybody else up there?”
3. Many people turn to God as the last resort. Afraid to trust Him.
4. Sometimes we’re afraid of losing control. The truth of the matter we’re all controlled by someone or something at all time.
5. Lasting freedom is choosing who controls us. Jesus Christ wants to set us free.
6. (Isa 44:22 NIV) I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you."
7. Sometimes we’re afraid of becoming religious nuts. We are really the crazy ones. (Mark 5:15) When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.
4. Worry
A. Confuse the decision making with the problem solving. First, we make the decision to buy the house. Then we have many more problem solving steps. If we focus on the problems, then we will never buy the house. First, we make a decision!
B. One day at a time sweet Jesus That’s all I’m asking from you. Just give me the strength To do everyday what I have to do. Yesterday’s gone sweet Jesus And tomorrow may never be mine. Lord help me today, show me the way One day at a time.
C. (Mat 6:34) Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
D. Make the decision and let God worry about problem solving.
5. Doubt
A. I don’t have enough faith.
B. (Mat 17:20) Jesus-, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ’Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
C. It is not the size of our faith that matters; it’s the who or what we put our faith in that matters. If we have a giant faith and put it in the wrong things- like money and possessions- it won’t work.
D. (Psa 118:8 NIV) It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
II. Beginning to Move Forward
A. This third beatitude is asking us to make the decision. The process will follow!
B. But what does it mean to step across that line and into the arms of Jesus? Two step process much like what the Allies did in WW2 against the Japanese, when they took island after island from them.
1. Softening up- dropping bombs and explosives. God will do that!
2. Establishing a beachhead- By establishing a beachhead, had they liberated the island? No. However from the beachhead they began to fight the battles. In the history of WW2, one the marines landed and established a beachhead, they never lost an island. God wants to establish that beachhead in our lives. (Phil 1:6 NIV) being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
III. Stepping across the line
A. Accept God’s Son as Your savior. Plan of salvation.
B. Accept God’s Word as Your standard. (2 Tim 3:16 NIV) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
C. Accept God’s will as your purpose. (Psa 40:8 NIV) I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."
D. Accept God’s power as your strength. (Phil 4:13 NIV) I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
E. Willing means changing our definition of willpower. Our willpower needs to become the willingness to accept God’s power. We don’t need more willpower. Need to exchange our willpower to accept God’s power to run our lives.
F. (Acts 26:28 NIV) Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" (Acts 26:29 NIV) Paul replied, "Short time or long--I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains."
