This Is US!
Pt. 1 - Blessed
I. Introduction
Shakespeare in Hamlet said it like this, "This above all: to thine own self be true. The author of the Invisible Man, Ralph Ellison, says something similar . . . “When I discover who I am, I’ll be free.” The secular world understands that identity is an important factor in one's well being. They call it self awareness. Knowing who you are becomes the ultimate goal because they understand that until you have a grasp of who you are that you will tend to flounder and wander through life with no real direction or fulfillment. Scripture certainly validates this principle. The account in which Jesus addresses Simon/Peter's identity certainly had a profound impact on the man and His life's direction. He spends the rest of his life living up to Jesus' call to be a "rock". You also know that there are a multitude of voices trying to push people to embrace different truths about identity and the result is mass confusion about who a person really is. I believe that same confusion has invaded the church because so many of us are uncertain about our identity. This keeps us from operating at the level of effectiveness, influence, and authority that is ours. I am thankful this morning that we don't have to be confused. We can go straight to the Author and Finisher of our faith and He very clearly speaks to us and informs of us about us. He takes time to point by point give us precise information about who we are and how we are to live. In essence when Jesus opens His mouth in the 2 1/2 chapters that we will examine over the next few weeks He is literally saying "This is us!" This is who we are.
Matthew 5:1-12
When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. “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. “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. “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. “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for. “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. “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. “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom. “Not only that—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. 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. (Message)
Jesus says this is us . . . "Blessed!"
Here is the issue . . . Too many of us listen to and compare our situation with confidants, associates, societal standards, coworkers, and classmates. Or those same folks lend commentary to our current condition or status in life and subsequently we have entertained an idea that we aren't blessed. In fact, some of you have not only questioned your blessedness but you have even come to the conclusion that not only are we not blessed you are in fact cursed. Because of what is going on in my life financially, physically, emotionally I surely can't be who Jesus said I am.
Let's go back and look at what Jesus said and see if maybe He speaks to our current situation and yet He stills comes to the conclusion that we are blessed!
He says we are blessed even if . . .
We are at the end of our rope.
we have lost what is most dear to us.
we are content.
when we are hungry for God.
we are full of cares.
we are in the middle of conflict and try to play peace keeper.
we are persecuted.
people talk bad about us.
people lie about us.
Jesus in mere sentences hits everyone of us and our present condition. He says that in spite of those uncomfortable and undesirable things existing in our life . . . we are blessed!
Could it be that we are more blessed than we comprehend? If the things He lists don't impact our state which is blessed, favored, honored, then maybe we need to realize that being blessed is a greater gift than we knew.
Could it be that we overestimate the pain, the length, the impact of what we are facing and underestimate the depth and degree of our blessed condition?
The enemy wants us to forget and overlook the fact that we are blessed. Why? If we do not reframe our thinking to view our circumstances through the eyes of the incredible blessings and assurances we have in Christ, we will quickly question God’s goodness and love when earthly “blessings” seem to fall on everyone but us.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the
heavenly places… (Ephesians 1:3)
No matter what we receive or don’t receive in the temporal form we can rest in the fact that we have been given every blessing through the complete work of Christ – His righteousness, resources, privilege, position, and power. That is why when we are also promised suffering, hardships, and trials we can also rest in the truth that He often works these spiritual blessings into our lives through circumstances that most people would not consider to be blessings. Some of the greatest spiritual blessings of my life have come through undesired earthly circumstances.
We must know that we are blessed because . . .
Knowing we are blessed will impact outlook, demeanor, attitude, response and cooperation.
Unless we know who we are when God works spiritual blessings into our lives through the use of difficult seasons we will fail to recognize blessing and perhaps even become bitter and actually fight Him as He works all things together for our good!
Are you reacting like someone blessed or cursed? If we know we are blessed, then when attacked we stand. If we don't know we are blessed, then we either strike back or begin to retreat. If we know we are blessed, then when we are lied about we bless those who spitefully use us. If we don't know we are blessed, then we will defend ourselves and try to get even. If we know we are blessed, then when we struggle we still lift up our heads because we know our help comes from the Lord. If we don't know we are blessed, then we will quit, throw in the towel and give up too soon. Being blessed is a "demeanor!"
Do you see what's wrong rather than what's right. It is a matter of focus. What do you focus on? Examine your situation and realize that as unchosen, undesirable and uncomfortable as it may be . . . you are blessed!
Have you ever met one of those folks who when asked how they are doing they always respond . . . "I'm blessed!" That isn't a trite response. It is in fact an accurate account of our condition. Yeah, but your life is hard. But I'm blessed. You lost your job and money is tight. Yes, but I'm blessed. The one you loved the most is gone . . . True, that is what happened to me but that doesn't change who I am . . . I am blessed. You are faced with tragedy, trouble, and trials but this is us . . . . Blessed!
Until we embrace that we are blessed we cannot be a blessing! Otherwise, our willingness to bless others will based on whether or not things are going well in our lives at the moment.
When we know we are blessed while we are sick we can reach out to the sick. While we are down we can encourage the downcast. While we are broken we can restore. While we are limping we can support those who can't walk. Why? How?
The Greek word translated blessed in these passages is makarioi which means to be "fully satisfied". Being "fully satisfied" has nothing to do with monetary gain, material wealth, perfect circumstances, etc. Therefore, if you don't view yourself as blessed you don't understand you!
How do we get there? We believe that Paul was right when he asks . . . "35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.” 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Perhaps you know that but still struggle so maybe if I remind you in song form it would resonate and you would remember you are blessed.
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll (conditions aren't easy)
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say (in any circumstance)
It is well, it is well, with my soul
Though Satan should buffet,
though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul
It is well, with my soul
It is well, it is well,
it is well with my soul
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, o my soul
It is well, with my soul
It is well, it is well,
it is well with my soul
This is us . . . We are blessed!
