Rejoice And Be Glad

Rejoice And Be Glad

Matthew 5: 1 – 12

Intro: There was a song that absolutely drove me crazy. Every time I heard it I wanted to punch someone. It was written by Bobby McFerrin and released in September of 1988. “Here's a little song I wrote. You might want to sing it note for note. Don't worry; be happy. In every life we have some trouble but when you worry you make it double. Don't worry; be happy. Don't worry; be happy now.” I ask you this morning, What does it mean to be “HAPPY? What does happiness look like for us in Palestine, Texas?

I VSS. 3 – 11 are widely known as the BEATITUDES which is the Latin translation of the first word of each verse BLESSED.

A The Greeks word is the adjective MAKARIOS (µa?a????) which can be translated several different ways including: FORTUNATE / HAPPY / A PRIVILEGED SITUATION / OR WELL-OFF.

B Beatitudes similar to these verses appear throughout the OT. Outside of the 4 gospels, most beatitudes appear in Revelations.

C The Beatitudes indicate God’s favor toward certain people: POOR IN SPIRIT / MOURNERS / THE MEEK. /THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR EIGHTEOUSNESS / THE MERCIFUL / THE PURE IN HEART / THE PEACEMAKERS / THE PERSECUTED / THE INSULTED.

II if you find yourself in one of those categories, they you are BLESSED!

A Those who have been beaten down by the world and its systems of power know that it is not the end of the story, nor is God absent.

B The meek live in the power of God to do God’s will; they feed off the Spirit and wisdom of God rather than any anger or feeling of wanting to get even.

C The path that Jesus offers may not initially look as appealing; but, the farther down the road of faith one travels, the more truth one finds.

III Our nation and the world in general has become a place of anger, resentment, and, negativity. There are 3 principles of living into the Spirit of the Beatitudes:

A Simplicity – hearing the words of Jesus as they are; not what we want them to be.

B Hopefulness – accept whatever is regardless of the consequences putting our hope in Christ Jesus.

C Compassion – the recognition that your neighbor shares your humanity by walking in their shoes.

Concl: I have an experiment I want you all to try to remind us to rejoice and be glad. Take one of these rubber bands. Place it on your wrist. Each time you say something negative or act in a negative way, snap the rubber band an then put it on the other wrist. Perhaps the sting of the rubber band will be enough to help us change our attitudes and learn to rejoice over what we have and be glad to be alive.