The Bless-eds

Matthew 5:1-7:29

The Sermon on the Mount.  I'll bet if you asked most people what it was about, they would say "oh, isn't that the beatitudes?  The 'blesseds?"  Many of these verses are certainly well known aren't they?  "Blessed are the pure in heart" or "Blessed are the peacemakers" are stitched on pillowcases.....embroidered on wall hangings......illustrated on posters.

We love to sanitize scripture, don't we?  Take a few phrases out of context, needlepoint them onto a pillow, and voila - look at what good Christians we are!  But the Sermon on the Mount is so much more than a few pithy sayings.  This is the reaction of the crowd to his teachings:

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.  (7:28-29).

The crowds were amazed.  This was not what they were used to hearing from their rabbis in the temple.  This was radical.  This was life changing.

Kingdom living is about making God's priorities my priorities (the Lord's Prayer).

Kingdom living is about living the Good Life - a Life that is sold out to following Jesus.

Kingdom living is about building a foundation based only on Jesus, not on my beauty, my finances, my career, my family (see Matthew 7:13-23)

Kingdom living is about becoming a child of God (Matthew 5:38-47)

Kingdom living is NOT about impressing God with flowery language, impressive-sounding prayers, and good deeds.  It IS about delighting in loving God and serving him.

What a God we serve!  Thanks be to Jesus for his gift of eternal life!