07/08/2012
“Blessed Are They Which
Hunger”
Hunger”
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Scripture Reading: Romans 12:5-21
Today we are living in the day of quote unquote “good nutrition.” For the past twenty-five years, though, the mantra has been exercise, exercise; go to the gym, swim, walk, bike, do Zumba or Pilates. Do something to get in shape physically.
Today it’s nutrition. Find foods that help nourish your body and give you more energy. Nutritionists tell us we are what we eat. Janet and I discovered something called “green smoothies.” My first one was truly the best. Immediately I felt refreshed and rejuvenated. And I have about one each day. It’s a mixture of a lot of raw, green leafy vegetables and fruits combined into a smoothie. And they are designed after the human body. We were made from the dust of the earth. So, when we eat the things of the earth, we give something to our bodies you can’t get from refined foods. But consider this. God made you a three-part being. You are, according to the Bible spirit, soul, and body. So, nourishing the body is a very good thing. And nourishing the soul, your mind, emotions, and will is a very good thing. And, if we are going to be balanced human beings, wouldn’t it be a simply wise thing to do to nourish the spirit? Now, would you agree with me that eating is critical to your health and well-being? Absolutely. Well, the reason I bring this up is because I want you to see what Jesus said about eating. His words are found in the Sermon on the Mount. Please open your Bible with me to the Book of Matthew chapter five. Let’s begin with verse one. Matthew 5:1 “And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: (2) And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, (3) Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (4) Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (5) Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. (6) Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” I’ve titled today’s sermon “Blessed Are They Which Hunger.” Shall we pray? |
“Blessed,” as your know is another word of “happy.” The Sermon on the Mount begins with God’s view of happiness. Jesus presents eight beatitudes; eight blesseds. A beatitude, remember, is defined as “an abundant happiness, something that shows you are very well-off spiritually; that you are spiritually prosperous.” It’s the kind of happiness that comes from a simple, pure, open, honest relationship with God.
And fortunately for us, this blessedness, this spiritual happiness, is not proprietary. It’s available to the man on the street; the common, ordinary man or woman or child. Now some might say that the beatitudes are for the spiritual people. But, if that were the case, why did Jesus bring His message to the common and the ordinary? Yes, it’s spiritual. But knowing what we know from the Bible, isn’t spiritual normal? Jesus does speak about spiritual things here. But He’s not leaving you and me out. He’s actually inviting us to join Him in this state of divine blessedness. His hope and desire is that we come to Him just as we are and receive Him just as He is. The people who put on airs and try to be something they are not; when we put on a spiritual face for others, we can be sure of one thing. God is more than merely disappointed. He’s offended. Some would say He’s disgusted. Instead, when you ever come to God with an awareness of your truest and deepest needs, you will find Him as the Answer to those needs. And in that God is completely pleased. And when you live you life with awareness that His is pleased, you find that He’s only too ready and willing to do all for you that needs done on your behalf. Some time back I spoke to a man about his relationship with the LORD. I asked him what he’d say to God if God were to ask him the question, “Why should I let you into my heaven?” His answer was this. “I’ve tried my best to keep the Ten Commandments.” So, I said, “If that’s the case, then why did Jesus die on the Cross?” He didn’t know. So I proceeded to show him. |