Page Four: “Blessed Is …” 05/27/2012
First, then, blessedness is a term that describes people.
Second, it’s a God-given condition.
Third, it’s a term that describes a right relationship with God.
Fourth, then, blessed is not just something you feel at the moment.
Fifth, blessedness means you can bear the troubles of your life with true spiritual strength.
And sixth, the world’s view of blessedness and happiness is contrasted with that of true blessedness. Here’s what Jesus says about it.
Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit:.. (4) Blessed are they that mourn... (5) Blessed are the meek…” (6) Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness:...
(7) Blessed are the merciful:…(8) Blessed are the pure in heart:... (9) Blessed are the peacemakers…” (10) Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake:…”
The unbelieving heart wouldn’t give you a plug nickel for someone who is poor in spirit. Nor would he see you as blessed or happy if you mourn or if you are meek. But that’s because of their perception of what they think blessedness is. You see, a man may have no worldly goods whatever and still be counted as blessed; happy. To be blessed, then, is not dependent upon what you have or don’t have. It’s obviously not what Jesus describes in the Beatitudes, is it?
And one more, seventh, the blessed are those who desire to hear the Word of God and go out to do the Word of God. Listen to Jesus when He says this. Luke 11:28 “But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.”
Now, if you are indeed among those who are “the Blessed” as per the Bible, you can go ahead and apply these passages to your life.
First, the OT word “Blessed” is rooted in the word “kneel.” Can you apply it to the LORD? Can you imagine God kneeling down before human beings?
Now, for sure, you won’t want to take this too far. But would the LORD ever kneel down before the likes of us? Did you know that Jesus did just that when He knelt and washed twenty-four dirty feet?
In the NT we read John 13:4 “He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. (5) After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.”
The Son of God knelt down before each of those men that day, washed, and dried their feet.
Second, apply it to your own life when it comes to people who have hurt or wounded you.
Matthew 5:44 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;…”
Luke 6:28 “Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” Romans 12:14 “Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.”
I realize there are other meanings for the term “bless.” But imagine going home from a sermon and blessing someone who has wounded you, blessing your neighbor; blessing your children; blessing your President; blessing your Governor; blessing your parents; blessing the LORD.
Yet, what is the LORD saying to your heart when He uses the word “knee” in place of “bless”?
Then, ask yourself this simple question. What is my personal condition before God? Am I among those who are the Blessed?
Now you may be here today and not be among the blessed as the Bible describes. As far as worldly things are concerned, you’ve experienced happiness; temporary fleeting happiness. But, up to this point in your life, this condition of blessedness has eluded you. And why? Simply because you have insisted on your sins and your ways for your entire life. You’ve never seen yourself as God sees you, a sinner who is destined for the judgment to come. And so, you’ve rejected Christ time and again.
Well, today is the day of salvation. Why would you not repent and receive Christ today as your Savior and LORD. “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Folks, today is the day of salvation. 1. Christ came here to become the Substitute for your sin. 2. He came here to live His life through you. Your sins became His sins. He took your sins on His body and paid the penalty for those sins. Why? Because love is what wins your heart and moves us into the condition of blessedness with God.
What can you do about your sins?
• “I Repent” = I change my mind about God, Christ, my sin, and God’s free gift of salvation.
• “I Believe” = I simply trust the Lord Jesus Christ alone as the One Who paid the entire penalty for my sins. And in believing, I make Him Lord over my entire life.
Today, will you receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your LORD and Savior?
And for those who already belong to the LORD Jesus by faith in Him, are you surrendering your entire life to Him? Is it an everyday surrender? If not, why not?
Please turn with me in your Hymnal to # 707 “He Giveth More Grace”
Second, it’s a God-given condition.
Third, it’s a term that describes a right relationship with God.
Fourth, then, blessed is not just something you feel at the moment.
Fifth, blessedness means you can bear the troubles of your life with true spiritual strength.
And sixth, the world’s view of blessedness and happiness is contrasted with that of true blessedness. Here’s what Jesus says about it.
Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit:.. (4) Blessed are they that mourn... (5) Blessed are the meek…” (6) Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness:...
(7) Blessed are the merciful:…(8) Blessed are the pure in heart:... (9) Blessed are the peacemakers…” (10) Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake:…”
The unbelieving heart wouldn’t give you a plug nickel for someone who is poor in spirit. Nor would he see you as blessed or happy if you mourn or if you are meek. But that’s because of their perception of what they think blessedness is. You see, a man may have no worldly goods whatever and still be counted as blessed; happy. To be blessed, then, is not dependent upon what you have or don’t have. It’s obviously not what Jesus describes in the Beatitudes, is it?
And one more, seventh, the blessed are those who desire to hear the Word of God and go out to do the Word of God. Listen to Jesus when He says this. Luke 11:28 “But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.”
Now, if you are indeed among those who are “the Blessed” as per the Bible, you can go ahead and apply these passages to your life.
First, the OT word “Blessed” is rooted in the word “kneel.” Can you apply it to the LORD? Can you imagine God kneeling down before human beings?
Now, for sure, you won’t want to take this too far. But would the LORD ever kneel down before the likes of us? Did you know that Jesus did just that when He knelt and washed twenty-four dirty feet?
In the NT we read John 13:4 “He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. (5) After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.”
The Son of God knelt down before each of those men that day, washed, and dried their feet.
Second, apply it to your own life when it comes to people who have hurt or wounded you.
Matthew 5:44 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;…”
Luke 6:28 “Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” Romans 12:14 “Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.”
I realize there are other meanings for the term “bless.” But imagine going home from a sermon and blessing someone who has wounded you, blessing your neighbor; blessing your children; blessing your President; blessing your Governor; blessing your parents; blessing the LORD.
Yet, what is the LORD saying to your heart when He uses the word “knee” in place of “bless”?
Then, ask yourself this simple question. What is my personal condition before God? Am I among those who are the Blessed?
Now you may be here today and not be among the blessed as the Bible describes. As far as worldly things are concerned, you’ve experienced happiness; temporary fleeting happiness. But, up to this point in your life, this condition of blessedness has eluded you. And why? Simply because you have insisted on your sins and your ways for your entire life. You’ve never seen yourself as God sees you, a sinner who is destined for the judgment to come. And so, you’ve rejected Christ time and again.
Well, today is the day of salvation. Why would you not repent and receive Christ today as your Savior and LORD. “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Folks, today is the day of salvation. 1. Christ came here to become the Substitute for your sin. 2. He came here to live His life through you. Your sins became His sins. He took your sins on His body and paid the penalty for those sins. Why? Because love is what wins your heart and moves us into the condition of blessedness with God.
What can you do about your sins?
• “I Repent” = I change my mind about God, Christ, my sin, and God’s free gift of salvation.
• “I Believe” = I simply trust the Lord Jesus Christ alone as the One Who paid the entire penalty for my sins. And in believing, I make Him Lord over my entire life.
Today, will you receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your LORD and Savior?
And for those who already belong to the LORD Jesus by faith in Him, are you surrendering your entire life to Him? Is it an everyday surrender? If not, why not?
Please turn with me in your Hymnal to # 707 “He Giveth More Grace”