The Beatitudes, Part 2

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

— Matthew 5:4

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Photo by Lindley Webster

Click here to read the introduction to this series on the Beatitudes.

Mourn? Really? For those who have truly mourned or who are currently mourning you may be asking yourself “Why?" Why would Jesus include mourning in his list of Beatitudes? As believers we are called to mourn with those who mourn. It is not hard to find one who is brokenhearted or experiencing great loss. Being in a constant state of lament can be overwhelming, but with that said, I pray that our hearts ache for what aches God’s heart. Jesus promises comfort for those who mourn. Isaiah also speaks encouragement:

Isaiah 61:1-2 (NLT)

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me,
    for the LORD has anointed me
    to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
    and to proclaim that captives will be released
    and prisoners will be freed.
He has sent me to tell those who mourn
    that the time of the LORD’s favor has come,
    and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.

Have you felt comforted during mourning? Did you feel closer to the Lord during this time?

The world preaches we have the right to be happy, at almost any cost. There is no need to mourn, it may show weakness. But if we look around this world, full of sin, do our hearts break? Are we mourning for those who are not willing to give their lives to Christ and are driven by greed, pride, or power? As Christ-followers we are called to mourn.

Are you able to mourn for the world and the sin that so easily entices and entangles? Read Psalm 51 and pray King David’s words not only for yourself, but the world around you.

-Pastor Darcy Webster
Associate Pastor of Operations and Pastoral Care

GUIDED REFLECTION: The Lord's Prayer

We invite you today to reflect slowly on The Lord’s Prayer, how Christ tells us we should pray in the Sermon on the Mount. As you pray slowly, ponder each accompanying Bible verse and commentary from Pastor Nick.

The Lord’s Prayer

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray...”

-Luke 11:1

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever”

-Matthew 6:9-13

“Our Father in heaven...”

1. CONNECT WITH GOD RELATIONALLY

You have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15 NLT).

God loves for us to call him our Father. Establish your intimate relationship with him and thank him for the relationship you have with him.

“...Hallowed be Your Name...”

2. WORSHIP HIS NAME

God’s name is a place of protection—the righteous can run there and be safe (Proverbs 18:10 MSG).

What are his names?
Righteousness – He makes me clean
Sanctifier – He has called me and set me apart
Healer – He heals all my diseases
Banner of Victory – He has defeated my enemy
Shepherd – He speaks to me and leads me
Peace – He is my peace in every storm
Provider – He supplies all of my needs

 “...Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven...”

3. PRAY HIS AGENDA FIRST

He will always give you all you need from day to day if you will make the Kingdom of God your primary concern (Luke 12:31 TLB).

God’s priorities:
Saving the Lost
Guiding those in authority – parental, spiritual, governmental, workplace
His will in us

“...Give us this day our daily bread...”

4. DEPEND ON HIM FOR EVERYTHING

I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! (Psalm 121:1-2 NLT).

Ask God for what you want and need and then trust him for the answer.

“...Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors...”

5. GET YOUR HEART RIGHT WITH GOD AND PEOPLE

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness
(1 John 1:9).

Ask God to check your heart and motives. Receive his forgiveness for any area that he brings to mind.

Forgive anyone who has offended you in any way. You can even forgive people in advance.

 “...And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one...”

6. ENGAGE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12).

Take your stand against the enemy and fight the good fight of faith. Every lie that the enemy has told you should be replaced with the truth of God’s Word.

“...For yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory forever.”

7. EXPRESS FAITH IN GOD’S ABILITY

“Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you” (Jeremiah 32:17).

End your prayer time by reminding yourself of God’s ability. Return to praise and make your faith declarations.

“Yours is the Kingdom” – all rule belongs to You
“Yours is the Power” – all mightiness flows from You
“Yours is the Glory” – Your victory shall be complete

-Nick LeMonds
Pastor of Local and Global Impact, Visitor Assimilation, and Saturday Night

The Beatitudes, Part 1

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

— Matthew 5:3

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Photo by Lindley Webster

Click here to read the introduction to this series on the Beatitudes.

The New Living Translation reads, “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” The first Beatitude, the first blessing spoken by Jesus, is the realization that we are in need of a Savior. We are poor in spirit; we must humble ourselves and come to Christ. And if we do act on our realization of needing a Savior, our blessing, stated in verse 3, is the Kingdom of Heaven. We will be blessed with eternity with our Heavenly Father. This thought is not new; Isaiah shared a very similar idea proclaiming God’s words for God’s people.

Isaiah 57:15 (NLT)

The high and lofty one who lives in eternity,
    the Holy One, says this:
“I live in the high and holy place
    with those whose spirits are contrite and humble.
I restore the crushed spirit of the humble
    and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.

How do these words from the Old and New Testament encourage you? Do you understand your need for a Savior? What emotions do you feel knowing the kingdom of heaven is yours?

We live in a world that encourages selfishness, personal independence, and haughtiness. Jesus’ directive of being poor in spirit opposes the world’s view of self-sufficiency. No need for a Savior if we are expected to do it on our own. I must say, that is exhausting! James 4:7-10 shares practical ways to humbly follow Christ in a very selfish world.

Summarize James 4:7-10 in your own words. How do these verses help you realize a need for Christ and not a need to rely on yourself?

I pray that we are poor in spirit, not only today, but always!

-Pastor Darcy Webster
Associate Pastor of Operations and Pastoral Care

The Beatitudes, an Introduction

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Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,  and he began to teach them.

He said:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.“

-Matthew 5:1-10

Photo by Lindley Webster

In Matthew 5, we begin reading the best sermon ever taught! Jesus, for 3 chapters, preaches to the people. At the very beginning of his message, he directs his teaching to his disciples by gently guiding them in how to live a life as a Christ-follower. As Christians we are to follow Christ’s example of how to live. Matthew 5: 3-10 lists the desired attitude and the blessing that will follow. This passage is known as the Beatitudes. The word “Beatitudes” is derived from beatitudo, a Latin word meaning blessedness; hence, the name is used to refer to this biblical passage where each verse begins with the word “blessed.” The literal translation of “blessed” is “happiness,” but yet the meaning is so much deeper: ultimate hope and joy experienced in Christ, despite our outward circumstances.

Over the next several weeks we will break down each verse individually and take a deeper look into Jesus’ radical thoughts for his followers to live a blessed life. Each verse includes a Beatitude as well as a reward given by God. Every one of the Beatitudes listed come in direct conflict with the world’s view, and as Christians we may find it extremely difficult to fulfill them. It is by the power of Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit that we can have confidence in living for Christ, in the way he intended.

I encourage you over the next week, as you prepare to mediate over the Beatitudes, to read the Sermon on Mount (Matthew 5-7) using the lenses of the Beatitudes; realizing a need for God, Mourning, Humility, Hunger and thirst for righteousness, Mercy, Pure hearts, Peacemaking, and Persecution.

-Pastor Darcy Webster
Associate Pastor of Operations and Pastoral Care

GUIDED REFLECTION: Psalm 46:10

Before beginning this guided reflection activity, we recommend that you read Psalm 46:10 in your Bible at home or by clicking here. Once you have read the passage, you can begin the activity. Be sure to pause, breathe, and think as you read this activity slowly and reflect closely on what God is telling you through his scriptures.

Guided Reflection of Psalm 46:10

He says, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Be still and know that I am God.

Be Still

Not “act” still, actually “be” still
Let stillness be your identity.
Not what you do, but who you are.
Has stillness been an action that you are doing? Then is it really stillness?

Be Still

Stop moving, cease striving, be calm, rest
Be quiet, hush, unruffled, undisturbed, stable minded

Be still.

Surrender, let go, relent, abdicate
You don’t have to be the one to make it happen.
Does inaction scare you?

Read Mark 4:35-41

Be still and know

Truly know.
To have an idea of, to have an experience of

Know

Beyond a shadow of a doubt
Comprehend, fathom, grasp
To notice, to recognize
To be acquainted with, to know intimately
What is keeping you from truly knowing?

Be still and know that I...am...God.

You aren’t. He is.
Who are you asking people to worship?
Think of the people in your life:
Your kids, your boss, your siblings, your grandkids, your neighbors, your parents, your coworkers, your spouse.
Who are you asking them to worship?

Be still and know that I am God.

I am. I was, I will be, I am currently.
I haven’t ceased being God.
I am acting, I am moving, I am responding.
I was not merely in the past.
I am not relegated to the future.
I am present. I am now. Right now.

Be still and know that I am God

I am powerful, I am kind, I am good, 
I am all knowing, I am vast,
I am untamable, I am patient, I am love,
I am beyond comprehension
But I make myself known

He says, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

-Pastor Tyler Lemen
Associate Pastor of Family Ministries at Friends Community Church