Whether we like it or not, it's goodbye 2014 and hello 2015! It's also hello to a brand new sermon series at PoC. We started Mountain5 last Sunday - if you missed it, no worries. We looked at the first verse of Matthew 5, and what a powerful verse indeed! If you have not already decided, consider in this new year being willing to take on the posture of student, sit at Jesus' feet, and learn from Him. He loves you. And what He has to offer you is better than anything you have. So, why not?
This Sunday we will be delving into the Beatitudes. This is perhaps what people are most familiar with when they think of the Sermon on the Mount. I have included it below for you reading pleasure, but from the Message version, to offer you perhaps a fresh read on an already familiar passage.
Matthew 5:1-12 The Message (MSG)
You’re Blessed
5 1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:
4 “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5 “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
6 “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
7 “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.
8 “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9 “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
10 “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.
11-12 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
In the moment, it can be quite mind-boggling to ponder how we can be blessed when we're broken. Blessed when we don't have much. Blessed when we are hurting or have suffered loss. Bless when we quietly serve with love and extend grace and mercy to those who have seriously wronged us, and no one will ever know.
Sometimes, the Beatitudes can feel like a hefty measuring stick used to evaluate ourselves. Or if we're not careful we can fall into a legalistic way of thinking and see them as a tool to figure out how to be blessed. But the Beatitudes aren't meant to make us feel bad about ourselves, or to be used as some kind of mathematical equation. They are a call on our life from Jesus to be... to be loving... to be kind... to be gracious and merciful. These are not things we can just be on our own, apart from God. 2 Corinthians 5:17 states "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." As we pray in preparation for Sunday, we want just this: God to change us from the inside out.
Dear Jesus,
In this new year, please have Your transforming love be at the forefront of my mind before I think, at the forefront of my mouth before I speak, and at the forefront of my body before I act. Please change me from the inside out. Continually draw me into Your presence. Please help me be a follower of You who promotes humility, pursues righteousness, and who creates peace as a natural outflow of Your love for me and transformation of my character.
Amen.
There is no Thursday night prayer service tonight. Enjoy your first day of 2015 - spend time with Jesus and make plans to be at church on Sunday - 9:30 am is pre-service prayer, and 10am is worship!!!
Love you, PoC.
Pastor Celia
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