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Much of what Jesus says about his version of the good life is counter-cultural. Trying to gain eternal life is not the way to get eternal life, but rather powerlessness is the path to the Kingdom. Trying to avoid grief is not the way to find comfort. Rather, it’s good to grieve. Trying to possess things is not the way to possess things. Rather, humility paves the way to true ownership.
Message Notes 26/05/2024
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:3-5
*Artisans - likely the social class Jesus was in as a carpenter
v3
The good life is an emptying of one's self, recognizing a dependence on God, not self (powerlessness)- in that process, you find the kingdom. That's living!
Trying to gain eternal life is not the way to get eternal life
POWERLESSNESS IS THE PATH TO THE KINGDOM
v4
NOT - you're mourning, congratulations you should be happy!
NOT: mourning is a blessing sent to you by God.
NOT: following Jesus means be miserable all the time
Culture narrative in general: Avoid trouble, do what makes you happy, avoid pain, distract, medicate, escape, minimize Soldier on, Cowboys don't cry, be strong, tears = vulnerability
The more we have, the more we can distract ourselves. "We spend our lives trying to make tears unnecessary until eventually, they are impossible"
Layer 1: Personal loss
Loss is hard, loss is real
"A heart that knows how to grieve is a heart that knows how to love" A.J. Levine
St Ephraim of Syria "Until we have cried, we don't know God"
St Francis "the gift of tears"
Paul talks of "grieving with hope"1 Thes 4:13-18 - it's not the end of the story
The good life requires a capacity for grief - in that process, you find comfort, healing, and hope. That's living!
Layer 2 - Personal sin
NOT - beating yourself up because of how bad you are
NOT - ignoring sin, God will understand.
Rather mourning here is a conviction that leads to change (comfort, frogivness, grace, mercy, healing, freedom). I see myself as helpless and hopeless, then receive the comfort / joy - God's grace and mercy
"What you permit becomes permanent"
Rom 7:25 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
The good life requires mourning over your sin/rebellion toward God - in that process, you find comfort, healing, and hope. That's living!
Layer 3 - Corporate sin
Mourning for the tragic state of a nation/society / humanity
Jesus wept for Jerusalem "As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. Luke 19:41"
The good life requires mourning over the state of the nation - in that process, you find comfort, healing, and hope in the certainty that God is at work taking the world to redemption. That's living
Trying to avoid mourning is not the way to find comfort
IT’S GOOD TO GRIEVE.
v5
Strength, power, and violence were the ways to get land, and the land owners at the top, no one liked them. Israel had lost the land. They were expecting a Messiah, materialistic and militant.
But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity. Ps 37:11
Meek means "humble" the "servant king" nothing to prove, secure.
Layer 1: PRESENT CONTENTMENT
1/ You can be content now if you are free from the lie that strength/power are the way to possess things. Everything belongs to God anyway!
The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; Psalms 24:1
Layer 2: FUTURE INHERITANCE
In the kingdom - where this is heading :
2 Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? 1 Corinthians 6:2
We "own" things, and then they own us!
Trying to possess things is not the way to possess things
Humility paves the way to OWNERSHIP.
Applications:
Emptying of self - look at God and get to know Him!
Jesus permits you to cry/grieve over loss and hardship, let it out!
Dealing with personal sin - there is freedom and healing in Jesus
Finding solidarity with others in pain - what could you do
Serving on the DreamTeam - cultivating humility
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