The Beatitudes...series... Comforting the Mourners

 Comforting the Mourners 

"Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted," is the second beatitude. It sounds just as strange and paradoxical as does the first. It is seemingly contrary to the accepted views of all mankind in every age of human history. It is not our custom to envy those who weep, or to congratulate the brokenhearted. We usually pity them, and offer them our sympathy. We write them letters of condolence, and compliment ourselves for having escaped such a sorrow. But Jesus pronounces a blessing upon mourners. He declares them to be happy, and sets them apart as a special and privileged class. 

But this beatitude is not all inclusive. Its application is not universal. It does not embrace all who mourn, regardless of the cause. There is a mourning that knows no comfort; there are burning tears that will never be wiped away; there is a bitter anguish that will never be appeased by consolation. 

The "weeping and gnashing of teeth" of the finally lost will be a comfortless sorrow. There will be no alleviation for their bitter anguish. There can be no comfort for those who refuse to separate from sin, for those who reject the overtures of "the God of all comfort." Those who grieve away the great Comforter cannot be comforted. 

The apostle Paul declares that "the sorrow of the world worketh death." This sort of sorrow does not bring comfort; it brings death. There are millions of mourners whose sorrow is born of remorse, not because of their conduct, but because of the personal loss resulting from their conduct. They do not hate the sin; they hate its results. The jails and penitentiaries are filled with mourners of this sort, but their mourning seldom leads to blessed results. There is another large class of pessimistic people who glory in gloom and misery. "There are those who are veritable gluttons for wretchedness. They search for despair as bees search for honey. They are never so happy as when they feel that they have a perfect right to be miserable. They are never so miserable as when they feel duty bound to be happy." ~ "The Sermon on the Mount," Clovis G. Chappell. 

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Come back next week when we will look at the section titled:  "Mourning That Brings Comfort"

The Beatitudes...series..."Pharisaism Still Prevalent"

Today is another installment from the Taylor G. Bunch book - "The Beatitudes" 

 Pharisaism Still Prevalent 

That this beatitude is still up to date is evident from Christ's description of the church in the last, or remnant, phase of its existence, as described in Revelation 3:14-17. The spirit of pharisaism is the spirit of human nature, and is just as prevalent now as in the days when Jesus was among men. The church in its present condition is proud in spirit. Its members do not recognize their spiritual condition. They even boast of their spiritually "rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing," when in reality they are "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." 

The message that describes the spiritual pride of the last-day church also provides a complete remedy. A vision of the spotless purity of the character of Christ will completely change the situation. Spiritual pride cannot flourish in those who behold Jesus. The more we esteem Him the less we shall esteem ourselves. Just as soon as the modern church changes its attitude toward its own condition and needs, Jesus will abundantly supply His people with the pure gold of faith, love, a nd truth, the robe of His spotless righteousness, and the anointing with spiritual eye salve that will restore spiritual vision. 

There is a poverty that makes rich. Spiritual wealth awaits those who feel poverty stricken in spirit. TO the persecuted church of Smyrna, Jesus said, "I know... thy poverty, (but thou art rich)." Rev. 2:9. Many of the poorest in earthly possessions are spiritually wealthy; and many of the richest are moral paupers and spiritual bankrupts. True riches are the heritage of those only who recognize their spiritual needs. "Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him?" James 2:5. 

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Next week we will begin the chapter titled "Comforting The Mourners" Hope to see you come to read it. :O) 

The Beatitudes...series...Jesus' Example

It is time for another installment of our book - The Beatitudes by Taylor G. Bunch.. 

 Jesus' Example 

While Jesus had no sins of His own to repent of or to destroy His peace, He was the great sin bearer; and being made to be sin for us, He constantly recognized His spiritual needs. HE was truly poor in spirit. He said, "I can of Mine own self do nothing." John 5:30. He spent long hours and even nights in prayer for spiritual strength and vitality. This was the secret of the continual outpouring of the blessings of heaven under which He lived and labored. Nothwithstanding the fact that Jesus was "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief," He was a happy man. Heb. 12:2. He could not be otherwise than happy, for 'He knew no sin," and sin alone is the joy-killer. Jesus, though He bore the burden of our sins, had a glad heart. The sunshine of His countenance always radiated calmness, peace and happiness to a greater extent than that of any other man since the fall of the first Adam. His smiling countenance attracted children to Him. 

Jesus might have stated the fist beatitude in the negative: "Unhappy are the proud in spirit." Of all people the poor in spirit are the most happy and the proud-spirited  the most miserable. The proud in spirit are very sensitive to every little slight and wrong, real or imagined. A proud spirit, like proud flesh, is exceedingly sensitive. The least little things causes pain and discomfort. The proud in spirit are touchy, and easily offended. They are miserable day and night because of hurt feelings. They are too selfish to be happy. They only remedy for spiritual pride is the crucifixion of the proud and sinful flesh. Those who are dead to sin do not become offended. Dead people are never sensitive. "Great peace have they which love Thy law; and nothing shall offend them." Ps. 119;165. 

Offense naturally thrives where sin abounds. It was a proud and sensitive angel who committed the first sin, and the more he sinned the more sensitive he became. The whole world is suffering with proud flesh, for sinful flesh is always proud. IT was impossible for Jesus to keep from offending His hearers, because they were so proud spirited and sensitive. At the close of one of His sermons, many of His disciples were so hurt that they "went back, and walked no more with Him." The Pharisees were always offended at His teachings, and even the disciples were often grieved. Truth always offends those in error, and sinners resent having their shortcomings pointed out. Only the poor in spirit can be corrected and blessed. 

IN a later sermon Jesus illustrated the contrast between the poor in spirit and the proud in spirit by the parable of the two worshipers, - the Pharisee and the publican. The prayer of the Pharisee was no prayer at all; it was only a boast of his inborn and acquired righteousness. He did not even make a request. He thanked God that he was everything he should be and had everything he needed. He was grateful that he was different from other men, and especially from the poor publican. The publican was poor in spirit; and, recognizing his spiritual poverty, cried out, "God be merciful to me a sinner." Luke 18:13. He alone was justified, and justification is the road to happiness. "Therefor being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1. 

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Next week "Pharisaism Still Prevalent" 

The Beatitudes...series.... A Contrite, Humble Spirit

 

The Beatitudes 

By Taylor G. Bunch 

A Contrite, Humble Spirit 

To be poor in spirit does not mean to be poor-spirited. Jesus does not pronounce a blessing on a person with a bad spirit, a poor disposition. A poor-spirited person cannot be happy; he is too selfish.  In such the very source of happiness is contaminated. Another has interpreted the true meaning of this text in the following statement: "Happy are they who recognize their spiritual poverty, and feel their need of redemption." It is the opposite of spiritual pride and self-satisfaction. 

While this beatitude sounded new and strange to the Jews, it was not new. It was a restatement of an old truth that had been lost sight of because of the spiritual pride and self satisfaction of Israel. Through Israel the Lord had declared that although He is "the high and lofty One that in habiteth eternity, whose name is Holy," He also dwells with him "that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." Isaiah 57:15. He also said: "To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word." Isaiah 66:2. As soon as Job obtained a vision of his spiritual poverty, he stopped arguing to justify himself, and his misery and wretchedness cam to an end, his captivity being turned into victory. He experienced a happiness such as he had never before known. 

When, as the result of a vision of God, the prophet Isaiah recognized his spiritual poverty, he cried out, "Woe is me! for I am undone." Isaiah 6:5. He sensed his imperfection, which now appeared to him in a new and hideous light. This changed attitude made it possible for the Lord to cleanse him from sin, and use him as His spokesman to others. The woe gave place to the blessedness of heaven. When proud-spirited Simon Peter fell at the feet of Jesus and said, "Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord," the Master immediately commissioned him to be a fisher of men. (See Luke 5:8-10) Paul was elevated to become the chief of the apostles when he acknowledged himself to be the chief of sinners. What a chance in attitude from that of the proud and haughty Pharisee, Saul of Tarsus. 

A recognition of our spiritual condition and needs is the first step in the beatitude ladder of spiritual progress which leads into the kingdom of heaven. The proud in spirit have not taken the first step toward the heavenly kingdom. A recognition of sin and a cry for pardon and cleansing are the beginning of the pathway to Zion and to happiness. There can be no blessed state where there is unconfessed and unforgiven sin. "There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked." Isaiah 48:22. A contrite and penitent spirit is therefor the first qualification for citizenship in the kingdom of God, and for service in the cause of righteousness. 

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Next week we will look at Jesus' Example 

The Beatitudes...series.. Poverty That Makes Rich

Today we begin the chapter titled: Poverty That Makes Rich 

 The Beatitudes 

by Taylor G. Bunch 

Poverty That Makes Rich 

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." This is the opening sentence of the master sermon. It is a strange statement, a paradox. To Christ's hearers it sounded absurd and self-contradictory. It was a disappointment to the majority of His audience because it was so contrary to their expectations and ambitious hopes of kingly power and worldly greatness. they had expected an announcement of the setting up of an earthly kingdom in which they would be favored citizens. 

Christ's hearers felt that happiness was impossible as long as they were a subject people under the galling yoke of a foreign power. In this puzzling statement the Blessed One gives the true source of happiness. It is no dependent on outward circumstances. it does not control the inside from without; it controls the outside from within. The heart is the fountain of happiness. Happiness is not the result of what we possess, or of what we do, but rather of what we are. While the first beatitude sounded absurd to the proud Romans soldiers who were present at every large gathering of the Jews, it sounded more ridiculous still to the Pharisees, who were yet more proud and haughty than the Romans. It sounds impossible also to modern men who are selfish and carnal-minded. 

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Next week we will be reading the section titled: A Contrite, Humble Spirit  

The Beatitudes...series... The Beatitude Ladder

 The Beatitude Ladder 

The eight beatitudes constitute a spiritual ladder containing the natural and logical steps in spiritual growth and development which take us into the kingdom of God. 

The word "beatitude" comes from the Latin beatus, or beati, as it is used in the Latin Vulgate. It means blessed or happy. The beatitude ladder is therefore a blessed ladder, because these steps, or degrees, in spiritual development represent a blessed experience. "Blessed" is synonymous with "consecrated," "hallowed," "happy," "sacred," and "holy." it is defined as "the state of being happy, joyful, and peaceful, as the result of the full enjoyment of the divine favor; unalloyed prosperity and contentment in heart and life." For what more could any one desire or ask? 

only consecrated and holy people can enter the kingdom of heaven; and the journey must be made by way of the beatitude ladder. It is a blessed and hallowed pathway. It is "the way of holiness" that leads to Zion. as described in Isaiah 35:8-10. Those who travel it will "obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." It is "the narrow way" which leads to eternal life, and which Jesus said is so strait that it excludes all evil and evildoers. It is "the path of the just" that shines with ever- increasing illumination until those who walk in it reach "the perfect day" of spiritual light and experience. 

"Blessed," as used by Jesus  in the sermon on the mount, does not refer alone to the joy and happiness that come as the result of outward circumstances, but rather to that higher joy which is the result of divine favor.  It is something infinitely better and higher than mere earthly happiness. It is the peace and joy that Jesus promised to all who would come to Him, and in whose hearts He is permitted to dwell and reign. "Shaking itself loose from all thoughts of outward good, 'blessed' becomes the express symbol of a happiness intensified with pure character. Behind it lies the clear recognition of sin as the foundation of all misery, and of holiness as the final and effectual cure for every woe. " - Vincent. Happiness drawn from earthly sources is as changeable and varying as the circumstances themselves. In the beatitudes Jesus made it clear that true happiness is the result of a holy character rather than of outward conditions and circumstances. It was of this happy experience that the prophet wrote: "The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places." Isaiah 32:17,18. 

The Beatitudes by Taylor G. Bunch 

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Next week we will start the chapter on the first beatitude- you won't want to miss it, so please come back! :O) 

The Beatitudes... series ... Feelings of Expectancy

  Feelings of Expectancy 

On the part of the multitudes from all sections of Palestine and its surrounding countries, this great gathering had a semipolitical aspect. The fame of Jesus had filled the people with new hopes and aspirations. They hoped that He was the Messiah, and they expected Him on this occasion to proclaim His mission and make an announcement regarding the setting up of His kingdom. Indeed, they were looking for the least excuse to proclaim and crown Him king. The disciples shared these feelings of expectancy, and their hearts were also filled with thoughts of the future power and glory of Israel, when it would again become the chosen of the Lord, and when Jerusalem would become the center of a universal kingdom. These were the ambitions and expectations that had brought together this mighty host. 

The expectation of His audience gave Jesus the theme for His sermon. He must correct the popular conception of the nature of the kingdom He had come to establish; for that conception wholly unfitted the people to receive Him and His teachings. The only kingdom that Jews seemed to know anything about was an earthly and temporal kingdom. The disciples had the same conception of Christ's mission, and never fully lost it till after Pentecost. There is danger that modern Israel will become so thrilled over the prospects of the coming kingdom of glory to be established at the second advent of Christ that they will lose sight of the spiritual phase of the kingdom which must first be established in the individual hear. We can never enter the kingdom of glory until the kingdom of grace has entered us. The first phase of the kingdom of heaven is the enthronement of Jesus Christ in the heart to be king of the life.  

While the sermon on the mount is a summary of the Bible, the beatitudes constitute a summary or prologue of the sermon on the mount. Like the decalogue and the Lord's prayer, they are of universal application and appeal, and apply to all races in all ages. A large crown gathered at a railway station in India to see Mahatma Gandhi, and hear his speak. After greeting the people, he opened a New Testament and read to them the beatitudes, and then said: "This is my message to You; act upon it." That was all the speech the Indian leader made, but it contained volumes. 

Be sure and come back next week when we will study the section : The Beatitude Ladder. This section was very eye opening to me - and gave me a new appreciation for the beatitudes! :O) 

The Beatitudes...part 2

 If you missed part one click Here so you can read it! :O) 

"Christ's Inaugural Address"

This sermon has also been appropriately called "Christ's Inaugural Address," because in it He enunciated the principles which are to control the administration of His spiritual kindsome, - the kingdom of grace. In it Jesus gives the qualifications for heavenly citizenship, and lays down the conditions upon which we may enter the kingdom of heaven. All citizens of the heavenly kingdom will live in harmony with the eternal principles set forth in this sermon.

The setting, or background, of this sermon adds to its importance. because of the significance of the occasion. Jesus had spent the entire night in prayer. Prayer is the secret of Christ's success as a preacher, and lack of prayer is also the explanation of the weakness and impotency of many modern sermons.

Following the night of prayer Jesus selected and ordained the twelve apostles who were to constitute a sort of cabinet to help Him administer the affairs of His spiritual kingdom. They were to be the special ministers, or ambassadors, of the King of grace and truth. Their ordination as apostles would entitle them later to be crowned as kinds. Matt. 19:27,28; Luke 22:28-30. Their office was therefore the most important to which human beings had ever been called, second only to that of Christ Himself. Throughout the eternal ages their names will be emblazoned on the twelve foundations of the New Jerusalem, the capital city of the universe. Rev. 21:14.

Not only was the sermon of the mount the greatest of all sermons, but it was preached to a very large audience. It was composed of "great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond Jordan." Matt. 4:25 The congregation was made up of all classes of men and women, representing all conditions of life. The proud Pharisee and the humble fisherman were there; the rich ruler from his palace and the poor peasant from his wretched hovel. There were present the wise and the ignorant, the believer and the doubter. Many races of men and religious creeds were represented. It was indeed a cross section of humanity, comprising a miniature world. And the sermon was a world message which will shine as a beacon light to guide the footsteps of the Christian pilgrims till the church militant becomes the church triumphant.

The Beatitudes..Sermon on the Mount...Summary So Far

"Christ knows that in many ways we struggle with the same temptations that the people were confronted with back then. His sermon on the mount is just as beautiful and powerful now as it was 2,000 years ago."—Ted N. C. Wilson, "Living With Heaven in Our Hearts," 2013 Week of Prayer readings, AR

"Jesus turns ordinary human ideas about happiness upside down. Contrary to general opinion, it is not the go-getters, the tough ones, those who bend the rules, who are the real successes. The truly happy ones are those who recognize the spiritual poverty(verse3) of self- reliance and learn to depend wholly on God."
Eerdmans' Concise Bible Handbook pg. 264

If you have missed any of the postings during this series - Here are links to each of the posts:

The Beatitudes Sermon on the Mount part 1

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

Foundation Work

Blessed are those who Mourn

Blessed are the Meek

Blessed are those who Hunger and Thirst

Blessed are the Merciful

Blessed are the Peacemakers

Blessed are the Pure in Heart

This series was started a while back and I remembered that I had these quotes that I wanted to share with you all. So I thought I would do a post - listing a link to the different posts.

I am hoping to get back to finishing out this series but that will have to wait until God inspires me again. I don't want to just share what I think - I want to share what God inspires me to share.

I am hoping to be able to doing posts about great things I have been learning - but right now I have just not felt inspired. About 3 weeks ago - I found out that I had cancer and so much has happened over the last 3 weeks. And so much that I am going to go through over the next 6 months.

I am trying to work through the different emotions that I have been feeling. It's been hard to get a good nights sleep since the port was put in. What is sad is the week before it was put in - I was starting to be able to sleep on my stomach - my favorite way to sleep and had started sleeping better. But it will take a bit to get to that point again.

I talked to my oncologist's nurse today - and asked her if it was normal for me to be so sore- in some ways - I am in more discomfort than when I had the hysterectomy. She said it is normal - and that it would probably be sore for about 2 weeks- tomorrow will be one week since it was put in.

Anyway I just wanted to get this posted - and round out the series. I may have missed

Sermon on the Mount...series.. Blessed are the Peacemakers

The Sermon on the Mount by Carl Heinrich Bloch   

    Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.   

Matthew 5:9

 

We will first look at what the 1828 dictionary says:

 

PE'ACEMAKER, n. One who makes peace by reconciling parties that are at variance.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Matt.5.

 

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Because I come from a background of people pleasing and where I thought I was a peacemaker(but was really having some unhealthy habits) I felt that it was better if I let this wonderful book help us understand what a peacemaker really is and what they will do. I hope you enjoy!

 

 

Christ is "the Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6), and it is His mission to restore to earth and heaven the peace that sin has broken. "Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1. Whoever consents to renounce sin and open his heart to the love of Christ, becomes a partaker of this heavenly peace.

There is no other ground of peace than this. The grace of Christ received into the heart, subdues enmity; it allays strife and fills the soul with love.pg. 27

 

 The heart that is in harmony with God is a partaker of the peace of heaven and will diffuse its blessed influence on all around. The spirit of peace will rest like dew upon hearts weary and troubled with worldly strife. pg 27

 

Christ's followers are sent to the world with the message of peace. Whoever, by the quiet, unconscious influence of a holy life, shall reveal the love of Christ; whoever, by word or deed, shall lead another to renounce sin and yield his heart to God, is a peacemaker. pg. 28

 

If you would like to read the rest of the section about peacemakers you can click on THIS link.



 

Sermon on the Mount...series...Blessed are the Pure in Heart

The Sermon on the Mount by Carl Heinrich Bloch   


Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
Matthew 5:8

Let's start this study with what the 1828 Webster's dictionary has to say about the word pure:

PURE, a. [L. purus.]

1. Separate from all heterogeneous or extraneous matter; clear; free from mixture; as pure water; pure clay; pure sand; pure air; pure silver of gold. Pure wine is very scare.

2. Free from moral defilement; without spot; not sullied or tarnished; incorrupt; undebased by moral turpitude; holy.

Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil. Hab.1. Prov.20.

3. Genuine; real; true; incorrupt; unadulterated; as pure religion. James 1.

4. Unmixed; separate from any other subject or from every thing foreign; as pure mathematics.

5. Free from guilt; guiltless; innocent.

No hand of strife is pure, but that which wins.

6. Not vitiated with improper or corrupt words or phrases; as a pure style of discourse or composition

7. Disinterested; as pure benevolence.

8. Chaste; as a pure virgin.

9. Free from vice or moral turpitude. Tit.1.

 

10. Ceremonially clean; unpolluted. Ezra 6.

  11. Free from any thing improper; as, his motives are pure.

  12. Mere; absolute; that and that only; unconnected with any thing else; as a pure villain. He did that from pure compassion, or pure good nature.

 PURE, v.t. To purify; to cleanse. [Not in use.]

 

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Now that is a tall order for sure.

On our own we can not have a pure heart, it is just not within our power. But there is Good New - we have help.

Jesus told His disciples that it was to their advantage that He go away.  " ...for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you." John 16:7

Who is this helper?
The Holy Spirit which is also a divine member of the Trinity.

    Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 
Matthew 28:19

The Holy Spirit does many things.

When we have given our hearts to Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit dwells in us.

 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?    
1 Corinthians 3:16

      the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 
John 14:17
 
The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth:

    However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
John 16:13

The Holy Spirit will transform us:

    But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.   
2 Corinthians 3:18

It is by this transformation that we can have purity of heart.


"But the words of Jesus, "Blessed are the pure in heart," have a deeper meaning--not merely pure in the sense in which the world understands purity, free from that which is sensual, pure from lust, but true in the hidden purposes and motives of the soul, free from pride and self-seeking, humble, unselfish, childlike."  MOB pg. 25

If you would like to check out what else my book "Thoughts from the Mount of Blessings" has to say click on link.

Sermon on the Mount...series...Blessed are the merciful

The Sermon on the Mount by Carl Heinrich Bloch

 

The Beatitudes

    Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.
Matthew 5:7

Again I would like to look at what the 1828 Webster Dictionary has to say about the meaning of the word Mercy:

MER'CY, n. [L. misericordia.]

1. That benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves; the disposition that tempers justice, and induces an injured person to forgive trespasses and injuries, and to forbear punishment, or inflict less than law or justice will warrant. In this sense, there is perhaps no word in our language precisely synonymous with mercy. That which comes nearest to it is grace. It implies benevolence, tenderness, mildness, pity or compassion, and clemency, but exercised only towards offenders. Mercy is a distinguishing attribute of the Supreme Being.

The Lord is long-suffering and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty. Num.14.

2. An act or exercise of mercy or favor. It is a mercy that they escaped.

I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies. Gen.32.

3. Pity; compassion manifested towards a person in distress.

 

 

This beatitude, just like the prior beatitudes and for that matter all the beatitudes, involve the very important role of the Holy Spirit.
In our own strength and power we do not tend to be very merciful. In fact, in our flesh we tend to be very self - centered. In which case every slight or injustice that comes our way makes us self seeking and many times revengeful. But this is not mercy.

When we allow Jesus Christ to be Lord and Saviour in our lives He provides all that  we need.

    And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.    
Philippians 4:19 

He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?   
Micah 6:8

    Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.   
James 1:27

And if you will read Matthew 25:31-45 it basically explains that - "deeds of mercy are presented as being the test of admission to the kingdom of glory." SDA Commentary

"Kind words, looks of sympathy, expressions of appreciation, would be to many a struggling and lonely one as the cup of cold water to a thirsty soul. A word of sympathy, an act of kindness, would lift burdens that rest heavily upon weary shoulders. And every word or deed of unselfish kindness is an expression of the love of Christ for lost humanity."
MOB pg. 23

When I was doing a study on Mercy - I ran across this phrase many, many time:
 "Praise the Lord, For His mercy endures forever."
I don't know about you - but I am very thankful to God's mercy endures forever. Praise be to God!
   

Sermon on the Mount...series...Blessed are they that Hunger and Thirst

The Sermon on the Mount by Carl Heinrich Bloch

 

The Beatitudes

 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.   
Matthew 5:6

Ok - so first of all I think we need to look at what righteousness means. We will again go to the 1828 Webster Dictionary to see what it says:

Righteousness:

1. Purity of heart and rectitude of life; conformity of heart and life to the divine law. Righteousness, as used in Scripture and theology, in which it is chiefly used, is nearly equivalent to holiness, comprehending holy principles and affections of heart, and conformity of life to the divine law. It includes all we call justice, honesty and virtue, with holy affections; in short, it is true religion.

2. Applied to God, the perfection or holiness of his nature; exact rectitude; faithfulness.

3. The active and passive obedience of Christ, by which the law of God is fulfilled. Daniel 9.

4. Justice; equity between man and man. Luke 1.

5. The cause of our justification.

The Lord our righteousness. Jer. 23.

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Just as our physical bodies hunger and thirst - so should our souls hunger and thirst for righteousness.

"No human agent can supply that which will satisfy the hunger and thirst of the soul."
MOB pg. 18

But the good news, just like everything else God will supply this need as well!

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.   
Philippians 4:19

God not only supplies what is needed - he initiates the relationship.

    Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.   
Revelations 3:20

He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.   
John 6:56
 
This means relationship.
Jesus comes to our door and knocks - asking for relationship. When we let Him in we are showing our willingness for a relationship with Him. And as we continue to hunger and thirst for Him - we are led into a relationship with Him. 

    And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.   
John 6:35

"As we need food to sustain our physical strength, so do we need Christ, the Bread from heaven, to sustain spiritual life and impart strength to work the works of God. As the body is continually receiving the nourishment that sustains life and vigor, so the soul must be constantly communing with Christ, submitting to Him and depending wholly upon Him. "
MOB pg. 19

To study even further into this beatitude - just click on the link above- MOB- and it will take you to the chapter that will go more in depth.



Sermon on the Mount ...series..Blessed are the Meek..

The Sermon on the Mount by Carl Heinrich Bloch

 

 

 

"Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth."

 Matthew 5:5



My first thought when writing this post was to use the dictionary at my desk in order for us to get a better understanding of the word meek, but I am so glad that I remembered someone saying how much better the 1828 Webster's Dictionary was at  getting the meaning of the word. So I went to my computer and looked it up. Here is what I found:
 MEEK, a. [L. mucus; Eng. mucilage; Heb. to melt.]

1. Mild of temper; soft; gentle; not easily provoked or irritated; yielding; given to forbearance under injuries.

Now the man Moses was very meek, above all men. Num.12.

2. Appropriately,humble, in an evangelical sense; submissive to the divine will; not proud, self-sufficient or refractory; not peevish and apt to complain of divine dispensations. Christ says, "Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest to your souls." Matt.11.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Matt.5.

For the very best example of meekness we can look at the life of Jesus Christ. One of the best resources I have found in which to look into the life of Jesus, other than the Bible that is, is a great book, The Desire of Ages . For today's study, I think we will look specifically at chapter 77~ "In Pilate's Judgment Hall." If I remember correctly this is the chapter that stood out to me so much because of the way that Jesus acted while He was being so mistreated.


"Standing behind Pilate, in view of all in the court, Christ heard the abuse; but to all the false charges against Him He answered not a word. His whole bearing gave evidence of conscious innocence. He stood unmoved by the fury of the waves that beat about Him. It was as if the heavy surges of wrath, rising higher and higher, like the waves of the boisterous ocean, broke about Him, but did not touch Him. He stood silent, but His silence was eloquence. It was as a light shining from the inner to the outer man." Desire of Ages pg. 726

 "Herod with his men of war set Him at nought, and mocked Him, and arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe." The Roman soldiers joined in this abuse. All that these wicked, corrupt soldiers, helped on by Herod and the Jewish dignitaries, could instigate was heaped upon the Saviour. Yet His divine patience failed not." pg. 731


"Satan led the cruel mob in its abuse of the Saviour. It was his purpose to provoke Him to retaliation if possible, or to drive Him to perform a miracle to release Himself, and thus break up the plan of salvation. One stain upon His human life, one failure of His humanity to endure the terrible test, and the Lamb of God would have been an imperfect offering, and the redemption of man a failure. But He who by a command could bring the heavenly host to His aid--He who could have driven that mob in terror from His sight by the flashing forth of His divine majesty--submitted with perfect calmness to the coarsest insult and outrage.
Christ's enemies had demanded a miracle as evidence of His divinity. They had evidence far greater than any they had sought. As their cruelty degraded His torturers below humanity into the likeness of Satan, so did His meekness and patience exalt Jesus above humanity, and prove His kinship to God."
pg. 734

What an awesome example we have in Jesus Christ!

"The meek "shall inherit the earth." It was through the desire for self-exaltation that sin entered into the world, and our first parents lost the dominion over this fair earth, their kingdom. It is through self-abnegation that Christ redeems what was lost. And He says we are to overcome as He did. Revelation 3:21. Through humility and self-surrender we may become heirs with Him when "the meek shall inherit the earth." Psalm 37:11." Thoughts from the Mount of Blessings pg. 17

This might be a tall order, but and order that He can and will fulfill through us if we all Him to do so.

    I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 

 Philippians 4:13

Sermon on the Mount... series..Blessed are Those Who Mourn....

The Sermon on the Mount by Carl Heinrich Bloch

The Beatitudes

Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.

Matthew 5:4

 

On the surface this beatitude looks as if Jesus is simply saying that those that are sad will be comforted, but there is so much more to this verse than that.

 

This verse takes us to a deeper spiritual level, that the cause of this mourning is sin.

 

"And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." 

John 12:32

 

(posted in red because these are the words of Jesus)

 

As we are drawn to Jesus and into a personal relationship with Him- we will more clearly see our sinful condition.

 

"Such mourning "shall be comforted." God reveals to us our guilt that we may flee to Christ, and through Him be set free from the bondage of sin, and rejoice in the liberty of the sons of God. In true contrition we may come to the foot of the cross, and there leave our burdens."

Thoughts From the Mount of Blessings pg. 10

 

 "The trials of life are God's workmen, to remove the impurities and roughness from our character. Their hewing, squaring, and chiseling, their burnishing and polishing, is a painful process; it is hard to be pressed down to the grinding wheel. But the stone is brought forth prepared to fill its place in the heavenly temple. Upon no useless material does the Master bestow such careful, thorough work. Only His precious stones are polished after the similitude of a palace."

Thoughts From the Mount of Blessings pg. 10  

 

Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. 24 "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!"   

Lamentations 3:22-24

 

 To comfort all who mourn, 3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."   

Isaiah 61:2b-3

 

 

Sermon on the Mount...series...Foundation Work

The Sermon on the Mount by Carl Heinrich Bloch

 The Beatitudes

Foundation Work

Last week I began a series on The Beatitudes, which now I am feeling will actually be a series on the Sermon on the Mount... Notice the change in the title of this series.

 

I think that I missed an opportunity to build some ground work to begin this series, so today we will back up just a bit to do so.

 

One of the things that I think would be a good idea to get a better understanding of before we move forward with the Beatitudes is the meaning of the word blessed.

 

In my Andrews Study Bible, I found a great explanation that I would like to share with you:

 

"Blessed ~ Some have translated this as "happy." But it is doubtful that Jesus is speaking of the subjective state of happiness. The objective state of blessedness is independent of outward circumstances."  

 

The desire to be happy is a natural desire that we all have- it was placed in us when we were created. The easiest way to find true happiness in life is to be obedient to God's Word. When we try to achieve happiness by following the world's way- we are often left with emptiness instead. True happiness is my desire.

 

"Jesus shows his followers how man ought to live- not simply according to a set of rules but by an inner revolution of attitude and outlook. The glorious thing is that having set a seemingly impossible standard, he went on to give men the power to live up to it."

 Eerdmans' Concise Bible Handbook p. 264

 

I am so thankful that God has given us not only clear instructions to finding true happiness but He has also give us everything needed to achieve it.

And before I end this post - I would like to share a quote from a special book that basically condenses the 1st of the beatitudes in this one paragraph.

 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 5:3
 

  "He who feels whole, who thinks that he is reasonably good, and is contented with his condition, does not seek to become a partaker of the grace and righteousness of Christ. Pride feels no need, and so it closes the heart against Christ and the infinite blessings He came to give. There is no room for Jesus in the heart of such a person. Those who are rich and honorable in their own eyes do not ask in faith, and receive the blessing of God. They feel that they are full, therefore they go away empty. Those who know that they cannot possibly save themselves, or of themselves do any righteous action, are the ones who appreciate the help that Christ can bestow. They are the poor in spirit, whom He declares to be blessed."

quote from "Thoughts From the Mount of Blessings" page 7

Now we are ready for the next beatitude next time. :O)



Sermon on the Mount....series..The Beatitudes

Sermon on the Mount

 

The Beatitudes

part 1

Many people had been misled by the teaching of the priest and rabbis and were under the understanding that Jesus' mission was to set up an earthly kingdom. How very far from the truth this was! (Even today there are many false understandings of what the scriptures teach). Even the disciples were under the false belief, but Jesus saw something in them that made Him realize that they were open to his teaching and He could train them for His great work.

People were drawn to Jesus. And He decided on this particular day, He would help them better understand His mission. Which would help His followers better understand their mission as well.

 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

             3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  

  Matthew 5:2-3

 

He began His sermon with "Blessed are the poor in Spirit..." because many in Jesus's day believed themselves to be holy and righteous. And when you feel holy and righteous on your own- you feel no need for a Saviour. And this is a dangerous place to be.

 

    The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men--extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.'   

Luke 18:11-12

 

Luke 18:11-12 gives us a prime example of being on this very dangerous ground.

 

And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'   

Luke 18:13

 

The tax collector realized that on his own he was sinful and in need of a Saviour. This man truly understood what it mean to be poor in spirit.

 

    I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Luke 18:14

 

      Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked-- 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." ' "    

Revelation 3:17-18