Tag: Sermon on the Mount

Journal Entry // March 21, 2023

Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. (ESV)

Matthew 5:15

We are the light of the world. We are the lamp that has been lit for a purpose. That purpose is the same as that of any lamp. We are designed specifically to bring the light of the gospel of Jesus to a lost and broken dark world. We are to highlight and shine forth the wonderful good news of salvation and freedom found only in the work of Christ upon the cross. We put this on a stand so that this glorious truth may give its light to everyone around us. This light of the gospel will illuminate the hearts and minds of people. It will change and transform as only the power of Christ can. This light of the gospel is the work of Christ and we are the lamps of Christ, lit to display the light and take it to the farthest corner of every house in this world.

Continue reading “Hiding Light” →

Journal Entry // March 8, 2023

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. (ESV)

Matthew 5:13

As we live out these opening verses of the Sermon, Jesus tells us that we are now the salt of the earth. There is a lot of deep meaning packed into this small comparison. Salt was an essential preservative and seasoning among other things. In our modern times, we have lost some of the meaning of this statement and the impact that salt had on the world at the time. Regardless, the focus for me this morning as I read through this section is the idea that salt can lose its saltiness. This statement of Jesus is of major importance in my life. If salt can lose its saltiness, what does that mean for me? At a minimum, I think it means that my gospel witness will be ineffective and my spiritual impact on this world will be severely negated. In essence, if I forego the saltiness of an intimate relationship with Jesus and the life-changing union and communion with Christ, then what I am good for at this point?

Continue reading “Salty Salt” →

Journal Entry // March 3, 2023

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (ESV)

Matthew 5:11–12

As Jesus ends this section of his sermon about the beatitudes, those blessed and approved by God, he makes a transition from talking in general terms about “blessed are those” to “blessed are you”. Why does he end this section moving to the specificity of “you”? Since it is a simple matter in my heart to hear the non-specific and not actually think he is talking about me, Jesus brings this section to a close by reminding me that he is indeed talking about me. And what is it that this personal application is telling me? It is in no uncertain terms telling me that if I am following Christ and living a beatific life, then there will be suffering and persecution in my life. This adversity will not just be esoteric and visited upon others. No, Jesus is telling me that just as people reviled, persecuted, and uttered false evils against him, so too will I receive these same trials on his account. So when they come, what am I to do? I am to rejoice and be glad!

Continue reading “Rejoice and be Glad” →

Journal Entry // March 1, 2023

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (ESV)

Matthew 5:10

Those that are satisfied in their hunger and thirst for righteousness will express this satisfaction through a life of mercy, purity, and peacemaking.  They will be blessed themselves as they live a life devoted to blessing others. Don’t we all want to be involved and engaged with people who are merciful, pure in heart, and makers of peace? The last beatitude can be seen as a summation of what we can expect if we are living a satisfied life in the righteousness of Christ. This beatific life, this last blessed announcement that Jesus proclaims is to set a proper expectation of what we will receive in this world as we live a satisfied life in Christ. We can expect persecution. Jesus tells us that we are blessed when we are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. When others bring persecution because they see Jesus in us, we can rest in the understanding that ours is the kingdom of heaven. The assurance of salvation and our heavenly reward can be found in the trials and adversity that are brought upon us simply because we act like Jesus.

Continue reading “Blessed Persecution” →

Journal Entry // February 26, 2023

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (ESV)

Matthew 5:9

As I am satisfied in the righteousness of Christ alone, my life will be a reservoir of mercy, purity, and peace.  These three qualities will be in such abundance in my life that I will become an agent of mercy, purity, and peace as I move from someone in need of receiving to one who gives. That is the thrust of this verse I am looking at now. “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Blessed are those so full of peace, mercy, and purity that they become makers of peace in the lives of those they engage with. They are not just at peace with God and with themselves. They are not just at peace with those around them. They are not just peaceful people that others find enjoyable. No, they are peacemakers. They are actively engaged in the act of bringing the peace of Christ to any and every person in any and every situation. Their abundance of peace and mercy demonstrates and encourages peace around them. They are true makers of peace.

Continue reading “Makers of Peace” →

Journal Entry // February 19, 2023

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (ESV)

Matthew 5:8

As Jesus continues on in the Beatitudes and the expressions that flow from a heart that is truly hungering and thirsting after the righteousness of Christ, the second expression he mentions is that of a pure heart that will see God. It is important to note that Jesus is calling us to live a life of purity not in our outward external visible conduct and actions. He doesn’t tell us that the pure in deeds or the pure in actions will see God. No, the call is to have a pure heart. Purity of heart encompasses the external actions that are seen by everyone but exposes the motives, desires, and affections that are driving those external actions. The phrase, “pure in heart” is a call to not live a double-minded life but to be in spiritual synchrony with the mind of Christ. Purity of the heart is the central theme of a life of worship where we love the Lord with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, and all our strength. Our inner life and our outer life are of a singular purpose.

Continue reading “A Pure Heart” →

Journal Entry // February 15, 2023

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. (ESV)

Matthew 5:7

In this review of the Beatitudes, Jesus has now come to the life expressions that flow from a heart that is truly hungering and thirsting for the righteousness that is found only in Christ.  The first expression of this satisfied heart is mercy. The blessed are those that give mercy to others. Yet, it means a bit more than the mere notion that I am only to show mercy at certain moments in life or at critical public junctions. At a minimum, it means that when the public opportunity arises for mercy to be displayed that I show mercy. It also means that in those private one-on-one moments where opportunities arise for mercy to be displayed that I show mercy. But to be merciful, true Christ-like mercy, is to have a heart full of mercy. Being merciful is not just showing mercy at random moments of injustice in life. Being merciful is living each and every moment with merciful intention. A heart beating in rhythm with my Savior is one that overflows with mercy for everyone, including myself.

Continue reading “Intentional Mercy” →

Journal Entry // February 14, 2023

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (ESV)

Matthew 5:6

As Jesus continues his discourse on the beatitudes, those that are blessed and approved by God, he has moved from “poor in spirit” to “mourning” to “meekness.” Now that he has explored and revealed that our nature is not only tainted by sin but is totally depraved, meaning that every area of our life and nature has been infected and is influenced by sin, Jesus next presents us with the call to pursue righteousness. As he has demonstrated that righteousness is not to be found within us, our pursuit and desire of this holiness can and only will be satisfied in his very own righteousness accomplished on the cross. It is through the cross that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be satisfied. It is only by understanding our sinful heart and in humility and meekness turning to Christ in repentance and faith for cleansing and healing that we will be satisfied. Our hunger for righteousness will only be filled in Jesus. Our thirst for righteousness will only be quenched by the precious blood of Christ.

Continue reading “All Consuming Desire” →