October 21, 2024 • 32 mins
What if embracing humility could unlock the true essence of a blessed life? Join me, Jason Hopkins, on the Hopeful Perspective Podcast as we navigate the profound teachings of Jesus' Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount. We'll embark on a journey to understand what it means to be 'poor in spirit' and how recognizing our need for His help can transform our lives. From finding comfort in mourning past sins to exploring the spiritual richness promised to us, we'll dissect these timeless teachings with insightful connections to relatable stories like the rich young ruler and journeys of personal recovery.
As we progress, the conversation turns to the purity of heart and peacemaking in today's world. I'll share a moving personal story about my daughter's purity of faith, reflecting the biblical promise that the pure in heart will see God. We'll tackle the challenges of maintaining purity amidst past failures and the critical role of a moral compass. Delving into the beatitude of peacemakers, we consider how empathy and reconciliation can transcend personal and global conflicts, advocating for a ministry of reconciliation over entitlement. Join this introspective exploration, where faith becomes a testament to living out Christ's teachings in our everyday lives.
Are you inspired by what you hear today? Jason deeply appreciates his listeners taking their time to listening, downloading, and sharing The Hopeful Perspective Podcast. Please help me spread 'hope' to others by writing a review for the podcast making it reachable for all who need to be inspired, encouraged, and changed by hoping once again. Further, understand that downloading the podcast is a surefire way to help increase the algorithm thus the reach of The Hopeful Perspective, even if you delete the episode after listening so as to not affect your data storage. I have also provided a (Support the Show) link DIRECTLY ABOVE THIS PARAGRAPH to click on for those who have shared with me they are "all in" and feel called to financially support the mission and vision of The Hopeful Perspective. A special thank you to those who have made this humble step to financially support the podcast. Without you, there is no US!
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to the Hopeful Perspective Podcast.
I am your host, jason Hopkins.
This podcast is designed togive you a perspective of hope
that impacts your daily life inan authentic and tangible way.
I have utilized the first sixepisodes of this podcast to
share my own personal life story, which illustrates God's glory.
Through experiences overcomingchild abuse and trauma, 26
(00:23):
foster homes and institutions,various diagnoses affecting me
throughout my life and aneventual brain tumor resulting
in multiple brain surgeries onmy brainstem, I have moved from
merely a surviving victim to afaithful and thriving victor who
the Lord has motivated to helpothers discover hope.
Lord has motivated to helpothers discover hope.
(00:44):
Though my past was full of painand suffering, I have been
restored with purpose andsanctification.
I have been redeemed and calledto follow Christ within that
redemption and renewedperspective, and I now want to
help you, too, to have abiblical and hopeful perspective
as you approach differingsituations in your own life,
(01:06):
from the delightful to thedifficult and everything in
between.
I want to take a moment tothank you for listening and, if
you have done so, take in thetime to download our episodes,
as when you download, along withrating our podcast with an
honest response, you help thealgorithm immensely to spread
our reach.
That said, our statsdemonstrate that while thousands
(01:28):
listen and stream the HopefulPerspective, less than 10%
actually download the episodes.
Please consider bridging thegap.
To help broaden that reach forus, we have also provided a few
options to either contact ourshow with your direct feedback
as well as to support thepodcast financially.
If you are called to partnerwith us in bringing hope to a
(01:50):
hurting world, just click theembedded links found on any
episode you are downloading onyour podcast platform.
I want to compel you to grabyour favorite snack, hot or cold
beverage.
Get comfortable and come on thisjourney with me as we continue
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our series on the Sermon on theMount and look at the first
section of the sermon known asthe Beatitudes.
We discussed five foundationaltruths on last week's podcast
that would be helpful tounderstand the Sermon on the
Mount.
Week's podcast that would behelpful to understand the Sermon
on the Mount.
We looked at Jesus' audience,his usage of Old Testament
scripture, his emphasis for hisdisciples to live for today, his
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teaching on eschatology or theend times and, finally, the fact
that Jesus references themultiple titles that he wears as
the lawgiver, the king, thejudge, the teacher and the
Messiah.
Today we dive into the sermon,specifically the Beatitudes as
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they begin in Matthew, chapter 5.
Before we pick them up, Iwanted us to look at the
definition of Beatitude, theterm used to describe this
section of phrases in the sermon.
Simply put, a beatitude isknown as a supreme blessing.
These are the attitudes adisciple of Christ is to have if
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they are to be supremelyblessed.
We left off last week readingthe supreme blessings, or the
beatitudes, and I want to pickup this week reading them all
together before we break each ofthem down Now.
When Jesus saw the crowds, hewent up on a mountainside and
sat down.
His disciples came to him andhe began to teach them.
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He said righteousness, for theywill be filled.
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Blessed are the merciful, forthey 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 arepersecuted because of
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righteousness, for theirs is thekingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you, when peopleinsult you, persecute you and
falsely say all kinds of evilagainst you.
Because of me, rejoice and beglad, because great is your
reward in heaven.
For in the same way theypersecuted the prophets who were
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before you.
Jesus introduces his audienceimmediately to the idea that
there is another kingdom thatthey can look to that is
different than that of thisearth, called the kingdom of
heaven.
He opens up saying Blessed arethe poor in spirit, for theirs
is the kingdom of heaven.
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As listeners, in the modern agethe phrase poor in spirit can
sound like Jesus is describingone who is downcast or possibly
even miserable, and in part youcould make the case he is.
Yet there is more nuance thanthat.
His hearers would have beenfamiliar with this phrase, as
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all throughout the Old Testamentthis would have been used to
acknowledge one who was in sucha state that they acknowledged
they needed God's help.
One can be so proud or soprovided for, that they deny God
and therefore denounce thekingdom of heaven.
I encourage you, in Matthew 19,to read the par denounce the
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kingdom of heaven.
I encourage you, in Matthew 19,to read the parable of the rich
young ruler who felt sojustified and even proud in
keeping all the commandments.
Jesus encouraged him to selloff everything to the poor, yet
the ruler was unable to.
He couldn't exchange hisidentity and what he held dear
to his heart for the kingdom ofGod, those who are humble in
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spirit, who acknowledge theirsinfulness, their brokenness,
what and who they have need of.
They are the ones who areprimed to receive the kingdom of
heaven.
These are who Jesus is talkingto.
Blessed are those who mourn, forthey shall be comforted.
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Initially, we may think thatthis is merely referring to the
mourning that occurs when welose someone that is dear to us,
and once again, there is anelement of this that is true,
for there is reassurance,knowing that God is by our side
and on our side, through eventhe worst this world has to
offer us.
Blessed are you who mourn, forGod is right there beside you.
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Yet this also refers to adeeper sense of grief and
mourning of our former self andthe lost person that caused pain
in our sin to others, thatthere is true sense of sorrow
and mourning.
Blessed is this one who mourns,as they shall be comforted.
For anybody who's been inrecovery and been through the 12
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steps, you probably understandthis journey better than many of
us, as you have had to makeamends with those that you have
wounded in the past.
The deep pain and emotion thatyou are brought to face can be
brutal to recognize, and theLord is promising that those who
undergo this mourning processcan be reassured of his comfort.
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I can tell you that in my owndeep grief, that there have been
moments where only his comforthave been able to touch the
level of pain and mourning thatI experienced.
Jesus then declaresno-transcript.
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While English speakers canmisunderstand meek to mean weak,
passive or shy, the Greek wordfor meek is praous, which is
translated as humble, gentle ormild.
We see a similar phrase used inPsalm 37, 11, which can be
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translated from Hebrew thehumiliated or oppressed will
take possession of the land.
There is an additional personthat we can see in scripture
described as meek, and that isthe Holy Spirit.
The Spirit is gentle and humblein how he directs us to put on
the character and the person ofChrist.
Some have said that to be meekis to be clothed in the fruit of
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the Spirit, as listed inGalatians 5.
Either way, the primaryblessing of this particular
beatitude is that those who lookto Christ in humility and faith
are the ones who shall inheritthe earth, that is, the kingdom
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of heaven.
We then ponder these wordsBlessed are those who hunger and
thirst for righteousness, forthey will be filled.
Jesus affirms that all whohunger and thirst metaphorically
, for the things of God willforever be satiated.
If you recall Jesus with thewoman at the well, he had asked
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her to give him a drink of water.
Her reply was this if you knewwho I was she was a Samaritan
and a woman in sin you wouldn'tbe asking me for a drink, jesus
replied.
If you knew who I was, youwould be asking me for living
water.
And everyone who drinks thiswater will have eternal life and
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will never thirst again.
You see hopeful family allthroughout scripture.
Spiritual hunger and thirstrepresent our longing for the
Lord and a desire to be in aright relationship with Him.
Yet we cannot be fulfilled byHim if we are not in
relationship with Him and ourspirits cannot be satiated if we
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are not being fed by Him.
You may wonder why everyepisode following the invitation
to receive Christ that I bothencourage listeners to find a
church family that is passionateabout the truth found in
scriptures.
As well as I promote thepersonal reading of the Bible,
this is not done necessarilybecause I was a pastor for many
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years or because I amparticularly wise or disciplined
.
The truth is quite the opposite.
I only recently have becomedisciplined to read the
scriptures on a daily basis.
This is just the past couple ofyears, and I am sure that is
surprising some of you that arelistening, but I can personally
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attest to how my soul has beensatisfied and fulfilled in the
spiritual battles that I faceconcerning PTSD, depression,
anxiety and much, much more.
If you listen to that closely,you just heard me say that, even
as a pastor, for many years, Iwas operating pretty
successfully, even leadingothers, without being
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particularly disciplined in theword, and in this I am not
boasting, nor am I proud.
Sure, I was still in the word,but I did not hunger nor thirst,
nor need it in the same waythat I find myself these days.
I led others to be like Christ,but I neglected myself.
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Thus, I was probably leadinghypocritically, which is
probably the worst thing youcould have told me during my
ministry, as I thought I wasleading a life of accountability
and integrity.
Be careful now though I'm notleading you into falsehood or
nuanced platitudes to measureyour success as a Christian
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based solely upon yourdiscipline reading the
scriptures.
That is quite the oppositeplace that Jesus would want to
take you.
So nor do I.
Instead, I want to share withyou personally how we can hunger
and thirst for righteousnessand complete humility by relying
on the living water instead ofattempting to fulfill ourselves
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by our own means.
That leaves us desiring more.
Blessed are the merciful, forthey will be shown mercy.
These words do not require aphilosopher nor a theologian to
bring forth the depth of theirgreater meaning, yet they are
foundational in understandingthe teachings of Jesus and the
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kingdom of heaven.
Jesus taught in Matthew,chapter 6, that if you forgive
others' transgressions, yourheavenly Father will forgive.
You will forgive you.
Conversely, jesus taught thatif you do not forgive others
their transgressions, yourtransgressions will also go
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unforgiven.
So significant is thisprinciple of mercy and
forgiveness in the kingdom ofheaven that we hear it again
stressed in how, as disciples,that we were taught to pray Our
Father, who is in heaven.
Hallowed or holy be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done on earth asit is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as weforgive those who sin against us
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.
Lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil, for
the kingdom and the power andthe glory are yours now and
forever.
Amen.
In the way Jesus taught us topetition the Father.
We are modeled to show mercy tothose who wrong us, just as
they are to show mercy to us.
When you understand the enemiesthe disciples are being asked to
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forgive in Jesus' day you canunderstand how large of an ask
that this would have been.
They were under Romanoccupation and oppression.
They were heavily taxed.
They viewed neighboring peoplesuch as the Samaritans as their
enemies.
No matter the wrong done,though, jesus did not give mercy
nor forgiveness as an option.
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Even as you are listening, youmay be harboring memories of
certain events in your own lifewhere you were caused
significant wounds from peoplethat you cannot imagine forgiven
due to the harm or traumacaused, but I encourage you to
review the passages listed here,as well as listening to the
podcasts that I have alreadyshared on forgiveness and
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restoration, where I discuss howthe principles and power of
forgiveness have impacted andchanged my own life.
I have had to forgive peoplewho have traumatized me, abused
me and deeply wounded my life.
Why?
Because I'm weak and a victim.
Quite the opposite.
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I forgave because, with Christin me, I am made strong, I am
made victorious and thereforecapable of showing mercy and
fulfilling his command.
Friends, the final aspect as faras forgiveness and mercy is
concerned is that we demonstratethe reconciliation and
therefore what is to be expectedin the kingdom of heaven?
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New creation, redemption,reconciliation.
These things are impossiblewhen mercy is absent from the
equation.
We have defined mercy in termsof forgiveness, yet mercy can
also be discussed as showingcompassion and kindness when
someone is only deserving ofjudgment or condemnation.
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For example, god the Fathershowed mercy on us, withheld
judgment on us and insteadsacrificed his son, jesus Christ
, to pay the price for our sins,when we justly deserved the
punishment.
The next beatitude Jesus sharesis Blessed are the pure in
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heart, for they will see God.
Jesus is referring to a heartthat has integrity, that is
lacking or is cleansed ofhostility, and whose eyes are
opened to who they truly are andwho God truly is.
My oldest daughter has been atrue, pure-hearted worshiper as
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long as she's been alive, andthis is not hyperbole nor is it
exaggeration.
When she was but a toddler,she'd be in our arms at church.
She'd raise her hands highduring worship and babble as
loud as she could, singing alongwith the worship team.
Now naysayers could claim shewas emulating what she was
seeing, yet she always had thismaturity beyond her years as she
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was growing up, and thisincluded her faith.
When she was but four years old, her mom and I concluded
praying over her in her bed.
Was but four years old, her momand I concluded praying over her
in her bed and as I wasfinishing my usual declaration
of saying you're beautiful, youare intelligent and guess what?
Your daddy loves you, she hadthe biggest smile on her face,
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but it wasn't about the words Ihad just spoken.
It was as though she was seeingsomething or someone in the
room.
She replied with the sameexuberance as she would if she
saw her nana or her papa.
She said that she saw Jesus,and I cannot tell you the
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goosebumps or the heart bumps,if you will.
I cannot tell you thegoosebumps or the heart bumps,
if you will, or the tears thatmy wife and I felt at that
moment, because we knew howlegit of an experience this was
for our daughter.
I was immediately taken to thisblessing or beatitude of those
who are pure in heart, for theywill see God, and then I prayed
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that she would always seek thatsame purity of heart and that
she would be blessed with theability to see God as she got
older.
You see, friends, jesus told hisdisciples that they must be his
children and to have faith likea child in order to enter the
kingdom of heaven.
I encourage you to read Matthew18, which undoubtedly is due to
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the purity of heart thatchildren are typically known to
have.
We also see that children oughtto be protected due to both
their vulnerability as well astheir innocence.
You may be wondering, though,what are we to do when we have
lived lives of impurityourselves or, at one times, have
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been hostile towards God?
Or what if you feel as thoughyou struggle with the notion of
what it means to be pure inheart?
Friends, I have related tothese notions all too well
within my own life, as Istruggled in my own early faith
with duplicity in this area, asa child of Christ who was
learning what it meant to turnfrom old ways and to rely on Him
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more and more.
The fact you feel duplicity atall is actually a positive sign,
as it indicates you have amoral compass now that perhaps
you hadn't before, that perhapsyou hadn't before.
I want to encourage you toremain persistent in your faith,
to surround yourself withbelievers further along on the
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journey than you are and to havementors that can both encourage
you speaking life as well ashold you accountable, speaking
truth in the balance that isneeded.
Blessed are the peacemakers, forthey should be called children
of God, hopeful family.
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I cannot think of a moreupside-down principle in today's
world than this one right here.
This will not only receivepushback in the secular world,
but in the church as well.
To perpetuate or enter conflicton whatever means available to
us, be it social media orwhatever platform, regarding
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whatever subject, be it politics, theology, doctrine, morality,
etc.
Seems to be the way of theworld in and out of the church
To understand what Jesus isasking or what it means to be a
peacemaker, though we need todefine the terms.
A peacemaker is one who iswilling to step in and initiate
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reconciliation amongstconflicting parties.
Think about the world today asI record this podcast.
There are wars in Ukraineversus Russia, gaza or Palestine
versus Israel.
As we speak, we are in electionseason, which means our
television and social media areblowing up with attack ads from
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both sides of the red and blueaisle.
A peacemaker is one who has theability to empathize with both
sides of an issue and they canbe proactive, meaning
peacemakers are not passivenecessarily and can take the
first steps in helping theparties to make peace.
They do this without a heart ofaggression or force and their
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motives are peaceful and have apure heart.
Peacemakers operate amidstconflict and can do so
objectively, due to thesignificant peace of Christ and
the cross that is on their heart.
Do they have their own beliefs?
Certainly, but all believersare called to be peacemakers, as
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we have all been called to theministry of reconciliation.
Ministry of reconciliation whenbelievers have the most
difficult time being peacemakersis where they have to divorce
themselves from their rights tobe right, particularly in the
Western nations where freedomand democracy reign and we have
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the freedom of speech.
To be a peacemaker tends to below on people's priority of how
we represent Christ.
Once we hit the social media orany major platform, I personally
cannot count the times I havebeen saddened or even
disappointed at leaders Irespect though I know they too
are fallen, like I am and needgrace like I do who take to
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social media and, instead ofutilizing their platform to take
the role of a peacemaker, theyproceed to pour gas on the
proverbial fire for fill in theblank social or political issue
to advance their agenda.
I do not pretend like I knowhow to act in the role as a
peacemaker perfectly, but I doknow some that do so excellently
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.
They have the ability tosynchronize with people in such
a way that they match eachperson where they are, which
goes above and beyond empathy.
They truly epitomize the versein Romans 12.15, when Paul calls
us to rejoice with one whorejoices and to weep with one
who weeps, as they do so withapparent ease.
They do not have to be giftedas much with words, though some
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are, but most I have met areskilled listeners.
Whatever skill set you have,whatever you are gifted in, this
much is clear there is nooption for those entering the
kingdom of heaven.
We are to be peacemakers.
The final blessing listed in theBeatitudes is blessed are those
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persecuted because ofrighteousness, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven, and in thisone Jesus seems to expound
further Blessed are you whenpeople insult you, persecute you
and falsely say all kinds ofevil against you because of me?
Friends, first I want to saythis If you are a follower of
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Jesus Christ, and I mean adevoted follower of his ways,
truth and life, then, as thisbeatitude declares you can
expect persecution in this life.
You may have heard it said thatif one is living a life absent
of persecution, then their lifeprobably mirrors more of the
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secular world than it does theChristian calling.
Those of us living withreligious freedom experience far
less religious persecution thansomeone living in a communist
regime or conservative Muslimcountries where Christianity is
outlawed.
The first century apostles anddisciples, most of whom were
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martyred, the first centuryapostles and disciples, most of
whom were martyred, understoodthe kind of persecution that
Christ spoke years after.
He declared this as a blessing.
Though we do not experiencesevere persecution, we know not
how or where the culture wars,in fact will take us and how we
will have to stand for our faithand what it will cost to be a
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Christ follower moving forward.
But we can rest assured that ifand when we are to stand strong
amidst persecution, that we,like our brothers and sisters
across the world and in thefirst century, stand strong, we
will inherit the kingdom ofheaven, and that, friends, is
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what is the common denominatorbetween every one of these
blessings Is that they are asindicators for those who get to
be a part of a new kingdom thatis not of this world.
That is not of this world.
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You see, this world is based onpower and wealth and fame and
fortune and pride and gluttony,yet also knows death and disease
and sin and sadness.
But the new kingdom is one ofhumility and gentleness, purity
and peace, reconciliation andlove, mercy and forgiveness, the
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Trinity and eternity.
It's of tremendous hope and,regardless of where you are on
your spiritual journey, you arelistening to the Sermon on the
Mount and these eight Beatitudesor blessings today, by the
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design and the divine hand ofGod, and with Him, there is no
mistake.
I pray that as you arelistening, you are not just
undergoing informationtransference, but rather you are
sensing the Spirit talkingdirectly to you Because, friends
, in my experience, the HolySpirit is deeply personal and
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with Him there are no accidents,incidents, coincidences or
instances where he is notweaving His redemptive work in
your life, instances where he isnot weaving his redemptive work
in your life.
Rather, as we are joinedtogether right now on a podcast,
as Jesus declared 2,000 yearsago from a mountainside in
northern Israel, we are blessed.
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We have reason to havesignificant hope in our lives
right now.
Perhaps you are sensing theSpirit moving you toward Him and
I would be remissed if we leftour time today without providing
an opportunity for us torespond, and I want to pray for
you right now, so everybodylistening either agree with this
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prayer or I want to invite youto lift those up in intercession
right now.
Lord Jesus, I repent of my sinsand I surrender my life to you.
Wash me and cleanse me from allunforgiveness and pride.
I believe that you are the Sonof God, that you died on the
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cross for the forgiveness of mysins and that you rose again on
the third day for my victory.
I believe that in my heart andmake confession with my mouth
that you, jesus, are my Lord andmy Savior and that this new
kingdom that you talk about isforever.
I want to live my lifeaccording to your terms and I
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want you to change my relianceon myself and any earthly
vessels that I have placed hope,and instead I want to trust
your plan and I ask for you toput the people and the processes
and the models necessary topursue restoration into my life.
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I ask for you to reveal to mewhere I have neglected the needs
of those who are broken aroundme, where I have become
indifferent and capable, where Ihave been unable to prioritize
those who feel the need or whoneed to feel the hope of Christ.
Show me where I am called to bea part of your team and I
entrust myself to your equippingand the sending out, as you
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will.
Thank you for being a God ofmercy, a God of healing and a
God of truth, a God of hope, aGod of blessing.
Might I become a beacon of hopeto the hurting.
May I be the one who shows andshares eternal life with those
on their way to spiritual death.
Show me your ways, lord.
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Give us these spiritual eyes tosee on earth as it is in heaven
, and may our priorities beginto reflect your heart and your
spiritual kingdom.
Jesus, it's in your name thatwe pray your mighty name, amen.
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Friends, if you today agree withthis prayer from the depths of
your heart, I either welcome youto the eternal family of God,
or maybe you've returned to yourfaith and I commend you on that
return.
I want to encourage you to finda church family who worships
the Lord passionately and iscommitted to the teaching and
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preaching of the scriptures andcommitted to serving the
community and beyond.
Also, devote yourself to thereading of the scriptures, as we
mentioned before, as there ismuch to grow of the scriptures,
as we mentioned before, as thereis much to grow, so much to
learn and to be discipled in asit pertains to new life and
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maturity in Christ.
The Lord has so much in the wayof hope to show his children in
his love letters that he haswritten to them, as we learn
today, there is so much that hehas blessed us with, so much
that he has blessed us with andhopeful family.
This has truly been my pleasureto spend the morning, the
afternoon or the evening growingand learning with you.
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I look forward to tuning in nexttime on the hopeful perspective
podcast, where we'll be furtherunpacking what is next on the
sermonermon on the Mount.
Until then, I want to thank youfor joining me along this
journey today, allowing me toshare from my heart.
And, if you would be so kindagain to follow, subscribe and,
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most importantly, rate and writea review for others on your
platform who may need thehopeful perspective in their
life?
And again, did you know thatyou can contribute monetarily by
pressing our support the showlink that is embedded on your
platform in the episodedescriptions?
If you believe in what we do.
I would cherish your prayers aswell as consider giving to the
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cause.
I want to shout out mygratitude to the multiple donors
who already have made thiscommitment to support the
podcast financially.
Without you, it really wouldnot be possible to reach as many
people with the messages thatwe have or anyone who needs to
be reminded that hope is real.
So thank you so much in advanceand until next time, remember
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you are loved.
Welcome to the Hopeful Perspective Podcast.
I am your host, jason Hopkins.
This podcast is designed togive you a perspective of hope
that impacts your daily life inan authentic and tangible way.
I have utilized the first sixepisodes of this podcast to
share my own personal life story, which illustrates God's glory.
Through experiences overcomingchild abuse and trauma, 26
(00:23):
foster homes and institutions,various diagnoses affecting me
throughout my life and aneventual brain tumor resulting
in multiple brain surgeries onmy brainstem, I have moved from
merely a surviving victim to afaithful and thriving victor who
the Lord has motivated to helpothers discover hope.
Lord has motivated to helpothers discover hope.
(00:44):
Though my past was full of painand suffering, I have been
restored with purpose andsanctification.
I have been redeemed and calledto follow Christ within that
redemption and renewedperspective, and I now want to
help you, too, to have abiblical and hopeful perspective
as you approach differingsituations in your own life,
(01:06):
from the delightful to thedifficult and everything in
between.
I want to take a moment tothank you for listening and, if
you have done so, take in thetime to download our episodes,
as when you download, along withrating our podcast with an
honest response, you help thealgorithm immensely to spread
our reach.
That said, our statsdemonstrate that while thousands
(01:28):
listen and stream the HopefulPerspective, less than 10%
actually download the episodes.
Please consider bridging thegap.
To help broaden that reach forus, we have also provided a few
options to either contact ourshow with your direct feedback
as well as to support thepodcast financially.
If you are called to partnerwith us in bringing hope to a
(01:50):
hurting world, just click theembedded links found on any
episode you are downloading onyour podcast platform.
I want to compel you to grabyour favorite snack, hot or cold
beverage.
Get comfortable and come on thisjourney with me as we continue
(02:12):
our series on the Sermon on theMount and look at the first
section of the sermon known asthe Beatitudes.
We discussed five foundationaltruths on last week's podcast
that would be helpful tounderstand the Sermon on the
Mount.
Week's podcast that would behelpful to understand the Sermon
on the Mount.
We looked at Jesus' audience,his usage of Old Testament
scripture, his emphasis for hisdisciples to live for today, his
(02:34):
teaching on eschatology or theend times and, finally, the fact
that Jesus references themultiple titles that he wears as
the lawgiver, the king, thejudge, the teacher and the
Messiah.
Today we dive into the sermon,specifically the Beatitudes as
(02:55):
they begin in Matthew, chapter 5.
Before we pick them up, Iwanted us to look at the
definition of Beatitude, theterm used to describe this
section of phrases in the sermon.
Simply put, a beatitude isknown as a supreme blessing.
These are the attitudes adisciple of Christ is to have if
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they are to be supremelyblessed.
We left off last week readingthe supreme blessings, or the
beatitudes, and I want to pickup this week reading them all
together before we break each ofthem down Now.
When Jesus saw the crowds, hewent up on a mountainside and
sat down.
His disciples came to him andhe began to teach them.
(03:39):
He said righteousness, for theywill be filled.
(04:02):
Blessed are the merciful, forthey 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 arepersecuted because of
(04:24):
righteousness, for theirs is thekingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you, when peopleinsult you, persecute you and
falsely say all kinds of evilagainst you.
Because of me, rejoice and beglad, because great is your
reward in heaven.
For in the same way theypersecuted the prophets who were
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before you.
Jesus introduces his audienceimmediately to the idea that
there is another kingdom thatthey can look to that is
different than that of thisearth, called the kingdom of
heaven.
He opens up saying Blessed arethe poor in spirit, for theirs
is the kingdom of heaven.
(05:06):
As listeners, in the modern agethe phrase poor in spirit can
sound like Jesus is describingone who is downcast or possibly
even miserable, and in part youcould make the case he is.
Yet there is more nuance thanthat.
His hearers would have beenfamiliar with this phrase, as
(05:27):
all throughout the Old Testamentthis would have been used to
acknowledge one who was in sucha state that they acknowledged
they needed God's help.
One can be so proud or soprovided for, that they deny God
and therefore denounce thekingdom of heaven.
I encourage you, in Matthew 19,to read the par denounce the
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kingdom of heaven.
I encourage you, in Matthew 19,to read the parable of the rich
young ruler who felt sojustified and even proud in
keeping all the commandments.
Jesus encouraged him to selloff everything to the poor, yet
the ruler was unable to.
He couldn't exchange hisidentity and what he held dear
to his heart for the kingdom ofGod, those who are humble in
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spirit, who acknowledge theirsinfulness, their brokenness,
what and who they have need of.
They are the ones who areprimed to receive the kingdom of
heaven.
These are who Jesus is talkingto.
Blessed are those who mourn, forthey shall be comforted.
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Initially, we may think thatthis is merely referring to the
mourning that occurs when welose someone that is dear to us,
and once again, there is anelement of this that is true,
for there is reassurance,knowing that God is by our side
and on our side, through eventhe worst this world has to
offer us.
Blessed are you who mourn, forGod is right there beside you.
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Yet this also refers to adeeper sense of grief and
mourning of our former self andthe lost person that caused pain
in our sin to others, thatthere is true sense of sorrow
and mourning.
Blessed is this one who mourns,as they shall be comforted.
For anybody who's been inrecovery and been through the 12
(07:18):
steps, you probably understandthis journey better than many of
us, as you have had to makeamends with those that you have
wounded in the past.
The deep pain and emotion thatyou are brought to face can be
brutal to recognize, and theLord is promising that those who
undergo this mourning processcan be reassured of his comfort.
(07:40):
I can tell you that in my owndeep grief, that there have been
moments where only his comforthave been able to touch the
level of pain and mourning thatI experienced.
Jesus then declaresno-transcript.
(08:03):
While English speakers canmisunderstand meek to mean weak,
passive or shy, the Greek wordfor meek is praous, which is
translated as humble, gentle ormild.
We see a similar phrase used inPsalm 37, 11, which can be
(08:23):
translated from Hebrew thehumiliated or oppressed will
take possession of the land.
There is an additional personthat we can see in scripture
described as meek, and that isthe Holy Spirit.
The Spirit is gentle and humblein how he directs us to put on
the character and the person ofChrist.
Some have said that to be meekis to be clothed in the fruit of
(08:47):
the Spirit, as listed inGalatians 5.
Either way, the primaryblessing of this particular
beatitude is that those who lookto Christ in humility and faith
are the ones who shall inheritthe earth, that is, the kingdom
(09:07):
of heaven.
We then ponder these wordsBlessed are those who hunger and
thirst for righteousness, forthey will be filled.
Jesus affirms that all whohunger and thirst metaphorically
, for the things of God willforever be satiated.
If you recall Jesus with thewoman at the well, he had asked
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her to give him a drink of water.
Her reply was this if you knewwho I was she was a Samaritan
and a woman in sin you wouldn'tbe asking me for a drink, jesus
replied.
If you knew who I was, youwould be asking me for living
water.
And everyone who drinks thiswater will have eternal life and
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will never thirst again.
You see hopeful family allthroughout scripture.
Spiritual hunger and thirstrepresent our longing for the
Lord and a desire to be in aright relationship with Him.
Yet we cannot be fulfilled byHim if we are not in
relationship with Him and ourspirits cannot be satiated if we
(10:16):
are not being fed by Him.
You may wonder why everyepisode following the invitation
to receive Christ that I bothencourage listeners to find a
church family that is passionateabout the truth found in
scriptures.
As well as I promote thepersonal reading of the Bible,
this is not done necessarilybecause I was a pastor for many
(10:38):
years or because I amparticularly wise or disciplined
.
The truth is quite the opposite.
I only recently have becomedisciplined to read the
scriptures on a daily basis.
This is just the past couple ofyears, and I am sure that is
surprising some of you that arelistening, but I can personally
(11:00):
attest to how my soul has beensatisfied and fulfilled in the
spiritual battles that I faceconcerning PTSD, depression,
anxiety and much, much more.
If you listen to that closely,you just heard me say that, even
as a pastor, for many years, Iwas operating pretty
successfully, even leadingothers, without being
(11:24):
particularly disciplined in theword, and in this I am not
boasting, nor am I proud.
Sure, I was still in the word,but I did not hunger nor thirst,
nor need it in the same waythat I find myself these days.
I led others to be like Christ,but I neglected myself.
(11:47):
Thus, I was probably leadinghypocritically, which is
probably the worst thing youcould have told me during my
ministry, as I thought I wasleading a life of accountability
and integrity.
Be careful now though I'm notleading you into falsehood or
nuanced platitudes to measureyour success as a Christian
(12:07):
based solely upon yourdiscipline reading the
scriptures.
That is quite the oppositeplace that Jesus would want to
take you.
So nor do I.
Instead, I want to share withyou personally how we can hunger
and thirst for righteousnessand complete humility by relying
on the living water instead ofattempting to fulfill ourselves
(12:31):
by our own means.
That leaves us desiring more.
Blessed are the merciful, forthey will be shown mercy.
These words do not require aphilosopher nor a theologian to
bring forth the depth of theirgreater meaning, yet they are
foundational in understandingthe teachings of Jesus and the
(12:53):
kingdom of heaven.
Jesus taught in Matthew,chapter 6, that if you forgive
others' transgressions, yourheavenly Father will forgive.
You will forgive you.
Conversely, jesus taught thatif you do not forgive others
their transgressions, yourtransgressions will also go
(13:16):
unforgiven.
So significant is thisprinciple of mercy and
forgiveness in the kingdom ofheaven that we hear it again
stressed in how, as disciples,that we were taught to pray Our
Father, who is in heaven.
Hallowed or holy be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done on earth asit is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as weforgive those who sin against us
(13:39):
.
Lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil, for
the kingdom and the power andthe glory are yours now and
forever.
Amen.
In the way Jesus taught us topetition the Father.
We are modeled to show mercy tothose who wrong us, just as
they are to show mercy to us.
When you understand the enemiesthe disciples are being asked to
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forgive in Jesus' day you canunderstand how large of an ask
that this would have been.
They were under Romanoccupation and oppression.
They were heavily taxed.
They viewed neighboring peoplesuch as the Samaritans as their
enemies.
No matter the wrong done,though, jesus did not give mercy
nor forgiveness as an option.
(14:22):
Even as you are listening, youmay be harboring memories of
certain events in your own lifewhere you were caused
significant wounds from peoplethat you cannot imagine forgiven
due to the harm or traumacaused, but I encourage you to
review the passages listed here,as well as listening to the
podcasts that I have alreadyshared on forgiveness and
(14:45):
restoration, where I discuss howthe principles and power of
forgiveness have impacted andchanged my own life.
I have had to forgive peoplewho have traumatized me, abused
me and deeply wounded my life.
Why?
Because I'm weak and a victim.
Quite the opposite.
(15:05):
I forgave because, with Christin me, I am made strong, I am
made victorious and thereforecapable of showing mercy and
fulfilling his command.
Friends, the final aspect as faras forgiveness and mercy is
concerned is that we demonstratethe reconciliation and
therefore what is to be expectedin the kingdom of heaven?
(15:28):
New creation, redemption,reconciliation.
These things are impossiblewhen mercy is absent from the
equation.
We have defined mercy in termsof forgiveness, yet mercy can
also be discussed as showingcompassion and kindness when
someone is only deserving ofjudgment or condemnation.
(15:49):
For example, god the Fathershowed mercy on us, withheld
judgment on us and insteadsacrificed his son, jesus Christ
, to pay the price for our sins,when we justly deserved the
punishment.
The next beatitude Jesus sharesis Blessed are the pure in
(16:11):
heart, for they will see God.
Jesus is referring to a heartthat has integrity, that is
lacking or is cleansed ofhostility, and whose eyes are
opened to who they truly are andwho God truly is.
My oldest daughter has been atrue, pure-hearted worshiper as
(16:32):
long as she's been alive, andthis is not hyperbole nor is it
exaggeration.
When she was but a toddler,she'd be in our arms at church.
She'd raise her hands highduring worship and babble as
loud as she could, singing alongwith the worship team.
Now naysayers could claim shewas emulating what she was
seeing, yet she always had thismaturity beyond her years as she
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was growing up, and thisincluded her faith.
When she was but four years old, her mom and I concluded
praying over her in her bed.
Was but four years old, her momand I concluded praying over her
in her bed and as I wasfinishing my usual declaration
of saying you're beautiful, youare intelligent and guess what?
Your daddy loves you, she hadthe biggest smile on her face,
(17:20):
but it wasn't about the words Ihad just spoken.
It was as though she was seeingsomething or someone in the
room.
She replied with the sameexuberance as she would if she
saw her nana or her papa.
She said that she saw Jesus,and I cannot tell you the
(17:43):
goosebumps or the heart bumps,if you will.
I cannot tell you thegoosebumps or the heart bumps,
if you will, or the tears thatmy wife and I felt at that
moment, because we knew howlegit of an experience this was
for our daughter.
I was immediately taken to thisblessing or beatitude of those
who are pure in heart, for theywill see God, and then I prayed
(18:05):
that she would always seek thatsame purity of heart and that
she would be blessed with theability to see God as she got
older.
You see, friends, jesus told hisdisciples that they must be his
children and to have faith likea child in order to enter the
kingdom of heaven.
I encourage you to read Matthew18, which undoubtedly is due to
(18:26):
the purity of heart thatchildren are typically known to
have.
We also see that children oughtto be protected due to both
their vulnerability as well astheir innocence.
You may be wondering, though,what are we to do when we have
lived lives of impurityourselves or, at one times, have
(18:49):
been hostile towards God?
Or what if you feel as thoughyou struggle with the notion of
what it means to be pure inheart?
Friends, I have related tothese notions all too well
within my own life, as Istruggled in my own early faith
with duplicity in this area, asa child of Christ who was
learning what it meant to turnfrom old ways and to rely on Him
(19:12):
more and more.
The fact you feel duplicity atall is actually a positive sign,
as it indicates you have amoral compass now that perhaps
you hadn't before, that perhapsyou hadn't before.
I want to encourage you toremain persistent in your faith,
to surround yourself withbelievers further along on the
(19:33):
journey than you are and to havementors that can both encourage
you speaking life as well ashold you accountable, speaking
truth in the balance that isneeded.
Blessed are the peacemakers, forthey should be called children
of God, hopeful family.
(19:55):
I cannot think of a moreupside-down principle in today's
world than this one right here.
This will not only receivepushback in the secular world,
but in the church as well.
To perpetuate or enter conflicton whatever means available to
us, be it social media orwhatever platform, regarding
(20:17):
whatever subject, be it politics, theology, doctrine, morality,
etc.
Seems to be the way of theworld in and out of the church
To understand what Jesus isasking or what it means to be a
peacemaker, though we need todefine the terms.
A peacemaker is one who iswilling to step in and initiate
(20:38):
reconciliation amongstconflicting parties.
Think about the world today asI record this podcast.
There are wars in Ukraineversus Russia, gaza or Palestine
versus Israel.
As we speak, we are in electionseason, which means our
television and social media areblowing up with attack ads from
(20:59):
both sides of the red and blueaisle.
A peacemaker is one who has theability to empathize with both
sides of an issue and they canbe proactive, meaning
peacemakers are not passivenecessarily and can take the
first steps in helping theparties to make peace.
They do this without a heart ofaggression or force and their
(21:22):
motives are peaceful and have apure heart.
Peacemakers operate amidstconflict and can do so
objectively, due to thesignificant peace of Christ and
the cross that is on their heart.
Do they have their own beliefs?
Certainly, but all believersare called to be peacemakers, as
(21:44):
we have all been called to theministry of reconciliation.
Ministry of reconciliation whenbelievers have the most
difficult time being peacemakersis where they have to divorce
themselves from their rights tobe right, particularly in the
Western nations where freedomand democracy reign and we have
(22:04):
the freedom of speech.
To be a peacemaker tends to below on people's priority of how
we represent Christ.
Once we hit the social media orany major platform, I personally
cannot count the times I havebeen saddened or even
disappointed at leaders Irespect though I know they too
are fallen, like I am and needgrace like I do who take to
(22:28):
social media and, instead ofutilizing their platform to take
the role of a peacemaker, theyproceed to pour gas on the
proverbial fire for fill in theblank social or political issue
to advance their agenda.
I do not pretend like I knowhow to act in the role as a
peacemaker perfectly, but I doknow some that do so excellently
(22:50):
.
They have the ability tosynchronize with people in such
a way that they match eachperson where they are, which
goes above and beyond empathy.
They truly epitomize the versein Romans 12.15, when Paul calls
us to rejoice with one whorejoices and to weep with one
who weeps, as they do so withapparent ease.
They do not have to be giftedas much with words, though some
(23:14):
are, but most I have met areskilled listeners.
Whatever skill set you have,whatever you are gifted in, this
much is clear there is nooption for those entering the
kingdom of heaven.
We are to be peacemakers.
The final blessing listed in theBeatitudes is blessed are those
(23:37):
persecuted because ofrighteousness, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven, and in thisone Jesus seems to expound
further Blessed are you whenpeople insult you, persecute you
and falsely say all kinds ofevil against you because of me?
Friends, first I want to saythis If you are a follower of
(24:07):
Jesus Christ, and I mean adevoted follower of his ways,
truth and life, then, as thisbeatitude declares you can
expect persecution in this life.
You may have heard it said thatif one is living a life absent
of persecution, then their lifeprobably mirrors more of the
(24:28):
secular world than it does theChristian calling.
Those of us living withreligious freedom experience far
less religious persecution thansomeone living in a communist
regime or conservative Muslimcountries where Christianity is
outlawed.
The first century apostles anddisciples, most of whom were
(24:50):
martyred, the first centuryapostles and disciples, most of
whom were martyred, understoodthe kind of persecution that
Christ spoke years after.
He declared this as a blessing.
Though we do not experiencesevere persecution, we know not
how or where the culture wars,in fact will take us and how we
will have to stand for our faithand what it will cost to be a
(25:12):
Christ follower moving forward.
But we can rest assured that ifand when we are to stand strong
amidst persecution, that we,like our brothers and sisters
across the world and in thefirst century, stand strong, we
will inherit the kingdom ofheaven, and that, friends, is
(25:35):
what is the common denominatorbetween every one of these
blessings Is that they are asindicators for those who get to
be a part of a new kingdom thatis not of this world.
That is not of this world.
(25:55):
You see, this world is based onpower and wealth and fame and
fortune and pride and gluttony,yet also knows death and disease
and sin and sadness.
But the new kingdom is one ofhumility and gentleness, purity
and peace, reconciliation andlove, mercy and forgiveness, the
(26:16):
Trinity and eternity.
It's of tremendous hope and,regardless of where you are on
your spiritual journey, you arelistening to the Sermon on the
Mount and these eight Beatitudesor blessings today, by the
(26:36):
design and the divine hand ofGod, and with Him, there is no
mistake.
I pray that as you arelistening, you are not just
undergoing informationtransference, but rather you are
sensing the Spirit talkingdirectly to you Because, friends
, in my experience, the HolySpirit is deeply personal and
(27:01):
with Him there are no accidents,incidents, coincidences or
instances where he is notweaving His redemptive work in
your life, instances where he isnot weaving his redemptive work
in your life.
Rather, as we are joinedtogether right now on a podcast,
as Jesus declared 2,000 yearsago from a mountainside in
northern Israel, we are blessed.
(27:22):
We have reason to havesignificant hope in our lives
right now.
Perhaps you are sensing theSpirit moving you toward Him and
I would be remissed if we leftour time today without providing
an opportunity for us torespond, and I want to pray for
you right now, so everybodylistening either agree with this
(27:45):
prayer or I want to invite youto lift those up in intercession
right now.
Lord Jesus, I repent of my sinsand I surrender my life to you.
Wash me and cleanse me from allunforgiveness and pride.
I believe that you are the Sonof God, that you died on the
(28:09):
cross for the forgiveness of mysins and that you rose again on
the third day for my victory.
I believe that in my heart andmake confession with my mouth
that you, jesus, are my Lord andmy Savior and that this new
kingdom that you talk about isforever.
I want to live my lifeaccording to your terms and I
(28:30):
want you to change my relianceon myself and any earthly
vessels that I have placed hope,and instead I want to trust
your plan and I ask for you toput the people and the processes
and the models necessary topursue restoration into my life.
(28:52):
I ask for you to reveal to mewhere I have neglected the needs
of those who are broken aroundme, where I have become
indifferent and capable, where Ihave been unable to prioritize
those who feel the need or whoneed to feel the hope of Christ.
Show me where I am called to bea part of your team and I
entrust myself to your equippingand the sending out, as you
(29:16):
will.
Thank you for being a God ofmercy, a God of healing and a
God of truth, a God of hope, aGod of blessing.
Might I become a beacon of hopeto the hurting.
May I be the one who shows andshares eternal life with those
on their way to spiritual death.
Show me your ways, lord.
(29:37):
Give us these spiritual eyes tosee on earth as it is in heaven
, and may our priorities beginto reflect your heart and your
spiritual kingdom.
Jesus, it's in your name thatwe pray your mighty name, amen.
(29:57):
Friends, if you today agree withthis prayer from the depths of
your heart, I either welcome youto the eternal family of God,
or maybe you've returned to yourfaith and I commend you on that
return.
I want to encourage you to finda church family who worships
the Lord passionately and iscommitted to the teaching and
(30:19):
preaching of the scriptures andcommitted to serving the
community and beyond.
Also, devote yourself to thereading of the scriptures, as we
mentioned before, as there ismuch to grow of the scriptures,
as we mentioned before, as thereis much to grow, so much to
learn and to be discipled in asit pertains to new life and
(30:40):
maturity in Christ.
The Lord has so much in the wayof hope to show his children in
his love letters that he haswritten to them, as we learn
today, there is so much that hehas blessed us with, so much
that he has blessed us with andhopeful family.
This has truly been my pleasureto spend the morning, the
afternoon or the evening growingand learning with you.
(31:02):
I look forward to tuning in nexttime on the hopeful perspective
podcast, where we'll be furtherunpacking what is next on the
sermonermon on the Mount.
Until then, I want to thank youfor joining me along this
journey today, allowing me toshare from my heart.
And, if you would be so kindagain to follow, subscribe and,
(31:24):
most importantly, rate and writea review for others on your
platform who may need thehopeful perspective in their
life?
And again, did you know thatyou can contribute monetarily by
pressing our support the showlink that is embedded on your
platform in the episodedescriptions?
If you believe in what we do.
I would cherish your prayers aswell as consider giving to the
(31:49):
cause.
I want to shout out mygratitude to the multiple donors
who already have made thiscommitment to support the
podcast financially.
Without you, it really wouldnot be possible to reach as many
people with the messages thatwe have or anyone who needs to
be reminded that hope is real.
So thank you so much in advanceand until next time, remember
(32:15):
you are loved.
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