A New Vision of God
Dick Schell
Midland SDA Church
August 7, 2010
Scripture: Page 795 The Christian Life
Opening Song: #278 Lord Jesus, Once You Spoke to Men
Closing Song: #274 O Word of God Incarnate
Matthew 5:3 - 10
Bibles: Open them to Matt. 5:1 – 10, these are the verses we will be addressing.
Let’s Pray!!!!
When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions.
Let us in imagination go back to that scene, and as we sit with the disciples on the mountainside, enter into the thoughts and feelings that filled their hearts. Understanding what the words of Jesus meant to those who heard them, we may discern in them a new vividness and beauty, and may also gather for ourselves their deeper lessons.
As they sat upon the green hillside, awaiting the words of the divine Teacher, their hearts were filled with thoughts of future glory.
There were scribes and Pharisees who looked forward to the day when they should have dominion over the hated Romans and possess the riches and splendor of the world’s great empire.
The poor peasants and fishermen hoped to hear the assurance that their wretched hovels, the scanty food, the life of toil and fear of want, were to be exchanged for mansions of plenty and days of ease in place of the one coarse garment which was their covering by day and their blanket at night, they hoped that Christ would give them the rich and costly robes of their conquerors.
In the multitude gathered upon the mount there were souls who, in the presence of His purity, felt that they were “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind and naked (Revelation 3:17) and they longed for “the grace of God that bringeth salvation. In these souls, Christ’s words of greeting awakened hope; they saw that their lives were under the benediction of God.
All hearts thrilled with the proud hope that Israel was soon to be honored before the nations as the chosen of the Lord, and Jerusalem exalted as the head of a universal kingdom.
This is what He said. You’re Blessed.
The first time we read the Beatitudes they appear to be simple and beautiful and unstartling statements, and they go unobserved in the subconscious mind.
We are so used to the sayings of Jesus that they slip over us unheeded, they sound sweet and pious and wonderfully simple, but they are in reality like spiritual torpedoes that burst and explode in the subconscious minds, and when the Holy Spirit brings them back to our conscious minds we realize what startling statements they are.
For instance, the Beatitudes seem merely mild and beautiful precepts for unworldly people and of very little use for the stern world in which we live. We soon find however, that they contain the dynamite of the Holy Spirit; they explode like spiritual mines, when the circumstances of our lives require them to do so, and rip and tear and revolutionize all our conceptions.
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven: Matt 5:3
You’re blessed when you are at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
As something strange and new, these words fall upon the ears of the wondering multitude. Such teaching is contrary to all they have ever heard from priest or rabbi.
His words fall liked rain upon mown grass: as showers that water the earth.
All feel instinctively that here is One who reads the secrets of the soul, yet who comes near to them with tender compassion.
Their hearts open to Him, and as they listen, the Holy Spirit unfolds to them something of the meaning of that lesson which humanity in all ages so needs to learn.
All who have a sense of their deep soul poverty, who feel that they have nothing good in themselves, may find righteousness and strength by looking unto Jesus. He says, ”Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden” Matt. 11:28. He bids you exchange your
poverty for the riches of His grace.
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, who He declares to be blessed.
Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4
You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
The mourning here brought to view is true heart sorrow for sin. Jesus says, ”If I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.”John 12:32 And as one is drawn to behold Jesus uplifted on the cross, he discerns the sinfulness of humanity.
He sees that it is sin which scoured and crucified the Lord of glory. He sees that, while he has been loved with unspeakable tenderness, his life has been a continual scene of ingratitude and rebellion. He has forsaken his best Friend and abused heaven’s most precious.
God would not have us remain pressed down by dumb sorrow, with sore and breaking hearts. He would have us look up and behold His dear face of love. The blessed Savior stands by many whose eyes are so blinded by tears that they do not discern Him.
He longs to clasp our hands, to have us look to Him in simple faith, permitting Him to guide us. His heart is open to our griefs, our sorrows and our trials. He has loved us with an everlasting love and with loving-kindness compasses us about.
We may keep the heart stayed upon Him and meditate upon His loving-kindness all the day. He will lift the soul above the daily sorrow and perplexity, into a realm of peace.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5
You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are-no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
The world’s Redeemer had a greater than (>) angelic nature, yet united with His divine majesty were meekness and humility that attracted all to Himself.
Those who have felt their need of Christ, those who have mourned because of sin and have sat with Christ in the school of affliction, will learn meekness from the divine Teacher.
Patience and gentleness were not characteristics prized by the heathen or by the Jews. The statement made by Moses in Numbers 12:3 under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that he was the meekest man upon the earth, would not have been regarded by the people of his time as a commendation; it would rather have excited pity and contempt.
But Jesus places meekness among the first qualifications for His kingdom. In His own life and character the divine beauty of this precious grace is revealed.
The meekness of Christ, manifested in the home, will make the inmates happy; it provokes no quarrel, gives back no angry answer, but soothes the irritated temper and diffuses a gentleness that is felt by all with its charmed circle. Wherever cherished, it makes the families of earth a part of the one great family above.
Blesses are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6
You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetitive for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
No human agent can supply that which will satisfy the hunger and thirst of the soul.
But Jesus says “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.”
I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.” Revelation 3:20; 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.
If you have a sense of need in your soul, if you hunger and thirst after righteousness, this is an evidence that Christ has wrought upon your heart, in order that He may be sought unto to do for you, through the endowment of the Holy Spirit, those things which it is impossible for you to do for yourself.
We need not seek to quench our thirst at shallow streams; for the great fountain just above us, of whose abundant waters we may freely drink, if we will rise a little higher in the pathway of faith.
Jesus said, “The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14.
When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and dry land springs of water.” Isaiah 45:8
Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7
You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full’, you find yourselves cared for.
The heart of man is by nature cold and dark and unloving; whenever one manifests a spirit of mercy and forgiveness, he does it not of himself, but through the influence of the divine Spirit moving upon the heart. “We love, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19.
The merciful are “partakers of the divine nature,” and in them the compassionate love of God finds expression.
All whose hearts are in sympathy with the heart of the Infinite Love will seek to reclaim and not condemn.
Christ dwelling in the soul is a spring that never runs dry.
Where He abides there will be an overflowing of beneficence.
To the appeal of the erring, the tempted, the wretched victims of want and sin, the Christian does not ask, Are they worthy? But how can I benefit them? In the most wretched, the most debased, he sees souls whom Christ died to save and for whom God has given to His children the ministry of reconciliation.
The merciful are those who manifest compassion to the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed. Job declares, “I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem. I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. I was a father to the poor, and the cause which I knew not I searched out.” Job 29: 12-16.
There are many to whom life is a painful struggle; they feel their deficiencies and are miserable and unbelieving; they think they have nothing for which to be grateful.
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.
If men would do their duty as faithful stewards of their Lord’s goods, there would be no cry for bread, none suffering in destitution, none naked and in want. It is the unfaithfulness of men that brings about the state of suffering in which humanity is plunged.
It will be those who have stood the test on earth, who have been found faithful, who have obeyed the words of the Lord in being merciful, in using their means for the advancement of his kingdom, that will hear from the lips of the Master(Christ’s Commendation to the Merciful), “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things.”
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8
You’re blessed when you get your inside world-your mind and heart-put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
Jesus does not mention ceremonial purity as one of the conditions of entering into His kingdom, but points out the need of purity of heart. The wisdom that is from above “is first pure.” James 3:17.
Into the city of God there will enter nothing that defiles. All who are to be dwellers there will here have to become pure in heart. In one who is learning of Jesus, there will be manifest a growing distaste for careless manners, unseemly language, and coarse thought.
When Christ abides in the heart, there will be purity and refinement of thought and manner.
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 purpose and motives of the soul, free from pride and self-seeking, humble, unselfish, childlike.
“He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the King shall be his friend. “ Proverbs 22:11.
The pure in heart see God in a new and endearing relation, as their Redeemer; and while they discern purity and loveliness of His character, they long to reflect His image. They see Him as a Father longing to embrace a repenting son, and their hearts are filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9
You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
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 his 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. He who is at peace with God and his fellow men cannot be made miserable. Envy will not be in the heart; evil surmising will find no room there; hatred cannot exist. 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.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10
You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.
Jesus does not present to His followers the hope of attaining earthly glory and riches, and of having a life free from trial, but He presents to them the privilege of walking with their Master in the paths of self-denial and reproach, because the world knows them not.
He who came to redeem the lost world was opposed by the united forces of the adversaries of god and man. In an unpitying confederacy, evil men and evil angels arrayed themselves again the Prince of Peace. Though His every word and act breathed divine compassion, His unlikeness to the world provoked the bitterest hostility.
Because He would give no license for the exercise of the evil passions of our nature. He aroused the fiercest opposition and enmity.
So it is with all who will live godly in Christ Jesus. Between righteousness and sin, love and hatred, truth and falsehood, there is an irrepressible conflict.
When one presents the love of Christ and the beauty of holiness, he is drawing away the subjects of Satan’s kingdom, and the prince of evil is aroused to resist it. Persecution and reproach await all who are imbued with the Spirit of Christ
The character of the persecution changes with times, but the principle—the spirit that underlies it—is the same that has slain the chosen of the Lord ever since the days of Abel.
Count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit Me. What it means is that that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens-give a cheer, even-for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
If you are called to go through the fiery furnace for His sake, Jesus will be by your side even as He was with the faithful three in Babylon. Those who love their Redeemer will rejoice at every opportunity of sharing with Him humiliation and reproach.
In holy vision the prophet saw the triumph of the people of God. He says, “I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory,…..stand on the sea of glass, having harps of God. and they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God, Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints.” These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple; and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
Continued – October 10, 2010
Salt and Light
Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt –seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
Here is another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with is, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you” I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand-shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
Completing God’s Law
Murder
Adultery and Divorce
Empty Promises
Love your enemies