“A SPIRITUAL CHECKUP!” FEBRUARY 27, 2011

MATTHEW 5:1-6
 FEBRUARY 27, 2011

“A SPIRITUAL CHECKUP!”

Most people are aware that it is advisable for each person to get an annual physical checkup by a physician. Yet many individuals procrastinate as it can be a hassle to even get an appointment. This reluctance is aided by the ever increasing scrutiny of insurance companies seeking to deny coverage. On top of these reasons one can add a lack of enthusiasm because we would rather not be forced to make any changes to our lifestyle which might include diet and exercise, or quitting one of our cherished habits. Is it any wonder that the health of the average American is declining? The Sermon on the Mount can be seen as a spiritual checkup. Do not be surprised when the words of Jesus make us squirm, challenging us to mend our ways.

The Sermon on the Mount provides a manual for the life of a follower of Jesus Christ. The Beatitudes are some of the most well known scriptures. Today we will look at the first four. It is helpful to understand to whom Jesus is addressing. “¹ Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ² and he began to teach them.” It is interesting that in seeing the crowds Jesus went up the side of a mountain. How many of you want to go climb up the side of a mountain? Jesus went up the mountainside with a definite purpose in mind. He went up and sat down indicating that he was going to start teaching his disciples. The crowds were given a choice: if you want to follow Jesus then climb up and listen, if you want something else from him, you will have to wait. The term disciples included not only the Twelve (later to be known as apostles) but all those who believed in Him and desired to learn from him. So Jesus is teaching “kingdom class 101”.
The beatitudes though being well known are often misunderstood. The term “blessed” is sometimes translated as “happy”. Happiness is an emotion. We know that we will not always be happy. The word Jesus used has a deeper meaning. To be blessed is a state of “being”, of being in a relationship with God. Because of our relationship with God we are always blessed. We continue to be blessed even when we experience negative feelings, an absence of feelings, or simply being in a lousy situation. Despite our circumstances we have joy because of our relationship with Jesus Christ, and with the Father. Our salvation rests in Jesus Christ and for that alone we are blessed.
The Beatitudes begin and end with the present benefit of what we have right now. ³ "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The last blessing in verse ten ends with the same phrase, “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The present tense is used in verses three and ten. The future tense is used in the other six verses. Being in relationship with God involves both the present and the future. We have blessings from God right now and we will have even more blessings in the future.
^{3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” “4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”}
“⁵ Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. When we are parched with thirst, and our stomachs are growling with hunger; our only concern is in meeting that need. It is good to feel good about ourselves. Yet is better to know when we have done what is right in the sight of God. The Pharisees were experts in obeying the external requirements of the Law. Yet they failed to see that obedience must come not by our own efforts, but from the love of God that will first be found in our own heart.
The key to understanding and living by the truths found in the beatitudes can be uncovered in the words of Jesus in John 15:5-11 (NIV) “⁵ "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. ⁸ This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. ⁹ "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. ¹⁰ If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. ¹¹ I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Being a disciple of Jesus Christ means being a follower of Jesus by accepting his love and forgiveness. It is being in Christ, being filled by his love, so that our lives will overflow with love. We are truly blessed in Christ, as we yield to the Master. We have his kingdom blessings right now and in the life to come. Find joy by following the Master, and we will truly be blessed.
Let us pray. This beatitude is most likely the most misunderstood and often ignored as being a blessing. Children are often dismayed when confronted with the harsh reality of those who push to get their own way. The world is full of people who seek to dominate others and establish their own kingdom. Psalm 37:7-11 (NIV) “⁷ Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. ⁸ Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret--it leads only to evil. ⁹ For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. ¹⁰ A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. ¹¹ But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.” Being meek is being humble and submitting to God. Being meek is being gentle and allowing God to work in each and every situation. God is our defender; we are not to force others to do our will. It is a hard fact of life that we can not force anyone to do something they do not want to do. Only God can change the human heart. Jesus is our example. It takes great strength, given only by the Holy Spirit, to wait on God to bring about change. Meekness is having strength and trust in God. I grew up in a time when crying by a man or boy was a sign of weakness. I remember vividly seeing my father cry for the first time in my life when his older brother died of a sudden heart attack. I used to have a hard time showing emotion. However, the death of our youngest child broke me. Yet in that loss I learned that nothing in this life is certain, except the love of God. When we lose those things that we highly value, we begin to learn that the attitude that “nothing can touch me” can creep into the human psyche and sometimes manifest itself in pride. Jesus came to save his people from their sins and that only in him do we find comfort. And the promise of the future in Revelation 7:17 (NIV) “17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." It is a hard fact of life that we come into this world with nothing (no possessions) and that we will leave this life with nothing (no possessions). We, as believers are to build up treasures in heaven. In this life we will mourn over many things: oppression, injustice, persecution, as well as loss. Yet we also know that these evils will not last, for we know the end of the story. In our society we often measure success by looking at the bottom line of bank accounts and by the number of toys and possessions. Jesus turned everything upside down by proclaiming the exact opposite. The phrase “poor in spirit” includes being financially poor, as well as being spiritually and emotionally impoverished. It is only when we realize that nothing that we can produce will ultimately provide what we really need. The psalmist cries out in Psalm 40:17 (NIV) “17 Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay.” It is humbling to admit that we are powerless and incapable of providing what we truly need in life. Yet we are truly blessed when we learn to fully depend on God, and not on our own feeble efforts.