The teaching of Jesus, in Matthew 5:1-10, helps us learn more about who God is and invites us into a blessed interaction with God.
In Blessed – Part One let’s listen to the teaching of Jesus and learn from this word “Blessed”.
Matthew 5:1-10 “One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them. ‘God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs…’
God’s a “blesser” – it’s who He is – it’s what He do….God’s blessing – approval “God blessed Adam & Eve.” – Genesis 1:28
Blessing is something that God initiated and was first in order before humankind’s calling, purpose, or delegated sphere of authority was given… What we learn from the first mention of the word is that blessing was foundational to humanity’s identity and purpose. At its core, blessing was God the Father’s identity, sense of value, and heart of love, declared and imparted over his creation. It was a statement of identity, affirmation, favor, promise, and inheritance. Blessing would build into the human race the confident assurance that who they were and all they would undertake would carry significance because it flowed from a position of the Father’s blessing. They could be secure because they were loved and blessed by their Father.” – Derrill Corbin Made to Move
“It is good.” – God in creation week. God’s promise to Abraham, “blessed to be a blessing,” – Gen. 12:2-3 The blessing that God gave the priests to speak over the people, “Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, ‘Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them: ‘Yahweh bless you, and keep you; Yahweh make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; Yahweh lift up His face on you, And give you peace.’ ‘So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them.’” – Numbers 6:23-27 Legacy
Jesus blesses the bread” at the Passover table
Those who are blessed will be profoundly happy,
God initiates relationship by giving love. God is aware of our heart condition. God responds to our heart condition with His blessing, approval, and more.
Who is God?
- One True Living God – Jer. 10:10-12 Psalm 18:46 1 Thess. 1:9
- Life-Giver: Provider & Protector Matt. 7:11 Jn. 14:14 2 Sam. 22:2-7 Psalms 138:7
- Creator & Redeemer Gen. 1:1 Isa. 44:24 43:1 Col. 1:15-28
- Good Father, Relational – Gen. 1:26-28 Isa 64:8 Matt. 6:26-33
- Rewarder of those who seek – Heb. 11:6
“This is how God showed his love to us: He sent his one and only Son into the world so that we could have life through him. This is what real love is: It is not our love for God; it is God’s love for us. He sent his Son to die in our place to take away our sins.” – 1 John 4:9-10 NCV
“By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.” – 1 John 4:9 Legacy
God’s story line tells us 4 things:
1. What God wants for us (Creation)
2. What happened to us and what went wrong with the world (Fall)
3. What God has done in Jesus Christ to put things right (Redemption)
4. How history will turn out in the end as a result (Restoration)
– Timothy Keller
Who are we?
- Someone who God loved and gave identity, value, and purpose. Gen. 1:26-28
- Jesus follower Lk. 9:23-24 Jn. 13:34-35
- Child of God Jn. 1:12-13 1 Jn. 3:1 Rom. 8:16-17
- Coheir with Christ Rom. 8:17
- Royal Priesthood, Holy Nation 1 Peter 2:9
“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Change your hearts and lives, because the kingdom of heaven is near.’” – Matthew 4:17 NCV
“Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” – Matthew 6:9-13
“Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33 ESV
Kingdom – reign “kingdominion”
What do we learn?
1. The teaching of Jesus is helpful for our understanding and perspective of our natural world and the Kingdom of God.
2. The Kingdom of God is most valuable.
3. God blesses His people.
4. God is aware of our heart condition.
5. God responds to our heart condition.
What should we do?
1. Pray, asking God to help us learn more from the teaching of Jesus.
2. Identify our questions and what we are learning from the teaching of Jesus.
3. Share this journey with our church family.