Be Blessed – Matthew 5:3

Do you want to be blessed?  Do you want to have true joy.  Those who repent are turning from their sinful ways and instead doing God’s will.  Those who are poor in spirit are not proud.  They realize they cannot get to heaven on their own.  And let’s make sure we recognize the Scripture says, “Poor in spirit,” not “Blessed are the poor,” there is no Godliness associated with being broke.  You are not closer to heaven simply because you do not have money.  The poor in spirit realize that they cannot earn their way to God, but only by the grace of God are we saved.  It is no accident that this sermon starts with, “Blessed are the poor in spirit…” because the first step is realizing that you are a sinner.  That you are in need of a Savior.  That you need this Sermon on the Mount.  Blessed are those not living by their own will but are living God’s will.  Blessed are those who are persecuted because they are living so contrary to this world, so counter-culture, so close to the will of God such as Jesus did, that it is only inevitable that the world hates them.  And in Matthew 7 in case you are not getting it, Jesus makes it plain.  Not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” will be entering the kingdom of heaven.  Not everyone who comes to church.  Not everyone who sings hymns.  Not everyone who says Praise the Lord.  Not everyone who is born Jewish.  Not everyone who is born into a Christian family.  Not everyone who has a college education.  But it is those who do the will of the Father who will enter the kingdom of heaven.  This is Jesus speaking on the mountain.  This is Jesus speaking to those who have started following Him because of His previous preaching, teaching, and healing.  And Jesus is telling them how to be blessed.  And I am asking you today, do you want to be blessed?  Do you want to be blessed by God?  Do you want what God has prepared for you?  Then it is simple, do His will.  It is not God’s will for you to be proud.  It is not God’s will for you to find your own way to heaven.  It is not God’s will for you to live in sin.  It is not God’s will for you to blend in with the world.  It is not God’s will for you to perish.  “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)