A Disciple's Be-Atitudes - #5 Being Merciful

 #5 Being Merciful

Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.

Driving down the Suitland Parkway some time ago, I approached a stalled car in the right hand lane. As I passed the car, I noticed an older woman behind the stirring wheel. My intention was to keep going but a little voice within me told me to stop and help her if I could. I stopped and so did another person. We pushed her to the side, called a tow truck and waited until someone could pick her up. She thanked us for showing a little old lady mercy.

What is mercy? Mercy is the act of being kind, patient and/or thoughtful. Mercy is not a quality that is in us from birth. It has to be given and developed by God. Remember my first thought was to keep on going like the priest and the Levite in the Good Samaritan story. Our sinful nature leads us to look the other way. It is our sinful nature that keeps our focus on us and not others. So how do we attain the beatitude of mercy?

This quality comes only when we are born again and our hearts are renewed. God is the giver of mercy. He is full of mercy. The Bible declares:  But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:4-5) God’s rich mercy acted upon our need for salvation. He sent Jesus into this world for restoration. We are made rich and alive.  So how should we respond?

We are to perform acts of mercy out of mercy. Since we have been renewed and saved by grace, our proper response to God is to be merciful to others. Since Christ lives in us we now have the ability to sympathize with those who suffer. We can sympathize with those who suffer tragic events, or those who are undeserving, or the spiritual hungry, or those who are just plain lonely. How much can this world be changed if we the Disciples of Christ act daily with mercy other disciples and to our neighbors.

What is the reward for those who display mercy? They are rewarded in-kind: with mercy.  God declares our sins forgiven each day we confess and repent of our sins. What a great reward! Share it with others.

Questions:

1.     What is God’s desire for his disciples?

2.     Can you identify daily acts of mercy? By you? By someone else?

3.     In what ways do we experience God’s mercy?  (Genesis 20:1-18)

4.     List the examples of mercy displayed by the church community.

5.     Explain how this beatitude is twofold.

Applications:

1.     God’s mercy does not come as a result of our worthiness. (Zechariah 3:1-10)

2.     The proud do not experience God’s mercy. (Luke 18:9-14)

A Disciple's Be-Atitudes - #4 Those Who Hunger and Thirst After Righteousness

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#4 – Those Who Hunger and Thirst After Righteousness

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.

The Diet Industry is a multi-billion dollar business. There are hundreds of diet plans on the market. It seems like each day some new diet guru comes on television with a promise if you follow his or her diet plan you would be healthy, live longer and look marvelous.  The secret is that you must change your appetite.  The habit of craving for the wrong thing at the wrong time is what causes disaster for any diet.

Humans were created with an appetite. Our appetites were once holy and good. Since the fall, our appetites are very sinful. The righteousness that was once in us is now gone. It has been replaced with self-indulgence, greed, and unkindness. Yet, humanity desires that its appetite to be fulfilled.

Disciples must have their appetites for righteousness fulfilled and developed within them by the Lord.

The saying “your eyes are too big for your stomach” is used to chastise those who seem to take more food than they can eat. And yet to develop the proper hunger and thirst after righteousness, we need to have big spiritual eyes. Jesus teaches in the sixth chapter of Matthew, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (v.33)

Do you want to be truly filled? Earthly desires won’t do it. We need spiritual food. Your hunger and thirst for righteousness begins when we first seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness. Then you will be satisfied to the full. How? You need a daily diet of the Word of God. Then you need to regularly partake of the Lord’s Supper. With this steady spiritual diet, your hunger and thirst for righteousness will be fulfilled.

Questions:

1.     When do you feel hungry and thirsty for righteousness?

2.     How do you know when your spiritual appetite has been fulfilled?

Applications:

1.     You can never satisfy your hunger and thirst for righteousness naturally. (Psalm 51:10)

2.     Being good won’t satisfy your spiritual appetites. (Psalm 37:4, 25; Mark 10:29-30)

3.     You can only become righteousness through Christ Jesus. (2 Corinthians 5:11-21)

A Disciple's Be-Atitudes - #3 The Meek

#3 The Meek

Matthew 5: 5  Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth. (NIV)

Beatitude number 3 is not a popular one. It goes against our human nature or our culture to believe the meek are blessed and will inherit the earth. Just think about it. We celebrate the successful, the pride, and the gifted athlete, the honored whatever. Someone is called a hero everyday - even if that person is doing what he or she is paid to do.

Meek to us translate weakness. So, how can Jesus teach us "blessed are the meek"? The One who left his heavenly throne to be clothed in human flesh is the same one who is teaching this lesson. St. Paul wrote in Philippians, the second chapter: ⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: ⁶ Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;⁷ rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  Paul reveals that spiritual meekness is an attitude towards God. Someone once described this attitude like a child being taught by a parent.

So, who are the meek? The meek are those who know that none of us can boast of our own salvation. 

God's grace delivers believers into His Kingdom. His Gospel preserved them. His richness they inherit. 

Questions:

1. In what areas do you struggle with being meek?

2. What makes being meek so difficult?

3. Read John 13:1-17 What example of meekness is Jesus setting for us?

4. What are your visions of inheriting the earth?

 Applications:

1. The strong are the meek. (Proverbs 16:32; 19:11; Matthew 21:5; 1 Peter 3:4)

2. Those who inherit the earth have the virtue of meekness.  (Galatians 5:23; Colossians 3; 12; 1 Timothy 6:11 

3. All believers are to cultivate an attitude of meekness. (Ephesians 4:2; 2 Timothy 2:25; Titus 3:2; 1 Peter 3:15)

A Disciple's Be-Atitudes - #2 Those Who Mourn

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#2  Those Who Mourn

Matthew 5: 4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

“I’m a committed Christian yet I suffer a great deal in my life. Why?’  These words can be heard from many within the faith. Somehow we get a message that in Christ every day will be a day of roses and ease. Not true! Jesus even instructed that if you follow him you must pick up a cross to follow. That’s not an experience of ease and comfort.

What is the meaning of mourning here?  Well, life happens!  In life, because of sin, there seems to be more misery than joy. Everyday we are bombarded with news of suffering and pain. Everyday we get word of some type of suffering, hurt, death or community tragedy through the media. Suffering, misery and pain is all around us. So why did Jesus state “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted”?

This second beatitude is to help us to develop as Christ disciples. Those who mourn are those who weep because of the sin of this world and because of their own sin. The prodigal son is an example this mourning. St. Peter is another example after he denied the Lord three times. St. Paul grieved over his sins and called himself the “chief of sinners.” This is the spiritual mourning God wants to see in us. And there is a great promise also. Mourners like this will be comforted.

The world, unbelievers, knows a suffering and pain that cannot be comforted. Believers in Christ Jesus experience the comfort that comes from the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that delivers to us the knowledge of the rich comfort of the blood of Jesus Christ. All sin is cleansed through His blood. (1 John1:7; Isaiah 1:18-19, 41; John 3:16)

We have comfort in Jesus’ invitation. He invites to come unto him and rest. (Matthew 11:28) When Jesus invites us to rest in him, He is implying that there is certainty and reconciliation. In Christ we have full forgiveness.

We are comforted in the kingdom to follow, love and serve Him.

Questions:

1.     Who is that mourns?

2.     Why do the sinful behavior of others make us mourn?

3.     Are you heart broken when you confess your sins?

4.     What comforts are you seeking from God?

Applications:

1.     Our mourning opens the door for a real relationship with the Father. (Luke 15:11-32)

2.     Each trial we endure will help comfort other people who are suffering similar experiences. (2 Corinthians 1:3-11)

3.     Jesus Christ comforts you when you mourn over you sins or over your neighbor’s sufferings. (Isaiah  53:3)

A Disciple’s Be-Atitudes - # 1 The Poor in Spirit

The Poor in Spirit

Matthew 5: 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (NIV)

Your blessedness or happiness as a disciple is related to your steadfastness and surrender to God.

Jesus begins his list of beatitudes with the “poor in spirit.” This spiritual poverty is expressed when a person acknowledges a spiritual helplessness and need. This comes only when a person evaluates one’s life and realizes that there is no worthiness and merit within him because of one’s sinful nature. The “poor in spirit” looks toward heaven for grace and mercy.

Jesus assures his disciples that the “poor in spirit” will experience a divine joy in the present and in the future. This comes from the assurance of the forgiveness of sin and a complete pardon from guilt and shame. (Isaiah 1:18; Psalm 32; Romans 8:33-34)

Those who are “poor in spirit” will be rewarded the richness of the kingdom of heaven now and forever. (Psalm 16; John 5:28-29; Romans 8:18)

Questions:

1.     Why must we confess our spiritual poverty before God?

2.     What is the difference of being self-righteous versus being given the righteousness of Christ?

3.     How would you characterize the “poor in spirit” in the world?

4.     What is the destination of the “poor in spirit”?

Applications:

1.     Do your values and behaviors reflect a spiritual poverty in Christ? (Romans 3:21-22: Ephesians 1:3)

2.     The “poor in spirit” can live as residents of the kingdom of heaven today. (Luke 12:31-32; John 5:24)

A Disciple's Be-Atitudes

What's A Beatitude?

A beatitude is defined as a state of utmost bliss. In Jesus' list of beatitudes, things which make most humans happy are missing. Money, power, success, earthly beauty is not listed. This list turns the world's view upside down. Here's the list:

Matthew 5:

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.

7  Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.

8  Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.

9  Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.

10  Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (NIV)

Questions:

1. How does this list help you develop as a disciple maker?

2. What beatitudes match your values? Which ones challenge your values?

3. How can this list instill in you life-giving strength and focus? 

Applications:

1. Jesus proscribes what mankind seeks-blessedness.  (Mt. 6:19-21; 2 Cor. 6:17-18; 1 Jn. 2:15-16)

2. Jesus is the source of our beatitudes. (Col. 2:1-15)