The author of Philippians, Paul, tells us to have the same attitude as Christ Jesus. He says, "You MUST have the same attitude that Jesus Christ had." (Philippians 2:5) Jesus taught on this as well. He shared this in the Sermon on the Mount where he told the people about the "beatitudes." Recorded in Matthew 5:3-12, there are eight of them. Poor in spirit, those that mourn, the meek, hunger and thirst, need mercy, clean in heart, need peace, and those that are persecuted. In each circumstance, you will find the benefits as you trust in God, through Christ.
The term, “the beatitudes“ is an expression of optimism. It means to be blessed. “Beutus” means blessing. Yet, in suffering, it is hard to see the blessing. You seem to get stuck, realizing only the discomfort or problems rather than the solution.
Yet, in suffering, it is hard to see the blessing. You seem to get stuck, realizing only the discomfort or problems rather than the solution. I truly feel sorry for those who do not have Faith in God. It is, if they have no one, they can lean upon to help them through a time of grief, hardship, disappointment, and suffering. To be alone is the worst kind of suffering. Yet our Savior understands our circumstances. He suffered like us.
This week we need to look at the principles that can come out of the Sermon on the Mount. We can see that while we struggle, we can be blessed in Christ.
Take a look at the list in Matthew 5. Jesus is telling us that we are blessed in the midst of our hardship. I think we can draw parallels to even what Paul says in Philippians chapter 2. In that Sermon on the Mount that Jesus taught, he was teaching on suffering. Believe it or not, he indicated that those who suffer are blessed.
Let’s take a 30,000 foot level view of his sermon topic.
1. Blessed Are: The Poor in Spirit.
You’ve been there, haven’t you? It is that place where you feel low. You are impoverished as if you have nothing left. somebody call it depression while others may simply state that you need a little rest. Yet, it’s important to recognize that being poor in spirit is a reality in a time of suffering.
what do we need most in that time? Some may call it seasonal depression because they are not out in the sunlight, soaking up the rays. I think it’s similar in that we are not in God’s sunlight soaking up his rays! Sonlight of Christ is what we need!
We need his presence. Our text says that the kingdom of God is near!
2. Blessed Are: Those Who Mourn.
Perhaps even today somebody is going through one of the various levels or the cycles of grieve. Sometimes it’s a parent that someone is dealing with a hard time. In other cases, it is camouflaged through busyness or putting on a happy face.
We will suffer. It’s inevitable yet, for those who are in mourning, it is tragic. They are losing hope and dealing with loss that is personal to them.
3. Blessed Are: The Meek.
Consider what the word meekness means. Weakness is defined as an intentional act of controlled boldness. It is the act of intentionally holding back. We don’t think about it in that way, but it is a spiritual discipline that may not be natural. There are others who may see it as humility, but I think that it can be false humility often displayed in the form of weakness. However, weakness is not weakness. It is a decided strength.
What is the benefit? They get to inherit the earth! They are the ones who get an inheritance because they “give up” their rights!
4. Blessed Are: Those Who Hunger and Thirst.
This one is curious to me because Jesus is talking about the physical reality as well as the spiritual. We get it because we grow hungry and we get thirsty. Jesus indicated that the poor we will always have with us, and that we ought to worship Jesus instead of harboring in the fails god of negative circumstances. We can find ourselves dwelling in our circumstances and holding onto our suffering.
However, Jesus is going deeper than that because he’s talking about righteousness rather than simply physical needs. He is helping us to understand that there is a hunger that the world cannot fill, but only through Jesus can our real spiritual needs to be met. While the world is grasping at things, we are taking hold of God as He embraces us.
5. Blessed Are: Merciful.
This too is a curious one to me. I considered mercy something we give as a gift but Jesus seems to say that it is a hang-up. He seems to be saying that as we give, we will also receive. It is truly a benefit rather than something that is lost.
I like what the devotional through light from the word indicated on Halloween, October 31. That by the way was Reformation Day. Nevertheless, Laurie Dashnau Gave commentary about Jesus washing his disciples feet.
She says:
It’s a strange equation, indeed. Jesus didn’t say we will be overwhelmed, exhausted, and sometimes tempted to become bitter and jaded. What’s more, a Greek word used here means “very blessed” or even “supremely blessed.” The skeptic in us might consider this word, choice, idealistic, or hyperbolic.“
She goes onto to indicate in reference of Proverbs 11:25 which reads: “whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” We are blessed in serving others. It is indeed a blessing to serve others as indicated in John 13:17.
What is he saying? He is helping us to understand that God‘s promises are true, and that as we faithfully serve others, in the name of Christ, we two will be blessed. As we refresh others, we two are refreshed!
6. Blessed Are: Pure of Heart.
I don’t know about you, but I seem to get ridiculed for doing something right. I’ve heard it said that ‘no good deed goes unpunished.’ I think Jesus is trying to help us to understand is that we will not be popular as we strive to have a pure heart. Yet, the blessing is that we will see God! We will receive a reward because of our purity of heart.
Who would’ve thought that in this upside down world and inside out thinking that having a pure heart would be a negative condition?
7. Blessed Are: The Peacemakers.
This too, is curious to me. The conflict that there is in peacemaking is very unique. As we make every attempt to resolve a matter of dispute, we end up often on the losing end. It is the peacemaker who has to make the sacrifice necessary to resolve the conflict of others. We live in a broken and selfish world!
When I served as a pastor in Elkhart, Indiana, I was running a shoplifting clinic while serving as a Probation Officers for the county Court Services. One of the curriculums that we developed in used came out of the Mennonite Church. My class attempted to bring correction to a societal issue where something was taken, and that something needed to be returned. We would tell our students that because they took it, to resolve their problem that something needed to be returned. We called it reconciliation.
Mediation was also a part of the class that I taught as related not only theft, but also school violence. It required a peacemaker, someone who chose to solve the issue of brokenness. Peacemakers were needed. Our mediators were volunteers that met with students and parents to talk about issues of conflict and.theft.
8. Blessed Are: Those Who Are Persecuted.
Now, especially, we find this one that is relatable. Even though we are not persecuted to the degree, that other countries and international Christians are, nevertheless persecution is a hard thing. last Sunday was the international day for the persecuted church, this week we honor our veterans as I am writing this to you now. In these cases, we find that there are similarities. There is indeed those who sacrifice for the protections of the freedoms and rights that are given to us by God, and there are those who suffer and sacrifice for the sake of the things of God.
What is the reward? They shall inherit the kingdom of Heaven!
Aren't you glad that all eight of these principles don’t come all at once? Though we deal with difficulties, it is good to know that they are spread out through life’s journey. Whether they are physical, financial, relational, or emotional, they come in waves. We could say that this is Grace because we are given the opportunity to recover that we are pressed on every side.
Let’s parallel what was said in Philippians chapter 2. Certainly, you may recall that Paul is in prison. It is in this missionary trip that he was compelled by the Holy Spirit to go that we read about an Acts 16; it was there that he was imprisoned. At that time, the prison doors opened, which allowed him to be free and able to share the gospel and even begin the church.
Let’s pull out some takeaways from this passage as well that teach us about how to be grateful as well as the benefits. As we review the benefits and the topics of this article and series, we see that everything begins with thanksgiving. Now we see that our attitude matters in the Gratefulness Funnel.
We now look to the attitude of Christ!
1. Be Like Christ. (vs 1-3)
Jesus is the example we can relate to.
“Lowliness of mind” is the translation of humility! Skip Heitzig defines this as greasing the wheels of relationships. He helps us to know that pride or vanity te “idea of your own importance.” he goes on to illustrate it by sharing about a Puffer Fish. They swell up by filling with water to look bigger! It is their defence but it is not s for humans and His church.
2. Be Light. (vs 12-13)
We find that God is with us. Though our circumstances be dire, God is near. Paul makes it very clear that God is doing His best work in us when we struggle and suffer. It is like a purifying act that refines our character!
He is telling us that we shine as lights in a dark world.
He is grinding out even some of the rough areas.
Consider the refinement and strength of iron. Some may be able to relate to this because you have worked doing foundry work. But the metal needs to be strengthened by reheating and at even higher temperatures so that the molten metal is purified. It’s called the refiner's fire.
3. Be Willing. (vs 22 & 27)
Paul continues to write about two very important examples through the lives of Timothy and Epaphroditus.
Paul is also giving compliment to the message carrier who has not only brought the necessary funds from Philippi, but has also become very ill to the point of near death. In his suffering, he can encourage the church to carry on their faithful work.
So, how does this relate to attitude? We can clearly see it because Paul is telling them to have a good attitude that is bringing life to others. To see the positive rather than the negative.
In the Hollywood movie, Evan Almighty, we find it illustrated. God calls a simple man to achieve an enormous resolve. He is asked by God to build a modern day arc. I do not want to spoil the film, but let me show you an excerpt from that in which we can relate. It’s about an attitude adjustment that we need.
In the Hollywood movie, Evan Almighty, we find it illustrated. God calls a simple man to achieve an enormous resolve. He is asked by God to build a modern day arc. I do not want to spoil the film, but let me show you an excerpt from that in which we can relate. It’s about an attitude adjustment that we need.
Evan Almighty, the main character has been doing what God asked him to do, but his wife is unsure. Because he is ridiculed and has created a great deal of stress in all of the circumstances, we find his wife sitting at a café, talking to a waiter who represents God through Morgan Freeman. In which the character says to her.
The depiction of God speaking through Morgan Freedman; God answered her prayer and brought her family closer together. He said, like the animals that came side-by-side, she was praying that her family would come closer together, and which God gave her the opportunity rather than just a pie in the sky experience. Her attitude needed to change.
I believe that it is our attitude that will determine our altitude.
When do you find yourself in greatest need? What situation has you feeling trapped?
Look up because it is where you will find your deliverance. Open your arms and you will receive God's embrace. Endure and you will find eternal hope.
10,000. This is a big number when you consider that Paul travel by foot.
How could we do any less? Considering all the modern ways we travel - planes, trains, and automobiles, we struggle to simply tell those who are nearest about Jesus?
We are encouraged by Paul to shine for God's Glory!
