Volume 26, Issue 3
The Greatest Sermon ... (Continued From Page 14) WisconsinChristianNews.com
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Steven Curtis Chapman wrote a song a few years ago that il- lustrates this point perfectly. The name of the song is called “The Change.” Here’s what it says in part: “Well I got myself a t-shirt that says what I believe; I got letters on my bracelet to serve as my ID; I got the necklace and the keychain, and almost everything a good Christian needs. I got the little Bible magnets on my refrigerator door; And a welcome mat to bless you before walk across my floor. I got a Jesus bumper sticker, and the outline of a fish stuck on my car; And even though this stuff is all well and good, I cannot help but ask myself; What about the change? What about the difference? What about the grace? What about forgiveness? What about a life that’s showing I’m undergoing the change? We are to be people who live the Word, who obey the Word, who speak the Word, and who share the Word — all because we know it is the way to salvation in Christ. Let’s see what God will tell us today from His Word. Verse 3. We know that the path to happiness, to being blessed, to ex- periencing joy in this life begins with understanding and accept- ing that without God we are spiritually bankrupt. Thus, we could read verse 3 this way: “Happy is the person who finally recognizes that he or she can’t make it; can’t handle life all by him/her self. So he/she comes to God and says, “God I need You in my life. I can’t do this alone.” What you’ll see from this basis is a progression of sorts in the remaining Beatitudes. Verse 4. This verse reminds me of Char- lie Brown’s favorite expression – “Good grief!” How can grief be good? It’s good when it is the result of see- ing your spiritual poverty in verse 3. Jesus is saying, “When you finally accept your spiritual poverty and that your only hope is to have God in your life, then your sins will break your heart and you will mourn.” Let me ask you a question. How long has it been since you agonized over your sinfulness? How long has it been since you took a serious inventory of your life? What happens during the process of mourning over our short- comings? Confession and repentance washes over us and draws us closer to God. That’s one of many points that are made in the parable of the prodigal son. Now, the world tends to laugh at such talk. Sin? What is that? It is fashionable today to believe that sin is an outdated way of thinking. People increasingly believe that there are only good choices and bad choices. Good choices produce what we want and bad choices don’t. Many people today live as if life is one big party. They believe they live in a morally neutral universe where there are no con- sequences to their actions because there is no such thing as an absolute standard of right and wrong.
Those people are much like the man at the Los Angeles In- ternational Airport who was worried about missing his plane. He did not wear a watch and he could not locate a clock so he walked up to a total stranger and asked what time it was. The stranger said, “of course” and set down two large suit- cases to look at his wristwatch. After glancing at his watch the stranger said, “It is exactly 5:09. The temperature outside is 73 degrees and it is supposed to rain tonight. The barometer read- ing is 29.14 and falling. And, let’s see, in Singapore the sun is shining and it is 85 degrees. In London it is sunny and 65. And by the way, the moon should be full tonight here in Los Ange- les.” At that, the stranger stooped down to pick up his large suitcases and started off again. But the first man stopped him and asked, “Your watch tells you all that?” To which the second man said, “Oh, yes, that and more. You see I invented this watch as a gift for my son. I can guarantee you there is not another watch in the world like this one.” The first man then said, “I want to buy that watch. How much? I’ll give you $1000 cash right now.” “No it’s not for sale, it’s for my son.” “Ok, I’ll give you $2000 cash.” “No, I’m sorry it’s not for sale.” “Ok, $5000 cash.” The stranger said, well for $5000 I could make another one I guess. Ok, it’s yours for $5000.” The first man was elated. He strapped the watch on his wrist and with a big smile on his face started to walk off. That’s when the stranger pointed to the two large suitcases and said, “Don’t forget the batteries.” Folks, sin is devastating. It will take you farther than you want to go; it will keep you longer than you want to stay; and it will cost you more than you want to pay. But praise God, when we realize this and turn to God He will comfort us. Comfort is from the Greek word “parakaleo” that means “Comforter or Helper.” Clearly this is a reference to the Holy Spirit that indwells, fills, and baptizes us. As our mourning, our broken-heartedness over our sin rises to the throne of God, His unsurpassed and matchless comfort descends upon us. God stands ready to meet our every need; to encourage us; to admonish us; to strengthen us. We shall be comforted. This is a promise from God. And this is just the beginning - Verse 5. The picture Jesus gives us of the path to God’s joy is upside down by the world’s standard. Most people today think “meek” means “weak.” But this couldn’t be further from the truth. In the original language of the New Testament, this word for meek was the same word used for “bridling a horse” and “training a wild animal.” So as it is used here meek is a picture of “power under con- trol.” That’s a far cry from weak or timid isn’t it? Jesus is saying in this verse that the person who’s life has been brought under the influence and power of the Holy Spirit, the person who turns control of his/her life over to God will in- herit the earth.
In one sense, this refers to the promise that Jesus made to all believers that they would rule with Him. But in a second con- text I believe it refers to that fact that we will experience an order, a peace in our lives in the here and now. The world won’t rule us. The time constraints of the world will not bog us down. The pressures we all face in this life will not separate us from God. The “flow” of God’s Word is intentional. There is design and purpose even in the construction and sequence of what is said. The first three Beatitudes demonstrate this truth. They corre- spond to the steps we take in becoming a Christian. When we recognize how spiritually broke we are, it breaks our hearts and we allow God to have control over our lives. This is a description of being born-again. The Bible refers to new Christians as babies. We are spiritual infants, so to speak. The apostle Peter tells us this in his first epistle: “Since you have, in obedience to the truth, purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding Word of God . . . like newborn babes long for the pure milk of the Word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.” (1 Peter 1:22-23, 2:2). That is why we read - verse 6. Babies need fed often. Mid- night, 3AM, it doesn’t matter. When babies are hungry, they will let you know about it. The same is true for Christians. When we are born-again there should be a hunger and thirst for God. This is precisely where some Christians get stuck though. They recognize their sin, seek forgiveness, and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. But there is never a hunger and thirst for God. They are perfectly content to slurp milk out of a sippy cup their whole lives. Is there anything that is more ridiculous looking than a person who has been saved for many years and still does not understand even the most elementary things of God? One of the best things you can do for your relationship with God is to develop a serious study of the Bible. When you com- mit yourself to feeding on God’s Word, you will be amazed at where He will take you. Psalm 42 is a good description of where you want to be as a Christian: “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” (42:1-2). (To be continued) Dr. Mike Spaulding P. O. Box 3007 • Lima, OH 45807
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