The Message of the Teachings on the Mount (4)
By Abraham Eli
This study was first taught on November 4, 2009
Topic: Blessed Are ... (1)
(use the audio to study)
Background
We saw the second major mark of a true disciple last week. We noted that a true disciple does not only desire to be where his Master commands, but that he most importantly must be a student of the Master. In other words, a true disciple is someone who hears and heeds the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.
We contrasted between preaching and teaching, noting that while the former is targeted toward the unsaved, the latter is essentially for the saved. We said that while preaching is proclaiming and spreading the good news about the kingdom of God, teaching involves giving instruction and training those who have been brought into the kingdom in the things of righteousness. We noted that teaching is intense and focused on building the young believer in the things of God; and is a process which requires devoting time and energies in learning spiritual truth. Indeed, teaching is what brings the young believer to the place of spiritual maturity.
We observed that since the disciple is a student, he must possess a teachable heart, and must not just be a hearer of the word of God, but must also put it to practice in his or her everyday life. We concluded by noting that it was those known as disciples of Christ, who were called �Christians� (Acts 11:26).
Tonight, as we begin to delve into the teachings on the mount, we shall first examine the word �blessed�, as it is used nine times in our scripture text for tonight. This text will also form the basis of much teaching over the next few weeks. May the Teacher, the Holy Spirit, teach us what really the things of the kingdom are always, in Jesus� name, Amen.
Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 5:3-12
The word "blessed", as used here, means a lot more than an outward state of being. It has more to do with an inner state of being, apart from outward circumstances. It is also not something of human origin and is meant for a group of people who are thus described in the scripture text. The Amplified Bible gives us a clue about the word when it amplifies it as follows: "happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous with life's joy and satisfaction, regardless of their outward conditions." It also describes it as "happiness produced by the experience of God's favour and especially conditioned by the revelation of His matchless grace."
Revelation 3:17; Luke 16:19:31; 1 Timothy 6:1-19; 2 Corinthians 4:16; Revelation 1:3; 14:13; Matthew 16:17; 13:16; Psalm 1:1; 2:12; Romans 4:6-8; John 20:29; 17:15-23.
Conclusion
The word "blessed" is something that is imputed upon the man who pleases God according to a set of divine standards, not some human interpretation of success (Joshua 1:8)! It is being in a state of the intrinsic satisfaction and contentment with what God has given to the believer as his or her lot in this life because Christ dwells in him or her. It has nothing to do with favourable circumstances but with the indwelling of the believer by God. It carries the notion of being truly and significantly well-off in the things that matter most.
The blessed of God are those: who are so eternally, not temporally; and, those who live in accordance with God's standards, not those who live by the standards of the world (Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Romans 12:2). God's blessedness focuses on the inner man—the heart or spirit of man—rather than on the outward appearance—of one's stature or status in society (1 Samuel 16:7).
As people were pouring into the arena of the Lord's ministry, He decided to set things straight by telling them that what they should be focusing on is their inward relationship with God, rather than on the outward show of religion which is at best superficial, and which cannot make those engaged in it truly happy. Tonight, the challenge for us is: "What am I looking for: the blessedness that comes from a relationship with God, or the acclamation of 'successes' by the world?"
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