The Christian church has sung about blessings from its beginnings documented in Acts. Followers of God have sung of God’s favor and protection since our creation in the Garden of Eden. In fact, you are probably thinking of hymns you know that include the word ‘bless’ in the title, verse, or refrain.
Make Me a Blessing
Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Bless the Lord, O My Soul
Count Your Blessings
Showers of Blessings
Just as John mentioned, in John 21:25, there is not enough room for the books of Jesus’ earthly acts, mature Christians could not completely list all of the blessings they have received from the Lord - not to mention the blessings to come! There simply isn’t time or enough paper.
The Beatitudes are a small portion of the most famous, but more importantly, most significant sermon Jesus gave to His followers: The Sermon on the Mount. In fact, Jesus begins his mountain top sermon with these succinct statements we now call the Beatitudes.
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (KJV)
Most of us think of the word poor as to be without material wealth and opportunity. No money. No housing. No transportation. No job. As a result of these thoughts, we work to gain, collect, and gather, as many material goods are possible. We strive to control aspects of our lives that would elevate us in the eyes of our family and friends. More money. Larger house. Fancy car. Job promotion.
These things mean nothing to God. Look closer. Poor in spirit. We are spiritually lost without a relationship with God. Earthly achievements are worthless. God does not save us because we have acquired many things. God saves us because of what Christ has done for us on the cross. We are not self-sufficient. Being poor in spirit means understanding we cannot survive spiritually without God.
The world searches for the physical comforts of this life. With less of us, there is more of God. Christians must show them the riches of a relationship with Jesus Christ.
One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Acts 3:1 - 10 (NIV)
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (KJV)
Christ followers are called to a life of righteousness and holiness. In God’s presence, we, as Christians, are painfully aware of our sin and its power to separate us from God. Feelings of remorse, despair, shame, and regret, weigh heavy on the hearts of those who love God. David, a man after God’s own heart, spoke of his separation from God and pleaded for restoration.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Psalm 51:7 - 12
David was experiencing absolute and utter separation from God when he wrote Psalm 51. What had David done? He coveted, committed adultery and murder, and orchestrated a mammoth cover-up. Mankind has a way of emphasizing sins based solely on earthly consequences. Many of us would think: Of course, he was separated from God! What a list of sins! However, if we look deeper into scripture, it becomes clear that any sin will separate us. David was not where he needed to be in order to be an earthly protector of God’s people. Instead of the battlefield, David was at home. The smallest of disobedient thoughts and actions will lead away from our relationship with God.
It is not possible for us to restore ourselves back to God. Only God’s mercy can restore us. God receives the broken and contrite hearts of His people.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.15 Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise.16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.17 My sacrifice, O God, is[b] a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
Psalm 51:13 - 17
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Meekness is misunderstood. It is surprising to many of us to be reminded that Moses was the meekest man on earth! How could this be?
Of course, we recall Moses’ reluctance to become a leader. His self-assessment was not a positive one. He had a stutter. Public speaking terrifies most people and Moses was no different. He could not see how his upbringing would help him communicate with one of the most powerful leaders of the known world. He had outspoken siblings. The final item of note to mention was Moses was a murderer. That does not sound like someone who is meek.
Let’s not forget the time Moses came down from the mountain with the Ten Commandments. Aaron, along with other leaders, made a Golden Calf to worship while Moses was away. Moses saw what the people were doing and promptly threw down the tablets, breaking them. Then, he ground up the calf into dust, put the dust in the water, and made the people drink it!
However, Moses put others first. He pleaded with God to not destroy the people in their sinfulness. God relented and restored those who repented back to Him. Moses didn’t care what others thought of him. His own brother and sister spoke against him. Rather than lose focus of God’s assignment by bickering, Moses chose to ignore them. God punished Aaron and Miriam for their criticism. Moses, yet again, approached God and begged Him to be merciful.
2 “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” And the Lord heard this.3 (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)4 At once the Lord said to Moses, Aaron and Miriam, “Come out to the tent of meeting, all three of you.” So the three of them went out. 5 Then the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud; he stood at the entrance to the tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When the two of them stepped forward, 6 he said, “Listen to my words:
“When there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams.7 But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house.8 With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?”
Numbers 12:2 - 8
In many situations, we exchange meekness and weakness as equal states of being. This is not true. Meekness is not a fearful place of existence. Biblical examples of meekness are people with a firm resolve, courage, and strength. Moses did not concern himself with what others thought of him. He concerned himself with what God thought of him. His devotion to God and obedience to God’s will was his priority. God’s assignment as leader of His people was Moses’ utmost focus.
12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Colossians 3:12 - 14 (ESV)
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
We all have favorites. Favorite cool drinks on a hot day. Wonderful hot coffees and teas for the frigid winters. What about favorite foods? Comfort foods is a category used to describe food that makes us feel better whether the situation is good or bad. Meals remind us of childhood, home, and friends. Think about holiday meals with family or potluck meals with your church family. Communities come together over meals.
Sometimes, doctors tell us we shouldn’t eat certain foods because they are bad for our bodies. No salt. Less red meat. Stay away from food that will raise cholesterol. Eat food that will lower cholesterol. Eat vegetables. Never eat bacon again. The list is a long one if you want to be healthy.
What we consume is what we become. You are known by the company you keep. When Jesus was warning about false prophets and leaders,
He said:
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
Matthew 7:15 - 20
Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, had choices to make. Not only to take care of the bodies God gave them, but their spiritual needs as well. Choices like this are difficult even in the best of times, and Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were not living in the best of times. They were in captivity.
When we read about these young men, the stories are familiar. However, using their choices as examples for our lives is not as easy. While in captivity, they were promoted to the king’s court. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, had access to luscious, delicious foods. The king said: Eat and drink as much as you want. No discipline required. Don’t worry about your past lives in Israel. Your laws don’t matter here. Your God does not matter here.
The young men hungered for the righteousness of God. They desired to be healthy so their minds would be alert and bodies would be ready to serve Him. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, yearned to follow God’s laws regardless of the impact in their earthly lives. They challenged ungodly systems. God protected, and was with them (literally) through the trials of fire.
3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— 4 young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians.[b] 5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.
Daniel 1:3 - 5
8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. 9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, 10 but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.”
11 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.
17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.
Daniel 1:8 - 17
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us[c] from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” 19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. 24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.”
25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”
Daniel 3:16 - 25
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Who doesn’t love receiving a gift? Especially when the gift took time, money, and was personal to the one receiving it. For the gift receiver, they now have an object and memory to remind them of being special to someone. Gifts are given without expecting a gift in return.
What about forgiveness? Is forgiveness easier or harder to give than a present? How do we separate forgiveness from emotional attachment to any situation? How do we learn to fully forgive someone? Forgiveness is not simply saying: “I forgive you.” God’s Word says God will:
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:11 - 12
God is our example. Why from “as far as the east is from the west”? If someone circumnavigates the world heading north, eventually, they must start heading south. Traveling east around world never changes. The traveler will never be moving west unless he turns around. It sounds so simple, but full forgiveness is difficult.
Of course, God can forgive, and forget, our sins with true, sincere repentance. He is God. From the Biblical examples, God has given us, we too can forgive others. Joseph and Stephen displayed full forgiveness to family and people we might think do not deserve mercy of any kind.
Stephen preached boldly to everyone within his community, including men who had the power to incite a deadly mob against him. He would not be silenced from speaking the message of God’s deliverance through Christ Jesus. As Stephen explained God’s provision and protection, beginning with Abraham, the people hardened their hearts and prepared to kill him. When he saw a vision of Heaven, he was unafraid. His last breath was intercessory prayer for his murders. Stephen understood that full forgiveness, even as he was dying, could save even one. That one person was Saul.
54 When they heard these things they were [h]cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.Acts 7:54 - 60
Stephen died in service to the Kingdom of God. Who was Stephen’s example? Jesus Christ. He loves us. He forgives us. He died and rose again for us. This is deliberately written in present tense. Jesus is alive and can be in your heart and life today. He is here to forgive you!
32 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. 33 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”
Luke 23:32 - 34
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Experts become experts by dedicating their lives to one subject. Someone who has committed his life to physics does not allocate time for other subjects such as economics, literature, or philosophy. Athletes train for a single event. For example, sprinters don’t run against long-distance runners. Experts bind themselves to their passions in order to understand a field of study in extreme detail. The more they learn; the more they know; the more they understand.
Being pure in heart requires a single-mindedness in God and His Kingdom. Christ followers cannot be completely committed to both God and their own worldly wants and desires. As Christians, we must be obedient and fully surrender to God and His Will for our lives. Only then, can we begin to learn, know, and understand God’ love for us and His purpose in our lives.
Adherence to God’s instructions for us through scripture, brings a refining fire within our hearts. Guidance from God’s Word will transform us into someone who the world does not understand.
At times, throughout our lives, we become so sinful that God reconstructs us from the inside out. Remember from Daniel’s example. We must clean out our thoughts and behaviors from the very core of who we chose to be without God’s holy guidance. That can only begin with our hearts. If our hearts are not working, physically, we die. If our hearts are not working spiritually, we are also dead. Dead as a witness for God and His Kingdom. We cannot survive without our heart.
What does pure of heart look like in our lives?
*1 We are called to be God’s Children
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,[a] we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
I John 3:1 - 3
*2 We choose to follow God’s direction instead of the deadly choices the world offers us.
How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.
Psalm 119:9
*3 We understand God’s salvation provides refuge and strength as we strive to live a holy life.
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Titus 2:11 - 14
*4 We have eternal goals, not temporal goals.
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
Colossians 3: 1 - 10
*5 We are victorious every day when our hearts are focused on loving God and living out his instructions.
2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
I John 5:2 - 5
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Who hasn’t heard the old saying: “I just need some peace and quiet!”? Most of us heard this phrase, ironically shouted, from a parent growing up. What about the phrase: “Here comes trouble!”? What does a trouble-free world look like?
When anger and frustration rise up, clear communication begins to decline. This trend is the same whether two people or entire countries are involved. Neighbors have conflicts over fences. Citizens have disagreements with how their towns and cities should be managed. States dispute over legal limitations for sensitive issues. Countries fight over borders, peoples, money and control of natural resources. How do we resolve the disharmony?
We call the peacemakers. Throughout history, many great people are remembered as successful mediators.
Nelson Mandela’s negotiations helped end Apartheid
Henry Kissinger opened diplomatic relations between the United States and China
Theodore Rosevelt aided in the end of the Russo-Japanese War and earned the Nobel Peace prize in the process.
Henry Clay was known as the Great Compromiser. He helped hold the United States together during the early 19th century.
Are we peacemakers? While we may not win any earthly prizes, we can all be peacemakers for God. Do we actually make peace? Another translation from the Hebrew is do-er of peace. As Christians, we are all required to live peacefully within our world.
Cultivating peace lives within each follower of Christ. Just as a farmer tends the ground so it will have nutrients to produce healthy crops, fostering a heart and mind of peace will grow the fruit of righteousness.
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
James 3:17 - 18
When we think of peacemakers, we often imagine a soft-spoken person who works diligently keeping all parties calm in a situation. First impressions of Paul are not as a peacemaker. While he certainly was not soft-spoken, Paul was an excellent communicator. He was understandable and comprehensible in his instruction on obedience to God. He was unwavering in describing how Jesus confronted and saved him from his own spiritual ignorance. The direct, straightforward approach Paul used offended many. This created conflict between religious leaders, and himself, who possibly were friends with Paul in his old life. Is this the opposite of peacemaking?
Not at all. Paul was more concerned with the spiritual formation of new churches. It was more important to communicate ways to grow in obedience to God than to speak quietly and obscurely. He desired for new churches to understand what to grow in their hearts as they matured as Christians. Even as Paul shares what to grow in our hearts, he completes this passage with an admonishment to live peacefully with everyone.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Galatians 5:22 - 23
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Ethos. Sometimes speakers and writers use glamorous words. What does ethos mean? Ethos is the spirit and character of a culture or community. The Beatitudes contain characteristics of God’s Kingdom, who His followers are and how they can be recognised in a sinful world. Are we easily identified as Christians? How will we know?
Jesus concluded this portion of His sermon with how the world will see followers of Christ. The final beatitude sums up how nonbelievers will see us.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:10 - 11
God provided example after example of what obedience to His will looks like.
Offer the best of you and your talents like Abel
Pray and communicate with God like Hannah, Samuel’s mother
Love your friends like Jonathan
Have faith like Rahab
Show courage like Esther
Care for family like Boaz and Ruth
Encourage like Barnabas
Speak of salvation in Jesus boldly like Peter and John
Care for an enemy, who will become a friend, as Ananias did for Paul
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,[g] serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.[h] Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it[i] to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:9-21
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