S10E33: A New Blessing (All Things New pt. 5)

Sermon #535

As we continue to look at how God is making all things new, we begin our examination of the Sermon on the Mount in light of the new birth that we as believers experience in Christ.  Jesus begins his sermon with a blessing, whereas most of the time the blessing is given at the end of the message.  But what Jesus is showing us is that to be reborn of water and the Spirit is to be blessed.  And although to the rest of the world around us it might seem counter to nature, we are truly blessed when we are poor in spirit, when we are merciful, when we are meek.  Jesus' words set society on its ear and tell us that there is not a blessing reserved for us when we are these things, but that being blessed means that we are already those things in our heart because of the new birth.  

Matthew 5:1-13

Recorded at Hudson UMC on January 29, 2023

S.D.G.