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View devotional: https://www.tiktok.com/@eradiovalverde/video/7191696673599491371?lang=en
Hear the devotional: https://anchor.fm/eradio-valverde/episodes/THE-Sermon-of-Jesus-e1ts9bn
1 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down 2 and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said: 3 "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. 4 "You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. 5 "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are - no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought. 6 "You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat. 7 "You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'carefull,' you find yourselves cared for. 8 "You're blessed when you get your inside world - your mind and heart - put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. 9 "You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family. 10 "You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom. 11 "Not only that - count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. 12 You can be glad when that happens - give a cheer, even! - for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble. (Matthew 5:1-12 The Message Bible)
1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. 2 He said: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:1-12 NIV Bible)
There are preachers and there are preachers. There are preachers who are teachers, and teachers who are preachers. There are preachers who could take a phone book (Kids, ask your grandparents what these were) who could read from AAA motor club all the way to Zyaskis and we would be sad that name came to quickly. And there are preachers who tire us just by their opening remarks. And we have a list of our favorite preachers, and there are those when we find they are set to preach we find reasons to take that out-of-town trip. And then there was Jesus. My self-perceived weakness was preaching and so I tailored my internship around it. I chose to study with a preacher who was known as the prince of the pulpit. But as the time neared for me to begin my study with him, he was promoted to district superintendent, and the outgoing DS became his replacement. From these awesome men I learned a lot. I learned the key to great peaching is to love the people to whom you are preaching. And from Jesus we learn that very thing. The great preacher not only loves the people, but also identifies with them and shares with them his or her own journey among life's struggles and challenges. The preacher seeks to find that which can connect the audience with God through a meaningful sermon.
Jesus begins His sermon with some powerful connecting words that resonated with the audience. These were His people, people He had grown up with or with people just like those of his community. Jesus knew their struggles, pains, challenges; they were truly the sheep of Israel, who for so many years had wandered without a shepherd, misguided and misled by those who should have been truly showing them the way. It was for these people that Jesus came and so this is His first public declaration of what God offered. God's way, though not always easy, was a blessed way. People would still have days when they should have stayed in bed, but in reality could not. There would still be people dying and babies being born; scarceness of resources would still be a reality to most, and the Roman presence would not soon go away; yet in all this, God offers a way to find hope and inner peace. This sermon was also a call from Jesus on what they should be doing and how they should be living. The graphic for today says, "The Be-Attitudes," meaning the right attitudes we should take towards God.
Be open to God when your own strength falters and fails. Be open to making room in your life when life seems overwhelming. Be open to letting God hold you in His embrace when you are mourning, sad, or lost. Be open to who you are and how you believe God has made you. Be open to working up an appetite for God; He is in Himself the best meal you can have. Be a caring person to all people. Be known as a person of love. Be a person of prayer and listening to God. Be a person who understands and cooperates with others in a Godly way. Be open to persecution when you're following God closely; this is leading you straight into God's kingdom. Be open to being put down, or thrown out, or lied about; God is with you. Be cheerful when you're close to the truth and others are uncomfortable about it. Be aware of being in good company with the unseen hosts of Heaven, for like the prophets, you are doing it for God.
Friend, our reward in Heaven is greater than the worse this world can throw at us. To follow God through Christ is not a popular thing; sometimes it is a painful thing, but God loves you and is with you.
PRAYER: Awesome if Your Kingdom, O God. And we are humbled and blessed to be counted in it. Give us strength to be patient and caring even when the opposites are offered or thown to us. Lead us onward and upward; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Be a disciple for Jesus always.
Receive my blessings of love and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
