#Blessed

#Blessed
N Keith Shepherd

I. Introduction

Matthew 4:23-25 (NLT) ²³Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. ²⁴News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon-possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all. ²⁵Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River.

II. #Blessed

Matthew 5:1-12 (NLT) ¹One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, ²and he began to teach them. ³“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. ⁴God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ⁵God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. ⁶God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. ⁷God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. ⁸God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. ⁹God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. ¹⁰God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. ¹¹God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. ¹²Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.”

Matthew 4:17 (NLT) From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

Most people think “being happy” means having the right .

Ecclesiastes 2:1 (NLT) I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless.

A. Worldly value – on only me

Matthew 5:3 (NLT) “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”

B. Kingdom value – on God

C. Worldly value – at any cost
Matthew 5:4 (NLT) “God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

D. Kingdom value –

1. How are we comforted when we’re mourning? Remember these three things:

a. God is .

Psalm 34:18 (NLT) The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

b. God .

1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

c. God wants to you.

Hebrews 4:16 (NLT) So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

E. Worldly value – and control

F. Kingdom values – , and

G. Kingdom value – of heart

1. How do I and keep a pure heart?

a. Remember that God everything

Proverbs 15:3 (NLT) The LORD is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.

b. Check my

Proverbs 16:2 (NLT) People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives.

c. Keep my in the right order

Matthew 6:33 (NLT) “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

H. Worldly value – Keeping my own, inner

I. Kingdom value – for peace

Matthew 5:10-12 (NLT) ¹⁰“God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. ¹¹God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. ¹²Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.”

III. Conclusion