2. Intro:
How’severyone doingtonight? WelcometoYouthService!We’re glad you guys made it! Before I begin
with the word, let’s pray.
Message of the month:
Blessing and Cursing. Last month’s message was on just the blessing but this month’s message is on
blessing and cursing. All throughout scripture we see the way blessings and cursing worked. From the
OldTestamenttothe NewTestamentit’s evident that blessing is produced from obedience. Cursing is
produced from disobedience. In Deuteronomy 28:1-14 Moses outlined the blessings and in the same
passage later on, Moses outlined the cursing the nation of Israel would experience.
What’sthe definition of a blessing?
In Greek,the word “Blessed”ispronounced(makarios) Thisterm occurs 30 times in the Gospels, all but
2 on the lips of Jesus. The OT Hebrew term “ashrey” stands behind the NT usage of makarios. Both
terms are normally translated “Blessed” or “Happy”. Makarios has two main nuances in the NT. It
predominatelyreferstoGod’sblessinguponHispeople,and secondarily to God’s people blessing Him.
In the lattersense,makariosisbasicallysynonymouswithpraise.WhenapersonisblessedbyGod,he is
approved by God. The opposite of makarios is “woe” (ouai) the status of one who is not approved by
God and is thus the object of impending judgment.
EX) Inspite of beinga tax collector,Matthew himself becamearecipientof ultimate blessingfromGod
of bothsalvationanddirectmentorshipfromJesusHimself andthusremainedsensitivetohisobligation
to blessthe Lordfor havingreceivedtrue lifechange fromGod.Havinghimself once putthe acquisition
of moneybefore the cultivationof spirituality,Matthew oftenhighlightsthe benefitof receivingthe
blessingof Godabove pursuingearthlypossessionsandfollowingfaultyhumanperspectives.
What’sthe definition of a curse?
Well aswe lookinthe OldTestament,the word “Curse” in Hebrew (herem) actually refers to “devoted
things.”These were things“setaside” or devoted for God’s use. When that devotion was violated, the
“herem”became a curse. “Devotedto destruction” this was the last word and final warning of the text
of the ProphetsinMalachi 4:6. The prophetswarnedIsrael that,asa people devoted to God, they were
subject to both His blessing and His curse.
The Beatitudes: Context
Let’sall turn to Matthewchapter5. The contextof thischapter isabsolutelyamazing. The Sermonon
the Mount contrasts the righteousnessof the kingdomof heavenwiththe righteousnessof the scribes
(Jewishscholarswhocopiedormade copiesof the manuscriptsandinterpretedthe bible.) and
Pharisees (political party,asocial movement,andaschool of thoughtamongJewsduringthe Second
Temple period) “The Pure”.AccordingtoJesus,true righteousnesscannotbe definedbyfollowinglists
of thingstodo or not do.“For I say to you,that unlessyourrighteousnessexceedsthe righteousnessof
the scribesand Pharisees,youwill bynomeansenterthe kingdomof heaven.”(Matthew 5:20) We must
not onlyavoidmurder,adultery,andbreakingoaths.We must alsoavoidthe causesof these sins:
hatred,lust,andthe desire tomanipulate the truth.Since Goddesignedmarriage tobe permanent,we
shouldnotseeklegal loopholesfordivorce.The heartof Godand the spiritof the law are more
importantthatthe letterof the law.Earlyin Jesus’ministry,the message of the kingdomof heavenwas
3. directedtothe nationof Israel.Later,afterHis rejectionbythe leadersof Israel,Jesusannouncedthat
He wouldgatherall nationsintoHiskingdom.
The Beatitudes: “Supremeblessedness; exalted happiness.”
As I readthroughMatthewChapter5, that longlistof blessingsreallycaughtmyattention.Theywere in
redso theycaught my attentionevenmore. Inthe NKJV,the writersputatitle ontop of the chapter
called“The beatitudes”Ilookedupthe definitionof thiswordindictionary.comandIfoundoutthat the
wordmeans“Supreme blessedness;exaltedhappiness.”ThisliterallymeantthatwhatI wasreadingwas
not justany blessing.I’mreadingthe SUPPREMEBLESSINGS.These blessingsare the highestblessings
that I can have in mylife.One of the mainthingsthatreallycaughtmy attentionwere the factsand
realitythatsometimeslive isdifficult.Sometimeslife isn’tperfect,sometimeswe don’tsee the blessing
init all but Jesusrevealedthese special blessingstoHisfollowersof thatdayand today.
1And seeingthe multitudes,He wentupona mountain,andwhenHe was seatedHisdisciplescame to
Him.2Then He openedHismouthandtaughtthem, saying:
3“Blessedare the poor inspirit,
For theirsisthe kingdomof heaven.
I love thisverse righthere.Inthe original New Testamentlanguage.The HolySpirithadtwochoicesof
wordsto use whenitcame to the word“poor”. One of the wordswas “Penny-Cross”whichmeant
needy.The otherwordwas“p-toe-coss”whichmeanttotallydestituteortotallyimpoverished. Jesus
taught thatthese people have the kingdomof heavenwhichisnotalandwhere a rulerrulesbutmore
of a relationshipwiththe Ruler. The firstsupremeblessingthatgoestothe people listeningtoHis
sermonaren’tthe Phariseesorthe scribes.The socalled“godlypeople”,the oneswholooklike they
have it all together.The firstsupreme blessinggoestothose whohave NOTHINGinthemselves!They’re
totallylostinthisworld.They’re searchingforanswers,notjustanyanswersbutthe Truthof thislife.
AndJesusis what theyare reallylookingfor.TodayIask youchurch, boy,man,woman,girl,“Have you
gottenyoursupreme blessing?Have you accepted,inyourfree will,the Godwhocreatedyouand the
God wholovedyouenoughtodie foryou before youevendecidedordecidednottoacceptHim?
4Blessedare those whomourn,
For theyshall be comforted.
The secondsupreme blessingJesustaughtaboutinthe Sermononthe Mount, wasthe supreme blessing
of beingcomforted.Notjustanyone canbe comforted.Throughthose timesof mourningwhenafamily
memberpassesaway, whenalovedone dies, whenatragedyoccurs,whenevil decidestostrike,those
whoknowJesus,andknowthat He hassentthe HolySpirittocomfort usthrough those timesare the
onesthat reallybearthe true blessedness.
27Peace I leave withyou,Mypeace I give toyou; notas the worldgivesdoIgive to you.Let notyour
heartbe troubled,neitherletitbe afraid. (John14:27)
Thispromise isverykeyto experience the blessingof Christinourlives.
5Blessedare the meek,
For theyshall inheritthe earth.
Thisone didn’treallyfitinwiththe oneswe justlookedat,thisone wasactuallytotallydifferentfrom
the rest of them.The word meekmeanshumble.Jesustaughtthisblessingtohisfollowersof thatday,
4. and it’samazinghowtrue it is.Those whohumble themselvestoanything,Icanpromise youthat you
will inheritsomething.Peoplesee humblenessandtheykindof getweirditoutby it,but honestlyit’s
one of the bestthingsa personcan bearin themselves.EvenChristhumbledhimself (Phil 2:8)
EX) The San AntonioSpurs...Ireally don’tlikethembuttheyalwayswinchampionships.They’re rarely
on Sportscenterthoughand theyaren’tthat arrogant consideringhow muchthey’ve won.
5Likewise youyoungerpeople,submityourselvestoyourelders.Yes,all of yoube submissive toone
another,andbe clothedwithhumility,for
“God resiststhe proud,
But givesgrace to the humble.”
6Therefore humble yourselvesunderthe mightyhandof God,that He may exaltyouindue time,
7casting all yourcare uponHim, forHe cares foryou.(1 Peter5:5-7)
God hatespride.
6Blessedare those whohungerandthirstfor righteousness,
For theyshall be filled.
Thissupreme blessingisbeautiful.Have youeverseenapersonthatis justhungryand thirstyformore
of God?It’s notjust whenthey’ve come toChristbutevenafteralongtime of beingChristian,theystill
have that thirstinthemselvestoseekmore of God,seekmore of His presence,wisdom, guidance,heart.
I pray that we all geta holdof thisone because thisone will have echoesof evenmore blessingsinour
lives.
7Blessedare the merciful,
For theyshall obtainmercy.
Forgiveness.Whointhe worldwouldforgive?Those whoforgive muchhave beenforgivenmuch.Our
God literallycommandsustoforgive.It’snotanoptionto notforgive.(Mark11:26)
8Blessedare the pure inheart,
For theyshall see God.
Do we see God? We mightnot see Himin particlesorina materialistickindof waybutwe do see His
power,we dosee Hismindat work,we see how precise He made thisuniverse forlifetoevenbe
possible.Those thathave thatknowledge,thatdiscernmentandthose spiritual eyescansee how Godis
workingintheirlives.Youdon’tevenneedspiritual eyes,yourheartwill see the evidence of Godand
you’ll shoutforjoybecause you’ve experiencedcontactwithHiminprayerand meditation.
9Blessedare the peacemakers,
For theyshall be calledsonsof God.
Peacemakers.Have youevertriedbringingpeace intoa situation?A hostile one maybe? Maybe you’re
the friendthatkeepseveryonegluedtogetherbecause you’re the peacefulone ineverysituation.
10Blessedare those whoare persecutedforrighteousness’sake,
For theirsisthe kingdomof heaven.
5. 11“Blessedare you whentheyrevileandpersecute you,andsayall kindsof evil againstyoufalselyfor
My sake.
7And lestIshouldbe exaltedabove measure bythe abundance of the revelations,athornin the flesh
was giventome,a messengerof Satanto buffetme,lestIbe exaltedabovemeasure.8Concerningthis
thingI pleadedwiththe Lordthree timesthatitmightdepartfromme.9And He saidto me,“My grace is
sufficientforyou,forMy strengthis made perfectinweakness.”Therefore mostgladlyIwill rather
boastin my infirmities,thatthe powerof Christmayrestupon me.10Therefore Itake pleasure in
infirmities,inreproaches,inneeds,inpersecutions,indistresses,forChrist’ssake.ForwhenIamweak,
thenI am strong.
EX) PartyExample (maybe) Merari example at meetatthe pole.
12Rejoice andbe exceedinglyglad,forgreatisyourrewardin heaven,forsotheypersecutedthe
prophetswhowere before you.
Conclusion:
Church: Do we have these supreme blessingsinourlives?Dowe putthemto use whenwe encounter
issues,death,problems,persecutions,hate,etc.?Ordowe complainabouthow thingsare going?The
keyto the Christianlife isn’thavingitall together.The keytothe Christianlife isthatinthe midstof
tragedy,problems,evenpersecutionswe know thatwe’re blessedwithgiftsandpromisesthatare so
special toour relationshipwithChrist.Noone elsehasa hope like ours.Noone else hasa Powerand
blessingthatwe containinourselves.Cursingwill be wipedoutof yourlife if youcontainandbless.
You’re blessedtobe a blessingnomatterthe situations.
Individual (lost):
1) All have sinned,andcome shortof the gloryof God.
2) The wages of sinisdeathbut the giftof God iseternal life inChrist,the punishmentforoursin
isn’tjustdeath,itseternal death.
3) Yet God showsHislove towardsus,while we were still sinners,Christdiedforus.
4) IF youconfesswithyourmouthJesusasLord and believe inyourheartthatGod raisedHimfrom
the dead,youwill be saved.
5) We have beenjustifiedthroughfaith,we have peace withGodthroughourLord JesusChrist.
Therefore,nocondemnationforthose whoare inChristJesus.Nothingcanseparate usfromthe
love Godthat is inChristJesusourLord.
