"The Good Life" - Week 14

Week 14 - Matthew 5:8

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."


Have you seen God recently? Where have you seen him?

I've been able to think of people in my life who are poor in spirit, merciful, and righteous, but I'm racking my brain trying to come up with someone who is pure in heart and I'm having a difficult time.

I have some idea that children are more pure than adults, but there are moments I'm not even sure about the purity of my 2-year old's heart as he learns to share with others.

I don't have any models for this one.

Besides, can anyone see God anyway?

I guess you can tell I have my doubts this week.

As you dwell in Matthew 5:8, here are a few questions to consider and comment on:

1) John 1:18 and 1 John 4:12 say that no one has ever seen God. How does this beatitude change your view on that?

2) Is the blessing (seeing God) a blessing for the end of days or a blessing that changes our vision today?

3) What does it mean to be pure in heart?

4) How does one become more pure in heart?

5) What are some of the ways that Christians (those committed to putting the kingdom on display) might seek to implement this passage in order to proclaim the good news in 2012?

"The Good life" - Week 13

Week 13 - Matthew 5:7

"Blessed are merciful, for they will be shown mercy."


Mercy.

It's something we beg for. It's the word we force people to say when we've got them in a compromising position. It's a word that rarely describes our world.

I've heard it said this way:
"Grace is to get something we don't deserve. Mercy is to not get something we do deserve."

This beatitude is the only one where God pronounces a reflexive blessing. The merciful receive...well...mercy.

I think there are some good reasons why this beatitude in particular is rewarded with an overflow of what we have already given to others. Meditate deeply on that idea this week.

As you dwell in Matthew 5:7, here are a few questions to consider and comment on:

1) Do you consider yourself to be a merciful person?

2) The parables of Jesus are full of examples of mercy. How do the parables change your perspective on true Christianity?

3) Why does God give mercy to the merciful? How is the gift relevant to the action?

4) Is there any link between our ability to receive mercy and give mercy?

5) Chicken or the Egg: Which comes first, receiving mercy or giving mercy?

6) What are some of the ways that Christians (those committed to putting the kingdom on display) might seek to implement this passage in order to proclaim the good news in 2012?

2 Week Break

I'll get back to posting in a couple of weeks because I'll be taking a two-week break from the pulpit.

This week, Jim Reynolds will be leading our small group leadership conference and preaching for us on Sunday. 

Next week is the Sunday when we honor our graduates. Clint Askins will be bringing the word.

Thanks for checking in and involving yourselves in this community.

"The Good Life" - Week 12

Week 12 - Matthew 5:6

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."


My definition of the blessed is unthinkingly biased toward those who have gained success through hard work and determination.

I'd like to re-write this beatitude. "Blessed are those who fill their hungry bellies, for they are filled."

But that's not what Jesus says. He says, "Blessed are those who have found emptiness because God is able to fill those who aren't already full [of themselves]."

As you dwell in Matthew 5:6, here are a few questions to consider and comment on:

1) What is righteousness? How is the idea of righteousness related to justice?

2) How does fasting connect us to a hunger and thirst for righteousness?

3) Who is an example in your life of someone who hungers and thirsts for righteousness?

4) How does God fill those who hunger and thirst for him?

5) What are some of the ways that Christians (those committed to putting the kingdom on display) might seek to implement this passage into order to proclaim the good news in 2012?