June 14, 2020

RUN THE RACE: RUN IT WITH HEART, Part 2
June 14, 2020
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

We are now in Phase 2, slowly emerging from fourteen weeks of the pandemic isolation. What are some things you’re looking forward to experiencing again, that will bring some “happiness”?

Open:

Today we continue our series, Run the Race. Life can be very tough (as we all know), but God gives us everything we need to complete our race victoriously.  Last week we covered the first four Beatitudes, as Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. Today we’ll examine the next group of four, looking at the rewards for being merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and those persecuted for following Jesus Christ. These “happiness” attitudes are just as important today as they were the day Jesus spoke to the crowd on the mountain in Israel.

Key Verse: Matthew 5:7: Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Focal Passages: Matthew 5:7-10; Ephesians 2:14-15

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy

  • Read Matthew 5:7. What is the greatest mercy you have ever been shown? Because we ourselves have received mercy, what is our responsibility?
  • Who are some to whom you ordinarily show mercy? How do you feel toward those on Facebook (or other social media) who disagree with you—perhaps even lambasting you for a stand you have taken? What kind of mercy do you show other drivers? Your spouse? Those of an opposing political view? Why do they deserve your mercy?
  • What is the difference between mercy and grace? As a sinner, which are you going to get:061004
  • Grace or mercy? Did you earn it? Do you deserve it? Then to be a Christ-follower, why does it mean you must show the same mercy?

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God

  • Read Matt. 5:8. How can one be pure in heart? Can you name anyone in scripture who had a pure heart (that is, judging by man’s judgment)?
  • Read Matthew 23:25-26. How does this illustrate the impure heart, while assuming a posture of religious perfection for men to observe?
  • Read Hebrews 10:22. What are some qualities here that a pure heart involves?
  • Read John 1:47-49. How can you infer that Nathanael was “pure in heart”?

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God

  • Read verse 9. What do you think of when you hear the phrase “be a peacemaker”? Where does peace in man’s heart begin? Read Romans 5:1. How can you have any type of peace in other relationships until you yourself have experienced peace with God?
  • If you have peace with God—no longer a slave to sin—how can you become a “peacemaker”? What is the greatest thing you can do for others who do not have peace with God? Is this why God wants us to be peacemakers?
  • Read Romans 16:20. If God is a God of Peace, how can we justify our actions of violence or intolerance or hatred?

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

  • Read verse 10. What are some ways in which you can be persecuted for being a follower of Jesus Christ? How does persecution make you feel? If you have experienced such affliction, has it caused you to pull into a shell, or did you keep witnessing?
  • How did those of you who were completely changed upon salvation experience withdrawal from friends or loved ones, or activities? Did you weigh the benefit of being a child of God with the loss of those friends?
  • Does the way you live your life now attract others to know the Savior? Why or why not? Should they see Jesus shining in you?

Close:

As you read through these Beatitudes, are you convicted that the life you are living is one of lethargy, or are you confident that God is pleased with your performance? It is so easy to sit in church and sing praise songs, raise our hands, and offer God praise. It’s totally another to get on Facebook (or any of the choices), and see a post that makes your blood boil. You want to reach through the phone or computer and choke that/those person(s)! Let’s see: which Beatitude did that just nullify?

Being like Jesus is easy when we’re alone. We have our coffee and devotions, truly hungering and thirsting to be righteous before God. We try to make certain we have no things in our home that would offend Him. There used to be an old saying, “If Jesus were coming to your house, what would you have to quickly hide or throw out?” Oh, but wait! What are those movies that are rated R? What about the slip of the tongue when you bang your hand? Job says in 31:1 that he made a covenant with his eyes—he was not willing to sin by viewing movies filled with porn, sinful situations or idolatrous items; James 3:10 condemns the man (or woman) who  presents a saintly image to others, but within the family uses profanity with every sentence. James says, “Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so!” James was talking to the church—he called them “Brethren.” He wasn’t speaking to the unsaved. Are you aware profanity has become so commonplace as to be almost “normal” among Christians? God does not honor that. He honors those who are pure in the innermost part of their being —their heart—and are self-controlled with their language, who hunger and thirst to be righteous, and who rejoice that they are counted worthy to suffer for His sake. May we all strive to run this race of life, knowing He is basking in our victories, saying, “That’s my child!”

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