Blessed Are Those Who Are Not Very Good At Being Spiritual

Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The opposite of poor in spirit is rich in spirit. Jesus’ announcement is not for those who are good at being spiritual. If you haven’t mastered being super spiritual, cheer up you are going to like Jesus' kingdom.

Most people are poor at being spiritual, just good at faking it.  People who are good at spirituality pray over the meal, (I am usually called on to do that).  Most people would rather be thrown into a pit of snakes than to pray in public.  Hey, all of you who are not good a public prayer, Jesus has got a kingdom for you. 

The non experts had never been invited in, until Jesus. Outside of Jesus the non experts are still not invited in. But, Jesus invites the ordinary folks into his kingdom. Pros and experts didn’t like Jesus.  The non experts do.

The super spiritual are the one’s in good with God, everybody knows that, until Jesus announces otherwise. Jesus announces that the favor of God is indiscriminate. Jesus announces, "Let’s just open this up to everybody." Is that good news to you?

Jesus isn’t telling you to be poor at being spiritual. He is not telling you do anything. He is just making an announcement about his kingdom.  Jesus' way of doing things is for those who are not rich in spirit.  And I accept that. 

The Wrong Way to Get Blessed

Genesis 27:1-35

1. Dressing up like someone you are not is the wrong way to get blessed.

Jacob became like somebody else. He hid himself by dressing up like his brother.

To get blessed he thought he could not be himself. He couldn't be himself to be blessed by the most important/significant person in his life.

2. We play dress up as well.

We don't let others see who we are: our flaws, weaknesses, and sins. We dress up like someone else in our appearance, clothes, mannerisms, and it is not who we truly are. We do anything to get our parents, spouse, children, friends, coworkers approval. We dress a certain way or lower our moral standards for a dating relationship. We dress up like a great husband, father, mother, wife, worker, doctor, teacher, etc. We even dress up like really good Christians. We dare not be ourselves at church. What will they think of me if they really know me.

3. Outside we are fine, but inside we are like a kid, crying, "Bless me.”
Jacob got close enough to his Father, to kiss him and finally he saw the look of pride in his father’s eyes. Heard the words he longed to hear. He was blessed but he wasn’t blessed at all because it wasn’t him. Anyone who dresses up and is blessed for dressing up does not experience blessing at all. If someone hides their sin, flaws, weaknesses they are not really blessed because they have dressed up.

4. Humbly be your yourself with the right people, with yourself, and most importantly with God. 

Now do not brag about your sins and flaws, but at the right time with the right people be yourself.  Be honest.  Especially with God and yourself.  Stop playing dress up.

The Blessed Life Part 2
 

4 Truths For a Blessed Life

Genesis 12:1-3 The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.

-I want a blessed life, a life defined by God's favor and protection.  In order for that to happen these truths must be a part of my life.

1. I have to get out of comfort zone.
-Abraham had to leave the comforts of home.  He had to leave what he had always known, the things that were always comfortable for him.  He had to trust God to care for him.  He couldn't trust the things that had always meet his needs if he wanted to be blessed.

2. I have to desire something new.
-My imagination must be for something new, something good.  A land that God will show me.  I cannot be stuck in the endless cycle of sunrise, sunset if I want to be blessed.  Nothing new under the sun, no.  It is what is, no.  God has something new to show me.

3. Believe God is great and has something great for me.
-God told Abraham he would make him into a great nation.  In order to do that God must be great.  Do I believe God is that great?  Have I put a limit on God?  Can he do something great in and through little ole me? Can I have a great marriage, family, job, attitude, outlook on the future?

4. Know I am blessed so I can bless others.
-Many see God's blessing as something self focused.  It is all about their time, money, schedule.  That is not how God's blessing works.  God's blessing flows.  His blessing flows from Him to us then from us to others.  Let God's blessing flow through you to others.  Give every chance you get.  Listen to others dreams and concerns.  Pray for others needs.  Mourn with those who are mourning.  Weep with those who weep.

That's a blessed life.     

Sermon: The Blessed Life Part 1