(from the Wednesday night Lent 2020 series: The Truth Opposed)

            He ranked highest in authority second only to Adolf Hitler. He helped orchestrate the ‘Night of the Long Knives,’ a night when Nazi police forces murdered political rivals. He approved torching Jewish businesses and synagogues, arresting tens of thousands of Jews, and imposing massive financial penalties on Jewish communities. He even helped craft the ‘Final Solution to the Jewish Question’ by establishing and feeding concentration camps. As Reichsmarschall of the Luftwaffe, he led bombing missions against Poland, Austria, France, and Britain. Now, he stood trial in Nuremberg, Germany, accused of committing crimes against humanity, war crimes, and waging a war of aggression. When asked ‘How does the defendant plead?’ Herman Goering barked at the judge: ‘Nein! Not Guilty!’
            You see, according to Goering, the Third Reich achieved much. The Nazis reunified Germany. Massive unemployment became massive employment. The standard of living improved. Germany’s flourishing economy gained worldwide respect. Goering even claimed to have served as a peace-promoting diplomat. So, the reason for his plea of innocence? As a Nazi officer of an organized government, he simply obeyed orders. That, Goering claimed, is not illegal. His perceived criminal activity must be permitted because the one who gave the orders committed the crime.
 
           His flimsy defense fell flat.

          Goering’s rationale may get some chuckles— but, for a moment, dig into his logic. What drives him to spew out such worthless excuses? The question is easier to answer than you might think.
            For the next six Wednesdays we will meet opponents of truth. Each adversary confronts undeniable truth, but still denies accountability. A man named Caiaphas tries covering over evil with seemingly innocent advice: ‘It is Better for One Man to Die.’
 
            Listen to his argument: Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”
 
            Caiaphas (and the rest of the Jewish council) battle a crisis! Jesus just raised a dead man to life! Lazarus had died. Doctors declare him dead. Morticians prepared a body. The undertaker set a lifeless body inside the tomb. Relatives mourn for three days. Still, Jesus commands: ‘Lazarus, Come out!’— and Lazarus walks out alive! (read John 11:17-44)
            No one can deny these events! Attentions zip from Lazarus to Jesus. That powerful miracle demonstrates that Jesus holds power over life and death, just like God does! If God controls life and death and Jesus controls life and death, then you reach this conclusion: Jesus is God. So, many put their faith in him (11:45). Many clung to his teachings, relied on his Words, and set their hearts around his forgiveness.
            The Jewish council watches this wave of support wash over to Jesus. Instead of joining Jesus, they complain: ‘If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation’ (11:48). Do you see the reason for their hesitation? Not only do these leaders lose the support of people, but if Jesus is truly God, then they must obey him. Caiaphas and everyone else must submit to Jesus’ teachings and his authority.
            They resent that! Jesus does not meet their preconceived notions of what they want from a Messiah. Catch that? The leaders already had their minds made up as to what they expect from God. They want a politician, not a teacher who exposes their proud, corrupt hearts. They want power and respect, not accusations targeting their greed for wealth and power. They want influence, not submission to God’s condemning Law. Every single opponent confronts this undeniable truth: Jesus is God. Still, every stubborn heart rejects that truth. Personal desires sit on top of God. As for Jesus, he interferes with their quest for pleasure. So, out comes Caiaphas’ foolish defense: ‘It is Better for One Man to Die.’
 
            It sounds innocent. Kill Jesus and save the nation! Protect the people! Yet, really, it is far more convenient to kill what you do not wish to hear. It seems an effective way to silence undeniable truth!
            After all, God’s truth stands quite clear: ‘Live self-controlled.’ Confront that undeniable truth and out comes flimsy excuses: ‘Yes, I know, I’m not perfect, but God, you should see my alcoholic neighbor. You should visit the meth-head. My parents fight. My brother really loses his temper. God, there’s a lot worse people than me.’ God’s Word convicts hearts, but the heart tries to squirm out from under that crushing law. We may actually believe that God is happier with us because others have more noticeable weaknesses— and because of that, God suddenly should overlook our failures.
            We can silence God’s convicting Word by fabricating seemingly-acceptable reasons as to why we had to break God’s commands. ‘Yes, God, you want marriage, but …we don’t much money …our arrangement works the same as marriage …our parents divorced.’ ‘Yes, God, I should rely on you to provide, but I just don’t have the money I think I should.’ ‘Yes, God, you want gentle words, but my kids are to blame for fueling my anger.’ What about this? Are you here tonight because it is Ash Wednesday, a significant day in the Lenten season? Do you feel as though this day is very important to God? Do you feel you fulfill some religious obligation? No? Then, will you be here again next week (and the week after, and so on)? Or, are you making excuses as to why that is not possible? The heart actually thinks God accepts excuses— he accepts excuses because we want that to be true! Since we have determined this is how God functions! Then, we can keep doing evil and still look morally good!
            The heart fights to remove an inconvenient Jesus from our lifestyles. It feels as though he interferes with our fleshly pursuit for pleasure. We do not like hearing that we are wrong. We do not like hearing Jesus condemn us. We do not want consequences for our foolish choices. Our stubborn hearts heart refuse to bow under our undeniable shortcomings. It refuses to accept God’s accurate accusations. Instead, we want God to conform to our list of demands.
 
            Like Caiaphas, the heart cries: ‘It is Better for One Man to Die!’ How foolish! Get rid of Jesus and live however you wish in this world. Get rid of Jesus and you remove the only One able to bring life with God! The foolish rebel removes Jesus.
            Denial does not make truth go away. God knows about this secret meeting. He controls this secret meeting. He even put his words in Caiaphas’ mouth: ‘It is Better for One Man to Die.’ The willing Substitute gathers his children.
 
            [Caiaphas] did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. So from that day on they plotted to take his life.
            God’s plan always involved Jesus. That’s the reason Jesus comes. From Adam and Eve up to this very moment, hearts have wandered from their heavenly Father. Just like sheep, each of us has gone astray, even believing our disobedience carries no consequences. Just like sheep, each of us has turned to his own way, even thinking that God takes orders from us! This way of life brings a terrible reality: separation from God! That’s an undeniable truth.
            That’s the undeniable truth from which Jesus rescues us. He allows himself arrested, falsely accused, and sentenced. He allows himself rejected, thrown away, crucified. He willingly sets himself under God’s angry fury in our place. He absorbs the entire punishment, hanging forsaken and cut off from God. He is thrown into death, laid in a tomb with a stone sealing the door shut.
            Caiaphas wanted Jesus dead for the good of many. In his mind, he is willing to extinguish the Light of the world for his own self-interests. In reality, Jesus dying means our freedom. Because here’s another undeniable truth: Jesus is God. He powerfully dominates death, he rises to life. Jesus even powerfully dominates our death, making our lives eternal. Even more, he gathers our once-scattered hearts into his one believing nation.
 
            Although rejected, the willing Substitute gathers his children. Us gathering tonight is evidence of God’s kept promise. The Holy Spirit has brought our hearts into one united trust that Jesus alone cleanses moral filth and makes us acceptable before the Father. That same Holy Spirit creates in us a new heart. Not a heart chasing self-centered pursuits, but a heart that pursues God’s commands. Not a heart excusing actions, but a heart broken over sin and rejoicing in God’s healing pardon. Not a heart making up what it wants from God, but a heart which loves listening to the Lord of love.
            What a reason to be here tonight! To once again be reminded that God does not accept excuses. He does not accept ‘close enough.’ He accepts Jesus. He accepts you (and me) because of Jesus. The willing Substitute gathers his children.
 
            For the next five Wednesdays we will continue meeting opponents of truth. Each adversary confronts undeniable truth, but still denies accountability. A man named Caiaphas tries covering over evil with seemingly innocent advice: ‘It is Better for One Man to Die.’
            Only the foolish rebel removes Jesus. This is the purpose for Lent; this is the reason we are here. We, too, were once those foolish rebels, but now, everything has changed. The willing Substitute gathers his children. Ash Wednesday might be behind us, but Lent is not. As those gathered to Jesus, we keep gathering to thank our God! What a wonderful truth God has us hear: ‘It is Better for One Man to Die.’

            A rat’s nest of mangled, gnarled paper lied on the tabletop. Apparently, it was a book—and not just any book, but a Bible. Layers of tan cardboard streaked through the crumbling black leather cover. Gritty gray dust had turned once bright white pages golden-brown. Its outline formed a perfect ‘U’. Honestly, this Bible reached its end.
            Still, the archivist hovered over this particular Bible. It had a special story. A congregation established in the 1860s had recently decided to replace their current church building with a newer, updated structure. So, construction began by tearing down the old building. The crane removed the steeple and peeled away the roof. A dozer knocked over brick walls and ripped away stairs. The equipment dug down to the cornerstone. That’s when workers found this Bible. But that’s where the story gets special. That rat’s nest of mangled, gnarled paper was not in the cornerstone, it was under the cornerstone. The congregation had literally made God’s Word their foundation.
            God’s Word might not literally support the entire weight of a building, but it supports the people within the building. Hearts rely on every single promise inscribed in God’s book. Step off from that Word and you step off of our your foundation. Step off from your foundation, you abandon certain confidence. That’s why Peter writes for us today: Pay Attention to the Word! In that Word (1) The Father reveals his pleasure with Jesus. With that Word (2) The Holy Spirit carries our reliance on Jesus.
 
            Familiar truths, yes, but truths under attack. You see, area preachers had mingled among these first-century Christians. They seize the opportunity to spew out delusions. One teacher denies the existence of angels, another openly mocks the work of God’s angels (2:10-11). Still another preacher preys on women in the congregation, seducing some, sexually assaulting others (2:14-16). Every preacher denies accountability; they fear no wrath (2:18-19). In fact, those arrogant brutes even taunt God: “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation” (2 Peter 3:4). Jesus promises a return. Yet, look around. Nothing happened. Since nothing happened, that promise must be false  If that promise is false, then the Bible is not reliable. You cannot trust it.
 
            So, Peter writes— and he writes about the Friend with whom he spent three years. He writes about the Friend he saw with his eyes, touched with his hands, and heard with ears. He writes about the Friend those so-called preachers never even met. [W]e did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ… Yes, you (and I) openly declare that Jesus will return— and he will judge the living and the dead.. This is not some fairy tale I concocted. This is not some legend my ancestors handed down. Jesus will return in mighty power because he holds mighty power.
            How do you know? [W]e were eyewitnesses of his majesty. Now, when it comes to credible sources, the eyewitness is the very best, right? Archaeology relishes eyewitness accounts. History details what the eyewitness saw. Even the nightly news craves eyewitnesses! Has anyone ever shoved a news camera in your face for an accident you did not witness? Of course not! We always want to hear what people experience. If we were not present, then we rely on what the eyewitness says!
            Peter says, ‘I saw his power!’  He stands with James and John… suddenly Jesus shines. No, the sun does not reflect off of him, Jesus literally radiates light. Ancient prophets Moses and Elijah appear. They huddle and discuss Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection. Peter witnesses the awesome perfect glory Jesus possesses as God! (Matthew 17:1-9)
            That’s not all he witnesses. [W]hen [Jesus] received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. Peter is also an earwitness! He hears The Father reveal his pleasure with Jesus.
 
            Familiar truth, but so often attacked. Yes, attacked by so-called intellectuals who mock the truthfulness of the Bible. Yes, mocked by friends who consider the Bible ‘outdated’ and ‘corrupted.’ Yes, despised by the child, the spouse, the brother who claims to be too smart for church. Yet, what about you? Do you challenge the reliability of what Peter writes?
            Stop for a moment. Dig into your heart. Study its fears, its reliance, its trust. Maybe you do feel like a madman claiming: ‘Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead.’ After all, he’s been gone for millennia! Every century waited for his return, but it seems like life will just continue on as it has always done. Maybe Jesus just will not return. Then, there’s those nights when you ache from guilt. ‘Will God really forgive me for not speaking up? … for not taking action?’ ‘Will God pull out the secret I have fought to hide my whole life and use it against me? …Is that really pardoned?’ On nights like those where do you find peaceful quiet?
            The temptation always remains to place confidence in opinions and feelings and emotions. We create our own version of truth and begin believing the truth we made up. We question if God can really erase the past or we carry guilt thinking it’s too big for God to handle. We wonder if God truly controls this chaotic world. We place more trust in our Word than His Word. Really, that calls the Bible ‘A book of lies’ and God a ‘liar!’ It leaves us wallowing in fear!
 
            That’s why Peter writes! In fact, he includes one tiny word. A word so little that you almost skip right over it. Verse 16 reads: For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ… Catch it? Our Lord Jesus Christ. The One Peter sees on the mountain, the testimony heard about Jesus reveals what he comes to do. ‘Our’ Lord will walk down this Mount of Transfiguration. ‘Our’ Lord will ride into Jerusalem one last time. ‘Our’ Lord will stand trial accused of lying— lying that he is God’s Son. ‘Our’ Lord will die for those who doubt his mighty power as God— even for our doubts.
 
            Pay Attention to the Word! If you wonder if Jesus was truly without sin, then listen to The Father reveals his pleasure with Jesus. Watch the Father raise Jesus to life. Watch the Father receive Jesus into heaven’s kingdom and hand him the throne at his powerful right hand. Your Jesus is enough! The Father reveals his pleasure with Jesus. For those times we fear, those times we struggle, The Holy Spirit carries our reliance on Jesus. He uses something special to accomplish that goal.
 
            [W]e have something more sure, the prophetic word…  The entire Old Testament, from Genesis to Malachi point to Jesus, the Savior. [Y]ou will do well to pay attention [to the Word] as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts… You need to enter the crawl space. You fling open the door. You feel wispy spider-webs and hear mice squeaking somewhere in the misty gloom. What will you carry along? A flashlight. Why? You do not want a face-full of spider web. You do not want to place your hand on a mouse. That light will guide you through the unknown to your goal. So, how tightly would you hold that light?
            God’s Word shines through the unknown so that you (and I) might have confidence. [Know] this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. God gave his writers the thoughts and words to write down. Those words have been carefully copied from generation to generation so that your Bible today contains the same words that Jesus read and spoke 2,000 years ago. God takes great care so that you know his wants.
 
            Over these past seven weeks, God has made clear who Jesus is. Today marks the end of Epiphany. (Remember what that word means? Epiphany means ‘to reveal.’) Jesus is baptized, clearly identifying him to be God’s Son. His Sermon on the Mount lists Beatitudes— statements of blessings. At first, we might think God challenges us to be better people. That’s not the point. God reveals Jesus, the best-est One who ever walked on earth. Even today, God reveals Jesus to be God. Perfect. Without sin. Pleasing.
            Wednesday begins the season of Lent. For the next six weeks we will walk through the trials, the suffering, the shame Jesus endures. This brilliant glory might seem dim. Gloom will hang over our hearts. Yet, God’s Word, his Light, leads us through that solemn season. Jesus suffers— but keep in mind the ‘why.’ Why does he suffer? To remove eternal suffering from you (and me). He marches into the jaws of death and destroys the stranglehold it once held on you (and me). Then, he rises! Brilliant. Shining. Radiant. Handed the full glory once hidden for a time. Handed the full honor as Victor over our greatest enemies. With God’s flawlessly recorded Word, the Holy Spirit carries our reliance on Jesus.
 
            Just as he did for that established congregation. For over 150-years hearts relied on the unchanging Word. Culture changed in both community and society. With it came fears over control, fear over personal choices, fear over the future. Yet, that Word pointed every heart to the Savior reigning with powerful might.
            Step off from that Word and you step off of our your foundation. Step off from your foundation, you leave behind certain confidence. That’s why Peter writes for us today: Pay Attention to the Word! In that Word (1) The Father reveals his pleasure with Jesus. With that Word (2) The Holy Spirit carries our reliance on Jesus.

            Pastors preach. Right? Roll out the big Family-Feud game board and ask: ‘Name something a Pastor does’ and the number one answer would be: ‘Preach.’ A congregation calls him to that service. To take God’s Word, explain and apply it.
            Starting in Matthew chapter 5 all the way through to chapter 7, Jesus preaches. He takes God’s Old Testament teachings, explains them and applies them. He starts with a theme: Blessed are You! Then, two key points explain why: (1) for Christ fills your soul and (2) for Christ gives you the kingdom. So, that means, you are hearing a sermon on a sermon— and not just any sermon, but Jesus’ sermon. Full disclosure: Jesus preaching is the best; it’s leagues better than anything I can possibly come to preaching. So, what do you expect from me? Because I cannot improve his words.
 
            Maybe that’s a good place to start: Confronting what I cannot do. Some title Jesus’ sermon: ‘The Beatitudes.’ First— do you know what a ‘beatitude’ is? (Hint: it’s not an ‘attitude,’ some emotional response. Therefore, this is not a sermon on attitudes you must ‘be.’ Be happy. Be helpful. Be kind.) A ‘beatitude’ is a ‘declaration of blessings.’ (see: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beatitudes)
            That leads to another question: How do we define ‘blessing’? (Another hint: a ‘blessing’ is not ‘getting good stuff,’ like money or toys.) ‘Blessing’ means ‘to receive God’s favor, his approval.’ The man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners is ‘blessed.’ He does not stand condemned. He holds God’s pardon (Psalm 1:1).
            So, Jesus lists fortunate situation after fortunate situation. Just listen:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.”
 
            Do those situations sound favorable? Blessed are the poor in spirit. No, not low-income. Not when you lack money. Jesus spotlights spiritual poverty. You will need at least $4,100 just to get into today’s Superbowl. (Some will pay $50,000 for their club ticket. https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/super-bowl-tickets-2020-cheapest-most-expensive-seats/g0gzhwn2rbyp1u2w1exx1z3oq) Can you afford that?
            God sets heaven’s admission price at: absolute moral purity. Think about that for a moment. Never ever trust in wealth. Never toss aside God’s Word. No cursing, no jealousy, no boastful pride, no arguments, no greed. Be this always! (Leviticus 19:2; Matthew 5:48) Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365-days a year, from the instant of conception until the moment you die. God finds no fault. Have you reached that level? Have you even come close to that standard in just the past hour? Then, there remains the awful reality that each of us are conceived in sin (Psalm 51:5; Ephesians 2:1). We start life already short! Entrance into heaven lies light-years out of reach! It costs too much! Here, Jesus says: ‘How fortunate is your spiritual bankruptcy!’
            Then he says: Blessed are those who mourn. Have you ever tried saying that to a grieving family? ‘Oh, you’re so fortunate, so blessed!’ No! We ache too! We ache because we confront the devastation sin wreaks on the world. Death came to all people because all sinned (Romans 5:12). The miscarriage hurts because my child inherited my sin and sin’s deadly consequences! The casket holds yet another person who failed to be sin-free. That casket thunders sin’s deadly consequences! As if death does not cause enough pain, you (and I) still confront the sinful nature. The sinful nature is hostile to God (Romans 8:7). The toddler hollering at you is not innocent. She reveals a hatred to honor his father and mother (Exodus 20:12). The adult child lets his intelligence sit over God’s wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:18-29). Society claims a right to shake its puny fist at God’s one-woman, one-man marriage commitment. Look around and you find plenty of evidence that the sinful heart wages war against a holy God. Still, Jesus says: ‘How fortunate is your sin-caused sorrow!’
            He goes on: Blessed are the meek. The gentle, the humble people. How privileged you are giving to charity, but the lazy take advantage of your generosity! How fortunate to work hard and honest, but then the worthless co-worker trashes your reputation. How blessed to hunger and thirst to ‘do’ God’s righteousness, but never feel satisfied. You call daughter about church, but she sees the Caller ID and lets the phone ring. You promise self-control for the umpteenth millionth time, but the booze, the drugs, the addiction gains the upper hand. Yes, Jesus says: ‘How fortunate when you fail to be perfect. How blessed when others trample all over you, even as you serve me.’
            Beatitudes? Statements of blessing? Of favor? Of approval? It really does not sound like Jesus gives anything favorable! He only pokes at the soul’s sore spots and makes clear: ‘You will encounter trouble.’ Beatitudes sound like statements of misery.
 
            That is precisely how these words appear if we divorce Christ. Yes, Jesus pinpoints limitations; he exposes our weaknesses. He highlight when and where we fall short. Understand, not that you (and I) despair, but that you (and I) refocus. That we find real strength.
            Blessed are the poor in spirit. You (and I) who stood morally bankrupt, covered in festering sins, held under Satan’s powerful grip. Not one inkling of a chance to stand before God in heaven. How fortunate, how blessed that we do stand before God. That we do have heaven because we have received God’s favor. Want proof? Jesus is here. Preaching. He sits in your imperfect world, and he walks among sin’s devastation. He sees those with crippled limbs and incurable disease. He watches false teachers feed people lies. He even stands outside a tomb holding his dear dead friend Lazarus. Jesus lives in our world— but he is not weak. He is not poor. He is rich. His heart shimmers with absolute moral purity. His hands give selfless love. His mouth preaches faith-building forgiveness. Simply put, Jesus does the Father’s righteousness.
            He takes that righteousness and pours it out on the cross. He pours out his absolutely morally pure life into your heart (and mine). He fills us completely that we overflow.
 
            So, yes, Blessed Are You, for Christ fills your soul. Superbowl ticket? Probably not. Entrance into heaven? Yes! He puts the priceless ticket of eternal life into your hand—paid at the cost of his own blood. That makes you a recipient of God’s favor. Blessed Are You, for Christ fills your soul. Blessed Are You, for Christ gives you the kingdom.
 
            You heard that right. These beatitudes are not conditions. (If you show mercy, then you will receive mercy.) No! You already stand blessed. That is what you are. Blessed! Fortunate! Favored by God! So naturally, you, ‘the blessed ones’ showcase God’s blessings.
            Listen again to Jesus’ sermon:
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
 
            These words describe you! Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. You (and I) are the merciful people who show mercy. Mercy, that is, demonstrating sincere compassion. Yes, the trash-talking, back-stabbing co-worker hurts you. Yes, some able-bodied people might take advantage of welfare and your generosity. Remember this: you (and I) did not deserve God’s mercy. When our actions hurt God, his compassionate heart wiped clean your heart. When we took advantage of God’s kindness, his tender arms embraced you. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). That is mercy.
            God puts us in a position to demonstrate mercy (1) as you are able and (2) without seeking any repayment. We demonstrate compassion for physical needs, but even more, spiritual needs.
            Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. That’s you— pure in heart. You will God one day! Yes, the sinful nature still wants to wallow in filth, but God keeps washing that heart clean. You keep praying: ‘Create in me a clean heart, O God (Psalm 51:10). Let your words be my delight. Let me remember them. Let me live them.’
            Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Peacemakers do not avoid conflict. They try to end conflict. Yes, the husband might have said something terribly insulting. You can lash out, but will only make your relationship worse. Yes, those parents might be overbearing, but rebelling will not help. Yes, blame others for your problems, but that does not correct your future. Christ literally gave himself— his time, his convenience, his heart. All this to bring peace with God. We are recipients of that peace. We make peace when our hearts align with God’s Word and as we can bring others to line up with that same Word.
 
            Yes, the world might look at you strange. A child calls you overbearing. A friend considers you a pushover. Their hearts do not have God’s blessing. They do not see the benefit of listening to their Maker.
            Still, Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. What makes you blessed? Well, what is the common denominator? Why does child calls you a bigot? Why do so-called intellectuals call you ‘weak-minded?’ Why do coworkers openly mock your beliefs about sex, drugs, and booze? Why do you encounter conflict? Because of Christ. You did create a set of personal beliefs. You cherish Jesus’ teachings.
            Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. What joy to know that trouble may come because you are connected to Christ! Even the world sees that connection and tries to break it, but cannot! The world lacks the power to do that! What can the world take from you, the Christian?  Can he keep Jesus locked in heaven? Can he prevent the world’s judgment? Can he hinder Jesus’ eternal separation? No! God’s prophets were attacked, but God sent more. Those prophets exchanged earthly life for heavenly life. How blessed! For Christ gives you the kingdom!
 
            This is a sermon on a sermon— and not just any sermon, but Jesus’ sermon. I cannot improve on it. That’s alright. Because it leads me back to Jesus’ words. It leads me to trust in his might.
            Much like life. My inabilities are completely filled by Christ. All I need I have in him. Forgiveness. Eternal life. Strength to live a Christian life. When I need more strength, I go to these words to take in what he has done for me. His kingdom is mine! I have it all! I lack nothing! How blessed is that?! As one who holds God’s favor, I live under that favor in every circumstance of life. How Blessed are You, for Christ fills your soul and Christ gives you the kingdom.