Makarious – translated: blessed
Blessed: A deep sense of contentment and well-being, irrespective of circumstances .
Happiness is often pursued as a “what”
Every “what” has a shelf life that leads you to need more “what”.
God made us all with a capacity for happiness, joy, well-being and contentment.
“You have made us for yourself and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you.” – Augustine
Prov. 14:2: There is a way which seems right to a person, but its end is the way of death.
God is in the business of recreating the mind of Jesus in us
These 8 attitudes build on top of each other, they are in order
Matt. 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed, happy, content, fortunate are those poor in spirit.
“To be poor in spirit is… to acknowledge spiritual bankruptcy” – D.A. Carson
Bless are those who realize they can’t
John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Jesus is always Saviour before he is teacher – Charles Price
Heaven is filled with the worship of people who recognized their spiritual poverty and trusted
Col. 2:6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him
Philippians 2:13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
I can’t, so God give me the desire and power to change
Blessed are those who know they can’t but He can.
They trust in God and have the help of their King
Mourn/ Comforted
Matt. 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
We are morning the poverty in our spirits, morning the things we do wrong, the things left undone
Ps. 32:1-5 Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.
“When we honestly mourn our condition that we will discover some solution” – Charles Price
James 5:8-10 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honour.
A way of God: If we humble ourselves he lifts us up
If we exalt ourselves, he will humble us
Blessed are those who are broken over their brokenness.
God will pick them up and put them back together.