This is a story that Pastor David Gibbs from Lancaster Baptist Church tells of his upbringing: One day my dad came to me and he said, "I'm worried about you, David." He said, "You're selfish. I don't ever see you offer to help people. It's time for you to learn to serve.”
I said, "What do you have in mind?" And he said, "Our neighbor down the road, the Tates, he's dying. He's really sick. And he's too sick to put out his corn. And I want you to go down and talk to Mrs. Tate and offer to serve them.”
"I want you to do something for them, not looking for something in return."
"I want you to do something for them, not looking for something in return."
And I said, "Whoa, dad, I know you love me and I don't want to be selfish. That's a sin. But dad, we don't want to do the Tate's corn.” I said, "There's not a nastier, meaner woman on the planet than Mrs. Tate!"
My dad said, "I picked the Tate's for a reason son. If you can't learn to serve you're going nowhere with God." Well, we went down to the Tate's knocked on their door and here come Mrs. Tate. She opened the screen door, she didn't say "hi" she started cussing me out standing there, "What do you want little Gibbs!?"
I told my dad, "Do you hear this?" Then I turned to her, "I don't want nothing my dad wants to talk to you."
My dad said, "I picked the Tate's for a reason son. If you can't learn to serve you're going nowhere with God." Well, we went down to the Tate's knocked on their door and here come Mrs. Tate. She opened the screen door, she didn't say "hi" she started cussing me out standing there, "What do you want little Gibbs!?"
I told my dad, "Do you hear this?" Then I turned to her, "I don't want nothing my dad wants to talk to you."
My dad said, “No, tell her what you want to do.”
I said, "Mrs. Tate I know your husband's dying, and you're not getting your crop out. Well we'd like to help get your crop out-" And my dad stopped me. He said, "Tell her it would be your privilege."
I said, “My dad thinks I'm selfish. I probably am. But my Bible says it would be our privilege to serve you."
She replied, “Well, my equipment is not ready.” My dad said, "That's okay. We'll use ours. My boy wants to serve you because he's a Christian.”
She looked at me and she said, “Is that right?” I said, "well, yeah.” So we got their crop out. Then we got it harvested. My dad sold the corn. He said, "Now I want you to take the money to her and thank her for the privilege."
I went down the road and knocked on her door. And I said, "Here you go, Mrs. Tate."
She looked at me and she said, “Is that right?” I said, "well, yeah.” So we got their crop out. Then we got it harvested. My dad sold the corn. He said, "Now I want you to take the money to her and thank her for the privilege."
I went down the road and knocked on her door. And I said, "Here you go, Mrs. Tate."
She looked at me and said, "I know you guys are always inviting us to go to church. We've never gone, but any chance we could go this Sunday with you?" They both went and he got saved.
In less than two weeks, he was in eternity. At my wedding, years later obviously, Mrs. Tate was there. She came up to me and said that day: "I'm so glad your dad taught you to serve, son."
Two things happened, first, a family got blessed, but additionally, for David Gibbs, his heart was deeply affected by these events. He was changed.
When I think of the life of Jesus, he lived these truths. And he also taught them. And we teach about them in our sermons today. Our sermons attempt to communicate truths that will help us to live the way described in this true story from the life of pastor David Gibbs.
A sermon can teach us and inspire us to live out a heart of loving service. I'm sure you can think of many sermons in your life that have deeply touched you. I think of so many of the greats. Certain names come to mind, John Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, A.W. Tozer... But there is one single, great, perfect sermon. And it was given by none other than Jesus our savior himself. Today we refer to it as the sermon on the mount.
For this new sermon series the Lord has given us, we are going to go through the different sections of the sermon on the mount, examining what they mean for our hearts.
We will be in Matthew 5:1-20.
Beginning in Matthew 5:1-2: “1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.”
As often was the case, Jesus sat down to begin teaching. His 12 disciples gathered closest around him, and the crowds gathered on the hillside for the message.
We don’t know exactly how many were present, but most likely there were thousands, possibly even more.
This sermon message would be the key manifesto of the kingdom of God: How to live as a Christian in a broken world. This first section deals with the human heart. And as Jesus often did, he flips the expectations of the world on their head.
He began this way, verse 3: “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
When you see that word blessed, you can also think of it as if Jesus was saying “happy are those who…” "Or favored are those who…"
The first thing he mentioned is the concept of being poor in spirit. What does this mean? The original Greek here pictures someone who is a complete beggar, something with inner bankruptcy toward God.
It reminds me of step 1 in the 12 steps: "I admitted I was powerless, that my life is unmanageable."
God wants us to come to him, and he says we are blessed and happy, if we come to him knowing we are completely reliant on Him for everything.
Complete and utter dependence on God. Is that who you are today?
I need Jesus. Totally reliant or…
I’m in control, and I tag religion on to the side. Do we have some controlling domineering types in the room? You must surrender and become totally reliant on God. You are not in control. God is in control. And when we try to be in control, we’re usurping the place of God. We are playing God, and that is idolatry.
Those who recognize, they are poor in spirit, totally dependent on God, Jesus says, will belong in the kingdom of God. They find a safe comfortable place within it’s borders.
Next, verse 4: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
A mourning heart is a heart that is grieved over their own sins, the sins of the world around them, and the unsaved people in the world. This Greek word pictures heavy grief. And remember, Jesus is speaking to a crowd where many have not embraced him as their savior, so he’s pointing to people who are unsaved, and he’s saying if you grieve over your inability to follow the Torah, you will be comforted, if you grieve over your sin, and I think this is key: If you grieve over your disconnectedness from God, you will be comforted.
Next, verse 5: "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."
In English we often think of meek as being the same thing as weak or pandering. But in the original Greek, it pictures great strength placed under control, a strength tamed and submitted to God, and channeled toward God’s purposes.
In Greek literature praus was the exact Greek word used for when a wild horse was captured, tamed, and broken in, to be a warhorse. It’s strength wasn’t removed, but it was channeled toward a different purpose.
Next, verse 6: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."
The first three mentioned here, poor in spirit, mourning over sin, and meek/humble, all bring someone to the point of hungering and thirsting for something more, something holy, something pure, hungering and thirsting for righteousness. And Jesus promises, if you do, you will be filled.
Filled by Jesus Christ himself. Filled by his body and his blood. Filled with the Holy Spirit.
Jesus takes the person who is poor, mourning, and meek, and longing for righteousness, and that person is in a perfect position to recognize their need of a savior, and receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior. Isn’t that amazing?
And I think the next few verses of the beatitudes are all going to explain, after receiving Christ, how to live.
Verse 7: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
Once we’ve seen God’s mercy to us, all our sins forgiven, God wants us to show mercy to others. To avoid judgment. But to forgive quickly and love. Position of the heart.
Verse 8: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."
This depicts the second work of grace, a heart made pure and holy in love. The pure in heart, made so by Jesus, made so by the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying work, will see God face to face.
Verse 9: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."
What does the word of God mean by peacemaker? This is very important, we are called in the Bible, ambassadors, peacemakers in the world.
But this does not refer to the modern concept of “keeping the peace” by staying quiet. I think many Christians think that, if I just stay quiet I can keep the peace, but it’s a false peace.
The biblical concept of peacemaker, is “making peace” by actively stepping into broken situations, and bringing healing and peace of Christ.
Often we think well, just don’t make waves. Jesus made waves. For the right reasons of course. Make waves when Jesus calls you to, for a holy purpose. Don’t “keep the peace” be one who goes out and makes peace a reality in people’s lives by ministering to them.
Next, verse 10: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Essentially, it’s saying, to live holy, in accordance with the kingdom of God as Jesus is describing it, means you will be persecuted.
Verses 11 and 12 are going to expand on this: 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Happy are you if you’re insulted, persecuted, and falsely called evil things, because of Jesus. The result? A great reward is waiting for you in heaven.
Jesus understands that it’ll hurt, but, he reminds us that our response should be to rejoice, have joy when we’re persecuted, because we know it means rewards in the future. (Not an easy thing to do apart from the Lord)
Verse 13 is fascinating: “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”
It is possible, Jesus is saying, for a disciple to be the salt of the Earth, on the cutting edge of culture and society and leading the way of humanity toward truth, or a disciple can drift, and become bland, and then he says, once bland, it’s no longer good for anything but to be trampled under foot.
We are called to be a physical extension of God’s kingdom. Every offering given in the Old Testament, in Leviticus was to be salted, Leviticus 2:13 said, "Salt all your grain offerings, do not withhold the salt of the covenant you have with God."
Jesus gives another metaphor, verses 14-16: “14 You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
So Jesus has gone through 9 heart positions, internal heart positions, but now he quickly points to externally focused actions. Be salt to the world, don’t lose your saltiness. Be light to the world, do not hide your light, but let your light shine through actions that flow from a heart devoted to God.
In Jewish culture, it’s interesting, the temple was considered the light of the world, but Jesus is saying "No, it’s you."
In the last four verses, Jesus is going to tie together the opening section of his sermon with profound statements.
Verses 17-18: 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.”
Many in the crowds I’m sure were beginning to believe that Jesus was doing away with all the commandments of God, in favor of a different way. But Jesus says, that isn’t the case. He didn’t come to abolish the Torah, but fulfill the Torah. In fact what Jesus brings builds on the torah, it’s the next step in the spiritual development of humanity.
For us today, Jesus speaks again to our hearts, often our hearts want to “get out” of the responsibility of obedience to God. We tell ourselves well Jesus paid it all, so I can live however I want, and even if I keep sinning it’s ok, but Jesus says no, I haven’t come to do away with God’s commands, I’ve come to fulfill them. Jesus comes to give new commands, his two great commands to love God and love others. And to follow the Spirit, to love our neighbor, to repent of sin by the power of the Holy Spirit. He didn’t come to end all law, but to fulfill an old law, and bring a new law, the law of love, of the life giving Spirit.
Jesus continues: v. 19 “Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
If we teach God’s commands as optional, we will still go to heaven, but we’ll be considered least in the kingdom of God. But, if we teach the whole counsel of God, the whole word of God as commands, we will be called great in the kingdom of God.
Lastly, verse 20, Jesus dangles us on a ledge: “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
How could that be possible? Jesus would willingly give His life on the cross, to make us holy. And he would send us the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit would sanctify us, cleanse us, so that we would go even further than the old laws. The old testament law said, "an eye for an eye", we are told to love and pray for our enemies. The Old Testament said by your actions you’ll be judged, for us, our thoughts are considered also.
Many denominations would say that Jesus fulfilled it all, so we will sin all the times, but it’s OK. The word of God tells us, shall we go on sinning so grace may abound? By no means (Romans 6:1). By the Spirit, we are to put to death the deeds of the flesh (Romans 8:13). And it all goes back to the heart. Because of Jesus Christ, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit with us, we can live a righteous life. With a new heart, given by Jesus, anything is possible!
Think back to the opening illustration: Little David Gibbs was discipled by his dad, to go do an act of service, and it changed the lives of people he served, but it also changed David’s own heart. Jesus is like the dad in the story, calling us to acts of love and service, and those acts definitely do help other people, but those acts also change our hearts. They mold our hearts into Christ’s likeness. But, when we avoid them, or ignore them, or even do something the opposite of love, that also forms and shapes our heart, in the wrong direction.
Do you long for a heart change today? Maybe you need the first heart change today, that is stone to fresh, that is giving your life to Jesus Christ and being born again? If that's you, give your life to Him today. But perhaps as a Christian you need a heart change?
Maybe you need to go from wounded, to healed? Ask Jesus.
Maybe you long to go from controlling to submitted? Ask Jesus.
Maybe you desire to go from angry to gentle? Ask Jesus.
Maybe you need to go from ashamed to set free? Ask Jesus.
Maybe you need to go from bitter to joyous? Ask Jesus.
Maybe you long to go from selfish to servant heart? Ask Jesus.
In less than two weeks, he was in eternity. At my wedding, years later obviously, Mrs. Tate was there. She came up to me and said that day: "I'm so glad your dad taught you to serve, son."
Two things happened, first, a family got blessed, but additionally, for David Gibbs, his heart was deeply affected by these events. He was changed.
When I think of the life of Jesus, he lived these truths. And he also taught them. And we teach about them in our sermons today. Our sermons attempt to communicate truths that will help us to live the way described in this true story from the life of pastor David Gibbs.
A sermon can teach us and inspire us to live out a heart of loving service. I'm sure you can think of many sermons in your life that have deeply touched you. I think of so many of the greats. Certain names come to mind, John Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, A.W. Tozer... But there is one single, great, perfect sermon. And it was given by none other than Jesus our savior himself. Today we refer to it as the sermon on the mount.
For this new sermon series the Lord has given us, we are going to go through the different sections of the sermon on the mount, examining what they mean for our hearts.
We will be in Matthew 5:1-20.
Beginning in Matthew 5:1-2: “1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.”
As often was the case, Jesus sat down to begin teaching. His 12 disciples gathered closest around him, and the crowds gathered on the hillside for the message.
We don’t know exactly how many were present, but most likely there were thousands, possibly even more.
This sermon message would be the key manifesto of the kingdom of God: How to live as a Christian in a broken world. This first section deals with the human heart. And as Jesus often did, he flips the expectations of the world on their head.
He began this way, verse 3: “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
When you see that word blessed, you can also think of it as if Jesus was saying “happy are those who…” "Or favored are those who…"
The first thing he mentioned is the concept of being poor in spirit. What does this mean? The original Greek here pictures someone who is a complete beggar, something with inner bankruptcy toward God.
It reminds me of step 1 in the 12 steps: "I admitted I was powerless, that my life is unmanageable."
God wants us to come to him, and he says we are blessed and happy, if we come to him knowing we are completely reliant on Him for everything.
Complete and utter dependence on God. Is that who you are today?
I need Jesus. Totally reliant or…
I’m in control, and I tag religion on to the side. Do we have some controlling domineering types in the room? You must surrender and become totally reliant on God. You are not in control. God is in control. And when we try to be in control, we’re usurping the place of God. We are playing God, and that is idolatry.
Those who recognize, they are poor in spirit, totally dependent on God, Jesus says, will belong in the kingdom of God. They find a safe comfortable place within it’s borders.
Next, verse 4: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
A mourning heart is a heart that is grieved over their own sins, the sins of the world around them, and the unsaved people in the world. This Greek word pictures heavy grief. And remember, Jesus is speaking to a crowd where many have not embraced him as their savior, so he’s pointing to people who are unsaved, and he’s saying if you grieve over your inability to follow the Torah, you will be comforted, if you grieve over your sin, and I think this is key: If you grieve over your disconnectedness from God, you will be comforted.
Next, verse 5: "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."
In English we often think of meek as being the same thing as weak or pandering. But in the original Greek, it pictures great strength placed under control, a strength tamed and submitted to God, and channeled toward God’s purposes.
In Greek literature praus was the exact Greek word used for when a wild horse was captured, tamed, and broken in, to be a warhorse. It’s strength wasn’t removed, but it was channeled toward a different purpose.
Next, verse 6: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."
The first three mentioned here, poor in spirit, mourning over sin, and meek/humble, all bring someone to the point of hungering and thirsting for something more, something holy, something pure, hungering and thirsting for righteousness. And Jesus promises, if you do, you will be filled.
Filled by Jesus Christ himself. Filled by his body and his blood. Filled with the Holy Spirit.
Jesus takes the person who is poor, mourning, and meek, and longing for righteousness, and that person is in a perfect position to recognize their need of a savior, and receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior. Isn’t that amazing?
And I think the next few verses of the beatitudes are all going to explain, after receiving Christ, how to live.
Verse 7: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
Once we’ve seen God’s mercy to us, all our sins forgiven, God wants us to show mercy to others. To avoid judgment. But to forgive quickly and love. Position of the heart.
Verse 8: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."
This depicts the second work of grace, a heart made pure and holy in love. The pure in heart, made so by Jesus, made so by the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying work, will see God face to face.
Verse 9: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."
What does the word of God mean by peacemaker? This is very important, we are called in the Bible, ambassadors, peacemakers in the world.
But this does not refer to the modern concept of “keeping the peace” by staying quiet. I think many Christians think that, if I just stay quiet I can keep the peace, but it’s a false peace.
The biblical concept of peacemaker, is “making peace” by actively stepping into broken situations, and bringing healing and peace of Christ.
Often we think well, just don’t make waves. Jesus made waves. For the right reasons of course. Make waves when Jesus calls you to, for a holy purpose. Don’t “keep the peace” be one who goes out and makes peace a reality in people’s lives by ministering to them.
Next, verse 10: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Essentially, it’s saying, to live holy, in accordance with the kingdom of God as Jesus is describing it, means you will be persecuted.
Verses 11 and 12 are going to expand on this: 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Happy are you if you’re insulted, persecuted, and falsely called evil things, because of Jesus. The result? A great reward is waiting for you in heaven.
Jesus understands that it’ll hurt, but, he reminds us that our response should be to rejoice, have joy when we’re persecuted, because we know it means rewards in the future. (Not an easy thing to do apart from the Lord)
Verse 13 is fascinating: “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”
It is possible, Jesus is saying, for a disciple to be the salt of the Earth, on the cutting edge of culture and society and leading the way of humanity toward truth, or a disciple can drift, and become bland, and then he says, once bland, it’s no longer good for anything but to be trampled under foot.
We are called to be a physical extension of God’s kingdom. Every offering given in the Old Testament, in Leviticus was to be salted, Leviticus 2:13 said, "Salt all your grain offerings, do not withhold the salt of the covenant you have with God."
Jesus gives another metaphor, verses 14-16: “14 You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
So Jesus has gone through 9 heart positions, internal heart positions, but now he quickly points to externally focused actions. Be salt to the world, don’t lose your saltiness. Be light to the world, do not hide your light, but let your light shine through actions that flow from a heart devoted to God.
In Jewish culture, it’s interesting, the temple was considered the light of the world, but Jesus is saying "No, it’s you."
In the last four verses, Jesus is going to tie together the opening section of his sermon with profound statements.
Verses 17-18: 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.”
Many in the crowds I’m sure were beginning to believe that Jesus was doing away with all the commandments of God, in favor of a different way. But Jesus says, that isn’t the case. He didn’t come to abolish the Torah, but fulfill the Torah. In fact what Jesus brings builds on the torah, it’s the next step in the spiritual development of humanity.
For us today, Jesus speaks again to our hearts, often our hearts want to “get out” of the responsibility of obedience to God. We tell ourselves well Jesus paid it all, so I can live however I want, and even if I keep sinning it’s ok, but Jesus says no, I haven’t come to do away with God’s commands, I’ve come to fulfill them. Jesus comes to give new commands, his two great commands to love God and love others. And to follow the Spirit, to love our neighbor, to repent of sin by the power of the Holy Spirit. He didn’t come to end all law, but to fulfill an old law, and bring a new law, the law of love, of the life giving Spirit.
Jesus continues: v. 19 “Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
If we teach God’s commands as optional, we will still go to heaven, but we’ll be considered least in the kingdom of God. But, if we teach the whole counsel of God, the whole word of God as commands, we will be called great in the kingdom of God.
Lastly, verse 20, Jesus dangles us on a ledge: “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
How could that be possible? Jesus would willingly give His life on the cross, to make us holy. And he would send us the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit would sanctify us, cleanse us, so that we would go even further than the old laws. The old testament law said, "an eye for an eye", we are told to love and pray for our enemies. The Old Testament said by your actions you’ll be judged, for us, our thoughts are considered also.
Many denominations would say that Jesus fulfilled it all, so we will sin all the times, but it’s OK. The word of God tells us, shall we go on sinning so grace may abound? By no means (Romans 6:1). By the Spirit, we are to put to death the deeds of the flesh (Romans 8:13). And it all goes back to the heart. Because of Jesus Christ, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit with us, we can live a righteous life. With a new heart, given by Jesus, anything is possible!
Think back to the opening illustration: Little David Gibbs was discipled by his dad, to go do an act of service, and it changed the lives of people he served, but it also changed David’s own heart. Jesus is like the dad in the story, calling us to acts of love and service, and those acts definitely do help other people, but those acts also change our hearts. They mold our hearts into Christ’s likeness. But, when we avoid them, or ignore them, or even do something the opposite of love, that also forms and shapes our heart, in the wrong direction.
Do you long for a heart change today? Maybe you need the first heart change today, that is stone to fresh, that is giving your life to Jesus Christ and being born again? If that's you, give your life to Him today. But perhaps as a Christian you need a heart change?
Maybe you need to go from wounded, to healed? Ask Jesus.
Maybe you long to go from controlling to submitted? Ask Jesus.
Maybe you desire to go from angry to gentle? Ask Jesus.
Maybe you need to go from ashamed to set free? Ask Jesus.
Maybe you need to go from bitter to joyous? Ask Jesus.
Maybe you long to go from selfish to servant heart? Ask Jesus.
He will changes our hearts. All we have to do is ask. But, don't be surprised if His answer includes an action that will craft the heart change in you that you desire.
