PREACHER: REV. CANON NEEQUAYE
The readings comprise the greatest sermons ever preached;
they tell us what to be like as children of God. So what are we supposed to be
like? In chapters 5, 6, 7 these sermons spoke to our hearts, they are things
that will send us to heaven if we noticed. Christ will not ask about material
things on the day of judgement, but about our relationship with God.
Blessed comes from a Latin word ‘biatos’ which means divine
joy and perfect happiness. These are the fruits we would reap from God’s words.
S/he is perfect in the relationship with God despite what is happening around
this cannot be termed abstract. Happiness is not about what we eat or drink but
loosing everything to gain Christ. Whether your brother dies, or all your
things are burnt by fire, your being resolute after all these show perfect joy.
The world looks at the outward things and concludes who is blessed, but God
sees your relationship and how close you come to him.
The poor in spirit is the one who is inwardly humble, to
empty oneself. He who confesses to God I know nothing despite being a
professor; doctor et.c of all the apostles Paul said he was the least. Moses
was called by God to lead his people; he looked to the fire [supposed God
before him] and said he was a stammerer asking God to choose someone else
thereby emptying himself before him. He went ahead to select Aaron for God (Exodus
4:10), Jeremiah also said he was a little child and did not know nothing.
Isaiah told God he was a sinner when God spoke to him through the angels. Peter
saw Jesus Christ and said he was a sinner, asking God to go away from him, he
became the greatest apostle (Luke 5:8). Paul said “I have given up everything I
own and all I want to know is the power that raised Jesus from the dead so I
can be used by him” (1 Cor. 2:1-5,2 Cor. 3:5). In you I put aside everything that I
have.
When someone walks up to you to congratulate you on a job
well done, do you emphasize Christ enables you to do what you’re doing. The one
who always says to God, you are the source of my living. That in Christ you can
do all things.
Blessed are those who mourn for they would be comforted
refers to those who constantly reflect on their lives and ask the Holy Spirit
to overcome.
Blessed are the meek. The world says if you want to inherit the
earth get money, power, fame et.c., Jesus said be meek, meekness means being
humble before God. It is a power used in the power of God. Micah 6, I’m the one
who gives everything. What have I done wrong to you? I brought you out of
Egypt, gave you a leader, is same Jesus says when he brings us from slavery and
says he would stay with us till the end of the Earth. In v.8 he shows what is good
and to walk humbly with God.
The rest of the verses, the one who hunger and thirsts for
righteousness sake is studying God’s word. You will be filled when you hunger
for righteousness. Pure in heart engulfs all the things God wants us to do. You
cannot be a peacemaker, a forgiver if you do not make peace or forgive. Jesus
is the peace of God to us to reconcile us before God. This is what we are
called to do to bring peace into the life of others.
People of old were determined to be burnt for their faith.
Some of us today would run away and ask for repentance. Most of us misuse his
grace but today, may god in his wisdom help us to live a life of righteousness.
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