PENTECOST 22 – ALL SAINTS DAY – Nov. 1, 2020 – Matt. 5:1-12
“WHAT GOD’S CHILDREN LOOK LIKE”
Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Gospel Lesson, from Matthew 5, the sayings of Jesus commonly referred to as the “Beatitudes.” We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- As a young person I wondered what a “child of God” might look like. My presumption was that such a person, beloved of God, decent, privileged, and rewarded by God, would be rich, good looking, healthy, athletic, brilliant, successful, and universally popular! Unfortunately, I didn’t see anyone like this in the church!
- What I did observe in the church was a very diverse group of people – tall and short, blond, brunette, and red haired, thin and plump, some financially successful but many not so much, healthy people and sickly folks, intelligent people and also those with mental impediments. Which were the children of God, and which were not?
- My presumptions had to change – it was very confusing. But as I contemplated all of this, and especially the teachings of Jesus, that the Kingdom of God does not come with observation but is within people [Luke 17:20,21], and as I read the Words of Jesus in our text, and studied what the lives of true children of God were like, it became much easier to see “WHAT GOD’S CHILDREN LOOK LIKE.”
- So this morning let us look once again at what Jesus taught about His “blessed” children of faith – that we may clearly see our own identity and how blessed we are no matter our circumstances in this life! This is Jesus’ emphasis, that:
I. God’s Children Are Richly Blessed
In our text, each of the descriptions that Jesus gives of children of God begins with “blessed are those.”
Stop to consider what the psalmist asserted about how God blesses His dear children:
Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd:
I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
Statement: Everything that we need for a pleasant and hearty life in this world is provided to us by our Great Good Shepherd, our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Likewise, everything needed for our passing through death, and into the life to come has been provided for us by Jesus! We will dwell in His house forever!
Application: But there is no description that He will make us beautiful, all-stars, billionaires, politicians, or admired by everyone. We will be healthy, but still on a path that leads through “the valley of the shadow of death.” It will be okay for us in this life, and spectacular in the life to come! However,
II. God’s Children Do Not Appear To Be Privileged And Blessed To Those Who Are Worldly And Unbelieving
Rather:
A. Jesus Describes God’s Children As Being Poor In Spirit
Text: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God.”
B. Jesus Describes God’s Children As Being Mournful
Text: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
C. Jesus Describes God’s Children As Meek, Not Proud Or Arrogant
Text: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
D. Jesus Describes God’s Children As Hungering And Thirsting For Righteousness
Text: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
E. Jesus Describes God’s Children As Being Merciful
Text: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”
F. Jesus Describes God’s Children As Pure In Heart
Text: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
G. Jesus Describes God’s Children As Being Peace-Makers
Text: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
H. Jesus Describes God’s Children As Being Persecuted And Reviled For Righteousness’ Sake, Because Of Our Loyalty To Him
Text: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Statement: Jesus doesn’t tell us that we should strive to be this way and to try to look like this. He is actually describing the effects of a life of repentance and confessing our sins, and a life of trusting in His gracious mercy and forgiveness. The effect of this is an ever sharper and clearer vision and understanding of all things in this world, especially the degradation of human sin, the tragedy. And it is not only the shameful sin within us, or the wicked sins that take place that cause us to mourn, but even more so the damnable insistence of many people that we do not need God, that we can fix things ourselves. Such arrogance also leads to persecution of those who rely and trust in God alone. But the real damage and catastrophe is what happens to those who reject God’s love!
Application: So, if you look in the mirror – not just at your physical appearance, but within your soul – do you see these things? When I was younger, these were exactly the things that I tried to avoid! I wanted happiness, peace, to get along with everyone, to have abundance, to be successful even more than others. But I believe that God has had His way with me, just as He is having His way with you, His dear children of faith.
Now these things can surely get us down, and if we focus and concentrate only on the the negative things of sin in the world, we may in fact reach burn out and despair! This is not what God wills for His children. Rather:
III. God Wants Us To Remember And Know That We Are Richly Blessed
Nine times Jesus calls us blessed. And He assures us:
Yours is the kingdom of heaven.
You shall be comforted.
You shall inherit the earth.
You will be satisfied with righteousness and goodness.
You shall receive mercy.
You shall see God.
You are called the sons of God.
Great is your reward in heaven.
Conclusion: It is by understanding the deferred blessings of being children of God, and patiently waiting for them in faith and trust in God, that guarantees that we will retain these characteristics.
As we continue to grow in our knowledge of and understanding of God’s Word, the Holy Scriptures, the Bible, we continue to grow in these characteristics. And the blessings in this life, and especially in the life to come, become greater and greater.
So as you look for “children of God,” know that it is not physical appearance that marks God’s children. Nor is it financial success, or intellectual brilliance, or athletic prowess, or popularity. Rather, it is siding with God in repentance and faith, and seeing the world as God sees it. It is a matter of being strengthened and sustained by the promises of God.
Blessed you are, and blessed you shall be forever. Yours is the kingdom of heaven, and you will inherit the earth. You will dwell in the house of the Lord forever! Thanks and praise be to God, Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.