Earlier Sketchnote on Poor & Mourning
This sermon today (Sunday 7thJuly 2013)
Rev Ivan Tan speaking on part 2 of his mini-series on The Beatitudes
The third beatitude speaks of the meek.
Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.
Certainly the meek are humble and gentle.
But contrary to popular belef, the meek are not weak.
Quite the opposite.
The meek are strong but able to exercise self control.
The meek are self aware.
Proper understanding of self
of strengths and weaknesses
allows them to be secure
They can sense evil
They can endure hardships.
Meekness is embodied in Proverbs 15:1
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
New International Version (NIV)
Meekness allows you to surrender all you have and all you are to God.
The meek shall inherit the earth.
This promise is fulfilled both in the present and in the future.
This is for the here and now.
This is also for the age to come.
The fourth beatitude speaks of Hunger and Thirst.
Matt 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Hunger and thirst are very basic body appetites.
We will not rest till our hunger and thirst are satisfied.
We do not stop till we get food and drink.
But how do we hunger and thirst for righteousness?
Righteousness may be seen as personal and social holiness.
Sermon iluustration
Pastor not well, tired breathless.
Sees doctor
All tests negative
Cannot find anything wrong
Wife rightly observes,
"Perhaps too many meetings, too much work, always busy busy.
Need to slow down, step back, pause.
Focus on what is important,"
The way to satisfaction of this hunger is a deepening relationship with Jesus
Plus love and empathy with people.
To grow His kingdom.
To share in the bread and cup in communion
And to intentionally read his word.
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