BE COMFORTED (2 OF 8)
by Tony Thomas
Scripture: Matthew 5:4, Psalms 34
This content is part of a series.
Be Comforted (2 of 8)
Series: The ''Be'' Attitudes
Tony Thomas
Matthew 5:4; Psalms 34
Our church has suffered more than our fair share of tragedies. Almost every row is filled with hardship: financial, relational, medical, and vocational. Everywhere I look I see poor health, anxious thoughts, and strained relationships.
In his book John Adams, David McCullough includes a great line: ''When a man is hurt, he loves to talk of his wounds.'' I'd like to think that McCullough got that line from the Bible. Maybe fJob? ''Man is but a few days and full of trouble'' (Job 14:1).
In Patrick Morley's book Man in the Mirror, there's another great line: ''Suffering is inevitable; misery is optional.'' We can't control what happens to us, but we can control our response. So, I want to focus our attention on maintaining a cheerful spirit in the midst of trouble.
R.E.M. used to sing: ''Everyone hurts sometimes; everyone cries sometimes ... so hold on.'' But what do we hold onto? In Matthew 5, Jesus encourages us to hold onto the ''Be'' Attitudes.
The Gospel writers recorded five sermons that Jesus preached, and Matthew includes the Sermon on the Mount. The introduction includes eight paradoxical statements, and these statements conflict with the world's philosophies.
Last week we began the series with the first Be Attitude: ''Blessed are the poor in spirt, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.'' That phrase, ''Poor in Spirit,'' means to crouch, and God promises to elevate those who live a life of humility.
The second Be Attitude is found in Matthew 5:
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Phillips Happy are those who know what sorrow means, for they will be given courage and comfort!
Some Christians believe that everything that happens is part of God's plan (we call that ''predestination''). When the furnace goes out they say, ''It must be God's will.'' When that check bounces they say, ''It's God's will. When that fender-bender ...
Series: The ''Be'' Attitudes
Tony Thomas
Matthew 5:4; Psalms 34
Our church has suffered more than our fair share of tragedies. Almost every row is filled with hardship: financial, relational, medical, and vocational. Everywhere I look I see poor health, anxious thoughts, and strained relationships.
In his book John Adams, David McCullough includes a great line: ''When a man is hurt, he loves to talk of his wounds.'' I'd like to think that McCullough got that line from the Bible. Maybe fJob? ''Man is but a few days and full of trouble'' (Job 14:1).
In Patrick Morley's book Man in the Mirror, there's another great line: ''Suffering is inevitable; misery is optional.'' We can't control what happens to us, but we can control our response. So, I want to focus our attention on maintaining a cheerful spirit in the midst of trouble.
R.E.M. used to sing: ''Everyone hurts sometimes; everyone cries sometimes ... so hold on.'' But what do we hold onto? In Matthew 5, Jesus encourages us to hold onto the ''Be'' Attitudes.
The Gospel writers recorded five sermons that Jesus preached, and Matthew includes the Sermon on the Mount. The introduction includes eight paradoxical statements, and these statements conflict with the world's philosophies.
Last week we began the series with the first Be Attitude: ''Blessed are the poor in spirt, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.'' That phrase, ''Poor in Spirit,'' means to crouch, and God promises to elevate those who live a life of humility.
The second Be Attitude is found in Matthew 5:
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Phillips Happy are those who know what sorrow means, for they will be given courage and comfort!
Some Christians believe that everything that happens is part of God's plan (we call that ''predestination''). When the furnace goes out they say, ''It must be God's will.'' When that check bounces they say, ''It's God's will. When that fender-bender ...
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