Title: No Fine Print (8)
Series: Get Used to Different
Author: James Merritt
Text: Matthew 5:10
Introduction
1. One of the signs that you have finally reached adulthood full-fledged adulthood is when you have to put your name on a contract. One of the first lessons you learn (early on) whenever you sign a contract is you are told to always read the "fine print." Yet, if you are probably like me and most other people, less than one person in 1000 ever reads the fine print in a contract. You probably should as the following true story illustrates.
2. In 2017, 22,000 people in Great Britain signed up for free public Wi-Fi called "Purple," but they didn't read the fine print. In the contract, they also agreed to do 1000 hours of community service which included cleaning toilets and relieving sewer blockages. It does pay to read the fine print!
3. With Jesus you don't sign a contract. You enter into a covenant. You make a sacred commitment. But, here is the good news. With Jesus, there is no fine print. You learn that in a statement Jesus made in what is called "The Beatitudes." We are in a series of messages on the greatest sermon ever preached - The Sermon on the Mount that we've entitled "Get Used to Different" because nobody has ever been more different than Jesus and nobody has ever called people to be more different than Jesus.
4. In Matthew 5:10, Jesus very honestly lets everyone know that is determined to follow him and be different it won't be easy.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:10, NIV)
5. Now if this verse causes you trouble it should. First of all, it is really counterintuitive and almost contradictory. Jesus says, "Happy are you if you are persecuted." That's a twist. Usually we think people are blessed or fortunate if they can dodge the bullet; not bite the bullet. In fact, let's be honest. It is kind of difficult for us living in this coun ...
Series: Get Used to Different
Author: James Merritt
Text: Matthew 5:10
Introduction
1. One of the signs that you have finally reached adulthood full-fledged adulthood is when you have to put your name on a contract. One of the first lessons you learn (early on) whenever you sign a contract is you are told to always read the "fine print." Yet, if you are probably like me and most other people, less than one person in 1000 ever reads the fine print in a contract. You probably should as the following true story illustrates.
2. In 2017, 22,000 people in Great Britain signed up for free public Wi-Fi called "Purple," but they didn't read the fine print. In the contract, they also agreed to do 1000 hours of community service which included cleaning toilets and relieving sewer blockages. It does pay to read the fine print!
3. With Jesus you don't sign a contract. You enter into a covenant. You make a sacred commitment. But, here is the good news. With Jesus, there is no fine print. You learn that in a statement Jesus made in what is called "The Beatitudes." We are in a series of messages on the greatest sermon ever preached - The Sermon on the Mount that we've entitled "Get Used to Different" because nobody has ever been more different than Jesus and nobody has ever called people to be more different than Jesus.
4. In Matthew 5:10, Jesus very honestly lets everyone know that is determined to follow him and be different it won't be easy.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:10, NIV)
5. Now if this verse causes you trouble it should. First of all, it is really counterintuitive and almost contradictory. Jesus says, "Happy are you if you are persecuted." That's a twist. Usually we think people are blessed or fortunate if they can dodge the bullet; not bite the bullet. In fact, let's be honest. It is kind of difficult for us living in this coun ...
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