Beatitude Adjustment

1-29-23                       Sermon Notes            “A Beatitude Adjustment”

This morning when I went through the drive-thru at McDonalds for my Diet Coke, the nice lady at the window said, “Have a blessed day.” I said, “Thank you.” I didn’t ask her to expound on what she meant by “blessed.” I think I know. I think what she meant was, “I hope you have a nice day…that things go well for you today.” I appreciate that. However, I don’t think “have a blessed day” was what Jesus meant in the greatest sermon ever preached - The Sermon on the Mount.

Here’s what Jesus said about “blessed” in the sermon:

[1] Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him. 

[2] And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 

[3] "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

[4] "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 

[5] "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 

[6] "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 

[7] "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 

[8] "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 

[9] "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 

[10] "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

[11] "Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 

[12] Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matt. 5: 1-12 NRSV)

Jesus is not saying in his sermon that those who possess these particular character qualities will “have a nice day.” “Blessed are” in this context is speaking about a kind of divine favor - a true spiritual joy which is bestowed by God and which flows from within a person, regardless of that person’s circumstances. 

So…can a person be having a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day and still be called “blessed?” Yes, Alexander. Yes, you can.

This kind of living requires an attitude adjustment. Join us this Sunday as we explore how the greatest sermon ever preached teaches us how to think about ourselves, how to think about our sins, how to think about God, and how to think about “the world” in a way that produces blessedness. 

See you Sunday,

Pastor Sam