JSM | Identity .1 | Humility (6/9/2024)

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount | Identity .1 | Humility
By Rev. Nicholas Sybrowsky
Heb. (נּט רּקהץ מּןביםךשד דּטנרם'דלט)Gk. (Βψ Ρεω. Νιξηολασ Σψβροωσκψ) 

Live Service:  YouTube@DoveCreekAGTV

Invocation:  Shared from the heart.

Opening Word & Reading for Worship:

According to Matthew after the temptation of Jesus in the desert, Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, Jesus returned to Galilee.  Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah…the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned…from that time on Jesus began to preach,

 

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near. ~Paraphrased Mt 4:1-17 (NIV).

Depending on the translation you look at both Jesus and John had unique yet very similar purpose, hence here in the NIV according to Matthew, Jesus basically picked up where John had left off with “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

I don’t know about you but speaking for myself.  Repentance is an ongoing process in life as I know it.  Let the Lord know how you feel.  Express your remorse, express the sorrow you have for not having been more obedient.  Give him all your affection, adoration, confession and worry right now today.  Leave it at the Altar.  Be purified by praise!  

Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. (Ps.34:3 NIV).

Offering & Announcement:  

Fifth Sunday pushed to July 28th: Potluck, Testimony Open Mic :05 and Water Baptism.

Sermon Intro:  

The Good Life of God’s Kingdom has come to the least likely People.  Hearing this message in that day/era on the mount was a surprise to they that were hearing it.  In my opinion, because they anticipated that their righteousness as taught by their religious leaders was what would lead to another dynasty on earth.  An earthly dynasty such as in the height of King David’s rule and reign of which even greater earthly riches occurred in David’s son King Solomon. 

  

For me this begs the following questions.  Who am I?  Who are you?  Who is who?  Knowing who is who in the zoo on earth is important.  Image and recognition of our surroundings is basic to our earthly existence.  Identity is important to all of us.  It was important to the animation character Popeye who said, “I am what I am…”and some of you know the rest.  Toot, Toot! 😊  

Short in case you don't know him! 😁

Today we are witnessing a worldly trend of identity theft, identity dysphoria and age-old strawman arguments that tear down and defame one’s true character via information and misinformation campaigns.  Lying and bearing false witness is on the main stage publicly in some arenas of medium streams.  “Strawman” is an intentional misrepresented proposition that is set up because it is easier to defeat than an opponent’s real argument.  It’s a way to sidestep tough subjects and appear to have refuted said subject yet not answer it at all.  It’s a falsehood.  Sadly, these falsehoods continue to run rampant today.  Making it difficult to judge reality.

Truthful identity has been and is being disputed by lies from the enemy.  The adversary has been attacking mankind’s identity from the beginning!  Beloved, don’t be surprised by these tactics of the adversary, they are as old as time.  Lie, cheat, steal, kill and destroy those are the tactics of the enemy, the devil is a thief!  In the Genesis account we witness the Serpent tarnish the image of God and plant doubts in the minds of Adam and Eve. Arguably this scheme of the Devil stole their innocence. This started the enmity between the Serpent and the Creator and caused the Fall of Man. 

When Moses was called to lead God’s people out of slavery from Egypt in Ex. 3:13 and 14, 

he said to God, “I am going to the children of Israel and will say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ When they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?” And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM,” and He said, “You say this to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you’.”  ~ Exodus 3:13-14 (MEV)

Clear and truthful identity is critical to forward progress.  Moses knew this and God equipped him.

Little do many a people know now, what man has the ability to know relevant to our own image and the image we bear.  We, as in we human beings, we were made “..in His own image.” The image of God.  In Latin Imageo Dei means “Image of God”.  In the Hebrew “in His own image” is a phrase used in Gen. 1:27, pronounced ‘selem’.  In the Greek the word for “the image” is ‘eikon’(ikown) similar in topic to “in His own image”.  Image matters to man and it matters to God.  This Greek pronunciation is peculiar to me because it sounds like the word “Icon” in our English language. Icon as in symbol, picture, idol, image, portrait, likeness, figure, statue, representation or model.  From the beginning of creation, mankind has been an “image bearer” of God, yet we sometimes lose vision of who we are and it’s usually because we’ve stopped pursuing the great I AM.  When we lose sight of who God is, we lose sight of who we are.  Hence, in my opinion today we’re witnessing a great volume of “falling away”.  Falling away as in going astray from that which is of God and for God.  One of you may think or say that it’s very easy to lose sight of God when he is invisible.  But I believe Paul and John describe well a response to you who might be struggling to “see” God.  In Paul’s letter to the Colossians in verse 15 of chapter 1 he says 

“He [(that is Jesus)] is the image of the invisible God and the firstborn of every creature.” (MEV). 

And in John 10:10, John quotes the Good Shepherd saying 

“"(10) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (Jhn 10:10 ESV)

Jesus is the “Good Shepherd” and he is the perfect representative of God on earth.  Let’s get into his description of Kingdom Identity.

 Main Text:  Kingdom Identity Mt. 5:1-16 | The Good Life 5:3-12 | :3

"(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 receive 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 others 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 they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Mat 5:1-12 ESV)

Parallels & Matches:  Luke 6:20-26

"(20) And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. (21) "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. "Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. (22) "Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! (23) Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets. (24) "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. (25) "Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. "Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. (26) "Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets." (Luk 6:20-26 ESV)

According to the late yet alive, Donald C. Stamps 

“Christ’s Sermon on the Mount, contain[s] a powerful yet practical revelation of the principles and standards by which God expects all Christians to live.  Of course, living up to these standards is possible only through faith in Jesus, the Son of God (Gal 2:20), and through the power of the Holy Spirit (cf. Ro.8:2-14; Gal 5:16-25).  In this message, Jesus teaches a large group of potential followers what it really means to follow him and be a part of God’s kingdom.  All who belong to the kingdom are to demonstrate godly character and have an intense hunger and thirst for righteousness.  [In other words, A strong desire to do what is right.]”

(Fire Bible Commentary MT.5-7)

According to Scholars of the James Strong’s Dictionary the phrase 

“in His own image” tselem (selem) means “image or likeness; its most celebrated theological and anthropological use was to depict human beings as made in God’s own image (Gen. 1:26, 27; 5:3).  People continue to be in His image even after the Fall, although the image is marred (Ge. 9:6), and still serves as the basis of the prohibition not to kill human beings.” ~AMG Strong's Dictionary

All life is sacred!  Life is sacred.  The ‘good life’ is sanctified!   

  

1. 5:1 Jesus sat. 

"(1) Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. ~ Mt 5:1 (ESV)

At my introduction to the series, I know I invited you to come and sit at the feet of Jesus while he preached the Sermon on the Mount.  But we can see that he was actually seated while his disciples and arguably some other followers stood near him.

Another translation renders this verse as

 "(1) And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:"   “And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain….”  (Mat 5:1 KJV).

We see this common practice by Jesus, leaving the crowds to get some space and to teach with better focus. He even left his disciples to get away.  To pray.  To rest.  To recharge his batteries if you will.

"(1) … when He was seated His disciples came to Him." (Mat 5:1 NKJV)

"(1) One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him," (Mat 5:1 NLT)

So, then this message isn’t for anyone other than those who follow Jesus.  He wasn’t heralding some great truth to the multitudes he was teaching his disciples.  Anyone who doesn’t follow Jesus will have a hard time accepting this lesson on the mount. 

A reminder and preview of our Mid-Week Study on Hermeneutics.  Remember the 5 C's of interpretation are:  Content, Context, Comparison, Culture. Consultation. 

The word ‘blessed’ means fortunate or prosperous.  Not physically, but spiritually is the context of his lesson here.

According to the late, yet alive Ps. Chuck Smith:  

“Now Jesus, in the beginning of this message, is describing the people that he is addressing the message to, for he is describing the child of God. Later on [in the case study regarding ‘Enemy Love’ Jesus] says, "that you might be the children of your Father"(Matthew 5:45), and he talks about "your Father". But here is the description, and it is in the form of what are known as beatitudes or the pronounced blessings. Now the word "blessed" literally means "oh, how happy" and because that is the literal meaning of the word "blessed", it seems paradoxical immediately to say, "Oh how happy are the poor in spirit".

Somehow, we don't think of the poor in spirit as being very happy people, and yet Jesus, in beginning his description of the child of God declares

Oh how happy are the poor in spirit (Mat 5:3):

Notice, and there have been some moderns who have sought to translate this or interpret this because it isn't a translation but an interpretation; blessed in spirit are the poor, but that is not necessarily a truth. Ps. Chuck knew many poor people who have a very bitter spirit and poverty does not make for a blessed or a happy spirit necessarily.” ~Ps. Chuck Smith

2. Nine "blessed" Eight Blessings.

 An overview of all nine of these “blessings” in relation to the reward for doing the ‘good life’.  “He Giveth” to the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake & to you (the disciples) when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on Jesus’ account.

he giveth -  (3) "Blessed…for theirs is…(4)…for they shall be (5) they shall inherit (6) they shall be (7) for they shall receive (8) they shall see (9) shall be called (10) for theirs is (11-12) for your reward is great in heaven. 

 “He Giveth” to you that sow humility, that mourn, that sow meekness,  to they that hunger and thirst for righteousness, that sow mercy and that sow purity in heart, that sow peacemaking and that aim to be effective spiritually.  If you sow these good things you will be blessed with a reward in heaven.

"(12) Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." ~James 1:12 (CSB)

3. Blessings for those who are :3 poor in spirit, 

What does it mean to be “poor in spirit,”?  "poor in spirit" 'Those who are not spiritually arrogant'

God gives grace to the humble. Remind you, Grace as in 'unearned favor'.

Some scripture to validate the meaning of ‘poor in the spirit”:

"(5) Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all [of you] be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble." ~1Pe 5:5 (KJV)

"(34) Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly." ~Pro 3:34 (KJV)

"(34) He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed." ~Pro 3:34 (NIV)

"(6) Though the LORD is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar." ~Psa 138:6 (NIV) 

"(15) For this is what the high and exalted One says--he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite." (Isa 57:15 NIV)

Contrition: The State of feeling remorseful and penitent. A sense of sorrow or regret for your actions.

In relation to the terrible results of friendship with the world, James references this idea of being “poor in the spirit…

"(6) But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."" ~James 4:6 (NIV)

Thus, we see what is meant by:  Blessed are the poor in the spirit (the humble) for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  I like the New Living Translation rendering: 

 "(3) "God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs." (Mat 5:3 NLT) 

 

Do you ‘realize’ your need for him?

"(18) The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psa 34:18 NIV)

"(17) My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise." (Psa 51:17 NIV)

"(19) Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud." (Pro 16:19 NIV)

"(23) Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor." (Pro 29:23 NIV)

Furthermore 8 blessings to examine :4, :5, :6, :7, :8, :9, :10, :11-12

4. Next Week :4 and Mourning & Meekness.

Live Sermon:  YouTube@DoveCreekAGTV

Conclusion:

Be humble in spirit, mourn, be meek; quiet, gentle, (and easily imposed on or submissive) , hunger and thirst for righteousness, be merciful, allow God to purify your heart, make peace with others and rejoice whenever ridicule for being a lover of Christ occurs.  Celebrate whenever you are attacked or insulted for practicing what the Lord Jesus Christ teaches.  

These things Jesus had spoken of to his disciples, that in him they might have peace.  In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, Jesus has overcome the world (Paraphrase John 16:33 KJV).

"(1) Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. (2) Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (3) If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. (4) Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, (5) for each one should carry their own load. (6) Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. (7) Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. (8) Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (9) Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (10) Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." (Gal 6:1-10 NIV)

Exhortation:

Beloved church of Christ Jesus.  Let us not grow weary of doing good.  Let us keep striving to satisfy the Lord and put into practice that which he teaches here in the beatitudes.  When we identify with Christ, we are identified with the Kingdom to come.  The eternal life in heaven.  Citizenship in His heavenly Kingdom is not citizenship with the world.  When you follow Jesus up to the mountain and listen to “the way, the truth and the life”, you will become his people and he will become your God.  When you follow Jesus, he will live in you and walk with you.  When you identify with Jesus as his disciple, he will receive you and reveal things about you that you hadn’t known before.  When you strive for spiritual growth, maturity and effective service to God and others, you will experience hardship.  Rejoice for you are a child of God and your name is written in heaven.

Altar Call to Action/Suggested Response:

Would any of you say in response to the message: “Pastor, I need help being humble.  My pride is getting in the way of wearing the helmet of salvation.  It’s hindering my ability to be confident in the rewards that are awaiting me.’  If that’s you raise your hand.  Do you ‘realize’ your need for Him?  If that’s you pray with me.  

Prayer & song.  

Holy father, my pride must go, and I know that if I am to gain the blessings described by Jesus that I must surrender this need to you. I surrender this pride to you.  Have your way in me and soften my heart that it may become pure.  Let me learn to sow humility and reap that heavenly reward in the kingdom of heaven.

My Anchor Holds—Hymns of Glorious Praise pg. 297 with Vigor and fervency!  

Benediction:

The Lord’s Prayer.

Next Message: