210 likes | 219 Views
Can you Dig it?. DISCOVERING TREASURES BENEATH THE SURFACE. VBS July 16-20. Like archaeologists, Jesus digs deep beyond the surface to find hidden treasures – the things that are eternal (II Cor 4:18)!. Can you Dig it?. DISCOVERING TREASURES BENEATH THE SURFACE. MONDAY –Treasure One.
E N D
Can you Dig it? DISCOVERING TREASURES BENEATH THE SURFACE VBS July 16-20 Like archaeologists, Jesus digs deep beyond the surface to find hidden treasures – the things that are eternal (II Cor 4:18)!
Can you Dig it? DISCOVERING TREASURES BENEATH THE SURFACE MONDAY –Treasure One "The Devotion of a Passionate Heart " “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness”
Can you Dig it? DISCOVERING TREASURES BENEATH THE SURFACE TUES – TREASURE TWO "The Tears of a Loving Heart "“Blessed are those who mourn.”
Can you Dig it? DISCOVERING TREASURES BENEATH THE SURFACE Wed: TREASURE THREE "The Greatness of a Humble Heart ” “Blessed are the meek . .”
Can you Dig it? DISCOVERING TREASURES BENEATH THE SURFACE THURS: TREASURE FOUR "The Actions of a Tender Heart"“Blessed are the merciful. .”
Can you Dig it? DISCOVERING TREASURES BENEATH THE SURFACE FRI: TREASURE FIVE "The Gift of a Generous Heart "“Blessed are the poor in spirit.”
The Beattitudes THE MIND OF CHRIST VBS July 16-20 JULY 15, 2007 10:30 p.m. Intro to the Beatitudes
The Prologue • Matt 5:1-2 -- Three points . . . • “When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2 He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying . .”
The Beattitudes THE MIND OF CHRIST The Sermon on the Mount
Why on a Mount? • Moses delivered “the law” –Mt. Sinai
Jesus delivers the “new law” of the kingdom. • Jn 1:17 “The law was given by Moses but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
Contrasts with Old Testament • This was not a Holy mountain (Zion) because there is no special holy place in the kingdom! • “When the law was given the Lord came down upon the mountain, now the Lord ‘went up’ into one; then He spoke in thunder and lightening, now in a still small voice; then the people were ordered to keep their distance, not they are invited to draw near – a blessed change!” Matthew Henry
Why Sitting? • Custom: “I sat daily with you teaching in the temple.” Mt 26:55 • Royal authority. King on the throne, the judge upon the bench. • At end: “The people were astonished at His doctrine: for He taught them as one having authority.” (Mt 7:28-29).
“Opened His Mouth and Taught” • Ezek 33:22-23 “Now the hand of the Lord was upon me and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb; then the word of the Lord came to me.” • Paul: “I pray that the utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.” Eph 6:18-19 • Not ordinary, but God breathed and a matter of deepest weight and importance.
The Sermon on the Mount • “The Key to whole Bible, for here the Christ opens up the sum of the Old and New Testaments.” W. Perkins • The Constitution of the Kingdom and the Beatitudes is the preamble • Beatitudes: Declaration of Dependence • Rest of NT is an outgrowth of these foundational principles! • The Sermon on the Mt is the essence of Christ’s teaching and the beatitudes is the essence of the essence!
The Beatitudes • 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 gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. • 6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
The Beatitudes • 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 have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
American needs desperately to heed • American has so many things, but it is not a happy place! • All these addictions and distractions rushing in to fill the void! • We want desperately to be “happy” but are not possessing it! • Tragic error—seeking happiness through outer circumstances instead of inner strength and resources.
The Keys: • Real Happiness is not based upon what a person has or does – but what he/she is. • JC teaches people how to BE, how to have the RIGHT STATE OF MIND (ATTITUDE) believing that happiness would be the Byproduct. • Happiness should not be sought after directly. Stop trying to be happy, start trying to be!
Blessed are… • Think: “How fortunate . . .” • This state of existence … realities . . conducive to peace of mind (joy). • Key to experiencing God’s reign in your life! • IT IS A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH! Matt 7:24-27 (Sand vs. Rock!)
Invitation • Trying to find happiness in “things?” • Trying to find happiness in yourself? • TRUST IN GOD!