Building on the Cornerstone

Step up to the #MercyChallenge – after all “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:7). Christ shows mercy to each of us, and tells us to do the same. We are to be merciful. Showing mercy requires that we step into the eyes and minds of those around us in need; we see their world through their experiences. It also requires that we open our heart to compassion and lift our hands into action.

Mercy is an active gift, not a passive one. And if we are to be followers of Christ, we are to be like the Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) and go out and show mercy.

Step up with us and take the #MercyChallenge this week and every week.

We return this week to the beatitudes, the fourth in the series with this ‘simple’ message: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled;” (Matthew 5:6). Though this may sound simple, you can quickly take a look at your life and ask yourself – Do I truly thirst for God’s righteousness? Is His calling my first passion above all else?

Often we find that God is not first in our lives. Let us remember though, this is the fourth step in Jesus’ path for his disciples. First we are called to empty our spirit of self and make room for God. Then, we must mourn our sins and then allow our free will to be tamed and worked by God’s hand (Matthew 5:3-5). After all this, then we are ready to find fulfillment at the greatest meal possible at the Lord’s table.

So here is the question – what are you hungering for more than God? What do you thirst for?

This is a family story. It is a story of three brothers: Jason, Micah, and Matt. This is a story of personal struggle and great loss. This is also a story of an amazing God and unbelievable grace. This is a story of redemption that is freely available to all through Christ Jesus. This is a powerful story of hope in a broken world.

From this personal tragedy, the Bennett family shares their story and created Brothers3Ministries as a mechanism to reach out and share their experience of how Jesus can turn tragedy into victory.

We often interchange meekness with weakness, which can lead to some misunderstandings of “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). In this third beatitude, Jesus lays out the next goal for his followers: to chose to allow God to reign in our lives. These are the meek. Jesus showed what meekness means as he turned to God in prayer before his death on the cross. Jesus asked God for any other way aside from giving his own life. Jesus did not let his own desires win out, and turned over his life to God’s calling (Luke 22:41-43). Jesus displays even more meekness as he is mocked and ridiculed on the cross. He had the power to call 10,000 angels yet he chose to let God’s will be done.

Like wild horses, we are powerful creatures following our own personal path. But we are called to be meek – to be power and strength under control. To inherit the earth, we must allow God to reign over our lives. We must give Him control and chose to follow where we are led.

Have you ever done wrong, knowing it was wrong and not caring or changing your ways? Acknowledging our sin can be easy. Feeling our sin however can be a great struggle. Jesus laid out the first step – lay down your pride and let in my love – in Matthew 5:3. The next step though can cut to the heart, as we are told to not just acknowledge our sin, but to mourn it. Blessed are those who mourn, Jesus says (Matthew 5:4). We remember the story of David, Bathsheba, and Uriah; we recall the differing fates of Peter and Judas. These stories remind us that we are not just to feel and mourn our sin, but to turn them over to Jesus as he will show grace, mercy and comfort to those who come seeking him.

The start of the message we were blessed by music from Cory Felton. You can find out more about Cory at www.coryfeltonmusic.com