Element Christian Church of Santa Maria

Jesus’ announcement, at the beginning of the Sermon

on the Mount, to the crowd of people, is BLESSED

are all the people who have no reason why they should

be blessed.

The “blessing” of the Old Testament was a straightforward blessing; the blessing of the New Testament is a divine paradox: an experience of the kingdom’s inner riches amid external poverty and trial.

The Heidelberg Catechism: What is your only comfort in life and in death?

Response: That I am not my own, but belong, body and soul, in life and in death, to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.

In Isaiah 9:6, Jesus is referred to as the Wonderful Counselor. This means Jesus is well beyond our understanding. He inspires awe in those around, and is never lacking in wisdom or love for us. Jesus counsels his people in a way that is much more profound than how a modern therapist would. The word or deed of Christ in the Gospels frequently both comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable. Jesus knows our suffering, and will walk beside us in our own brokenness.

Luke 4:40 Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.

Jesus noticed US, that is why we notice others, for the glory of God. We get to speak of His great salvation that has touched souls physically and spiritually.

God does for us what we cannot do for ourselves.

Titus 3:3-7 "For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

Matthew asks you: Who is your king? Herod or Jesus

Luke asks: Who is your savior Caesar or Jesus

Luke 2:34-35 Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Philippians 2:5-8 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Matthew 18:3-4 Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.