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Scripture teaches that if we delight ourselves in God, He will grant us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4). This verse can be misinterpreted in two distinct ways. We will cover the second way today.

Main Text: Psalm 37:4 (ESV)

Scripture teaches that if we delight ourselves in God, He will grant us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4). This verse can be misinterpreted in two distinct ways. We will cover the first way today.

Main Text: Psalm 37:4 (ESV)

Righteousness isn’t celebrated in our culture. We don’t give awards for meekness or being poor in spirit. However, these virtues are celebrated in heaven, where our true citizenship lies. Remember from week one, when we said there is a flow to the Beatitudes? We must go through this process of growth before we can arrive at being persecuted without acting in our human nature.  

Key points

1. What’s Celebrated in Heaven? Jesus said: “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). Blessed are the poor in spirit. 

2. Human Nature versus the New Spiritual Nature. We find Jesus, we grow in the authority of His teaching, and His atoning work at Calvary saves us. We experience the promise of the Faith, and we receive the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit. We follow the flow of the beatitudes and are now positioned to receive persecution without acting in the flesh. 

3. The two “Blessed Are’s” That Result from Spiritual Growth Also Come with Promise: The first blessing of persecution is for doing right spiritually. The promise is that we will receive the kingdom of heaven. Second, after salvation, we can be persecuted for receiving Jesus. The promise is that when we are persecuted for Jesus’ sake, our reward is great in heaven.

Main Text 

Matthew 5:1-12 (ESV)

To walk by faith means living, walking, and progressing with an awareness of eternal outcomes. Walking by faith involves fearing God more than people (Matthew 10:28); following the Bible even when it contradicts human commands (Daniel 6); choosing righteousness over sin, regardless of the cost (Matthew 5:6); depending on God in every situation (Isaiah 41:10); and trusting that God rewards those who diligently seek Him, no matter what others might say (Hebrews 11:6).

Main Text: 2 Corinthians 5:6-7 (ESV)

esus said, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Matthew 8:19-20; Luke 9:57-58). Like Van Gogh, the true believer must be prepared to relinquish everything. Every follower of Christ is urged to abandon any idol that obstructs their complete devotion to Him. A heart that cherishes Christ will let go of that rival affection, even though it may cause genuine pain and distress. We aspire to have “a dwelling from God, an eternal home in heaven, not constructed by human hands” (2 Corinthians 5:1).

Main Text: Matthew 8:19–20; Luke 9:57–58 (ESV)

Jesus said, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Matthew 8:19-20; Luke 9:57-58). Like Van Gogh, the true believer must be prepared to relinquish everything. Every follower of Christ is urged to abandon any idol that obstructs their complete devotion to Him. A heart that cherishes Christ will let go of that rival affection, even though it may cause genuine pain and distress. We aspire to have “a dwelling from God, an eternal home in heaven, not constructed by human hands” (2 Corinthians 5:1).

Main Text: Matthew 8:19–20; Luke 9:57–58 (ESV)

A few weeks ago, I had the chance to go horseback riding near Wisconsin. The last time I was on a horse was about fifteen years ago, and that horse wanted to do nothing but gallop the entire time. However, my most recent experience was entirely different.

Main Text: Judges 6 (ESV)

A few weeks ago, I had the chance to go horseback riding near Wisconsin. The last time I was on a horse was about fifteen years ago, and that horse wanted to do nothing but gallop the entire time. However, my most recent experience was entirely different.

Main Text: Judges 6 (ESV)

Righteousness isn’t celebrated in our culture. We don’t give awards for meekness or being poor in spirit. However, these virtues are celebrated in heaven, where our true citizenship lies. Remember from week one, when we said there is a flow to the Beatitudes? We must go through this process of growth before we can arrive at being persecuted without acting in our human nature.  

Key points

1. What’s Celebrated in Heaven? Jesus said: “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). Blessed are the poor in spirit. 

2. Human Nature versus the New Spiritual Nature. We find Jesus, we grow in the authority of His teaching, and His atoning work at Calvary saves us. We experience the promise of the Faith, and we receive the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit. We follow the flow of the beatitudes and are now positioned to receive persecution without acting in the flesh. 

3. The two “Blessed Are’s” That Result from Spiritual Growth Also Come with Promise: The first blessing of persecution is for doing right spiritually. The promise is that we will receive the kingdom of heaven. Second, after salvation, we can be persecuted for receiving Jesus. The promise is that when we are persecuted for Jesus’ sake, our reward is great in heaven.

Main Text 

Matthew 5:1-12 (ESV)

In a shattered world, where wealth is temporary and dubious, the greatest message to share is that Jesus sacrificed Himself, was laid to rest, and rose from the dead as outlined in the Scriptures. The biblical gospel offers the promise of forgiveness for sins and eternal life, regardless of our financial status, health, or struggles.

Main Text: Romans 1:16 (ESV)