LHIM Everything

Sessions 8 & 9 Notes Download

Matthew 5:10-12 Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 God does not promise a life free from struggles, but He does promise His presence and support in our times of need, along with blessings as we endure.

John 15:20; 16:33   Jesus warns his disciples and gives encouragement.

Mark 4:16 and 17   Everyone who hears God’s Word faces temptation and, without deep roots, will fall away.

Matthew 5:10-12  The typical reaction to persecution often includes hurt feelings, sadness, rejection, anger, and a desire for retaliation. However, Jesus calls us to respond differently—with rejoicing and cheer. Such a response is truly supernatural.

Throughout history, Christians have had varying degrees of persecution, as it is today. According to the 2024 World Watch List by Open Doors, some of the most dangerous places for Christians include:

“North Korea: Being discovered as a Christian can lead to imprisonment, torture, or even death. Somalia: Christians face severe persecution from extremist groups and societal pressure to adhere to Islam. Afghanistan: Converts to Christianity face extreme danger from both the government and their communities. Libya: Christians, especially converts from Islam, face intense persecution and violence. Pakistan: Blasphemy laws are often used to target Christians, leading to imprisonment and violence.

Other countries where Christians experience significant persecution include Eritrea, Yemen, Iran, Nigeria, and India.”

All of us face persecution, although it may be less extreme than physical beatings. Ironically, most persecution comes from family, friends, associates, fellow employees, or schoolmates. The sad reality is that often Christians are persecuted by fellow Christians! James, the Lord’s brother, persecuted the Apostle Paul. John Calvin was responsible for burning Michael Servetus at the stake.

We cannot control the abusive words and actions of others, but we always have the power and responsibility to control our response. The virtues preceding this beatitude—humility, mourning, meekness, hunger, compassion, pure-heartedness, and peacemaking—equip us to respond as instructed. We also have Jesus’ repeated example recorded in the Gospels.

Matthew 5:44   Persecution often seems designed to push us away, but its true aim is the opposite. It is evil attacking us, tempting us to respond in kind. When someone reviles us, the bait is set to hook us into reviling back. This evil seeks to hurt us and provoke an evil response. If we take the bait, we suffer twice—once from the initial attack and again by responding with evil. Persecution itself does not separate us from God; it is our evil response that does. Therefore, we are instructed to overcome evil with good. Our persecutors should receive the blessings of our prayers, not reciprocal persecution. Romans 12:14 says, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”

To live this way takes great courage. The pain that persecution causes acts as a signal. To the deceived, it may be a signal to respond in some addictive, obsessive, or compulsive way. Some will get drunk when attacked. Some will start acting obsessively to fix themselves or someone else. Others will respond by acting aggressively with anger. For the clear minded, pain can be a signal to run to God for His help and comfort. For those who respond in a godly manner, persecution is something in which to rejoice because it draws them closer to God, and He has promised to reward them.

Prayer is a proper, godly response to persecution, and blessing the offender is another right response. Note I did not say this is the normal response, rather the right, godly reaction. Most prefer to curse their attacker; however, we are not to be like everyone else. We are like Jesus. We are DIFFERENT.

Psalm 31:11-20   David endured much persecution.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10   Paul also suffered much.

Persecution comes from outside us. Tribulation comes from within. Tribulation is mental pressure. This pressure may originate from without (circumstances or situations), but the emphasis is the pressure in the mind. The way to respond in a godly way to tribulation is to focus on the hope of the return of Jesus Christ and God’s coming Kingdom. Whatever we endure now is nothing to compare with the eternal blessings which are ours. When we do this, we can rejoice in tribulations also.

Romans 5:2-5; 8:17-18; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18  Our current affliction or tribulation is light compared to the eternal weight of glory.

1 Peter 2:19-23  The way Christ responded to his suffering on the cross serves as an example to follow. However, before his passion, he stood up to those who constantly persecuted him and did so without sinning.

Many times, Peter, Paul, and the other disciples escaped suffering and death. God does not want us to suffer. Whenever it is possible to avoid suffering without compromising our faith, we are encouraged to do so. If avoidance is not available, we can rejoice and be exceeding glad because we can draw closer to God, and He will reward us as we endure.

1 Peter 3:12-18  God knows when we are suffering and will help us. He looks for opportunities to help us.

1 Peter 4:12-16  Too often, Christians doubt God or themselves because they are suffering tribulation or persecution. This response is inappropriate and will cause separation from God. We should not think it strange or different that such trials come our way.

Romans 8:35-39

Sessions 8 & 9 Notes Download

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

God is the author of reconciliation, and reconciliation is the means to achieve peace. From our relationship with God, we gain peace within our soul, peace with God, and peace with others.

Romans 15:33  “Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.”

Romans 16:20   The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

1 Corinthians 14:33   God is not a God of confusion [disorder, instability] but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

Philippians 4:9   The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

1 Thessalonians 5:23   Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 13:20 Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord.

God’s plan of redemption aims to restore humanity’s relationship with Him through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. This act establishes peace, making Jesus the bridge for reconciliation with God and fostering harmony among believers.

Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The remainder of the Sermon on the Mount provides profound and radical guidance on maintaining inner peace and promoting peace with others. It offers essential teachings for living a peaceful and righteous life.

The Beatitudes: Humility, mourning sin, meekness, gentleness, hunger and thirst for righteousness, mercy, and pure in heart all foster inner peace and encourage reaching out to others.

Love Your Enemies: This radical love helps to break cycles of hatred and violence and promotes peace.

Forgiveness: Emphasizing the importance of forgiveness, Jesus teaches that we should forgive others as God forgives us. Forgiveness is crucial for resolving conflicts and maintaining peaceful relationships.

The Golden Rule: Jesus summarizes his teachings with the Golden Rule: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you”. This principle encourages empathy and mutual respect, which are foundational for peaceful living.

Avoiding Judgment: By focusing on our own faults rather than criticizing others, we can create a more understanding and peaceful community.

Romans 8:4-8; Galatians 5:22   Walking by the spirit, we enjoy peace.

Romans 12:18-21 (Proverbs 25:21-22)  A radical approach to dealing with enemies is to prioritize love, kindness, and generosity rather than seeking revenge or retaliation. We should not take the ungodly behavior of others personally for the Scriptures reveal that humanity apart from God is evil. Their behavior is not about you; it is about them.

Romans 14:1-3, 12-19; 15:5-7, 33   Peacemakers are accepting of and not judging fellow believers over disputable matters. We do not quarrel over differences such as dietary practices and the observance of special days.

If a particular practice causes fellow believers to struggle, it is better to abstain from that practice out of love and consideration for them

Ephesians 1:2; 2:13-22; 4:1-3; 6:15   Jesus paid the price for peace. We should do everything we can to maintain it.

Philippians 4:6-9   Prayer is vital for maintaining, getting, and holding peace.

Colossians 3:14-16

1 Peter 3:8-12; Psalm 34:12-14

Matthew 18:15-17  This is a godly format to follow when experiencing difficulties with a brother.

Matthew 5:9   “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Matthew 5:48   “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

When we exhibit the qualities set forth in the beatitudes and become peacemakers, we are reflecting God’s nature and as such are called the sons of God.

Revelation 4:1-5 This is a vision of the throne room of God. Like the visions of the

Revelation 4:6-11 The incredible scene of worship and praise that John sees in heaven

Exodus 19:9-19 Thunder and lightning are the visual and audible phenomenon that

Revelation 5:1-13 John also sees Jesus in the throne room of God, and Jesus is honored

Psalm 71:9-16 Praising God in the bad times can be the most difficult season for us to

Sessions 6 & 7 Notes Download

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

THEY SHALL SEE GOD

God replied to Moses’ request to see Him with: “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!” (Exodus 33:20). The Gospel of John concurs with the impossibility of humans seeing God – “No one has seen God at any time” (John 1:18).

Pure in Heart:  This phrase refers to those who have a sincere, undivided devotion to God. It emphasizes inner purity and integrity rather than just outward religious observance. The pure in heart will see God.

The promise of seeing God has two aspects. The first aspect means experiencing a closer, more intimate relationship with God. It suggests that those who are pure in heart will have a clearer understanding of God’s will and presence in their lives. The second aspect of the promise will be fulfilled when Christ comes back

Revelation 21:1-4   The tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

HEART – The word “heart” is often used metaphorically to represent the control center of a person’s being which influences their actions and decisions. Proverbs 4:23

ESV – Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

REV – More than anything else you protect, guard your heart, because from it flow the issues of life.

KJV – Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

NASB – Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.

NET – Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it are the sources of life.

NIV – Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Hebrews 4:12 – Intentions are housed in the heart.

Romans 10:9 and 10 – Believing is an issue of the heart.

Mark 12:30 – Love is housed in the heart.

Matthew 12:34-35 – Good and evil are in the heart.

Matthew 5:27-28 – Sin is another matter of the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7; Jeremiah 17:10; Luke 16:15   God looks on the heart and deals with people accordingly.

That which is in our hearts is in our lives. Tomato seeds produce tomatoes; cucumbers seeds produce cucumbers. In like manner, the issues of life are determined by the “seeds” planted in the heart. We would not consider cutting off the tomatoes to glue on cucumbers. The deception we face is thinking that by changing circumstances, situations, or associations, we can change our lives. The truth is the heart is that which must be altered to have genuine lasting change. We change from the inside out, not the outside in.

Jeremiah 17:9   Based on God’s standard, not humans, the heart is deceitful and is desperately sick; who can understand it? No one is born with a “good heart.” Christians, when born again, receive the gift of holy spirit which is “Christ in you”.

Galatians 4:6 states: “God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts….” However, even a Christian must contend with his own heart, which by nature is wicked.

A grave deception is thinking that others are the cause of our own issues. Circumstances, such as where we live or where we work, are not the root cause of our problems. Situations or the way in which we are placed in relationship to our surroundings are not the cause of who we are. What dwells in your heart determines what is in your life.

Mark 7:6-8   “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. ‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’”

Matthew 23:25-26   The Pharisees and Scribes were obsessively concerned with their religious appearance and actions with the intent of impressing people.

Jesus Christ saw through the outside into the inside, the heart.

Proverbs 23:7, 26   The thoughts of the heart are what a person really is, even if the actions of his life reflect something different.

Romans 2:13-16, 28, and 29   The Jews believed they were acceptable to God because of their heritage and simply because they heard the law. At the same time, they judged the Gentiles unacceptable because they were not of the right blood line and did not outwardly observe the law.

How to Change the Heart

James 3:6-8; Matthew 15:18-20   We do not have control over the outer without controlling the heart.

Psalm 119:11   When God’s Word is housed in our hearts, then godliness will be in our lives.

The truth is that any of us who have tried to change our hearts on our own by reading, studying, memorizing, etc. have failed miserably. We cannot change our hearts without God’s help.

Psalm 10:17   Humility is the realization we cannot do it on our own, but He can! Humility is “I can’t; You can. Lord, help me.”

Psalm 27:14   Wait for Yahweh; be strong and let your heart take courage.

Psalm 73:26   My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 51:10   David had no illusions about his heart and knew full well only God could clean it and give him a new heart.

Psalm 86:10-12   An undivided heart is one with wholehearted devotion, singular focus on God, without divided loyalties or distractions.

Psalm 119:32-36; 141:3 and 4   As we hide the Word in our hearts and trust in Him, He will guard our hearts.

Friends may tell us “Read your Bible” or “Control your thoughts” or “Pray about it” or “Talk with a counselor or a minister.” These suggestions are all good advice. However, no matter what we do or how many outside sources we seek, we will not really change until we, by ourselves, in our own minds, acknowledge our inability and ask for God’s help.

Isaiah 57:15   God will revive the heart of the contrite.

Ephesians 3:14-21   God can and will change the heart if He is sought.

2 Thessalonians 3:3-5   When we pray for God to direct our hearts, we can be fully persuaded He will respond because His Word says so.

Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8   God is holy. For mankind to have any kind of relationship with God, we must live holy lives. The grace and mercy of God have been made available through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, for those of faith to live holy.

1 Peter 1:13-16   Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Romans 12:1-3   Jesus told us to pray daily for the forgiveness of our sins because sin is a constant issue with all of us.

Sessions 6 & 7 Notes Download

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”

Exodus 34:6 NAB Then Yahweh passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “Yahweh, Yahweh God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth.

ESV Yahweh passed before him and proclaimed, “Yahweh, Yahweh, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,

Mercy typically signifies the kindness and forgiveness extended to someone, especially when there is the power to punish or harm. It involves a compassionate response to those in need or distress, often highlighting forgiveness and leniency. Compassion is defined as feeling and concern for others that inspires assistance. It describes someone who is empathetic, understanding, and caring towards others’ suffering or misfortune. These concepts are closely aligned and often indistinguishable in the New Testament translations.

When the lawyer asked, “Who is my neighbor?”, Jesus’ response provided the more essential information the lawyer needed to know − mercy and compassion.

Luke 10:30-37 Compassion and mercy are used here as synonyms. The “seemingly” religious men could not be bothered to help the man in need.

They lacked compassion and mercy for the afflicted. A significant indicator that we are not walking with God as we should is when we feel annoyed or imposed upon when faced with helping someone in need. Another gauge is when we are blind or have a hardened heart that prevents us seeing the obvious need someone may have. In such times, self-interest takes precedence over Christ-centeredness, making repentance and seeking God’s help imperative. The merciful Samaritan, the least likely person in their culture, had compassion that required his time, energy, and resources.

Jesus lived like the good Samaritan in that he constantly gave of himself to those in need. One of many records in the Gospels tells of a time when for three days Jesus ministered to thousands of people. He did not do “group healings”; rather, he worked with each individual. Can you imagine how exhausted he must have been? Yet, his concern was not for himself but for the people. He said, “I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.” The miracle of the loaves and fishes followed.

Apparently, people in Jesus’ day were expecting the Messiah, the son of David, to come with mercy to heal.

Matthew 9:27-31 Two blind “have mercy on us son of David”

Matthew 15:22-28 The Canaanite women seeking healing for her daughter

Matthew 17:14-20 Father with lunatic son

Matthew 20:29-34 Two more blind men

Mark 10:46-52 Blind Bartimaeus

Luke 17:11-19 Ten leprous men

Every healing and deliverance Jesus performed was a result of God’s grace and mercy, not the merit of the afflicted. Jesus never asked those seeking his help if they had been good or promised future obedience. Only one of the ten lepers returned. Others whom he told not to tell anyone of their healing ignored his instructions and told everyone. Salvation, healing, and deliverance are not earned or deserved; they are gifts from God.

Ephesians 2:1-5 Emphasizes that redemption and salvation come through God’s grace and mercy, not our own works. We are not saved because we are “good boys or girls”, but through faith alone. Jesus healed thousands without demanding sinlessness or any other requirement beyond faith.

Luke 6:31-35 The awareness of God’s mercy in our lives is necessary for right living for we are instructed to be merciful as God is merciful. We are to be different, much different than those without Christ.

Exodus 34:6; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 103:1-22

Our dealing with others should not be reactions to their actions, but rather reflections of how God has dealt with us. He has been and continues to be merciful to us. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus frequently uses the word “blessed”, derived from the Greek word makarios. This term signifies a profound, enduring joy and contentment that stems from a right relationship with God. In the beatitudes, “blessed” refers to a state of spiritual well-being and divine favor. Things are right when we are merciful to others.

Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” James 2:13 states the opposite – “For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy, mercy triumphs over judgment.”

Jesus told a parable that explicitly illustrated this point when Peter asked how often he should forgive someone who offends.

Matthew 18:23-30 Jesus tells Peter to forgive not just seven times, but seventy times seven, emphasizing that forgiveness should be limitless. He tells a story about a king who forgives a servant’s enormous debt. However, this servant refuses to forgive a small debt owed to him by another servant. When the king learns of the unforgiving servants’ actions, he punishes him severely, highlighting the importance of showing mercy as we have received mercy.

1 Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

Sessions 4 & 5 Notes Download

Matthew 5:6   Jesus selected a graphic and relatable metaphor that effectively communicates intensity and frequency for righteous desire. God honors free will (2 Chronicles 15:2, 4, and 15). Even if our inclination is pride, sin, and stubborn resistance, He honors our choice. Jesus communicated a virtuous progression to develop godly desires which will enhance fellowship with God. Humility eliminates pride; mourning eliminates sin. When pride and sin vanish, we become meek to receive God’s will. Humility, mourning, and meekness lead us to desire His righteousness. When His desires become our desires, He will bring them to pass.

Psalm 37:4-6   God will give us His desires if we ask Him. Psalm 42:1-2; 63:1; Jeremiah 29:13

Matthew 7:7-11   That which we want determines that which we think and do. Before Christ, what we wanted was not what God wanted, rather what the devil wanted for us.

Ephesians 2:1   Whatever we passionately want, desire, or lust for occupies our thoughts and life.

The effective worldly advertising agencies understand that the public buys the products they desire. Rather than focusing on selling their product, they focus on building a want for the product.

Humanity’s primal desires can sometimes conflict with desires for righteousness.

Survival vs. Altruism: The instinct for self-preservation can morph into selflessness. One ends up with self-interest rather than compassion, charity, and helping others.

Reproduction vs. Chastity: The drive for reproduction and sexual fulfillment can conflict with premarital celibacy or marriage fidelity.

Social Connection vs. Integrity: The need for belonging can sometimes lead to compromise of righteous values. Peer pressure might push people to act against their moral beliefs, such as premarital sex, pretentious behavior.

Power and Control vs. Humility: The desire for power and control can conflict with humility and servitude.

Pleasure vs. Discipline: The pursuit of pleasure can conflict with self-discipline and temperance. Indulging in excessive eating, drinking, or other pleasures can be at odds with moderation and self-control.

Knowledge vs. Faith: The desire for knowledge and understanding can sometimes lead to conflicts with the Bible.

James 1:13-15   Blaming someone else, situations, or circumstances for our own sinful behavior is very easy to do. However, the Word of God emphatically and frequently communicates that no one or anything is to blame for our own sin. We do what we do because we choose to!

Appetite Determines Lifestyle

Matthew 5:6   Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Matthew 6:33   But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Two aspects of righteousness to consider are the spiritual gift of righteousness and the state of moral integrity and justice that aligns with applying God’s will.

Spiritual righteousness – Romans 3:22; 4:3-5; 9:30-10:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 4:24

Moral righteousness – Matthew 5:6, 10, 20, 33; Ephesians 4:24-32; 6:11-14

Moral righteousness is a state of moral integrity and justice that aligns with God’s will. It encompasses living in a way that is pleasing to God, adhering to His commandments, and seeking to promote justice and fairness in the world. This righteousness is not just about personal piety but also involves a commitment to social justice and ethical behavior.

John 4:31-35   Jesus is the great example. Jesus is speaking to his disciples about the urgency of spiritual work. He uses the metaphor of a harvest to illustrate that the time for gathering souls is now, not in the future. The “fields” represent people who are ready to receive the message of the gospel. He is encouraging his disciples to recognize the immediate opportunity for evangelism and to act on it. Sharing God’s righteousness with others keeps it alive in us. Matthew 9:37-38; Luke 10:2; Galatians 6:9

Maintaining hunger for righteousness is realized as we endeavor to share with others.

Sessions 4 & 5 Notes Download

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5 ESV)

“Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5 NAU)

Some English Bibles translate the Greek word praus as “meek”, while fewer translate it as “gentle”.  In contemporary non-biblical literature, praus is described a horse that had been broken-in, becoming submissive and trainable, following the master’s lead and instruction. The spirit of resistance was replaced with a spirit of cooperation. The English dictionary definition for “meek” is quiet, gentle, easily imposed on, and submissive. “Gentle” is defined as having or showing a mild, kind, or tender temperament or character.

Humility and meekness are essential qualities for cultivating a relationship with God. Humility is recognition and acceptance that we are not sufficient of ourselves, but that our sufficiency is of God. Simply stated, “I can’t; He can; I’m going to let Him”. Meekness corresponds with humility in that it is receptivity toward God and the things of God without being argumentative and without stubborn resistance.

Moses is a great example of both humility and meekness. Numbers 12:3 – “Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all the people on the face of the earth”

Genesis 22:1-2   God was testing Abraham’s faith and obedience.

Genesis 22:3-18   Abraham was extraordinary with humility and meekness.

Hebrews 11:17-19   Humility and meekness are grounded in faith.

Matthew 11:28-30   Jesus is the ultimate example of walking with God, as he consistently listened to and obeyed God’s instructions, even to the point of suffering and dying on the cross. We connect with Jesus by accepting his lordship and emulating his behavior recorded in the Gospels.

Luke 4:14-30   The people in his hometown were not willing to receive from him.

Matthew 13:10-17   The multitudes’ motivation lacked sincere humility or meekness to worship God and accept the lordship of His Messiah. As a result, they were not worthy to receive the clear and empowering teaching that Jesus shared with his genuine disciples.

Isaiah 6:9-10; Mark 4:10-13; Luke 8:9-10; John 12:37-41; Acts 28:23-31; Romans 11:6-10; Jeremiah 5:21-25; Ezekiel 12:2ff

SIN HINDERS MEEKNESS – James 1:21(ESV)   Meekness follows humility and mourning. Mourning refers to the mindset of someone who is genuinely repentant and regretful of his or her sin. Sin must be dealt with because it blocks us from receiving with meekness God’s Word and direction.

TRADITIONALISM HINDERS MEEKNESS – Matthew 15:2-3   The Jews held firmly to their religious traditions, which hindered their acceptance of the gospel message. Traditionalism still causes many to be stubbornly resistant to God’s Word and to be fossilized in their limited knowledge.

CLOSEMINDNESS HINDERS MEEKNESS – Romans 11:33-36  When we consider the great magnitude of God’s knowledge, we see how foolish and prideful we are to limit ourselves to our minuscule understanding. How could anyone ever think his own knowledge is complete and refuse to learn more? Yet, this is a common deception to which many fall prey. Often, an honest, sincere desire to believe, think, and speak accurately about God moves to a presumptuous conviction that our beliefs contain the whole truth about God. This has the practical effect of confining God to our understanding.

All believe their views are the truth, which is why they hold them! Most of us would not claim that our beliefs limit God in any way. However, quite often the unintentional consequence is that our concept of God is limited to the rigid structure we have built in our own minds. The honest, sincere desire to be right slips into narrow-mindedness or closed-mindedness. We become deceived into not considering anything other than what we believe to be the truth. In doing so, we think we are taking a stand for God! From this posture of mind, it is a very small step to criticize, condemn, and fear all those who believe differently than we do. “Surely they must be wrong because they do not believe what I believe.” Too often, we perceive other sincere, committed Christians as a threat because their beliefs are different from ours. Therefore, we think we must avoid them. Our convoluted thinking moves to:  “How can we associate with someone standing outside the proper theological structure and thus outside God?” This mind set opposes meekness, closes God out, and causes division in the family of God.

FEAR OF BEING WRONG HINDERS MEEKNESS – Galatians 2:11-13 Regarding God, many people would rather stay ignorant in their wrong beliefs than concede they have been wrong. We get deceived into not thinking about it because of fear. Another common reason for a lack of meekness is comfort. Most denominations have an unchangeable, written statement of beliefs which is very comfortable for people. Again, people get nervous or feel threatened by the possibility of having been wrong about God. Once we decide what we believe, we are not willing to hear more, so we will not! Anything we do hear we conform to our preconceived definition of God or disregard altogether. Is God omniscient since He tried Abraham?

LAZINESS HINDERS MEEKNESS – 2 Timothy 2:15  To walk with God requires constant diligence and hard work. God encourages us to study His Word daily, and, when we do, we receive new information. This may be unsettling to some because work is required to determine if what is being encountered is true. When new information is taught, we are challenged to search the Scriptures to see if these things are so. Because of laziness, we opt to reject the possible new insight which results in a lack of meekness.

MISPLACED LOYALTY HINDERS MEEKNESS – Our loyalty to a man or an organization can result in a lack of meekness also. When a teacher does not correspond with Dr. So and So or Reverend So or So or my denominational belief, we are tempted to ignore and shun it. Our loyalty belongs to the Lord God Almighty and His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 7:15   Meekness without spiritual wisdom is very dangerous because there are many false prophets and teachers. Some well-intentioned, zealous people constantly chase after some new insight and make themselves and others vulnerable to false doctrine. Neither sincerity nor feelings are a guarantee for truth.

Matthew 24:11, 24; Mark 13:22; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; 1 John 4:1; 2 Peter 2:1

Gentleness – 1 Corinthians 10:1; Galatians 5:22-25; 6:1; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; Ephesians 4:1; 1 Timothy 6:10-11; 1 Peter 3:14-16

Matthew 5:5 is quoting Psalm 37:1-11.

Sessions 2 & 3 Notes Download

Mourning can be understood in various ways. It encompasses the grief and sadness felt from the loss of someone or something deeply cherished. Additionally, it may encompass the sorrow we feel due to the sins of others, our community, and especially our own sins.

1 Thessalonians 4 acknowledges the mourning we endure with the loss of a loved one and states that “you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.” Jesus is coming back with the Kingdom of God! God promises us in Isaiah 25:8 and Revelation 21:4 – “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain.” Our hope provides great comfort, especially in the most difficult times.

Jesus mourned over Jerusalem, Luke 19:41-44, and was aware of its sinfulness and impending destruction. He wept over Jerusalem. Paul reproved the Corinthians for not mourning over the sexual immorality that was known and accepted in the church – 1 Corinthians 5:1-13. He warned the Philippians to be aware of those among them that were sinners and did so “weeping”, Philippians 3:18-19. Like the godly men of old, we too should weep more over the evil present in the world. “My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law” (Psalm 119:136 ESV).

The context of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5 strongly suggests that the mourning primarily pertains to the penitent sinner. The book of James, a similar writing to the Sermon on the Mount, succinctly tells the correct attitude we should have regarding sin and mourning.

James 4:8-10. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable [experience hardship] and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

Psalm 32:1-11; 31:10 Sin should burden us to the point of repentance and confession. One of the many great promises written about the Messiah deals with the comfort Jesus brings whenever we mourn properly.

Isaiah 61:1-3. The Spirit of the Lord Yahweh is upon me, because Yahweh has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners; to proclaim the favorable year of Yahweh and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting.

1 John 1:6-10 Mourning precedes confession, which leads to forgiveness and then cleansing. If sin does not cause regret, if it does not bother us, dangerous is our situation, and the possibility of change is dismal.

2 Corinthians 7:10 Highlights that worldly sorrow, characterized by sin-consciousness, guilt, and condemnation, does not lead to freedom but rather to deeper darkness. In contrast, genuine mourning brings about a transformation away from sin and into a restored, joyful relationship with God. Godly sorrow leads to the following actions.

2 Corinthians 7:11. For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter.

Earnestness is diligence, intense effort, serious attention to our thoughts, words, and actions plus renewing the mind and living for God. Walking in darkness, we become lazy, careless, not considering our thoughts, words, or actions. We grow indifferent and thoughtless toward God and the things of God. Indifference to sin is lethal.

Vindication or Clearing entails fully embracing the responsibility of the sin with a strong determination to rectify the harm caused by it. This clearing may include making amends with others whenever possible. Walking in darkness, we rationalize our sin by blaming others, circumstances, or situations plus dismiss it as not being that significant — “no big deal.” We live with sin and do not care enough to change. Indignation is a righteous anger directed at our own sinful behavior, not at God, the devil, or others. When we walk in darkness, we become passive and accepting of sin.

Fear of God When God is at the forefront of our minds, honoring and worshipping Him becomes natural. We also become mindful of His thoughts about us. Walking in darkness, our focus shifts to ourselves and worldly matters, causing our thoughts of God to fade. As a result, our attitude of reverence and worship diminishes because we forget Him.

Longing or Vehement Desire is a powerful, relentless force that is deeply felt, an urgent, passionate hunger for God and the things of God. Walking in darkness fosters a hunger for and involvement in worldly matters. Lust, selfishness, and worldly desires then replace the longing for God.

Zeal is to be hot, fervent, on fire for God. It is to have enthusiasm, fervor, passion, ardent and active interest. Walking in darkness, life becomes humdrum, complacent. Time and life slip away with no urgency pertaining to godly living. We have no fire for godly living.

Avenging of Wrong is to make right or just what was wronged while sinning. Walking in darkness, we do not care that evil has its way of ruining our lives and ill-affecting those who love us.

If you have difficulty relating to the above, ask God for help as David did in Psalm 25:4-9 and 51:1-12.

Psalm 103:8-12 God’s forgiveness extends infinitely. He removes our sins from us completely, putting them at an eternal distance. It’s not a temporary relocation; our wrongdoings are gone forever. 2 Samuel 12:13; Isaiah 43:25; Jeremiah 31:34; Micah 7:19

David (2 Samuel 24:10), Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33:12-13), Peter (Acts 4:8-13) and Paul (1 Timothy 1:12-17) are examples of our merciful, gracious, and forgiving God. Judas (John 20:19-27; Acts 1:18) could not accept forgiveness.

Romans 6:15 and 16, 20 and 21 God’s forgiveness is readily available; however, forgiveness should never be used as a license to sin. How foolish! What is the fruit of sin? Why would we who are free want back into the bondage of sin? The life with God is so far superior to a life of sin!