Step back this morning and look at the whole window. All eight beatitudes together. The sermon asked a beautiful question: who is the portrait? Daniel Doriani observes that the Beatitudes are not only a description of the disciple — they are also a portrait of...
Notice what Jesus does in verse 11. He shifts from third person to second person. Not blessed are those – blessed are you. It becomes personal and direct. He is no longer describing a category of people. He is speaking to the disciples on the hillside –...
Jesus does not bless peacekeepers. He blesses peacemakers. The difference is not subtle. A peacekeeper wants the noise to stop. They say whatever is necessary to quiet the room and call it peace. But it is not peace – it is deferred conflict, held together with...
When we hear the words pure in heart, most of us immediately think of a list of things to avoid. Sexual temptation. Certain content. Particular habits. And while purity does include all of those things, the sermon made clear that reducing it to a checklist is to miss...
Paul Tautges writes: the heart that has been forgiven much loves much. When we forget God’s grace, our hearts become proud, and we who have been forgiven much may act like one who believes he has been forgiven little. That is the diagnosis of an unmerciful...
