September 26 Sermon and Announcements

 

CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

September 26, 2021

 

THE BEATITUDES, Part 1

Matthews 5:1-5

We are going to be looking at the Sermon on the Mount, which begins in the 5^th chapter of Matthew and goes thru the 7^th chapter. Today we are going to look at the first 5 verses of chapter 5. The 3^rd verse thru 12^th verse is call The Beatitudes. Those of you who have gone to church and been Christians for a long time have probably read these verses and heard sermons about them many times. Theses verses form the basis for what Jesus came to earth to teach and to live as an example before the eyes of the people he would encounter during his ministry. Last week we talked about excuses we sometimes come up with to do or not do the things we should be living by. In Matthew’s account of Jesus life, the Sermon on the Mount is very early in the story of Jesus time on this earth. Jesus wanted there to be no reason for not understanding God’s views on what it took to live a godly life. In other words, no excuses. Jesus begins each point he is making in verses 3-11 with the word “Blessed”. Blessed are the poor in spirit. Blessed are those who mourn. Blessed are the meek. “Blessed” here means that for those who, in spite of the circumstances of life that we may face, recognize the spiritual joy only God can give. There is comfort and peace knowing God is with his children through it all.

 

Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount with the Beatitudes. The first of which is to encourage God’s people who feel beat up and oppressed by the Roman Empire as well as life in general. “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Every single one of us here today and sharing with us on Facebook have needed to have Jesus assure us things are going to be alright. We feel beaten down by the circumstances of life. We think no one cares, no one sees what we are going through and here Jesus is assuring us he cares. Your God sees what is happening. Not only will it be alright but just hang in there because God is going to open up his entire kingdom for you, just wait and see.

 

With a similar theme the second Beatitude is “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”  During those dark moments of life, we find it hard to feel blessed. Yet Jesus is reminding us we will be blessed and God sees us as blessed when through it all we continue to trust in Him. When loved ones around us are going through those most difficult times, we often times do not know what to say or do, but God is there ultimately giving peace that only He can truly provide. Yes, we need to be there to support one another, and God will help use us to assist God in fulfilling what this verse says.

 

The third one is “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” The first one we read said that the poor in spirit will have the kingdom of heaven at their disposal, but the meek will inherit the earth. There is the old saying that the squeaky wheel gets the oil. Jesus, however, is saying those who live a less vocal, yet faithful, life will receive their reward as well. There is a time to speak and a time to be somewhat restrained. The important thing is to know when each is appropriate. In Psalm 37:10-13 God is saying something similar but explaining it more than what we read in the 5^th verse. Starting with verse 10 of Psalm 37, we read, “A little while and the wicked will be no more, though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace. The wicked will plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked for he knows their day is coming.” This meekness is a humility towards God recognizing God is in control.

 

As we begin our look at the Sermon on the Mount and what Jesus was saying to the crowd gathered on that day as well as to us today. We see Jesus telling us God sees and understands. There will be times of disappointment, times of sorrow, times to just let God be God. There are blessings in store for us, God’s people, if we will only believe. These first three Beatitudes are about choices about attitudes and about how we face what life throws at us. Will we make the right choices or choose a path opposite of God’s leading? In all of life’s ups and downs we hear the voices; we make the choices. God is there as Jesus is teaching to help us make the right choices in life. If we do that, we will be blessed. That is a promise you can always count on.

Pastor Larry

Announcements:

 

Bible Study 9:30 Tuesday

 

October 2 All church wiener roast 4:00 at Shirley & Oren Wright’s. Women’s Fellowship will provide hotdogs, buns, tableware. Beverages will also be provided.

 

October 3 World Communion Sunday—bread and cup communion during worship. If you cannot be there in person, participate with us by having your own drink and cracker or bread at home.

 

October 9 Rummage sale at Brethren Church to benefit the Lord’s Storehouse. Take items to Katie or Amy.

 

October 13 7:00 Executive Committee

 

November 5, 6 District Conference—One delegate still needed

November 10 Board Meeting

November 14 Council Meeting after worship

 

Offering plates are in the back of the sanctuary. Thank you!

 

Donation Box: Pastor’s Assistance Fund

First Sundays: food donations for food banks

 

Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362

 

To keep up on Church of the Brethren news:

Denomination: www.brethren.org/news Sign up for Newsline by clicking link on left side of page.

District: iwdcob.org (click on newsletter link) and on facebook

Our pages: cerrogordocob.com (printed sermon, announcements, & calendar) and on facebook

 

Keep in Your Prayers

Jim (Buck) West; Jube Euastice; family of Kres Lipscomb; Marlene Schultz; Randy West; Jen Durst; Sarah Rudelick; Sydney (Nancy Gorrell’s niece); Tera Runyan; Carl and Wilma Cable; Marge Starr; Mike Gentry; Larry Albro; Mike McCleery; Mike and Carol Seidenstricker; Sonna Hall; Brittany Wright; Owen Wright; Anna Gentry Thompson; Clyde and Nancy Fansler; Adiline Young; Kim Lehmann; Doug Fansler; Liza Yore; Candy Dobson; Anna Rose Larrick; Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo & Darlene Hanaver; Zola Copeland; Patty Cripe; Lauren Gross; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; Coronavirus crisis; healthcare workers and first responders; the families of the 675,000+ people who have died from COVID-19; those who are ill from the virus; the unemployed; school teachers, staff, and students; victims of disasters; victims of shootings; nursing home residents; the Nigerian church; Haitian Brethren

 

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

 

Church of the Brethren vision statement:

Together, as the Church of the Brethren, we will passionately live and share the radical transformation and holistic peace of Jesus Christ through relationship-based neighborhood engagement. To move us forward, we will develop a culture of calling and equipping disciples who are innovative, adaptable, and fearless.

                       

Our Mission Statement:

Love God, grow with others, serve faithfully, reach the lost, find peace.