A Sermon of Attitudes (pt. 5)

The characteristics of the beatitudes helps one approach God by having a humble, sorrowful, meek, and hungering heart for righteousness. The blessings of such character is seen in salvation. The first four beatitudes help one in coming to Christ.

The Christian heart will then want to give and do for others. Mercy will flow from God: “The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth” (Exodus 34:6). Paul refers to God as “the Father of mercies…” (2 Cor. 1:3).  The next four beatitudes show the change that has come about in the individual’s life who has obeyed the Gospel: we become merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and will withstand any persecution for Christ’s sake.

May we learn that our needs will be met as we show compassion, care, and love for others. Mercy shows forth a desire to provide relief for others in their time of need. Jesus says that the reward for showing mercy is mercy. May the God of Heaven be pleased with attitude of mercy.

~Wayne Rodgers

How's Your Aim?

Michelangelo is credited for saying: “The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.” In today’s climate of politics, workplace discussions and jokes, and even our school’s hallways, we find that not as many are concerned about honor and accountability, as they are with getting ahead, degrading one another, and even lying to get what they want. While the context of this passage deals with the financial accountability that Paul had concerning the collections taken up to minister “to the saints” (8:4; 9:1), there is a principle that we each should remember. We are to be concerned with our life, our words, our actions, our works, and our care in sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of man. We have a responsibility to be light and salt in this world for others that they may have opportunity to “glorify the Father in heaven” (Mt. 5:14-16).

~ Wayne Rodgers

For Such A Time As This

The faith of Mordecai is evident and impressive that God would deliver the Jews from Haman’s plan to destroy them, but it is the last part of the verse said to Esther from which we might gain the most. “Who knoweth whether…” When we consider being active in the kingdom of our Lord, it is often that we fail in lack of action. We should take opportunities when they present themselves to do good works, but we should also make opportunities by paying attention to what is going on around us. The responsibility of spreading the gospel is upon each Christian. We may need to do some self-examination and consider the phrase: “who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this.”

~Wayne Rodgers

There Is No God Like Thee

Solomon proclaims before the whole congregation of Israel (1 Kings 8:22) the greatness and faithfulness of the Lord God of Israel. God is distinguished from the idol gods of the land by the fact that he keeps his covenant and shows mercy unto those who follow Him (1 Kings 8:23). Paul said,“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Cor. 1:9). Under His new covenant (Mt. 26:28), God shows his mercy by way of salvation through Jesus Christ, whereby the promise of the remission of sins is accomplished. Remember that the Lord’s servants walk before him “with all their heart.”

~Wayne Rodgers