Sermon for August 2nd, 2026
Matthew 5:1-12 (New Testament p. 4)
1When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: 3‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Higher Education Part I: Beatitudes
Since school starts tomorrow for many of our students, I'm reminded of the elementary school teacher who was getting to know her class on the first day of school. She pointed to one of her students and asked, "What do your parents do for a living?" The student replied, My parents are both magicians--they have a brand new act, and the grand finale is when they put someone in a box and saw them in half!"
"That's very interesting," said the teacher. "And do you have any siblings?" The student replied, "Yes, I have a half-brother and half-sister."
- Spend more time on vss. 1-2 (the educational approach)
- Makarios: Blessed but really "bigger, happier"
- The difficult teachings at the heart of the Sermon on the Mount
- Countercultural nature of the beatitudes and the rest of the sermon
- Prelude (Matt. Chapter 4): Temptation, Calling of first Disciples, teaching and healing
Kid going to his first day of school, he looks worried, his dad asks him "What's wrong?"
Nervous, the kid asks, "How long do I have to go to school for?"
"Until you're 18" says the father.
The kid nods, and thinks about this quietly. When they get to the front gates of the school, the kid says "Dad, you will remember to come and get me when I'm 18, won't you?"