Vantage Points

We all look at life differently. We all have different perspectives about raising kids, what it means to be “successful,” and how to live a good life. We even have different vantage points about what it means to be followers of God. So did people in Jesus’ day. In the most powerful sermon ever preached or recorded, Jesus gave His vantage point on what it means to live life to the full and be connected with God. It’s His vantage point that we want to discover and make our own. Join us in this study on the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) as we discover Jesus’ vantage point and learn how to make it our own.

Feb. 14/15: I Want a Blessed Life…Really? Matthew 5:1-12

Feb. 21/22: I Can’t Influence Others…Really? Matthew 5:13-16

Feb. 28/Mar. 1: I Am a “Good Person”…Really? (pt. 1) Matthew 5:17-48

Mar. 7/8: I Am a “Good Person”…Really? (pt. 2) Matthew 6:1-18

Mar. 14/15: I Need More “Stuff”…Really? Matthew 6:19-34

Mar. 21/22: I Am Better Than Others…Really? Matthew 7:1-12

Mar. 28/29: I Have It All Figured Out…Really? Matthew 7:13-29

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You’re currently reading “Vantage Points,” an entry on Rick Grover’s Weblog

Published:: February 4, 2009 / 10:01 pm

Category:: Vantage Points

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Stephanie Pearre 2.13.09 / 3am

I have always wanted to seriously study the Sermon on the Mount!! Thank you. I can’t wait for Church!! See you Saturday evening. I don’t go to the “Boiler Room,” but I do often pray that the power of God speaks to us through you as you preach. Thank you for your service to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and our Father in Heaven.

rickgrover 2.16.09 / 3pm

Thanks, Stephanie!! Have a great week!

Cindy Lyons 2.22.09 / 6am

I’ve never understood the meaning of “poor in spirit” and if you explained it last weekend I missed it. Can you please define that for me? Thanks.

rickgrover 2.23.09 / 3pm

My understanding is that “poor in spirit” is not in reference to material poverty which is indicated in Luke 6:20. The phrase describes those who humbly trust God even if there is a lack of resources which contrasts the “wicked” who set themselves up against God through arrogance and place their dependence on their resources. To be poor in spirit means we possess a humble and “unworldly” attitude and trust only in God. We are “empty before God” (Karl Barth), and that poverty or emptiness becomes a mark of discipleship. The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.

I hope this helps!

Rick

Cindy Lyons 2.25.09 / 7pm

Yes, that helps. Thank you.

Marla 2.28.09 / 2am

I would also add that as Jesus so often did, He was quite directly addressing the religious leaders of the day. They relied on their religion to save them, on their own piety and goodness. They certainly felt good about themselves and their standing with God and the world. Jesus is telling them that we can never be good enough on our own, and that we are to completely empty ourselves of pride, self-righteousness, and religion. We do no receive the gifts of God based on our merit. We are really all poor in spirit because we are utterly depraved, apart from God, but we have to recognize that and then allow our spirits to be reigned by Christ. Wherever He reigns, therein lies His kingdom. When we’re poor in spirit and we’re reigned by Him, we are living in an earthly kingdom of heaven.

Jason Aldridge 3.4.09 / 3pm

Rick- very well put. We ALL need to have that understanding of “poor in spirit.” Even as the world knocks at our door and the enemy stands on the other side waiting for us to invite him in, we have to remember the “humble pie” on the table set before us and know that He is a healer and restorer and that the enemy is nothing but a destroyer! I strive everyday to get the “vantage point” of Jesus and know that it’s the only way to have peace in my heart and servitude as my mantra. I have thouroughly enjoyed your presence at OCC and look forward to a long tenure of God’s word through you. Bless you friend.

Lori Cecil 3.12.09 / 6pm

Thought you might like this quote if you haven’t already heard it. “I shall pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any fellow human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again.” –Jerry Lewis

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