February 2, 2020

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for February 2nd: Micah 6:1-8, Psalm 15, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12; Theme: Sermon on the Mount Matthew: Everybody has heard of the Sermon on the Mount, but have we really given any thought to what it really means in our life? What does it mean to be blessed? What does it mean to be happy? Will we really be satisfied if we do all of these things for our life? Jesus has now officially began his ministry to improve the lives of his people who are crying our for help. He has declared his mission, he has recruited his followers, and now he is announcing to the people that things will get better. There is nothing required of us as we listen to the sermon on the mount, these are promises that God will give to our lives. If we choose to join those new disciples. Jesus invites us to join a radical movement, that will change the world. All we have to do is to trust God and God’s promises. Micah: The old testament is written sort of like a legal brief of an ongoing court case between God and God’s people. God complains that the people have been unfaithful or the people complain that God is not listening to them. Micah is a complaint against the people. They are told the consequences of their unfaithfulness. So the people cry out – what is it that you want from us. They are attending worship, they are giving sacrifices, they even keep the church spotless. God calls out that none of that is enough. God does not care what the temple looks like, God cares about the hearts of the people. Are they thinking about others, are they giving mercy to others, do they have an active relationship with God? Jesus constantly tells us that God wants our hearts, not our outward appearance. How do we respond? Questions: Are you Happy? What does it mean to be blessed? Who is blessed and who is not? What does your relationship with God look like? Do you believe in the promises of God? How do they play out in your life?