Beatitudes - Sermon on the MountSample

We might rely on a lot of different things in our lives. We rely on technology, without the maps app on my phone, I would certainly get lost! We rely on having a wifi connection, to be entertained and stay connected with others. We rely on our shoes, to protect our feet. We rely on people in our lives, to be there for us when we need them. Most of the time people and things can be pretty reliable, but there are times they can let us down. Our technology runs out of battery, the wifi doesn’t connect, people aren’t perfect and let us down, and, well, when your shoes fail you - you could really step into a mess. In the beatitudes, Jesus encourages His listeners, Matthew 5:3 (CEV), “God blesses those people who depend only on him. They belong to the kingdom of heaven!” We can rely on God and unlike other things in life, He will never fail us. He will never let us down. His battery doesn’t run flat. He’s always listening. His connection never drops out. If we put all our trust in ourselves, in other people or things we will find ourselves disappointed and let down. We don’t need to rely on created things, when we can rely on the CREATOR of all things. Jesus started His Sermon on the Mount with that message, people who rely on God will be blessed! Today we read in Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, how he learned to rely on God knowing God would take care of all his needs.