"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet." Matthew 5:3-13
• In v. 3-12, we're told the type of people which are empowered that we are to be by the power of the Holy Spirit.
How to be enhancers (how not to lose your saltiness):
1. We continually h_______ f______ to the strong reality of Jesus and His finished work on the cross.
"And not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God." Colossians 2:19
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." Colossians 3:1-4
2. We continually return to the priority of the g_______ in seeking to maintain our f_____ l_____.
"The devil does something much more subtle, and that there is apparently nothing wrong at all. What happens is that people just become weary and tired, while still going in the right direction… shuffling along with drooping heads and hands… the very antithesis of what the Christian is meant to be in this world.…the most difficult period of all in life is the middle. (There are rewards for youth and for old age, but the middle period is the most difficult.)" Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Spiritual Depression
"I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first." Revelation 2:3-4
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9
In maintaining the first love or fanning our faith into a flame (2 Timothy 1:6).
• Constantly remember the gospel of “done."
• Read, ponder, and pray scripture.
• Embrace the “along with” principle (2 Timothy 2:22).
• Embrace a lifestyle of repentance.
"3. Although repentance be not to be rested in as any satisfaction for sin, or any cause of the pardon thereof, which is the act of God’s free grace in Christ; yet is it of such necessity to all sinners, that none may expect pardon without it. 4. As there is no sin so small but it deserves damnation; so there is no sin so great that it can bring damnation upon those who truly repent. 5. Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, but it is every man’s duty to endeavor to repent of his particular sins, particularly." Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 15, Articles 3, 4, and 5
3. Rejoice in the rewards and anticipate eternity.
"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." Hebrews 11:6
4. Embrace the calling to be “enhancers” who are out of step with the s_____of the a____ (zeitgeist).
Answers: hold fast, gospel, first love, spirit, age