It is easier for us to be Christians in our culture than in the culture of Rome. But God's kingdom is still in conflict with the culture and kingdom of our day. Our culture teaches possessions, power, and pleasure as the meaning of life while we teach sacrifice, submission, and love. When we truly live by these principles, there is conflict. We stand out. Passionate followers of Jesus create a reaction, because His Kingdom upsets the world's corrupt system.

Scripture References: Matthew 5:1-12, Acts 5:17-18, John 11:45-50

Related Topics: The Beatitudes | More Messages from Paul Mills

From Series: "Blessed"

The Beatitudes express God's desire for his people. God wants to bless us, but the pathway to this blessing seems upside down from our perspective. It's not God that's upside down--it's us. And the Beatitudes reorient us toward Kingdom life. What does it mean to be blessed? We often associate blessing with wealth, health, friends, family, accomplishment, etc. But Jesus turns the idea of blessing upside down. We are blessed when we are poor in spirit, when we mourn, etc. In other words, blessing is found as we submit ourselves to the rule and reign of God.

The word used for mourning in the Beatitudes means a greatest/deepest expression of sadness. The scripture says we are blessed when we profoundly and deeply mourn, but this Beatitude is not simply about being sad. It is about what you are mourning and who you will seek to find comfort. There is a connection between being poor in spirit and mourning. Blessed are those who are desperately sorry for their own sins. We are broken for God. We mourn not only our sins, but we're desperately sorry for the sins of the world.

Scripture References: Matthew 5:1-12, Romans 6:1-4

Related Topics: The Beatitudes | More Messages from Paul Mills