Welcome to Timeless Truth with Pastor Jim Thomas. This season, Pastor Jim is leading us in a study of The Sermon on the Mount.
The Sermon on the Mount is found in Matthew, chapters 5-7.
- Jesus saw the multitudes
- Jesus went up the mountain
- Jesus sat down
- Jesus disciples came to Him
- Jesus opened His mouth and began to teach them
Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…
“In God you come up against something which is in every respect immeasurably superior to yourself. Unless you know God as that – and, therefore, know your self as nothing in comparison – you do not know God at all. As long as you are proud, you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.”
CS Lewis, Mere Christianity
“GOD DOES NOT force his kingdom upon anybody but gladly gives it to all who know they’re losers without him and humbly seek his help.”
Clarence Jordan, The Sermon on the Mount
“The Church consists of the spiritually poor. The only condition of eligibility is destitution. The rich are sent away empty. We have to acknowledge our spiritual bankruptcy, that we have no merit to plead, no strings to pull, no power to save ourselves. To such Jesus says ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of God is theirs’.”
John Stott, The Christian and the Poor
“My own beggary leads me out of self into His riches. My own unrighteousness leads me out of self into Christ’s righteousness. My own defilement leads me out of self into Christ’s sanctification. My own weakness leads me out of self into Christ’s strength. My own misery leads me out of self into Christ’s mercy. Having nothing-and yet possessing all things” 2 Corinthians 6:10. These two branches of divine truth, so far from clashing with each other-sweetly, gloriously, and blessedly harmonize.”
J. C. Philpot: Spiritual Poverty and Heavenly Riches
Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted…
“The Bible, in showing me who I am, drives me to mourning and in showing me who Jesus is lifts me to dancing.”
R. C. Sproul, Jr.
“God has been attentive to my mourning. He has been ever close, close enough to catch my tears in a bottle as they fall from my eyes. I wonder if perhaps the bottle of my tears might sit on the shelf next to the tears Jesus wept…”
Kim Thomas, Finding Your Way Through Grief
My friend Tony Giles once shared with me this Gospel invitation:
To all who are spiritually weary and need rest;
to all who mourn and long for comfort;
to all who struggle and desire victory;
to all who sin and need a Savior;
to all who are strangers and want fellowship;
to all who hunger and thirst after righteousness;
and to whoever will come – this church opens wide her doors and offers welcome in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
