Redefining Blessedness: Embracing God's Kingdom Values

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we explore the profound truth that the gospel reaches into the lives of those who chase after seemingly trivial pursuits. We often measure the quality of our day by the good feelings we experience or the favorable circumstances we encounter. However, Jesus challenges this perspective by inviting us to reconsider what truly matters. In the story of the rich young man, Jesus reveals that the kingdom of God is not about wealth or status but about a heart aligned with God's purposes. The disciples, like many of us, were surprised to learn that what they deemed important was not necessarily significant in God's eyes.

Jesus' teachings, particularly the Beatitudes, illustrate a reversal of worldly values. He declares blessings upon those whom society often overlooks—the poor in spirit, those who mourn, and the oppressed. This is not because of their circumstances but because, through Jesus, they have access to God's presence, guidance, and power. The kingdom of God is open to all, including those who feel hopeless or marginalized. This great reversal challenges us to see beyond societal standards of success and to recognize the inherent worth and potential for blessedness in every individual.

Dallas Willard's insights remind us that the good news of the kingdom is transformative. It empowers us to approach those deemed "hopeless" by the world and assure them of their blessedness in God's eyes. We are called to look beyond superficial measures of worth, such as appearance or social status, and to embrace the beauty and value inherent in every person. In a world obsessed with external appearances, Jesus' message offers a radical redefinition of what it means to live a blessed life.

Today, let us reflect on the "silly" pursuits that often consume our time and energy. Let us seek the beauty and presence of God in those who are considered "hopeless blessables" by societal standards. By doing so, we align ourselves with the values of God's kingdom and discover what truly makes a day good in His eyes.

Key Takeaways:

1. Reevaluating Our Values: Jesus challenges us to reconsider what we deem important, revealing that societal measures of success often miss the mark of true significance in God's kingdom. Our thinking must be rearranged to align with divine values. [02:14]

2. The Great Reversal: The Beatitudes illustrate a reversal of worldly values, where those considered least by society are blessed through their relationship with God. This challenges us to see beyond external circumstances and recognize the potential for blessedness in everyone. [03:06]

3. The Kingdom's Inclusivity: Jesus' message of good news extends to all, including those marginalized or deemed hopeless by the world. The kingdom of God is open to everyone, offering transformation and hope. [04:25]

4. Beyond Superficial Standards: In a world focused on appearances, Jesus invites us to see the inherent beauty and worth in every person, challenging societal standards of acceptability and success. [08:47]

5. Living the Beatitudes: We are called to embody the Beatitudes by recognizing the blessedness in those considered "hopeless" and aligning our lives with the values of God's kingdom. This involves seeking God's presence and love in unexpected places. [10:59]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:25] - Defining a Good Day
- [00:41] - The Gospel for the Silly
- [00:56] - The Rich Young Man
- [01:09] - Who Can Enter the Kingdom?
- [01:33] - Peter's Question
- [02:00] - The First and the Last
- [02:39] - The Beatitudes Explained
- [03:34] - Jesus' First Sermon
- [04:01] - The Kingdom for the Lowly
- [04:44] - The Meaning of Blessedness
- [05:43] - The Staircase of Human Flourishing
- [06:42] - Walking in the Good News
- [07:20] - The Hopeless Blessables
- [09:05] - The Gospel for a Silly World
- [10:11] - Embracing the Hopeless Blessables

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 19:16-22 - The story of the rich young man.
2. Matthew 5:3-12 - The Beatitudes.
3. Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus' first sermon, referencing Isaiah.

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#### Observation Questions
1. What did Jesus tell the rich young man he lacked, and how did the young man respond? [00:56]
2. In the Beatitudes, who does Jesus declare as blessed, and why is this significant? [02:53]
3. How does Jesus' first sermon in Luke 4:18-19 reflect the theme of the kingdom's inclusivity? [03:34]
4. What societal standards does Jesus challenge in His teachings, according to the sermon? [08:47]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of the rich young man illustrate the challenge of aligning our values with God's kingdom? [01:09]
2. What does the "great reversal" in the Beatitudes suggest about God's view of success and blessedness? [03:06]
3. How does Jesus' message of inclusivity in Luke 4:18-19 redefine who is considered "blessed" in society? [04:25]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that societal standards of beauty and success are superficial? [08:47]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily pursuits. Are there any "silly" pursuits that consume your time and energy? How can you refocus on what truly matters in God's eyes? [10:30]
2. Consider the people in your life who might be seen as "hopeless" by societal standards. How can you affirm their inherent worth and blessedness this week? [07:01]
3. How can you embody the Beatitudes in your daily interactions, especially with those who are marginalized or overlooked? [06:26]
4. Think about a time when you judged someone based on their appearance or status. How can you challenge yourself to see their inherent beauty and worth instead? [08:47]
5. Identify one area in your life where you need to realign your values with those of God's kingdom. What practical steps can you take to make this change? [02:14]
6. How can you actively seek God's presence and love in unexpected places or people this week? [10:59]
7. What specific action can you take to live out the inclusivity of God's kingdom in your community? [04:25]

Devotional

Day 1: Reconsidering True Significance
In a world where success is often measured by wealth, status, or favorable circumstances, Jesus invites us to reevaluate what truly matters. The story of the rich young man illustrates that the kingdom of God is not about external achievements but about a heart aligned with God's purposes. Jesus challenges us to shift our focus from societal measures of success to divine values, urging us to see beyond the superficial and embrace what is significant in God's eyes. This realignment of values calls us to a deeper understanding of what it means to live a life of true significance. [02:14]

"For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" (Mark 8:36, ESV)

Reflection: What societal measures of success have you been prioritizing over God's values? How can you begin to realign your focus today?


Day 2: Embracing the Great Reversal
The Beatitudes present a radical reversal of worldly values, where those considered least by society are blessed through their relationship with God. Jesus declares blessings upon the poor in spirit, those who mourn, and the oppressed, not because of their circumstances but because they have access to God's presence and power. This challenges us to see beyond external circumstances and recognize the potential for blessedness in everyone, regardless of their societal status. By embracing this great reversal, we are called to value individuals for their inherent worth and potential in God's kingdom. [03:06]

"But many who are first will be last, and the last first." (Matthew 19:30, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life might you be overlooking because of societal standards? How can you begin to see and affirm their blessedness today?


Day 3: The Inclusivity of God's Kingdom
Jesus' message of good news extends to all, including those marginalized or deemed hopeless by the world. The kingdom of God is open to everyone, offering transformation and hope. This inclusivity challenges us to reach out to those who feel excluded or undervalued, assuring them of their worth in God's eyes. By embracing the inclusivity of God's kingdom, we are empowered to bring hope and transformation to those who need it most, reflecting the heart of Jesus in our interactions with others. [04:25]

"For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:13, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your community might feel excluded or undervalued? How can you extend God's love and inclusivity to them today?


Day 4: Seeing Beyond Superficial Standards
In a world focused on appearances, Jesus invites us to see the inherent beauty and worth in every person, challenging societal standards of acceptability and success. This call to look beyond superficial measures of worth encourages us to embrace the beauty and value inherent in every individual, regardless of their appearance or social status. By doing so, we align ourselves with the values of God's kingdom and discover the true meaning of a blessed life. [08:47]

"Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment." (John 7:24, ESV)

Reflection: What superficial standards have you been using to judge others? How can you begin to see and affirm the inherent worth in those around you today?


Day 5: Living the Beatitudes
We are called to embody the Beatitudes by recognizing the blessedness in those considered "hopeless" and aligning our lives with the values of God's kingdom. This involves seeking God's presence and love in unexpected places and embracing the transformative power of the gospel. By living the Beatitudes, we are invited to participate in the great reversal of worldly values and discover what truly makes a day good in God's eyes. [10:59]

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3, ESV)

Reflection: How can you embody the Beatitudes in your daily life? What steps can you take to seek God's presence and love in unexpected places today?

Quotes


He knew that much of what Peter and the others thought to be important was not really so, and that what they thought to be of no importance was often of great significance before God. Let me say that again: he knew that what Peter and the others often thought to be important was really not so, and that what they thought to be of no importance was often great of significance before God. [00:02:09]

Jesus does what he does so often at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. He gives the Beatitudes: blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are they that mourn. And he's not telling you what you have to try to become like or do to qualify for blessings. He is saying now people that the world thinks are not blessed are not eligible for the good life actually are. [00:02:47]

Because through Jesus now, through his teaching and his life and his friendship, to be alive to God, to be alive with God, to have God's guidance and power and character flowing into my life, into my mind, into my thoughts, into my relationships is not a real possibility. And that's what matters. [00:03:06]

The personal Ministry of Jesus from his present Kingdom brings them the beatitude indeed. Such transformation of status for the lowly, the humanly hopeless, as they experience the hand of God reaching into their situation is possibly the most pervasive theme of the biblical writings: the great reversal. [00:05:16]

And then Jesus comes and he reverses the staircase of human flourishing. Blessed are the poor, good news for the lame and the prisoners, blessed are they that mourn. Why? Not because they're prisoners or blind or lame or poor in spirit, because now through Jesus, life with God and God's friendship, God's help, God's power has become available to them. [00:06:03]

Dallas writes you are really walking in the good news of the kingdom of God if you can go with confidence to any of the hopeless people around you and effortlessly convey assurance that they now can enter a blessed life with God. [00:06:38]

The sad truth is that many people around us, and especially people in their teens and young adulthood, drift into a life—this is our world—in which being thin and correctly shaped, having glorious hair, appearing youthful, and so on are the only terms of blessedness or woe for their existence. It is all they know; they have heard nothing else. [00:07:56]

Instead, Jesus took time in his teaching to point out the natural beauty of every human being, how the most glamorous person you know—Solomon in all his Splendor, people who walk the red carpet this year, the champagne carpet at the Academy Awards—don't look, don't have the glory of just a single flower in a field. [00:09:05]

So we must see from our heart that blessed are the physically repulsive, blessed are those who smell bad, the Twisted, the misshapen, the deformed, the too big, the too little, the too loud, the bald, the fat, the old. They all riotously celebrated in the party of Jesus. [00:10:04]

Today, think about the silly things that you might be tempted to spend your day going after that don't really matter, silly in the eyes of God, silly in light of the fact that you're an eternal being with an endless Destiny stretched out before you in God's Great universe. [00:10:27]

Today, think about the Beatitudes that will come to people who are the Hopeless blessables in the silliness of our thinking, and then ask God, would you deliver me for my silliness? It's just who I am; that's part of my problem right now. [00:10:52]

And then today, look for the beauty, look for the presence and the love of God in those people on the list of hopeless blessables. Decide today what will make this a good day in the eyes of God for you because that's possible. [00:11:09]

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Transcript
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