Red Letters 3: Becoming a Red Letter Christian
Sunday, April 26, 2020
Pastor Troy Brewer, OpenDoor Church, Burleson, TX
Matthew 5, 6 and 7 give the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes – which comes from the Latin word for “blessed.” Here, it actually means “beautifully blessed.”
“Beautiful blessed is the life”
There are eight blessings and promises to make your life beautiful >
The Beatitudes
Matthew 5:3-12
Jesus said:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Matthew 5:13-19
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
Becoming a Red Letter Christian
1. Living according to the words of Jesus
Jesus is the fulfillment of the written word of God. He is the personification of the spoken word of God and He is the power of the Living word of God. When we live according to the words of Jesus we have…
Becoming a Red Letter Christian
2. Living according to the values of Jesus
To love what Jesus loves and to hate what Jesus hates is to have a huge value for Jesus says is important.
That is also called “the fear of the Lord.”
Becoming a Red Letter Christian
1. Living according to the priorities of the Kingdom
The Kingdom is any place where the King has dominion.
My highest priority should not be to avoid criticism or to play it safe.
You can tell by how people are reacting in fear that though they might be Christians, they are not Kingdom people.
Becoming a Red Letter Christian
4. Living a life that not only demonstrates the Father’s hear, but what Jesus says.
Is Christ your life? Is He your daily passion? Is He your hope for the future? In Philippians, we get the opportunity to watch and study a mature Christian—Paul. He is somebody we should be modeling. In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul says, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.”