“Don’t Hide Your Happiness” Religion vs. Spirituality” – p.1 Matthew 5:1-16

Kludge noun \klüj\ something inelegant, inefficient, clumsy, or patched together, that nonetheless succeeds in solving a specific problem or performing a particular task. That sounds like religion.

Fog noun \fo ̇ g\ you can recognize it but you can’t catch it. That sounds like spirituality.

Matthew 5:1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to himNow when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him

Matthew 5:1 The word “blessed” refers to those who are and/or will be happy, fortunate, because of God’s response to their behavior or situation.The word “blessed” refers to those who are and/or will be happy, fortunate, because of God’s response to their behavior or situation.

Blessed are the broke and the broken (vv.3-4) "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 broke and the broken (vv.3-4) The poor in their spirit are solely dependent upon God.The poor in their spirit are solely dependent upon God. The broken “know godly sorrow for sin, and are deeply concerned about the evil in the world.The broken “know godly sorrow for sin, and are deeply concerned about the evil in the world.

Blessed are the disciplined and the desperate (v.5-6) 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 disciplined and the desperate (v.5-6) Meek means “disciplined or controlled spirit”.Meek means “disciplined or controlled spirit”. Hunger and thirst: desire to see God’s standards establishedHunger and thirst: desire to see God’s standards established

Blessed are the soft hearted and pure hearted (vv.7-8) Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Mercy means “generous, forgiving others having compassion for the suffering,Mercy means “generous, forgiving others having compassion for the suffering,

Blessed are the soft hearted and pure hearted (vv.7-8) The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart,…(Ps. 24:3-4)

Blessed are the soft hearted and pure hearted (vv.7-8) Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Purity in heart refers to moral uprightness: it deals with the intentions or the will of a person.“Purity in heart refers to moral uprightness: it deals with the intentions or the will of a person.

Blessed are the peacemakers and persecuted (vv.9-12) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are the peacemakers and persecuted (vv.9-12)

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

Blessed are the peacemakers and persecuted (vv.9-12) Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Blessed are the peacemakers and persecuted (vv.9-12) The blessing is not for peace-lovers, but for those who make peace.The blessing is not for peace-lovers, but for those who make peace. The persecution “must be the result of righteous.The persecution “must be the result of righteous. Joyful is not an emotion but an attitudeJoyful is not an emotion but an attitude

Bottom Line: We exist to make God famous and we do that when we live a Jesus-centered life!We exist to make God famous and we do that when we live a Jesus-centered life!

Matthew 5:13-16 "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 by men.

Matthew 5:13-16 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 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.

Matthew 5:13-16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Myth #1: Religious people live by countercultural standards and should separate themselves from the world.Religious people live by countercultural standards and should separate themselves from the world.

Myth #1: Jesus teaching is that spiritual people live by countercultural standards and they should “arrest corruption and prevent moral decay in their world”.Jesus teaching is that spiritual people live by countercultural standards and they should “arrest corruption and prevent moral decay in their world”.

Myth #2: The Christian life is a bunch of religious rules and standards.The Christian life is a bunch of religious rules and standards. Jesus says: let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heavenJesus says: let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven

Embrace poverty and brokenness

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17

Feed your spiritual hungers

Celebrate your spirituality.