The Forgotten Beatitude.

Episode • Mar 17, 2024 • 1h 8m

Welcome to The Refinery.

The Inward Attitudes of a True Disciple is our theme for the next few Sunday mornings.

This series is based on the Beatitudes, found in the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount.

The Beatitudes vividly set forth the inward spiritual characteristics of those who are ideal citizens of the kingdom of God.

Only when we are right in our inward attitudes can we be right in our outward conduct.

Today we are discussing, The Forgotten Beatitude.

We have probably all heard a sermon on the Beatitudes, in fact I generally preach a series on the Beatitudes each year.

Did you know there is a Beatitude that Paul preserved for us for later?

Ask almost any Christian, even the most careful Bible student, to name the beatitudes of Jesus, and they will name those listed in Matthew 5. Not one in a hundred would name the one given in Acts 20.

Thus it is fair to call Acts 20:35 the forgotten Beatitude.

Acts 20:35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

There is no question as to the authenticity of this beatitude.

That this is a genuine saying of Jesus there is no doubt.

Beyond doubt, this was a current saying of Jesus with which the Ephesian elders were familiar.

Moreover, the writer, Luke, who heard Paul’s address to these pastors and preserved it. Also wrote the gospel that bears his name, and his gospel preserves, in slightly varied form, Jesus’ beatitudes.

There can be no doubt that Jesus demonstrated this beatitude in His life and ministry and death.

Just as surely as He demonstrated meekness, mercy, and purity of heart, so did Jesus demonstrate that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”

There can be no fault found with the form in which this beatitude is given.

Paul faces his statement of the beatitude with a twofold caution, “Labouring,” he said, “you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

His caution “to remember” is certainly in place for us, for this is the forgotten beatitude.

The Beatitudes describe the character traits of a happy Christian, and this one, so often forgotten, is the most joyous of them all.

Until next time

Stay in the Blessings

I really want to encourage you to be diligent with your Bible study time, because God has so much more for us than we can get from just going to church once or twice a week and hearing someone else talk about the Word.

When you spend time with God, your life will change in amazing ways, because God is a Redeemer.
Theres nothing thats too hard for Him, and He can make you whole, spirit, soul and body!

You’re important to God, and you’re important to us atThe Refinery.

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So whatever you’re concerned about and need prayer for we want to be here for you! Or even if you just want to say Hi, you can contact us at www.refinerylife.org

2024 IS A YEAR OF DECISIONS AND OPEN DOORS

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