Golf is a frustrating sport.  It seems like when you get one part of the game figured out the other parts desert you.  Yesterday I played pretty well.  I hit most of my greens in regulation and even put a couple shots pretty close for birdies.  The problem was that I could not putt at all.  I had an ok round all in all but I really struggled with the basics.  If you can’t putt you will struggle no matter what else you may be doing.  Life is a lot like golf if you struggle with the basics you are going to have a hard time.  That was Jesus’ biggest problem with the Pharisees, they missed the basics.  They looked good on the outside but at the base level they didn’t understand their need for God and His amazing grace.  I thought we would spend the next week or so walking through some of the basics found in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.  He is speaking both to His disciples and also to the Pharisees who are there.  Let’s dig in to Matthew 5 together today.

“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.

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

Jesus starts out by hitting the Pharisees directly – blessed are the poor in spirit.  The Pharisees did not see themselves this way.  They thought they were good, that they had it all together.  Jesus is teaching us all truths but also pointing out the errors in the thinking of the Pharisees.  No one is good enough on their own to be righteous in God’s eyes.  Much of Jesus’ work in this sermon is to point us all to the truth of how much we need God. I guess that’s one thing my golf game has on the Pharisees.  I know I’m not good enough.  No one is.  Take some time today to thank God for His work and grace in your life. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave