Blessed Are The Meek

You are listening to a message from Thrive Community Church, a church located in Southwest Florida. For more info, visit us at thrive-fl.org. Last week we started the series called The Blessed Life, and we're continuing it for a second week. And I made three points last week about what The Blessed Life was like, and these words from the Beatitudes, the beginning of what's called the Sermon on the Mount of Jesus, and I said his words are offensive, I know, counterintuitive, and revolutionary. And we're going to look a little more at that this week. But before we get into that, I just want to let you know you can give us your prayer requests online any time. You also can take notes through the YouVersion of the Bible app and find at Thrive Community Church. We've got the message, the quotes, the Bible verses all listed there for The Blessed Life Week 2. Let's begin with prayer, shall we? Lord God, you have blessed us in the heavenly places as we are seated in Christ, as we are given everything that Jesus has won for us through his death and resurrection, through his entire life, and how he's opened the kingdom to us, Lord God. We thank you for this. We thank you that you are with us, and we are amazingly by your grace in the kingdom. We pray that you give us eyes to see clearly what you have for us, as much clearer than the confusion that we are seeing right now in this world. We do pray for our community, Lord, for so many things that have been unearthed over the last few months, of the unrest underneath, the anxieties, and the depressions, and the frustrations, and the differences of opinion that have broken out forcefully in our society. We also lift up, Lord, as we have seen, how we are nowhere near a perfect community, or a perfect society, or even a perfect church, that you would heal us of the injustices, that you would make us right with you, and that we would be living righteously, that is, following you every step, that we would show mercy, that we would seek justice, and we'd walk humbly with you, Lord God. We pray, Lord, that you would be with all those on the front lines right now of this pandemic in the United States, where so many have lost their lives, so many are sick, and so many hospitalized. And we've got a lot of questions right now, but we pray for our medical staff, our nurses, our doctors, those working, the first responders to situations, Lord God, that you would protect them, and keep them safe, and strengthen them, Lord. Many are becoming exhausted through this. We pray, Lord, for our teachers in our schools right now, as they are trying to figure out the best way to move forward, we pray for your wisdom. We pray as well for your protection over their lives, and that you would comfort them, Lord, and give them a peace. Let them find, throughout all this turmoil, a peace in you, as they trust you and your promises. And, Lord God, for our church, and for the churches in our area, Lord, that you give us opportunities, despite all of the limitations that we see, that you give us many avenues for ministry. We lift up to Florida Gulf Coast University, as students start arriving, and as they move into dorms and apartments, Lord God, and as they consider and anticipate classes, both online and in person, Lord God, that you give them wisdom, and that you protect us all through this time, and that you give us opportunities in ways that we can connect and grow together, even as we need to stay physically distant, and not do all the things we want to do. And we look forward, Lord, to that day. First of all, that day when much of this pandemic is behind us, and we can gather freely for meals, and fellowship, and hugs, and embrace, and all of those wonderful things and conversations. And when we can also gather in worship to praise and lift you up fully and completely. And we look forward to the day, Jesus, when you return. Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly. Heal this world. Renew this world. And finally, Lord God, we lift up, as you call us into your kingdom, as you have brought the kingdom of God right into the midst, as you walked around Israel, Judea, at that time, and you proclaimed the kingdom of God, that we would understand your kingdom more fully, what it looks like, how different it is from every other organization and kingdom in this world, and that we would live according to your kingdom as your people. So bless this. Bless this time, Lord. Holy Spirit, be involved in this message today. All this we lift up to you, and Lord Jesus, it's in your name we pray these things. Amen. So I heard Tim McKay this last week compare the words of the Beatitudes that we're looking at in the Blessed Life to walking into a zero-entry pool. Do you know, have you seen a picture of one of those? I think we've got a picture of that right there. You know, where you step in, it's only an inch deep, and it seems very easy and doable. We have one in my neighborhood, a zero-entry pool at the Amenity Center. And yo...