Sun Nov 03 2024

 Audio recording Sermon manuscript: When we think about being blessed or being happy we usually think about wealth, abundance, security, contentment, and so on. Happiness goes together with strength, ability, and freedom. If we have the wherewithal and if we have the opportunity, then we can do what we want. If we should be constrained with our resources or freedom, then we might not be able to do what we want. We most easily and naturally believe that blessedness or happiness comes from being able to do whatever we want. We usually associate not being able to do whatever we want with sadness. Did you notice how Jesus’s teaching was strange along these lines? What we usually associate with sadness, Jesus declares as blessedness or happiness. Let’s look at a few of the things Jesus said. He said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” Is being poor ever good? It’s always better to be rich. Even if Jesus is not talking about money, doesn’t it sound better to be rich in spirit? Someon...