Remember the birds and the lilies. Dr. Helmut Thielicke preached a course of sermons on the Sermon on the Mount in St Mark’s Church, Stuttgart, during the terrible years (1946–1948) which immediately followed World War II. He often alluded to the scream of the air-raid sirens, alerting people to yet more devastation and death from … Continue reading In Anxious Times…
sermon on the mount
Reflections on “The Poor in Spirit”
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3) The sermon on the Mount describes what human life and human community looks like when they come under the gracious rule of King Jesus… Still today the indispensable condition of receiving the kingdom of God is to acknowledge our spiritual poverty… Thus, … Continue reading Reflections on “The Poor in Spirit”
Prayer of Confession of Sin – The Beatitudes
CONFESSION OF SIN O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy; Be gracious to us for we have gone astray from your ways. Create in us new and contrite hearts, that we may now truly lament and confess our sins to You. Blessed are the poor in spirit. But in our pride we … Continue reading Prayer of Confession of Sin – The Beatitudes
Using the Beatitudes to Confess Your Sins
Blessed Jesus, you offered us all your blessings when you announced... “Blessed are the poor in spirit” — but we have been rich in pride. “Blessed are those who mourn” — but we have not known much sorrow for our sin. Blessed are the meek” — but we are a stiff-necked people. “Blessed are those … Continue reading Using the Beatitudes to Confess Your Sins
Reflections on “Those Who Mourn”
“Blessed are those who mourn” is, paradoxically, a more necessary message than “Rejoice in the Lord always,” because there can be no true rejoicing until we have stopped running away from mourning. - Simon Tugwell, The Beatitudes The disciples bear the suffering laid on them only by the power of Him who bears all suffering … Continue reading Reflections on “Those Who Mourn”
2Cherish2Commend 