The Reformation is one of the greatest events in history, in which Martin Luther started a movement, one that is still transforming lives today. This movement began when Luther rediscovered the Gospel, or Good News, of Jesus Christ in the book of Romans and reread the story of Jesus’s life and his Sermon on the Mount. Today the whole world, Catholic and Protestant, is impacted by that reformation. One of the biggest impacts was people beginning to read the Sermon on the Mount for themselves, it was revolutionary! It was beyond religious. This month, we began a series on the Sermon on the Mount, called “What Jesus Meant,” and as we focus on this life-changing sermon we can experience for ourselves what countless people before us have been inspired by. When St. Francis of Assisi first read the Sermon on the Mount it changed his life and how he lived out his faith. The present pope, Francis, is a reformer because of conviction in the Sermon on the Mount. They are life-altering words.
Last week when I kicked off the series, I focused on the fact that God wants to bless us and that he wants us to cooperate with that blessing. Even more than being blessed, we are to become a blessing ourselves that is why Jesus called us the salt of the world, the light on a hill. We are called and encouraged to spread blessings into our communities and into the darkness.
One of the dreams we have is to spread God’s blessings by working to end elective homelessness in our area. Let’s be thinking and dreaming about it. I have some ideas and I am sure that you do too. But the main thing is: let's get about the business of blessing others. And if you are lacking inspiration or feeling discouraged pick up your Bible and read the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5- 7). Soak in the life-changing words and rejoice! Shine with God’s love as you bless others.
May God bless you abundantly.
Your friend for the rest of my life,
Pastor Tim White
Photo Credit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4HniklCq-Q