Day 274: Matt 5:1 - 6:34

Beginning in Matthew 5, we read one of the most famous sermons in the history of Christianity - the sermon on the mount. There is so much we can learn from so many perspectives by reading this sermon. I want to focus on the perspective of the minister. Now, I realize that there are some of us called to vocational ministry and some of us called to ministry within our secular jobs, but either way, the Bible commands us to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every living creature. This sermon is such an incredible example for us when ministering because Jesus does two things that we sadly rarely see from the pulpit at the same time - He encouraged the people, and He challenged the people. It seems like the usual sermon that we hear is only one or the other. It's either a sermon about butterflies and gumdrops and how God will bless anything and everything with no strings attached, or it's about how it doesn't matter who you are, you'll barely make it to heaven by the skin of your teeth and even now God is hanging you over hell just waiting for you to slip up. Of course, both of those examples may be somewhat exaggerated, but the point remains the same. Just like the New Testament and the Old Testament compliment each other so well, encouragement and challenge compliment each other and produce something that neither could produce on its own. Challenge without encouragement causes people to walk away feeling like they'll never make it, and encouragement without a challenge makes them walk away thinking everything is perfect and they don't need to fix anything. I believe as ministers, in whatever capacity, we are called to bring a balanced message to those around us so that they can be challenged to live a life of righteousness and be encouraged that God will give them the strength they need to live for Him!

- Lord, help me to remember balance as I speak Your Word to those you have called me to minister to. You have clearly demonstrated in Your Word that it is our responsibility to communicate what You want said to all of those around us. Help me to pay attention to You so that I can speak the right things to the right people in order to help them live the lives that You have called them to! -