Central Truth

God's healing power can be found in the principles that Jesus laid out for us in The Beatitudes found in Matthew 5:1-12.

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Reflections

I selected the beginning of Matthew 5 because the ministry of Celebrate Recovery is based on the principles given here from Jesus' 'Sermon On The Mount.' I love to tell people about 'CR.' My thought life, attitudes, habits, and relationships have been transformed by being involved with this recovery program and the truth of the 'Beatitudes' in Matthew 5:1-12 is the umbrella over us at CR. Jesus teaches us how to live, but not by expounding mysterious platitudes. It is as simple as this:

Blessed are the poor in spirit: We realize we are weak, actually dying inside, and powerless over some behaviors. We admit our need for Christ!

Blessed are those who mourn: We mourn the loss of our own will power but are willing to accept God's power. His love brings hope to the hopeless.

Blessed are the meek: We humbly commit our life and will to God's care and control. We surrender.

Blessed are the pure in heart: We honestly examine our life, confessing our faults. This is a heart cleansing!

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: We submit to the changes that God wants to make in us and allow Him to remove our character defects.

Blessed are the merciful. Blessed are the peace makers: We repair our relationships by making amends, asking for forgiveness and receiving it. We come out of isolation.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness: Evil may try to win us back but we daily examine ourselves, read, and pray to know God's will, and bring The Good News to others.

Jesus has given a step by step process to return to Him when we are lost. He has provided the tools to fix us when we are broken. This is the heart of Celebrate Recovery. It works because it is based on Jesus' teaching His sheep on that hill so long ago. It rings down to us throughout all the ages and even to you right now. 'Come all you who are bearing a heavy load and I will give you rest.' (Matthew 11:28, NLT)

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Discussion Questions

1. List the conditions of the heart described in Matthew 5:1-12 and tell why Jesus' teachings are often referred to as "The Upside-Down Life".

2. Do you have a secret issue of the heart that prevents you from living life to the fullest? What keeps you from confessing this to someone who you trust?

3. Jesus wants us to look like Him and The Beatitudes describe His heart. Take each verse and think of something in the life of Christ that reflects that beatitude.

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