WHY AM I STILL EMPTY?

Series: Upside Down Kingdom | Pastor Daniel Norris

Text: Matthew 4:23–5:6 (ESV)

23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

5 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them… Matthew 4:23–5:2 (ESV)

“Unhappy is the man who spends his whole life climbing the ladder of success only to discover he placed the ladder on the wrong wall.”

Religion’s answer to any Question, “JUST TRY HARDER!”

Blessed means flourishing. Whole. Favored by God. Living the life God intended.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (Matthew 5:6, ESV)

1. Jesus says, “When you empty yourself, you’re fully filled.”

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3, ESV)

The Kingdom begins where self-sufficiency ends.

Poverty of spirit is the posture of removing everything that stands in the way of God’s rule and presence in your life.

You cannot receive the fullness of God while pretending you do not need Him.

2. Jesus says, “When you get honest, you’re fully healed.” 

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4, ESV)

The comfort of God comes to honest people.

The blessed life begins when you stop running from what is broken and bring it before God.

God cannot heal the version of you that you keep pretending to be.

What is unhealed in your own life because you’ve kept it hidden?

3. Jesus says, “When you surrender control, you’re fully freed”  

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5, ESV)

Meekness means strength under control.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle [praus] and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30, ESV)

What are you holding so tightly that you cannot trust God with it?

4. Jesus says, “When you hunger for the right things, you’re fully satisfied.”

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (Matthew 5:6, ESV)

Spiritual hunger can only be satisfied by a spiritual source.

The soul will always remain restless until it hungers for the right thing.

How do I move the ladder?

1. Empty Yourself | “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”

2. Get Honest | “Blessed are those who mourn.”

3. Surrender Control | “Blessed are the meek.”

4. Change Appetites | “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.”