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  OPENING WORDS OF GRACE AND TRUTH
  by F.B. Meyer
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Summary: The sermon emphasizes that blessedness is accessible to all,
regardless of circumstances, and can be cultivated by developing the
passive qualities of lowliness, meekness, and mourning, or by actively
seeking to live out the positive qualities of mercy, purity, peace, and
willingness to suffer for Christ.

Topics: "Blessedness", "Inner Qualities of Faith"
Scripture References: Matthew 5:3

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DESCRIPTION
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F.B. Meyer emphasizes that the life of blessedness is accessible to all,
regardless of their worldly status or possessions. He explains that true
beatitude is not earned through external means but is a state of the
heart characterized by humility, meekness, mourning for sin, and a deep
hunger for Christ. Meyer highlights the importance of cultivating these
dispositions, which lead to mercy, purity, peace, and a willingness to
endure for Christ's sake. He points out that Jesus exemplified this
blessed life, opening the doors for everyone to enter. Ultimately, the
sermon encourages believers to seek the inner qualities that align with
the teachings of Christ.

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CONTENT
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Matthew 5:1-9

There are many doors into the life of blessedness. It does not depend on
outward possessions, such as worldly goods or high birth. There is no
soul of man, however illiterate, lonely, or poor, that may not step
suddenly into this life of beatitude and begin to drink of the river
that makes glad the city of God. Our Lord lived this life before He
described it. He has opened the doors for us. If you cannot enter by the
gate of purity, can you not come in by that which is reserved for those
who hunger and thirst?

Note the passive side of the blessed life.

To be poor in spirit, that is, to be lowly in one’s self-estimate; to
be meek, not always interested in one’s rights; to mourn for the evils
of one’s own heart and for the sin and sorrow around; to hunger and
thirst after Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. These dispositions do not
purchase blessedness, but to cultivate them is to be blessed. On the
positive side are mercy, purity, peace and willingness to suffer all
things for Christ. Here is 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 anticipated!

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/fb-meyer/opening-words-of-grace-and-truth/
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