Welcome to the Cross of Blue Ministries website. We are so happy to have you join us today.  As you know, this site will be utilized by many speakers delivering different messages with themes related to Law Enforcement and the daily struggles endured. Today's message will be from the actual sermon that Jesus himself delivered to his disciples and those gathered, better known as the "Sermon on the Mount". Turn with me if you would to Chapter 5 of the book of Matthew. We will focus on verses 1 thorugh 10. As we begin to disect this text I want you to be cognizant of the fact that these verses were the actual sermon of Jesus and think about how they relate to you as Police Officers.

The Sermon on the Mount

1 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him

2 and he began to teach them.

3. "God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs"

4. "God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted."

5. "God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth."

6." God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied."

7. "God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy."

8. "God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God."

9." God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God."

10. "God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs."

In verse 3, when we see the word poor, this is referring to poor in the spiritual sense not in terms of actual monetary wealth. If we are lacking in the spiritual area of our lives we can turn and surrender to the Holy Spirit.

In verse 4, we as Police Officers, mourn everyday for what we see and endure. We may not show it and we probably do not even feel it because we have hardened our hearts and shut down the emotions. However we have assurance from this verse that we will be blessed and comforted when we mourn.

With regards to verse 5, I have a question for you? Are you humble to your fellow man and before God? Has the badge given you a big head? Another question....when is the last time you have gotten down on one knee and humbled yourself before God in prayer? That feeling you are getting in your stomach right now is not me brother, that is the Holy Spirit speaking to you.

In verse 6, we all seek justice or we would not be in this job and we all get that sense of satisfaction when justice is served.

Verse 7 and 8 are very similar in my opinion. Having a pure heart is something we all must have to be one of the "good guys." Probably the most relevant scripture to Law Enforcement is verse which reassures us that working in the profession we choose to work in, we are all blessed by being peacekeepers. That is our number one priority is it not? To keep the peace!

In verse 10, I want to propose to you that this is our biggest challenge in Law Enforcement. Every single day, one cannot turn on the news without finding someone in the news media who is being critical of the Police just for doing their job. We all know that 99.9% of the time, the officers involved in the situations we see on CNN or NBC or anywhere else, are doing what they NEED to do in order to resolve the situation. However, the media has a field day right? Well, verse 10 is a prime example that God knows who is being persecuted for doing right. Now you might say, "Tim, you know that Jesus was not thinking of Police Officers with that scripture. Cops were not even in existence back then." You are absolutely right but what I submit to you is, this sermon on the mount message from Jesus himself, can be applied to your everyday lives for comfort.

What I want to leave you with today is this........Have you humbled yourself before Jesus today? Jesus said in Luke cp 18 verse 14 that  "Those who humble themselves will be exhaulted and those who exhault themselves will be humbled." I challenge you today to humble yourself before Him and he will take you to places you never thought were possible.

Will you pray with me? Father in heaven, we thank you today for allowing us the opportunity to come together and humble ourselves before you. We know that we cannot make it through this life or this job without you.. We MUST have you in our lives front and center. And father, if there is anyone reading this today that needs to know you personally, I pray that the Holy Spirit will speak to them in a special way and touch their lives and hearts by leading them to a personal relationship with your son Jesus Christ. Amen.

Stay safe and remember, "Fear no evil for thou art with thee."

In Service of Him,

Timothy Tate