CORINTH

-Sermon Notes-

February 1, 2026

“Clap Your Hands If You Feel Like a Room Without a Roof”

(Psalm 15, Matthew 5:1-12)

 

     Remember the huge hit back in 2014 called “Happy” by Pharrell Williams?  It’s hard not to be happy when listening to this song.  Today’s sermon title comes from the song. What does it mean?  Pharrell, who wrote the song explained that “Clap your hands if you feel like a room without a roof” is a metaphor for lifting oneself and others out of a hurtful, hate-filled world, living life as it was meant to be lived, celebrating love and freedom.  And how is this achieved?  By living-out the beatitudes Jesus teaches in today’s passage from Matthew.

     Scripture indicates this is the first lesson Jesus taught the disciples and followers, so it must be critically important.  How does Jesus indicate we are able to live as intended?  By living-out each beatitude, we find freedom.  “Blessed are the poor in spirit” indicates when we allow our ego and pride to drain from ourselves, we create room for God’s presence in our lives.  “Blessed are those who mourn” refers to those who see a broken world and mourn, as opposed to those who don’t care.  “Blessed are the meek” refers to being humble instead of haughty.  Blessed are those who thirst for righteousness, who are merciful, who are peacemakers, who are pure in heart (not devious) all lead to making the kingdom of God available in the here and now (not just a future reality.)

     Psalm 15 is a wisdom psalm of David that defines the character of a person worthy to dwell in God's presence, focusing on ethical living rather than ritualistic worship. It highlights that true intimacy with God is demonstrated through daily integrity, honest speech, kindness to neighbors, and financial integrity. Verse 1 asks about requirements for those who desire faithful relationship with God, verse 2 references those who walk blamelessly, acting righteously.  The rest of the psalm connects us with Jesus’ teaching from the Beatitudes.

     If it is your desire to “clap your hands if you feel like a room without a roof,” to live with freedom, no limits, then embracing and living-about the Beatitudes takes us there.  Indeed, the beatitudes lift us and others above a hurt and damaged world.