The Culture of the Kingdom
TEXT : Matthew 5: 1-12 Luke 4:42-43
A. The purpose for man’s creation was to administrate a kingdom.
B. The fall of man was a loss of a kingdom.
C. The purpose of redemption was to restore a kingdom.
D. The fulfillment of God’s will is the re-establishment of his kingdom on earth.
E. The program of salvation was to restore man to the kingdom government of God.
WHAT IS A KINGDOM
A kingdom is a country and a government.
A kingdom is a governing authority that has a dominion over a territory.
The original and most important gift that God sent on earth was not a religion but a KINGDOM.
The greatest message delivered by Jesus Christ was about the kingdom of God.
The kingdom of God is the PRACTICAL Spiritual influence of God in our contemporary life.
FEATURES OF A KINGDOM:
A. A kingdom has a king.
B. A territory.
C. Citizens.
D. A Constitution.
E. Laws (principles).
F. Has a government : ruling authority.
G. Has privileges : the benefit and the rights of the citizens.
H. The king’s favor becomes a personal law.
I. Code of Ethics : conduct, lifestyle (honor, loyalty).
J. A security system.
BACKGROUND
Matthew is the author of this book. His audience were the Jewish people and his purpose was to prove that Jesus Christ was their Messiah.
Jesus gave this sermon to his disciples. The purpose of this sermon was to show his disciples and the crowd who were listening to him how the kingdom was to be lived.
This teaching was to be a way of life for anyone who wants to follow Him. This teaching is about heart relationship which should be our life style in this kingdom.
In the Synoptic Gospel, Jesus mentions the Kingdom of God or kingdom of heaven over 100 times. It is mentioned 32 times in Luke , 14 times in Mark and 31 times in Matthew
There are 8 beattitudes and they are compared to the 10 commandments. While the 10 commandments are things you should do and shouldn’t do, the 8 beattitudes are things you should do.
3 GENERAL THOUGHTS ABOUT THE 8 BEATTITUDE
There are 8 character traits that identify true followers of Jesus Christ.
These traits open the door to inner happiness.
Attached to each character trait is a corresponding promise.
THE BEATTITUDE
Blessed are the poor in spirit : The poor in spirit refers to a spiritual humility and dependence on God. It has nothing to do with material poverty but a recognition of one’s spiritual emptiness and need for God, knowing that we are nothing without God. This is devoid of spiritual pride and arrogance, making one to regard him or herself as insignificant before God. This humility leads to a desire for God’s grace and a reliance on Him rather than oneself. The following are some characteristics :
Humility : The poor in spirit are humble, acknowledging their own inadequacy and need for God’s grace in every area of their lives
Dependence on God : They recognize their complete dependence on God for all things both physical and spiritual
Seeking God’s Kingdom : They desire God’s kingdom and are willing to prioritize His will over their own desires
Detachment from Wealth and Honor : They are not overly concerned with material possessions or earthly honor rather they seek God’s approval and kingdom
Repentance and Contrition : They are open to acknowledging their sins and are willing to repent and seek God’s forgiveness.. Psalm 51:10-12
Longing for God : They have a deep yearning for God’s presence and desire to be in relationship with Him
Teachability : They are open to learning and growing in their understanding of God and His word
Trust in God’s Provision : They trust that God will provide for their needs both physical and spiritual
Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted : Those who mourn are characterized by a deep and sincere sorrow, particularly in relation to their spiritual state and brokenness of the world. This mourning is not simply a feeling of sadness but a realization of one’s unworthiness, helplessness and inadequacy before God. Their characteristics are as follows :
Recognition of Sin : They recognize and acknowledge their personal sinfulness and the impact of sin in their lives and in the world
Humility and Repentance : Their mourning leads them to humility and repentance, recognizing their need for God’s forgiveness and grace
Seeking God’s Forgiveness and Healing : They long for God’s forgiveness, healing, restoration and comfort
Contrite Spirit : They have a contrite spirit, a broken heart, and a humble mind that acknowledges their dependence on God
Godly Sorrow : Their sorrow leads repentance and salvation as opposed to worldly sorrow which leads to death
Compassion for Others : They demonstrate compassion for others who are also experiencing suffering and loss, recognizing that they need comfort.
The blessing promised to those who mourn is that they will be comforted. This comfort comes from God and includes Forgiveness of sins, Presence of God, Hope of eternal life and Spiritual growth
Blessed are the meek : The meek person is always described as kind-hearted, sweet-spirited, the self-controlled, humble, gentle and patient. They may be quiet, avoid conflict and prioritize the needs of others. Meekness is not weakness rather strength under control, often involving self-restraint and deference to others. They allow their lives to be controlled by God regardless of their strength. It the ability to submit to God’s will and be gentle with others even in difficult circumstances. Meek individuals are teachable, trust in God’s timing and are not easily provoked. The following are some of their traits or attributes :
Not weakness but Controlled Strength : Meekness is often misunderstood as weakness or passivity. However in the Bible, it’s a powerful virtue that involves strength under control, allowing for gentleness and humility.
Submission to God : They are willing to submit to God’s authority and guidance, demonstrating humility and trust in His plan
Humility and Teachability : They are humble , open to correction and willing to learn from God’s word and others.
Gentleness and Patience : Meekness involves gentleness in interactions with others, patience in facing adversity and a willingness to forgive
Trust in God’s Timing and Justice : The meek trust in God’s divine timing and justice rather than seeking immediate retribution or outcomes
Not Easily Provoked : Meek people are not easily provoked or angered and they respond with gentleness and kindness even in the face of provocation
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…. 1John 3:4-7 In the Bible those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are characterized by a deep spiritual longing for what is right and just in God’s eyes. This desire goes beyond mere knowledge of right and wrong and involves a heartfelt commitment to living a life that pleases God. They are not satisfied with the status quo but actively seek to embody righteousness in their thoughts, words and actions. The characteristics are as follows :
A Deep Spiritual Longing…. Psalm 42:1: They have a deeply felt need for something essential that only God can provide. This hunger leads to a desire for a close relationship with God and a desire to live in accordance with His will
A Commitment to Righteousness…. Dan 3:1-12: Their desire is to live in a way that pleases God both in what they do, think, say and do. It all about striving to be morally upright and just not just externally but internally as well
Active Pursuit of God : They actively seek God through prayer, study of His Word and seeking the guidance of the HolySpirit
A Desire for God’s Blessings… Prov 10:22 : They look forward to satisfaction that comes from being in right relationship with God and experiencing His grace and blessings
A Deepening of Spiritual Growth…. Phil 3:10 : Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are not satisfied with superficial piety but are constantly seeking to grow in their understanding and experience of God’s grace. They are willing to be disciplined by God and to learn from their mistakes. In essence , those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are not just intellectually curious about what is right or wrong rather they are deeply committed to living a life that pleases God and experiences the joy of His grace and blessings
Blessed are the merciful…… Matt 18:21-35 : This verse shows the importance of showing compassion and kindness towards others. The core idea is that those who demonstrate mercy to others will experience the same mercy from God. Here’s a more detailed look at the characteristics of mercy as understood in the Bible
Forgiveness : Mercy often involves extending forgiveness even when it’s undeserved…. Col 3:13
Compassion : Mercy implies a deep sense of empathy and understanding for the suffering of others. It’s a willingness to feel their pain and to act on that feeling….. Eph 4:32
Kindness : Mercy often expresses through acts of kindness and generosity especially towards those in need…. Luke 10:25-37
Patience : Mercy often requires patience and understanding, as we may need to wait for things to change or for others to be ready to receive our mercy…. Prov 15:18, Psalm 37:7
Generosity : Showing mercy can involve giving or offering resources, time or support to others in need. Be generous with your words
Graciousness : Mercy is often described as a gracious and undeserved act, a gift that is freely given…… Psalm103:8, Col 4:6
Blessed are the pure in heart
It’s a heart that is free from sin, wickedness and ill will, seeking to do what is right and just. The inward appearance means more to God than the outward. A pure heart also exhibits the following characteristics or qualities :
Sincerity and Authenticity: A pure heart is genuine and without hypocrisy
Honesty and Integrity : A pure heart is characterized by truthfulness and a commitment to doing what is right even when it’s difficult
Compassion and Kindness : A pure heart is filled with empathy and a desire to help and care for others even those who are different or in need
Forgiveness : A pure heart is able to let go of resentment and bitterness, extending forgiveness to others and even themselves
Humility : A pure heart is not driven by ego or pride, rather by deep sense of humility and a willingness to learn from others
Gratefulness : A pure heart recognizes and appreciates the blessings in life, both big and small
Desire for Spiritual Growth : A pure heart seeks to connect with a higher power(God) and to live a life that reflects that connection
Lack of Selfishness : A pure heart is not motivated by personal gain or self interest rather by a desire to serve and help others
Absence of Judgement : A pure heart is able to see the good in others and to approach them with understanding and compassion even when they make mistakes
Acceptance of Responsibility : A pure heart takes ownership of their actions and is accountable for their choices
Blessed are the peacemakers : people who demonstrate God’s character by being promoters and maintainers of peace. They following are the characteristics of peacemakers :
Initiating Reconciliation : Peacemakers actively work to mend broken relationships, even when wronged and are quick to repent when they wronged others
Embracing Humanity and Patience : They are not easily angered and slow to respond, demonstrating self-control and understanding
Seeking Truth and Justice : Peacemakers are committed to fairness and righteousness, striving to find solutions that address the need of all involved
Love and Grace : They reflect the love and grace of Christ in their interactions, seeking to reconcile rather retaliate
Wisdom and Judgment : Peacemakers are often described as having wisdom from above, characterized by purity, peaceableness, gentle and willingness to be accommodating
Practical Actions : They build up others, use gentle language and are slow to anger, actively working to heal rather than harm
Fruit of Righteousness : Their actions bear fruit, promoting peace and reconciliation in the lives of those around them
Blessed are those who are persecuted for doing what is right : they will be the carriers of the kingdom of heaven. This has to do with suffering for the kingdom
Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil things against you.
