If this is Kingdom Living, Do I Want it?
Matthew 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
In a study of the Sermon on the Mount to this point we might be tempted to say, “I don’t want to be that happy!” If this is Kingdom living then I want to go to Disney World. This place is depressing.
What Jesus describes here seems to highlight all of the aspects of life that we DON'T want as a part of our existence. Except the happiness that is. So, what is going on here? This doesn't seem to be like a good way to start a kingdom or a ministry that is going to last for a long time.
In our previous studies of the first part of this passage we’ve learned that Jesus Kingdom is definitely going to be different. Thus the citizens will have to have an idea of how they will be behaving themselves. They will have to use this list of qualities to see if they are in anyway measuring up to the coming standard. This list will give a good goal to shoot for. It will reveal everything that is going on in their heart now and what will need to be going on in the Kingdom to come. But, how will being a part of this Kingdom really make me happy? As this sermon seems to guarantee.
First we need to recognize something important. We need to recognize that right this moment, this very second, we are seeing our world through eyes that have been blurred by sin. We have never seen a perfect day in our lives. Think about it. Think about the most perfect day that you have ever had. Was it in a special place, or with a special person, or eating a special food or was it just time to yourself? What was the most special day of your life to this point?
Dawn and I have been blessed to have many many many special days and I believe that it would be hard to put a finger on one in particular. However, with that said, if we were to think of just one of those special days we would be quick to realize that the day, however special, was full of flaws, imperfections, injustices, inconveniences, and maybe even exasperations. Though it was a lot of fun to be a part of, it was a fleeting moment. In the bottom of our heart, we knew that in moments it was going to be over. Why?
Because we live in a world that is cursed with time. We measure everything we do in, seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years. Time measures our lives. We were born on such and such a day, at such and such hour and minute. And, from that point until now our world has been being measured in time. We know that our time on this earth is limited and it seems that there are so many things that we want to do and so little time, and money, to do those things.
We have grown accustomed to this aspect of time because it is a part of what and who we are. There is no way out of it so we might as well get used to the fact that, as mom always said, when she was alive, “Life is short.”
So, back to my initial question, “If what Jesus is talking about here in Matthew 5 is Kingdom Living, do I Want it?” Why, in my fleeting moments would I want to focus on being:
poor in spirit,
mourn,
Meek,
hunger and thirst
merciful
pure
peacemakers,
persecuted
insulted, persecuted, falsely accused
evil said against you
To us these might seem like qualities of a loser. Or a person who wants to be mistreated. Someone who has no goals in life like we do. They would not be on the list of a superhero.
So, there must be something more than we are seeing. Jesus is the Master and he never taught nonsense. His words were always right and good. How would he want us to see this list of character qualities that will make us happy when we practice them?
There is a three word phrase at the end of this list that will help us understand where he was directing our attention. It will help us to focus on the perfect goal, which, in turn, will reveal what true happiness is and looks like. Do you see the phrase? It is the phrase, "because of me."
The sermon on the mount was about the coming of the Messiah and his kingdom. Jesus was presenting his kingdom to Israel. In the process, he presents it to us. When we live life because of him and with him always in mind, we will live differently. We will be focusing on a different life and way of living.
Many times, because of what is going on all around us, we lose focus. We begin to allow the atitudes and actions of those around us, being to affect how we feel, react and act. Because it seems so normal to become a part of the conversation at work, we enter into it with atitudes of those coworkers. Or it may be the kids at school or our whatsapp chat group that seems to mold our thoughts.
In this sermon, when he was done, Jesus left the crowd amazed. Why? Because they had been so accustomed to doing things the way those around them had been doing them that it just blew them away to think that things could and should be done with a different purpose in mind.
So how can you and I put these qualities into our lives? What if we don't want to? Should we always be doing all of them? Are there some that will be easier than others? Let's think about it for a few minutes.
Spiritual poverty is where it all begins as far as our relationship to the kingdom and the king goes.
Without understanding that we cannot have a personal relationship with God before we realize that we have no personal merit or worth, we will be on the outside. There is no entry into the kingdom of God until we do like the publican in Luke 18:9-13. Jesus said of that man, "He went to his house justified!" it is one of the only places in scripture that we see and hear the words necessary for repentance and salvation.
The hated publican realized that he was spiritually poor. He, more than likely, had a lot of money, because he was a tax collector. Yet he understood that he had no right to enter heaven. He was poor
Understanding that poorness will bring mourning. Again, the publican is a good example. He didn't lift even his eyes toward heaven but beat his chest and cried for mercy.
When the Holy Spirit begins to work in a person's heart, Jesus said that he convicts of sin (John 16:8). Until the Holy spirit begins his work, there is no mourning for sin. A person might feel bad or guilty for a while. But true mourning comes only with the Spirit's work.
However, when He does begin his work something happens. He brings a meekness that conquers pride, stubbornness, arrogance, self esteem. All of those qualities blind spiritual eyes. They don't let the person see spiritual things. Paul said it this way, in 2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Jesus also talked about a similar situation in the parable of the sower later in Mathew’s Gospel, where he stated, 13:19 When anyone hears the message of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.
The Holy Spirit brings the understanding of spiritual poverty, he brings a feeling of mourning, and an understanding of need and then the meekness to ask for salvation.
This is illustrated perfectly in Paul's life.
Paul tells the story of his conversion in Acts 22:6-16.
The background of his salvation experience was that he was born into a very religious family. His father was a pharisee and so was Paul. He had studied under the great Rabbi Gameliel, one of the greatest Jewish teachers of the time. Paul knew the law and the prophets. He knew ceremonial law. He knew that Christianity was a great threat to Judaism and he was very zealous to stop its spread. This is why he was going to the city of Damascus, to capture Christians and drag them off to jail.
So with these facts in mind let's listen to how the holy Spirit began work to bring Paul to a point of meekness.
Acts 22:6 "About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, 'Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?' 8 "'Who are you, Lord?' I asked. " 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,' he replied. 9 My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me. 10 "'What shall I do, Lord?' I asked. " 'Get up,' the Lord said, 'and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.' 11 My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me. 12 "A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. 13 He stood beside me and said, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight!' And at that very moment I was able to see him. 14 "Then he said: 'The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. 15 You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.'
DO you see what happened here? This bold persecutor had been humbled. He had fallen to the ground, heard a frightening voice, lost his sight and been told what to do. He had to be led like a child to the city. Then he was left to wait for three days. Before his new friend came to place his hands on him. After he received his sight he meekly received baptism and instruction in his new way of life.
Paul tells it in a slightly different way in Galatians 1
Galatians 1:11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
Galatians 1:17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus. 18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord's brother. 20 I assure you before God that what I am writing to you is no lie. 21 Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only heard the report: "The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy." 24 And they praised God because of me.
Paul’s meekness was more powerful than his former religious training. He had been trained in the wrong religion. It wasn't until, in meekness that was caused by the Holy Spirit, that he was used as a chosen vessel.
What we have been talking about are called character qualities. There are Bible examples for all of these. The last one that we will look at tonight is in Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
I don't know if you have experienced this or heard about people who have, but it is often seems that when a person comes to a saving understanding of Christ and his salvation that they immediately become hungry for all things spiritual. They Bible suddenly has meaning and they can't get enough of the stuff that has become "normal" to us.
Spiritual hunger is a good thing to have. Everything is new and refreshing. We learn something exciting every time we open our bibles and it seems that we're opening them a lot.
We as a church should always be hungry spiritually. The Bible should be our study book. We should be learning something every day. And we should be able to share what we learned with someone. If we can't then we haven't learned.
Each of these character traits are common in the kingdom of God. They are normal. They are required. They are given. Because, on our best day and giving it our best try we will never be able to be all of these. These are qualities that the Holy Spirit works in us.
Did you notice too, that each attitude comes with a blessing. Look at the list again.
Matthew 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
These are amazing promises. These are incredible blessings that will bring happiness into our lives in a way that everyone wants.
Only God can mold and make us into people who reflect these qualities. In fact it is a two sided process that Paul mentions in Philippians where he says, in
2:13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Are you ready for kingdom living right now? The first step is knowing that you are poor in spirit. You need a savior.
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