KINGDOM LIVING
What the righteous life is all about
Matthew 5:1-11
Jerry A Collins
SCC
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What characterizes righteous people?
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What are the ethical guidelines of God’s
kingdom?
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What does it mean to be ‘blessed’ in God’s
kingdom?
A serious pursuit of happiness on
this side of the grave, as members of the human race, is a lost cause. That is
because happiness here can only be based on our circumstances and these change constantly. We cannot control them. It is an
illusive and whimsical pursuit. Happiness is found on a higher level Jesus
says. It is like Jesus went into the display windows of life and changed all of
the price tags. Happiness according to Jesus does not come from the things you
would expect—it is based on a completely new way of life and new way of
thinking. Neither of which the world pursues or
produces. So if you want what can really touch your soul and fill your life
with happiness, then Jesus tells us how to get that. It is delivered to us in
the form of beattitudes. They each begin with the word blessed. It can mean happy but so much
more than just that. It includes something in the soul that transcends what
happens in the world around us. It is living life with a sense of inner joy,
contentment, and peace that comes from knowing one is in a right relationship
with the Lord. That I am living within the favor of God.
It is possible because one’s nature has been changed. With that change of
nature comes a change of life and Jesus describes what
that life looks like and what it produces.
1. BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT 3
Analysis We tend to think of the poor primarily in terms of
finances or possessions. That is part of it, but there is a spiritual side to
it too. The poor had few possessions in Jesus day, were usually oppressed in
some way and had little power to change their circumstances and less hope in
them. With no resources to fall back on, they had to depend on others for their
survival. So the poor in spirit are those who are destitute spiritually. They
are people who are humble before God. They have humbled themselves, repented,
have come to God as hopeless and helpless sinners. This is a foundational
attitude and understanding of a member of God’s kingdom. Theirs is the kingdom
of heaven. Those who have humbled themselves, and acknowledged they have
nothing to contribute have the
Application Humility is the root of all virtue. This kingdom is
entered into this way. It is not by power or ability or merit. It is also
living in total dependence upon God. We must realize that our need is total and
not partial. We offer nothing.
2. BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN 4
Analysis Mourning indicates the pain and grief and the anxieties of
the soul over some loss. People mourn over any disaster and look for hope at
the same time. God and Jesus mourned for
Application Be increasingly sensitive to your own sin. Then come to
God daily on your knees in deep remorse, confessing your sin. They live from a
vertical perspective. There is nothing causing a problem with God in their
lives. Mourn as a faithful disciple.
3. BLESSED ARE THE MEEK 5
Analysis Meek is used of soothing medicine, a soft breeze and even
a domesticated animal. The idea is controlled strength—a gentleness with
strength behind it—not weakness. They do not exploit others even if power to do
so. No vengeance or vendettas. They are able to champion the cause of the weak
and oppressed even tho gentle and humble. Meekness
reveals itself not when we are wrong but when we are right and have power to
hurt one who is wrong (Abe giving choice, David killing Saul, Joseph, revenge).
From worlds view this is first step to failure. When Saul was little, God made
him great, When he made himself great, God made him
nothing. When meek you seek nothing for yourself. How did they become meek: 1 Faith 2 Obedience 3 Faithfulness to their calling. 4 Committed to sovereign control of God over their
circumstances and lives. 5. They all had beatitude #4. The promise is
possession of the land. Possessing the land signified much more—a sense of
place, security, inheritance from God.
Application Put God in control of your strengths, that is, practice
meekness. The fruit of Spirit is gentleness & meekness. These are produced
in us when filled by HS.
4. BLESSED ARE THE
HUNGRY 6
Analysis Hunger and thirst constantly cry out for satisfaction—a basic
human drive. Here the image is a constant and strong desire to do the will of
God. A strong desire to please God—do what He wants.
This desire will be filled. This happens in stages as we yield our members as
instruments of righteousness. It takes place over time as we pursue in greater
measure what God wants us to have.
Application How do we create a hunger for righteousness? As
believers we have a desire for both sin an
righteousness and we can sabotage ourselves. We will not create a desire for
righteousness unless we can admire an example. That is what Christ was. So, too Paul. Give yourself and others the best opportunity
you can to change their hunger to righteousness. Be around people who also
desire that. Avoid people who don’t.
5 BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL 7
Analysis One thing common with the poor, meek, hungry is that
their lives not self sufficient but looks outward for help. They understand
mercy since they know their own inadequacies, their dependence, weaknesses. When shown God’s bounty personally,
they in turn show mercy to others. Mercy is unmerited non-punishment.
Mercy gives instead or bringing about an eye for an eye. It suspends justice.
So the merciful have promise of receiving mercy themselves. Not from men but
from God.
Application Have a good understanding of God’s grace. This will
allow you to show mercy when you are wronged, ie., don’t pursue justice
when you are wronged.
6. BLESSED ARE THE PURE 8
Analysis Pure here is clean in heart—clean motives like David
in Psa 51:10. The promise is they will see God by
faith in the events and circumstances of life. Later in heaven, God is visible
to us fully.
Application The problem of sin is not primarily the world around
us but the worldliness within us. It is an inside problem. So conform yourself and your actions to God’s Word. Make that
your standard. Be perfect as God is perfect
7 BLESSED ARE PEACEMAKERS 9
Analysis The whole plan of redemption is to provide peace with
God for those formerly alienated. But in human race there is strife with little
hope of peace. Peace begins with reconciliation with God and extends to others.
Peacemakers understand this—seeking spiritual peace. Peacemaking is not
compromising with evil. It is not peace by tolerating sin. It is peace that may
first require going to war with sin—the struggle of Rom 7.
Application Be a peacemaker, not by tolerating or overlooking sin
but by helping people expose it and then deal with it from God’s point of view.
Promote peace by spreading the gospel.
BLESSED ARE PERSECUTED 10
Analysis This final one includes vs
10-12. If you are not being shot at, perhaps you are not in the battle. Anyone
ticked off at your righteous stand? Don’t seek persecution but pursue
righteousness of the kingdom—you will get persecution. One would think that
such a life would attract people to the kingdom. But wanting things on their
own terms, you will be seen as only in their way. So did John the Baptist—so
did Jesus.
Application Be sufficiently outspoken for the ways of God, knowing
it will bring about criticism from the ungodly. If you think opposite of world
then you are closer to way God thinks.
(1)
Orient your thinking so that you pursue kingdom living every day.
(2)
Make your standard the Word of God and evaluate your life from that only.
(3)
Determine to want what God wants.