The Gospel of the Kingdom

A “Ministry in Motion”

Matthew 4:23 (CSB)

23 Now Jesus began to go all over Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

The ministry:

Teaching, because Jesus wants us to know who God is.

Preaching, because Jesus wants to motivate us to action.

Healing, because Jesus is concerned with our wholeness.

verse 25 also adds that many people from all over the region came to hear him and be around him.

There is something different happening here. Jesus isn’t just another travelling rabbi. People are coming from a long distance away. There is a new, fresh authority of Jesus— and it’s being recognized.

Some folks have tried to figure out exactly where something like this would have happened near Capernaum:

Luke also describes the sermon— he even states that it happened on a “plain”— but we can see from the photo that both are possible, and it would have made good sense for Jesus to ascend one of these hillsides to teach such a large crowd.

Matthew 5:1–2 NIV

1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. He said:

Matthew 5:2 (ESV)

2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

This was a common phrase in both Greek and Hebrew culture:

-It meant (Greek) that what followed was a “grave and significant” saying

-It meant (Jewish) that what followed was from the heart and mind.

Remember, that we have pointed out that Matthew has a goal within writing this book that Jesus, born in the royal line of David, born of a virgin fulfilling prophecy, is also an authoritative teacher— much like Moses.

This next section of scripture— in fact all of chapters 5-7 here are what is contained in the teaching that Jesus is about to do. Scholars believe he may have delivered this “sermon on the mount” over the span of a couple days.

But take a closer look at the similarities, but also the contrasts we can see with Moses teaching (delivering the Law), and Jesus teaching (the gospel of the kingdom):

When the law was given, God descends on a mountain, Jesus ascends a mountain to deliver his teaching.

God spoke the law in lightning and thunder, Jesus speaks in a still small voice.

The people were instructed to keep their distance then, but now they are encouraged to draw near.

His disciples, particularly are welcomed to press in and listen carefully, because what he is about to teach is descriptive of what the gospel of the Kingdom of God is all about— it’s descriptive of what the citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven will be like. How they will act, what they will do— how they will respond and live.

There is no other section of scripture that is so thorough a record of what Jesus taught. It is our best record of how Jesus declared that his followers are “set-apart” and different from everyone else.

This is a message to his followers. We Christians must understand these words.

The Beatitudes (v.3-11)

Most people don’t understand these next passages. They are often interpreted as trite little phrases that people might find on a greeting card— but they are far more than that.

These are matters of the heart. This is basically a structured introduction to the whole sermon. And you will see, that this sermon, delivered on a hillside near the sea of Galilee over 2000 years ago is just as direct, and speaks as clearly to us today— as it did to those who heard it live back then.

Blessed are...

We often think of blessed, as someone or something that is getting a benefit.

“I was blessed to receive whatever”- but in this context it might be better defined as “approved”, or affirmed.

One who is divinely approved. It infers that this one is going to be truly “happy”.

It is a sign that God is working in us to make us more like Jesus.

Another key element before we dive into these 9 statements— I want you to consider that these are somewhat grouped:

Two groups of 4 attributes or traits of those who are approved by God.

How we relate to God:

Matthew 5:3 (NIV)

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Poor is a difficult term. Poor seems desperate. Poor is inconvenient. Rich is a much better term to us. Even regarding spiritual things. I want to be rich— I don’t want to be poor. But don’t think about this in merely financial or material way.

It’s poor in spirit. It’s self-aware. It’s aware of it’s own faults and weaknesses— how it’s not complete. It acknowledges that God is big, and we are small. God is creator, we are the creature. He is God, and I am not.

Yes, destitute. Yes, it’s bankrupt. But I think Jesus starts out here challenging us—

“Is there anything inside you — like your spirit, or your merit, that would commend you to God.?” Anything that would impress God?

What inside you right now makes you worthy to receive the benefit or approval— a Blessing that awaits a person with this attribute?

Nothing.

Who earns the Kingdom of Heaven? Nobody--Those who know they don’t deserve it will receive it.

The Apostle Paul is a good example of this type of mindset:

Philippians 3:4–6 NIV

4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

Philippians 3:7–8 NIV

7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ

Matthew 5:4 (NIV)

4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

The first thing we think of is when we lose someone we love, right? They say that mourning is a process that we must go through— I know some of you know this first hand. It is indeed a process— but Jesus is stating something more profound here--- Do you know that there are people who are mourning right now? We can join them in that sorrow. I might suggest that there is a “godly sorrow” that we experience when we see and realize that something isn’t right.

Whether that be over our own sin, over something in life that we see. It’s the ever-present knowledge that this world is not our ultimate home. We mourn the brokenness that is inside us— and the brokenness we see around us— and God says that we are not only approved and affirmed because of that mourning— but that we will be comforted by Him. We don’t walk around crying and wailing all the time, but we do have a sense of compassion and mourning in our hearts all the time.

Matthew 5:5 (NIV)

5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Meek is not weak. It’s actually to have all the strength in the universe, but not exert it.

This refers to those who have a spirit that is quietly yielded to God, and is tender toward all people. These people are not easily provoked. They have a self-control about them. They can either return offense with silence, or with a softly spoken answer.

We are reminded of Jesus, at his accusers and eventual executioners— he was silent before Pontius Pilate— even though he had all power in the world to free himself— he yielded to his Fathers will first.

Do we understand how to live like this?

How do we respond when we are wronged, or when someone who is dead wrong accuses or comes at us? Meekness shows restraint, self-control, and a calm strength even in the hardest of times.

And what is waiting for those who will be meek? — We will inherit the EARTH!

Matthew 5:6 (NIV)

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Hunger and thirst are physical appetites that keep returning and continually need addressed.

There are so many things that we can hunger for in our lives. Take a brief inventory of the things you crave…Do you understand the need we have for righteousness? To become a new person, to bear the image of God today, to have any interest in Jesus and his will… That is what Righteousness is. And we hunger and thirst for it everyday! It’s not just a one time thing. Sure our salvation occurs at that moment that we believe— but the process of hungering for more of Jesus in our lives — that’s what Jesus is teaching us.

And what is waiting for those who keep hungering and thirsting for God’s righteousness? We will be FILLED!

Think about these first four attributes:

They describe someone who is dependent on God, and has realized that in daily life: Take a look here at this table that I have created for us to visualize them:

[TABLE #1]

The next several statements seem to switch their focus to how we interact with others. There are also four distinct traits listed here:

How we relate to others:

Matthew 5:7 (NIV)

7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

This is a difficult concept sometimes— but I think it applies to several different situations. It’s like there are three different scenarios we face:

-When you are wrong— and someone else is right. (You actually need their mercy, and you need to show mercy to yourself)

-When you both are wrong— (you both need mercy and hopefully you can give it to each other, and then again be merciful to yourself)

-When someone else is wrong— and you are right. (You should extend mercy to them— even if they don’t ask for it.)

This is so counter-culture isn’t it? Our world is black and white! When I’m right, I’m right! Oh my, if we could see more of this in our world today. Politics, Culture, Social Justice, Poverty, Common courtesy in our everyday lives. Mercy.

We must not only bear our own faults with patience and mercy— we should bear with each others faults with mercy as well. This is a common theme in this new gospel of the Kingdom— Jesus will apply this and teach it another way later in chapter 7

Matthew 7:2 NIV

2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

This seems logical— but Oh- it is very difficult. Jesus is implying here that if we are unwilling to show someone grace or forgiveness, we will not be worthy to receive the same.

For the audience Jesus is speaking with, this is a radical set of statements— this one being particularly hard to conceive in their minds. The Law defined right and wrong. It seemed easier to look to an outside standard to judge. Jesus takes something we deal with every single day— right and wrong— and makes it relational.

Another key concept in his teaching will become what we call the “golden rule”:

Matthew 7:12 NIV

12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 5:8 (NIV)

8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

This might be the most comprehensive, the most complete statement in the set. Christian faith resides in your heart. It actually resides in the Purity of your heart. It’s not a set of do’s and don’ts. This statement echoes back to Psalm 24:

Who can see God? Those with clean hands and a pure heart.

Psalm 24:3–4 NIV

3 Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.

It carries with it the most comprehensive blessing also! How about seeing God? Is there any greater event that could happen in our lives? Who can even approach the idea of seeing God?

A person with a pure heart.

What does that mean to you?

What does pure mean to you— Not mixed. Not diluted. Not varied, but uniform.

Not polluted.

To have a pure heart, you have to keep it from mixing with things that would pollute or muddy it up.

Like these two glasses of water. Which one do you want to drink?

(GLASS OF MUDDY WATER) (GLASS OF PURE WATER)

Think about this point for a moment. None but the pure in heart are capable of seeing God. What good is it for a person who isn’t a believer, one who has a mixed heart, to see God? It probably doesn’t mean the same thing to that person— does it?

But a person who has a pure heart, who loves God whole-heartedly, purely— there is actually nothing else in this life that CAN satisfy us— than to see God. That’s what Jesus is reinforcing here. We seek to be restored to a right relationship— which will produce a heart that is purely after God’s heart.

This statement is often really difficult for some people too— Having a pure heart is not as much about what you do— it’s all about who you are.

Matthew 5:9 (NIV)

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

To have a peaceful disposition, and to speak with a peace in our language is to join Jesus in his ultimate mission to reconcile and bring peace to the world. It’s often a very difficult task.— Jesus came to bring peace on earth, goodwill toward men. And those that join Jesus in this mission, God will claim us as his own! We could spend a lot more time considering this, but know that if you intend to live for God— you will be a peaceMAKER, not a peaceBREAKER.

That sums up the second group of four attributes for those that are “blessed”.

These two groups of four traits, fall into line with what is often called the “greatest commandment”

A simple summary:

Love God and Love people.

Loving God means realizing that I’m poor, I’m a mourner for the broken things in the world, I’m humble and always hungry for more of God in my life.

I love people through being merciful to them, living in the truth, having a pure heart and making peace.

But the last statements are perhaps the most difficult to embrace. Although people who he has just described are unique and on the surface would be a “positive” influence on the world— Jesus states that (not if) we are going to be persecuted- punished, even, for being a follower of Him. A citizen of this Kingdom of Heaven.

Matthew 5:10 (NIV)

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

This might be the greatest paradox in the group. If we are actually pursuing Jesus, pursuing and intending to live with the characteristics that he just listed— Trying to live in “righteousness”. The world will not tolerate that. No, this last statement describes someone who is reviled, hunted, pursued, run down, tortured, and even killed- because of righteousness.

It’s one thing to be persecuted because you have done something wrong. That’s what we expect. But to be persecuted— because you are desiring Jesus and his will?

Think about that for a min.

That’s not right. That’s not fair. That’s messed up.

I, like many of you, may have been thoroughly moved by the story of one of our Anabaptist forefathers, Dirk Willems. His life is honored in a great work of history called the Martyr’s Mirror.

Dirk Willems was imprisoned in Netherlands in 1569, for being a “rebaptizer” (Anabaptist). He escaped from prison and fled the prison building over a frozen river- The guard pursuing him fell through the ice, and Dirk felt compassion and turned back to save his captors life. Dirk was then recaptured, and subsequently burned to death as a martyr. It’s described along with many many other inspiring examples of faith in the face of persecution--in our classic reference called the Martyrs’ Mirror.

What would you have done?

Matthew 5:11 (NIV)

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

He restates the same concept, but makes it very personal. “when all this happens to you… because of me.”— you’re approved, you’re affirmed, you’re blessed.

This is the very first thing that he starts with in his ministry! He’s Teaching, Preaching, Healing— do you think he realizes how this world will receive him? Yep— you bet he does. He not only knows exactly how the world will reject and persecute him, ultimately killing him… He knows exactly how the world will reject those who are his disciples and followers. His friends, his fellow “light bearers”.

This isn’t pleasant stuff. Being a passionate committed Christ-follower today will be uncomfortable. Jesus starts this marvelous teaching--

Not with a set of do’s and don’ts. Because it’s not about what you do… It’s about who you are.

Why are these statements of Jesus teaching so powerful even today for us???

1. To correct the mistakes of a culture living in darkness.

People today think they know what happiness is. They are mistaken about what it means to have power, or influence, or be approved.

They are mistaken, chasing the wrong things.

To encourage those who are weak and poor and have accepted Christ.

Even the least of these will be privileged in God’s Kingdom.

To invite our souls toward Christ.

They saw his healing, now they hear his voice and are drawn to Him.

To revisit the agreement between God and man.

To remind us of what God expects of us, and what we can expect from God.

J.C. Ryle was an influential Anglican bishop in England in the 1800s.

He wrote a profound book called: Holiness: It’s Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties and Roots.

In this book he make several statements about --loving someone.

I’ve created a little spiritual exercise to end today.

I’m going to read J.C. Ryle’s statements one by one— and you are going to do a little self-evaluation on how you relate to the Lord Jesus.

Here’s the first one-

“If you love someone, you like to think about them.” In essence, Do you like to think about Jesus?

Now get comfortable, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us, encourage us, or even convict us if necessary:

J.C. Ryle: “If you love someone...”

If you love someone, you like to hear about them.

If you love someone, you like to hear from him.

If you love someone, you like to talk to them.

If you love someone, you like to please them.

If you love someone, you like their friends too.

If you love someone, you will defend their honor.

If you love someone, you want to be with them.

Lord Jesus, you are my greatest affection, my greatest thought, my greatest idea, my greatest friend.

We want all these things—to think about you, to hear about you, to hear from you, to speak to you, and to please you. Thank-you for teaching us the Beatitudes— this difficult and challenging teaching that will last us the rest of our earthly lives. Continue to move in our hearts and our lives to make us more like you.