Resolutions in Christ's Kingdom

Introduction

Please join me in Matthew chapter 5.

If you have been tracking with our preaching schedule you’ll know that we just concluded our series in Revelation. It coincided very nicely with the end of the calendar year, of course. In that very last chapter, we read those final recorded words from the mouth of Jesus - “Surely, I am coming SOON.” However this morning and on this new year, I’d like to direct our attention to the very first recorded words of the incarnate Jesus.

It is January 1st … and New Year’s Resolutions can often act like mountaintops; from that elevated perspective, we can see where we have been, and where we’d like to be. People can choose important changes, then, in concert with where they want to be. So - without being too picturesque - I’d like us to join Jesus on this mountaintop in Galilee, and discover what resolutions are in character with his kingdom.

In 2019, a research center (Washington DC) conducted a study on the sermons which were being preached across Christian institutions. They polled around 50,000 sermons in order to collect data. Many of their findings were helpful, and maybe a little unsurprising:

Certain denominational groups tended to form their own unique set of vocabulary, driven by popular phrases or favorite lingo - off of which most sermons were based

Certain trends appeared on how frequent the Old Testament was used in comparison with the New Testament - especially during different times in the Church’s calendar year

Conclusions were drawn involving the importance of knowing your audience, their doctrinal familiarity, their relative attention spans, etc....

And we all need to be very careful with this one - Sermon lengths were also collected and averaged. Sermon sizes actually varied greatly across the country, depending largely upon the theological and denominational heritage. Liturgical homilies, etc tended 3/4 shorter then extemporaneous Protestant discourses.

- As long as you promise not to look at your own watches today.... I will tell you that the average sermon time in the United States is 37 minutes. (No talking about this study after today, alright?)

There is a lot of diversity within homelitics- the study of preaching. However this group, and countless other sources out there, are pretty much unified - and you can check on Google (later)- in their answer to one question: What is the greatest sermon ever to have been preached? ---Almost without exception it is, although it is never officially called this in the text... the Sermon on the Mount.

Jesus’ statements in Matthew 5-7 have famously echoed down throughout history; And even the secular and academic worlds recognize the Sermon on The Mount to be unrivaled in its impact upon the world.

John MacArthur comments upon this incredible passage by saying: “God’s own son delivered this sermon. The greatest preacher who ever lived preached the greatest sermon ever preached.”

“Let’s read the beginning “ - [Read Text]

This morning I will simply invite you to allow Christ’s words (vs 3-4) to challenge you in one particular resolution… it is the central and defining role of all whole belong to this kingdom: Citizens of Christ’s kingdom are marked by HUMILITY. To belong to Messiah’s kingdom requires, before all else, humility. Humility recognizes the enormity of the kingdom requirements. Humility admits that you are not, in fact, king. Humility is, in fact, the cry for Messiah’s kingdom to come, for his will to be done. It is the humility which allows for transformation through the Messiah’s rule in our hearts. Verses 3 and 4 provide two lessons on kingdom humility for us today:

Kingdom humility is dependent (vs. 3)

Kingdom humility is repentant (vs. 4)

Before we explore this kingdom humility, let’s first see how the Gospel writer Matthew has prepared us as readers to receive this sermon.

The Context of the Sermon on the Mount

Matthew’s Progression

What has Matthew said already to glorify this Messiah and his kingdom? Well we find background on the Messiah (ch. 1-4) Providence in the Messiah’s history and family line - 1, The reception and opposition to Messiah’s birth - 2, The preparation and ordination for Messiah’s work - 3. The beginning of the public acts of the Messiah, centered on his kingship - Matthew 4:23

Matthew 4:23 NASB95

Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.

And now, set up by this background story, Matthew gives us the beginning of the public teachings of the Messiah in chapter number 5.

Reading Matthew, you will find this pattern to be repeated: signs and miracles… leading into teaching… signs and miracles leading into teaching....so on and so forth. There are 5 of these teaching sections by Jesus which help organize the book. If you have a “words of Jesus in red” edition - you can easily see these 5 block sections of teaching. These sections are clearly and formally set off by phrases like “When Jesus had finished teaching...” (7:28, 11:1, 13:53, 19:1, and 26:1). And actually, this [ch 5-7] is Jesus’ longest and most comprehensive set of teachings in this book. It sets the course for the rest of the story.

The purpose of these miracles/ teaching combinations is to uncover one thing in Jesus’ ministry: His authority. In the teaching sections and in the ministry sections - Matthew is emphasizing the authority and blessing that was upon Jesus and his ministry.

You see, friends, Matthew is present Jesus as nothing less than the Messiah, the champion, the ruler… the King (from the royal line of David) who fulfills the Old Testament story.

And Jesus lays out the Kingdom standard; the expectations. [This is evident by the bookends of the Beattitudes…vs 3 & 10 - both end with “For theirs are the kingdom.” Therefore, the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is the controlling idea.] The expectations of the kingdom are profound. They are not- given as cheap advice; simple fortune-cookie wisdom; or even as emotional, hallmark sentiments. They powerfully point to a righteousness unattainable without divine help.

So as faithful Jewish people - strongly yearned for this coming King and his coming Kingdom… what would be the question that each one would face? What would be the next question on their minds?

Faithful Jews would want to know: How can I belong to the kingdom? Am I worthy to be a citizen of Messiah’s kingdom?

But the expectations of the kingdom do something that the people of Jesus’ day needed to see… They bring together the ideas of Law and Love. A concept which the people of God struggled to get. The Sermon on the Mount, for example, speaks often of Jesus, not ignoring the law of God, but instead getting to the very heart of it. True love brings life and light to the law… and true law touches and moves the heart. They go hand in hand.

Not a new concept, however. Parallel to Deuteronomy (Law?) - dueteronomos. High concentration of love & heart the 4th most in the Old Testament. Not mere external conformity - even in the “law” the Torah. And Jesus himself parallels the story of Moses as he ascended a separate mountain, in order to give the law to the people of God.

Jesus not only fulfills the law… but he presses its deeper meaning into our hearts. This Rabbi is not only concerned with the outward conformity, he expands and heightens the internal realities. And his faithful disciples respond in humility - it is HUMILITY which will allow us today to love the King with our heart, obey his law with our hands, and trust his perfections with our soul.

A little application - do we put law and love in tension or opposition in our lives? Genuine love leads to genuine obedience. And obedience isn’t complete until it reaches the heart and shapes our desires. Parenting, walk with God, private relationships.

“Love for God is obedience; love for God is holiness. To love God and to love man is to be conformed to the image of Christ, and this is salvation” CH SPURGEON

Sermon audience

These words were spoken in a sermon on top of a mountain - or maybe we should call it - from the hill or plateau as is common in the rolling foothills of Galilee… off the shore of the sea. But saying “sermon on the plateau” doesn’t really have that ring to it as much, does it.

To sit down in a central area, where folks could gather around and hear, was the typical teaching position. Here, the preacher stands, and you all get to stay seated. Not so in ancient Israel.

And no doubt, Christ was surrounded by his disciples and others who were eagerly intrigued by talk of the new Jewish kingdom. Jesus would preach a law which pierced to the heart of man… and exposed the hidden things.

Relevance today

What about the relevance today? Are we in a similar place to those disciples and Jews in Galilee? When Jesus speaks about the ethics of the kingdom, are we kingdom hopefuls?

Well, in one sense anytime the Scripture speaks, we must listen. We are not in a position to pick and choose from God’s inspired revelation.

We may not be living in the full and finalized expression of Christ’s rule and reign - that is still yet future - but we have submitted to him as our King through the Gospel. In other words, the realm and the people are yet fully established - but the reign of Christ certainly does. And we follow his teaching… even though the world might still reject him.

In fact, there are several commands in this Sermon which would make very little sense if they were only for the future Millennium!

Therefore, we are kingdom hopefuls. We submit to Christ’s lordship through his Gospel - particularly his resurrection. What Jesus has promised for the future, he has begun to do in us already. We follow his teaching --- and let’s see how it all begins ......

Kingdom Humility is Dependent

READ verse 3.

“Blessed” often communicates the simple idea of being fortunate or happy. But this begs the question fortunate in what regard? What is the source or basis for this happiness or blessing? So most commentators agree that “blessing” in this context speaks to being approved by God. Who is the person who is “approved” in the sight of God, by the standards of his kingdom? This is the description. And to the degree that Jesus’ Jewish audience met these qualifications… they could understand - God’s own objective assessment of someone. It is God’s assessment which determines fitness for Christ’s Kingdom.

(And as careful readers will see in the Sermon on the Mount, the righteousness which is required is a righteousness which flows out of the Messiah - and his perfect fulfillment of God’s Law.)

READ verse 3.

The term ‘poor’ here does not refer to material or financial things. It also does not refer to emotional tendencies — it is not describing any sort of overly mild-mannered, frailty, or lack of bravery in the face of trouble. It additionally does not mean that you think of yourself as worthless or unimportant - for “that would not be true.” And it certainly is not synonymous with unhappiness. Being poor in spirit does not mean walking around with a long face. In fact, one author says that the person who has cultivated true humility would be the happiest, most self-forgetful person to meet. In fact, his joy would break out of the entrapment of his own heart.

POVERTY describes the word “spirit.” This describes one’s awareness of his or her own state before God. It understands the inherent “bankruptcy” of spiritual merit that we have. Thus,”poverty of spirit” DEPENDS upon the mercy and grace of God. It relies on him, knowing that every good thing - even the good desire to do better - is actually from God’s gracious hand.

Listen to Paul’s own testimony as he comes towards the closing of his letter to the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 15:10 NASB95

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.

Philippians 2:13 NASB95

for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

As one author notes, “wealth” is typically regarded as far superior to “poverty” in our own world, in our human economy - it’s not even close. But in God’s economy, the fundamental value is recognizing the rebellious quality of our heart, and how the rebellion of sin has made us beggars of God’s grace. We are beggars who are invited to feast on grace again and again and again. Ask… and you shall receive. Seek… and you shall find.

We never graduate from the school of grace. In fact, Kingdom humility continually depends on and looks to God for spiritual fruit… especially the rest of the qualities set forth in the Sermon on the Mount. This is partially why the Sermon on the Mount is always remarkably relevant to our souls. This cycle of spiritual progress begins again with dependent humility.

(CARSON) “The more I read these 3 chapters (Matt 5-7) the more I am drawn to them and shamed by them. Their brilliant light draws me like a moth to a spotlight; but the light is so bright that it sears and burns. No room is left for forms of piety which are nothing more than veneer and sham. Perfection is demanded.”

In fact, the more genuine fruit we produce by the power of the Holy Spirit, we have to understand that the temptation may increase for self-sufficiency. We must not be “self-deluded” (CARSON) when facing successes or failures. Either may appeal to our spirit to become rich with the self-absorption. Poverty of Spirit is the first hallmark of kingdom humility.

The matchless standard set by Christ Because of Christ, we can grow. But not apart of him. We depend on him for salvation; and we depend on him for growing righteousness.

That’s the humility which blossoms and thrives in the kingdom of heaven.

Kingdom Humility is Repentant

READ Verse 4

This Beattitude isn’t just next on the list in Christ’s sermon - it flows out of and builds on his first point. In other words, those who are aware of their own total reliance on God’s grace will mourn the sin which opposes God’s grace. They will be people who are characterized by grief over sin.

The word mourn carries the connotation of weeping, or even crying. It is a sense of intense regret, emotion, and displeasure.

It is used later in Matthew to describe an absent bridgroom, and the mourning/ grieving attendants.

It is used by Paul to describe his sorrow over the unbridled sin and debauchery of Corinthian culture

And it is used in Revelation chapter 18 where the rebellious kings of the earth grieve over the results of God’s judgment on Babylon.

Revelation 18:19 NASB95

“And they threw dust on their heads and were crying out, weeping and mourning, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who had ships at sea became rich by her wealth, for in one hour she has been laid waste!’

So, again, this isn’t just random sorrow in Matthew 5. It is connected to the poverty of spirit.... Our realization of sin keeps us as people of sorrow. Disciples of Jesus are repentant people. The Puritans help to teach us that.

Thomas Watson explores true repentance in his work The Doctrine of Repentance:

Repentance is purgative (i.e., purifying); fear not the working of this pill.

Either sin must drown (in tears) or the soul burn.

Let it not be said that repentance is difficult. Things that are excellent deserve labour. Will not a man dig for gold in the ore though it makes him sweat? It is better to go with difficulty to heaven than with ease to hell

Until sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet.

Repentance is the certainly the heart posture required in salvation. There is no salvation without it. But much of these ideas must continue on within the life of the believer. Blessed are those who mourn. This is humility.

CS Lewis Screwtape quote - acting good, holy, pure, kind, etc

No greater joy than to find mercy and grace abounding… and to see the transformation that mercy and grace has in our lives.

Comfort — isn’t in the distant, way off future. The promise is that comfort and fellowship comes to the one who continually repents. “Preaching the Gospel to yourself” has become a popular phrase. I think if it means anything, this is what is at its heart. Brokenness over indwelling sin, leading to embracing the mercy of God, and producing progressive righteousness. The Christian is perpetually mourning, yes..... but also perpetually finding comfort and joy as we return boldly (with confidence) to the throne of Grace… to find more grace.

Hebrews 4:16 NASB95

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Conclusion

The resolutions we learn on the mount with Jesus are not self-inflating, like so many ideas today. Instead, they bring about a humility which allows for true righteousness, from the heart, to blossom and flourish.

Dependence on the Savior and the Holy Spirit; Repentance in the Gospel - which is not a cliche. it is to rehearse the truth of Jesus and his work for us and in us.

“With joyful grief I lift my praise

Abhoring all my sin, adoring only him.” (My Jesus Fair)