I’M A KINGDOM CITIZEN
THE UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IT IS TO BE A KINGDOM CITIZEN.
IM IN THE WORLD NOT OF THE WORLD “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”
I. Blessed are the Simple (3)—Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. On the surface this statement from our Lord seems to be a contradiction to what we’ve been taught and experienced in life. Those who are poor often find themselves dealing with the harsh effects of poverty: hunger, improper clothing, housing, etc. We must understand that Jesus is not teaching from a physical perspective. Those who read this from a physical standpoint miss the great truth that Jesus has taught.
▪ While it is true that those who are poor in material wealth are often closer to the Lord and depend solely upon Him, this is not the context of what Jesus has said. The word poor means what one would think: reduced to begging; destitute of wealth, influence, position, and honor; to be poor and needy, lacking. He is speaking of those who are poor in spirit, those who have come to the realization that they needed something in their life that this world could not give. These have realized that Jesus alone can supply what one truly needs in this life.
▪ What we have in material possessions really isn’t the issue. It is often difficult for those who have need of nothing too see their need for the Lord, but Jesus wants us to realize that spiritually we are poor and undone before Him. Without the good hand of God working