The Kingdom of God and His Righteousness

Samuel Pardamean Pakpahan

Kingdom of God • Sermon • Submitted a month ago • Presented 2 months ago

Matthew 7

The Kingdom of God

Righteousness

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The Focus of Jesus’ Disciples

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The Kingdom of God

GOD’S KINGDOM AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

Don’t judge people and Look down People (Matt 7:1-6), The righteousness of God is something most valuable, not something to judge people.

Pray for people because God listen to your prayer (Matt 7:7-12), Instead of Judging, we suppose pray for them, because our prayer are listened by God.

Embrace trials (Matt 7:13-14). When we pray we are entering narrow gate, but we have to eager to go through that.

Put the right seed in our life in order to have good fruit (Matt 7:15-23). If we have the seed of the Word of God, our aims to lead people to Christ and they will receive salvation. Not judging them.

Keep on being the doer of the Word of God and you will Be a wise man (Matt 7:24-29).

Matthew 7:1-29

Introduction

The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) is one of Jesus' most profound teachings, outlining the values of the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 7, Jesus calls His disciples to pursue God's righteousness rather than focusing on the faults of others.

This passage challenges us to examine our hearts, live in obedience to God’s Word, and walk the narrow path that leads to life. The key question is: Are we truly living as disciples of Christ, bearing fruit that reflects His righteousness?

1. Do Not Judge, but Examine Your Own Heart (Matthew 7:1-6)

"Judge not, that you be not judged." (Matthew 7:1, ESV)

The Meaning of "Judging" (krinó - κρίνω)

The Greek word krinó means to judge, condemn, or pass a final verdict. Jesus is not forbidding discernment but warning against a hypocritical and self-righteous attitude.

Theological Insight

The Pharisees were known for their legalistic judgment of others, yet they failed to examine their own hearts. Jesus warns against this hypocrisy, emphasizing that the measure we use to judge others will be applied to us (v. 2).

✅ Application: Instead of being quick to judge, we must first repent and remove the “log” in our own eye before addressing the faults of others (v. 3-5).

2. Replace Judgment with Prayer (Matthew 7:7-12)

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." (Matthew 7:7, ESV)

Theological Insight

Rather than condemning others, Jesus invites us to depend on God through persistent prayer. The verbs ask, seek, and knock indicate continuous action, emphasizing perseverance in prayer.

🔹 God as a loving Father: If earthly parents give good gifts, how much more will our heavenly Father give to those who ask Him? (v. 9-11)

🔹 The Golden Rule (v. 12): Loving others as we want to be loved is the fulfillment of God's righteousness.

✅ Application: Before criticizing someone, pray for them. Let prayer shape our hearts toward compassion rather than condemnation.

3. The Narrow Way: Choosing the Path of Righteousness (Matthew 7:13-14)

"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many." (Matthew 7:13, ESV)

Biblical Context

In ancient cities, the “narrow gate” was difficult to pass through, symbolizing the cost of discipleship. The “broad way” represents the easy, worldly path that leads to destruction.

Theological Insight

🔹 The exclusivity of Christ: Jesus Himself is the narrow way (John 14:6). Salvation is not found in the broad road of human wisdom but through faith in Him.

🔹 The cost of discipleship: Following Jesus requires self-denial, obedience, and endurance (Luke 9:23).

✅ Application: Are we truly walking the narrow path? Are we willing to follow Christ, even when it is unpopular?

4. A Tree and Its Fruit: True Faith Produces Good Works (Matthew 7:15-23)

"You will recognize them by their fruits." (Matthew 7:16, ESV)

Key Theme: False Prophets and True Discipleship

Jesus warns against false teachers who appear righteous but bear bad fruit (v. 15-20). Likewise, many claim to follow Christ but lack true obedience.

🔹 True faith results in obedience: Merely professing “Lord, Lord” without doing God’s will leads to judgment (v. 21-23).

🔹 Fruit as evidence of salvation: The presence of godly character and obedience confirms authentic discipleship (Galatians 5:22-23).

✅ Application: Are we bearing good fruit in our lives? Is our faith merely verbal, or is it demonstrated through obedience?

5. The Wise and Foolish Builders: Obedience to God’s Word (Matthew 7:24-27)

"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock." (Matthew 7:24, ESV)

Theological Significance

🔹 The rock (petra - πέτρα) symbolizes Christ: Jesus is the unshakable foundation of our faith (1 Corinthians 10:4).

🔹 Hearing vs. Doing: The foolish builder hears but does not obey, while the wise builder applies God’s Word.

🔹 Judgment imagery: The storm represents divine judgment—only those whose lives are built on Christ will stand.

✅ Application: Are we building our lives on the solid foundation of Christ, or are we merely hearing His words without obedience?

Christ-Centered Focus: Jesus as the Fulfillment of Righteousness

🔹 Jesus is the righteous King: His teachings reveal the character of God's kingdom.

🔹 Jesus is the narrow way: Salvation is through Him alone (John 14:6).

🔹 Jesus is the foundation: Only those who build their lives on Him will stand (1 Corinthians 3:11).

Matthew 7 ultimately calls us to wholehearted devotion to Christ, bearing fruit in obedience, and living as true disciples.

Key Biblical Information

Historical Context

The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) was addressed to Jewish listeners familiar with the Pharisaic emphasis on external righteousness. Jesus redefined true righteousness as inward transformation.

Key Terms

Krinó (κρίνω) – To judge, condemn, or pass a verdict.

Petra (πέτρα) – A solid rock foundation, symbolizing Christ.

Hodos (ὁδός) – The “way” or path, representing the journey of life.

Theological Insights

Justification and Sanctification: We are justified by faith but called to produce fruit as evidence of our faith (James 2:26).

The Kingdom of God: Jesus' teachings contrast the world's values with the principles of God's kingdom.

Conclusion & Call to Action

Summary of Key Lessons

✅ Do not judge, but examine your own heart first.

✅ Replace judgment with persistent prayer.

✅ Choose the narrow way, even when it is difficult.

✅ Bear good fruit as evidence of true faith.

✅ Build your life on the solid foundation of Christ.

Challenge to the Church

🔥 Are we merely hearing God’s Word, or are we living it out?

🔥 Are we walking the narrow path, even when it is difficult?

🔥 Are we bearing fruit that reflects the righteousness of Christ?

Let us commit ourselves fully to Christ, seeking His kingdom and righteousness above all. Amen.

KERJAAN ALLAH DAN KEBENARAN-NYA

Matius 7:1-29

Pendahuluan Saudara-saudara yang dikasihi Tuhan, hari ini kita akan membahas satu bagian penting dari pengajaran Yesus dalam Khotbah di Bukit, yaitu tentang bagaimana hidup sebagai murid Kristus yang sejati.

Yesus mengajarkan bahwa murid-murid-Nya tidak dipanggil untuk menghakimi, tetapi untuk mencari Kerajaan Allah dan hidup dalam kebenaran-Nya. Dunia sering mendorong kita untuk sibuk menilai orang lain, tetapi Yesus menantang kita untuk fokus pada kehidupan yang benar dan berbuah.

Hari ini, kita akan membahas lima prinsip penting dari Matius 7:1-29 yang menunjukkan bagaimana kita bisa hidup dalam Kerajaan Allah dan kebenaran-Nya.

1. Jangan Menghakimi, Tetapi Periksa Hati Sendiri (Matius 7:1-6)

"Jangan kamu menghakimi, supaya kamu tidak dihakimi." (Matius 7:1)

Yesus tidak melarang kita menilai antara yang benar dan salah, tetapi Dia memperingatkan kita untuk tidak bersikap sok benar dan cepat menghakimi orang lain.

🔹 Masalah utama: Kita sering lebih cepat melihat kesalahan orang lain daripada introspeksi diri sendiri. 🔹 Ilustrasi Yesus: "Selumbar di mata saudaramu, tetapi balok di matamu sendiri" (Matius 7:3-5).

✅ Aplikasi: Sebelum mengkritik orang lain, mari kita periksa hati kita sendiri. Apakah kita sudah hidup dalam kebenaran Tuhan?

2. Gantilah Penghakiman dengan Doa (Matius 7:7-12)

"Mintalah, maka akan diberikan kepadamu; carilah, maka kamu akan mendapat; ketoklah, maka pintu akan dibukakan bagimu." (Matius 7:7)

Yesus mengundang kita untuk lebih banyak berdoa daripada menghakimi. Sering kali kita sibuk membicarakan kelemahan orang lain, tetapi jarang mendoakan mereka.

✅ Aplikasi: Sebelum mengomentari seseorang, mari kita berdoa untuk mereka lebih dulu. Jika kita berdoa untuk orang lain, hati kita akan lebih penuh dengan kasih dan belas kasihan.

3. Pilihlah Jalan yang Sempit (Matius 7:13-14)

"Masuklah melalui pintu yang sesak itu, karena lebarlah pintu dan luaslah jalan yang menuju kepada kebinasaan, dan banyak orang yang masuk melaluinya." (Matius 7:13)

Mengikuti Yesus tidak selalu mudah, karena jalan-Nya sempit dan tidak populer. Dunia menawarkan jalan yang lebar, penuh kenyamanan, tetapi berakhir dalam kebinasaan.

🔹 Jalan lebar = Hidup bebas tanpa ketaatan pada Tuhan. 🔹 Jalan sempit = Hidup taat, meskipun tidak selalu mudah.

✅ Aplikasi: Jangan takut jika jalan yang kita tempuh sebagai pengikut Kristus terasa sulit. Itu tanda bahwa kita berjalan di jalan yang benar.

4. Hasilkan Buah yang Baik (Matius 7:15-23)

"Dari buahnyalah kamu akan mengenal mereka." (Matius 7:16)

Yesus mengajarkan bahwa iman yang sejati akan terlihat dari buah kehidupan kita. Banyak orang mengaku Kristen, tetapi hidup mereka tidak mencerminkan Kristus.

🔹 Buah baik = Karakter yang diubahkan, kasih, kesabaran, kebaikan (Galatia 5:22-23). 🔹 Buah buruk = Kehidupan yang penuh dosa, kemunafikan, dan kepura-puraan.

✅ Aplikasi: Apakah hidup kita menghasilkan buah yang baik? Apakah orang lain melihat Yesus melalui kita?

5. Jadilah Pelaku Firman, Bukan Hanya Pendengar (Matius 7:24-27)

"Setiap orang yang mendengar perkataan-Ku ini dan melakukannya, ia sama dengan orang yang bijaksana, yang mendirikan rumahnya di atas batu." (Matius 7:24)

Yesus menutup pengajaran ini dengan perumpamaan tentang dua orang yang membangun rumah:

🔹 Orang bijaksana = Mendengar dan melakukan firman, seperti membangun rumah di atas batu. 🔹 Orang bodoh = Mendengar tetapi tidak melakukan, seperti membangun rumah di atas pasir.

✅ Aplikasi: Jangan hanya mendengar firman Tuhan setiap minggu, tetapi hiduplah dalam ketaatan.

Fokus Kristosentris: Yesus adalah Jalan, Dasar, dan Keselamatan Kita

✨ Yesus adalah jalan sempit: "Akulah jalan dan kebenaran dan hidup" (Yohanes 14:6). ✨ Yesus adalah dasar yang kokoh: Hidup kita harus dibangun di atas-Nya (1 Korintus 10:4). ✨ Yesus tidak datang untuk menghakimi, tetapi menyelamatkan (Yohanes 3:17). Keselamatan hanya ada dalam Yesus. Sebagai murid-Nya, kita dipanggil untuk hidup dalam kebenaran-Nya, bukan hanya berbicara tentang firman, tetapi melakukannya.

Kesimpulan & Tantangan

✅ Jangan menghakimi orang lain, tetapi periksa hati sendiri. ✅ Gantilah penghakiman dengan doa. ✅ Berani memilih jalan sempit yang benar di hadapan Tuhan. ✅ Hasilkan buah yang baik sebagai bukti iman sejati. ✅ Jangan hanya mendengar firman, tetapi hiduplah dalam firman.

👉 Tantangan: Mulai hari ini, setiap kali kita ingin mengkritik seseorang, gantilah dengan doa bagi mereka. Bagaimana hidup kita akan berubah jika kita benar-benar menjadi pelaku firman?

🔥 Penutup: Mari kita berdoa agar Tuhan menolong kita untuk hidup dalam kebenaran-Nya dan menjadi murid yang sejati. Amin.