"THE BEATITUDES"

>>>The theme of this year is authentic Christianity-really examining what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

>>>This series is called “Kingdom Citizen”.

JESUS NEVER SAYS “BECOME A CHRISTIAN”.

>>>The word “Christian” only appears 3x in the entire Bible-not one time said by Jesus.

*First being called Christians in Antioch (Acts 11:26)

*“Are you (Paul) going to make me (Agrippa) a Christian?” (Acts 26:28)

*Christian will have suffering. (1 Peter 4:16)

>>>Many people people-no matter religious background-identify with a group of people under a term used only 3x in the Bible, somewhat negative, and that the author of the faith never uses.

JESUS REPEATEDLY TALKS ABOUT THE KINGDOM OF GOD/HEAVEN.

>>>Jesus over and over again declares the coming kingdom of God.

>>>This series is on the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7) where Jesus gives details about what citizens in His kingdom look like.

>>>Are you a Christian based on how JESUS defines being a Christian?

===============================================================

>>>This first message is titled “The Beatitudes”-the life of those in the kingdom of God.

>>>Jesus talks about ten different groups of people, 12 times describing them with the word, “Blessed”.

*“blessed” means “happy/prospering/fortunate”-the prosperity (“happy place”) of believers.

>>>Jesus pairs the blessed groups of people w/the reasons they are blessed, specific to them.

Matthew 5:3–9 ““Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”

Matthew 5:10–12 ““Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

===============================================================

THE SPIRIT OF KINGDOM CITIZENS

>>>This the inward being of kingdom citizens-who they are at the core.

Matthew 5:3–5 ““Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth.”

>>>(v.3) The “poor in spirit”. These are those who inwardly are not consumed w/riches/worldly things but have a dependency/need of God in their lives.

>>>They are blessed, because they will have their needs met/gain heavenly riches and pleasures.

>>>(v.4) Those who mourn (Grieving/in sorrow).

>>>Some interpret this as people who mourn/have sorrow over sin that leads to repentance. It’s not just something wrong but something that has made them sad. There definitely should be mourning/sorrow over sin.

>>>Plain reading of the text: those who lost something/someone in following Christ. Hurt can happen.

>>>These people will be comforted by God-both in forgiveness and strength (parakeleo).

>>>(v.5) There are people described as “gentle”. These are people who are humble/meek.

>>>Not looking to have attention but are simply faithful-not striving for the world’s “greatness”.

>>>Their reward is that they will inherit the earth. The world they did not pursue in this life will be their inheritance in the next.

*They will have achieved their greatness.

*(Luke 9:48) The one is the least will be the greatest in the kingdom.

===============================================================

THE DESIRES OF KINGDOM CITIZENS

>>>This section reflects the will, desires, emotions-choices of those in God’s kingdom.

Matthew 5:6–9 ““Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”

>>>(v.6) This is the group of those who “hunger and thirst” for righteousness.

*“hunger and thirst” implies strong desire-there is a strong desire for righteousness.

*Righteousness is not the same as the right thing (social justice/defense/helping others). Righteousness is about living in the way God wants people to live. It is a life in right standing w/God.

>>>They will be “satisfied”-filled w/the righteousness of God and able to stand before Him.

>>>(v.7) Those who are full of mercy for others (merciful)-forgiveness.

>>>Instead of choosing vengeance/judgment (what the heart naturally desires), they choose the justice of mercy (not giving what is deserved).

>>>Those who are giving mercy will receive mercy.

>>>(v.8) Those who are “pure in heart”

*To be “pure” is to be “clean”. This means to be clean/pure/holy.

>>>People pure in heart will “see God”-in Heaven before Him but also experience Him now.

>>>(v.9) The final group in this category are the peacemakers. These are the people who seek peace over conflict, resolving tensions.

*Not always choosing to attack or defend

*This is not the same thing as avoiding/ignoring confronting what is wrong or fixing issues. This is striving to bring godly restoration even if telling the hard truth is involved.

>>>Being people of biblical peace reflects the character of God, proving to be His children.

===============================================================

THE ENDURANCE OF KINGDOM CITIZENS

>>>This section hits lifestyle in a different way, enduring through how the world treats people in God’s kingdom.

Matthew 5:10–12 ““Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

>>>(v.10) Jesus is very clear that some will be persecuted for living in the righteousness they longed to have.

>>>He said their reward is the kingdom of heaven just like those poor in spirit.

>>>(v.11-12) An interesting turn: Jesus takes this idea of persecution and makes it personal, speaking now directly to His listeners.

>>>Those who follow Jesus/live in His kingdom will have trials from people who are against Jesus. But then Jesus says to “rejoice and be glad”, because they will be rewarded in Heaven.

*Not a natural response to persecution.

*Jesus lumps those persecuted for Him w/the prophets of old who helped restore Israel-heroes to the Jewish people.

===============================================================