The Kingdom of Heaven is Theirs
Notes
Transcript
Last week we looked at Matthew chapters 1-4, This week we are going to look at how Matthew compares Jesus to Moses and Jesus’ teaching about the kingdom
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.
Jesus went around teaching the GOSPEL of the kingdom, and here we are given a glimpse of what He taught, but first it says…
24 Then the news about him spread throughout Syria. So they brought to him all those who were afflicted, those suffering from various diseases and intense pains, the demon-possessed, the epileptics, and the paralytics. And he healed them. 25 Large crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.
They came to Him because of Healings, Miracles — Purpose was to share the gospel — Heal souls not bodies — gospel message is not to abolish sin and death now, but later when there will be no time left to repent!
1 When he saw the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to teach them, saying:
The miracles He performed were to pave the way for the “good news” of the kingdom.
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
Notice the first and the last blessed statement
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
The kingdom of heaven is theirs and verse 10
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
the kingdom of heaven is theirs — bookends — Shows the focus of the statements is who belongs to the kingdom — what did Jesus want hearers to actually do?
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
the poor cry out to God and recognize their need for Him to save them — opposite of proud in spirit —
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
The kingdom will no longer include death or pain
5 Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth.
humble not proud, promise of land, just like the promised land, but not just the Middle East, but the entire earth
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
desire to repent, desire to be holy, WILL BE FILLED, Christ’s righteousness
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
We are saved by God’s mercy, not by our efforts, and we are to show that same mercy to others that He has shown to us
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Those who will inherit the kingdom will be those who have been changed at the heart level, those who turn from sin from their heart, not just outwardly
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
This is how we are to live with others now, we will not inherit the earth through conquest, but through love and mercy and holiness
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
We will be persecuted for turning from sin, life will not be health and wealth and success during this temporary residency if we are focused on God’s kingdom instead of our own.
11 “You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. 12 Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The prophets were persecuted, Jesus was persecuted, and if we are faithful to the mission, we will be persecuted, BECAUSE we are surrounded by darkness
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
We are a light on a hill, shining brightly in the darkness. We can not hide. We are the salt of the earth, we can not be diluted and made useless. We must stay faithful because of what we’ve been given, entrance into the kingdom