All Scripture is given by inspiration of God...
Passages To Ponder
Passages To Ponder
INTRODUCTION1. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God...a. Profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness -2 Ti 3:16b. Enabling the man of God to be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work -2 Ti 3:172. But some passages of Scripture are worthy ofspecial note...a.Passages thatreveal much of what it means to be a disciple of Christb.Passages thatlead us toward the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ
Passages To Ponder
3. In this series, we shall examine eight such passages of Scripture, and in so doing...a. Note thecontextsetting and focusb. Explore themeaningthen and nowc. Suggest theapplicationfor today
“Beatitudes Of The Kingdom”
Webegin as Jesus beganWith the First Recorded Sermon of Christ –HisSermon On The Mount,The“Beatitudes Of The Kingdom”,notingfirst...
I. THE CONTEXT OF THE BEATITUDES
A. THESETTINGOF THE SERMON...1. The preaching of John the Baptist- had a central focusMatthew 3:1-32. The preaching of Jesus Christ– had the same focusMatthew 4:17,23--Their ministry hadasetting of focus–they focusedon “thegospelof the kingdom”
I. THE CONTEXT OF THE BEATITUDES
B. THETHEMEOF THE SERMON...1. Note the repeated use of the phrase“the kingdom of heaven”throughout the sermonMatthew5:3,10,19-20; 6:10,33; 7:21There can be no mistake --The theme of thesermonis “the kingdom of heaven”
I. THE CONTEXT OF THE BEATITUDES
C. THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SERMON...1.It is interesting that Jesusused the beatitudes to begin Hisministry and that it is His first recorded sermon –Matthew5:1-122.Notice that thefirstandlastbeatitude both reference the kingdom of heaven–Matthew 5:3,12-- Thus we can rightly call this passage, “the beatitudes of the kingdom”
II. THE MEANING OF THE BEATITUDES
Theword“beatitude” means “a state of supreme happiness”. Thus Jesus describes theblessednessofthosewho would be citizensof the kingdom.Let’sdig deeper into...
II. THE MEANING OF THE BEATITUDES
A. THEY DESCRIBE THE CHARACTER OF THE CITIZENS...1.They are poor in spirit -Matthew5:3a. Humble, as opposed to those proud in spiritb. Convicted of one’s own spiritual poverty and needfor salvation, (This is difficult for a “proud person to see, admit, realize in themselves)-When They do;2.They mourn -Matthew5:4a. Because of their spiritual poverty, their sinfulnessb.They mourn over what their own sins have caused - LikeDavid did after his adultery with Bathsheba -Psalm51:3-4
II. THE MEANING OF THE BEATITUDES
3.They are meek -Matthew5:5a. Gentle,easy to be approached, to imploreb.This is the result of theirawareness of theirownspiritual poverty4.They hunger and thirst for righteousness -Matthew5:6a. Looking for that which will meet their spiritualpoverty, that which fill them upb. Not a half- hearted search, but persistentlongingto befilled with everything they can learn about …..
II. THE MEANING OF THE BEATITUDES
5.They are merciful -Matthew5:7a. Possessing a forgiving spirit toward othersb. Fully aware of their own need for forgiveness6.They are pure in heart -Matthew5:8a. Possessing singleness ofheart, a heart that is not divided by the cares of this world and that of serving Godb. Sincere, honest, without hypocrisy
II. THE MEANING OF THE BEATITUDES
7.They are peacemakers -Matthew5:9a. Working to be at peace with God and manb. Willing to follow in the steps of the Prince ofPeace8.They are persecuted for righteousness’ sake- Matthew5:10-12a. Willing to suffer for the kingdom of God andJesus’ sakeb. Whether it involve reviling, slander, or all forms ofpersecution--Such arethe qualitiesof those who wouldexperiencethe blessedness of the kingdom
II. THE MEANING OF THE BEATITUDES
B. THEY DESCRIBE THE BLESSEDNESS OF THE CITIZENS...1.Theirs is the kingdom of heaven -Matthew5:3a. The same as the kingdom of God -Matthew4:17,Mark1:14-15b. The rule or reign of God, now manifestedthrough HisSon JesusChristc. The blessedness includes having God’s providentialrule and care inone’s life - e.g.,Matthew6:30-33
II. THE MEANING OF THE BEATITUDES
2.They shall be comforted -Matthew5:4a. For the sorrow over their spiritual poverty, andotherneedsb. Both now, and in the future -2 Corinthians1:3-5;Revelation21:43.They shall inherit the earth -Matthew5:5a. In one sense, even now–Matthew6:33;Mark10:29-30b. In a future sense, with the new heavens andnewearth -2Peter3:13;Revelation21:1-3
II. THE MEANING OF THE BEATITUDES
4.They shall be filled -Matthew5:6a. With that righteousness they thirst after–Philippians 3:8-10b. Made possible through their faith and thebloodof Christ -Romans1:16-17; 5:95.They shall obtain mercy -Matthew5:7a. Experiencing mercy through the blood of Christ-Revelation1:5-6b. Escaping the wrath of God to come -Romans5:9
II. THE MEANING OF THE BEATITUDES
6.They shall see God -Matthew5:8a. Presently, through their Lord Jesus Christ -John14:6-7b. In the future, face to face -Re 21:3; 22:3-47.They shall be called sons of God -Matthew5:9a. Even now, honored to be called His sons–1 John3:1-2b. Much more so in the future -Revelation21:5-7
II. THE MEANING OF THE BEATITUDES
8.Theirs is the kingdom of heaven–Matthew5:10-12a. With a great reward in heavenb. Honored to join the company of prophetslikeIsaiah,Jeremiah, etc.--Such is the blessedness of those who would become citizens of the kingdom
III. THE APPLICATION OF THE BEATITUDES
TheBeatitudes thus describe both thecharacter and blessedness of the citizens of the kingdom.Beforewe conclude our meditation on this passage, a thought or two regarding...
III. THE APPLICATION OF THE BEATITUDES
A. THE BEATITUDES ARE NOT MULTIPLE CHOICE...1. The characteristics of those who would be blessedareinterrelated2.Only those who possess all the qualitieswillbecomecitizens of the kingdom3. It is not enough...a. To be poor in spirit, but not hunger and thirstfor righteousnessb. To mourn, but not be pure in heartc. To be meek, but not be peacemakersd. To be persecuted, but not for righteousness’sake
III. THE APPLICATION OF THE BEATITUDES
-- Thus we cannot “pick and choose” those qualities we desire, leaving others aside
III. THE APPLICATION OF THE BEATITUDES
B. FOCUS ATTENTION ON THE CHARACTERISTICS...1. The blessedness will follow, as promised byJesus, but only when we;2. Seek to develop a true sense of:a. Spiritual povertyb. Sorrow for sinc. A willingness to be entreatedd. A longing forrighteousness
III. THE APPLICATION OF THE BEATITUDES
e. A merciful spirit toward othersf. Singleness of heart in serving Godg. Seeking peace with God and manh. Gladly bearing reproach and persecutionforChrist and His kingdom--Prayer and the Word of God will greatly aid such development of character
Conclusion
1. The“Beatitudes Of The Kingdom” is a wonderful passage of Scripture...a. Containing the words of our Lord JesusChristb. Introducing the greatest sermon ever preachedc. Describing the blessedness and character ofthosewho would enter the kingdom
Conclusion
2. The“Beatitudes Of The Kingdom” is a worthy passage of Scripture...a. Worthy of our prayerful meditationb.Worthy of our carefulapplicationInlight of what Jesus taught about the kingdom of heaven throughout His earthly ministry, we cannotaffordto neglect the“Beatitudes Of The Kingdom.” Are you interested in becoming a citizen of thatkingdom...?-Here is how you can do that:(borrowed from Mark Copeland)
What MUST You Do to Be Saved?
HearThe Word Of God Romans 10:17BelieveHis Word Mark 16:16, John 8:24Repentof your sins Luke 13:3, Acts 2:38Confessyour belief Romans 10:10, Acts 8:37Be BaptizedMark 16:16, Acts 2:38 For the Remission of Your Sins Acts 22:16 Galatians 3:26, 27Live FaithfullyTitus 2:11-14
0
Embed
Upload