The Kingdom of GOD

Scripture: Matthew 4:17-5:2

C.I.: Responsibilities of “Kingdom” Citizens - #2

So far… types of kingdoms (men, Satan, God), God's kingdom is under attack, & responsibilities #1.
Today we will conclude…. – We just heard about those who followed Jesus. – Let us hear what He says to us!!!

I. The “Kingdom of Heaven” in the Sermon on the Mount, (Matthew 5-7)

A. The “Poor In Spirit , ” (5:3)

1. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
a. Jesus is not saying we are blessed if we are physically poor – but if we are spiritually poor.
1) This sort of poverty of spirit – means in reality a poverty of pride, attitude or ego. 2) It is our own attitude/spirit – that get us into spiritual trouble, ( quote Eph. 2:1-2 ).

b. But when we empty ourselves of “self” – it is then that we are following the best example.
1) ( Quote Phil. 2:5, 3-4 ), “Have this attitude in you… - Do nothing from selfishness….”
2) Those who do empty themselves of “self” – are the one whom God can rule ( kingdom… )!
3) Keep this in mind. – For the rest of what Jesus has to say in Matthew 5-7 – depends upon our
willingness to get ourselves out of God's way!!!

B. The “Persecuted,” (5:10)

1. “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, or theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
a. This is not what we want to hear. – But it clearly points out who is in charge in our lives.
1) If we belong to the K. of men – then we will allow what others say/want to control our lives.
2) If we belong to the K. of Satan – then we will do what we want (opposite of poor in spirit ).
3) Yet if we do what God wants – then we will have to face some persecution (it's promised).
4) ( Quote Jn. 15:20; 16:33; II Tim. 3:12 ), “Remember what I said to you, a slave is not greater
than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you!” “In the world you….”

b. Yet the individual who is yet willing to follow Jesus – no matter to persecution – in them God rules!!!
1) ( I Pt. 4:1-2 ), “Since Christ also suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with this same
purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of
the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.”

C. The “Least” and the “Great,” (5:19)

1. “Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and so teaches others shall be called least….”
a. God's word (O.T./N.T.) was given as God's guidebook for our lives.
1) Clearly, God cannot rule in those who will not obey His will.
2) Those who “relax” His rules to make things easier for others will be in trouble ( Jms 3:1 ).
3) We either follow it – or we displease Him ( II Tim. 4:1-4 ), “I solemnly charge you in the
presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His
appearing and His Kingdom : preach the word… . ”

D. The “Righteousness of the Scribes & the Pharisees,” (5:20)

1. “For I say to you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes & the Pharisees, you shall not enter
the kingdom of heaven.”
a. A startling statement, for these two groups were seen by others to be the most pious of all people!!!
1) Yet this piety was only skin deep! – They lived to impress others – not God!
2) These are the ones of whom Jesus spoke when he said, ( 6:1 ), “Beware of practicing your
righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your….”

b. Jesus revealed these spiritual charlatans for the hypocrites they were…
1) ( 23:2-3 ), “The scribes & P. have seated themselves in the seat of Moses; therefore all they tell
you do & observe, but do not do according to their deeds, for they say things & do not do them
2) ( 23:13 ), “Woe… because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from men; for you do not enter in
yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.”
3) ( 23:27-28 ), “Woe… For you are like white-washed tombs… - Even so you too appear
outwardly righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy & lawlessness.”
4) Is our R. skin deep?! – Are we living for the approval of others or does Jesus truly rule in us?!

E. The Prayer: “Thy Kingdom Come…,” (6:10)

1. “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
a. Returning to the first point, God's kingdom comes in us – when we all Christ to rule in our lives!!!
1) This is called, “Hebrew parallelism.” – God's kingdom comes when His will is done.
2) Clearly this is then an important part of our prayer-life, that His will is done in our lives.
3) If we aren't living according to His will here – explain why He would want us in heaven?!

F. The Priority: “Seek First His Kingdom,” (6:33)

1. “But seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you.”
a. “These things” = life ( vs. 25-27 ), clothes ( vs. 28-30 ), food ( vs. 31-32 ).
1) We see an eagerness by God to bless those – in whom He is given control.
2) Pleasing others or even ourselves – has ne promise of such great rewards!!!

b. Allowing God to rule in our lives – must be the believer's first priority!!! (But what about His R.?)
1) But what does it mean to “seek righteousness” ?
2) This can't be just about “looking good” by doing God stuff – 6:1 !
3) Indeed, it isn't about US at all – ( quote Rom. 3:10 ), “There is none R. not even one.”
4) Yet later in that same context, ( Rom. 4:5 ), “But the one who does not work, but believes in
Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness.”
5) So we “seek His righteousness” by putting more trust in Him. – Now the more trust we put in
Him, the less we have to put where? In “ME!!!”

G. The Promise: “Not Everyone will Enter the Kingdom,” (7:21-23)

1. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven , but he who does….”
a. Some people try to get away with an easy “beliefism,” = “believe in God” but do as they want. (Satan)
1) Notice to enter God's kingdom means more than accepting “Jesus as Lord,” ( Jms. 2:19 )!
2) As you now understand, - the greatest obstacle to the kingdom of God – is an “I” problem.
3) When we live to please others or ourselves – we cannot please God!!! (BOTTOM LINE!)

b. Only by getting out of God's way – can we truly walk a totally new life, ( Rom. 6:1-4 )!