Scripture: Matthew 3:1-8

C.I.: The Characteristics of “Kingdom” Citizens

Last week … – As King, Jesus rules by decree (i.e., word) & by design (i.e., example).
Today Jesus will share with us – the qualities you will find – in those who are citizens of His kingdom!
These qualities are ones that He has – and as subjects in His kingdom – ones He wants us to share.

I. The King & His People are Alike (Matthew 5)

A. Those Who Give Up Everything Receive even More … and then some! (Chapter 5)

1. If we are to truly be citizens of the kingdom then we must become “poor in spirit”

a. (Matt. 5:1-3), “And when He saw the multitudes, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down His disciples came to Him. – And opening His mouth He began to teach them, saying, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’”
1) “Blessed” = Approved of by God – God’s blessings…
2) “Poor” = Not “street-corner” poor – but “Ruwandan-poor” (will I ever eat again?)!
3) “Spirit” = Attitude of arrogance, pride, ego.
4) Those who are “poor in spirit” – are the ones who are most like “The King” – (Phil. 2:5-7).
5) The person who is poor in spirit – is the one who receives God’s approval because they have emptied themselves of “self”!

b. So if this is what it means to be “poor in spirit,” what then is the “kingdom of God”?

1) A kingdom requires 2 things – the first is a King (clearly Jesus is the King)!
(i) (Matt. 2:2; 27:11; I Tim. 6:15), “Where is HE…” – “Are You the King…” – “…blessed

2) The second thing required of a kingdom – is a realm in which to rule.
(i) Jesus did not come to establish a physical, earthly kingdom – (Jn. 18:36).
(ii) The realm in which Jesus desires to rule - is the lives of His people – (Lk. 17:20-21), “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; - nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is,’ or ‘There it is!’ – For the kingdom of God is within you!”

3) Putting this all together; when we have emptied ourselves of “self” – and allow Christ to rule in our lives – then truly, ours is the Kingdom of Heaven!!!!
(i) When a person becomes a Xn – they confess Jesus as their King (Rom. 10:9).
(ii) This is our constant prayer – (Matt. 6:10), “Thy kingdom come…!”
(iii) ILLUST.: Some say, “The kingdom is the church.” I say, “What is the church?” – It is not, “Does Jesus rule in here (building), but does Jesus rule in here (heart)! – Ask, “Does Jesus rule in your heart (to some Xn)?” [Then make them stand with you] “Then Jesus rules in His church!” Continue doing this for several people.
(iv) “Sitting in here – doesn’t make you part of the kingdom or the church! – Only when Jesus is ruling in our hearts – are we part of both His Kingdom and His church!!!”

B. Once we have gotten ourselves out of God’s way – we will see our lives thru His eyes.

1. For all characteristics our Lord decrees for us – He has already lived by design for us…
a. “Mourn” = over who we were & how we in sin stood against God (Matt. 23:37)!

b. “Gentle” = under God’s control, Jn. 6:38, “I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”

c. “Hunger & thirst” = seek the things of God, Matt. 4:4; Jn. 4:34, “Man does not …” – “MY food is to do the will of the One who sent Me, and to accomplish His work.”

d. “Merciful” = Mk. 10:46, “…a blind beggar Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. – And when he heard that Jesus was passing, he began to cry out and say, ‘Jesus, son of David, have MERCY on me!’”

e. “Pure” = Cleansed, I Pt. 2:22; 1:22, “He committed no sin…” – “Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren….”

f. “Peacemaker” = between men & God, Lk. 19:10; Eph. 2:17.

g. “Persecuted” = Jn. 15:18; 16:33; (brings us full circle), “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you,” – “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage….”

2. Sadly, those who are filled with “self” – cannot be saved.

a. Indeed, the theme of the “Sermon on the Mount” is to condemn this kind of spiritual arrogance.
1) (Matt. 5:20), “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and the Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
(i) These people were seen as tremendously righteous – how could someone “top them”?
(ii) Indeed, I thought when it came to R., – God said, “There is none…” (Rom. 3:10)?

2) What God is warning us about – is that we need to beware the source for our righteousness.
(i) (Rom. 10:2-3), “For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. – For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.”

3) Unless we empty ourselves of “self” – we will fall into this trap called, “Religion”!
(i) (Matt. 23:25-26), “Woe to your scribes, Pharisees, hypocrites! – For you clean the outside of the cup & the dish, but inside they are filled with robbery & self-indulgence. – You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup & the dish, so the outside may become clean also.”

4) So…, in whose righteousness are we trusting? – (Rom. 1:16-17; Mk. 16:15-16).