The Character of Kingdom Citizens (part 1)
The Character and Content of Kingdom Citizens • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 2 viewsGenuine Believers have been given the nature of Kingdom citizens
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Kingdom Citizens are Disciples (Matt. 5:1)
Kingdom Citizens are Disciples (Matt. 5:1)
Explanation: When Jesus ascended into Heaven after His resurrection, He commanded His followers to teach new believers. His instruction was to “teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:20). Many of those things commanded are found in His teaching message on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)
Jesus drew crowds everywhere He went, and the setting for this famous message is no exception. Our text informs that Jesus saw the multitudes and then went and assumed a teaching position (Jewish rabbis sat down when they taught). When Jesus sat down, “his disciples came to him.” A distinction is made between the crowds and His disciples. Jesus’ teaching was aimed primarily at his disciples, but the crowd was still listening to His message. We find out at the end of Jesus’ sermon that “the people were astonished at his doctrine” (Matt 7:28)
Argument: The understanding is that this message is for those who ARE disciples of Jesus. This message is for believers. In biblical terms, a believer IS a disciple. As William Barclay states, “All his life a Christian should be learning more and more about Jesus. The shut mind is the end of discipleship.”
This message is for the present day; it is NOT reserved for the Millennial Kingdom. The expectation of the King is for Kingdom citizens to live according to the principles of His Kingdom.
Given this understanding, it is vital for us to know which group we are in: are we disciples or are we part of the crowd? The first part of the sermon reveals the Character of Kingdom Citizens
Kingdom Citizens have been given a New Nature (Matt 5:3-6)
Kingdom Citizens have been given a New Nature (Matt 5:3-6)
Explanation: Verses three through twelve are commonly referred to as the Beatitudes, a word that stems from the Latin. In English, the Greek word is most often translated blessed, which is a better word than happy. As John Stott observes, “it is seriously misleading to render makarios ‘happy.’ For happiness is a subjective state, whereas Jesus is making an objective judgment about these people. He is declaring not what they feel like (‘happy’), but what God thinks of them, and on that account that they are: they are blessed.” (The Message of the Sermon on the Mount, by John Stott, p. 33)
Illustrate: It is objective to state that the temperature is 72 degrees Farenheit; it is subjective to say, “I am cold.”
Argument: Jesus is declaring that His disciples (believers) are in the condition of being blessed. This is the status that Paul affirms for those who are IN Christ Romans 4:8
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
KC’s have accepted that they are morally bankrupt (5:3)
KC’s have accepted that they are morally bankrupt (5:3)
Explanation: Blessed are the poor in spirit - this refers to those who have come to understand their true nature before a Holy God. The condition is spiritual, not material. The Gospel is not tied to anyone’s monetary status, whether financially poor or rich. While Jesus does make the observation that it is difficult for wealthy people to be saved (cf Mark 10:25) because they can easily trust in their wealth instead of God, the offer is open to all classes of people.
The context lends itself to the person who realizes his or her status as one who has absolutely nothing to offer God. A Citizen of the Kingdom is one who confesses that he is spiritually bankrupt before God.
Nothing in my hands I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress,
Helpless, look to Thee for grace:
Foul, I to the fountain fly,
Wash me, Savior, or I die (Rock of Ages, stanza 3)
Argument: Salvation is a free gift, but it is only the empty hand that receives it.
KC’s have been broken by their own sin (5:4)
KC’s have been broken by their own sin (5:4)
Explanation: Blessed are those who mourn. This statement refers to a person who has been broken by his or her own sin. This is the condition of the one who is confronted with the holiness of God and sees himself as vile and unworthy.
Example: When Isaiah was confronted with the Holiness of God, he recognized his sinfulness (Isa 6:5)
Argument: KC’s confess (agree with God) that they are rebels who have gone their own way. They have recognized that their sin has separated them from God in His holiness, and they have repented of that sin and asked God to forgive them.
As a result of bowing the knee to King Jesus, they have been comforted with the gift of His amazing Grace!
KC’s have attitudes of humility (5:5)
KC’s have attitudes of humility (5:5)
Explanation: The beatitude of meekness is one that gives us trouble. The definition of meekness is to have humility and to defer to others instead of putting our own interests first. As a Bible commentator named Rod Mattoon states, “The third beatitude is even more difficult than the first two, because it involves the issue of our relationship with others and having self control.” (accessed from preceptaustin.org on verse by verse re: Matthew 5:5)
"A man can never be meek unless he is poor in spirit. A man can never be meek unless he has seen himself as a vile sinner. These other things must come first. (Lloyd-Jones, D. M. Studies in the Sermon on the Mount)
Argument: Demonstrating meekness is difficult in today’s culture, especially for men. We are called to lead and to stand firm in the Truth instead of caving to the spirit of the Age that urges us to be silent and compliant. This is NOT the meekness to which God calls us. We can lead, but in a way that honors God and does not promote our own sense of importance. Being meek involves a setting aside of our own personal importance, and this is what demonstrates the supernatural power of the Spirit of Christ.
In our own power IT IS IMPOSSIBLE for us to live this out! We MUST rely on the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish this. We CAN be meek when our goal is to Glorify God instead of vindicating ourselves.
KC’s have a desire for the righteousness of God (5:6)
KC’s have a desire for the righteousness of God (5:6)
Explanation: Those of us who have been transformed by the power of Christ have a desire to live for Him and to grow in His grace. This beatitude states shows that Kingdom Citizens have an ongoing and continual desire to be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29; 2 Cor 3:18). We acknowledge that we fall short of that goal in this life, but we do have that desire!
Example: The one who says, “I am a Christian,” but has no desire for the things of Christ is lying to himself. When the Spirit of Christ comes into a lost person, that person is transformed! (2 Cor 5:17).
Argument: The Kingdom Citizen expresses a desire for the things of God. He or she has a desire to be in God’s House and to know the Word of God.
Illustrate: Doing yard work in the summer months with temps in the 90’s - it is natural to desire cold water to quench the thirst
Application: Ask yourself the question: “How hungry am I when it comes to the things of God?
“How thirsty am I to be in His presence?”