Passages To Ponder - Beatitudes Of The Kingdom

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                          "PASSAGES TO PONDER"

                       Beatitudes Of The Kingdom

INTRODUCTION

1. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God...
   a. Profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in
      righteousness - 2Ti 3:16
   b. Enabling the man of God to be complete, thoroughly equipped for
      every good work - 2Ti 3:17

2. But some passages of Scripture are worthy of special note...
   a. That reveal much of what it means to be a disciple of Christ
   b. That lead us toward the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ

3. In this series, we shall examine eight such passages of Scripture,
   and in so doing...
   a. Note the context
   b. Explore the meaning
   c. Suggest the application

[We begin as Jesus began His Sermon On The Mount, with "Beatitudes Of
The Kingdom", noting first...]

I. THE CONTEXT OF THE BEATITUDES

   A. THE SETTING OF THE SERMON...
      1. The preaching of John the Baptist - Mt 3:1-3
      2. The preaching of Jesus Christ - Mt 4:17,23
      -- Their ministry had focused on "the gospel of the kingdom"

   B. THE THEME OF THE SERMON...
      1. Note the repeated use of the phrase "the kingdom of heaven"
      2. Sprinkled throughout the sermon - Mt 5:3,10,19-20; 6:10,33;
         7:21
      -- The theme of the sermon is "the kingdom of heaven"

   C. THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SERMON...
      1. Jesus used the beatitudes to begin His sermon - Mt 5:1-12
      2. The first and last beatitude both reference the kingdom of
         heaven - Mt 5:3,10
      -- Thus we can rightly call this passage, "the beatitudes of the
         kingdom"

[The word "beatitude" means "a state of supreme happiness".  Thus Jesus
describes the blessedness of those who would be citizens of the kingdom.
Let's dig deeper into...]

II. THE MEANING OF THE BEATITUDES

   A. THEY DESCRIBE THE CHARACTER OF THE CITIZENS...
      1. They are poor in spirit - Mt 5:3
         a. Humble, as opposed to those proud in spirit
         b. Convicted of one's own spiritual poverty and need for
            salvation
      2. They mourn - Mt 5:4
         a. Because of their spiritual poverty, their sinfulness
         b. Like David did after his adultery with Bathsheba - Psa
            51:3-4
      3. They are meek - Mt 5:5
         a. Gentle, easy to be entreated
         b. Through awareness of their own spiritual poverty
      4. They hunger and thirst for righteousness - Mt 5:6
         a. Looking for that which will meet their spiritual poverty
         b. Not a half-hearted search, but persistent longing to be
            filled
      5. They are merciful - Mt 5:7
         a. Possessing a forgiving spirit toward others
         b. Fully aware of their own need for forgiveness
      6. They are pure in heart - Mt 5:8
         a. Possessing singleness of heart
         b. Sincere, honest, without hypocrisy
      7. They are peacemakers - Mt 5:9
         a. Working to be at peace with God and man
         b. Willing to follow in the steps of the Prince of Peace
      8. They are persecuted for righteousness' sake - Mt 5:10-12
         a. Willing to suffer for the kingdom of God and Jesus' sake
         b. Whether it involve reviling, slander, or all forms of
            persecution
      -- Such are qualities of those who would experience the
         blessedness of the kingdom

   B. THEY DESCRIBE THE BLESSEDNESS OF THE CITIZENS...
      1. Theirs is the kingdom of heaven - Mt 5:3
         a. The same as the kingdom of God - cf. Mt 4:17, Mk 1:14-15
         b. The rule or reign of God, now manifested through His Son
            Jesus Christ
         c. The blessedness includes having God's providential rule in
            one's life - e.g., Mt 6:30-33
      2. They shall be comforted - Mt 5:4
         a. For the sorrow over their spiritual poverty, and other needs
         b. Both now, and in the future - cf. 2Co 1:3-5; Re 21:4
      3. They shall inherit the earth - Mt 5:5
         a. In one sense, even now - cf. Mt 6:33; Mk 10:29-30
         b. In a future sense, with the new heavens and new earth - cf.
            2Pe 3:13; Re 21:1-3
      4. They shall be filled - Mt 5:6
         a. With that righteousness they thirst after - Php 3:8-9
         b. Made possible through their faith and the blood of Christ
            - Ro 1:16-17; 5:9
      5. They shall obtain mercy - Mt 5:7
         a. Experiencing mercy through the blood of Christ - Re 1:5-6
         b. Escaping the wrath of God to come - Ro 5:9
      6. They shall see God - Mt 5:8
         a. Presently, through their Lord Jesus Christ - Jn 14:6-7
         b. In the future, face to face - Re 21:3; 22:3-4
      7. They shall be called sons of God - Mt 5:9
         a. Even now, honored to be called His sons - 1Jn 3:1-2
         b. Much more so in the future - Re 21:5-7
      8. Theirs is the kingdom of heaven - Mt 5:10-12
         a. With a great reward in heaven
         b. Honored to join the company of prophets like Isaiah,
            Jeremiah
      -- Such is the blessedness of those who would become citizens of
         the kingdom

[The Beatitudes thus describe both the character and blessedness of the
citizens of the kingdom.  Before we 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 blessed are
         interrelated
      2. Only those who possess all the qualities will become citizens
         of the kingdom
      3. It is not enough...
         a. To be poor in spirit, but not hunger and thirst for
            righteousness
         b. To mourn, but not be pure in heart
         c. To be meek, but not be peacemakers
         d. To be persecuted, but not for righteousness' sake
      -- Thus we cannot "pick and choose" those qualities we desire,
         leaving others aside

   B. FOCUS ATTENTION ON THE CHARACTERISTICS...
      1. The blessedness will follow, as promised by Jesus
      2. Seek to develop a true sense of:
         a. Spiritual poverty
         b. Sorrow for sin
         c. A willingness to be entreated
         d. A longing for righteousness
         e. A merciful spirit toward others
         f. Singleness of heart in serving God
         g. Seeking peace with God and man
         h. Gladly bearing reproach and persecution for Christ 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 Jesus Christ
   b. Introducing the greatest sermon ever preached
   c. Describing the blessedness and character of those who would enter
      the kingdom

2. The "Beatitudes Of The Kingdom" is a worthy passage of Scripture...
   a. Worthy of our prayerful meditation
   b. Worthy of our careful application

In light of what Jesus taught about the kingdom of heaven throughout His
earthly ministry, we cannot afford to neglect the "Beatitudes Of The
Kingdom."  Are you interested in becoming a citizen of that kingdom...?
- cf. Jn 3:3-5; Ac 2:36-38
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