The Demands of the Kingdom, Part 1

 

 

 

Central thought: Believers in Christ are to live by the kingdom principles and not by the dictates of the world’s system.

 

 

Text: Matthew 5:1-12

 

The Bible declares “for the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost”, Romans 14:17.  It is said often that “the Kingdom is a prepared place for a prepared people”.  The implication of this is that the kingdom lifestyle actually begins on earth.  Preparation as understood in scripture is in terms of holy living and conduct, that is, manifestation of a lifestyle different from that encouraged by the world and its system.  The emphasis therefore, ought to be on a life of holy conduct, indicative of a people who have separated themselves from the demands of the flesh, the kingdom of the world; it should not be on the popular and much trumped up prosperity messages that seem to be motivated by greed and covetousness.

Believers are therefore expected to prepare and keep preparing for the kingdom of God.  There are some attitudes that the Lord expects of those who belong to His kingdom.  Some of these attitudes commonly referred to as “The Beatitudes”, are written in the gospels.  In this study we will examine some of them with a sincere desire to have them manifested in our lives.

 

 

1. Who are the “poor in spirit” and what blessing awaits them? Matthew 5:3, 18:1-5: Luke 18:9-14: Isaiah 57:15: Psalm 51:17, 66:2

Poverty of spirit has to do with submission of the inner person or being, to the Holy Spirit.  The “poor in spirit” in the context of scripture is one that is broken, contrite, and humble and is willing to yield to the demand and direction of the Holy Spirit.  David demonstrated this when he repented and turned to God for mercy and forgiveness when he erred from God’s way, 2 Samuel 12:1-13; Psalm 51.

The blessing that awaits the believer who is “poor in spirit” is that he or she will possess the kingdom of heaven.  The amplified translation puts it this way, “Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous with life, joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant) for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”.  There is no blessing on earth that can be compared to being partaker in the kingdom of heaven.  Indeed it profits nothing to gain the whole world and lose the soul, Mark 8:36.

 

2. Who are “they that morn” and how will they be comforted? Matthew 5:4, 26:69-75, 2 Corinthians 7:9-11; Psalm 32:5; James 4:8-9; Isaiah 61:2

Those who morn in this context refers to the penitent. These are the people who genuinely acknowledge their sin and sincerely repent of them.  Peter demonstrated this when he wept bitterly on realizing that he had denied his Master tree time, Matthew 26:69-75.  “They that morn” also include those believers who are concerned about the evils, sins prevailing in today’s world.  They are bothered about the great departure of church and society from the standards of God.  They morn and their souls are vexed daily by what they see and hear.  This was the situation of Lot’s mind as he stayed in Sodom and Gomorrah.  It is written of Lot in 2 Peter 2:8, “for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds”.

The blessing is that they will be comforted.  They will be forgiven their sins and delivered from every hold of the enemy.  Also when God brings His judgment upon the world, they will be delivered, 2 Peter 2:5-10.  Surely the Lord promises comfort and deliverance to everyone who morns, Isaiah 51:3, 57:18, 61:2; Hebrews 8:12.

 

3. Who are “the meek”, what are their qualities and what blessings await them? Matthew 5:5, 11:29; Psalm 37:11; 1 Peter 3:4

The meek include those who are mild-tempered and gentle in spirit.  It has to do with a disposition to be gentle, kind, even balanced in tempers, passions and patient in suffering injuries without feeling a spirit of revenge.  The Lord Jesus demonstrated this and He remains our perfect example in the issues of life, Matthew 11:29; Isaiah 53:7, Philippians 2:5-8.  Moses demonstrated meekness, Numbers 12:3.  Peter also showed meekness when he was rebuked by Paul, Galatians 2:11-14, 2 Peter 3:15-16.  The church is in dire need of leaders who are meek.

The blessing for the meek is that they will inherit the earth.  They will have joy, satisfaction, peace, blessings, long life etc., as they live in this world.  The amplified translation puts it like this, “Blessed (happy, blithesome, joyous, spiritually prosperous with life joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the meek (the mild, patient, longsuffering), for they shall inherit the earth!”

 

4. What are the characteristics of those that “hunger and thirst after righteousness”? Matthew 5:6; Luke 19:1-10; Psalm 63:1; Isaiah 55:1-2; Daniel 1:8: Psalm 34:10, 42:1-2: John 7:37-39

This exemplifies a typical hungering and thirsting spirit for righteousness.  The mindset of the believer who “hungers and thirsts after righteousness” is that of waking up in the morning with an uppermost desire of pleasing God, retaining that desire throughout the day and going to bed at night with the same desire.  A believer who hungers and thirsts after righteousness is mindful of the company he keeps, where he goes to, what he sees, what he says and hears, etc.

The blessing and reward is that they will be filled.  They will be satisfied.  They will experience the great gain that results from godliness with contentment, 1 Timothy 6:6.  The believer will be filled with the presence of God and enjoy grace, peace, satisfaction, etc.  Again the amplified translation renders Matthew 5:6: “Blessed (and) fortunate (and) happy (and) spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied!”

 

5. What are the characteristics of the merciful and what rewards will they have? Matthew 5:7, 18:23-34, 25:34-40; Luke 10:30-37; 1 Peter 3:8; Proverbs 14:31

Those who are merciful and compassionate include those who show mercy, succors others, help provide relief from suffering.  Such believers willingly forgive others when they offend them.  Invariably believers who are merciful also exhibit a lot of love.  Examples of people who showed mercy, compassion and forgiveness in their relationship with others abound in scripture.  David, Dorcas, and the Good Samaritan showed acts of mercy in the Bible, 1 Samuel 26:1-12; Luke 10:30-37; Acts 9:36-43.

The blessing and reward in being merciful and compassionate is that the individual will also obtain mercy.  The lord will put His mercy upon that person.  In your need, God will avail for you.  You will enjoy God’s security and protection.  The Lord says when we (believers) show acts of mercy to fellow believers we are actually doing them for and to Him and that He will reward us in His kingdom, Matthew 25:34-40; 1 Timothy 1:16; Hebrews 4:16, 6:10; Proverbs 3:3-4, 20:28

 

 

Daily living application:

The Christian life is a practical life; a life lived out for people to see wherever we are.  Let us manifest the attitudes highlighted in today’s lesson.  The Holy Spirit will help us if we yield our hearts to Him.

 

 

Memory verse

Matthew 5:6 – “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled.”