Living By Kingdom Principles - Matthew 5:1-16
This is an opinion of mine, therefore, I realize I could be wrong. However, I think that many Christians today have lost the concept of the “kingdom of heaven” from their vocabulary as well as their way of living.
Maybe I am wrong, but ask yourself this question: when you think of yourself as a Christian, what does that mean to you? Is that simply a name by which you identify yourself? Or by the name “Christian” do you think of yourself as a church-goer and a good person?
Or, do you think of yourself as a person who has put your trust in Christ as Saviour and Lord? Of those three possibilities, the last is the truest sense of the meaning of a Christian - a Christian has repented of his/her sins and has trusted in Christ as Saviour and Lord.
But I am afraid we have lost the sense of the meaning of being part of the “kingdom of God.” You see, the true Christian is a part of the kingdom of God. We are the kingdom of God on earth.
God’s kingdom is not just the state of living in Heaven for eternity nor is it just that millennial kingdom Christ will one day establish on earth. The kingdom of God has come. The true Christian is part of the kingdom of God - in this life!
Therefore, it is very true when the Bible calls us strangers and pilgrims in this world. This world is not our home; we’re just a-passin’ through!
Yes, we are citizens of this country. We must abide by the laws of our land. Yet our primary citizenship is spiritual - we are citizens of the Kingdom of God.
We have laws by which we live in our country here on earth; God also has laws and principles by which we should live (firstly) as citizens of His Kingdom.
However, because the world - the world system of sin - is often completely opposed to God, the principles by which we are to live as citizens of God’s kingdom often seem ridiculous to natural wisdom.
Yet, Jesus tells us that:
Big Idea:God’s blessings rest on those who live by kingdom principles.
In verses one through twelve of our scripture text, Jesus establishes principles of the kingdom. These principles often don’t seem to be “common sense”, but Jesus says true happiness is achieved by living according to these principles.
Read the 2nd through 6th paragraphs of the “Doctrinal Discussion”, p. 15.
Exercise: I would like us to go one by one through these principles defining what this principle is/means.
Discussion: Who is this poor person? Why is he/she poor?
Discussion: Why must we be poor in spirit in order to gain the kingdom of Heaven?
Discussion: The comments suggest that this mourning is like grieving the loss of a loved one. But does this simply meaning that we should be happy when we grieve the loss of loved ones?
Discussion: Picture a man who you would call meek. Is this a true picture, according to Jesus’ intentions?
Discussion: Is this hungering and thirsting for righteousness only a one-time experience?
Discussion: Is mercy simply a feeling that we have toward the plight of others? Why or why not?
Discussion: What does it mean to be pure in heart? Why is this necessary in order to see God?
Discussion: What does it mean to “make peace”? (see comments)
Discussion: What does it mean to be persecuted for righteousness’ sake? What does it not mean?
Discussion: Why would a person think that these blessings should not accompany these attitudes?
Discussion: What does it mean for us to put these beatitudes into action today? For example, is the Spirit-filled Christian to feel like he/she is “poor in spirit”? Is mourning appropriate for the Christian who bears the spiritual fruit of joy? Etc. Etc.
Jesus applies this teaching by saying that we Christians are salt and light spiritually in this world.
Discussion: How does living with these “be-attitudes” produce a good, desirable flavor when you might associate many of these attitudes with negativism?
Discussion: Why do we want our light to shine brilliantly as we live by these be-attitudes?
Read “The Meaning of Salt”, pp. 17-18.