Sermon On The Mount - Kingdom Life

·         Pray

·         Matt 5:1-10

• ·          Words of Jesus have uniqueness because of who He was   

•        In many cases against or opposite way of world  (James 4:4)                                     

•              Jesus is teaching about the Kingdom of God. So they could be Kingdom people on earth

•              Jesus just beginning 2^nd year of Ministry

•              Just returning from His 2^nd Passover in ministry

 MATT 4  ²³ Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. ²⁴ News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. ²⁵ Large crowds from Galilee, Decapolis,^[g] Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

• Most Jews expected the Messiah to be a political / military leader. Jesus had no intention of changing the world through politics or military might. He was here to take back the world for God with love.
•  In those times life was as cheap as it’s ever been in history. Most people (including His disciples) did not understand anything but force. Jesus instead preached – meekness, Love,  mercy, - fruits of spirit.
• Most of them did not get it (we are no different) – we want what Jesus can do for us but we don’t get WHO HE IS! HE IS RIGHTEOUSNESS, HE IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD – AND ALL THINGS HE PREACHED, HE IS OUT TO CHANGE THE WORLD THROUGH LOVE AND SERVICE THEN AND NOW!

Returning to Capernaum – preaching and teaching (what did He teach about?)

KINGDOM OF GOD AND RELEVANCE TO LIFE AND RELEVANCE OF LIFE TO KINGDOM OF GOD – THE FACT THAT THE TWO ARE INSEPARABLE but also opposite the world’s idea of life and priorities.

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           People gathering and following – traveling with Him – They expected something from Him  note: They wanted what He could do, they knew because of Jewish teachings that He might be the Messiah. They wanted to hear or be around Him for what he could do for them right now - they did not get it spiritually - they wanted what we would call "welfare". God in His compassion took this opportunity to teach – HELP them – PROCLAIM KINGDOM

Mat 5  ¹ Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ² and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes   He said:

·         ³ 
  “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  

•  can’t do it alone – admit and correct mistakes. Cant do it without God and the people He puts in our lives – He gets ALL the credit – GLORY - in your brokenness seek Him. - If you can fix problems yourself, you don't need God 
                                                

·         ⁴Blessed are those who mourn,
  for they will be comforted.  

• Bounce back especially when hurting (praise IN all things - not FOR all things) – remember your trust is In Him – deep compassion
  

·     
   ⁵ Blessed are the meek,         
   for they will inherit the earth.  

• Remain cool calm and collected – meekness does not mean weakness…it mean being under control. - Racehorse analogy: Race horses are awesome specimens, pound  for pound almost pure strength. Yet a rider weighing a fraction of what the horse weighs and also at fraction of the horses’ strength controls him - Strength under control

·         ⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
   for they will be filled.

•  Insisting in your personal life on being connected to God and knowing you are made right    with Him through Christ. Doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do. Showing Him to others by what you do as well as what you say.

·         ⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
   for they will be shown mercy.

• Treating others the way I want to be treated – no matter what - simple but hard to do

·         ⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
         for they will see God.  

•  Really caring because you know the Love of God and you want others to know  it to. You show them your faith by your actions. Showing and sharing you’re your faith because you care.

·         ⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
   for they will be called children of God.

•  A lifestyle of bring people together – bridge building

·         ¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  

• Choose to be joyful, by doing that, you can be happy no matter what. – Remember your Joy is in the Lord . Easier said than done. Hurt is real.Happiness and joy two different things.