Matthew 5: Kingdom of Heaven Citizen Test (Beatitudes Part II)

August 17, 2021

Matthew 5:8-12

  • Previous Week:
    • Citizen Requirement 1: We enter a Monarchy with a King who does not need us
    • Citizen Requirement 2: We must be Desperate for Action and Willing to Work
    • Citizen Requirement 3: We must be Teachable and in Control
    • Citizen Requirement 4: We must Obey the Laws of the Kingdom

Citizen Requirement 5: We Pay a Tax!

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

  • Mercy was one of the weightier requirements of God’s law
    • See Matthew 1 and Matthew 2 with Joseph’s mercy towards Mary
  • Simple Idea: You give what you receive, and you receive what you give
    • Different then Karma: Karma is one of balance within universe, but here it is a matter of justice. Christ makes clear we are judged by equal measure

*Think about your own judgments, standards for people in your life (spouse, kids, co-workers, etc.); it is by that measure to which you are measured

      • See Matthew 18:21-35 – The unforgiving debtor
      • See Matthew 7:2; Matthew 7:12

NOTE: To be merciful means you must “control your strength” i.e 3rd beatitude. It means seeking out those who mourn and are poor.

Citizen Requirement 6: Everyone to Kingdom Advancement
Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.

  • A Pure Heart is not:
    • Having Pure and Holy Appearance
      • Matthew 23:35-27
    • Having Pure and Holy Circumstances
      • Matthew 15:11
    • Having Pure and Holy Associations
      • Luke 7:47; Luke 7:36-39
  • To be Pure means to be Holy, to be Holy means to be Set-Apart
    • To be set-apart implies a sense of focus and clarity of mission. You possess clarity in your role, calling, and mission in life
    • It also emphasizes NO MORE DUPLICITY

*You cannot be one way at church and another at work. You represent His kingdom wherever you go.

  • “they will see God”
    • Again, you receive clarity to why things are the way they are
      • God does not bend to our will, but we attempt to participate and bend to His. We can see, and therefore participate in where God is moving

*Cruise Ship VS Battle Ship mentality

*Understanding that “seeing God” is a privilege reserved only for those who are aligned to God’s calling and mission.

Citizen Requirement 7: We must and the Kingdom we Left
Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.

*NOTE: The command is to MAKE PEACE in the world and NOT BE AT PEACE WITH IT

  • Peace, Reconciliation, and Restoration is at the center of the Gospel
  • Jesus “brings Peace” as The Sabbath which restores us in relationship to God
    • The only way to make/bring peace during WWII was to decisively win it. Same goes for Christ’s mission against Satan (See Matthew 10:34)
  • We too, then must reflect a restorative element in our life.
    • We FIGHT Hard to bring restoration in Relationships, environment, worship, etc.
    • Example: Missionary Friend in South America
  • “Called Children of God”
    • Prince of Peace begets children of Peace

Citizen Requirement 8: Military Service !
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

  • If you desire to be a citizen of Heaven, then you enter a war and will receive opposition
  • You don’t leave conflict when you enter the Kingdom, you simply switch sides!
    • As a citizen of the world, you opposed the kingdom of God. As a citizen of Heaven, you oppose the world.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

  • Two forms of persecution: for righteousness (faithfulness) and for Jesus
    • See Matthew 23:29-34

Questions for Guided Discussion

  1. Read Matthew 5:7 – The law defined Mercy as more than just relenting wrath, but as showing charity beyond one’s responsibility. Jesus implies those in need who are not our responsibility we make our responsibility. How charitable are you? Is charity a priority in your life? Do you seek to be charitable, or operate from a “as presented basis”?
  2. Read Matthew 7:2 and Matthew 7:12 – These verses reinforce the fifth beatitude of “you will receive what you give.” Think about the standards, expectations, and judgments you place on people in your life. Do you live up to your own measure? In what elements do you lack that compassion? Where do you excel? Why is our compassion not always holistically applied?
  3. Read Matthew 5:8 – If you were asked, “What is your role and purpose in God’s kingdom?” What would your answer be? Generally? Specifically?
  4. Is church a cruise ship or battle ship to you? How do you contribute to God’s kingdom?
  5. Read Matthew 5:9 – How do we “make peace” with the world without being “at peace” with it? Just as Christ restored our vertical relationship with God, how does He help us restore the horizontal relationships with people? Are you as horizontally focused as you are vertically?
  6. Read Matthew 10:34 – How does this passage synthesize with Jesus’ seventh beatitude?
  7. Read Matthew 5:10 – Do you feel like your at war? The enemy does not attack what they do not feel threatened by, so where is there persecution in your life? If your faith is not causing discomfort or pain, then is there compromise?
  8. Matthew uses kingdom and war imagery throughout his gospel. From Jesus “crossing the Jordan” on conquest in Matthew 4 to proclamations of war in Matthew 10:34. Do you approach ministry and life this way? Have you adopted the Marine Corps culture of faith or the Hippie culture of faith?
  9. Reviewing all the beatitudes, would you pass the citizen test? Which beatitude do you feel to be lacking? Why? How do you fix it? Which do you feel you are strong?

 

Save PDF Locally

Click to save a copy of the filled-in notes to a PDF file on your device

Save PDF to Google Drive

Click to save a copy of the filled-in notes to a PDF file on your Google Drive account

(For Apple devices, use Chrome browser or go to SETTINGS>SAFARI and uncheck BLOCK POPUPS.)