On Earth as it is in Heaven – Kingdom Posture

Sermon by Pastor Steve Hopkins for the service of August 7, 2016
 

 
 
Scripture: ¹Now 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. He said: ³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ⁵ Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. ⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. ⁷ Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. ⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. ⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. ¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 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. (Matthew 5: 1-12, NIV)

1. What does the Sermon say about God’s Kingdom?
   • “Teach these new disciples to obey all the commandments I have given you…” (Matthew 28:20, NLT)
   • “Though all men desire, yet few attain, happiness, because they seek it where it is not to be found. Our Lord therefore begins his Divine institution, which is the complete art of happiness, by laying down before all that have ears to hear, the true and only true method of acquiring it.” (John Wesley, Upon our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount #1)

 

2. Person Holiness. (Beatitudes 1-4)
   • “For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.” (Psalm 37:9, NIV)
   • “They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun. For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:16-17, NLT)

 

3. Social Holiness.(Beatitudes 5-8)
   • “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6, NIV)
   • “Create in me a pure heard, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10, NIV)
   • “Listen to me, you who know righteousness, you people who have my teaching in your hearts; do not fear reproach of others and do not be dismayed when they revile you.”

 

4. The Result.
   • “If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting in you.” (1 Peter 4:14, NRSV)
   • “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come of the world, so it hates you.” (John 15:18-19, NLT)

 

5. Transformation Questions
   • How do I view the Kingdom of God versus the kingdoms of man? Do I recognize what the differences are?
   • How can I best live out the posture that Jesus talks bout in the beatitudes?
   • Why does real Christianity cause such strong opposition in the world? And the follow up, am I willing to die to self, and take up my cross, and follow Jesus every day?

 

6. Closing Thoughts
   • Kingdom posture flows from the inside out.
   • The Grace of God transcends the greatness of man. (Bill Graham, John Wesley)