Who Did Jesus Say Was Blessed? (part 2)d - Lake Ridge Baptist Church

Encounter Jesus – Matthew Week 4

Who Did Jesus Say Was Blessed? (part 2)

Matthew 5: 1-12

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OUTLINE

Tells us about the values and priorities for Kingdom citizens
Reveals Jesus’ heart, His values which are wildly different from the culture then and now
Jesus fully embodies these values and qualities, and is the perfect example of each
Viewed as a unified whole, we see what it means to “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”

Hunger & thirst are extremely powerful feelings, difficult to control
Kingdom citizens are to strongly desire righteousness!
Based on the usage of righteousness in Matthew, it’s both personal righteousness (they do God’s will) AND justice at the social level.
That God’s will would be done EVERYWEHRE.
We need to remember that as we see Jesus in the gospel, this is His cry.
Jesus is perfectly righteousness Himself. He will bring in the new earth upon His return.
The hungry/thirsty long for the messianic kingdom. We’re in it now, but the full satisfaction won’t be until the Kingdom is fully realized upon Christ’s return.
Question for us is whether we personally hunger and thirst for it – for righteousness in the world? Think about how powerful hunger and thirst are?
- Do we feel that way about our personal righteousness – doing God’s will?
- Do we feel that way about justice and righteousness in the world?

Read Psalm 18: 25
Mercy = Forgiveness of Guilt + Compassion for suffering & needy
Both kinds of mercy are all throughout Matthew’s gospel
- Jesus came so the guilty (us) could receive forgiveness we don’t deserve – that’s mercy
- His proclamation of the good news is centered on caring for the suffering and needy.
As followers of Jesus, this is to be our approach toward everyone. There are not clarifications, caveats, or limits on this one.
Kingdom people are to be continuously merciful
The follow-up to the Lord’s Prayer in chapter 6 makes it really clear the importance of forgiving others at all times.

Again, 2 dimensions
- Inner moral purity – not just appearance + hypocrisy
- A single-minded/focused heart seeking the Kingdom and God
Again, Jesus is the perfect example of this – no sin, singularly focused on doing the will of God
But it can be ours through faith in Him – the work of the Holy Spirit.
Our culture says this doesn’t matter – if it doesn’t hurt anyone else then it’s OK.
But if you believe in Christ, you are the temple of the God, The Holy Spirit lives within you. There is no sin that doesn’t distance you from God.
It’s never too late, this side of the grave, to cultivate your relationship with the Holy Spirit and purify your heart. Remember that Jesus can wash away all sin and all shame through his sacrifice on the cross – and it’s freely accessible to all who put their faith in Christ.

Jesus came to make peace between God and Man
His followers, citizens of the Kingdom, must be part of making peace.
As we go through this hideous political season – the point is that we are not to be making things louder, shriller, and more divisive, but less so.
To proclaim healing and comfort and peace in Christ’s name.
It makes us question the witness of Christian Leaders who are doing the opposite.
Sons of God = Heirs of the Kingdom; Again, it describes those who are in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Christ is most persecuted for His righteousness
Saying persecution and opposition are to be expected for citizens of Kingdom of Heaven
Verses 11-12 personalize verse 10
- Verse 10 – because of righteousness versus verse 11 – because of me. Jesus = Righteousness
- Verse 12 – “in the same way” they persecuted the prophets
  - Equating the people with the Old Testament prophets, and who did the prophets serve? God!!!
  - In the same way, the people listening to Jesus will be persecuted for following Him. This is a clear God sighting – because Jesus just put himself on equal playing field with God.