Theme tonight: Jesus reigns, those in whom he reigns have their hearts/souls changed by him, and he makes them into missionaries for the world. Scripture: Matt. 5:1-15 – open there, be ready…
-read Matt:5-1,2
-mistaught!
-‘how to get to heaven when I die’
-rules (moralism, how to be a good person, religious); or just good advice
-prob: taken out of context
-Notice v. 1- Mt.. Mouintains in the Bible: covenants –examples
-describe (not define) covenant - marriage example
-in cov., God is enforcer; big change in THIS covenant
- how is God enforcer? Jesus and his Kingdom (explain Kingdom/reign)
à forgiveness (we CAN’T obey this stuff – anger, purity in heart, be perfect…)
à life change (we will begin to obey, and one day will perfectly)
-here’s where we’re going
1 – back up and look at the Kingdom of God in Matthew
2 – inner change that results from Jesus’ reign
3 – how Jesus’ reign in us makes us missionaries to the world
-1st, let’s look at the Kingdom of God/bg on the Sermon on the Mount: Jesus has begun to reign is the point; good news because he’s fixing the world (hearts, forgiveness, justice)
-firehose – purpose – to show you how glorious the reign of Jesus IS.
-Matt 1:1 – book of Genesis – Is. 65:17a -2Cor 5:17; of Jesus Christ - Ps. 18:50 (ref. to 2 Sam 7); Ps. 45:6-7 (reign!)
-Genealogy – point – but what’s unexpected is v. 21
-NOT fixing the whole world BEFORE fixing our sin problem
-what are we expecting? (health, wealth, fixed families…?)
-are we doing spirituality as therapy? Or Jesus for salvation?
-the cross!
-1:18 – Holy Spirit! (in the OT – creation/Is. 42:1 –re-creation/kingdom - explain justice)
-Matt 2:6 – explain
-John the Baptist’s preaching: Matt. 3:11, 12 – explain
-Jesus baptism 3:16-17–
-where do we see water and a dove in the OT? Explain
-why did God note that he was pleased with Jesus? (union & death/life)
-and by the way, this is a good time to note that Matthew is showing how Jesus is living as a new Kingdom of Israel – except he’s obedient – explain – incl how Adam, Noah, Israel, & WE disobey
-after water ordeal/wilderness temptation – mountain to give cov. Lifestyle
-Let’s look at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry: 4:12-16
-Look at Is. 9:2-3; 6-7 – explain and exult Christ!
-And so here is the good news! The King has come to reign!
-and this demands a response: v. 17
-explain Kingdom near – at the door; the KING is here
-response: repent! -explain repentance
-and then Jesus is seen healing a bunch of people (v. 23) – why healings?
-What’s the point? Jesus has begun to reign! His reign means that he has begun to change hearts, to forgive sinners, to fix what’s wrong with the world – and that the world’s response must be to repent – or face judgment when his reign is fulfilled
-for us – this means that the sermon on the mount is:
-impossible standards that we are forgiven, in Christ, for breaking
-the way things will eventually be when Jesus comes back to fulfill his Kingdom
-the way things have begun to be, as Jesus recreates souls
2nd – let’s look at the inner change that the Kingdom of God produces: 5:2-9 (read)
-Jesus describing life in his Kingdom – presupposes entry! (already-not yet)
-two errors: religion saves, 1
2 – I can be ‘saved’ and not change at all
-this describes ONE type of person – a son of the Kingdom –
-describes the ones God favors (blessed) –describe first, then look at promises
-specific beatitudes
-poor in spirit=realize own need for a savior
-Ps. 14:6
-vs. not trying to save themselves – knowing their sin! (suck at Christianity)
-vs. not trying to get rich here; not living for pleasure in this world
-mourn = mourning over sin – Is. 57:18; Ps. 119:136
-vs. dispassionate-ness; laughing at sin
-mourning because God’s glory is loved – Jesus has been seen
-not mourning because of consequences
-meek =
-easier to define by looking at it’s opposite
-trying to get all the pleasure you can now – being a taker
-stepping on people to get what you want
-living for now vs. living for the next world
-reacting to bad things in this world with gentleness and joy – because it’s not our home (Heb. 10:34)
-hunger and thirst for righteousness
-desire personal righteousness (vs. apathy towards obeying God)
-desire WORLD rightesouness
-people to be holy
-people to be taken care of – social justice
-merciful
-show compassion on the hurting
-forgive when sinned against
-vs. getting angry; ignoring peoples’ plights
-pure in heart
-heart isn’t emotions – it’s like saying ‘soul’ – inner person
-means purity of soul, undivided attention to Kingdom purpose
-vs. being divided – longing for things of this world, vs. an unchanged soul
-peacemakers
-God is the ultimate peacemaker (Is. 9:6 – Prince of Peace)
-he makes peace with us, and restores peace in relationships
-we carry that peace with us and restore relational peace, harmony
-vs. instigation, anger, retaliation,
-Promises!
-already possess the Kingdom
-will receive comfort from God
-HS now
-comfort from all worldly stain of sin in the future
-inherit the earth
-will be satisfied w/ righteousness when Jesus returns – fixes us and society
-God in the final day mercifully removes us from pain and suffering
-mercy: we are already forgiven/justified!
-see God!!!!
-imagine seeing something that makes everything else fade away out of your mind
-called sons of God - they get noticed as those doing what God does
-That’s how Jesus reigns in us now…
3rd – Jesus’ reign in us makes us missionaries to the world
-Jesus begins to transition – v. 10 (read)
-explain – how’s this work?
-being different, pointing to righteousness/sin -> persecution
-vs. conforming. Talking like everyone else, about the same stuff. Doing the same things everyone else is doing. Living seeing what you can get away with as opposed to living for righteousness
-excludes us from conversations, activities, places
-not because we’re good – because we’re not and Jesus is
-people feel convicted and hate
-but those who are persecuted HAVE the Kingdom.
-we endure by it – Jesus reigns!
-we will enter into it – Jesus’ presence
-and Jesus continues and makes it more personal here: read vv. 11-12
-publicly identified with Jesus – his person and teaching– prophetic function!
-talk about Jesus freely
-talk about activities following Jesus freely
-engaging the world with the reality of the gospel
- -> insults, persecuted (treated unfairly economically, in school, in relationships, in positions/employment)
-first command – rejoice! Reward is great in heaven – last time thing!
-Jesus goes on – v. 13
-YOU – the Church – is the salt of the earth, collectively/individually
-salt = good. Flavor, preservative, whatever. Saying we are the good/redemptive stuff in the earth
-if we cease to be disciples of Jesus, we’re useless (impure salt thing)
-he continues – vv. 14-15
-we’re the light of the world! What’s that mean?
-what does ‘light’ mean? It’s that glory, that change that Jesus has made in us – the evidence of his reign!!!
-but most of all – look back at 4:16
-who is the Light? Jesus – connection to him
-doing his deeds, speaking his words, showing his glory
-how? Transformed BY him – we ARE light
-why do we show him off? V. 16!
-people will see Jesus and worship God!
-that’s what we long for – if we hunger/thirst…
-if Jesus has transformed us…. Forgiven us…
-that is the end of history and the goal of our lives – and so a fitting place to end.
Let’s recap:
-Jesus has begun to reign (changing hearts, justification for those who repent)
-Jesus will complete his reign when he returns and fix/judge the world
-Jesus reigns in his people by changing our souls
-Jesus’ reign in us results in us being witnesses to Christ in this world
àpersecution
à seeking others to worship God
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