Whose Life Is Ruled By God
1 The State, Character, Behavior & Treatment of TheOne Whose Life Is Ruled By God One of the greatest problems in many local congregationstoday is superficiality. A. The remedy for superficiality is found in the Beatitudes!B. The famous historian Will Durant said that in anygiven generation only a handful of people make an impression on the world that lasts morethan a few years. The person who stands out above allothers, he said, is Jesus Christ. Jesus undoubtedly has hadthe most powerful and permanent influence on the thoughtof mankind. But, the historian went on to say, Histeachings have not had a corresponding effect on mansactions. (MacArthur, Matthew 17, 137) C. The Sermon on the Mount is probably the best-known, butleast understood and least followed, of all the teachings ofJesus. The Beatitudes are a collection of eight characteristics(qualities of life) that separate children of God from therest of the world (Matt 5:312). These eight beatitudes describe the blessed state of thosewho humbly submit themselves to the will of God. These are not eight different groups of people (poor,mourners, meek, etc.), but every Christian is meant tomanifest every one of these characteristics. 2 Philip Yancey (born 1949) is an American Christian author. Fourteenmillion of his books have been sold worldwide, making him one of thebest-selling evangelical Christian authors.[citation needed] Two of hisbooks have won the ECPA's Christian Book of the Year Award: TheJesus I Never Knew in 1996, What's So Amazing About Grace in [1] He is published by Zondervan Publishing. The RIGHTEOUSNESS expected of its citizens - (Mt 5:17-7:12)
3 The CHARACTER andBLESSEDNESS of the citizens ofthe kingdom - (Mt 5:3-16) The RIGHTEOUSNESSexpected of its citizens - (Mt5:17-7:12) Our need to respond to theDEMANDS of the King inevery respect - (Mt 7:13-27) 4 The Beatitudes are a collection of eightcharacteristics (qualities of life) thatseparate children of God from the restof the world (Matt 5:312) These eight beatitudes describe theblessed state of those who humblysubmit themselves to the will of God. These are not eight different groups ofpeople (poor, mourners, meek, etc.),but every Christian is meant to manifestevery one of these characteristics. One of the greatest problems in many local congregationstoday is superficiality. A. The remedy for superficiality is found in the Beatitudes!B. The famous historian Will Durant said that in anygiven generation only a handful of people make an impression on the world that lasts morethan a few years. The person who stands out above allothers, he said, is Jesus Christ. Jesus undoubtedly has hadthe most powerful and permanent influence on the thoughtof mankind. But, the historian went on to say, Histeachings have not had a corresponding effect on mansactions. (MacArthur, Matthew 17, 137) C. The Sermon on the Mount is probably the best-known, butleast understood and least followed, of all the teachings ofJesus. The Beatitudes are a collection of eight characteristics(qualities of life) that separate children of God from therest of the world (Matt 5:312). These eight beatitudes describe the blessed state of thosewho humbly submit themselves to the will of God. These are not eight different groups of people (poor,mourners, meek, etc.), but every Christian is meant tomanifest every one of these characteristics. The Character & Blessedness of The Child of God
Matthew 5:1-12 (NKJV) 1 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. The Character & Blessedness of The Child of God
Matthew 5:1-12 (NKJV) 7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. The Term Blessed Used Nine Times In Nine Verses Literally "How Very Happy." , makarios was originally &commonly associated with thehappiness produced by materialwealth & prosperity - But the Lord and NT writers assignedto it a far greater meaning - happiness& joy associated with spiritual wealthwhich comes ONLY through a rightrelationship with God. One of the greatest problems in many local congregationstoday is superficiality. A. The remedy for superficiality is found in the Beatitudes!B. The famous historian Will Durant said that in anygiven generation only a handful of people make an impression on the world that lasts morethan a few years. The person who stands out above allothers, he said, is Jesus Christ. Jesus undoubtedly has hadthe most powerful and permanent influence on the thoughtof mankind. But, the historian went on to say, Histeachings have not had a corresponding effect on mansactions. (MacArthur, Matthew 17, 137) C. The Sermon on the Mount is probably the best-known, butleast understood and least followed, of all the teachings ofJesus. The Beatitudes are a collection of eight characteristics(qualities of life) that separate children of God from therest of the world (Matt 5:312). These eight beatitudes describe the blessed state of thosewho humbly submit themselves to the will of God. These are not eight different groups of people (poor,mourners, meek, etc.), but every Christian is meant tomanifest every one of these characteristics. Blessed are the poor in spirit,
Complete absence of pride and selfreliance (Jer 10:23; 1 Cor 3:18). Convicted of one's spiritualdestitution without God Ps51:16,17 Individuals who render themselvessubservient to the will of God,partake of the blessings & benefitsof being a citizen in the kingdom ofheaven. Blessed are those who mourn,
The godly sorrow of which produces repentance and leads to salvation, - (2 Cor. 7:10) Will have the burden of sin lifted Matthew 11:28-30 Comforted by God in this life even in the midst of trials through our faith & hope of eternal life - 2 Corinthians 1:3-7; Romans 8:23-39; Revelation 21:4 Matthew 5:4 (NKJV) 4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek Power under control - Inward powerand strength of mind to remain undercontrol and respond properly toinstruction, rebuke and adversity. For they Shall inherit the earth - AHebraism for Gods blessings (Gen15:7,8; Ps 37:20), Matthew 5:5 (NKJV) 5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. Meekness is patience in the reception of injuries. It is neither meanness, nor a surrender of our rights, nor cowardice; but it is the opposite of sudden anger, of malice, of long-harboured vengeance. Christ insisted on his right when he said, "If I have done evil, bear witness of the evil; but ifwell, why smitest thou me?" John 18:23. Paul asserted his right when he said,"They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans,and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust usout privily; nay, verily, but let them come themselves,and fetch us out,"Acts 16:37. And yet Christ was the very model of meekness. It was one of his characteristics, "I am meek," Matthew 11:29. So of Paul. No man endured more, and more patiently, than he. Yet they were not passionate. They bore it patiently. They did not harbour malice. They did not press their rights through thick and thin, and trample down the rights of others to secure their own.Meekness is the reception of injuries with a belief that God will vindicate us. "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord," Romans 12:19. It little becomes us to take his place, and to do what he has a right to do, and what he has promised to do.Meekness produces peace. It is proof of true greatness of soul. It comes from a heart too great to be moved by little insults. It looks upon those who offer them with pity. He that is constantly ruffled, that suffers every little insult or injury to throw him off his guard, and to raise a storm of passion within, is at the mercy of every mortal that chooses to disturb him. He is like the troubled sea that cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.Barnes Notes on the New Testament Explanatory and Practical. Numbers 12:3 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
Depicts one with an intensecraving for being right with God - a strong desire to know Godswill and do that which is right inHis sight - Psalm 1:2; 42:1,2;63:1,2; 119:97-104; 1 Pet 2:2 Our ardent desire will be filledthrough and in Christ by faith -Rom. 5:1; Rom 6:3-6; Gal.3:26,27; Eph. 1:3-13; 2 Pet 1:3- 11 Matthew 5:6 (NKJV) 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. An ardent desire for anything is often represented in the Scriptures by hunger and thirst, Psalms 42:1,2, 63:1,2. A desire for the blessings of pardon and peace; a deep sense of sin, and want, and wretchedness, is also represented by thirsting, Isaiah 55:1,2. Those that are perishing for want of righteousness; that feel that they are lost sinners, and strongly desire to be holy, shall be filled. Never was there a desire to be holy, which God was not willing to gratify. And the gospel of Christ has made provision to satisfy all who truly desire to be holy. See Isaiah 55:1-13, 65:13, John 4:14, 6:35, 7:37,38, Psalms 17:15.(*) "for they shall be filled" Psalms 34:19, Isaiah 65:13 Notes on the New Testament Explanatory and Practical. Blessed are the merciful
Mercy is the moral quality offeeling compassion andespecially of showingkindness toward someone inneed. This can refer to ahuman kindness and to Godskindness to humankind Matthew 5:7 (NKJV) 7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. (Goodrick, Kohlenberger andSwanson, Greek to EnglishDictionary). Blessed are the merciful
No action, no mercy - (theGood Samaritan Luke 10:27- 37); cf. Col 3:12; James 3:17 Possessing a forgiving spirittoward those who sin againstthem (HENDRICKSEN) - Mat.18:21-25; Luke 6:35; 23:24;Acts 7:60 Matthew 5:7 (NKJV) 7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the merciful
For they Shall obtain Mercy Matthew 5:7 (NKJV) 7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Those who realize their spiritualposition before a Holy God, whomourn due to their sin, those whoaccept Gods judgments, andhunger and seek for righteousnesswill recognize their need for mercyfrom God - Rom. 5:1; Rom 6:3-6;Gal. 3:26,27; Eph. 1:3-13; 2 Pet1:3-11 Blessed are the merciful
For they Shall obtain Mercy Matthew 5:7 (NKJV) 7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. If we are not merciful toothers - we will not obtainmercy from God -Matthew 6:14,15; 7:2;18:21-35; James 2:13 Blessed are the pure in heart
Purity refers to more than just theremoval of sin and impurities of theheart - it includes the idea ofsingleness of devotion - (James4:8; Mat 6:24) The heart represents much morethan emotion, feelings. It alsoincludes the thinking process andparticularly the will... The heart isthe control center of the mind andwill as well as emotion. Matthew 5:8 (NKJV) 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. Pure in heart is not a ritual cleanliness, (23:25-28), but cleanliness at the center of our being. Heart here stands for the inner man, and since it is from here that evil proceeds, it is here that cleanliness must start. Blessed are the pure in heart
In Contrast To Purity of Heart Matthew 5:8 (NKJV) 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. The Pharisees wereclean on the outside,but inwardly were fullof hypocrisy andlawlessness - (Matt 23:2328) Blessed are the pure in heart
Pure in heart is not a ritual cleanliness, (23:25-28), but cleanliness at the center of our being. Heart here stands for the inner man, and since it is from here that evil proceeds, it is here that cleanliness must start. (Luke 6:45) Matthew 5:8 (NKJV) 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. Pure in heart is not a ritual cleanliness, (23:25-28), but cleanliness at the center of our being. Heart here stands for the inner man, and since it is from here that evil proceeds, it is here that cleanliness must start. Blessed are the pure in heart
For they shall see God Matthew 5:8 (NKJV) 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. We see God now through the eye offaithlike Moses who endured asseeing Him who is invisible (Heb 11:27;cf. 3 John 11). We see God now in the sense of beingreconciled to Him in Christ, i.e., thosewho keep His commandments are in arelationship with Him - (1 John 3:6) In the final sense, we will see God inheaven (Ps 17:15; Rev 22:34; 1 John3:2). Blessed are the peacemakers
The peacemaker here is not thecompromiser of disagreementsand the settlers of disputes. It is apassage on reconciliation to Godand involves the doctrine of peacewith God, and the peacemaker isthe peace preacher, the disciplewho would show the people of theworld how to find peace with God. (Wallace, The Sermon on the Mount and the Civil State, 21) Matthew 5:9 (NKJV) 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are the peacemakers
Those who make peace with God Eph. 2:13ff. Those who encourage others to make peace with God Eph. 2:17; 6:15 Those who strive to be at peace with all men through the unity of the Spirit Rom. 12:18-21; Eph 4:1-6 Matthew 5:9 (NKJV) 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are the peacemakers
Matthew 5:9 (NKJV) 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. Not through compromise but through conformity to the gospel of peace (Luke 12:5153; Acts 5:29) Churches and Christians can be divided because of ungodly attitudes, ungodly behavior, and ungodly doctrine those guilty of these ungodly deeds demonstrate they are not children of God! (John 17:20,21; 1 Cor. 1:10-13) Blessed are the peacemakers
For they shall be called thesons of God Matthew 5:9 (NKJV) 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. We are the sons of God becausewe reflect the character of ourFather. - The phrase sons of God includesboth men and women, becausewith sonship comes the rights ofinheritance (cf. Gal 3:26). Blessed are the persecuted
This persecution is because of righteous living, not because of our sins or some character defect (1 Pet 3:14; 4:1415). As we endure persecution we are related in spirit to the prophets who were persecuted before us (2 Chr 36:1516; Matt 23:2936; Acts 7:5153; Jas 5:10). Those who have universal favor & praise of the worldly and wicked are not living right - (2 Tim 3:12) Matthew 5:10-12 (NKJV) 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Blessed are the persecuted
For theirs is the kingdomof heaven Matthew 5:10-12 (NKJV) 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. We have cause for rejoicing - we are partakers of every spiritual blessing available in Christ & a reward awaiting us in heaven if we endure - James 1:12; Rom 8:17 True Joy and Happiness Can Only Be Experienced By
The Humble, Contrite, Obedient, Spiritually minded, Forgiving, Sincere, holy, Those who are Promoters of Peace Those who endure. True Success is ONLY Achieved By The Godly!
Your Character and Behavior Determines Both Your Happiness &Reward - Are you living the truly blessed life? West 65th Street church of Christ P.O. Box 190062 Little Rock AR 72219
Charts by Don McClain Prepared March 30-31, 2012 Preached April 1, 2012 West 65th Street church of Christ P.O. Box Little Rock AR 72219 Prepared using PPT 2010 More PPT & Audio Sermons: Note Many of the transition effects used in this presentation may be lost using PPT 2007 Viewer Matthew 18:21-35 (NKJV) 21 Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. Matthew 18:21-35 (NKJV) 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!' 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. Matthew 18:21-35 (NKJV) 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35 So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."