The Coming of the King

Coming of the King: Week 6

Matthew 5: The Manifesto of the Kingdom

The founders of the United States created the Declaration of Independence to declare to the world the founding principles of the new nation. Marx and Engels produced the Communist Manifesto to describe the principles of the future Utopia they sought to establish. When Jesus came to begin the Kingdom of heaven of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, He began with a Manifesto of the Kingdom.

5:1-2 Jesus taught the disciples. The crowds were spectators. Note that like any good Rabbi, Jesus reiterated the principles of His Kingdom in many different ways. On this occasion, He went up on a mountain, with his disciples below him, and the crowd below them. For the similar presentation in Luke 6:17-49, Jesus stood below his disciples in a depression in a plain and looked up at them and the crowds beyond. Both selections showed an astute understanding of acoustics (as did speaking from a boat on the water).

How the Kingdom Citizen Views Self

Eight stages of citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven. Or eight characteristics of a true citizen of the Kingdom.

5:3 Poor in spirit - the first step to entering the Kingdom of Heaven is spiritual poverty. Or rather, awareness of one's spiritual poverty. As Jesus said in Mark 2:16-17, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Sadly, most do not come the Christ for spiritual riches because they think, "I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing." But they do not realize that they are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. Revelation 3:17-18 For all our righteousness is as filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6
5:4 As Rachel mourned for her children that were no more, those entering the Kingdom of Heaven go through heart rending grief over their sin. Sin destroys possibilities of joyful service forever. Sin destroys lives. Sin robs of joy. But be comforted for God says, "I will repay you for the years that the swarming locusts have eaten— the young locust, the destroying locust, and the devouring locust." Joel 2:25
5:5 Meekness is not weakness, it is having the right or power to do something, but refraining for the sake of others. It is strength in submission. The ultimate example of meekness is Jesus, who did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross. Philippians 2:6-8 Jesus body, uncorrupted by sin, had incredible strength. He yielded his spirit of his own will on the cross, as He said, "no man can take My life from Me, but I lay it down of my own accord."
Obedience is the third requirement of a Kingdom citizen. Everything you are and have must be in submission to the King.
Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of Thy love;
At the impulse of Thy love.

Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice and let me sing, always, only, for my King;
Always, only, for my King.

Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold;
Take my moments and my days, let them flow in endless praise;
Let them flow in endless praise.

Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne;
It shall be Thy royal throne.
5:6 Fourth, citizens of the Kingdom want to be good. They want it so bad, they can taste it. They strive 'til they bleed. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. Hebrews 12:4 As Jesus put it in 5:29, "If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away."
5:7 Fifth, Kingdom men (and women) are merciful. Mercy does not excuse sin, but pleads for repentance and suspends final judgement, which God has reserved for Himself. Hebrews 10:30 1 Corinthians 4:5 Mercy is the sense of 7:1 when Jesus says "Judge not lest you be judged."
5:8 Pure in heart - a citizen of the Kingdom has a laser focus on knowing God, allowing no distractions, throwing aside every encumbrance (Hebrews 12:1), pulling every weed ( Matthew 13:7), abhoring every defilement. Matthew 15:11
5:9 Seventh, a citizen of the Kingdom seeks peace Romans 12:18
5:10 Finally, those of the Kingdom of Heaven are hated by the Kingdoms of this world, for the world hated Jesus first. John 15:18 For indeed, the Kingdom of Heaven has come to overthrow the Kingdoms of this world. Hallelujah!