Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. The Gospel aspect of the Kingdom of God

a) Inviting people to believe

b) Inspiring people to believe

2. The Sense of Urgency

a) The Time is fulfilled

b) The Kingdom of God is at hand

OTHER IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD

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 [a]earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
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.   Matthew 5:1-12

1. Multitude (Masses) to Disciples

a) General following

b) Genuine and Significant Following

c) Becoming Disciples

2. Disciples of the Kingdom of Heaven/God

a) The Cultivation of Knowledge

b) The Cultivation of Faith

c) The Cultivation of Character

3. Desired Distinctive Qualities of Disciples

a) The Beatitudes   (Matthew 5:3-10)

b) Eight Aspects Highlighted:

i) Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

ii) Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.

iii) Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the [a]earth.

iv) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.

v) Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.

vi) Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.

vii) Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.

viii) Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

THE APPLICATION OF THE BEATITUDES IN REAL LIFE

20 Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said:
“Blessed are you poor,
For yours is the kingdom of God.
21 Blessed are you who hunger now,
For you shall be filled.
Blessed are you who weep now,
For you shall laugh.
22 Blessed are you when men hate you,
And when they exclude you,
And revile you, and cast out your name as evil,
For the Son of Man’s sake.
23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy!
For indeed your reward is great in heaven,
For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets

24 “But woe to you who are rich,
For you have received your consolation.
25 Woe to you who are full,
For you shall hunger.
Woe to you who laugh now,
For you shall mourn and weep.
26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you,
For so did their fathers to the false prophets.   Luke 6:20-26

1. A sharp Contrast Drawn

a) Blessed

b) Woe

2. Blessed

a) Though Poor

b) Though hungry

c) Though weeping

d) Though hated/excluded/reviled/ cast out

e) Rejoicing because of the reward in heaven

3. Woe

a) Riches on earth

b) Fullness

c) Laughing

d) Well-spoken of

CONCLUSION

1. Movement

a) General understanding

b) Great faith through Discipleship

2. Motivation

a) The reality of the Kingdom of God

b) The Richness of the Kingdom of God

3. Meaningfully Living out our Faith in God

a) As Kingdom people

b) As Kingdom messengers/ servants