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PURSUING A KINGDOM LIFESTYLE
Bible Reading: Matthew 5. 1-16
Jesus Christ Sermon on the Mount describes the lifestyle in the Kingdom of God. And as followers of Jesus Christ, the whole essence of our Christian race is laid on this very foundation.
Jesus Christ showed to us how we can cooperate with the grace of God which is the “litmus test” to measure our spiritual development and ministry impact.
Jesus Christ showed to us how perfect obedience to God’s will should be our primary goal in life.
Learning to love God on His own terms and not ours is the basic foundation on which both the old and the new commandment is based on.
Matt. 5:48 Jesus concluded by saying “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect”
Jesus Christ explained that the only way anyone can be great in His kingdom is by walking in the Beatitudes. Matt. 5:19. (Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.)
The emphasis is because we should impact our world as the ‘salt’ and the ‘light’ of the earth. Matt. 5:13-16 (13 Ye are the salt of the earth:…………….. 14 Ye are the light of the world. …………………. 16 Let your light so shine before men,……………….
The Beatitudes Jesus Christ spoke about are like 8 beautiful flowers which must be found in the “garden of our heart” that God expect to fully blossom so that we won’t suffer loss when we meet Him. 1Cor. 3:12-15, Matt. 7:24-27, Matt. 7:13-23
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Christ calls us to live our lives for three things
1. Equip our heart with the 8 Beatitudes as we pursue towards 100% obedience Matt. 5:48
2. Resist the 6 temptation that can hinder us from getting to the kingdom. Matt. 5:21-48.
3. Pursue after 5 Kingdom activities. Matt. 6:1-18
THE 8 BEATITUDES. Our garden (Matt. 5:3-10)
a. Being poor in the Spirit. Matt. 5:3(Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven). Isa.66:2
b. A heart that can Mourn Spiritually. Matt. 5:4 (Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted). Joel 2:12-17 12 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil…... 17 Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?. Isa.61:3. Ps.30:11
c. The heart that Walk in meekness. Matt. 5:5 (Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth). 1Peter 3:3-4 ……..4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price., Ps.25:9.
d. A life that Hunger and thirst for righteousness. Matt. 5:6 (Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled). Matt.5:20. Matt.6:33.
e. A heart that constantly Shows mercy. Matt. 5:7 (Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy). Luke 6:36, Heb.2:17.
f. A Pure Heart. Matt. 5:8 (Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God), Phil.4:8, 1Tim.1:5, Titus 1:15, 1Peter 1:22.
g. Being a peace maker. Matt. 5:9 (Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God), Heb.12:14, Rom.14:19, 2Tim.2:22.
h. Enduring persecution. Matt. 5:10 (Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven) Mark 4:16-17, Rom.8:35, 2Tim.3:12.
RESISTING THE 6 TEMPTATION: Weeding our garden (Matt. 5:21-48)
Jesus Christ highlighted six areas in which we wage war against sin in our heart.
a. Anger (spirit of murder) Matt.5:21-26
b. Adultery (spirit of immorality) Matt. 5:27-30
c. Disregarding the sanctity of marriage (disloyalty in relationships) Matt.5:31-32
d. Oath Taking (spirit of manipulation or lack of integrity) Matt.5:33-37
e. Retaliation for personal inconveniences (spirit of revenge) Matt.5:38-42
f. Inactivity when mistreated (unconditional love or participation) Matt.5:43-47
PURSUING 5 KINGDOM ACTIVITIES: Watering our garden (Matt.6:1-20)
Jesus Christ describes 5 activities that position our heart to receive more grace and strength as we consistently serve and give our best towards making it to the kingdom of God
a. Charitable deeds (giving service and or money) Matt. 6:1-4,
b. Prayer. Matt. 6:5-13
c. Bless our adversaries (fullness of forgiveness) Matt. 6:14-15, Matt.5:44
d. Fasting. Matt. 6:16-18
e. Kingdom investment (lay your treasures in heaven). Matt. 6:19-20
In conclusion
· The kingdom of God is a lifestyle sovereignly ruled by the basic foundational power of God through which God’s dominion is established on earth.
· There is nothing impossible to those who possess the reality of the practical working of God’s government on Planet Earth.
· Jesus became a man to redeem the kingdom. After the cross and resurrection, He “became a life-giving Spirit” empowering men to live in obedience and thereby establish His kingdom in the natural realm on earth (1 Corinthians 15:45). “And so it is written, the first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit”.
· The kingdom lifestyle is for us today and many are missing it. That’s why Jesus kept preaching, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven/God (the dominion of God, from heaven) is at hand.”
· The kingdom of God that Jesus taught about is the rulership of God on earth, Its righteousness, peace, joy, abundance and presence of God are available to us now.
· A natural man will exert his strength, time, money, energy, reputation, etc. into his personal comfort, wealth, and honour while a kingdom driven with fasted lifestyle will give his strength, time, money, energy, reputation, etc. into kingdom purposes.
· We bring our natural strengths to God trusting Him to return our strength to us in a way that enriches our personal circumstances and transforms us with meekness. 2Cor.12:9
2Cor.12:9 (BNIV) But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
PASTOR LANRE AREOLA
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