Closer Than You Think (Matthew 5:1-10)
Gary McManus, 01/17/2021Part of the God's New Year series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
January 17, 2021 Matthew 5:1-10
John the Baptizer and Jesus appear in Matthew’s
Gospel books saying the same thing:
(Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:17):
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near. . . OR the Kingdom of heaven IS near. NOT future tense.
“Kingdom of Heaven”: Matthew, 30 times.
(That’s more than any other Gospel.)
Do we know what that means? . . .
The Kingdom of Heaven is NOT Heaven.
(Matthew 25:34)
Matthew: the faithful will inherit the Kingdom
of God just as a son will inherit the father’s land.(future)
Where do WE fit in in the Kingdom of Heaven?
Jesus taught Matthew 5 (especially Matthew 5:3, Matthew 5:10).
Are these entrance requirements to the Kingdom of Heaven?
See Matthew 9:9. Did Matthew take an entrance exam?
Remember, we are OVERHEARING Jesus speak to people who have gathered to hear Jesus speak.(Matthew 5:1)
Who are the people in this crowd? (See Matthew 4:23-25)
Matthew showed Jesus healing first, talking later.
Matthew did not mention the faith of those healed.
People often believe that sickness and sin go together.
Disciples asked that question. (John 9:2)
The Pharisees taught that (probably).
The crowd had been taught that the poor were not blessed. The rich, it was believed (WAS?!), were blessed.
[The Success Gospel/The Prosperity Gospel?]
Jesus came saying, Blessed are you poor. . .
(See Luke 6:24, Matthew 19:23)
In the sermon on the mount, Jesus is not handing
out an entrance exam to the Kingdom of Heaven.
(The only imperative is in Matthew 5:10-11.)
Jesus is handing out BLESSINGS.
BLESSED are YOU. . .you. . .
(Jesus said to the leaders: Matthew 23:13.)
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!" See Luke 12:32.
God WANTS YOU for the Kingdom of Heaven.
And remember. . .repent, for the Kingdom is near.
You CAN enter the Kingdom.
Do you want to enter the Kingdom of Heaven?
It isn’t enough to say it or just want to, Matthew 7:21.
Do YOU want to enter? Our God wants you there.
Are you prepared to act on that desire?
(John 10:3, John 10:7)
Amen.
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