1. Citizens of the Kingdom
Matthew 5:1-16

2. The Beatitudes (Matt. 5:2-12)
Blessed: Good fortune spiritually
“Happy”, “Fortunate” – Broader and deeper than earthly happiness
Inward condition that one’s environment cannot seriously affect
This happiness is not in what a man has but in what he is
Based on moral and spiritual well-being
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3. Attitudes of the Blessed
Poor in spirit (5:3)
Spiritually destitute: “Poverty of spirit in contrast to pride or self-sufficiency; Total dependence on God”
Recognizes spiritual poverty, Isa. 66:1-2
Knows its need for spiritual help and guidance, Psalm 51:17; Luke 18:9-14
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4. Attitudes of the Blessed
Mourn (5:4)
Due to spiritual condition
Godly sorrow for sin (2 Cor. 7:9-10)
Grief stricken over personal sin and its effect of alienation from God
Comforted, Isaiah 61:1-3; James 4:9-10
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5. Attitudes of the Blessed
Meek (5:5)
Humble, harnessed strength, yielding to God
Submissive under provocation and receives God’s blessing, Psa. 37:11 (1, 3, 5, 7, 9)
Not weakness, timidity, shyness (Moses)
Power under control: Harnessed interests, desires and deeds (1 Cor. 9:27)
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6. Attitudes of the Blessed
Hunger and thirst after righteousness (5:6)
Eagerness; An intense desire to be right with God
Insatiable appetite, Psa. 42:1-2; 1 Pet. 2:2
This soul is satisfied by the things of God
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7. Attitudes of the Blessed
Merciful (5:7)
Pity, good will, active kindness toward anyone in trouble; Compassionate
Citizens of the kingdom of God look outward to others
Patterned after God, Luke 6:36-38
Will obtain mercy from God
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8. Attitudes of the Blessed
Pure in heart (5:8)
Integrity of the inner person
Sincere, unfeigned, undivided, unsoiled
Resembles God…shall see God, Eph. 5:1
Pure heart approaches and stands before God, Psa. 24:3-5; Heb. 12:14
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9. Attitudes of the Blessed
Peacemakers (5:9)
Share and promote peace
Loving harmony, unity and tranquility; Seeks reconciliation with God and with man, Rom. 12:18 (Heb. 12:14)
Helps others obtain peace with God (reconciliation), Jesus Eph. 2:14, 17-18
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10. Attitudes of the Blessed
Persecuted (5:10-12)
Willing to suffer for truth and righteousness, 1 Peter 4:16
Separates the genuine from the counterfeit, Timothy 3:12
Heavenly reward, 5:12; 1 Peter 1:3-9
Not afraid, Matthew 10:28; Romans 8:37
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11. Impact of Kingdom Citizens on the World (Matt. 5:13-16)
Salt of the earth (5:13)
Distinctive; a flavoring and preserving influence on the world
Light of the world (5:14-16)
Luminaries (transmitters of light)
The influence of godly lives reflects the spiritual nature of the kingdom of God
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12. Citizens of Messiah’s Kingdom
Attitudes, character and impact must be measured by the Messiah’s standard of truth, the gospel of the kingdom
Our citizenship is in heaven
We must live like it! Phil. 3:20 (1:27)
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