This sermon explores the characteristics of citizens of the kingdom of heaven, emphasizing the importance of recognizing one’s spiritual poverty, mourning over sin, and adopting a meek attitude that willingly loses for God’s glory. Through understanding these principles, listeners are encouraged to cultivate a heart aimed at God and live a life reflective of eternal values rather than worldly standards.<\/p>\n
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It has been some time since we last studied the Gospel of Matthew, so before diving into today\u2019s message, we need to reorient ourselves. This morning, we will focus on three blessings\u2014also known as beatitudes or sources of true happiness\u2014that deserve our attention.<\/p>\n
The last time we explored Matthew, we noted that his Gospel contains five major sermons, with the Beatitudes serving as the introduction to the first one, commonly known as the Sermon on the Mount. Given the time that has passed since our last discussion, I want to remind you of the purpose of this sermon: to instruct the citizens of the kingdom of heaven in cultivating heart obedience that leads to holiness. This is an obedience that goes beyond external actions; it is an inward transformation. It is not merely avoiding murder but also rejecting hatred. Yet, it goes even further\u2014it calls us not just to avoid hate but to actively seek the well-being of our neighbors. It is a refusal to commit negative actions by instead choosing positive ones, all for the glory of God.<\/p>\n
With this in mind, I want to pose a question for us to consider: Who are the citizens of the kingdom of heaven? My concern is not their external appearance, nationality, or political affiliation, but their inner character. What defines their lifestyle? More fundamentally, what shapes their character?<\/p>\n
Character matters because it reflects the values that lie at the core of our beliefs. It is a mirror of what we cherish and, ultimately, what we worship. As Jesus said in Luke 6:45, “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”<\/p>\n
So, who are the true citizens of the kingdom of heaven?<\/p>\n
Those Who Recognize Their Moral and Spiritual Bankruptcy<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Jesus begins the Beatitudes by declaring, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).<\/p>\n But what does Jesus mean by “blessed”? The word “blessed” here signifies the best and most enviable life. In other words, Jesus is saying, \u201cThis is the best life\u2014the life that is to be sought after.\u201d Surprisingly, this life is found in being “poor in spirit.”<\/p>\n Modern advertisements promise us different versions of the best life:<\/p>\n Yet, Jesus offers a different path. He teaches that the truly blessed, the truly fulfilled, are those who are poor in spirit\u2014those who recognize their utter dependence on God.<\/p>\n At the Statue of Liberty, a famous poem by Emma Lazarus calls out to the nations:<\/p>\n “Give me your tired, your poor, The Statue of Liberty extends an invitation to the physically poor and destitute, offering them a new life in America. But is this the same kind of call that the kingdom of God makes? Is physical poverty the requirement for divine blessing? Some mistakenly believe that lacking material wealth qualifies a person for the kingdom of heaven.<\/p>\n I once heard a pastor share a story about encountering a homeless man in distress. As he approached him, he claimed to hear a voice saying, \u201cBe careful what you do next, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.\u201d The implication was that poverty itself grants entrance into God\u2019s kingdom. But is this what Jesus meant?<\/p>\n Poverty of the Soul<\/strong><\/p>\n Jesus is not speaking of financial poverty, but rather a deeper, spiritual poverty\u2014a recognition that we cannot please God on our own. Those who are “poor in spirit” understand that they are ruined by sin and completely dependent on God\u2019s grace.<\/p>\n Many people struggle with this concept because they compare themselves to others. They say, \u201cI\u2019m not as bad as so-and-so. I pay my taxes, follow the law, and even go to church.\u201d But they rely on their own efforts and see themselves as morally sufficient.<\/p>\n Yet, the citizens of the kingdom of heaven are those who recognize their moral and spiritual bankruptcy.<\/p>\n The Heidelberg Catechism captures this truth well: This is the first beatitude for a reason. If we do not understand our spiritual poverty, then the gospel is not truly good news to us. As the old hymn declares:<\/p>\n “Nothing in my hand I bring, Unless we grasp that the only thing we contribute to our salvation is our sin, the gospel will never be sweet to our souls. This beatitude humbles us before it lifts us up; it calls us to die to ourselves before we can truly live.<\/p>\n Application: Surrendering Our Self-Sufficiency<\/strong><\/p>\n We are drawn to stories like The Pursuit of Happyness<\/em> because they depict triumph through sheer determination\u2014pulling oneself up by the bootstraps. But Jesus presents a different message: “You are blessed when you recognize your poverty\u2014when you surrender and say, \u2018I can\u2019t do this on my own.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Many of us are indifferent toward God because we fail to realize that apart from Christ, our souls are starving. We live unconcerned about spiritual matters because we do not see our desperate condition. But when we finally recognize our brokenness, we become aware of our need for Christ.<\/p>\n It is one thing to say this; it is another thing to believe it.<\/p>\n There will be no longing for God, no desire to be set free, no yearning for heaven unless we acknowledge our moral and spiritual bankruptcy.<\/p>\n To be poor in spirit means that we:<\/p>\n So, who are the citizens of the kingdom of heaven? Those who understand that they are morally and spiritually bankrupt\u2014and who, in their emptiness, cling to Jesus alone.<\/strong><\/p>\n Understanding our poverty of soul is the first beatitude, and the second builds and that one. Who are the citizens of the kingdom of heaven? Secondly\u2026<\/p>\n Those Who Have Godly Sorrow for Their Sins<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n In Matthew 5:4, Jesus declares, \u201cBlessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n At first glance, this statement seems paradoxical. Happiness and mourning\u2014how can they coexist? Typically, we associate happiness with celebrations, like a birthday party, and mourning with sorrowful occasions, like a funeral. The two appear to be complete opposites. Society often labels those who mourn as “Debbie Downers” or overly emotional, but do we truly understand what Jesus means by mourning?<\/p>\n The kind of mourning Jesus refers to here is not just sorrow in general, but a deep, heartfelt grief over one\u2019s own sin. It is a sorrow that leads to repentance, a wailing of the soul over its waywardness. This stands in stark contrast to the world\u2019s message, which tells us to pursue happiness on our own terms. Commercials, media, and popular culture all encourage a philosophy of self-indulgence: Do whatever makes you happy.<\/em> But Jesus calls His followers to something greater.<\/p>\n In Luke 6:25, a parallel account to this sermon, Jesus warns, \u201cWoe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.\u201d<\/em> The world says, \u201cBe happy on your own terms.\u201d<\/em> Jesus says, \u201cBlessed are those who mourn.\u201d<\/em> But what exactly are we to mourn?<\/p>\n Mourning Our Own Sin<\/strong><\/p>\n The mourning that Jesus speaks of is not just any sorrow\u2014it is sorrow over sin. It is a deep grief over our disobedience, our waywardness, and our tendency to stray from God.<\/p>\n However, we often find it easier to mourn the sins of others than our own. We see the flaws in those around us and shake our heads in judgment:<\/p>\n This attitude is particularly evident in political discourse, where each party demonizes the other. But do we mourn our own sins with the same intensity?<\/p>\n The Church\u2019s Struggle to Mourn<\/strong><\/p>\n I have noticed that the church is often quick to lament the sins of the culture but slow to grieve its own failings. We do not mourn our disregard for God, our neglect of His commands, or our spiritual complacency. One reason revival does not sweep through the land is that the church is too comfortable in its sin. There is no true anguish over our waywardness.<\/p>\n If we are honest:<\/p>\n I recently spoke with someone about the sin of slander. They justified it by calling it \u201cjust venting.\u201d But God does not see it that way\u2014He sees it as sin. We are often careless with our tongues and fail to grieve the damage we cause.<\/p>\n We also fail to mourn our covetousness\u2014our constant desire for more, our jealousy of others, and our discontentment with what God has given us.<\/p>\n But who are the true citizens of the kingdom of heaven? They are those who mourn and lament their sin.<\/strong><\/p>\n True Mourning vs. False Mourning<\/strong><\/p>\n Paul gives us a distinction between two kinds of sorrow in 2 Corinthians 7:10<\/strong>: There is a difference between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow:<\/p>\n I once read about two men who were caught viewing pornography and had to confess to their wives. Both wept and expressed deep remorse. Yet, years later, one remained happily married while the other ended up divorced and even spent time in jail due to his addiction. What was the difference? One had godly sorrow, leading to repentance and restoration, while the other had only worldly sorrow, leading to destruction.<\/p>\n The Result of Mourning\u2014Comfort<\/strong><\/p>\n Some may think, \u201cWhy talk so much about sin? Shouldn\u2019t church be a place of encouragement?\u201d<\/em> The answer is yes<\/em>\u2014but true encouragement comes through the gospel. Jesus says, \u201cBlessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n This is the paradox of the Christian life: those who mourn their sins find comfort in Christ. The comfort of the gospel becomes truly sweet only when we first experience the bitterness of our sin.<\/p>\n So, do you mourn your sin? Do you grieve the ways you have strayed from God? Are you saddened by sin\u2019s devastation in your life?<\/p>\n Who Are the Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven?<\/strong><\/p>\n They are those who have godly sorrow for their sins\u2014those who mourn over their waywardness and turn to Christ for comfort.<\/strong><\/p>\n Jesus has stated two beatitudes, the second building on the first, and now he turns to a third which builds on the previous one. Jesus continues to answer the question: Who are the citizens of the kingdom of heaven? In the third beatitude he says that the citizens of the kingdom of heaven are\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n Those Who Are Willing to \u201cLose\u201d in This Life for God\u2019s Glory<\/strong><\/p>\n In the third beatitude, Jesus teaches that the citizens of the kingdom of heaven are those who embrace meekness\u2014a characteristic often misunderstood and undervalued both in His time and in ours.<\/p>\n Meekness: A Liability or a Mark of Heaven?<\/strong><\/p>\n In Jesus\u2019 day, meekness was seen as a weakness, a liability in a world that valued power, status, and dominance. The same remains true today. Consider the political landscape\u2014can you name a well-known leader who is truly meek? Meekness is unnatural to the unspiritual person because it requires humility, trust, and a willingness to surrender worldly gain for the sake of God\u2019s glory.<\/p>\n What Is Meekness?<\/strong><\/p>\n To understand meekness, we must see it from two angles:<\/p>\n Examples of Meekness in Scripture<\/strong><\/p>\n The Bible gives us powerful examples of those who willingly \u201clost\u201d in this life for the glory of God:<\/p>\n Who, then, are the citizens of the kingdom of heaven? They are those who are willing to \u201close\u201d in this life for the glory of God.<\/strong><\/p>\n Meekness Is Belief in the World to Come<\/strong><\/p>\n Why do the meek choose to \u201close\u201d in this life? Because their faith is anchored in eternity. Their willingness to sacrifice now is the strongest declaration of their belief in the world to come.<\/p>\n Consider the game Tell Me Without Telling Me<\/em>. If someone wanted to reveal their Puerto Rican heritage without explicitly saying it, they might say, \u201cI love rice and beans.\u201d<\/em> If someone wanted to reveal they were Dutch, they might say, \u201cI own several pairs of wooden shoes.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Likewise, how do we proclaim that we believe in eternity? By saying, \u201cI\u2019d rather \u2018lose\u2019 in this life for the glory of God.\u201d<\/em> Nothing demonstrates faith in the afterlife more than a willingness to give up temporary success for eternal reward.<\/p>\n Paul echoes this in 1 Corinthians 15:19<\/strong>: One author illustrates this idea vividly:<\/p>\n If this world is all there is, then why serve? Why give? Why pursue righteousness? Why sacrifice comfort and security? Everything God calls us to only makes sense in light of eternity.<\/p>\n And that, brothers and sisters, is meekness<\/strong>\u2014being willing to \u201close\u201d in this life for the glory of God, knowing that we have an eternal reward.<\/p>\n Meekness in Our Own Midst<\/strong><\/p>\n We don\u2019t need to look only to biblical figures to see meekness. We see it in those around us\u2014those who quietly sacrifice and serve, expecting nothing in return.<\/p>\n Why Is Meekness the Third Beatitude?<\/strong><\/p>\n Many Christians ask themselves, Would I be willing to die for Christ?<\/em> The real question is: Am I willing to \u201close\u201d in this life for the glory of God?<\/em><\/p>\n Meekness is third among the beatitudes because, without it, the others are impossible to live out.<\/p>\n This is why the last beatitude is about persecution. Without the foundation of meekness, we won\u2019t be able to endure suffering for Christ.<\/p>\n Application: Where Are You \u201cLosing\u201d for the Glory of God?<\/strong><\/p>\n Where in your life are you willingly \u201closing\u201d in faith? Or, to put it positively, where are you trusting God?<\/p>\n Who Are the Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven?<\/strong><\/p>\n They are those who are willing to \u201close\u201d in this life for the glory of God.<\/p>\n Conclusion: Look to Christ<\/strong><\/p>\n This morning, we have seen that the citizens of the kingdom of heaven are those who:<\/p>\n As you go into the world this week, remember that you are called to live in light of these beatitudes. But the focus is not on the beatitudes themselves\u2014the focus is Christ.<\/p>\n Look to Jesus, who became poor so that we might become rich. And as you look to Him, be energized by the power of the Spirit to follow in His footsteps\u2014willing to \u201close\u201d in this life for the sake of eternal glory.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This sermon explores the characteristics of citizens of the kingdom of heaven, emphasizing the importance of recognizing one’s spiritual poverty, mourning over sin, and adopting a meek attitude that willingly loses for God’s glory. 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\nYour huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
\nThe wretched refuse of your teeming shore\u2026”<\/em><\/p>\n\n
\nQ: But are we so corrupt that we are totally unable to do any good and inclined toward all evil?<\/strong>
\nA: Yes, unless we are born again by the Spirit of God.<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nSimply to the cross I cling;
\nNaked, come to Thee for dress;
\nHelpless, look to Thee for grace;
\nFoul, I to the fountain fly;
\nWash me, Savior, or I die.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n
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\n“For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n
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\n\u201cIf only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n
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\nLook to Jesus, who wept over the stubbornness of Jerusalem.
\nLook to Jesus, who was gentle and lowly.<\/p>\n