The Kingdom | Week Four

The kingdom is anywhere that God, the King, rules and reigns: in heaven, on earth and in the human heart. It is here now and available to anyone. And yet it is still to come when the resurrected Jesus returns and makes it complete. In the meantime, Jesus has left a church to keep building this Kingdom.  The Kingdom is God‘s people in God‘s place living under God‘s rule and blessing.

When he saw the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to teach them, saying:    Matthew 5:1-2

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.”   Matthew 5:3-10 

“Blessed” – makarios

“You have the approval of God.”

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.  Matthew 5:3

The Anawim – “the throwaway people” 

Can I choose to see myself as “anawim” as my true spiritual condition in the Kingdom? 

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else… Luke 18:9 

I tell you, this one went down to his house justified rather than the other, because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”   Luke 18:14 

“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.”   Matthew 5:3, The Message