King of Kings: Jesus According to Matthew - Kingdom Choice
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Sermon Notes
Matthew 4:1-3,
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Matthew 7:28
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching,
A Kingdom Convergence causes a Kingdom Clash creating a Kingdom Choice.
Kingdom Clash
Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
It is important to grasp that The Kingdom of God isn’t something we conform to by our will but something that we yield to and that works inside of us to transform us into the likeness of Christ.
Matthew 13:31
31 … “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”
Matthew 5:1-11
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. He said: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
“When my Kingdom takes root and grows in you, this is who you will become, these are what you will receive, and you will be extremely blessed!”
A “be” attitude comes from the be not from the do. All outcomes are the products of In-Goes. When the Kingdom of God takes root, you will become…
Poor in Spirit. This describes spiritual dependency.
Those who Mourn. These are those who have the joy and hope of the Kingdom of God but still mourn for those still conforming to this kingdom.
The meek. The meek aren’t weak they are gentle.
Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness describe those who are in “dire need” to see the “right-ness” of God reign in their lives and on this Earth. They long for it!
The merciful are those who have been transformed by the mercy they have received. The kindness, gentleness and forgiveness they have freely received are freely given.
The pure in heart are those who have undivided loyalty to God and His ways.
The peacemakers bring the Kingdom of God into their sphere of influence. Peace keepers compromise, acquiesce to keep everyone happy. Peacemakers step in and do the hard work of reconciliation.
The persecuted are those who are harmed for being all of the above.
Kingdom Choice
How is this kingdom choice made?
1. Surrender - Salvation
2. Outward Identification – Water Baptism
3. Inward fueled – Spirit Baptism
Acts 1:4-8
4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
4. Daily yielding – Kingdom Gardening
You have to be relentless in your pursuit of His Kingdom to overcome the relentless pursuit of this kingdom on your thinking, doing and becoming.
Matthew 6:33
“Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.”
A Kingdom Convergence causes a Kingdom Clash creating a Kingdom Choice.
Kingdom Impact
Matthew 5:13-17
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
We bring the Kingdom of God in our presence and our prayers.
Matthew 6:9-10
Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is in heaven
The Infinite Value of the Kingdom of God
Matthew 13:44
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.