The Work of God

Matthew 5:3–12

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

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

Poor in spirit— is the opposite of pride. The poor in spirit is powerful in Spirit, because he is poor in spirit. He understands the source and the results of His power. Because he understands the source, he cannot be prideful. If he gets confused and thinks for some reason he was the cream of the crop; therefore, he was selected, he moves towards taking some of God’s glory.

The word pauper is used to describe this poor person. Without Jesus, he knows he has nothing. Do you think that sometimes even though we really love our Lord and are genuinely grateful that He saved us that there could be something in us that wants recognition for what we do?

Do you think it’s possible that when we don’t get recognized like our flesh wants that the enemy could use that as an opportunity to cause strife and division? And if you do believe that is possible, what do you think is causing that confusion? Who should I expect to be the author of confusion?

Meek— humble power/ Jesus told Paul, “for my strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9)”

The Lord said, “The Son of man came not to be served but to serve and to lay down His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28).” Jesus was full of power but His purpose demanded the greatest humility ever seen. While the power of God knocked the soldiers to the ground in the garden, He also allowed them to bind Him and take Him to the cross. His purpose was to glorify His Father by doing His will. Jesus received His glory in doing the will of the Father. On this side, the will of the Father was that He die as a sacrifice in order to bring many sons to glory

Hebrews 2:10

For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

On the other side, He is seated in majesty and glory

Hebrews 8:1 NASB

Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,

Philippians 2:8-9

8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,

1 John 3:2

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

We will one day receive glory. We will one day be like He is and have a glorified body. It’s His kingdom, not mine. It’s His glory, not mine. It’s His work, not mine. Why would I try to gain glory now, when even then, it won’t be my own? He’s wanting us to practice exalting Him now. It’s time to fill the earth with His glory now if we plan to be part of His glorious kingdom then.

He said, Matt 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake

Sounds bad when you read it, but then he says:

13 You are the salt of the earth 14 You are the light of the world

13 NASB if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men

Salt that loses its flavor, loses its purpose. Many a Bible student has pointed out the preservative purposes of salt. But salt also has an ability that no other seasoning has in that it reveals the presence of other flavors. If believers lose their saltiness, they lose their purpose. Whether the world realizes it or not, they’re depending on believers not losing their purpose. The purpose of believers is to reveal Jesus to the world.

Hidden flavors are revealed when salt is added. Jesus is on the Earth, and He dwells on the inside of his people. However, if the salt of the Earth, which is his people is left in the shaker, Jesus, the one ingredient that contains hope for the lost and the dying is never revealed. So again, if salt isn’t salty, what purpose does it have? If Christians don’t expose Jesus, what purpose do they have?

When we let our light shine before men, They see our works and it glorifies the Father.

First thing that we need to figure out—what is the work of God?

John 6:28 then they said unto him “what shall we do, that we might work the works of God? “ 29Jesus answered and said, unto them, “this is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he has sent“

I’ve heard doctors say “we do God’s work – no you don’t. When people do God’s work, God gets the glory—not man.

He speaks about the Pharisees

Matthew 23:3

therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.

5 But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men

Mark 14:3

While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head.

Mark 14:4

But some were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted?

Matt 26:11 … You have the poor with you always.

Matt 26:13… She poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.

Matt 26:13… Verily, I say, where, so ever this is Gospel is preached in the whole world. There shall also this, that this woman has done, be told for a memorial of her.

Memorial— a remembrance – somebody gave all they had, she pushed through the embarrassment, pushed through all of the critical spirits and poured all that she had out in pure worship. Paul told the Corinthian church in regards to communion that they weren’t rightly discerning the Lord’s body.

1 Corinthians 11:29

For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

She got it. She rightly discerned His body. She was a reminder to a room filled with disciples, that the heart of true worship is all about Him.

Judas complained about the woman’s extravagant worship, and stated that the product could’ve been sold to feed the poor– you don’t want to feed the poor Judas you’ve been stealing the money and the motive of your heart is that it’s about what you want.

And then there’s her and her simple, faith. She believed on the one whom God sent and it changed her. It changed her so much that she pushed through the stares. She pushed through the cares (she was likely saving this for her wedding), scholars believe that the value of this Nard would have been worth a year’s wage, and her act became a memorial in the word of God.

Prayer of a Pauper and Declaration of a King

Read Matt 18:1-4

Introduction

Sometimes there seems to be a dichotomy or contradiction within the teachings of scripture. He said this… but then He said this…

Ex. …unless you are converted and become as one of these little children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. What does He mean by that? Does He want adults to become literal children. The child is the illustration, a believer is supposed to behave like a child when they approach kingdom business. The context is: who will be the greatest in your kingdom, Lord? The response is, unless you become converted like one of these little children, you can’t enter.

Converted- Strong’s: turn quite around, twist, a change of direction. Oxford American: having been adapted to be suitable for a new purpose. The house was converted to a duplex, and you Christian must be converted to a child.

This is talking about learning how to live in His kingdom now, so we can enter His kingdom then. What attribute of a child would Jesus want—What is it about a child that Jesus wants His followers to emulate? The simple answer, one word—dependence! Quit being independent and doing things your own way and learn how to depend on God!

Juxtapose- to place close together or side by side in a way that invites comparison or contrast

Juxtapose that against this: Proclaim the kingdom of heaven is at hand! Cast out devils, heal the sick, cleanse the lepers (MT 10:7)…What I say to you in the dark, tell it in the light. What you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim it from the rooftops.

Proclaim- a public crier, herald the king’s declaration

Father in the name of Jesus help me to teach/ preach the:

Prayers of paupers: declarations of a kings!

Let’s talk kingdom how it ended

Matthew 27:28-29 28 They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. 29 And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”

The beginning

Matthew 3:1-4 1 -- In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

Then He starts speaking and He says:

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

Poor- lowly, afflicted, destitute of the Christian helpless, powerless to accomplish an end

The citizens of the Lord’s Kingdom are expected to come to the conclusion that this kingdom operates differently; this is not the American dream, the strength is not we the people, the power is the Holy Spirit working through His people!

Matthew 5:4. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Mourn- means to feel deep sorrow or regret. As a citizen of your kingdom, I am sorrowful Lord that man has rebelled against you. I am sorrowful that so many churches and so many leaders have not taken heed to your word, that we your people have fallen asleep and not stayed spiritually sober. Wake us up Lord, cause our hearts to mourn with you over this lost generation, over the souls that are perishing.

Jesus was humble and bold, and His people are called to be the same way. Both of these traits will make God’s people look different than the world around them.

The world puts faith in their own strength and resources. God’s people draw from Him. The world builds its own kingdom. God’s people work with Him, as He builds His. In the purest form of the word, we all have an  Apostolic calling, and what I mean by that is, the strict definition of the term is that an Apostle is a sent one, also, an ambassador. Ambassadors are a representative of another nation as they live in a foreign land. The American ambassador to Italy, lives in Italy but represents and conducts American business on that foreign soil. An ambassador for the Kingdom of Christ, lives on earth, but represents the heavenly realm

Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Meek- mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit, meekness - Meekness toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good.

Meekness is a fruit of the Spirit. There will be many circumstances in the life of the believer that he will not like. The thorns and thistles hurt and bristle; however, the believer cannot afford to become angry or bitter towards God.

Galatians 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Matthew 5:6. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

1 Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?

What are we hungry for? What are we thirsty for? In life what do you crave? Is your appetite that your son or daughter make the travel ball team? Is everything thing in life focused so much about your business and your job that you have to forsake the gathering of the brethren? Do you find joy in the fellowship of the saints?

Jesus was hungry to do His Father’s will. Those that are citizens of His kingdom hunger and thirst for what their King desires. He desires that this wicked world be made right. The citizens of His Kingdom are called to live in a different realm. They are called to seek the things that are above:

The letters of the Apostles repeatedly remind the saints to keep their eyes and minds on the things God  and the more we study His word, it becomes clear that this world is not our home.

1 Peter 2:11. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

Philippians 3:20 NASB For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

The kingdom of darkness has power and is destroying people’s lives. Jesus has come so that people can have abundant life. In order for that to happen, He had to give His people power that is greater than the powers of darkness.

1 John 5:19 NASB We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

The demons knew who He was and were fearful of His presence— Now, we’re talking about the authority of Jesus!

Matthew 8:29-32 29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? 30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. 31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. 32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.

The people of His Kingdom are called to be humble and meek but they are also called to walk in His kingdom authority:

Matthew 28:18-19. 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Matthew 10:7-8 7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

The Lord’s kingdom is already but not yet. It means that Jesus has already come to earth and taken authority over the world of darkness. He has already established His kingdom on earth. He will rule and reign physically on earth in the future and He is ruling and reigning now, through us…

Until then He told the Pharisees:

Luke 17:20-21 20 Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

If He is the kingdom, and the King is in us, then the kingdom and all its power and authority are in us!

Revelation 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

The prayer of a pauper and the declaration of a king!

The submissive prayers of kings

Psalms 18:27 For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down.

Psalms 77:1-3 ESV In the Day of Trouble I Seek the Lord I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. 2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted. 3 When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah

Matt 27:46 …My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Luke 23:46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!”

Matthew 26:39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

Hebrews 5:7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. (KJV “Feared”)

I still don’t feel like we properly reverence the presence of the Holy Spirit in our church. I have tried to say things and I want you to know that I don’t want to be controlling its one thing if you talk while I’m preaching. It’s still not right. I wouldn’t do it to you, but what about when we’re asking the Spirit of God to show up and inhabit the praises of His people and instead of worshipping the Lord, we’re in here talking to earthlings, we’re looking at our phone as though we’re bored with God. “Well, I don’t feel Him!” Maybe you don’t feel Him because you have no reverence for His presence!

Declaration of a king

1 Samuel 17:45-46 45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day  the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel,

1 Chronicles 28:20 Then David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.

Psalms 23:4-5 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.