No. 303 - The Blessed Kingdom Citizens

The Celebration of God’s Kingdom

The Blessed Kingdom Citizens

 Matthew 5:3-12  

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

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

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 

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

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

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” 

Starting Prayer 

­Heavenly Father, I come before You today seeking Your wisdom and understanding. Help me to grasp the meaning of being blessed in Your kingdom as described in Matthew 5. Guide my heart to align with Your will. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Background 

Matthew 5 contains Jesus' famous Sermon on the Mount, where He teaches His disciples about the principles and values of the kingdom of God. These verses, known as the Beatitudes, outline the characteristics of those who are blessed in God’s kingdom. They describe a radical inversion of worldly values, where the humble, the merciful, the pure in heart, and those who hunger for righteousness are exalted and promised great rewards in God's eternal kingdom. 

Be Encouraged 

The Beatitudes challenge us to rethink what it means to be blessed. In a world that often values power, wealth, and success, Jesus teaches us that true blessing comes from a heart attitude aligned with God’s kingdom. Take comfort if you feel spiritually poor or mournful, for God promises His kingdom to those who seek Him earnestly. If you strive for righteousness and show mercy to others, you will find satisfaction in God’s abundant grace. Even in the face of persecution and hardship, rejoice, knowing that your reward is secure in heaven. 

Application 

Consider Psalm 37:11, "But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace," and James 2:5, "Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?" 

Invitation 

If you have not yet experienced the blessings of God’s kingdom, I invite you to visit a nearby Church of Christ and learn more about how to enter into God’s kingdom through faith (Hebrews 11:6), repentance (Acts 2:38; 17:30-31), and baptism for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38). Accept the teachings of Christ and become part of His blessed community, where you will grow in faith and experience the richness of His kingdom. Share this message of hope and blessing with those around you, inviting them to join you on this journey of faith. 

Concluding Prayer 

Thank You, Lord, for revealing Your kingdom's blessings through the Beatitudes. Help me to embody these qualities in my daily life and find true joy in following Your ways. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

May the Lord bless your day.

 

Theodore J. Quist 

Evangelist 

Church of Christ 

Abokobi - Accra 

Ghana

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