Tag: beattitudes

Part 2 – As Above, So Below

August 13, 2022Blog, Encouragement, Sunday Sermons, , Leave a comment

Continuing our look at the kingdom of God from above, being lived out here on earth below, let’s review for a moment.

There is a kingdom in heaven, fully functioning under the reign and soverignity of Almighty God and His son, Jesus who is the King of Kings. This kingdom is of or from heaven, and is intended to be fully demonstrated here on earth by humans, who are living the values, principles, and “doms” (see part 1) of our King Jesus.

We get a glimpse of this kingdom when we look at the “Beattitudes” of Jesus, as found in Matthew chapter 5. These beattitudes reflect the nature of life in the kingdom of God which is evidenced by the supreme state of well-being when walking in relationship with God.

So, as we look at the last four beattitudes (there are 8, see the first 4 in part 1), imagine life here on earth, if these characteristics were to be truly demonstrated. What a world we would have, here below, if we lived as it is above in heaven.

Blessed are the merciful, they shall receive mercy.”

Matthew 5:7 ESV

Those who, from their deepest heart are able to demonstrate tender mercy to others, themselves will be shown mercy by God. This pictures someone, who “from their womb” – the birthplace of new life, new ideas, new ways – expresses and displays compassion and mercy to others. This one, because of what he or she sows, will not only be satisfied but will reap back the same compassion and mercy.

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

Matthew 5:8 ESV

The “pure in heart” is one who pursues purity and uprightness; that which is right, true, just, and pure in God’s eyes. They are not soiled or sullied by the filthiness of worldly affects and actions but “have kept themselves” from such influences. They have chosen a better way, a higher standard. They have set themselves apart to God and for His pleasure and have aimed at his favor and acceptance rather than that of man.

It is no wonder then, that they are the ones who not only see God now but progressively see Him more and more. Because their hearts are pure before God (and that does not mean sinless!), which is the most important thing (not external traditions), God honors them by revealing Himself to them. There is NO GREATER HONOR OR HUMBLING STATE for a humnan being than to experience God. That is beyond a blessing!

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

Matthew 5:9 ESV

These peacemakers start within themselves. They are at peace with themselves before Almighty God. You cannot be at peace within yourself, if there is no accountability to God. Those who try to find peace without God awareness, sensitivity and willingness to follow His ways are only fooling themselves. Jesus is the Prince of Peace and brings peace to those willing to make peace with Him. That is where peacemaking begins. Then peacemaking will flow from the personal peace that we have found with God out from us to the community. This peace then, is both personal and communal.

These peacemaking folks, are the sons of God. These peacemakers, defined by their peace with God, are adding to and expanding God’s eternal family, as His sons and daughters, by bringing peace to others and making peace between others.

Are you able to see and image a world ruled and governed by these attitudes, characteristics and values? Can you imagine earth here below, under the influence of the kingdom of God?

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

Matthew 5:10 ESV

Could it be that those who are living by these kingdom values will be persecuted? Could the challenge be to those believers who have chosen to live as citizens of God’s kingdom and under his constitution, it’s time to buckle up. Not everyone is gonna like these values, ideas and ways of life. There will be those who not only contradict these values but persecute those who live by them.

“Persecuted” here in the Greek means, “to harass, trouble, molest; to make one run, drive away, maltreated.” The Apostle Paul was persecuted. All the other disciples were pesecuted. Jesus himself was persecuted. Christians through the ages on every continent have been persecuted. Why, oh why, would we think we are any different or walk a different walk? How could we if we are truly living for the kingdom here on earth?

Compared to the suffering saints and martyrs of the past, I tend to think we, ourselves ain’t seen nothing yet!

Our comfort? Our motivation? Our strength? The kingdom of God! We receive eternally and live forever in the kingdom of God. The very one we have lived here on earth. We step from this earth into the kingdom of our inheritance, the one of God’s vast domain.

In closing, let’s remember these things about these beattitudes: (we mentioned them in part 1)

  1. they are a code of ethics for disciples & standard of conduct for all believers
  2. they contrast kingdom values with worldly values (eternal vrs. temporary)
  3. they contrast superficial faith (of the Pharisees) with the real faith that Jesus wants
  4. they show how the Old Testament expectations will be fulfilled in His new kingdom (1)

My prayer is that believers all over the world continue to stand strong in faith and courage as they choose to display on earth what is being lived out in heaven now.

May we, live here below as it is above.

Debbie

  1. Life Application Study Bible – Zondervan

As Above, So Below

August 6, 2022Blog, Encouragement, Personal Growth, Sunday Sermons, , 1 Comment

This is what Jesus actually taught us to pray, (on earth as it is in heaven) Matthew 6:10 What are we actually praying for? I mean really.

Jesus’ instructions on how to pray begins with seeing Our Glorious Father in heaven and His fully functioning kingdom there being extended to and demonstrated here on earth. He taught us to pray to live here below as it is above.

When Jesus began His ministry on earth, this was His message –

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, Repent fro the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Matthew 4:17

And throughout his entire time on earth, He preached about the kingdon of heaven, aka, the kingdom of God. He taught his disciples, the crowds and the skeptics about what it was like to live by kingdom values and principles. He modeled it with His life of example. He admonished them to live here below as it is above, in heaven.

The kingdom of God is where His authority is acknowledged, it is the realm of His influence. It is in our midst, Luke 17:21, and entered into by spiritual birth, Matthew 18:3; John 3:5. The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Romans 14:17 The kingdom of God is not about words but about power. 1 Corinthians 4:20

When one experiences the salvation that Jesus provides, we are translated into the kingdom of His dear son, Colossians 1:13 and have received a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Hebrews 12:28

So what does this kingdom deposit that has been placed inside of us look like? How is the kingdom of God seen by others? What was it that Paul spent three months preaching about in Ephesus? Acts 19:8 And another entire day in Rome preaching to his house guests about? Acts 28:23

The kingdom of God. Geesh. There must be alot to say about that kingdom then – the one above to be lived out here below. We will go there in a minute, but first let’s look at the old English word derivation.

The old English background for kingdom means the king’s domain, where his kingdom activity occured. The king wrote laws and circulated them for all to obey, they were called his “doms”. The King’s doms were the rules for his kingdom.

Well then, what are the kingdom of God’s rules? The “doms” of God’s kingdom?

Matthew 5, part of The Sermon on the Mount has been called the Constitution for citizens of God’s kingdom. For in this exhaustive teaching of Jesus we find those attitudes from above (from God) that should be demonstrated here below, by followers of Jesus. They show what Christ followers should be like. The Sermon on the Mount is the standard for all Christians. It is the standard for the kingdom of God and reveals the values, and principles of the kingdom of God. This sermon describes what the kingdom of God is really like. These beattitudes reflect who God is through His people. Thus, truly, as above, so below.

These standards of the kingdom of God are not multiple choice, pick what you like, they must be taken as a whole. They are our code of ethics and clearly contrast kingdom values with worldly values. They contrast superficial faith with real faith. And they show that those who live by the King’s “doms”, will be blessed – fully satisfied, well off, and fortunate.

Let’s look at a four of the “doms” of our King.

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

Matthew 5:3 ESV

The first of eight “beattitudes” listed in Matthew 5 is the blessing that comes to those who recognize their need for God. It has nothing to do with financial poverty or being poor, but everything to do with admitting you need God’s help and cannot do without Him. We begin our life in God’s kingdom by admitting we absolutely need Him, everyday. We begin by submitting to The King and His ways and yielding to His kindgom values and principles. To those – the blessing that comes is access to the kingdom. WOW!

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

Matthew 5:4 ESV

Contrary to popular usage, this passage about mourning has to do with being sorry for your sins and the sins of others. You see, the one who is truly sorry for violating their conscience and God’s “doms” will receive comfort and the help of the “parakleto” – the Holy Spirit – who will strengthen and encourage.

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

Matthew 5:5 ESV

These meek ones of the kingdom are ones who rely on God’s strength, not their own, and accept God’s dealings as good, without disputing or resisting. Their meekness doesn’t make them push overs or whimps, but ones who trust the King who is soverign over all and on whose strength they can depend.Their abundant blessing comes in the end of all, when they will inherit a new earth.

One last one for today…

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

Matthew 5:6 ESV

The kingdom of God is populated with those who crave righteousness and eagerly thirst for more and more of it. Not satisfied with low, worldly morals and standards, these kingdom royals will be satisifed only with more of God’s righteousness, not man’s filthiness and perversions. No compromise is reached because the standard of the kingdom stands supreme.

These first four “attitudes” – admitting we need God, being grieved for sin, accepting God’s will and strength, and craving righteousness are the fabric of God’s kingdom. These demonstrate God’s kingdom here on earth.

As you can see, these first four kingdom values in the beattitudes, fly in the face of worldly values and clearly demonstrate an eternal perspective and code of ethics from above, that we believers are chraged with living and pulling down for here on earth.

Perhaps you share my disgust with what is being strutted before us as wholesome, what is being herladed as virtuous, what is being declared as truth, and what is being propped up as leadership, or perhaps not, but what still stands is the stark contrast between what we are seeing in this earthly realm, compared to God’s heavenly kingdom – the kingdom of God.

I choose to proclaim and live as John the Baptist, Jesus, and Paul, “The Kingdom of God is at hand”. As royals, blood bought believers in Jesus and heirs of the King, we are rising up in demonstration and power because the kingdom of light within us, is breaking forth from within us. The King’s “doms” are being lived out by us, they are our standard, our ethics, and our kingdom contsitution.

It’s important to remember these kingdom characteristics, these beattitudes and keep yourself aligned with them. It is so easy to lose track of kingdom principles when there’s nothing but garbage and lies being promoted, right? Remember too, God promises to supremely bless those who align with the standards of His Kingdom.

So when we pray for “it” to be done on earth as it is in heaven, all this is what we are praying for and rising up to live out.

May it be here below, as it is above in heaven. Now is the time.

Cheers to YOU,

Debbie

P.S. – Next week we will continue with the remaining beattitudes and our kingdom theme. Hope to see you back, then.