SEMESTER 5
169 – General Facts about the Kingdom “3”
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: THEOLOGY V LESSON # 69
ESCHATOLOGY – THE KINGDOM OF GOD – GENERAL FACTS ABOUT THE KINGDOM # 3
Read: Mat. 5:1-20
INTRODUCTION:
1. For two previous lessons, I have touched upon general facts about the kingdom.
2. We have learned: (1) It is a common New Testament theme, (2) it is the message of New Testament preachers, (3) It is total in its tenses, (4) It is spiritual, (5) It is physical, (6) It is mysterious, (7) It is partial and intermingled, (8) The premium attribute is subjection.
3. In this lesson, I want to continue the assembling of simple Bible facts.
4. The passage I have read is thought very difficult to many.
5. The reason is that they do not rightly relate it to the principle of God’s kingdom.
6. In this lesson, our facts will focus upon citizens of God’s kingdom.
I. ITS CITIZENS ARE POOR IN SPIRIT – (MAT. 5:3
)
1. This term speaks neither of material possession, nor absence of the Holy Ghost.
2. It is talking of one who is distressed over what he is.
III: By contrast between the publican and the Pharisee.
3. The Kingdom of God belongs exclusively to this category of people.
4. Of such is the kingdom and also the King? Note: Mat. 11:12, Mat. 11:25-26 and Mat. 11:28-29.
II. ITS CITIZENS ARE PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS’ SAKE (MAT. 5:10-11)
1. Doing right is not popular in this world, even in religious circles.
III: By Gideon, Lot, John the Baptist, Christ, Peter, John, and Paul.
2. It is so now. Keep truth subject to peer groups, or they will slander you, world without end.
3. This was the issue of Acts chapters three, four and five, you get quiet or we will destroy you.
4. It is so today in the military, in social circles and on most jobs.
III. ITS CITIZENS ARE THE SALT AND THE LIGHT – (MAT. 5:13-14)
1. This discourse is very clearly directed to the children of the kingdom.
2. It is in this illustrated sense that the Kingdom of God was “within” the society of Christ’s day.
3. Christians are salt and light only to the extent that we are subjects of His kingdom.
4. This is a good multi-direction check to make our calling and election sure.
IV. ITS CITIZENS LOVE GOD’S LAW – (MAT. 5:17-20)
1. The very principle of citizenship is subjection to the government of the one reigning.
2. Antinomianism says, “Grace liberates from the law so that I may safely please myself.”
3. The spirit of grace says, “I am freed from the bondage of sin that I may pursue the will of God.”
4. Thus, true children of the kingdom love the law of the Lord.
V. IT HAS MORE CLAIMANTS THAN CITIZENS – (MAT. 7:21)
1. There is that vast category which calls Him Lord and do not what He says.
2. You can tell them from real citizens only by their fruit. (Mat. 7:16)
3. The mere performance of religious works is not evidence. (Mat. 7:22)
III: By Mat. 25:1-13. Half of the seekers never entered.
4. When the bridegroom comes, will your lamp go out?