Holy Citizenship: Key Characteristics Series

Holy Citizenship: Key Characteristics

Matthew 5:1-12

This morning we pick up from last quarter a series titled Holy Citizenship. We will look at key characteristics of holy citizenship. This series is under our church's annual theme of holiness. The theme verse is Exodus 3:5, where God said to Moses, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

Let me first define holy citizenship: Holy means "set apart (by God and for God)." Citizenship means 1) the status of being a citizen (a person who legally belongs to a country and has the rights and protection of that country) and 2) the qualities that a person is expected to have as a responsible member of a community.

So holy citizenship is the status and qualities of a person belonging to God's kingdom. Practically, then, all Christians would have dual citizenship. An earthly national citizenship and God's kingdom citizenship.

This morning we'll look at the key characteristics of a citizen of God's kingdom. Our text is Matthew 5:1-12. Known to some as the beattitudes from the Latin word, beatus, meaning blessed or favored of God. This will make sense when I read the text. (READ)

Before we look at the beatitudes, let me make two observations from verses 1 and 2. From verse 1, we see Jesus is talking to his disciples and there is also a crowd listening in. So the beatitudes are instruction for the disciples, the citizens of God's kingdom. But the beatitudes also serve as an invitation for the crowd, those who hear and want in.

The beatitudes are not about how-to be a citizen of God's kingdom but what are the key characteristics of a citizen of God's kingdom. How to be a citizen of God's kingdom or a child of God is found in John 1:12-13, "But to all who did receive [Jesus], who believed in his name [Jesus means Savior], he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God."

In other words, if we believe Jesus died on the cross to save us from the penalty of our sins, we gain a right standing with God. We become God's children. We become citizens of God's kingdom.

Here's observation 2 from verse 2: Jesus opened his mouth and taught them. Here's a good question: Can you teach without opening your mouth?

Of course. In fact, some things are more credible when demonstrated before articulated. For instance: Generosity. Kindness. Courage. We read in the book of Matthew that Jesus taught with his actions as well as with his words.

Now let's look at the key characteristics of a citizen of God's kingdom. These characteristics can be grouped into three categories: Our true condition, our new character and our King's calling.

The first key characteristic of a citizen of God's kingdom is that we see our true condition. Verses 3 and 4.

We see that we are poor in spirit. Poor spiritually. That if we are to be in a right relationship with God, it would be based on God's goodness, not our goodness. That if we are to be in a loving relationship with God, it would be because God first loved us, not that we loved God. We are poor in spirit.

We also see the consequences of our sin. Sin has spoiled our relationship with God and with others. Sin has spoiled our health and the works of our hands. And the effects of sin sadden us. We mourn.

Someone tells about a wealthy gentleman who went to visit a poor lady on a Friday afternoon. He brought along some groceries and some money to help. When he knocked on the door, no one answered. So he left.

On Sunday, he saw the lady at church. He approached the lady to give her the gifts and to tell her he had gone by on Friday afternoon. The lady replied, “Oh, I was home. I didn’t answer the door, because I thought you were the landlord come to collect rent. And I didn’t have any money.

We are spiritually like that lady, and God is the wealthy gentleman. God entered our world in the form of a man, not to collect rent. He came to give us what we need for life with Him. On the cross God paid the penalty for our sins and demonstrated His love.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Do we see our true condition? Don't stop there. See also our true God, Who gives heaven to the spiritually poor and comforts those who mourn.