BEGGARS RULE: Matthew 5:1-3

Chris Cavanaugh 3/18/12

I. INTRO

Beggars and bankruptcy – (illustrations).

What the beatitudes are not:

• Not ultra-dispensational – only for a future millennial kingdom
• Not unreachable ideals
• Not for salvation – a formula for getting it right.

It’s the only way to follow Jesus – to approach life

1.  These (beatitudes) are attitudes that prepare us for the actions of the rest of the SOTM.

• Attitudes towards God (5:3-5)

• first steps in worship –
• Is 6 –seeing who God is and responding accordingly
• as we see ourselves in reality

• Attitudes towards others (5:6-12 or 16)

• “those people” –the world
• e.g. we are God’s speck-removers with plank-eyes

2.  These are (largely) linear and progressive

3.  These reflect the heart of Father as seen in the Son

4.  The Gospel tells us that we can live like Jesus

• A new humanity
• A Kingdom people

• Under his rule and reign
• Vehicles to spread his rule and reign

II. EXPOSITION

1.  5:1-2

• crowds– (Matt 4:25) “Large crowds (from all around) followed him.”
• sat down—authority (Luke 4:20)
• disciples­—learners, every believer
• he began to teach them (5:2)

2.  5:3

• blessed—Gr. makares

• Cyprus – the happy isle- rich and completely fertile—all one could want.
• Homer-blessedness of the gods (within themselves)
• Appropriating the gospel will yield a blessed existence

• abundant life, (Jn 10:10) “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
•  that your joy may be full— Jn 16:24 “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”
• Full riches-to know Christ, Col 2:2 “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ”
• like the joy of Jesus— “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11)
• (the blessedness of the Godhead before creation)

2.  poor (in spirit)—Gr. ptochos

• carries the sense of extreme poverty –comes from the verb to cower, to crouch, noun form is used for beggar…. (Mounce, 38)

I am beggar poor and pitiful

Just enough is not enough

I am midnight blind and slum naked

I need love, I need love

 3.  the beginning of worship (i.e. life)—this is the daily tuning up for life (illustration).

4.  kingdom of heaven

• rule and reign of God (Matt 6:16)
• Kingdom come (and coming)

• is near, (Lk 10:9, 11)
• has come upon you, (Matt 12:28)
• has come to you, (Lk 11:20)
• has come, (Lk 22:18)

• It is in you. “Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you”” (Lk 17:20)
• e.g. through works: “But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you” (Lk 11:20)

III. CONCLUSION

1.  Seeing our desperate need for God

• is the key to life (thinking/being and doing)
• or It is the key to letting God reign in and through you.

• Relational (SOTM examples galore)
• We are changed by this process to

• Live in all circumstances – I have learned to be abased or abound.
• Invite persecution (Matt 5:11-12)
• Effect those around us (Matt 5:13-16)