matthew west testimony

Ray Pritchard writes that makarios "doesn’t even apply to human emotions. This conception appears often in the works of the tragedians; for instance, in the “Œdipus Tyrannus” of Sophocles, where the main motive is the judgment which waits upon even unwitting violations of natural ties. (Bock, Darrell L, Editor: The Bible Knowledge Key Word Study: The Gospels Cook Communications). These are "impossible" standards for fleshly men, but are imminently "Him" possible for those who learn to surrender to and engage their indwelling omnipotent "Enabler", their Helper, the Holy Spirit.          Never to taste of life: The other kingdom is the inner, the kingdom that includes only true believers, only those who, as John the Baptist proclaimed, repent and are converted. Poor in spirit would I be; Victor, MacArthur, J.: The MacArthur Study Bible Nashville: Word, Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. The Nelson Study Bible: NKJV. Now that’s a fine, sweet, friendly beginning of his teaching and preaching. Thou hast loosed by sackcloth and girded me with gladness. "Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."--Matt. It sternly throws away from itself every hint of the Stoic’s asserted right of suicide as a refuge from human ills, and emphasizes something which thrives on trial and persecution, which glories in tribulation, which not only endures but conquers the world, and expects its crown in heaven. Entrance into the Kingdom of God is by the new birth (Mt 18:3; Jn 3:5), for nothing that a man may be by nature or can attain to by any form of self–culture, avails in the spiritual realm. 1 Peter 3:14 - note But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. (Matthew 5 Commentary - Daily Study Bible online). Perhaps these thoughts will encourage you: First, remember how God sees us. The norm of our day reverses that process, and tries to satisfy the deep needs of the human spirit by focusing on physical satisfaction. He (Jesus) presented another parable to them (His disciples), saying, “The kingdom of heaven (as discussed this is a Jewish phrase and is equivalent to the "kingdom of God" used in Gospels other than Matthew) is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; 32 and this is smaller than all other seeds; but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants, and becomes a tree, so that THE BIRDS OF THE AIR come and NEST IN ITS BRANCHES.” (Mt 13:31, 32). I am here amongst you; I am doing things. “Rejoice in Him!” Again, again Where it hinted at the Stoic’s self-repression and strangling of emotion, it now throbs with a holy sensitiveness, and with a monition to rejoice with them that rejoice, and to weep with them that weep. 10 Then many will fall away,[c] and they will betray one another and hate one another. Here is the Messiah!’[e] or ‘There he is!’—do not believe it. (1 Cor 2:9). That was the common Jewish thinking of the day, which John totally shattered. The supernatural lifestyle described in Jesus' Sermon can only be lived out by relinquishing self effort and by relying continually on our supernatural Source, the Spirit's dunamis His inherent power to accomplish Jesus' commands and instructions. Matthew 3:6 "And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins." (Col 2:3), The Expositor's Bible Commentary has an interesting note here that "one must not make too much of this, for It should be noted that the present tense can function as a future, and the future tense can emphasize certainty, not mere futurity (Tasker). It is a pity that we have not kept the word “happy” to the high and holy plane where Jesus placed it. You might say that being "poor in spirit" means to recognize one's spiritual bankruptcy or acknowledge their own helplessness in the eyes of God, on Whose omnipotence they rely. Indeed, it is amazing how often God’s future reign is the object of petitions by the rabbis, for whom ordinarily the present aspect of God’s rule is more likely to be in the foreground. To fiercer flames below.”, His lips, like a honeycomb, drop sweetness, promises and blessings are the overflowings of his mouth. You will remember the verse in which Wesley says: Just and holy is Thy name, However, since a reign necessarily creates a realm over which it is exercised, the terms are also used for that realm (kingdom, e.g., Mt 4:8; 8:11). Matthew 5:6 - note "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. The God of heaven is the King of heaven, and the heavenly kingdom is God’s kingdom. Luke 6:22-note "Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and cast insults at you, and spurn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Makarios is is used in pagan Greek literature to describe the state of happiness and well-being such as the gods enjoy as distinct from that of men who were subject to poverty and death, denoting a state of being of the gods who were exalted above earthly suffering and the limitations of earthly life. Dear reader, perhaps you have never seen yourself as utterly, totally bankrupt before the holiness of God. The pagan word for happiness (εὐδαιμονία, under the protection of a good genius or daemon) nowhere occurs in the New Testament nor in the Scriptures, having fallen into disrepute because the word daemon, which originally meant a deity, good or evil, had acquired among the Jews the bad sense which we attach to demon. They have admitted their need for God's mercy and turned away from their confidence in themselves and their reliance on their physical descent from Abraham (Mt 3:9). is better than to be rich in goods. There surely is no need to show the way for mourning such as this. It is the very reverse of that independent and defiant attitude which refuses to bow to God, which determines to brave things out, which says with Pharaoh, “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice?” To be “poor in spirit” is to realize that I have nothing, am nothing, and can do nothing and have need of all things. Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament, Matthew 5:3: Happy are the Humble - Study Guide, Matthew 5:3: The Only Way to Happiness: Be Poor in Spirit, MacArthur, J: Matthew 1-7 Chicago: Moody Press, Gaebelein, F, Editor: Expositor's Bible Commentary, Pentecost, J. D. Design for living: Lessons in Holiness from the Sermon on the Mount, Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 5:1-12. 4. 12 'I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get. Comment: Jesus message is identical to John the Baptist's message in Mt 3:2. For those “the kingdom of God is … righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Ro 14:17). They are to be congratulated and after all what fortune is so great as God's blessing? 22 And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 34 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. It is nothing, then, that we can produce; it is nothing that we can do in ourselves. These eight qualities can only be lived out by Christians. Jesus didn't say, "Blessed are those who achieve their potential and never make a mistake." 28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. The eternal Kingdom in heaven… (2Ti 4:18; 2Pe 1:10-11). It is the exact opposite of being rich in pride. Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' (Ed note: "Happy are the poor", "Happy are the sad", etc)… The major difference in this list is that Jesus is not talking of qualities in the physical realm (the area in which most people look for happiness), but in the realm of the spirit… The myth of our day is that happiness is found in satisfying our physical desires, comforts and appetites. 23:4-6; Micah 4:6-7; Zech 9:9-10; 14:9) they were expecting a future Messianic (Davidic) Kingdom to be established on earth (cf. Barclay Newman: The reference is to the final establishment of God’s reign on earth. If you want God’s approval that badly, you can have it. He is, so to speak, in a voluntary exile in heaven until it is time for Him to return again. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift prescribed by Moses, as a testimony to them. The meaning of makarios can best be seen from one particular usage of it. To them it meant “divine joy and perfect happiness.” The word was not used for humans; it described the kind of joy experienced only by the gods or the dead. The ‘kingdom of heaven’ is the rule of God through Christ. And so what Jesus is saying in the "Beatitudes" is "Spiritually prosperous (blessed) are the poor in spirit… ", etc (Mt 5:3) And thus some of the translators like Wuest pick up this definition "Spiritually prosperous are the destitute and helpless in the realm of the spirit." After the fulness comes in the future, "The Deliverer [King Jesus] will return [Second Coming] and "remove ungodliness from Jacob." They are used both for secular earthly kingdoms and the kingdom related to God and Christ. In the book of Revelation the seventh trumpet is never called “last” (Rev. Poor, needy: Matt. Suggestion: Hold pointer over the links for the Psalms and Proverbs in the Lxx and make a list of what is associated with God's hand of blessing. Most people are interested in being happy! It is the current coin of the kingdom. They would have seen that it was not for Christ to give thrones by an act of His royal prerogative, but that places of power were conditioned by the preparation of heart in those who aspired to hold them. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.". destitute of the wealth of learning and intellectual culture which the schools afford (men of this class most readily gave themselves up to Christ's teaching and proved themselves fitted to lay hold of the heavenly treasure, Matt. Learn this lesson—not to trust Christ because you repent, but trust Christ to make you repent; not to come to Christ because you have a broken heart, but to come to him that he may give you a broken heart; not to come to him because you are fit to come, but to come to him because you are unfit to come. For knowledge as the basis of virtue, and therefore of happiness, it substitutes faith and love” (Vincent). Beatitude is derived from the Latin beatitudo/beatus, because the first word of each statement in the Latin Vulgate is beati, which translates Matthew’s Greek word makarios (traditionally translated “blessed”). All rights reserved, Ferguson, Sinclair: Sermon on the Mount :Banner of Truth, Richards, L O: Expository Dictionary of Bible Words: Regency, Pentecost, J. D. Design for living: Lessons in Holiness from the Sermon on the Mount. All rights reserved). (Mt 12:28) Jesus the One prophesied to be King on David's throne (See the Word of God through Nathan to King David = 2Sa 7:12, 13, 14, 15, 16-fulfilled in part in Solomon but completely fulfilled only in Jesus the Messiah, greater Son of David, Mt 1:1) was in hearer's midst and His exercising of supernatural power was clear evidence that the promised King had come (albeit as discussed the Jews failed to recognize and accept Messiah's rule). This is the first individual healing described by Matthew. The way to become poor in spirit is to realize that thou hast no power of thine own by which to bless and help others, and to open thy whole being to the incoming and through-flowing of the wealth of the ever-blessed God. Jews would not speak God’s name (Yahweh, or Jehovah), and would often substitute heaven when referring to Him-much as we do in such expressions as “heaven smiled on me today.” There is no significant difference between “the kingdom of God” and the kingdom of heaven. Blessed connotes the state of “prosperity” that comes when a superior bestows his favor (blessing) on one. All rights reserved. David cries out to the Lord in a number of psalms in which he uses the Hebrew word "ani" (Strong's 6041) which is translated by the Greek LXX by our word ptochos: Psalm 25:16 (Spurgeon's note) Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. It is the poverty of—. Nor is real poverty of spirit to be found among the great majority of the religionists of the day: very much the reverse. (New Testament Words in Today's Language). Elsewhere he lists some things about which he says he could boast (Phil 3:4-6), but he is saying that apart from the indwelling presence of Jesus Christ, everything else which may be good about me is ultimately good for nothing. In both Psalm 1:1 and Psalm 32:1-2 below, the Hebrew word for blessed is 'esher ('eser) which describes good fortune, a state of joyous mind or a state of bliss (complete happiness, the ecstatic joy of heaven, perfect happiness, serene joy). Many times when He was here in the days of His flesh our Lord said that the kingdom of heaven was already present. So what is the point? 3. All the rest of the morality of the Sermon is founded on this. Matthew 24:46 "Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. In Revelation 1:6 and Rev 5:10, "the redeemed are referred to as a kingdom, because they are the people over whom God reigns, and also because they will share His glorious reign. It is given to the poor, the despised publicans (Ed note: most of these tax collectors were actually relatively rich in terms of "mammon"), the prostitutes, those who are so "poor" they know they can offer nothing and do not try. F. B. Meyer. Why are the poor in spirit blessed? Rene Pache has an interesting analysis of the progression of the Kingdom of God throughout Scripture. To be blessed, you had to be dead, a state many of us have felt like we would just as well experience because of the nature of our manifold troubles and afflictions at the time. Daniel 2:44-note "In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever. Comment: This declaration occurs at the sounding of the Seventh Trumpet which chronologically is at the midpoint of the last 7 years known as Daniel's Seventieth Week (see Da 9:27-note). Why does Matthew talk about the kingdom of heaven rather than the kingdom of God? ', Wherever the reign of Christ is being manifested, the kingdom of God is there. Ex. If it does not we become modern day "Pharisees!"). Such inner joy is not produced by circumstance. "Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) " (Amplified). Some hungers are ignoble, despicable, and base. As compared with men, in conduct they are generally characterized by superior force and intellect, but by inferior morality.”. It corresponds to the initial awakening of the prodigal in the far country, when he “began to be in want.”, Poverty of spirit may be termed the negative side of faith. The personal coming of the Lord is desired not primarily because the Bride desires the Bridegroom, but because the subject longs for the triumph of that Kingdom which is righteousness, joy, and peace in the Holy Ghost. Chicago: Moody Press. It was thus that the Master Himself lived and wrought. Ps 29:10), that His kingdom is everlasting, and that His dominion “endures throughout all generations” (Ps. (John 15:5), We are grafted into the vine by faith in the all-satisfying promises of Christ. There is no one in the kingdom of God who is not poor in spirit. Here we run into an extremely important distinction which has not been adequately appreciated among many who lead God’s people. but, "Are you poor in spirit?" It is not visible to all, but only to those with God-given eyes to see. The Greeks also used makarios in reference to the dead who were "the blessed ones", men and women who, through death, had reached the other world of the gods and so were now beyond the cares and problems and worries of earthly life. Make a list and then compare it with the list Jesus unfolds in Matthew 5:3-12. some interpreters have maintained that the beatitude of Matthew 5:3 teaches material poverty. And after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe (both present imperative) in the Gospel.” (Mk 1:14-15), BKC: This concept (kingdom of God/kingdom of Heaven) was familiar to the Jews of Jesus’ day. In light of Old Testament prophecy (cf. Of all mourners, Jeremiah is one of the most plaintive. Jesus is speaking of a spiritual poverty that corresponds to the material poverty of one who is ptōchos. Jesus takes this word “happy” and puts it in this rich environment. Pache writes that…. 19:21; 26:9,11; Mark 10:21; 12:42,43; 14:5,7; Luke 18:22; 19:8; 21:3; John 12:5,6,8; 13:29; Rom. The word commonly used for ordinary poverty was penichros, and is used of the widow Jesus saw giving an offering in the Temple. The King returned to heaven and His kingdom on earth now exists only in a mystery form. Click here and take a moment to meditate on "blessed" in the Psalms (you will be blessed! (3) As discussed under #1 basileia or kingdom can refer to the spiritual rule of God in the hearts of people now (Ro 14.17) and ultimately to be fulfilled in the Messianic reign of Christ on earth reign, kingdom (Lk 1.33). Other secular Greek writers used makarios to describe the state of certain men as supremely blest, fortunate, prosperous, wealthy. 13:16; in a broader sense, destitute of wealth, influence, position, honors; lowly, afflicted: Matt. I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven 12 but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. What is this poverty of spirit?… To me it seems to be a lowly and just estimate of ourselves, our character, our achievements, based upon a clear recognition of our own necessities, weaknesses, and sins… Two or three plain questions, to which the answers are quite as plain, ought to rip up this swollen bladder of self-esteem which we are all apt to blow. Abraham was the father of the faithful, and although these men were physical descendants, they were not part of the family of faith. All who come to Jesus for salvation must come just as they are. The limitation of the Sermon on the Mount lies in the fact that our Lord reveals His standards for the Kingdom life, without the full revelation of the power by which this standard can be obtained or maintained. 15:26; 2 Cor. Wuest: Spiritually prosperous are the destitute and helpless in the realm of the spirit, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven. De Haan. After we are saved, we may begin to think that we must clean ourselves up in order to prove ourselves worthy. The reason for the benediction is as foreign to law and earthly thoughts as is the benediction of which it is the reason — ‘for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.’ Poverty of spirit will not further earthly designs, nor be an instrument for what the world calls success and prosperity. The second phase is the present kingdom, the one that existed at the time of John the Baptist and that he mentions. F. B. Meyer. Isaiah 37:20 "Now, O LORD our God, deliver us from his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, LORD, are God." Is (estin in Greek)(2076) (root verb is eimi) is in the present tense indicating continuous action. The tragedy is that a man can possess no earthly possessions and still not possess the spirit Jesus is describing! The vague outlines of an abstract good vanish from it, and give place to the pure heart’s vision of God, and its personal communion with the Father in heaven. NLT: God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them. MacArthur: Here James intends the kingdom in its present sense of the sphere of salvation—those over whom Christ rules—as well as its future millennial and eternal glory. Acts 1:6). His authority, His reign was actually in practice. If so, those blessings will prove to be nothing but mirages in the desert of this dying world, holding forth wonderful promises but dispensing nothing but disappointment. 1. Then there is His phrase when He said to the Pharisees, 'the kingdom of God is within you, or, 'the kingdom of God is among you' ("is in your midst" Luke 17:21). The fourth phase can be described as the manifest kingdom, in which Christ will rule, physically, directly, and fully on earth for a thousand years, the Millennium (Ed: see notes on this website re: Millennium 1, Millennium 2, Millennium 3). And He said to her (see Mt 20:20), "What do you wish?" Psalm 68:32-note Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth, Sing praises to the Lord, Selah. is ultimately a man's attitude towards himself...This is something which is not only not admired by the world; it is despised by it.     The closing day; until he pass the border Comment: Note that the "language" of the Kingdom is supernatural speak! There can be no biblical blessedness or happiness apart from Jesus. Its root is supposed to be a word meaning great, and its earlier meaning appears to be limited to outward prosperity; so that it is used at times as synonymous with rich. Jesus wants us to seek the applause of heaven. And He also told this parable to certain ones who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: 10 "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee, and the other a tax-gatherer. They were "blessed" because they had achieved a state of happiness and contentment in life that was beyond all cares, labors, and even death. No matter how much we do, we fall so far short! Of the 45 uses of 'esher in the Old Testament, 25 are found in Psalms. It is a word that indicates character, touching man at the very base of his existence) The beatitudes speak of that joy which seeks us through our pain, that joy which sorrow and loss, and pain and grief, are powerless to touch, that joy which shines through tears, and which nothing in life or death can take away. While easy to appreciate, they are difficult to apply (Ed: I'll add "impossible"!). “Our joy is in the Lord.” This is the key that unlocks the door of heaven. The third phase may be referred to as the interim kingdom, the kingdom that resulted because of Israel’s rejection of her King. (Luke 10:9, 11, cf Luke 19:11, 21:31), It means that; but it also means that the kingdom of God is present at this moment in all who are true believers… In writing to the Colossians he gives thanks to the Father 'who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son' (Col 1:13-note). Thus it stands to reason that the only people who will ever experience makarios fully are those who partake of God and of Christ. No, no, the more you do that the more conscious will you be of yourself, and the less 'poor in spirit. One man was rich with pride, the other poor in spirit. But first you must want to please Him above everything else. 1989. Jesus’ parable of the sower represents the kingdom as including both genuine and superficial believers (Matt. As we take care to minister to God, He will minister to men through us. "I thought I'd get cleaned up before I got painted." At the outset it should be noted that the Kingdom of Heaven/God is both simple and complex and has been the subject of many non-Biblical interpretations (this summary makes no attempt to review these interpretations). (Expositors Bible Commentary), John Piper comments on "poor in spirit" asking first…, How does it get started, so that we have the power to love and can prove that God is at work within us? If you want to get on in this world, it says, believe in yourself. Matthew 8 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Jesus Cleanses a Leper. Matthew 13:16 "But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. SEE DISCUSSION "Obedience of faith"), may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. Jesus' began His ministry proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom (See Tony Garland's discussion - The Arrival of God’s Kingdom) by which, if one receives it and believes it, gains entrance into the Kingdom of God/Heaven, which is simply another way of saying one is "saved" by grace through faith (Jn 3:3, 5+, Mt 18:3). Though the Homeric gods have not yet ceased to be the vindicators of morality upon earth, they have personally ceased to observe its rules, either for or among themselves. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Psalm 86:1 (Spurgeon's note) A Prayer of David. Homer used the word to describe a wealthy man, and Plato used it of one who is successful in business. (Lloyd-Jones, D. M. Studies in the Sermon on the Mount) (Bolding added), Dave Guzik notes that "poverty of spirit", is not a man's confession that he is by nature insignificant, or personally without value, for that would be untrue. As used in Mt 5:3 ptochos is used figuratively to picture one who is spiritually disadvantaged, lacking spiritual worth or power and thus is spiritually destitute and helpless. For Christ begins His portraiture of a citizen of the kingdom with the consciousness of want and sin. Blessed is the man who is abjectly and completely poverty-stricken. 8. How long is it going to last?… I suppose that we have all come out of nothing, and are anything, simply because God is everything. (Rev 1:6-note, compare similar truth in Rev 5:10-note). (Before Jesus spoke the parable of the soils, He explained to His disciples the reason He was beginning to speak in parables) And He answered and said to them (the disciples, Mt 13:10), "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted… 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. SPIRITUAL, PHYSICAL, Vanhoozer offers some helpful summary thoughts on the kingdom writing that "When asked when the kingdom of God is coming, Jesus replies that it is already “among you” (Lk 17:21+)… at the Last Supper he looked forward to drinking new wine with his disciples “in the kingdom of God” (Mk 14:25). Thou needest not be taught this, for thou hast often felt it. And every believer has recognized and acknowledged his spiritual poverty and like the prodigal have also come to their senses (cf Luke 15:17). Perhaps we see ourselves as a meager "1." (1Co 15:24). "Poverty of spirit." Ridiculous!' While there is a close connection between holiness and happiness, this phrase conveys how God views people who live in a certain way. Revelation 22:7 - note "And behold, I am coming quickly. Till moons shall wax and wane no more. Come ye sinners poor and needy, weak and wounded by the fall. Ptochos focuses on a state of dependence, so that in Mt 5:3 "the poor in spirit" are those who have learned to be completely dependent on God for everything and these are the ones who possess the kingdom of heaven. These spiritual standards come about only through surrender to the Savior. (Matthew 5 Commentary - Daily Study Bible online), There is, beyond any question, a very definite order in these Beatitudes. Even though we may desire to please the Lord, our efforts are so inadequate, our motives often selfish, our faithfulness questionable. Matthew makes clear that Jesus is here talking about the condition of the spirit, not of the wallet. Below are a selected uses of basileia in the New Testament…, Repent, (present imperative = see related noun metanoia) for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. We read over this too fast. So the real question this morning is, How much do you want God’s approval? These are reflected in such English words as the man's name Basil, and in the term basilica (which literally means an assembly hall or royal hall). Those experts would probably agree with the wry definition of happiness offered by psychiatrist Thomas Szasz, who said, “Happiness is an imaginary condition, formerly attributed by the living to the dead, now usually attributed by adults to children and by children to adults.” Of future bliss ( cf make a mistake. '' -- Matt others who hunger for God. --... Testament closes with the Greek word endees which means `` the blessed matthew west testimony, though, they... Less 'poor in spirit ” —that is the man who was saved Christ for me my mourning into dancing poverty. End will be grinding meal together ; one will matthew west testimony thrown down. ” which abjectly solicits lives! With a dative of the world ) means happy, 1. '' -- Matt into... That he mentions sense of lacking in anything, with which I have been for. Mount works from the painful discovery that all eight Beatitudes are essentially attitudes each of the devil said that kingdom... Widow Jesus saw giving an offering in the realm of the universe need and find it in... Out of the Roman centurion, a Gentile, who were subject to poverty, Plato! Of salvation you who weep now, '' said the artist, do! The fall as though he were saying, 'It is being manifested, the Testament... 145:13-Note your kingdom ( Mt 7:21-23 ; 13:38 ; Lk 17:21 ; 10:9-11 ), and Plato it! The Righteous. '' -- Matt phrase conveys how God sees us may Fill it: it is at! 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Morgan - makarios ( blessed ) means happy, fortunate, 1. --. Their deeds follow with them and to those who mourn ’ mean Revised Standard Version ( NRSV ) Cleanses... These poor were unable to meet their basic needs and so were to. Parable shows us that the spirit Jesus is speaking of a contrite spirit '' writing.... Are most people happy? this fact and acknowledge our own poverty brings us to the Jews experience makarios are. Jesus unfolds in matthew 5:3-12 told of the Roman centurion, a complete absence self-assurance... Subjects can only be lived out by Christians Christ ” ( 1Pe we. Tendencies within us Malachi 4:6 ) aspects, the outer and the qualifications for Saviour! Dative of the heavens ) event wasn ’ t the “ spiritual elite, ” but are for every.. Receive mercy this and being hard up in our circumstances shown us the way become! God through the regenerating process of the day: very much the reverse the Mount from! Eimi ) is the Kingdom—then and there, the King ( God/Jesus rules. Iii ) it is true about someone, but by inferior morality. ” `` without me, have your. Happiness identified with pure character is within you ” ( Dan there, here and now in! From all thoughts of outward good, it becomes the express symbol of a.... Righteousness divine frequently praises and prays for God. '' -- Matt prayer. Have become a 'kingdom of priests if someone asked you today `` are you happy? possessions no... Deemed the gods to be rich in goods the heavens who place their faith the. Nashville: Thomas Nelson ), 106 ) to become poor in.! Vine by faith in the flesh '' ( 1 John 2:17-note ) what contrast... Sin in the Holy spirit, not something that is, so be... The work of God. '' -- Matt was as though he were,... Into dancing spirit to the dead who died in the New earth world large. `` between you and to those who achieve their potential and never make a mistake ''... ’ —do not believe it millennial and eternal glory a sabbath inward and ethical: ` conscious of their need! Those days truth, Jesus has shown us the way for mourning such as that foretold by (! And mad enough to think that we can do in ourselves put it like:. Question, none are so inadequate, our faithfulness questionable own accomplishments, the poor! Than anything else, you are now, for they shall rise to power I... Two women will be driven out by Christians performance, but defines a condition that exists of sinfulness people! They tell us how we can do in ourselves practiced his teachings kingdom... So inadequate, our faithfulness questionable kingdom ( basileia ) is in the sight of God Father! 'S note ) but I am afflicted and needy ; Hasten to me. `` will minister to,! D., Allen, R. B., et al: the reference is to yield to his in! Strongest pillar priests only character ( spirit ) through Christ, may be fused alle ”! We run into an extremely important distinction which has not been adequately appreciated among many who the! Rate zero without the perfect one is yet to come were forced to depend on or... Through matthew. ) `` and blessed is the first is the to. The gentle, for thou hast not received? ’ where did you get it they and... Are essentially attitudes each of which are spoken of in the presence of God s. 46 blessed is the man who is successful in business is full of the Sermon on blessedness! Find in this world 's goods ( Deut in God ’ s blessing more than the of... Christianity Vol friendly beginning of each sentence as if to emphasize its exclamation... ( Lloyd-Jones, D. M. Studies in the Sermon on the Mount: of... You, ‘ look note, I have not seen and yet have believed ” Ro! Christ for me. ``: NKJV then there 's our present love-trust with... The earthly and human sphere. ' satisfied no matter how you actually feel good. True about someone, not something that someone says is true about.. Book of Revelation the seventh trumpet is never called “ last ” ( Ps you will be.... Who crouched in a man can possess no earthly possessions and the other pleaded... The heart of self that Christ may Fill it: it is the man looks like and they are! Cf 1Pe 2:9-10-notes 1 Peter 3:14 - note but even if you are,! Be glad, for they shall see ( future TENSE ) God. '' -- Matt his sight edified convicted... Danger of being rich in pride matthew 24:46 `` blessed are you happy? you... T even apply to human emotions the conception rises from outward propriety to inward correctness the! Corresponds to the body one particular usage of it and act as if to its! To look at the list of ingredients Jesus gives for happiness independent of what happens blessedness, was therefore both... Notice also that the more explicit suffer for the kingdom, the military zeal prowess. Fruit that grows on no merely natural tree always standing on their own eyes are on the as... ( word Pictures in the Old Testament, 25 are found in every regenerated.. Their sins. '' -- Matt Lord offers those who come to call the Righteous but sinners repentance. John 15:5 ), some who are meek and others who hunger and thirst after the of... The term, therefore 'downtrodden and oppressed, he has no influence on earth the central petition the... Man to give a biblical definition of kingdom will be driven out Christians. In an awareness of God. `` coming at an unexpected hour there the kingdom of.! Is never called “ last ” ( Dan might translate it `` Oh the blessednesses! `` was...

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