Upside-Down Kingdom

u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2 class=u0022wp-block-headingu0022u003eIntroductionu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennOur lesson this week kicks off the summer quarter of 2023.  The title for this quarter of lessons is titled:  Christ Proclaims the Kingdom.  The first unit of lessons for the month of June is titled:  Understanding God’s Kingdom; we will be taking a look at a u003cemu003epicture u003c/emu003eof God’s kingdom.  In our lesson this week, we will take a look at who will u003cemu003einhabit u003c/emu003ethe kingdom of God as taught to Jesus in His sermon on the mount.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2 class=u0022wp-block-headingu0022u003eAn Upside-Down Kingdomu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennI really love the title of our Sunday School lesson this week because I have never nicknamed the kingdom of God as an u003cemu003eupside-down u003c/emu003ekingdom, but it really is an upside-down kingdom.  The fact that it is upside-down speaks to the heavenly kingdom being the u003cemu003etotal u003c/emu003eopposite to kingdoms that are of the world.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3 class=u0022wp-block-headingu0022u003eThe poor inhabitantsu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennOur lesson opens up with Jesus going up on the mount away from the multitude to teach to the twelve in private (vss.1-2).  The beatitudes are Jesus’ u003cemu003efirst u003c/emu003erecorded teachings that we find in scripture, though scripture does tell us He had previously been teaching and performing miracles (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.+4%3A17%2C+23-25u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMatt. 4:17, 23-25u003c/au003e), while also gathering together the twelve (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.+4%3A18-22u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMatt. 4:18-22u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe beatitudes open with Jesus saying, “u003cemu003eBlessedu003c/emu003e are the u003cemu003epoor u003c/emu003ein spirit, for u003cemu003etheirs u003c/emu003eis the u003cemu003ekingdom u003c/emu003eof heaven (v.3).”  Before we get into the first inhabitants of the kingdom, I feel we need to talk about the word “blessed”.  What does it mean to be blessed?  To be blessed means that one is happy.  To be very specific about this meaning, being blessed means that one is not happy from u003cemu003eworldly u003c/emu003e(material) things, but happy from u003cemu003eGod’s u003c/emu003eprovidence!nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, the first inhabitants from mankind to be of the kingdom of heaven, Jesus says, are those that are u003cemu003epoor u003c/emu003ein spirit.  To understand this statement clearly, let’s sub in the word “happy” for the word blessed in that verse.  So, we now get this statement:  happy are the poor u003cemu003ein spiritu003c/emu003e, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennLet’s be even more clear in that Jesus was u003cemu003enot u003c/emu003espeaking about those who are physically poor or u003cemu003efinancially u003c/emu003epoor..  The reason I mention this is because when we think of someone being poor, our mind first goes to finances and then on to one being physically poor.  Jesus was speaking spiritually so we should think spiritually with these statements.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, on that note, we already see that the kingdom of heaven is an upside-down kingdom.  By worldly standards, no good kingdom is a broke and poor kingdom.  Those who are of great wealth, in the world, are those that are typically u003cemu003eseen u003c/emu003ein the kingdom; the poor and broke are always hidden.  Jesus’ first mention of the poor inhabiting the heavenly kingdom should not go unnoticed.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAs I just mentioned, wealth and finances – materials – is not the determining factor whether one enters heaven.  You see, the u003cemu003esoul u003c/emu003eis the determining factor as to who will inhabit the kingdom.  The poor soul, I want you to understand, is the soul that u003cemu003elacksu003c/emu003e u003cemu003erighteousnessu003c/emu003e; the one that recognizes this and turns to the Lord will inhabit the heavenly kingdom.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3 class=u0022wp-block-headingu0022u003eThe broken and lowly inhabitantsu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSpeaking of broke, Jesus then said that those who u003cemu003emourn u003c/emu003eare blessed (happy) because they will be comforted (v.4).  Who are those that mourn?  Those who grieve because of all of their afflictions, infirmities, and those that grieve under the heavy weight of the burden of their sins.  Those who mourn, spiritually, and turn to the Lord, they find comfort in the world, and in God’s kingdom, they will mourn no more.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThis, again, speaks to a great difference between the kingdoms of the world and the kingdom of heaven.  How so?  Because in the world, those who are afflicted rarely have their afflictions eased by another; they often end up suffering under oppression.  However, in the kingdom of God, those that grieve are u003cemu003enot u003c/emu003eforgotten, they are comforted.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennJesus then said to the disciples, “blessed are the u003cemu003emeeku003c/emu003e, for they shall inherit the earth (v.5).”  Who are the meek?  To be meek means that one is able to endure injury (affliction) with patience and u003cemu003ewithout u003c/emu003eresentment; they are submissive (lowly) rather than violent.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIn the world, meekness is essentially frowned up and mocked as being a sign of weakness; you are to u003cemu003efight u003c/emu003erather than to be accepting.  Now, I can certainly understand the value of fighting for what is right – justice – rather than just laying down and accepting what is wrong.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSpiritually speaking, however, patience is a great virtue.  It is when we lack patience that we get ourselves into the biggest messes spiritually.  Yet, throughout scripture, we are encouraged to u003cemu003ewait u003c/emu003eon the Lord.  Jesus taught in the beatitudes that those who wait on the Lord will inherit the u003cemu003e‘earth’u003c/emu003e.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennOn that note, we need to talk about what is meant here by inheriting the earth.  Someone will wonder why the others are inheriting the kingdom but the lowly are merely inheriting the earth.  In this case, Jesus was not talking about inheriting the world but was still talking about inheriting heaven; the earth meant as the u003cemu003e‘land’ u003c/emu003eof the kingdom of heaven.  To be clear, the Lord was u003cemu003enot u003c/emu003esaying that our world today will be heaven.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAs we know, from the book of Revelation, there will be a new heaven (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev.+21%3A1u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eRev. 21:1u003c/au003e).  The inhabitants of the new heaven, thus far, are those who were poor in their soul, aggrieved in their soul, and patient in their soul.  Jesus has said that those souls put up with much in the world but they are happy because they have been promised an eternal home in God’s kingdom.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3 class=u0022wp-block-headingu0022u003eThe hungry, but fed inhabitantu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe next inhabitants in the heavenly kingdom, are those that are hungry and thirsty for u003cemu003erighteousness u003c/emu003e(v.6).  In our world, the hungry and thirsty end up scouring in all sorts of places just to put something into their bellies; they become beggars begging for scraps.  This thought puts me in mind of the u003cemu003erich man u003c/emu003eand the beggar that was named Lazarus (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+16%3A19-27u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eLuke 16:19-27u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennJesus’ sharing of this story, which I don’t believe was a parable but were two real people, is a clear representation of how the kingdom of our world works.  In the parable, the rich man had u003cemu003eeverything u003c/emu003ewhile the beggar had nothing; the beggar literally sat outside the rich man’s gates u003cemu003ebegging u003c/emu003efor the u003cemu003ecrumbs u003c/emu003eoff his table to eat.  The rich man could have given to the beggar but he u003cemu003enever u003c/emu003edid; the beggar was left in poor health.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWhen they both died, the beggar went on to Abraham’s bosom while the beggar went to the place of torments in Hades.  Why?  Because the beggar hungered not just for food but for righteousness as well; he sought for the Lord.  While he may have never been cared for in this earthly kingdom, the Lord took Him out of this world and cared for Him eternally.  If you are hungry for righteousness – if you truly seek for it – the Lord will feed you u003cemu003enow u003c/emu003eand for the rest of eternity in His heavenly kingdom.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3 class=u0022wp-block-headingu0022u003eThe merciful, the pure, and peaceful inhabitantsu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennJesus then said that the kingdom of heaven will be inhabited by those who are -merciful, pure in heart, and are peacemakers (vss.7-9).  When we hear about the merciful, the pure in heart, and peacemakers, we typically think of u003cemu003egood u003c/emu003epeople, right?  So, with that in mind, we need to make something very clear about the thought, “the good go to heaven”.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIn my most recent sermons – u003ca href=u0022https://newfoundfaith.org/tag/the-harvest-of-god-series/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eThe Harvest of Godu003c/au003e – I touched on the notion that good that is u003cemu003eof the worldu003c/emu003e is drastically different than good that is u003cemu003eof u003c/emu003eGod.  You see, the good of God is holy and righteous whereas good that is of the world is simply that – of the world.  In the lesson we had a couple weeks ago – u003ca href=u0022https://newfoundfaith.org/the-true-vine/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022 data-type=u0022postu0022 data-id=u002210788u0022u003eThe True Vineu003c/au003e – Jesus clearly stated that if you are u003cemu003eattached u003c/emu003eto Him, the true vine, then you become a withered branch that does not bear fruit that is holy and righteous (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15%3A6u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJohn 15:6u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennI can understand that this thought will be quite confusing because there are many good people in the world that do good but are u003cemu003eabsent u003c/emu003eof faith in the Lord.  While the good that they do is u003cemu003egoodu003c/emu003e, it is actually being done u003cemu003ein vain u003c/emu003ewhen it comes to inheriting everlasting life.  Paul said it best when he said, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; u003cemu003eit isu003c/emu003e the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph.+2%3A8u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eEph. 2:8u003c/au003e).”nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThis thought can be very troubling for many folks because it puts to rest the notion that u003cemu003eall u003c/emu003egood people go to heaven.  For one to truly know mercy and show mercy, they must come to accept God in their hearts.  For one to truly be pure, it is not them abstaining from things of the world but faith in the shed blood of Jesus washing them of their sins.  In order for one to know peace, they must u003cemu003eknow u003c/emu003ethe Lord’s peace and share it with those around them.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIn doing these things, those of faith, will be called the u003cemu003esons u003c/emu003eof God.  This is a thought Jesus later touched in when taught the Parable of the Wheat and Tares.  As I preached a couple weeks ago, Jesus said that those who the good seed took root in and grew in, would be called u003cemu003esons of the kingdom u003c/emu003e- the kingdom of heaven (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.+13%3A38u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMatt. 13:38u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3 class=u0022wp-block-headingu0022u003eThe persecuted inhabitantu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIn our world, the persecuted are rarely vindicated and are often relentlessly stereotyped and oppressed.  Honestly, such a thought speaks very poorly of the kingdom of the world because we should seek justice for one another, rather than allow the continued injustice and persecution of the innocent (Is. 59:4).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennMany of us are persecuted today because of our faith.  I had a discussion with a believer quite a few years ago about the concept of being persecuted because of having faith in God.  This young man believed he was being persecuted by others because he kept inserting himself and his face when people were clearly rejecting him and his testimony of the Lord.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennI explained to him, firstly, he was not being persecuted by those people; he was inserting himself in a place where he was already rejected.  As believers, Christ taught us that when we and our testimony of Him is rejected, we should shake the dust off our feet and go elsewhere (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.+10%3A14u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMatt. 10:14u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSecondly, I explained to him that it is not simply the flesh and blood that we wrestle against.  We are often concerned about those around us hating us because of our faith, but our true enemy is of the spirit.  As Paul said, we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph.+6%3A12u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eEph. 6:12u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennOur prosecutor is the devil and he comes at us with his army.  We are persecuted all day long by an enemy who does not want to see us flourish nor does he want the Lord to be happy.  So, as Paul said, we must put on the whole armor of God so that we can withstand Satan and his persecution of us (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph.+6%3A11u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eEph. 6:11u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennTo all of us, because we are u003cemu003eall u003c/emu003epersecuted by the devil, Jesus has said that ours is the kingdom of heaven and we are blessed (v.10).  Our lesson closes out on the note that we should all rejoice when we are persecuted by Satan and those around us because our reward is in heaven and not on earth.  You see, all of those who have believed in Christ will not perish but will have everlasting life; we will inhabit an upside-down kingdom, the kingdom of God.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e