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Happy = God Ruling You

Matthew 5:3

Review

• Overarching theme: Living a righteous life John 10:10
• ‘Blessed’: A state of well-being and joy not affected by circumstances. An inward contentedness. To be happy

“Kingdom of Heaven”

• Matthew uses kingdom of heaven, kingdom of God, saved, and eternal life interchangeably. Matthew 19:16-26
• The Kingdom of Heaven and of God is revealed as present right now. Matthew 4:17; Mathew 12:28
• The Kingdom of Heaven and of God refers to God’s rule and authority in the lives of people. Colossians 1:13; Philippians 2:9-11
• The Kingdom of Heaven and of God must be received with faith as a little child. Mark 10:14,15
• The Kingdom of Heaven and of God is experienced only through a second birth. John 3:3
• The Kingdom of Heaven and of God is to be what believers seek first. Matthew 6:33
• The Kingdom of heaven and of God is the established rule and reign of God over everything forever. 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Revelation 21:1

Life Principle #1: True happiness comes to those who possess the rule of God in their lives.

“Poor in Spirit”

Explained

• Being ‘poor in spirit’ does not mean to be spiritually weak.
• Being ‘poor in spirit’ does not mean to be in financial poverty. Luke 6:20; Luke 12:15; Matthew 19:23
• Deuteronomy 10 – Warning: don’t forget me when you gain material blessings in the promise land
• Being ‘poor in spirit’ does not mean a false humility .
• Being ‘poor in spirit’ is to live life recognizing your complete helplessness before God; that without God you are in spiritual poverty and overwhelming spiritual need. Psalm 103:13,14
• Being ‘poor in spirit’ is to live life knowing that the real blessings of life and eternity come only from a right relationship with God. Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 1:3; Isaiah 6:5-7
• Being ‘poor in spirit’ is to live life acknowledging that you are no better, no more superior than the next person.

Examples

• The Tax collector’s ‘poor in spirit’ posture before God Luke 18:13-14
• Peter ‘poor in spirit’ awareness when seeing the real Jesus Luke 5:8
• Paul’s ‘poor in spirit’ self assessment Romans 7:18-25
• Jesus sacrificial service 2 Corinthians 8:9

Evidences

• Turning your primary attention away from the things of this world.  Matthew 6:25
• Turning your primary attention to God and His kingdom. Matthew 6:33; Romans 12:1,2

Jesus’ Rock Solid Principles for Living: An Introduction

Matthew 5:1-2


Important because….

• Everyone’s desperate need is revealed in these principles.
• God's prescription for happiness and success are found in these principles.
• How to please the Lord with our life is found in these principles.

Overarching theme: Living a righteous life

• Righteousness given Romans 3:21-22
• Righteousness lived Matthew 5:20; 2 Corinthians 5:17
• Jesus’ summary: Matthew 7:24-27
• Jesus’ strategy v.1-2; Matthew 9:36-38
• He saw the crowd with eyes of compassion.
• He focused on training his followers. Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Timothy 2:2
• Jesus’ desire:  for you to be blessed
•  “Blessed” = Happy John 15:11
• “Blessed” - A state of well-being and joy not affected by circumstances; an inward contentedness
• Psalm 1 – O the blessedness of…
• Jesus’ radical route to true happiness 1 John 2:15-16; Matthew 6:19-21

 
 
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly”
(John 10:10, NAS)

Courageous Mothers

Luke 1:26-38, 46-55

• A courageous Mother exercises trust in God from the very beginning and in all
• circumstances (vv.34-38). Proverbs 3:5-6
• A courageous mother knows God through his Word – she is a student of the Word (vv.46-55). 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 5:12-14
• A courageous mother stays faithful to God’s call as a mother. John 19:25-27; Acts 1:14

“Charm is deceitful, and beauty does not last;
but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised”
(Proverbs 31:30, NLT).

Self-Control

1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Titus 2:11-14; Galatians 5:22-23; Romans 7:18

Self-control:  The control of self by The Spirit.


It is not: 

• Uncontrolled lust  Proverbs 6:26
• Uncontrolled spending  Proverbs 21:20
• Uncontrolled ambition Proverbs 23:4
• Uncontrolled drinking Proverbs 23:29-30
• Uncontrolled anger Proverbs 29:11; Proverbs 25:28

A Self-Controlled Life 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

• A life with goals  v. 24
• Our Vision
• Share the good news of Christ with others.
• Model Christ in all aspects of life.
• Engage in loving relationships with other believers.
• Surrender our lives joyfully to God.
• Serve God and others with our abilities and resources.
• A life with discipline v. 25
• A life with focus v. 25-26
• A life with God directed thinking  v.27; Romans 12:1-2

A key to living the self-controlled life is God’s grace. Titus 2:11-14

• Grace redeems us. v. 11, 14
• Grace reforms us (12, 14b).  v. 12, 14
• Grace rewards us. v. 13; Galatians 5:16, 25

Fruit of the Spirit Self Assessment Test (doc)

Gentleness

Galatians 5:22-23

• Understanding Gentleness Matthew 5:5; Titus 3:2
• Gentleness is Strength under Control. Matthew 21:5; Matthew 26:52-53; John 13:3-5; Numbers 12:6-8; Numbers 12:13; Matthew 11:28-29
• Demonstrating Gentleness
• Demonstrate gentleness by not acting like a know it all.  1 Thessalonians 2:7
• Demonstrate gentleness by sharing the gospel with humility to people far from God. 1 Peter 3:15
• Demonstrate gentleness by helping restore believers who are struggling with sin. Galatians 6:1
• Demonstrate gentleness by treating others as VIP’s. Philippians 2:3-5; James 3:16-17
• Demonstrate gentleness by speaking words of  encouragement to others. James 3:6-8; Ephesians 4:29
• Demonstrate gentleness by being patient when disappointed by others. Ephesians 4:2; 1 Kings 19:11-12

“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near”

(Philippians 4:5, NIV).

Gentleness:I am able to bear the slights of others and refrain from reaction while maintaining a tranquil, humble spirit.

Responses to the Empty Tomb

John 20:1-18
 

• John, the believer 1 Corinthians 15:3-7; 1 John 1:1; 1 John 5:13
• Peter, the skeptic  Luke 24:12
• Mary, the broken-hearted: Jesus had brought release, peace, forgiveness, and hope to her life. John 1:12-13

 
 “…Now we live with a wonderful expectation because Jesus Christ rose again from the dead.” For God has reserved a priceless inheritance for His children. It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.” 1 Peter 1:3-4, NLT

CHRIST IS RISEN!

HE IS RISEN INDEED!

 
 
Resources

• www.pleaseconvinceme.com
• www.str.org  (Stand To Reason)
• The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel