Am I a part of the Kingdom of God?
What is the Kingdom of God?
The Kingdom of God is not a Kingdom that uses force but it is a revolutionary Kingdom.
It is a Spiritual Kingdom.
It is a Kingdom that changes people from the inside out.
It is a Kingdom that offers hope, peace, joy, and fills the very deepest longings of our hearts.
It is a Kingdom that you and I can be a part of when we are willing to follow Jesus.
What does following Jesus mean to you?
The Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 6
What does Jesus say about giving alms?
Matthew 6:1 ¶ Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
What are Alms?
-Acts or deeds of compassion given or done for those who are in need.
Almsgiving is not only giving of one’s money but alms can be given in many ways.
Notice that Jesus did not say, if you give alms but when you give alms.
A person that is a part of God’s Kingdom is not going to be a selfish person but he or she will be a very giving person.
Selfishness will only hinder and tear down a relationship whether it is with Jesus or a close friend or companion.
Selflessness is the key to building relationships that will last.
How are we to give?
What are some things that we should not do and why?
2. Do not sound a trumpet.
3. Do not seek glory from men.
How should we give?
Matthew 6:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
What does Jesus say about prayer?
Matthew 6:5 ¶ And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
What are some things that we should not do when we pray?
What was wrong with the hypocrites?
-they loved to pray in public to be seen of men.
What kind of reward do the hypocrites get?
2. Do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do.
Why?
Because God already know what we need before we even ask.
Does God only want us to talk to him or does he want to talk to us?
Matthew 6:9-13
After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
What does Jesus say about forgiveness?
Matthew 6:14-15
Is forgiveness important or even necessary?
What is the opposite of forgiveness?
Have you ever been taken advantage of?
Have you ever experienced emotional or physical abuse?
Can a person find healing through resentment or bitterness?
Unforgiveness will always cause bitterness and resentment.
In order to find healing emotionally and spiritually:
2. I need to let go and allow the love of God to flow through me.
3. I need to show mercy even when the offender does not deserve mercy.
Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Luke 6:37 ¶ Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
What is forgiveness?
Is forgiveness a choice?
To forgive means:
2. To cancel a debt.
3. To grant pardon to a person.
4. To cease to feel resentment against.
5. To pardon an offence or an offender.
Matthew 18:21 ¶ Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
How should I forgive?
Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Colossians 3:12 ¶ Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Examples of forgiveness:
Jesus forgave those that crucified Him.
Luke 23:33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Stephen forgave those that stoned him.
Acts 7:60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Have I forgiven the offender?
Have I forgiven that person that has deeply hurt me or continues to hurt me?
When I choose not to forgive:
2. I become so focused on my own pain, that I often begin hurting others without being aware of it.
The more we comprehend how much we have been forgiven, the easier it is for us to forgive others.
Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.