Main scriptures for this study:
1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matt.5:3
2. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Mtt.5:10
3. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. Matt.23:26
4. Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, 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.17:20-21
A. Belong to the poor in spirit! Matt.5:3
1. The poor in spirit is a wrong translation!
2. Each human has spirit and soul and body! 1Thes.5:23
3. The soul who sinned is the one who will die! Eze.18:20
4. At dead of the body, spirit returns to God who gave it. Ecc.12:7
5. At dead of the body, it returns to dust. Ecc.12:7
6. It is the soul that needs to know the truth which can save souls! James 1:21
7. Adam was created to be a living soul. Gen.2:7
8. Therefore, it should be translated as the poor in soul!
The soul is destitute in New Testament Bible knowledge with strong desire to have it!
As a hungry baby craves for pure spiritual milk! 1Pet.2:1-2
B. Belong to the persecuted because of righteousness! Matt.5:10
1. What kinds of people persecute righteousness doing people? Obviously, people belong to Satan!
2. The kingdom of heaven is about righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit! Ro.14:17
3. The kingdom of heaven is the church of Christ!
4. God lays up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. Pro.2:7
5. Otherwise, why do you think we, in the church of Christ, are granted to know these truths!
C. Kingdom of God is within you! Lk.17:20-21
1. This was a reply to the Pharisees! Jesus classified Pharisees as hypocrites and blind!
How can kingdom of heaven be within hypocrites and blind people!?
2. By the grace of God I found this from the Greek dictionary!
The Greek word that translated as within is about the souls inside them!
3. Kingdom of heaven is about salvation of the souls live in them!
4. In the same place I found Jesus said in Matt.23:26.
To the blind Pharisee Jesus said: First clean the inside of the cup and dish then the outside will be clean!
This means cleanse sins that were in their souls!
5. Kingdom of heaven belongs to people whose souls are without sins!
6. The best way to this is be perfect as the Father in heaven is perfect! Matt.5:48
7. The only way for souls to stay free from sins is to be in the church of Christ!
D. A few words about the predestined!
1. When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord.
And all who were appointed for eternal life believed. Ac.13:48
2. And those God predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified;
those he justified, he also glorified. Ro.8:30
3. God predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ,
in accordance with his pleasure and will -- Eph.1:5
4. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything
in conformity with the purpose of his will. Eph.1:11
5. This is how God predestined for the salvation of the souls!
a. He who believes and is baptized will be saved! (The soul is saved!)
b. Apostle Peter put it this way!
Repent and be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Ac.2:38
c. Apostle Paul put it this way --> Get up and be baptized and wash away your sins! Ac.22:16
d. Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you grow up in your salvation! 1Peter 2:1-2
E. Conclusion:
1. Kingdom of heaven belongs to souls full of New Testament truths!
2. Kingdom of heaven belongs to those persecuted for doing righteousness!
3. Kingdom of heaven belongs to souls that are without sin!
4. Kingdom of heaven belongs to the people in the church of Christ!
May the Lord bless you and keep you always! Preach this March 10, 2019.
VIDEO SERMON BY BROTHER CHAN ON March 10, 2019