Embracing Humility: The Path to God's Kingdom

Devotional

Day 1: Seeking God Wholeheartedly

When we seek God with all our hearts, we will find Him. This promise from Jeremiah 29:13 assures us that God is not distant or hiding; He desires to be found by us. Our worship, prayers, and study of God's Word are opportunities to seek and find Him. This pursuit of God is not a one-time event but a continuous journey. It requires dedication, sincerity, and a heart fully committed to knowing Him more deeply. As we seek God, we open ourselves to experiencing His presence, guidance, and love in profound ways.

In our daily lives, seeking God wholeheartedly means prioritizing our relationship with Him above all else. It involves setting aside time for prayer, immersing ourselves in Scripture, and being attentive to His voice. When we seek God with all our hearts, we align our desires with His will, and we begin to see His hand at work in every aspect of our lives. This wholehearted pursuit of God transforms us, drawing us closer to Him and deepening our faith. [12:04]

Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV): "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to seek God more wholeheartedly in your daily routine?

Day 2: The Right-Side-Up Kingdom

The Beatitudes in Matthew 5 provide a glimpse of the kingdom of heaven, which is contrary to worldly values. Jesus begins with "Blessed are the poor in spirit," highlighting that those who recognize their need for God are truly blessed. This kingdom is characterized by humility and dependence on God. In a world that often values self-sufficiency and pride, Jesus calls us to embrace a different perspective. The right-side-up kingdom of heaven turns our understanding of blessedness upside down, showing us that true blessing comes from recognizing our spiritual poverty and our need for God.

Living in the right-side-up kingdom means adopting the values and attitudes that Jesus teaches in the Beatitudes. It means valuing humility over pride, mercy over judgment, and peacemaking over conflict. As we embrace these kingdom values, we become more like Jesus and reflect His character to the world around us. This transformation is not about striving to meet a set of standards but about allowing God's grace to work in us, shaping us into the people He created us to be. [27:17]

Matthew 5:3 (ESV): "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Reflection: How can you embrace the values of the right-side-up kingdom in your interactions with others today?

Day 3: Dependence on God

Being "poor in spirit" means acknowledging our complete dependence on God. It is not about earning God's blessing but recognizing that we can do nothing without Him. This humility is the foundation of our relationship with God and our entry into the kingdom of heaven. When we come to God with empty hands, acknowledging our need for Him, we open ourselves to receive His grace and mercy. This posture of dependence allows us to experience the fullness of God's love and provision in our lives.

Dependence on God is a daily practice. It involves surrendering our plans, desires, and fears to Him, trusting that He will provide for our needs and guide us in His wisdom. As we cultivate this dependence, we grow in our faith and our understanding of God's character. We learn to rely on His strength rather than our own, and we find peace in knowing that He is in control. This dependence is not a sign of weakness but a recognition of our true source of strength and hope. [42:37]

John 15:5 (ESV): "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to acknowledge your dependence on God today?

Day 4: Fulfillment of Old Testament Promises

Jesus fulfills the promises of the Old Testament, such as those in Isaiah 61, which speak of bringing good news to the poor and binding up the brokenhearted. Jesus' ministry brings these promises to life, offering hope and restoration to those who follow Him. The fulfillment of these promises demonstrates God's faithfulness and His desire to bring healing and redemption to His people. As we see Jesus fulfilling these promises, we are reminded of the continuity of God's plan and His unwavering commitment to His covenant.

The fulfillment of Old Testament promises in Jesus' ministry also highlights the transformative power of the gospel. Jesus' message of good news is not just for the spiritually elite but for all who recognize their need for Him. He brings hope to the hopeless, healing to the broken, and freedom to the oppressed. As followers of Jesus, we are called to carry this message of hope and restoration to the world around us, embodying the love and compassion of Christ in our interactions with others. [53:08]

Isaiah 61:1 (ESV): "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound."

Reflection: How can you share the message of hope and restoration with someone in need today?

Day 5: The Already-But-Not-Fully Reality of the Kingdom

The kingdom of heaven is both a present and future reality. Jesus has brought the kingdom to us, and we are called to live in its values now while awaiting its full realization. Our task is to seek Jesus and embrace the kingdom's values, becoming more like Him in the process. This already-but-not-fully reality means that we experience glimpses of the kingdom here and now, even as we look forward to its complete fulfillment in the future.

Living in the already-but-not-fully reality of the kingdom involves a tension between the present and the future. We are called to live out the values of the kingdom in our daily lives, demonstrating love, justice, and mercy in our interactions with others. At the same time, we recognize that the fullness of the kingdom is yet to come, and we eagerly await the day when Jesus will return and make all things new. This anticipation fuels our hope and motivates us to persevere in our faith, knowing that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. [01:00:08]

1 Corinthians 13:12 (ESV): "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known."

Reflection: How can you live out the values of the kingdom of heaven in your daily life while anticipating its full realization?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good evening, everyone. It's a joy to gather for our Wednesday night Bible study at the First Baptist Church of Sulphur Springs. Tonight, we are reminded of the promise from Jeremiah 29:13 that when we seek God with all our hearts, we will find Him. This evening, we have the pleasure of witnessing the fruit of our prayers for more spiritual conversations, frequent baptisms, and greater spiritual depth in our church. Sandra Bauckham's conversation with her landscaper, Nolan White, led him to profess Jesus as his Lord and Savior, and tonight, we will baptize him.

We continue our study on the Beatitudes from Matthew 5, focusing on the first Beatitude: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, the longest single teaching in the Gospels, paints a picture of what it means to be a disciple. The Beatitudes, beginning with "Blessed are the poor in spirit," challenge our worldly notions of blessedness. Jesus uses the term "poor in spirit" to describe those who recognize their complete dependence on God, much like a beggar who has nothing and relies entirely on others.

This Beatitude is not about earning God's blessing through poverty of spirit but about recognizing our need for God. Jesus' message is that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who come to God with humility and empty hands, acknowledging that they can do nothing without Him. This teaching aligns with Old Testament promises, such as those in Isaiah 61, which speak of God's anointed one bringing good news to the poor and binding up the brokenhearted.

As we journey through the Beatitudes, we see that the kingdom of heaven is an already-but-not-fully reality. Jesus has brought the kingdom to us, and we await its full realization. Our task is not to strive to be poor in spirit or to mourn but to seek King Jesus and embrace the right-side-up kingdom of heaven. In doing so, we will see glimpses of this kingdom and become more like Jesus, whom God calls blessed.

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Key Takeaways

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2. The Beatitudes and the Right-Side-Up Kingdom: The Beatitudes in Matthew 5 provide a glimpse of the kingdom of heaven, which is contrary to worldly values. Jesus begins with "Blessed are the poor in spirit," highlighting that those who recognize their need for God are truly blessed. This kingdom is characterized by humility and dependence on God.

3. Dependence on God: Being "poor in spirit" means acknowledging our complete dependence on God. It is not about earning God's blessing but recognizing that we can do nothing without Him. This humility is the foundation of our relationship with God and our entry into the kingdom of heaven.

4. Fulfillment of Old Testament Promises: Jesus fulfills the promises of the Old Testament, such as those in Isaiah 61, which speak of bringing good news to the poor and binding up the brokenhearted. Jesus' ministry brings these promises to life, offering hope and restoration to those who follow Him.

5. The Already-But-Not-Fully Reality of the Kingdom: The kingdom of heaven is both a present and future reality. Jesus has brought the kingdom to us, and we are called to live in its values now while awaiting its full realization. Our task is to seek Jesus and embrace the kingdom's values, becoming more like Him in the process.

### [12:04]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[12:04] - Introduction and Prayer
[14:12] - Testimony and Baptism Announcement
[25:28] - Worship and Prayer
[27:17] - Introduction to the Beatitudes
[28:11] - Reading Matthew 5:1-10
[29:44] - Recap of Last Week's Study
[30:27] - The Sermon on the Mount Overview
[31:11] - Jesus' Teaching on Discipleship
[32:23] - The Call to Follow Jesus
[33:56] - The Role of a Disciple
[34:35] - The Beatitudes: A New Perspective
[36:06] - Worldly vs. Godly Blessedness
[37:58] - Understanding "Blessed"
[39:29] - The Kingdom of God is at Hand
[42:37] - Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
[46:07] - Jesus' Attention to the Poor
[49:28] - Salvation Through Jesus Alone
[51:51] - Jesus Fulfills Old Testament Promises
[56:34] - The Right-Side-Up Kingdom of Heaven
[60:08] - Already-But-Not-Fully Reality
[64:06] - Embracing the Kingdom Values
[64:38] - Closing Prayer and Baptism Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What promise does Jeremiah 29:13 give to those who seek God? How does this promise relate to our worship and prayer? [12:04]
In Matthew 5:3, what does Jesus mean by "poor in spirit"? How does this differ from being materially poor? [42:37]
According to Isaiah 61:1-3, what are some of the roles of the anointed one? How does Jesus fulfill these roles? [53:08]

Interpretation Questions

How does recognizing our complete dependence on God, as described in Matthew 5:3, shape our understanding of blessedness? [42:37]
What does it mean for the kingdom of heaven to be an "already-but-not-fully" reality? How does this concept affect our daily lives as believers? [01:00:08]
How do the promises in Isaiah 61:1-3 provide hope and restoration to those who follow Jesus? In what ways do we see these promises fulfilled in Jesus' ministry? [53:08]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you sought God with all your heart. What was the outcome? How can you make seeking God a more consistent part of your life? [12:04]
In what areas of your life do you struggle to acknowledge your dependence on God? How can you practice humility and recognize your need for Him more fully? [42:37]
How can you embrace the values of the kingdom of heaven in your daily interactions? What specific actions can you take to live out these values? [01:00:08]
Think of someone in your life who might be spiritually poor or brokenhearted. How can you bring the good news of Jesus to them this week? [53:08]
How does understanding the "already-but-not-fully" reality of the kingdom of heaven change your perspective on current struggles and future hopes? [01:00:08]
What steps can you take to ensure that your worship, prayers, and study of God's Word are wholehearted and genuine? How can you encourage others in your small group to do the same? [12:04]
Identify one area in your life where you need to let go of self-reliance and trust more in God's provision. What practical steps can you take to surrender this area to Him? [42:37]

Sermon Clips

1. "We have this promise that we see throughout Scripture, and I specifically reference it from time to time from Jeremiah 29, 13. It's this promise that when we seek God with all of our heart, we find Him. This is true because God is with us. God is not distant. God is not hiding. He knows us, and He wants us to know Him. And when we make the effort to seek Him, we find Him." [12:04] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Jesus is using this imagery that those who experience salvation are those who know they can't do it on their own. They can't do it by earning it. They can't do it by working for it. They can't do it when their good deeds somehow outnumber their bad deeds. That none of that is possible. That those who are saved or those who are broken, those who are lost, are poor in spirit to the point that they come empty-handed and receive what only Jesus could provide to them." [50:19] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Blessed are those who allow this right side up kingdom of God to take root in their everyday life. These statements are not how we earn or achieve God's blessing. These eight statements are snapshots at people who are allowing the kingdom of God to take root. People who are praying, thy kingdom come, thy will be done right here." [41:18] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Jesus is saying, blessed are the people who were so poor that they have absolutely nothing and they know it in spirit. Perhaps you're familiar with that old hymn, Rock of Ages, that has that line, nothing in my hand I bring, but simply to the cross I cling. That's what we're getting at here. A person that has nothing, so they fall at the feet of God as a beggar." [44:29] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Jesus does pay particular attention to the outsiders and the outcasts. Jesus does pay a great attention to the poor. And if you read the gospels, Jesus does have a few encounters with the rich. There's a couple of times that Jesus says, woe to the rich. There's one time that Jesus says, it is really hard for a person with a lot of things, to enter into the kingdom of God." [46:07] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Salvation comes through Jesus alone. Period. We have salvation because Jesus died on the cross for our sins. We have salvation because Jesus rose from the dead, defeating sin and death. So, those who are saved are merely those who open up their hands to what God has provided." [49:28] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament promises. Jesus allows Old Testament promises to become bursting into our lives. Those who embrace Jesus and his good news begin to see this right side up kingdom before their very eyes. Right side up kingdom of heaven. In this right side up kingdom of heaven, the way up is down. We don't come with pride, but humility. We don't come barking orders. We come in submission to God." [56:34] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Blessed are the poor in spirit. Jesus, a lot of times, says woe to the rich. But let's think about this. Salvation comes through Jesus alone. Period. We have salvation because Jesus died on the cross for our sins. We have salvation because Jesus rose from the dead, defeating sin and death. So, those who are saved are merely those who open up their hands to what God has provided." [48:30] (66 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "Blessed are those who beg. And I'll make more sense of that in a moment. Beg. You know, like beg for food, beg for mercy. I saw a lot of confused faces out there. Here I don't have the aid of audio visuals that fill in the blanks on the screen behind me. Beg. B-E-G. Those who beg for food. And that has real context. We're putting the laser focus on verse three, the first beatitude. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." [42:13] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Jesus comes with this powerful message that the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of God has come bursting into our neighborhood. Has come bursting. Into our living room. And blessed are those who have repented of sin and begin to walk in this kingdom of heaven." [40:04] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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