The Family of God (part 2)

With Rev. Jay Watson

Introduction:

Hi, my name is Jay Watson. Today is June the, 27^th 2021 and we are here in Macon Georgia, at Crosswinds International. Our church family gathers here every Sunday at 1:00 pm. I would like to welcome all those that are here and those that are watching digitally. I would also like to thank those who contribute to this ministry, your faithfulness helps us to press on with the goal of preaching the gospel to the whole world.

I have been ask to stand in today for Brother Ron while he is still recuperating from his recent surgeries. He is improving and looking more like his self every day. Please continue to pray for him and Sheila that they will have a complete healing and restoration.

Pray:

A couple of weeks ago I brought a message to you from the book of Matthew. We started in chapter 5. I titled the message “The family of God”. This will be part 2 of that message. Let us recap a little from part 1.

Part 1 was about the characteristics that should be evident as a family member in God’s family (God’s kingdom).

Part one was presented as if we were asking a question, and the question was.

“Who will be the citizens of the kingdom” or to say the members of the family.

Those characteristics were,

1. 1. Blessed are the poor in spirit.
   2. Blessed are they that mourn
   3. Blessed are the meek
   4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
   5. Blessed are the merciful
   6. Blessed are the pure at heart
   7. Blessed are the peacemakers
   8. Blessed are you when you are persecuted for righteousness sake.

Part 2’s question is “What are the benefits of being in the family of God (God’s Kingdom).

The benefits can be summed up with one word and that is ”Blessed”.

The first word of the message is blessed. Look at Psalms 1 verse 1, I will be reading from the King James Version first and then from the Message Bible version for clairity.

KVJ, Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

MSG, How well God must like you—
you don’t walk in the ruts of those blind-as-bats,
you don’t stand with the good-for-nothings,
you don’t take your seat among the know-it-alls.

Let us look at Revelation 1 verse 3,

KVJ, Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things, which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

MSG, How blessed the reader! How blessed the hearers and keepers of these oracle words, all the words written in this book! Time is just about up.

The word blessed involves Great Joy and Gladness….

It can literally mean ”how very happy” is the one being described.

Let us look at Matthew 5 verse 12,

KVJ, Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

MSG, verses 11&12,

11-12 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

Look at Luke 6 verse 23,

KVJ, Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

MSG, 22-23 “Count yourself blessed every time someone cuts you down or throws you out, every time someone smears or blackens your name to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and that that person is uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—skip like a lamb, if you like!—for even though they don’t like it, I do . . . and all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company; my preachers and witnesses have always been treated like this.

The benefit of being in the family (kingdom) of heaven is the condition of our blessedness, it is a state of true happiness!!!

The benefits are both present and future:

Benefit….“THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN…”

1. 1. In part one of these messages the benefit was for those who receive the kingdom…or those who chose to be a part of the family. The benefits for those who choose to receive the Kingdom are,
   2. They were (are) under the kingly rule of God. Look at Matthew 4:7

KVJ) Math 4:7- From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

1. 1. they were (are) in a spiritual kingdom
   2. Just as the kingdom is both present and future, we shall see that the blessings described involve both present and future.

Benefit….“THEY SHALL BE COMFORTED…”

1. 1. This is in reference to those who mourn over their sins and spiritual poverty
   2. They are comforted even now – Look at 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

2 Cor 1:3-Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

2 Cor 1:4-Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

2 Cor 1:5-For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

1. 3. They shall be comforted in the future – Look at Rev 21:1-4

Rev 21:1-And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

Rev 21:2-And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Rev 21:3-And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

Rev 21:4-And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Benefit “THEY SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH…”

1. 1. In one sense, they inherit it now
   2. It’s a result of putting the kingdom of God first – Look at Matthew 6:33 and then Mark 10:29-30

KVJ) Math 6:33-But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

KVJ) Mark 10:29 -And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,

Mark 10:30 -But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

A.Though they may have less than some who are wicked, God enables them to enjoy it more! Look at Ecclesiastes 5:19 & 6:2

KVJ)Ecc 5:19- Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.

ECC 6:2- A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.

2.But in another sense, there yet remains a promise concerning a “new earth ”for those in the kingdom now. Look at 2 Peter 3:10-13

2 Peter 3:10 -But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

2 Peter 3:11-Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

2 Peter 3:12-Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

2 Peter 3:13-Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness..

Benefit….“THEY SHALL BE FILLED…”

That is, with the righteousness we so desperately need, found only in Christ-  Look at Phil 3:8-9

Phil 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Phil 3:9-And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

1-Received presently, through the precious blood of Christ – Look at Rom 5:9

Rom 5:9-Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

1-Received in fullness when adorned in the white linen of righteousness in preparation for the marriage of the Lamb.  Look at Rev 19:5-9

Rev 19:5-And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.

Rev 19:6-And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

Rev 19:7-Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

Rev 19:8-And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Rev19:9-And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Benefit…. “THEY SHALL OBTAIN MERCY…”

1. 1. Those in the kingdom enjoy forgiveness of sins now through the blood of Jesus

Look at Rev 1:5-6

Rev 1:5-And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

Rev 1:6-And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

1. 2. They shall also be shown mercy in the future by escaping the righteous wrath of God in the Day of Judgment – Look at Rom 5-9

Rom 5:9-Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Benefit… “THEY SHALL SEE GOD…”

1. 1. Presently, citizens of the kingdom can see God through their Lord Jesus. Look at John 14:6-7

John 14:6-Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 14:7-If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

1. 2. But in the future, we shall see Him face to face – look at Rev 21:3 and Rev 22:3-4

Rev 21:-3-And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

Rev 22:3-And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

Rev 22:4-And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

Benefit… “THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF GOD…”

1. 1. Even now we are called the sons of God –Look at 1 John 3:1-2

1 John 3:1-Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

1 John 3:2-Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

1. 2. How much more so, in the future! – Look at Rev 21:5-7

Rev 21:5-And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Rev 21:6-And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is a thirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

Rev 21:7-He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

1. 1. Perhaps we had better understand why those in “the kingdom of heaven” are truly blessed.
   2. Why should we be “Poor in spirit”, because those who do theirs is the kingdom of heaven!
   3. Why should we be “Mourning for our sins”, because those who do will be comforted!
   4. Why should we be ”Meek in our relation to God and man, because those who do they shall inherit the earth!
   5. Why should we be” Hungering and thirsting for righteousness”, because those who do they shall be filled!
   6. Why should we be “Merciful to others”, because those who do they shall obtain mercy!
   7. Why should we be ”Pure in heart”, because those who do they shall see God!
   8. Why should we be “Makers of peace”, because those who do they shall be called sons of God!

h.Why should we be ”Persecuted for righteousness sake”, because those who do theirs is the kingdom of heaven!

1. 2. Certainly the benefits of the kingdom outweigh anything this world has to offer or any persecution it might inflict…!
   3. For there are blessings now “in this life”
   4. And there are blessings “in the age to come” – last scripture- Look at Mark 10:28-30

Mark 10:28-Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.

Mark 10:29-And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,

Mark 10:30-But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

1. 2. The blessedness of the citizens is only for those who have the characteristics of the citizens in ever-increasing measure..

*SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF….

1. 1. Do we have the qualities described in The Beatitudes?
   2. Don’t the blessings described in The Beatitudes encourage us to develop such qualities?

Does this sermon of Jesus, motivate us to examine our attitudes to see if there is not room for improvement in our relationships with both God and our fellow man!

My conclusion:

These Beatitudes list seven characteristics that make up the Christian character. The eighth Beatitude deals with the reaction of the world to these traits. These characteristics are all interrelated and progressive. The Beatitudes are not natural characteristics and they actually create a sharp distinction between the Christians and non- Christians in the things they admire and the things they seek.

Thank You, and may God bless you and keep you….