Sermon Outline

Text: Matthew 5: 1-12

Title: Two kingdoms

Personal remark for sermon:

The text might be understood better if it is interpreted in contrast with the kingdom of earth. In this case the Roman occupied Jewish political party at the time of Jesus.

Introduction

Difference between two kingdoms.

There are many differences between two nations: South Korea and North Korea.

Transitional sentence

There are two kingdoms: one that belongs to the earth and the other that belongs to the heaven. The text says how blessed the ones who belong to the kingdom of heaven.

Text

Invitation to the new kingdom

Whereas the poor are excluded in the kingdom of earth, now they have the kingdom that welcomes them by means of the Spirit, the kingdom of heaven.

Whereas those who mourn are not comforted in the kingdom of earth, they will be comforted in the kingdom of heaven.

Whereas the gentle are exploited in the kingdom of earth, they will inherit their place on earth in the kingdom of heaven.

Whereas those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are not filled in the kingdom of earth, they will be filled in the kingdom of heaven.

Whereas the merciful do not receive mercy in the kingdom of earth, they will receive in the kingdom of heaven.

Whereas the pure in heart cannot see God in the kingdom of earth, they will see in the kingdom of heaven.

Whereas the peacemakers are not honored in the kingdom of earth, they will be honored with the most beautiful name in the kingdom of heaven.

Whereas those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness have no place to go in the kingdom of earth, now they have the place to be, the kingdom of heaven.

And Jesus encourages His disciples to participate in the new kingdom by overcoming the various persecutions.

Application and conclusion

You are the ones who are blessed.

We need to recognize how much we are blessed as the citizens of the new kingdom.

People easily forget the preciousness of water and air unless they are in serious need for them.

Let us give sincere thanks to God who bless us through our daily church lives and the works of the Holy Spirit !

Can you see the people who are desperately searching for the new place to belong?

Let us share our blessings with them, for whom Jesus died!