Notes 📓✏️:
Mustard Seed Living – Pastor Jen DeWeerdt
Dual Citizenship
“This teaching has changed everything. Human history has been revolutionized and transformed by this sermon.” – Dr. AJ Swoboda
Matthew 5:3-10 (NIV); “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV); “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
“Christian Habitus”
They responded to pain and hardship differently than anyone else.
They believed that although they couldn’t control what was going on around them, they could control their response.
“Casual contact”.
They didn’t carry the SPIRIT of this world but had a different spirit.
“Bad Christians”.
The Kingdom of God expanded by…
Meeting frequently
Standing in prayer, thanking God, worshiping
Eating together
Memorizing texts
Visiting the poor, sick, and prisoners
Exercising hospitality
Putting money in the collection box
Giving food and clothing to those in church
Feeding the hungry
Being truthful
Maintaining sexual purity
Living a Holy life
Willing to lose out
Facing death without fear
The healing takes place in the hidden space.
It is the small things that can change things.
Matthew 13:31,32 (NIV); “Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”
..it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.
Matthew 6:33 (NIV); “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Discussion Questions 📝❓:
- What does it mean to have dual citizenship as a follower of Jesus, and how does this influence out daily lives?
- Pastor Jen mentioned the ‘beatitudes’ from Matthew 5:3-10. Which of these characteristics do you think is the hardest to live out in today’s world?
- How can being ‘salt and light’ in the world reflect the teachings of the sermon on the mount?
- Why do you think Pastor Jen emphasized that the kingdom of God works from the bottom up rather than the top down?