Life in the kingdom is inside out!
Life in the kingdom is inside out in that it is countercultural. If you want to feel something of the countercultural living that the Sermon on the Mount calls us to, wear your entire outfit inside out next time you go out in public. Let your tag stick up, your pockets flop out, and the messy stitches on the inside of your socks be seen by the world. The kingdom of heaven appears inside out from the kingdom of this world.
Life in the kingdom is inside out in that it focuses on the inner person over outward appearance. Jesus calls us to focus our attention on developing the inner person instead of polishing the external appearance. He teaches that what is on the inside eventually makes it to the outside. Life flows from the inside out.
This is the first of a two-part study of the Sermon on the Mount. This study takes in Jesus’ teaching in seven movements.
- Blessings (Matthew 5:1-16)
- Law (Matthew 5:17-48)
- Spiritual Practices (Matthew 6:1-18)
- Value (Matthew 6:19-34)
- Judgment (Matthew 7:1-6)
- Generosity (Matthew 7:7-12)
- Behavior (Matthew 7:13-27)
In each movement, we find another principle for living inside out. So here you go… 7 ways to live inside out!
Inside out Principle 1: The inside out life finds blessing in promises over circumstances! (Blessings- Matthew 5:1-16)
Inside out Principle 2: The inside out life prioritizes attitude over action! (Law- Matthew 5:17-48)
Inside out Principle 3: The inside out life craves the approval of God over the attention from people! (Spiritual Practices- Matthew 6:1-18)
Inside out Principle 4: The inside out life values the eternal over the immediate! (Value- Matthew 6:19-34)
Inside out Principle 5: The inside out life chooses personal growth over judging others!
(Judgment- Matthew 7:1-6)
Inside out Principle 6: The inside out life gives and receives what is desired over what is deserved! (Generosity- Matthew 7:7-12)
Inside out Principle 7: The inside out life is revealed in the application of the information! (Behavior- Matthew 7:13-27)