Kernan Community Groups
Sermon Discussion Guide
March 15, 2026
Matthew: Kingdom Citizens
Matthew 5
Matthew 4:17
[17] From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 5:17
[17] “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
What can we learn about Jesus’ teaching from these verses? What is he accomplishing?
1. Citizens of God’s Kingdom will have Different Character
Matthew 5:1-12
[1] Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
[2] And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
[3] “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
[4] “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
[5] “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
[6] “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
[7] “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
[8] “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
[9] “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
[10] “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
[11] “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. [12] Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
What is the common theme to the ending of each of these statements?
According to these verses, who is it that will experience this fulfillment?
Matthew 5:20
20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Knowing what we know about the Pharisees, what is Jesus saying here?
In verse 3 Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” What does it mean to be poor in spirit?
2. Citizens of God’s Kingdom will have Different Influence
Matthew 5:13-16
[13] “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
[14] “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. [16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
John Stott on “Salt”
“God has set other restraining influences in the world. He has established institutions in his common grace, which curb man’s selfish tendencies and prevent society from slipping into anarchy. Primarily: the state (government) and the home (family); Nevertheless, the most powerful of all restraints within sinful society is his own redeemed, righteous people (the church).”
Marvin Lloyd-Jones on “Light”
“The glory of the gospel is that when the church is absolutely different from the world, she invariably attracts it. It is then that the world is made to listen to her message, though it may hate it at first.”
If we are to be a “city on a hill” - a different world within this world, how can we be an alternate Jacksonville in Jacksonville?
Jeremiah 29:4-7
[4] “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: [5] Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. [6] Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. [7] But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
