Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

Pt 1 – The Beatitudes

2001031

Topic # 09

Introduction:

A. The beatitudes are the secrets of happiness.

1. We all want to be happy in this life.

a) declaration of Independence: pursuit of happiness.

b) In this series of lessons we will talk about how to become divinely happy!

2. Happiness = the great question confronting mankind.

a) everyone wants to be happy – but it tragic to seek it where many seek it – in the world.

b) Isn’t that part of the deceitfulness of sin?

1) seek happiness in worldly pleasures/wealth/fame/power

2) brings temporary happiness – but ultimate misery.

c) Eccl. 2:10-11

B. We must understand – all Christians must possess qualities described in Mt. 5:3-11.

1. Not just for preachers/elders/etc.

2. These are descriptions of true Christian character.

3. Must do our best to manifest ALL of these characteristics.

a) while some qualities discussed here may be easy – others might be extremely difficult to develop personally.

C. Beatitudes demonstrate the utter difference between Christian & non-Christian conduct.

1. Thus = a description of the Christians basic conduct/character in contrast with the world.

2. Stevens: the line must be sharply drawn – there is too much of the world in the church and not enough of the church in the world.

a) 1 Pet. 2:11-12 – church always a magnet when it stands out from the world.

3. We are to strive to be different!

a) in what we admire – some entertainment/politics/sports/etc.

b) in what we seek – must hunger/thirst after righteousness…world after power/position/publicity.

c) In what we do – many strive to get all they can out of this world. But the Christian…1 Pet. 2:5-9

D. Christian/non Christian in two different worlds.

1. Col. 1:13/Phil. 3:20 – different rules or governs of life.

2. Christians look to Jesus – non-Christians have only worldly wisdom to look at.

I. What is Jesus Talking About in Mt. 5:3?

A. This beatitude key to all others!

1. to become Christian – one must empty himself of self b/f he can be filled with Christ.

2. Jesus is concerned w/poverty of spirit here!

a) a man’s attitude toward himself – whether rich/poor.

b) It is about emptying oneself on self reliance/self confidence/self expression.

B. This is NOT talking about being poor monetarily.

1. some feel that only true indicator of spirituality = a rejection of material prosperity.

2. Bible nowhere teaches that poverty is a good thing.

a) poor man no closer to heaven b/c of his poverty.

b) Rich man not farther way from heaven b/c of his riches.

c) Again, Jesus talking about poverty of spirit.

II. What Poor in Spirit is NOT talking about:

A. It does not mean we must go around:

1. diffident; nervous; weak; or scared.

2. Neither does it mean:

a) that we must always go around talking about our unimportance.

1) I’m just a nobody – just a baggage carrier.

B. one who glories in his poverty of spirit proves that he is not humble!

1. Could be why we deplore religion who seek to have glory – while pretending not to want/have it.

III. What it means to be poor in spirit.

A. It can be seen throughout the Scriptures. See

1. Jud 6:15 – Gideon.

a) he saw no qualifications in himself/family/tribe – to fill such an important duty. HUMBLE.

2. Ex. 3:11; 4:10 – Moses – felt unworthy for the task.

a) might fault Moses sometimes for making excuses.

b) be careful though. Don’t look at as what was he thinking?

1) what would we have done?

2) Need to consider his attitude & seek to make that we have a humble disposition.

3. 2 Sam. 7:18-25 – David

a) David of humble birth; so little in his own eyes – astonished at the position he occupied as king.

4. Isa. 6:1-6 – Isaiah – realized that he was sinful man standing in presence of God.

a) got a sense of the holiness of God.

b) Could he have had a deep consciousness of guilt – in view of the majesty/holiness of God?

1) Job 42:5-6

2) Peter’s attitude – Lk. 5:8 – depart for I am a sinful man.

5. Phil. 3:8 – Paul

a) always seemed to be fighting pride. Counted fleshly things as loss for sake of Christ.

B. Perhaps best example of what it means to be poor in spirit found in example of Jesus!

1. Jhn. 5:30 – I can do nothing on my own initiative.

2. Jhn. 14:10 – spoke w/the fathers words – gave glory to his father.

3. Jhn. 6:38 – to do His father’s will.

4. Jhn. 8:29 – to please the Father

5. Mt. 26:39 – Not my will – but thy will be done.

C. Here are some practical applications for us today:

1. All bible heroes just mentioned: humble. Self NOT in the way of serving God.

a) total mission to help God accomplish His task; His way; & on His time schedule.

b) Launched out in faith – in their service to God!

c) Accomplished what God expected of them & that’s why we read about them today.

d) This is the kind of Christians we need to be today!

2. We let self get in the way today by:

a) mixed up priorities – too busy pursuing cares/worries of life to focus on our part of God’s plan for His kingdom.

1) work; recreation; family; etc.

b) serving – but looking over our back to see if anyone notices

1) quit of someone doesn’t notice when we think they should – or b/c no one “pats up on the back.”

2) Easy to say: nobody cares ….why even try?

3. Don’t call a lack of faith humility.

a) someone says: who am I to do such a thing? I can’t do such a thing….don’t do it & call it humility.

b) Must guard against letting humility become an excuse for a lack of action!

c) Must not let our humility prohibit us from launching out in faith.

1) step up and do – but don’t do it for the glory – do it for God’s glory! Delicate balance in Christianity!

D. Person who is poor in spirit will trust and know that God will equip him with the necessary tools to help accomplish His task!

1. Song leader; talking to others about Gospel; in EVERY area.

Conclusion:

A. What = reward for those who poor in spirit?

1. for theirs = kingdom of heaven.

2. what a tremendous incentive for the child of God to develop this attitude and disposition as he serves Christ.

B. Is the kingdom of heaven something that has been promised to you? And are you living in a way that you can make it home to heaven?

1. if not, why not?

2. give yourself to Christ by obeying the gospel today!

C. I N V I T A T I O N



Blessed are the Poor in Spirit Pt 1 – The Beatitudes 2001031 Topic # 09 Introduction: A. The beatitudes are the secrets of happiness. 1. We all want to be happy in this life. a) declaration of Independence: pursuit of happiness. b) In this series of lessons we will talk about how to become divinely happy! 2. Happiness = the great question confronting mankind. a) everyone wants to be happy – but it tragic to seek it where many seek it – in the world. b) Isn’t that part of the deceitfulness of sin? 1) seek happiness in worldly pleasures/wealth/fame/power 2) brings temporary happiness – but ultimate misery. c) Eccl. 2:10-11 B. We must understand – all Christians must possess qualities described in Mt. 5:3-11. 1. Not just for preachers/elders/etc. 2. These are descriptions of true Christian character. 3. Must do our best to manifest ALL of these characteristics. a) while some qualities discussed here may be easy – others might be extremely difficult to develop personally. C. Beatitudes demonstrate the utter difference between Christian & non-Christian conduct. 1. Thus = a description of the Christians basic conduct/character in contrast with the world. 2. Stevens: the line must be sharply drawn – there is too much of the world in the church and not enough of the church in the world. a) 1 Pet. 2:11-12 – church always a magnet when it stands out from the world. 3. We are to strive to be different! a) in what we admire – some entertainment/politics/sports/etc. b) in what we seek – must hunger/thirst after righteousness…world after power/position/publicity. c) In what we do – many strive to get all they can out of this world. But the Christian…1 Pet. 2:5-9 D. Christian/non Christian in two different worlds. 1. Col. 1:13/Phil. 3:20 – different rules or governs of life. 2. Christians look to Jesus – non-Christians have only worldly wisdom to look at. I. What is Jesus Talking About in Mt. 5:3? A. This beatitude key to all others! 1. to become Christian – one must empty himself of self b/f he can be filled with Christ. 2. Jesus is concerned w/poverty of spirit here! a) a man’s attitude toward himself – whether rich/poor. b) It is about emptying oneself on self reliance/self confidence/self expression. B. This is NOT talking about being poor monetarily. 1. some feel that only true indicator of spirituality = a rejection of material prosperity. 2. Bible nowhere teaches that poverty is a good thing. a) poor man no closer to heaven b/c of his poverty. b) Rich man not farther way from heaven b/c of his riches. c) Again, Jesus talking about poverty of spirit. *II. What Poor in Spirit* is NOT talking about:** A. It does not mean we must go around: 1. diffident; nervous; weak; or scared. 2. Neither does it mean: a) that we must always go around talking about our unimportance. 1) I’m just a nobody – just a baggage carrier. B. one who glories in his poverty of spirit proves that he is not humble! 1. Could be why we deplore religion who seek to have glory – while pretending not to want/have it. III. What it means to be poor in spirit. A. It can be seen throughout the Scriptures. See 1. Jud 6:15 – Gideon. a) he saw no qualifications in himself/family/tribe – to fill such an important duty. HUMBLE. 2. Ex. 3:11; 4:10 – Moses – felt unworthy for the task. a) might fault Moses sometimes for making excuses. b) be careful though. Don’t look at as what was he thinking? 1) what would we have done? 2) Need to consider his attitude & seek to make that we have a humble disposition. 3. 2 Sam. 7:18-25 – David a) David of humble birth; so little in his own eyes – astonished at the position he occupied as king. 4. Isa. 6:1-6 – Isaiah – realized that he was sinful man standing in presence of God. a) got a sense of the holiness of God. b) Could he have had a deep consciousness of guilt – in view of the majesty/holiness of God? 1) Job 42:5-6 2) Peter’s attitude – Lk. 5:8 – depart for I am a sinful man. 5. Phil. 3:8 – Paul a) always seemed to be fighting pride. Counted fleshly things as loss for sake of Christ. B. Perhaps best example of what it means to be poor in spirit found in example of Jesus! 1. Jhn. 5:30 – I can do nothing on my own initiative. 2. Jhn. 14:10 – spoke w/the fathers words – gave glory to his father. 3. Jhn. 6:38 – to do His father’s will. 4. Jhn. 8:29 – to please the Father 5. Mt. 26:39 – Not my will – but thy will be done. C. Here are some practical applications for us today: 1. All bible heroes just mentioned: humble. Self NOT in the way of serving God. a) total mission to help God accomplish His task; His way; & on His time schedule. b) Launched out in faith – in their service to God! c) Accomplished what God expected of them & that’s why we read about them today. d) This is the kind of Christians we need to be today! 2. We let self get in the way today by: a) mixed up priorities – too busy pursuing cares/worries of life to focus on our part of God’s plan for His kingdom. 1) work; recreation; family; etc. b) serving – but looking over our back to see if anyone notices 1) quit of someone doesn’t notice when we think they should – or b/c no one “pats up on the back.” 2) Easy to say: nobody cares ….why even try? 3. Don’t call a lack of faith humility. a) someone says: who am I to do such a thing? I can’t do such a thing….don’t do it & call it humility. b) Must guard against letting humility become an excuse for a lack of action! c) Must not let our humility prohibit us from launching out in faith. 1) step up and do – but don’t do it for the glory – do it for God’s glory! Delicate balance in Christianity! D. Person who is poor in spirit will trust and know that God will equip him with the necessary tools to help accomplish His task! 1. Song leader; talking to others about Gospel; in EVERY area. Conclusion: A. What = reward for those who poor in spirit? 1. for theirs = kingdom of heaven. 2. what a tremendous incentive for the child of God to develop this attitude and disposition as he serves Christ. B. Is the kingdom of heaven something that has been promised to you? And are you living in a way that you can make it home to heaven? 1. if not, why not? 2. give yourself to Christ by obeying the gospel today! C. I N V I T A T I O N