Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

Introduction:
In this series of lessons beginning today we will discuss how to become divinely happy! Happiness is the great question confronting mankind. Everyone wants to be happy—but some seek happiness in the world—only to come up shorthanded and miserable. Isn’t that part of the deceitfulness of sin? All Christians must work on possessing the qualities found within the beatitudes. While developing some qualities may be easy for us—others will take much work. The beatitudes demonstrate the utter difference between Christian and non-Christian conduct. See 1 Pet. 2:5-9; 11-12; Col. 1:13; Phil. 3:20. Let’s examine the contents of 5:3.

I. What is Jesus talking about here?
    A. To become a Christian—one must ________ himself of _____ before he can be filled w/________.
        1. Jesus is talking about ___________ _____ ____________ here!
        2. The emptying of self reliance; self expression; etc.
    B. This is NOT talking about being poor ___________________.
        1. Bible teaches nowhere that poverty is a good thing.

II. What poor in spirit is NOT talking about:
    A. Does not mean that we go around diffident; ____________; ________ or __________.
    B. Neither does it mean that we must go around talking about our unimportance!
        1. One who glories in poverty of spirit proves that he is not _______________!

III. What it means to be poor in spirit:
    A. Jud. 6:15 -________. No qualifications in himself, family, etc.
    B. Ex. 3:11; 4:10—_____________. Felt unworthy for the task.
    C. 2 Sam. 7:18-25—__________. Of humble birth, etc.
    D. Isa. 6:1-6—____________. Got a sense of the holiness of God|
    E. Phil. 3:8—_________. Counted fleshly things as loss.
    F. Jhn. 5:30; 14:10; 6:38; 8:29; 26:39—example of __________!

IV. Practical applications for today’s Christian:
    A. Bible heroes above were all _________.
        1. ________ did not get in the way of serving God.
    B. We can let self get in the way by:
        1. Mixed up __________. Work; recreation; family; etc.
        2. Serving God while looking for others to notice what we’re doing.
    C. Don’t call a lack of _________ ___________.
        1. Don’t let humility become an excuse for a lack of ___________.
        2. Humility must not prevent us from launching out in _____________!
    D. The person who is poor in spirit will __________ and ______ that God will ________ him with the necessary tools to help
         accomplish His task!

Conclusion:
    A. What is the reward for being poor in spirit? The __________ of ____________!
    B. What a tremendous incentive for the child of God to develop this attitude and disposition while serving Christ!
    C. Are you living in such a way as to be able to make it home to heaven?



Blessed are the Poor in Spirit Introduction: In this series of lessons beginning today we will discuss how to become divinely happy! Happiness is the great question confronting mankind. Everyone wants to be happy—but some seek happiness in the world—only to come up shorthanded and miserable. Isn’t that part of the deceitfulness of sin? All Christians must work on possessing the qualities found within the beatitudes. While developing some qualities may be easy for us—others will take much work. The beatitudes demonstrate the utter difference between Christian and non-Christian conduct. See 1 Pet. 2:5-9; 11-12; Col. 1:13; Phil. 3:20. Let’s examine the contents of 5:3. I. What is Jesus talking about here? A. To become a Christian—one must ________ himself of _____ before he can be filled w/________. 1. Jesus is talking about ___________ _____ ____________ here! 2. The emptying of self reliance; self expression; etc. B. This is NOT talking about being poor ___________________. 1. Bible teaches nowhere that poverty is a good thing. *II. What poor in spirit* is NOT talking about: A. Does not mean that we go around diffident; ____________; ________ or __________. B. Neither does it mean that we must go around talking about our unimportance! 1. One who glories in poverty of spirit proves that he is not _______________! III. What it means to be poor in spirit: A. Jud. 6:15 -________. No qualifications in himself, family, etc. B. Ex. 3:11; 4:10—_____________. Felt unworthy for the task. C. 2 Sam. 7:18-25—__________. Of humble birth, etc. D. Isa. 6:1-6—____________. Got a sense of the holiness of God\| E. Phil. 3:8—_________. Counted fleshly things as loss. F. Jhn. 5:30; 14:10; 6:38; 8:29; 26:39—example of __________! IV. Practical applications for today’s Christian: A. Bible heroes above were all _________. 1. ________ did not get in the way of serving God. B. We can let self get in the way by: 1. Mixed up __________. Work; recreation; family; etc. 2. Serving God while looking for others to notice what we’re doing. C. Don’t call a lack of _________ ___________. 1. Don’t let humility become an excuse for a lack of ___________. 2. Humility must not prevent us from launching out in _____________! D. The person who is poor in spirit will __________ and ______ that God will ________ him with the necessary tools to help accomplish His task! Conclusion:** A. What is the reward for being poor in spirit? The __________ of ____________! B. What a tremendous incentive for the child of God to develop this attitude and disposition while serving Christ! C. Are you living in such a way as to be able to make it home to heaven?