Braggs church of Christ

Braggs church of Christ

Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit

The Beatitudes • In Matthew 5:1-12 Jesus gives us 8 characteristics of a truly happy person • If you apply these simple principles to your own personal life you can never be the same

The Beatitudes • They have been called Jesus’ “map of life” • The one who has these qualities will be “blessed” or “happy” --- This refers to an abiding condition of spiritual prosperity

The Beatitudes • Happiness does not depend upon outward circumstances but on one’s inward life --- not on what a man has but what he is

“Poor” • Means to be lacking in something • We usually do not look on poverty as a blessing • The blessing here is for the “poor in spirit”

“Poor in spirit” • Note that Jesus does not say “blessed are the poor in purse”, but “blessed are the poor in spirit” • The emphasis is on the inward character

“Poor in spirit” • In the parable of Luke 18 Jesus contrasted the arrogant spirit of the Pharisee with the humble spirit of the Publican • Lk. 18:10-14

Lk. 18:10-14 • Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.[11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

Lk. 18:10-14 • [12] I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.[13] And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

Lk. 18:10-14 • [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Who are the “poor in spirit”? • Those that have a deep sense of their dependence upon God • “Those who feel their spiritual need” Goodspeed

Who are the “poor in spirit”? • Mt. 5:3 • “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,…”

Who are the “poor in spirit”? • “….those who are brought to a a real sense of their sins, and seeing no goodness in themselves, they are led to say, ‘God be merciful to be a sinner’”. Melvin J. Wise

Who are the “poor in spirit”? • How terribly sad to see someone in great spiritual need when they are not even aware of their condition • Judges 16:20

Judges 16:20 • And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him

Who are the “poor in spirit”? • If we are full of the spirit of the world we cannot hope to possess the spirit of Christ • We must empty ourselves of arrogant, prideful and worldly characteristics

“Theirs is the kingdom of heaven” • The “poor in spirit” will be receptive to God’s plan for their salvation • They are submissive to God’s will • Rom. 8:28

Rom. 8:28 • And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

“Theirs is the kingdom of heaven” • They are blessed in this world and will be the only ones prepared to enter into heaven • They are the only ones who could possibly be happy in heaven

Developing Humility • 1. Be aware of the greatness and goodness of God --- This makes aware of our own weakness and shortcomings • Is. 6:1-5

Is. 6:1-5 • In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.[2] Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.[

Is. 6:1-5 • 3] And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.[4] And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. • [

Is. 6:1-5 • [5] Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. • [

Developing Humility • 2. Grow spiritually • As we grow we realize how far we fall short of the perfect standard, Jesus Christ. This does not discourage us but keeps us humble and challenges us to continue to grow

Developing Humility • 3. See things as they truly are • “We realize the smallness of our knowledge, the presence of error, the littleness of our strength, the brevity and uncertainty of life;

Developing Humility • and the fact we sin and fall short and therefore stand in need of the grace of God.” J. D. Bales

Conclusion • The “poor in spirit” recognize their own spiritual poverty and have found the true riches of spirit in the abundance of God’s grace

References • Survey of the Life of Christ, by Melvin J. Wise The Living Way series, Lambert’s Book House, 1968 • “The Beatitudes, Spiritual Sword, Vol. 4 #3 • “The Beatitudes”, Christian Worker, Vol. 97, #2

Braggs church of Christ