Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

1. Blessed are the Poor in Spirit Matthew 5:1-3

2. Matthew 4:17 17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.“ • Entrance into the kingdom is through repentance

3. Matthew 4:17 17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.“ • Entrance into the kingdom is through repentance • Kingdom of heaven… now and not yet

4. Matthew 4:17 17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.“ • Entrance into the kingdom is through repentance • Kingdom of heaven… now and not yet • Responsibilities of citizens and the King

5. Matthew 5:1-10 1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

6. Matthew 5:1-3 1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

7. Blessed • Inward frame of reference: happiness, felicity, satisfaction, wellbeing

8. Blessed • Inward frame of reference: happiness, felicity, satisfaction, wellbeing • To declare the reality of something that is perceived in a person or a group

9. Poor in Spirit • Acutely feeling our dependence on God for all things

10. Things that can dull our sense of being spiritually poor? • Spiritual Pride

11. Things that can dull our sense of being spiritually poor? • Spiritual Pride • Switch from relationship to religion (grace to law)

12. Things that can dull our sense of being spiritually poor? • Spiritual Pride • Switch from relationship to religion (grace to law) • Busy lives

13. Things that can dull our sense of being spiritually poor? • Spiritual Pride • Switch from relationship to religion (grace to law) • Busy lives • Participating in “good” things

14. How God gets our attention • Growth through subtraction • removal of something (good or bad) that spurs our desire to seek God or highlights our need to depend on God

15. How God gets our attention • Growth through subtraction • removal of something (good or bad) that spurs our desire to seek God or highlights our need to depend on God • Growth through non-addition • God says no to something that is good/beneficial for us.

16. Increasing our awareness • Taking breaks…building margins

17. Increasing our awareness • Taking breaks…building margins • Checking our attitudes and motives

18. Increasing our awareness • Taking breaks…building margins • Checking our attitudes and motives • God’s fingerprints

19. Increasing our awareness • Taking breaks…building margins • Checking our attitudes and motives • God’s fingerprints • Mid-course correction