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Diane Avenue Church of Christ

Diane Avenue Church of Christ. RomansRomans 15:5-7. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit. Romans 15:5-7

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Diane Avenue Church of Christ

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  1. Diane Avenue Church of Christ RomansRomans 15:5-7

  2. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • Romans 15:5-7 • May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. • 7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

  3. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • SUBJECT: Attitudes • TITLE: Beatitudes-Poor In Spirit • In this lesson we will look at the beatitude, poor in spirit. We will explore what it means to be poor in spirit. We will note what their relationship is to the kingdom of heaven. We will note some practical lessons for being poor in spirit. • OBJECTIVES: Each should be able to state what it means to be poor in spirit and how that relates to being in the kingdom of heaven, and to help all have a better grasp in the study of the beatitudes.

  4. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • 1. Text: Matthew 5:3-10 • 2. About the Text: • 1) This passage begins the famous Sermon On The Mount. • 2) This sermon speaks of the character of those who will be in the kingdom of God. • 3) All who would be citizens of God's kingdom should study and understand the contents of this great sermon. • 3. In today's lesson, we are going to focus upon the first part of the sermon, known as the " blessed are the poor in spirit ".

  5. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • Matthew 4:23 - 5:1 • Jesus Heals the Sick • 23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon- possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

  6. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit •  Synopsis: • Matthew 5:1–10 is called the Sermon on the Mount because Jesus gave it on a hillside near Capernaum. This “sermon” probably covered several days of preaching. In it, Jesus proclaimed his attitude toward the law. Position, authority, and money are not important in his Kingdom—what matters is faithful obedience from the heart. The Sermon on the Mount challenged the proud and legalistic religious leaders of the day. It called them back to the messages of the Old Testament prophets, who, like Jesus, taught that heartfelt obedience is more important than legalistic observance. • Briefly discuss

  7. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • 5:3-5 Jesus began his sermon with words that seem to contradict each other. But God’s way of living usually contradicts the world’s. If you want to live for God, you must be ready to say and do what seems strange to the world. You must be willing to give when others take, to love when others hate, to help when others abuse. By giving up your own rights in order to serve others, you will one day receive everything God has in store for you.

  8. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • 5:3-5 Q. Has there every been an occasion where you gave up your own " rights " to serve others? • Q. What do you think the word "serve" means when applied in this context?

  9. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • Each beatitude has a particular form. • There is in each one... • a. A declaration of blessing. • b. A description of attitude. • c. A disposition of blessing. • 3) Each beatitude begins with the declaration of blessing. • a. The word for "blessing" in Greek is MARKARIOS. • b. The word contains the idea of happiness and contentment.

  10. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • For example: Matthew 5:3 • “Blessed (declaration) are the poor in spirit (attitude) for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (disposition )

  11. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • There is then the description of the attitude. • a. Here is why these are called the "beatitutdes." • b. We are attitudes that describe who we are to be. • Then there is the disposition of blessing. • a. This is the actual blessing itself and the reason for the happiness. • b. This is also what we can expect will result from having the attitude described.

  12. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • 5:3-12 The Beatitudes can be understood in at least four ways: (1) They are a code of ethics for the disciples and a standard of conduct for all believers. (2) They contrast Kingdom values (what is eternal) with worldly values (what is temporary). (3) They contrast the superficial “faith” of the Pharisees with the real faith that Christ demands. (4) They show how the Old Testament expectations will be fulfilled in the new Kingdom. These Beatitudes are not multiple choice—pick what you like and leave the rest. They must be taken as a whole. They describe what we should be like as Christ’s followers.

  13. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • Matthew 5:1-2 • Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount • 1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. • He said:

  14. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • 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.

  15. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • Matthew 5:7-10 • 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 children of God. • 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, • for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

  16. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • Matthew 5:11-12 • “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

  17. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • Q.In the previous verses the word "Blessed"; in your opinion what is it's true meaning? • Do you think it's a reward, a gift, a state of being, etc.

  18. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • Do you believe it matters that the Beatitudes were given to us by Jesus and not by someone else? Why or why not? • • In what ways do the Beatitudes have “authority” for us because Jesus uttered them?

  19. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • 5:3-12 Each beatitude tells how to be blessed by God. Blessed means more than happiness. It implies the fortunate or enviable state of those who are in God’s Kingdom. The Beatitudes don’t promise laughter, pleasure, or earthly prosperity. Being “blessed” by God means the experience of hope and joy, independent of outward circumstances. To find hope and joy, the deepest form of happiness, follow Jesus no matter what the cost.

  20. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • Q. In what ways did Jesus himself embody each of the Beatitudes?

  21. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • Life Links • Jesus not only talked the Beatitudes, he lived them. • And we also should live them. • Q. If we take all of the Beattitudes, and put them in a pot (metaphorically speaking), stir them all up what would you have?

  22. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • Blessed are the poor. Philippians 2:5–9. • • Blessed are those who hunger and thirst. Matthew 4:4, John • 4:13–14, John 4:34. • • Blessed are the pure in heart. Luke 10:38–42, Matthew 26:39. • • Blessed are the merciful. Matthew 18:21–35, 25:31–46, 9:27, • John 8:1–11. • • Blessed are the meek. Matthew 11:29, John 13:1–17. • • Blessed are the peacemakers. Matthew 5:23–47, Luke 23:34, • John 14:27, Ephesians 2:14. • • Blessed are those who mourn. Luke 19:41, John 11:35. • • Blessed are those who are persecuted. Matthew 27:27–31.

  23. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • Kingdom People • Matthew 4:17 • From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

  24. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • 5:3-12 With Jesus’ announcement that the Kingdom was near (4:17), people were naturally asking, “How do I qualify to be in God’s Kingdom?” Jesus said that God’s Kingdom is organized differently from worldly kingdoms. In the Kingdom of Heaven, wealth and power and authority are unimportant. Kingdom people seek different blessings and benefits, and they have different attitudes. Are your attitudes a carbon copy of the world’s selfishness, pride, and lust for power, or do they reflect the humility and self-sacrifice of Jesus, our King?

  25. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • Before we discuss our topic I have one additional question: • What difference does it make to see the Beatitudes as “promises” instead of “commandments”? • • As you read over the Beatitudes, what do you think the promise is? • • How can you claim the promise?

  26. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • Our topic : Poor in Spirit

  27. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • I. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE POOR IN SPIRIT? • 1. The meaning of the word "poor." • 1) The word has a connotation of someone who is a beggar, a poor man. • 2) This word indicates someone who is destitute of riches. • 3) The word indicates someone who is helpless, powerless, to improve his situation on his own.

  28. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit Poor in Spirit means acknowledging God's ownership of everything and that we are responsible to be good stewards of those things with which we have be blessed. Our attitude should be one of faithful servants and not one of pride, envy, lust, and gluttony. Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God. Matt. 5:3

  29. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit In Matt. 13:44 Jesus tells this parable, “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field.” To be poor in spirit is to realize that nothing we have is worth more than the kingdom of God. Knowing this, we become willing to part with anything we have if it hinders us from receiving the kingdom. This is why Jesus said, “No one of you can be my disciple who does not give up all his all his own possessions.” (Luke 14:33)

  30. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • In the beattitudes, Our Saviour gives eight characters of blessed people, which represent to us the principal graces of a Christian. Our focus "poor in spirit " are happy. They are humble and lowly in their own eyes. They see their want, bewail their guilt, and thirst after a Redeemer. The kingdom of grace is of such; the kingdom of glory is for them.

  31. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • 2. Applying the definition of "poor" to being "poor in spirit," we find. • 1) One who is a beggar in relationship to his spirit. • 2) One who is destitute of riches in relationship to his spirit. • 3) One who is helpless, powerless, to improve his spiritual situation on his own in relationship to his spirit. • 3. In thinking about the meaning of this attitude. We are reminded of several passages..

  32. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • Luke 18:9-14 contrast the man who is not poor in spirit vs. the one who is. • Luke 18:9-11 • The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector • 9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.

  33. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • Luke 18:12-14 • I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get. ’ • 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner. ’ • 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

  34. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 tells us about who has been called and for what reason. • 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 • Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not —to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.

  35. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • Matthew 20:29-34 tells us about two blind men who were powerless to improve their own situation. • Matthew 20:29-31 • Two Blind Men Receive Sight • 20: 29- 34 pp — Mk 10: 46- 52; Lk 18: 35- 43 • 29 As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 30 Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” • 31 The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

  36. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • Matthew 20:32-34 • Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. • 33 “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.” • 34 Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

  37. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • Paul sums up the state of the poor in spirit in Romans 7:24. "Wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me out of the body of this death?" • Romans 7:24-25 • What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! • So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

  38. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • Q. During the Ministry of Jesus Christ, why do you think he focused his teachings on the poor, the " have not's " • and not the wealthy. • Q. What is your relationship with your spirit like?

  39. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • Blessedness is a gift from God. • The Beatitudes are a way of life.

  40. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit When we think of possessions, our minds automatically go to things like our homes, cars, big screen televisions, and the luxuries with which we live, and this is certainly part of it. But Jesus goes much further when He says, “If anyone loves even his mother and father more than me, he cannot be my disciple”. Jesus is also including our families in this equation. Do you love your children more than Him? What about your health? If he decided to test your faith with disease, would you still trust Him? When Jesus speaks of possessions, He means everything; our careers, our reputations, even if our aspirations are to be leaders in the Christian community, all of these are to be handed over if He asks. The idea of “possessions” is so complete that it includes everything we hold valuable. Nothing is to be more valuable to us than Christ.

  41. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit Being poor in spirit is directly related to our faith. We know that, “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is the rewarder of those who seek Him.”(Heb 11:6). Without faith you could never come to Him, because believing that He is and that He will reward those who seek Him is an aspect of faith. If you don’t believe this, than you will not come to Him and thus you do not have faith. We also must realize that it is not the “coming” by which we are justified; it is the “faith”, but the “faith” produces the “coming.” Being poor in spirit is directly related to our faith. We know that, “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is the rewarder of those who seek Him.”(Heb 11:6). Without faith you could never come to Him, because believing that He is and that He will reward those who seek Him is an aspect of faith. If you don’t believe this, than you will not come to Him and thus you do not have faith. We also must realize that it is not the “coming” by which we are justified; it is the “faith”, but the “faith is what produces the “coming.”

  42. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit The same applies to being poor in spirit. The only way we can be “poor in spirit” is to truly believe that He is more valuable than anything we have, and believing that He is more valuable than our possesions is an aspect of our faith also. The entire chapter of Hebrews 11 is about faith, and it lists what some of God's people we’re willing to sacrifice because of their faith in God. Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac (Heb. 11:17) Moses “chose rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin; considering the reproach of Christ greater riches, than the treasures of Egypt (Heb 11:25,26).

  43. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit “Still others had trials of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented– of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth (Heb. 11:36-38).” Why would these people be willing to give up so much? It was because, by faith, they became poor in spirit. Nothing in this life was worth sparing if it meant not inheriting the kingdom of God.

  44. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit May nothing be more valuable to us than our precious Savior. May we understand that we have nothing of value apart from Christ. Let us realize that we are the “unprofitable servants” (Luke 17:10), as we remember that the thief on the cross speaks of our condition when he said, “We deserve to die for our evil deeds, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Yet Christ responded to him “Today you will be with me in paradise”.

  45. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • II. WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE POOR IN SPIRIT WITH THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN? • 1. Regarding the kingdom of heaven: • 1) Matthew's gospel sets forth Jesus as King and Jesus' disciples as His kingdom. • 2) Prior to Matthew 5, we have Jesus preaching the gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 4:23). • 3) Matthew 5, 6, 7 are widely regarding as the characteristics of those who will inhabit the kingdom.

  46. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • Matthew 4:23 • 23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

  47. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • 4) The kingdom is Christ's church (Matthew 16:18, 19). • 2. Regarding the relationship of the poor in spirit to the kingdom: • 1) Some versions read, "for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." • 2) Other versions seems to indicate that the kingdom of heaven is composed of these. "For the kingdom of heaven is of them." • What is that relationship? • a. It is a relationship of inclusion, in the kingdom • b. It is a relationship of belonging, in the kingdom • c. It is a relationship of being, in the kingdom

  48. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • Matthew 16:18-19 • And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

  49. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • 3. In thinking about this relationship, We are reminded of these passages. • 1) John 13:13-17 - The leader of those in the kingdom is poor in spirit. • 2) Matthew 18:1-5 - one cannot be in the kingdom without being poor in spirit. • 3) Mark 10:13-16 - the character of those in the kingdom is poor in spirit. • 4) Matthew 19:23-30 - the dedication of those in the kingdom is poor in spirit.

  50. Beatitudes--Poor In Spirit • John 13:13-17 • “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

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