1. Matthew 5:3 “Poor in Spirit”

2. Christianity is the unreligion.

3. Mathew 5:1-12 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. Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4. Big Idea: Jesus want us to experience the PROFOUND FAVOR that accompanies the RADICAL TRANSFORMATION of those living under His ROYAL CONTROL

5. Mathew 5:1-12 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Am I experiencing what it means to be poor in spirit? Am I experiencing the kingdom of heaven? Character Quality Promise

6. Translation = “Happy” or “Blessed” “Joy” is a trait of maturity in John 15:1-17 More than a subjective feeling - It is an objective condition or status Defined by promises associated with each quality listed (spiritual & substantive) Both present and future The result of salvation – not the basis for salvation

7. Mathew 5:1-12 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Character Quality

9. The Year of the LORD'S Favor Isaiah 61:1-3 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD'S favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, ….

11. To be poor in spirit is… 1.To recognize and own my UNWORTHINESS before God. (Luke 15:21) 2.To be completely DEPENDENT upon God. (2 Corinthians 12:9; Colossians 1:29) 3.To understand that without Him I can do NOTHING. (John 15:5)

12. Step ONE: Realize I’m not God; I admit I’m powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and my life is not manageable. Mondays at 7pm

13. Am I experiencing what it means to be poor in spirit?

14. Mathew 5:1-12 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Am I experiencing the kingdom of heaven? Character Quality Promise

15. The kingdom of heaven is… 1.a major theme in Jesus’ teaching. (Luke 4:43) 2.Matthew’s equivalent to what other NT authors call “the kingdom of God.” 3.a dynamic reign, not a geographical location. 4.present but not yet completely actualized. 5.ours based on the authority of Jesus. (John 1:12)

16. This World Creation AlreadyNot Yet 1st Coming of Christ 2nd Coming of Christ This World Ends: Beginning of New Heaven & Earth ? The Kingdom of God

17. Mathew 5:1-12 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. Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

18. Growth in the Religiously Unaffiliated Christianity is the unreligion.