1. The Greatest Sermon Ever Preached Part 1: The Believer’s Happiness Matthew 5:1-4

2. 1 When He saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain, and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He began to teach them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, because they will be comforted.

3. It shows the necessity of the new birth. It intends to drive the listener to Christ as the only hope of meeting God’s standards. It gives God’s pattern for happiness. It is perhaps the greatest spiritual resource for witnessing. A life obedient to these principles is the only life that is truly pleasing to God.

4. 1. Happy are those who realize their spiritual condition

5. 16 Just then someone came up and asked Him, "Teacher, what good must I do to have eternal life?" 17 "Why do you ask Me about what is good?" He said to him. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." 18 "Which ones?" he asked Him.

6. Jesus answered, Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; 19 honor your father and your mother; and love your neighbor as yourself. 20 "I have kept all these," the young man told Him. "What do I still lack?"

7. 21 "If you want to be perfect," Jesus said to him, "go, sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me." 22 When the young man heard that command, he went away grieving, because he had many possessions. 23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “ I assure you: It will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven!

8. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." 25 When the disciples heard this, they were utterly astonished and asked, "Then who can be saved?" 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

9. In AD 59 he wrote, I am the least of the apostles. 1 Corinthians 15:9 In AD 63 he wrote, I am the very least of all the saints. Ephesians 3:8 In AD 64 he wrote, I am the foremost of sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15

10. 2. Happy are those who are broken hearted over sin. Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord God is on Me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and freedom to the prisoners; Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.