Matthew 5:1-12 The 1 st Beatitude

Beautiful attitudes Formula for happiness Blessed = Happy Beatitude = Happy Not by outward things Not by pleasure Not by money

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”

#1-4 Man to God Relationship  Man cannot be happy with sin separating him from God  Remove sin – peace with God

# 5-8 Man to Man Relationship  We are social beings  Must live peaceably with others  These teach us how to do that

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 5:3 Blessed are the Poor in Spirit 2 Questions Answered Who are the blessed? Poor in spirit What is their blessing? Kingdom of heaven

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit Blessed are the materially rich Blessed are the great and powerful Blessed are those who lay up treasures on earth Blessed are the highly educated Blessed are those who spend their time on pleasure Blessed are the rich

Poor – Be without and know it Meaning of “Poor in spirit”  Be in need and realize it  Humble opinion of oneself  Aware that we are sinners Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

Pride - involved in fall of Man Gen.3  Thought he knew what was best  Humility to return to God  Humble our self spiritually “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.” 1 Cor. 3:18

Poor – “to be without” 1.Lack of wealth, struggle 2.Poverty, danger of starvation “Blessed are the ones who know that spiritually they are paupers” McCord’s Translation

James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.” The less you know, the more you think you know. The more you know, the less you think you know.

“O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.” Jer.10:23 A humble person is teachable. “Thou art the potter, I am the clay”

“Have Thine Own Way Lord” Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Thou art the potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after Thy will, while I am waiting, yielded and still.

“Have Thine Own Way Lord” Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Search me and try me, Savior today! Wash me just now, Lord, as in Thy presence humbly I bow.

“Have Thine Own Way Lord” Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Hold o'er my being absolute sway. Filled with thy Spirit till all shall see Christ only, always, living in me!

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3 Theirs is the kingdom of heaven The Kingdom is the church Matt. 16:18-19

“You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 16:18-19 Theirs is the kingdom of heaven

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.“ Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?“ Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Jn. 3:3-5 Theirs is the kingdom of heaven

 Fulfilled Matt. 16:18-19  “poor in spirit” - “what shall we do?”  Lord added to the church  Reward for those “poor in spirit” and obey Acts 2

What about the Proud ? Cursed - Not Blessed Theirs is not the kingdom Woes to the self-righteous Prov. 16:18 Matt. 23 Theirs is the kingdom of heaven

Specific - Poor in Spirit – without Results - Kingdom of Heaven Principle - Humility - teachable Application - Trust in God - Faith Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

Humility is perfect quietness of heart. It is for me to have no trouble; never to be fretted or vexed or irritated or sore or disappointed. It is to expect nothing, to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing done against me.

It is to be at rest when nobody praises me and when I am blamed or despised. It is to have a blessed home in the Lord where I can go in and shut the door and kneel to my Father in secret and be at peace as in a deep sea of calmness,

when all around is trouble. It is the fruit of the Lord Jesus Christ's redemptive work on Calvary's cross, manifested in those of His own.

In Christ = SAVED Baptized (Gal.3:27) Confess (Rom.10:10) Hear (Rom.10:17) Believe (Jn.8:24) Repent (Lk.13:3)