2. Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3

3. Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 Poor / Ptochos (Greek) – beggar; to be destitute of wealth or resources; to be helpless or powerless to accomplish what is needed for one’s self.

4. Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3

5. Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 Pharisees – Leaders within Judaism, distinguished by strict adherence to religious law. They were typically known for their superior attitude.

6. Truth #1 IT’S THE “POOR IN SPIRIT” WHO GET INTO HEAVEN

7. Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. Luke 18:9-14

8. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' Luke 18:9-14

9. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:9-14

10. Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Luke 18:9

11. But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away....You have hidden Your face from us, and have consumed us because of our iniquities. Isaiah 64:6-7

12. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

13. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

14. Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others. Luke 18:9

15. Truth #2 BEWARE OF BEGGARS WHO BECOME PHARISEES

16. "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees." Matthew 16:6

17. A Pharisee is Self-Righteous A Pharisee is Legalistic A Pharisee is a Murderer A Pharisee is a Hypocrite A Pharisee has a Critical Spirit Are you a “Pharisee?”

18. Why do you criticize and pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you look down upon or despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God. And so each of us shall give an account of himself to God. Then let us no more criticize and blame and pass judgment on one another, but rather decide and endeavor never to put a stumbling block or an obstacle or a hindrance in the way of a brother.” Romans 14:10-13 (Amplified Bible)

19. Truth #3 THE POOR IN SPIRIT RECOGNIZE EVERY BLESSING IS FROM GRACE!

20. God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen… that no flesh should glory in His presence. 1 Corinthians 1:27-28