Kingdom Living 1: Poor in Spirit

Matthew 5:3 CSB

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

INTRO—

[[VID: Location of SOTM & Beatitudes’ importance.]]

“The Beatitudes”

The group of “blessed are” statements that open the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:3–12. The term also refers to the four “blessed are” statements that open the Sermon on the Plain in Luke 6:20–23. The word “beatitude” originates from the Latin word for ‘blessed,’ beatitudo. [[blessed…happy; rich]]

These descriptions of a life (a person) blessed by God have been thought to be…

Like the OT Law (Luther), a schoolmaster to drive us to Christ and ‘grace alone.’

Strict literalism (Anabaptists, et al.), leading to pacifism, etc.

Future only focus (Classic Dispy, et al.), life in the millennial reign (kingdom).

“Now & Not Yet,” The Sermon on the Mount is for all Christ followers…with importance and impact for our lives now and into the future.

If we are honest, we all seek/desire the blessing of God on our lives. Jesus has provided his people (followers; us) with a road map of the kind of life (the life style; living) that honors him and brings his blessing. [“As the cool kids say these days—LET’S GO!!—and commit ourselves over the following weeks to see the picture of and reflect it in our lives…KINGDOM LIVING made possible by the KINGDOM LIFE we have in Christ.

The Blessed are “Poor in Spirit.”

Matthew 5.3a “Blessed are the poor in spirit…” [seems a tad contradictory— ‘Happy are the poor’

Poor = utterly destitute; beggar; bankrupt;

in spirit = definitive depravity; no spiritual means; spiritual inability;

Isaiah 57.15 For the High and Exalted One, who lives forever, whose name is holy, says this: “I live in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and lowly of spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the oppressed.”

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

Remember…

“I Need Thee Every Hour”

1 I need Thee ev'ry hour, Most gracious Lord; No tender voice like Thine Can peace afford.

Refrain: I need Thee, oh, I need Thee; Ev'ry hour I need Thee; Oh, bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee.

2 I need Thee ev'ry hour, Stay Thou nearby; Temptations lose their pow’r When Thou art nigh. [Refrain]

3 I need Thee ev'ry hour, In joy or pain; Come quickly and abide, Or life is vain. [Refrain]

4 I need Thee ev'ry hour, Teach me Thy will; And Thy rich promises In me fulfill. [Refrain]

John 15.5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me.”

The Blessed have “The Kingdom of Heaven.”

Matthew 5.3b “…for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.”

Kingdom of heaven = …of God (Luke 6.20)

‘The kingdom…IS…theirs’

A blessed promise:

Luke 17.20-21 “When he was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming with something observable; no one will say, ‘See here!’ or ‘There!’ For you see, the kingdom of God is in your midst.””

Mark 10.13-16 People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” After taking them in his arms, he laid his hands on them and blessed them.

Matthew 6.10 “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

A blessed responsibility:

Philippians 1.27-30 “Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel, not being frightened in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your salvation—and this is from God. For it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are engaged in the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.”

CONCL—

The Beatitudes are book-ended by present-tense phrases—which are in fact identical… “the kingdom of heaven is theirs.” The beatitudes between these two are future focused… "they will.” Importantly, our Savior and Lord is—and always will be—with us. An all-encompassing promise, which comes with many, many blessings for those who are his…those whose lives evidence the KINGDOM LIVING Jesus describes for us in these ten verses—the Beatitudes.

INVITATION:

Salvation…

Church Membership…

Direction…

Matthew 5:3 CSB

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.