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Matthew 5:1-3

Matthew 7:28-29

Matthew 4:23-25

Beatitudes are eight radical declarations of kingdom living resulting in contentment in the midst of the chaos.

“Blessed” – Greek word ‘makarios’(happy, extremely fortunate, flourishing, thriving).

What does it mean to be “poor in spirit”?

It does NOT mean: 1) Financial poverty. 2) Having a spirit of inferiority.

Definition of “poor in spirit” - To recognize one’s own spiritual poverty apart from God’s amazing grace.

Implications:

1. Being “poor in spirit” is the only way to enter the Kingdom of God.

2. Being “poor in spirit” is the only way to enjoy the fullness of the Kingdom of God.

APPLICATION:

What does it look like practically to live “poor in spirit” out in my life?

1. Your life should revolve around the King (Jesus) & His Kingdom.More often, our lives revolve around “us”. Think about how you typically begin your day. Did you BEGIN the day by “seeking FIRST the Kingdom of God”. It is so easy to hit the alarm on our phone / clock and jump out of bed and begin getting ready for the day ahead of us. It is so easy, to neglect “time alone” with the Father. When we fail to do so, we fall into the trap of our life revolving around “us” (our schedule, demands, agenda, etc.). So, we are not living in total dependence on Him. By our priorities, we are living independent upon the One who told us, “Apart from Me, you can do absolutely nothing.” Let that sink in. All you and I are doing is running on life’s proverbial tread mill. We are moving, yet going nowhere and are extremely tired, exhausted and frustrated. Get off the tread mill of life and get down on your knees daily and beg God for His help in everything that will cross your path. Only then will we experience the benefit of a life “poor in spirit”. Everything in our life is dependent on our relationship with King Jesus! Long for Him as your very survival depended upon it! Which, it truly does.

2. You should see other’s lives primarily through the filter of the King & His Kingdom. We do not intentionally do this…yet we, maybe subconsciously, put people in categories. Categories of…Whether we like them or not, whether they have offended us, socio-economic, political views, racial, age, occupation, etc. For citizens of the Kingdom, there are only TWO categories (those who are citizens of the Kingdom and those who are not). We need to view people through the lens of the cross. I believe, if we could always visualize the image of the cross in front of our eyes, it would completely alter the way we see people. An unforgiving spirit, bitterness, anger, judgementalism, etc. would be greatly diminished, if not removed from us when we see other people. The ground is level for EVERYONE at the foot of the cross. None of us have a better seat than anyone else. People do not need our sympathy; they need our proximity. They need us to see them through the cross, just as God sees us through His Son. People need the Healer (Jesus). Let’s give them Him! No matter where you and I are, or who we are, we are all SPIRITUAL BEGGARS!

It is a joy to be your pastor and feed you the life-giving Word of God! “Blessed (Makarios) are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” Have a great week!

- Pastor Monte