Sermon – Beatitude #1 – Poor In Spirit

  • The Beatitudes are found in Matthew 5:3-12 and are a part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. 
  • Matthew 5:3 (ESV – KJV – NASB – NIV – NKJV – RSV)
    • Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
    • NLT – God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
    • AMP – Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].

  • BLESSED – “makarios” – are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
    • Blessed – receiving God’s favor
    • Fortunate
    • good – in a position of favor
    • happy feelings associated with receiving God’s favor

  • In that culture, you were considered blessed if you were wealthy and/or healthy.  If someone was well to do, most thought God had blessed them; and if someone was poor or sick, the opposite was thought, at least by some, that they were cursed or were paying for sins they had committed. 

  • In John 9, there is an account of Jesus healing a man born blind; and He was asked if that man had sinned (I guess in the womb) or if his parents had sinned – one of which must have caused this issue.

  • Jesus – as He was known to do – is flipping the script or turning the world upside down with His teachings.  He is the same One that said to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, instead of the “eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.” 

  • The same One that equated lust with adultery; and hate with murder.  He is wanting people to not just think of actions or the physical; but also, of the spiritual.

  • The people that would have heard this would have been shocked.  If Jesus was starting out a statement with “blessed” or “fortunate” then surely anything other than “poor” would come next. 

  • The people may have expected Jesus to say that the rich or healthy or those that followed the Law or tithed (especially in excess) would be blessed … something they could do to earn God’s favor.

  • Blessed are the POOR – “ptochos” – in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

  • The Greek word used is fairly severe; and doesn’t just mean someone that is down on their luck or living paycheck to paycheck.  It is applied to a person that is a beggar, a person of few resources that may be considered oppressed, despised, and miserable – a group of people that had to live off the kindness and charity of others.  They can’t make it on their own.
  • Again, the poor would not be considered blessed or fortunate … but Jesus’ teaching goes beyond the physical … it goes beyond just one issue … it takes care of all facets of life.

  • Just like in Acts 3, when Peter and John went to the Temple and came across a beggar who couldn’t walk.  That man was hoping for money – something that could have helped in that day or in the short term; but what Peter said (and what God did through him) was much better.

  • Acts 3:6 (KJV) – Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. 

  • The man was hoping for money – something for a day; but got something far more valuable.

  • The greatest thing we can do is recognize that we are poor … in the next thing.

  • Blessed are the poor IN SPIRIT – “pneuma” – for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
    • wind / breath / things which are commonly perceived as having no material substance; by extension: spirit, heart, mind, the immaterial part of the inner person that can respond to God / spirit being – evil spirits or ghosts – God The Holy Spirit

  • By adding “in spirit” Jesus points out exactly where their poverty lies.  These people would have none of their own spiritual resources.  They would rely on the kindness of God to supply them with those riches.

  • They are humble, realizing they have nothing to offer God, but need His free gifts.

  • Without Jesus, a person / a soul remains spiritually impoverished. 

  • This truth is easily seen if you look at the Romans Road.
    • 1    Romans 3:9-12, 23                  All people are under the power of sin – none are righteous
    • 2    Romans 6:23                           wages of sin is gift, but the free gift of God is eternal life
    • 3    Romans 5:8                             Christ died for us while we were still sinners
    • 4    Romans 10:9-10, 13                confessing Jesus – calling on Him saves us
    • 5    Romans 5:1; 8:1, 38-39           salvation brings us into a peaceful relationship with God

  • Even things we try to do before salvation – thinking we can earn it or appease God is worthless; and as Isaiah 64:6 says, “filthy rags.”
  • Once Jesus is someone’s Lord and Savior, things are different.

  • This is a stark contrast to the Pharisees and Sadducees who were considered spiritually rich for their adherence to following the law; (or the outside look).  Jesus’ words would have seemed like a slap in the face to those whose goodness was related to their ability to look good on the outside.

  • They are the ones Jesus was talking about in Matthew 23.  They looked the part on the outside.  They outwardly followed the rules but were filthy on the inside.  Jesus even called them white-washed tombs to drive that point home – they were filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.
  • Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the KINGDOM – “basileia” – of HEAVEN – “ouranos”
    • kingdom / realm / kingly power, authority, dominion, reign / royal dignity / the title and honor of king
    • sky / air / firmament / any area about the earth / heaven(s) / the place of sun, moon, and stars / Heaven

  • The Kingdom is for the spiritually humble – not the spiritually proud.

  • Only those who humble themselves – like children – are granted admittance into the Kingdom.

  • Matthew 18:3 … Luke 18:17 … Matthew 19:14 … Mark 10:13-16
    • We must be like children to enter the kingdom of heaven
    • We are not to hinder children from coming to Jesus as the kingdom belongs to them

  • The Kingdom of Heaven is everywhere the King of Heaven has authority.  Yes, one day we will live with God in Heaven (the New Heaven on the New Earth); but we are His subjects and servants now.  He is now our King. 

  • The Kingdom is both eternity with God; and knowing Him now.

  • Being poor in spirit forces us to evaluate ourselves honestly against God, His ways, His will, and His standards.  Scripture tells us “to be holy as God is” (1st Peter 1:16 referring to Leviticus 11).

  • He is holy, perfect, just, love and wise … all positive qualities that we should want to emulate come from Him; and we can’t do that on our own … we must be repent and give lives to Him first – then we are changed and able to grow and serve Him – and lead others to Him.

  • We go from enemies of God to servants of God … we go from being on the wide road that leads to destruction to the narrow way that goes to Heaven … We go from being like Paul – who thought he was doing what he should … remember he was persecuting believers … rounding them up … putting them in prison … he was even there holding cloaks of the men that stoned Stephen.

  • To being evangelists, like Paul …
    • 1st Corinthians 11:1 (NLT) … And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
    • 1st Corinthians 9:22b-23 (NLT) … I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.  I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.
      • KJV … I become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some.

  • We are truly blessed if we have been saved; and should want to see others to get saved as well … we should live our lives in such a way that people want to know our Jesus; and if they follow our example, they’ll know how to find Him, love Him, serve Him, and obey Him.

  • Christianity is not just about where you go when you die; it’s about everything you do while you’re alive.  You are blessed if you know God; can love Him, obey Him, serve Him, and live each day to lead others to Him … You recognized your spiritual poverty and changed … the Kingdom is yours.