I. Int.
A. These words were spoken on a mountain in Galilee
1. Jesus was not in the temple, but on a mountainside when he spoke these words
2. The ten commandment law was given on a mountain
3. This great sermon on the Beatitudes was preached on a mountain
4. When the ten commandment law was given, it was given amid thunder and lightning
5. The Beatitudes were given in a quiet and serene setting
B. It has been thought by some that the Sermon on Mount was spoken by Jesus only to His disciples
1. However, this idea is not taught here
a. In Matt. 5:1, we are told that a multitude was there to hear him
b. Furthermore we are told in Matt. 7:28-29
C. The teaching of the Beatitudes:
1. Are designed to help us
2. Are designed to remove loneliness, and despair from the hearts of those who want to serve God
3. Are designed to show people how to be happy
D. The happiness of which Jesus speaks is not based upon happen stances
1. It is not based upon “all things going well with us in life”
2. There will be problems, sorrows an disappointments in life
E. The Blessedness of which Jesus speaks is an exalted state of Happiness
1. Our happiness does not depend upon what we have, but upon what we are
2. In the Beatitudes Jesus describes the CHARACTER & THE NATURE of those who are blessed
F. The “1st Beatitude” of which Jesus speaks is “The Poor in Spirit”
II. WHO ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT?
A. JESUS DID NOT SAY:
1. Blessed are the Rich & Successful
a. Blessedness does not come from what we have but from what we are
b. The Bible does not exalt riches-a charge is given in
I Tim. 6:17-19
2. Blessed are the Great and Powerful-I Cor. 1:26
3. Blessed are the Poor
a. The Bible nowhere teaches that Poverty as such is a good thing
b. The poor man is no more blessed than the rich
c. Poverty does not guarantee spirituality -Jas. 2:5
4. Blessed are the Poor Spirited
a. The Bible does not exalt cowardness-10 of the 12 spies were afraid
b. The one talent man was afraid-Eph. 6:10 teaches
c. It takes courage to be a servant of the Lord
d. It takes courage to say “NO” to those things that are wrong
e. It takes courage to oppose sin & error
III. WHO ARE THE IN SPIRIT?
A. THE WORD “POOR” IS USUALLY DDESCRIPTIVE OF WHAT A MAN HAS OR DOES NOT HAVE
B. THE EXPRESSION “POOR IN SPIRIT” REFERS TO WHAT A MAN IS
1. It carries the idea of dependence upon something other than one’s SELF-Jer. 10:20
C. THIS ATTITUDE CHARACTERIZED OUR LORD IN HUMAN FORM Jn. 5:30; 14:10
D. THE ONE WHO IS “POOR IN SPIRIT” DEPENDS UPON GOD FOR DIRECTION, FOR GUIDANCE, AND THAT WILL LEAD HIM INTO HIS KINGDOM-Isa. 57:15
1. Isa. 35:8-10 teaches
a. The “wayfaring” are those not acquainted with the territory through which they are passing
b. They need guidance
c. The fools of the passage are not simpletons but are descriptive of men who realize the need of guidance who know they cannot guide themselves-I Cor. 3:18
1) Lay down human wisdom and accept Divine Revelation
E. THE POOR IN SPIRIT TAKE GOD AT HIS WORD AND DO WHAT HE SAYS!-Matt. 7:24-25
IV. “THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN”-WHY?
A. 1ST, IT WILL LEAD TO ASK “WHAT” MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?” TO ENTER THE KINGDOM-JN. 3:3-5; Acts 2:37-38; 8:37-40; 16:30-33
B. 2nd, IT WILL LEAD ONE TO DO THAT WHICH IS NECESSARY TO BE SAVED-TO ENTER THE KINGDOM-Acts 2:38,41,47
C. 3rd, THE POOR IN SPIRIT CONTINUE TO OBEY-I Jn. 1:6-7;
Rm. 12:1-2
D. THEY ARE BLESSED-WHY?
1. Forgiven-Acts 8:39
2. They are member’s of God’s family-I Th. 1:1
3. Their name is written in the book of life-Heb. 12:23
4. They have the promise of Eternal life-2 Tim. 4:6-8