The Blessed Life: Journey Through the Beatitudes Part 1 – I Bring Nothing

The Blessed Life: Journey Through the Beatitudes

Part 1 – I Bring Nothing

Matthew 5:3

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,

    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn,

    for they will be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek,

    for they will inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

    for they will be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful,

    for they will be shown mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart,

    for they will see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers,

    for they will be called children of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3-10

“The Beatitudes do more than describe a blessed life – they give us a roadmap for pursuing it.” — Colin S. Smith

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,

    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3

What does it mean to be poor in spirit?

1) Being poor in spirit is recognizing your .

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;

    the whole earth is full of his glory.”

4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” Isaiah 6:1-5

2) Being poor in spirit goes against the grain of our .

3) Being poor in spirit involves and .

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart

    and lean not on your own understanding; Proverbs 3:5

8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord.

    With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8

13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

6 Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;

    though lofty, he sees them from afar. Psalm 138:6

18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted

    and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

God can use in your life to make you poor in spirit.

How will I be blessed when I am poor in spirit?

• When I am poor in spirit, I no longer think that God .
• When I am poor in spirit, I am positioned to .

11 …’God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. Luke 18:11b.

13 …’God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ Luke 18:13b.

14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:14

• When I am poor in spirit, I am more able to .

5 …“God opposes the proud

    but shows favor to the humble.”

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:5b-6

• When I am poor in spirit, I will be strengthened to .

18 Pride goes before destruction,

    a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 1 Corinthians 10:12

• When I am poor in spirit, I will be lead to .

14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14