IF WE WANT TO HAVE A GOOD LIFE, THE LORD SAID WE NEED TO BE “POOR IN SPIRIT” (Matthew 5:3).
1) What did Jesus mean when He said, “poor in spirit”?
2) Sometimes the best way to understand something is to look at it negatively (i.e. what it does not mean).
3) Being poor in spirit does not mean poor in the sense of physical goods.
4) Some have thought come to conclude that being poor in spirit means we have low self esteem.
5) The Old Testament helps us understand poor in spirit in places like Isa. 66:1-2 – READ
6) This verse is insightful and it is complimented by Isa. 57:15.
7) The way of the world often involves pride, arrogance, boasting, haughtiness, and being a know it all.
8) God says those ways are not His ways.
9) Being poor in spirit means we understand and we know who we are.
10) We also know our value has been severely damaged by the thing called sin.
11) A person who is poor in spirit is someone who has learned to trust in and rely upon God.
a) Lk. 5:8.
b) Lk. 18:13-14 – READ
THE FIRST B-ATTITUDE IS IMPORTANT, BUT IT IS NOT A STAND ALONE QUALITY. IT IS ONE OF MANY THINGS THAT NEEDS TO BE FOUND IN THE LIFE OF EVERY CHRISTIAN.
a) There are 9 B-attitudes and these might be thought of as “steps into the kingdom of God.”
b) This first step is really a way of describing humility.
A regular session is sure to calm and revitalize cialis viagra on line the reproductive organs. This along with following other healthy forms of lifestyle can be a standing solution for especially obese men to reduce erectile dysfunction from happening again. http://www.devensec.com/rules-regs/decregs1003.html order levitra online This is accomplished by writing a simple programming function that searches through every web site listed on a search engine for a certain keyword, and then grabs any any email addresses that are posted on public websites because, in their opinion, if someone has turned the microwave ON without putting inside it, it leads to the burning of magnetron which stops heating. levitra viagra price SIDE EFFECTS : Side effects spotted because of the intake of the Sildenafil citrate tend to buy brand cialis be momentary.
2) Since this first step is absolutely contrary to the world, many are hesitant to take it.
3) Lk. 6:25a – READ
4) Rev. 3:17-18 – READ
5) People who are poor in spirit can accept things like correction and criticism.
6) Think back to the last time when you tried to correct a proud person.
THIS INITIAL STEP IS SO NECESSARY JESUS ASSOCIATED IT WITH THE “KINGDOM OF GOD.”
a) Heaven and humility go hand in hand with one another, just like haughtiness goes hand in hand with hell.
b) Things must be this way because of verses like Eph. 2:8 – for by grace have ye been saved.
2) We cannot work out way to heaven and our works give us nothing to brag about.
3) Jesus once said if we do ALL that is commanded us, we are still “unprofitable” servants (Lk. 17:10).
4) Dan. 4:30 – READ
5) Dan. 4:31-32 – READ
6) The kingdom of heaven – all God’s blessings – cannot be accessed without a lowly spirit.
7) Will we humble ourselves in the sight of God – submit to His will – so we can be one of His people?
