This is the first in a nine post series on the Beatitudes. The beatitudes, or supreme blessings, are a part of “The Sermon On The Mount”, Jesus Christ’s first recorded sermon in the New Testament book of Matthew. The entire “Sermon on the Mount” is recorded in Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.
Matthew 5:1-12 (ESV)1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Each beatitude start with the word “blessed” which is sometimes translated “happy”.
“I am starting the series with the first Beatitude;
Matthew 5:3 ESV “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
When Jesus spoke of being “poor in spirit,” he was saying that the poor in spirit recognize that our spirits are needy and the way to cure this poverty of spirit is in our discovery of God’s kingdom.
Matthew 5:3 (ESV)3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
People who are “poor in spirit” do not boast of their accomplishments or talents because they know that everything they have was given to them, in one way or another by God. The poor in spirit are humble people.
Would you like to know God better? Humble yourself!
Would you like to receive God’s approval? Humble yourself!
Would you like to break through to victory? Humble yourself!
Would you like a closer walk with God? Humble yourself
Humility is the way to happiness.
James 4:10 (ESV) Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Humility enables you to be honest about yourself.
When Jesus spoke of being “poor in spirit,” he did not imply that being wealthy is wrong. Money can be handled in a Christian manner or in a non- Christian manner.
Success and prosperity can lead a person to be self-satisfied and proud; on the other hand poverty can drive a person to dishonesty.
1 Timothy 6:10 ESV For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
Jesus declared that if you want to be happy, you must be aware of your spiritual poverty. No picture is more pathetic than that of a person who has a great need and is unaware of it.
Being in spirit is the beginning of happiness. It is the admission that you are nothing without Christ. This admission is always followed by the Lord flooding your life with the riches of his mercy and grace. To be “poor in spirit” is to be honest about yourself, and this is the way to happiness!
Humility drives you to commit your full potential to God.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit” means blessed are those who have realized their own helplessness and who have placed their complete trust in the Lord. After you have done this, you will become detached from things and attached to God. You will commit your full potential to God’s will.
The boy who took all the food that he had and turned it over to Jesus is an example of somebody committing everything that they have.
John 6:8-13 ESV One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?" Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, "Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost." So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.
Once you are willing to commit everything to the Lord, you will be amazed at what Christ can do with what you have to offer. Poverty that produces happiness is poverty of spirit. Total submission to God’s will is always best, and humility is the way to happiness because it drives you to commit your full potential to God’s will.
Matthew 5:1-12 (ESV)1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Each beatitude start with the word “blessed” which is sometimes translated “happy”.
“I am starting the series with the first Beatitude;
Matthew 5:3 ESV “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
When Jesus spoke of being “poor in spirit,” he was saying that the poor in spirit recognize that our spirits are needy and the way to cure this poverty of spirit is in our discovery of God’s kingdom.
Matthew 5:3 (ESV)3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
People who are “poor in spirit” do not boast of their accomplishments or talents because they know that everything they have was given to them, in one way or another by God. The poor in spirit are humble people.
Would you like to know God better? Humble yourself!
Would you like to receive God’s approval? Humble yourself!
Would you like to break through to victory? Humble yourself!
Would you like a closer walk with God? Humble yourself
Humility is the way to happiness.
James 4:10 (ESV) Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Humility enables you to be honest about yourself.
When Jesus spoke of being “poor in spirit,” he did not imply that being wealthy is wrong. Money can be handled in a Christian manner or in a non- Christian manner.
Success and prosperity can lead a person to be self-satisfied and proud; on the other hand poverty can drive a person to dishonesty.
1 Timothy 6:10 ESV For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
Jesus declared that if you want to be happy, you must be aware of your spiritual poverty. No picture is more pathetic than that of a person who has a great need and is unaware of it.
Being in spirit is the beginning of happiness. It is the admission that you are nothing without Christ. This admission is always followed by the Lord flooding your life with the riches of his mercy and grace. To be “poor in spirit” is to be honest about yourself, and this is the way to happiness!
Humility drives you to commit your full potential to God.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit” means blessed are those who have realized their own helplessness and who have placed their complete trust in the Lord. After you have done this, you will become detached from things and attached to God. You will commit your full potential to God’s will.
The boy who took all the food that he had and turned it over to Jesus is an example of somebody committing everything that they have.
John 6:8-13 ESV One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?" Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, "Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost." So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.
Once you are willing to commit everything to the Lord, you will be amazed at what Christ can do with what you have to offer. Poverty that produces happiness is poverty of spirit. Total submission to God’s will is always best, and humility is the way to happiness because it drives you to commit your full potential to God’s will.
Humility prepares you to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
No proud person can be filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit, because a life filled with pride has no room for the Holy Spirit. Those who are unwilling to be controlled by the Holy Spirit are controlled by selfish ambition. That's why the Lord said that we must become like little children before we enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:1-4 ESV At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Children depend on their parents. As God’s children, we are dependent on him. Children don't spend a lot of time little worrying about what they will eat, what they will wear, or where they will sleep. They simply assume that their needs will be met by their parents.
Matthew 6:31-34 ESV Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Our heavenly Father is responsible for our care. We are told to cast our cares on him because he cares for us.
1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Jesus also said to his disciples,
Luke 11:11-13 ESV What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
The “poor in spirit” know they are poor in spirit. They know they can do, and can be nothing, apart from the indwelling Spirit of God. Those who find happiness through humility allow the Holy Spirit to fill them.
Ephesians 5:15, 17-21 ESV Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Humility that enables you to be honest with yourself, that causes you to commit your full potential to God, and that prepares you to be filled with the Holy Spirit is the way to happiness.
No proud person can be filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit, because a life filled with pride has no room for the Holy Spirit. Those who are unwilling to be controlled by the Holy Spirit are controlled by selfish ambition. That's why the Lord said that we must become like little children before we enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:1-4 ESV At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Children depend on their parents. As God’s children, we are dependent on him. Children don't spend a lot of time little worrying about what they will eat, what they will wear, or where they will sleep. They simply assume that their needs will be met by their parents.
Matthew 6:31-34 ESV Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Our heavenly Father is responsible for our care. We are told to cast our cares on him because he cares for us.
1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Jesus also said to his disciples,
Luke 11:11-13 ESV What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
The “poor in spirit” know they are poor in spirit. They know they can do, and can be nothing, apart from the indwelling Spirit of God. Those who find happiness through humility allow the Holy Spirit to fill them.
Ephesians 5:15, 17-21 ESV Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Humility that enables you to be honest with yourself, that causes you to commit your full potential to God, and that prepares you to be filled with the Holy Spirit is the way to happiness.
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