blessed are the Poor in Spirit

1. Introduction – False Advertising – Indian Buttermilk – remember the “FREE” 35mm camera promotion?

   1. Have you ever gotten less than you expected? – how about more? Kindle 1 & 2

   2. How about different? Bill's Tamarind Popsicle

      • Isaiah 61:1 The spirit of the sovereign Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me. He has sent me to proclaim good news to the poor, to bind up the wounds of the brokenhearted, to decree the release of captives, and the freeing of prisoners, 61:2 to announce the year when the Lord will show his favor,

      • Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and the regaining of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, 4:19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 4:20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him. 4:21 Then he began to tell them,“Today this scripture has been fulfilled even as you heard it being read.”

• Proverbs 6:16 There are six things that the Lord hates, even seven things that are an abomination to him:17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift to run to evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies, and a person who spreads discord among family members

2. Blessed

   1. “Happy”

      1. Shallow

      2. from old English happenstance

   2. “Rewarded” leaves out JOY

   3. “Deeply satisfied and joyful with the approval and reward of God.”

      1. are you deeply satisfied and joyful with the approval and reward of God?

      2. Do you Possess today the confidence that you are:

         1. Poor in Spirit

         2. in possession of the Kingdom of Heaven

3. Poor in Spirit

   1. Two Greek words for poor

      1. Poor

      2. On your knees begging for crumbs, poor

   2. In Spirit

      1. Spiritual poverty by recognition – Make a spiritual account survey – Net worth check. BANKRUPT!

      2. Spiritual poverty by renunciation –

         • Isaiah 64:5 You assist those who delight in doing what is right, who observe your commandments. Look, you were angry because we violated them continually. How then can we be saved? 64:6 We are all like one who is unclean, all our so-called righteous acts are like a menstrual rag in your sight. We all wither like a leaf; our sins carry us away like the wind. 64:7 No one calls out to your name, or rouses himself to take hold of you. For you have hidden your face from us and handed us over to our own sins.{and you caused us to melt in the hand of our sin.} 64:8 Yet, Lord, you are our father. We are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.

   3. From glowing to bereft in 10 minutes or less

• I Kings 19:1 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me,and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” 3 And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.
  4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”

• THAT'S BEREFT!!!! But God rewarded it!

• Job 38:1 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: 38:2 “Who is this who darkens counsel with words without knowledge? 38:3 Get ready for a difficult task like a man; I will question you and you will inform me! 38:4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?

1. Matt 6:24 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation already.

1. Only an empty cup can be filled – It is said we have a Jesus-shaped hole in our soul – but we try to cram lots of stuff in there that doesn't fit.

1. I'm not religious but I'm very spiritual

2. Jesus only offers his grace to those who know they have nothing to add

• Luke 18:9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

1. MIQ - THE ONLY RIGHT ANSWER IS: Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner.

1. Kingdom of Heaven

   1. Timing of the Kingdom

• Luke 12:32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is well pleased {or, has already chosen} to give you the kingdom.

• Luke 17:20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”

• John 18:33 So Pilate went back into the praetorium, summoned Jesus, and asked him,“Are you the king of the Jews?” 18:34 Jesus replied, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or have others told you about me?” 18:35 Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own people and your chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” 18:36 Jesus replied, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my servants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish authorities. But now my kingdom is not from here.” 18:37 Then Pilate said, “So you are a king!” Jesus replied, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I was born, and for this reason I came into the world – to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth hears my voice.” 18:38 Pilate asked, “What is truth?”

1. Treasure of the Kingdom –

   1. Why do people com to The US from other nations?

   2. I had 2 clients inherit family businesses. One was a product-oriented business that left him striving every weekend at trade shows around the country selling orders and ultimately destroying his marriage and leaving his family divided. The other received a business that was in the process of being sold for $27,000,000.00

   3. For the treasure-

      • Matt 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure, hidden in a field, that a person found and hid. Then because of joy he went and sold all that he had and bought that field. 13:45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. 13:46 When he found a pearl of great value, he went out and sold everything he had and bought it.

   4. The treasure of the kingdom is Jesus.

1. Conclusion