Scripture: Matthew 5:3
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
I. Blessed
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers" (Psa 1:1)
- Exclamations of current reality - enjoying favourable circumstances.
II. The Poor in Spirit
The poor in spirit are those who:
1. Realize Their Helplessness and Trust God Wholeheartedly
- Not just the materially poor, but also the despised and oppressed.
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor...” (Isa 61:1)
“This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.” (Psa 34:6)
“But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay.” (Psa 40:17)
- King David was not someone you would call a poor man, but he had the right attitude of heart - he was poor in spirit.
2. Realize Their Bankruptcy and Depend on God Completely
“8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us.” (2 Cor 1:8-10)
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” (Jn 15:4)
“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” (Rev 3:17)
“To be poor in spirit is not to lack courage, but to acknowledge bankruptcy.” - D.A. Carson
3. Rejoice in Contentment and Thank God Unceasingly
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” (Job 1:21)
III. The Kingdom of Heaven
1. A Place of Belonging
“The Lord hears the needy and does not despise his captive people.” (Psa 69:33)
“He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.” (Pro 3:34)
“… These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.” (Isa 66:2b)
2. A Place of Security
The poor in spirit have security knowing that:
- God will hear their cries and encourage them - “You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry” (Psa 10:17)
- God will provide - “I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor I will satisfy with food.” (Psa 132:15)
- God will protect them - “Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord. “I will protect them from those who malign them.” (Psa 12:5)
- God will secure justice for them - “I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.” (Psa 140:12)
“31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Mt 6:31-33)
3. A Place of Hope
“In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.” (Dan 2:44)
“5 ... To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.” (Rev 1:5-6)
Challenge
1. Humble Ourselves and Depend on God
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” (1 Tim 6:17)
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (Jas 4:10)
2. Trust in God's Plans and Ways
“For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” (Isa 57:15)
3. Seek His Kingdom now and Have Hope in Jesus' Soon Coming
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” (Mt 25:34)
