May 4
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT PART 2
THE POOR IN SPIRIT
-Matthew 5:3 states, … Blessed are the poor in spirit … This is where our relationship with the Father begins.
The word "poor" that is used in this scripture means: one who is helpless, or one who has fallen from a better state. The
blessing that awaits us is not just being poor in spirit, but in RECOGNIZING that we are poor in spirit.
-We must recognize that we are helpless, and that we have fallen from a better state. Without God we are helpless, hopeless,
wretched, poor, blind, naked, and most miserable. THIS IS NOT A PITY PARTY, FALSE HUMILITY, OR A LOAD OF CONDEMNATION THAT
WE MUST CARRY AROUND. IT IS THE TRUTH! Remember when the apostle Paul said, … For I know that in me ( that is, in my
flesh, ) dwells no good thing: … O WRETCHED MAN THAT I AM! WHO SHALL DELIVER ME FROM THE BODY OF THIS DEATH? …
Was Paul having a pity party and feeling sorry for himself? NO! He was coming to the knowledge of the truth concerning his
fallen state ( condition ). The man of sin was being revealed to him, and the Lord was destroying him ( the man of sin, the
carnal mind ) by the brightness of His coming ( presence )!
-When we begin to recognize that the very nature that we were born with is our problem, then we have diagnosed the ROOT
OF OUR PROBLEM. Ephesians 2:3 states, … and we were BY NATURE the children of wrath, … So … We must then
come to the conclusion that we have a nature problem. This is referred to as the ADAMIC NATURE ( the nature we INHERITED from
Adam ), or the SIN NATURE. The good news is that there is a solution. The solution is GOD’S DIVINE NATURE! 2ND
Peter 1:4 tells us that we have been made partakers of the DIVINE NATURE. This is the answer and solution that brings us
out of the grip of the ADAMIC NATURE.
-After coming to this revelation ( the revelation that we were born with a fallen nature, there is no good thing in our
flesh, and that we are SPIRITUALLY BANKRUPT ) we are on our way to higher ground in God. To be poor in spirit is to realize
that except we abide in Christ, WE CAN DO NOTHING! Being poor in spirit could also be referred to as THE BADGE OF BROKENNESS.
Those who truly are poor in spirit are broken and crushed in their spirit over their current condition, and do always look
to God for their help in every situation of this life. The poor in spirit are fully aware of their inability to do what only
God can do. Their realization of this is what makes them so strong in God, for God’s strength is made perfect in our
weakness!
-As was stated earlier, this is not a load of condemnation. It is just the opposite. IT IS LIBERTY AND FREEDOM FROM DEATH!
Romans 8:1,2 states, … There is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after
the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS has made me FREE from the law of sin and
death …
-The sooner we recognize that we are poor in spirit ( helpless ), the sooner we will realize that we are …
-RICH IN CHRIST!-
