Matthew 5:1-11

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.

Numbers 6:24-27

The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. 27 “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”

Mark 10:13-16

13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Jesus didn’t speak wishful words… when He spoke it became truth.

“To speak about rather than to speak to violates the fundamental purpose of language.” - David Timms

“The beatitudes do not reflect the only way to blessing but affirm that there is blessing for us irrespective of our circumstances.”

What causes an empty or low spiritual bank account?

1. A new account.
2. Not enough deposits
3. Too many withdrawals
4. An unhealthy balance of withdrawals and deposits.

“The poor in spirit are called ‘blessed’ by Jesus, not because they are in a meritorious condition, but because, precisely in spite of and in the midst of their ever so deplorable condition, the rule of the heavens has moved redemptively upon and through them by the grace of Christ” - Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy

1. The Kingdom Of Heaven Begins With Jesus

Phil 2:1-11

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

2. The Kingdom Of Heaven is available to the Poor In Spirit

2 Cor 12:9

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

3. The Kingdom is available to the Honest and Vulnerable

Matthew 16:25

25 For whoever would save his life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

“When the wheels are loose- in our workplace, in our marriage, in our church h, in our own life- let’s resolve not to shutter the windows but to open them; not to worry about our interests but to minister to the hearts of others. In doing so, may we find that what looks like doorstep of hell actually becomes a window to the Kingdom of heaven” - David TimmsBeing Poor In Spirit is not about lacking, it’s about seeking.

James 4:6

6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”