What are Beatitudes?
Μακάριοι οἱ/ Makarioi hoiBlessed are the…
Latin: “beatitudos”
Tony Campolo
“If we were to set out to establish a religion in polar opposition to the Beatitudes Jesus taught, it would look strikingly similar to the pop Christianity that has taken over the airwaves of North America.”
Blessed are the…
Poor In Spirit
Matthew 5:3
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
True Riches
“I have now disposed of all my property to my family; there is one thing more I wish I could give them, and that is the Christian religion. Patrick
Henry
True Riches
If they had this, and I had not given them one shilling, they would be rich; but if they had not that, and I have given them all the world, they would be poor.”
Patrick Henry
First Point
Is Jesus teaching that all poor people are uniquely
blessed?
Luke 6:20
Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the
kingdom of God.
Thomas Adams
“There are God's poor and the Devil's poor”
Proverbs 6
9 How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?
Proverbs 6
10 A little sleep, a little slumber,a little folding of the hands to rest,
Proverbs 6
11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.
Second Point
If not simply an expression of material poverty, what does it mean to be poor in
spirit?
Numbers 12:2
“Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?”
Numbers 12:3 (NIV 1984)
Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.
Proverbs 29:23
Pride brings a person low,but the lowly in spirit gain honor.
Third Point
How do we begin climbing the ladder of humility thereby becoming more “poor in spirit”?
Charles Spurgeon
This beatitude is first, because this is where we start with God. “A ladder, if it is to be of any use, must have its first step near the ground, or feeble climbers will never be able to mount.
1. Listen to others.
Mark Altrogge
How to Grow in Humility
2. Be teachable.
Mark Altrogge
How to Grow in Humility
3. Don’t blame others for your sins.
Mark Altrogge
How to Grow in Humility
4. Don’t be so sure that you’re right
all the time.Mark
Altrogge
How to Grow in Humility
5. Take an interest in others.
Mark Altrogge
How to Grow in Humility
6. Ask for forgiveness; don’t just say I’m sorry.Mark
Altrogge
How to Grow in Humility
7. Ask for prayer for areas of
weakness and temptation.Mark
Altrogge
How to Grow in Humility