1. BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT
MATTHEW 5:3

2. The Beatitudes Matt. 5:3-12 The “Be Attitudes” begin with “Blessed”
Character of a Christian (citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven)
Composite description
Composite reward
Logical progression
Not the same as Luke 6:20-26
Spiritual Only vs. Physical and Spiritual
8 positive statements vs. 3 positive and 3 negative statements

3. “Blessed are the poor in spirit”
Poor in spirit not financially poor 1 Tim. 6:17
Poverty is not a virtue
Riches are a stumblingblock Mark 10:23-27
Poor in spirit is not weak-willed
It is humility Matt. 18:1-3, 20:20-28
The foundation of repentance, discipleship
Humility to see our faults Matt. 5:4
Humility to submit to God Matt. 5:5
Psalm 51:14-17, Matt. 11:28-30, Mark 16:16