Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

Northwest Bible Church – Sept. 28, 2025 – Matthew – Alan Conner

Matthew 5:3

Blessed are the poor in spirit

Intro

 

A. THE MEANING OF POOR IN SPIRIT.

1. Not financial poverty.   

2. Spiritual poverty – humility.  

a) their neediness.   

b) depends totally on God to provide for those needs.  Isa. 57:15; 66:2  

3. The contrast would be one who is “rich in spirit.”  

 B. EXAMPLES OF BEING POOR IN SPIRIT.   

1. Pharisee and publican in prayer (Lk. 18:9-14).

2. Prodigal son (Lk. 15:11-24).   

C. THE ORIGIN OF BEING POOR IN SPIRIT.

1. Not natural to our depraved human nature.  

2. Produced by the Holy Spirit.   This is a heaven grown virtue.

   3. Christ centered focus.    

4. A permanent virtue.   

D. HELP ON BEING POOR IN SPIRIT.

1. Attitude toward self

a. Remember our sinful nature.   Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 3:10-12

b. Remember that all we have is a gift.  1 Cor. 4:7; 1 Cor. 3:6-7; Jas. 1:17

c. We can do nothing apart from Christ. Jn. 15:5

d. Humility.  1 Cor. 15:9; 1 Tim. 1:15; 2 Cor. 3:5

2. Attitude toward others.  

a. Esteem others as more important than self.  Phil. 2:3

b. Servant’s attitude.  Mk. 10:44-45.

3. Attitude toward Christ.

a. Esteem Christ above all.  2 Cor. 5:15; 1 Pet. 3:15

b. Seek first His kingdom.  Mt. 6:33

E. THE BLESSING: THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

 

1. The blessing is present.  

2. The blessing is future.  

Conclusion