Author: Art Davison

BLESSED ARE THEY WHO HAVE SPIRITUAL HUNGER-MATTHEW 5:6

Art Davison THE BEATITUDES 0 Comment
BLESSED ARE THEY WHO HAVE SPIRITUAL HUNGER
MATTHEW 5:6
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”
Introduction:
This is the fourth step of blessedness. This falls into two parts: First, there is a duty implied here: To hunger after righteousness. Secondly, there is a promise added: “for they shall be filled.”
Just what is meant by hunger? Isaiah says it is a desire, Isaiah 26:9, “With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.”
Where does this desire come from? It comes from a sense of want of righteousness. Every believer should have this if he has submitted himself to the Lord for whatever God might want him to do.
I. HUNGERING AND THIRSTING AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS
A. The hunger and thirst for righteousness.
1. Hunger and thirst proceed from life, 1 Peter 2:2, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”
a. It shows the character of a godly man; he hungers and thirst after spiritual things, Isaiah 26:9, “With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.”
b. It shows the disposition of the believer, Psalm 42:2, “My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?”
1) In the Word preached, Psalm 42:1-2, “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?” Psalm 119:20, “My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.
2) In prayer, Romans 8:26, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
3) In study of the Word, Psalm 119:11, 18, 33,“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 18Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. 33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.”
4) In the preaching of the Word by the believer, Psalm 119:27, “Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.”
2. The appetite comes from God just as the food does, 2 Peter 3:18, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”
a. The heart is inclined, Psalm 119:36-37, “Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. 37Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.”
b. He is not ashamed, Psalm 119:46-47, “I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. 47And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.”
B. The righteousness itself.
1. This is IMPUTED righteousness, Romans 4:3, “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.”
a. This righteousness belongs to the LORD, Jeremiah 23:6b, “And this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”
b. By virtue of this righteousness God looks upon us as if we had never sinned, Numbers 23:21, “He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.”
2. This is PERFECT righteousness, Colossians 2:10, “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:”
a. We are complete in Him, Colossians 3:11, “Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.”
b. Because of His power and authority as the author and finisher of our faith, Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
C. Reproof for those who do not hunger after righteousness.
1. They are full of their own righteousness, Romans10:3, “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”
2. They have judged themselves unworthy, Acts 13:46, “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.”
3. They refuse to consent to wholesome words, 1 Timothy 6:3-5, “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.”
a. The plainest truth has its beauty, Ezekiel 33:32, “And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.”
b. But they do not hear them, Luke 16:31, “And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”

BLESSED ARE THE MEEK-MATTHEW 5:5

Art Davison THE BEATITUDES 0 Comment
BLESSED ARE THE MEEK
MATTHEW 5:5
“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”
Introduction:
Definition: Meek = Patient and mild; not inclined to anger or resentment.
In the Old Testament, Moses, in an attitude of meekness, yet maintaining strength of leadership, was ready to accept personal injury without resentment or recrimination.
The high place given to meekness in the list of human virtues is due to the example and teaching of Jesus Christ. Regarding meekness we see the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer as not only curious, but versatile. He makes his heart meek, pure, peaceable, etc. The Holy Spirit adorns “the hidden man of the heart” with a multiplicity of graces.
The proposition here is that meek persons are blessed persons.
I. MEEKNESS TOWARDS GOD AND MAN
A. Meekness toward God.
1. Submission to God’s will, 1 Samuel 3:18, “And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.”
2. Flexibility to God’s Word.
a. Regarding the sinner, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:”
b. Regarding the Believer, James 1:21, “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”
B. Meekness toward man.
1. Meekness is a grace to modify our passion (feelings, emotions), Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23-Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
2. “Meekness sits as moderator in the soul, quieting and giving check to its distempered motions.”
3. Meekness consist of three things:
a. The bearing of injuries.
b. The forgiving of injuries.
c. The recompensing of good for evil, Romans 12:19-20, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.”
COMMENTARY: “Coals of fire”
“The Scriptures have much to say about forgiving our enemies. Paul says that if we give food and drink to our enemies, “we shall be heaping coals of fire on their heads.” To us this doesn’t sound like forgiveness, but like taking vengeance. In the Bible lands almost everything is carried on the head – water jars, baskets of fruit, vegetables, fish or any other article. Those carrying the burden rarely touch it with the hands, and they walk through crowded streets and lanes with perfect ease.
In many homes the only fire they have is kept in a brazier which they use for simple cooking as well as for warmth. They plan to always keep it burning. If it should go out, some member of the family will take the brazier to a neighbor’s house to borrow fire. Then she will lift the brazier to her head and start for home. If her neighbor is a generous woman, she will heap the brazier full of coals. To feed an enemy and give him drink was like heaping the empty brazier with live coals, –which meant food, warmth, and almost life itself to the person or home needing it and was the symbol of finest generosity.” –Barbara M. Bowen, Strange Scriptures that Perplex the Western Mind.
II. MEEKNESS IN THE BEARING OF INJURIES.
Psalm 38:12-13, “They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long. 13-But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.”
A. Meekness is contrary to hastiness of spirit, Ecclessiastes 7:9, “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.” Ephesians 4:26-27, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27-Neither give place to the devil.”
1. Christ was meek, Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
2. Yet Jesus was zealous, John 2:14-15, “And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: 15-And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;”
B. Meekness is contrary to malice.
1. Malice is a picture of the devil, John 8:44, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
2. Malice is mental murder, 1 John 3:15, “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.”
3. Meekness is opposed to revenge and Scripture forbids it, Romans 12:19, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
C. Meekness is contrary to evil speaking, Ephesians 4:31, “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:”
1. The tongue is a fire, James 3:6, “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.”
2. We are commanded to control our tongue, Psalm 34:13-14, “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. 14-Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.”
III. MEEKNESS IN THE FORGIVING OF INJURIES
A. When you pray, forgive, Mark 11:25-26, “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26-But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
1. There should be forgiveness among brethren, Ephesians 4:32, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
2. An unforgiving spirit is contrary to meekness and makes our forgiveness impossible, Mark 11:26, “But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
B. Forgiveness must be…
1. Real, God does not make a show of forgiveness and then keeps our sins by Him, Jeremiah 31:34, “And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
2. Complete, Psalm 103:3, “Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;”
3. Often. Just as God forgives us often, we must do the same for others, Matthew 18:21, “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22-Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”
IV. EXAMPLES OF MEEKNESS.
A. The example of Jesus Christ, Matthew 21:5, “Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.”
1. Jesus was the pattern of meekness, 1 Peter 2:23, “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:”
2. Jesus calls for men to learn of Him, Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
B. What is said of meekness.
1. Meekness is an ornament of “great price” in the Believer, 1 Peter 3:4, “But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”
2. What the Psalmist says of PRAISE, the same will be said of meekness, Psalm 33:1, “Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.”
C. Paul admonishes us to put on meekness, Colossians 3:12, “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;”
CONCLUSION
Meekness argues for a noble and excellent spirit. A meek man is a man who has victory over himself. “Strength of passion argues weakness of judgment, but the meek man who is able to conquer his fury, is the most powerful and victorious.” –Thomas Watson
Meekness shows the character of the true believer. He that is of a meek spirit cannot be easily provoked, 1 Corinthians 13:5, “Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;” Our love for the Lord this grace in our life for His glory.

BLESSED ARE THEY THAT MOURN-MATTHEW 5:4

Art Davison THE BEATITUDES 0 Comment
BLESSED ARE THEY THAT MOURN
MATTHEW 5:4
“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”

Introduction:


This is not a carnal mourning as in the loss of a loved one or a friend, but rather, a spiritual mourning. This is mourning over what sin has done and is doing in our lives and the lives of others about us.

Sin is a plague and we need to wash away the spot it leaves with the tears of repentance. We are talking about Christians that have fallen into sin and seemingly don’t know what to do about it. “Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost?” Ananias was asked by Peter in Acts 5:3. Satan is always looking for opportunity to foul up the lives of God’s people and many times he does his work with great success.

That gives occasion for some gospel mourning as taught here in this passage of Scripture. Let’s examine what Jesus means when He says to “mourn.”

I. MOURNING BECAUSE OF SIN.

A. Our sin, Ezekiel 7:16, “But they that escape of them shall escape, and shall be on the mountains like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity.”

1. The necessity of confessing our sin daily to the Lord, 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

2. The necessity of having communion with our Savior on a regular basis.

a. Breaking the yoke of relationships with unbelievers, 2 Corinthians 6:14, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” Ephesians 5:11, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”

b. Applying the remedy of the Word of God to our sin problems brings us back into fellowship with the Lord restoring communion, 1 John 1:6-7, “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7-But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

B. The pollution of sin causes the wrong kind of mourning.
1. Mourning because there is no blessing in unpardoned sin, Psalm 32:1, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”

2. Mourning that is deceitful. Saul looked like a mourner.

a. He was sometimes among the prophets, 1 Samuel 10:12, “And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father? Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets?”

b. He seemed to be among the penitents, 1 Samuel 15:24, “And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.”

c. Saul did not really have shame for his disobedience, but he did seek honor, 1 Samuel 15:30, “Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God.”

d. Ezra expressed real shame and repentance for the sins of Israel, Ezra 9:6, “And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.”

3. Mourning that is forced by God’s judgments as in the case of Cain, is not gospel mourning, Genesis 4:13, “And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.”

a. His punishment troubled him more than his sin.

b. To mourn for fear of hell is like a thief that weeps for the penalty rather than the offence.

c. “The tears of the wicked are forced by the fire of affliction.” Thomas Watson.

II. THE RIGHT G0SPEL MOURNING.

A. Gospel mourning is free and spontaneous as in the case of Mary Magdalene, Luke 7:37-38, “And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38-And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.”

B. Gospel mourning is spiritual.

1. We mourn for sin more than for suffering.

a. David cried out, Psalm 51:2-3, “Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3-For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.”

b. The Prodigal son, Luke 15:18-19, “I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19-And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.”

2. Sin is an act of hostility and enmity against God.

a. Sin not only make us unlike God, but contrary to God, Leviticus 26:40, “If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me;”

b. Sin insults and resists the Holy Spirit, Acts 7:51, “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.”

1) Sin is contrary to God’s nature.

2) Sin is contrary to God’s will.

3) Sin does all it can to spite God. The Hebrew word for “sin” means “rebellion.”

4) The sinner fights against God, Acts 5:39, “But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”

3. Sin is the highest ingratitude. Thomas Watson said that it is “a kicking against the breasts of mercy. God sent His Son to redeem us, His Spirit to comfort us. We sin against the blood of Christ, the grace of the Spirit and shall we not mourn?” Zechariah 13:6, “And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.”

a. Ingratitude stains our sins indelibly “crimson,” Isaiah 1:18, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

b. Only the blood of Jesus Christ is capable of washing that sin away, Psalm 103:12, “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”

CONCLUSION

Luke 6:21b says, “Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.” God would have all men to repent of their sins, Acts 17:30, “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:” You see, repentance is not just for the lost, but also for the believer who has offended his heavenly Father.

The believer should be mourning for his sin on a daily basis, confessing it to his Lord that he might be cleansed, 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN-MATTHEW 5:3

Art Davison THE BEATITUDES 0 Comment
THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
MATTHEW 5:3

Introduction:

Those saints of God, who are “poor in spirit,” shall possess a kingdom according to this verse. “By the kingdom of heaven is meant that state of glory which the saints shall enjoy when they reign with God and the angels forever; sin, hell and death being fully subdued.” –Thomas Watson, 1660.
I.     A KINGDOM OF GLORY IS PREPARED FOR THE SAINTS.
A. The saints shall reign in that kingdom as kings with the Lord Jesus Christ, Revelation 5:10, “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 20:6, “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” Daniel 7:18, 27, “But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. 27-And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.”
B. The saints as kings will have their crowns:
1. Crown of life, James 1:12, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
2. A crown of glory, 1 Peter 5:4, “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”
a. In my mind I see a crown of thorns that was placed upon the head of my Savior that I might live throughout eternity in God’s presence, Mark 15:17, “And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,”
b. My crown shall never fade away because He bore the crown of thorns.
3. A crown of pure gold, Psalm 21:3, “For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.”
a. A crown of gold cannot be made without thorns, 1 Peter 1:7, “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” 1 Peter 4:13, “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” Revelation 2:10, “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
b. A crown of gold is made by bearing the cross of our Lord:
1) Not worthy, Matthew 10:38, “And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” Luke 14:27, “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
2) Must deny himself, Matthew 16:24, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
3) Glory in cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, Galatians 6:14, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Jeremiah 9:24, “But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.”
II. THE KINDOM OF HEAVEN EXCELLS OTHER KINGDOMS.
A. The Kingdom of heaven excels in its FOUNDER AND MAKER.
1. God is its builder and maker, Hebrews 11:10, “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”
a. The builder of all things, Hebrews 3:4, “But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.”
b. The founder of Zion, Isaiah 14:32, “What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it.”
2. It is made without hands, 2 Corinthians 5:1, “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
B. This kingdom excels in its RICHES:
1. The gates of heaven are made of pearl, Revelation 21:21, “And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.”
2. The streets are made of gold, “and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.”
3. The foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones, Revelation 21:19-20, “And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; 20The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.”
C. This kingdom excels in the PERFECTION of it.
1. There is the fountain of the water of life, Revelation 21:6, “And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.”
2. There is the tree of life, Revelation 22:2, “In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”
3. There is found no more death or sorrow, Revelation 21:4, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
D. This kingdom excels in SECURITY:
1. The gates thereof are always open, Revelation 21:25, “And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.”
2. This kingdom is eternal:
a. Other kingdoms have ceased. Where is the glory of Athens? What has become of the Assyrian, Grecian, and Persian kingdoms?
b. In the Kingdom of heaven the saints will reign forever with the Lord, Revelation 22:5, “And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.”
CONCLUSION
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” That kingdom will be the most glorious experience because we will be in the presence of our Savior Jesus Christ.

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

Art Davison THE BEATITUDES 0 Comment
BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT
MATTHEW 5:1-3
Introduction:

We have somewhat of a paradox here. Generally poverty expels riches, but here poverty begets riches. Mourning would expel joy, but here mourning begets joy, “for they shall be comforted,” v. 4. Persecution normally expels happiness, but here it makes one happy: “Blessed are they that are persecuted.” These are sacred paradoxes in our Savior’s sermon.

The world thinks, “Blessed are they on the pinnacle;” but Christ pronounces them blessed who are in the valley. Consider what Jesus says in verse 3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

I. THE MEANING OF “POOR IN SPIRIT.”

A. It is distinguished from material poverty. The Lord is not referring to those who lack in this worlds material goods.

B. It is not those who are spiritually poor, Revelation 3:17, “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:”

C. It is distinguished from the poor-spirited. These are people who are have mean and base spirits, Ecclesiastes 6:2, “A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.”

D. “Poor in spirit” signifies those who have seen their spiritual poverty and fled to Christ for salvation, Luke 18:13, “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.”

II. QUESTIONS PROPOUNDED ABOUT “POOR IN SPIRIT.”

A. Why does Christ begin with poverty of spirit?

1. Jesus was setting the foundation of all other graces that follow, 1 Corinthians 3:11, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

2. Until a man sees himself as he really is he cannot mourn over sin in his own life and in the life of others.

a. For our own sin, Ezekiel 7:16, “But they that escape of them shall escape, and shall be on the mountains like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity.”

b. For the pollution of sin in the life of the believer, Acts 5:3, “But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?”

c. The color of our sin stands out, Isaiah 1:18, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

B. What is the difference between poverty of spirit, humility and self-denial?

1. Humility is becoming as a child before the Lord, Matthew 18:4, “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

2. Self-denial is learning to put Christ first in your life above everyone and everything else, Titus 2:12, “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”

III. WHY CHRISTIANS MUST BE “POOR IN SPIRIT.”

A. If we are self-sufficient, we are not fit for Christ, Isaiah 61:1, “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;” [broken hearted = unworthiness] “The thing I am blessed in is my poverty. If I know I have no strength of will, no nobility of disposition, then Jesus says—Blessed are you.” – Oswald Chambers

B. Until we are poor in spirit, Christ is never precious, Zechariah 3:4-5, “And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. 5And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.”

1. We see ourselves as we really are – in RAGS. Isaiah 64:6, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

2. Then God clothes us in garments FIT for His service. Isaiah 61:10, “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”

IV. ATTRIBUTES OF THE “POOR IN SPIRIT.”

A. He that is poor in spirit is weaned from self.

1. Our ego causes us many problems, Romans 8:13, “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” “The true character of the loveliness that tells for God is always unconscious. Conscious influence is priggish and un-Christian. If I say, ‘I wonder if I am of any use,’ I instantly lose the bloom of the touch of the Lord. “He that believeth in Me, out of him shall flow rivers of living water.” If I examine the outflow, I lose the touch of the Lord.” – Oswald Chambers

2. Our self-importance stands in the way of serving God in a way that is pleasing to Him, Luke 14:11, “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Who are the people that have influenced us most? Not the ones who thought they did, but those who had not the remotest notion that they were influencing us.

B. He that is poor in spirit is a Christ admirer, Ephesians 3:19, “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”

C. He that is poor in spirit is always complaining of his spiritual estate, Isaiah 6:5, “Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.”

D. He that is poor in spirit is lowly in heart.

1. He sees himself as unworthy, Job 42:6, “Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

2. He sees himself as a great debtor, Romans 1:14, “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.”

3. He sees that his strength in not in himself, but in the Lord, Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

E. He that is poor in spirit is much in prayer.

1. He is ever begging the Lord to increase his faith, Luke 17:5, “And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.”

2. He is ever begging spiritual alms at the throne of God.

3. He sighs; he sheds tears before the Lord, Romans 8:26, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

F. He that is poor in spirit sees himself lost without Christ.

1. To him Christ is his LORD as well as the Saviour, Philippians 3:8, “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.”

2. He asked the Lord as Paul did on the road to Damascus, Acts 9:6a, “And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”

CONCLUSION

Four reason to be “poor in spirit:”

1. This poverty is your riches. Poverty of spirit entitles you to all of Christ’s riches.

2. This poverty is your nobility. The Lord looks on those “poor in spirit” as being persons of honor.

3. Poverty of spirit quiets the soul. Here the believer learns to rest in the promises of God such as Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

4. Poverty of spirit paves the road of blessedness, Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”