Embracing Humility: The Blessing of Spiritual Poverty

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the profound truth encapsulated in the Beatitude: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." This teaching invites us to embrace a posture of humility and dependence on God, recognizing our spiritual poverty and need for His grace. The temptations and failures we face can lead us to a place of genuine humility, where we acknowledge our inability to overcome sin on our own. In this place of humility, we find hope and the promise of God's presence with us, offering forgiveness and restoration.

We examined the tendency to believe that God owes us something, a mindset rooted in pride. This attitude leads to disappointment and bitterness, as it distorts our relationship with God. Instead, those who are poor in spirit recognize that everything they have is a gift from God, and they owe Him everything. This realization frees us from the burden of entitlement and opens us to receive God's blessings with gratitude.

Furthermore, being poor in spirit encourages a life of prayer. Those who acknowledge their need for God are drawn to seek Him in prayer, asking for His guidance and provision. This active prayer life is a reflection of our dependence on God and our recognition of our own limitations.

Additionally, those who are poor in spirit are in a position to receive from God. When we come to God with empty hands, acknowledging that we have nothing to offer, we are ready to receive the fullness of His grace and blessings. This posture of humility allows us to cling to the cross of Christ, where we find forgiveness and redemption.

Finally, the poor in spirit boast not in themselves but in the cross of Christ. They recognize that their worth and identity are found in what Christ has done for them, not in their own achievements. This perspective shifts our focus from self to Christ, leading us to make much of Him in our lives and ministries.

Key Takeaways:

- Embracing spiritual poverty leads us to genuine humility, where we acknowledge our inability to overcome sin on our own. This humility opens the door to God's grace and presence in our lives, transforming our failures into opportunities for growth and redemption. [21:17]

- The mindset that God owes us something is rooted in pride and leads to disappointment. Recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God frees us from entitlement and allows us to receive His blessings with gratitude. [23:01]

- A life of prayer is a reflection of our dependence on God. Those who are poor in spirit are drawn to seek God in prayer, acknowledging their need for His guidance and provision. This active prayer life is a sign of spiritual health and humility. [26:41]

- Being poor in spirit positions us to receive from God. When we come to Him with empty hands, acknowledging our need, we are ready to receive the fullness of His grace and blessings. This posture of humility allows us to cling to the cross of Christ. [31:49]

- The poor in spirit boast in the cross of Christ, recognizing that their worth and identity are found in what He has done for them. This perspective shifts our focus from self to Christ, leading us to make much of Him in our lives and ministries. [34:21]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [20:23] - The Blessing of Humility
- [21:17] - From Failure to Hope
- [22:13] - Applications of the Beatitude
- [22:45] - The Danger of Entitlement
- [23:49] - Pride and Its Consequences
- [24:41] - Recognizing Our Dependence
- [25:37] - The Power of Prayer
- [26:41] - Active Prayer Life
- [27:14] - The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
- [29:08] - Justification Through Humility
- [30:32] - Receiving with Empty Hands
- [31:49] - Clinging to the Cross
- [32:42] - Boasting in the Cross
- [34:41] - The Distinction of True Believers

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 5:3 - "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
2. Luke 18:9-14 - The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
3. Galatians 6:14 - "But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

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Observation Questions:

1. In the sermon, what does it mean to be "poor in spirit," and how is this related to the Kingdom of Heaven? [21:50]

2. How does the sermon describe the mindset of entitlement towards God, and what are its consequences? [23:49]

3. According to the sermon, what role does prayer play in the life of someone who is poor in spirit? [26:41]

4. What is the significance of coming to God with "empty hands," as mentioned in the sermon? [31:49]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector illustrate the concept of being poor in spirit? What does this teach about humility before God? [29:23]

2. The sermon mentions that those who are poor in spirit boast in the cross of Christ. How does this perspective shift one's focus from self to Christ? [34:21]

3. What does it mean to recognize that "everything we have is a gift from God," and how does this realization impact our relationship with Him? [24:41]

4. How does the sermon suggest that our failures can lead us to a place of genuine humility and hope? [21:17]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt entitled to something from God. How did that mindset affect your relationship with Him, and how can you shift towards gratitude? [23:49]

2. Consider your current prayer life. Is it reflective of a dependence on God? What changes can you make to cultivate a more active prayer life? [26:41]

3. Identify an area in your life where you struggle with pride. How can embracing spiritual poverty help you find freedom and humility in that area? [24:21]

4. Think about a recent failure or challenge you faced. How can you use that experience to draw closer to God and embrace His grace? [21:17]

5. In what ways can you practice coming to God with "empty hands" this week, acknowledging your need for His grace and blessings? [31:49]

6. How can you make more of Christ in your daily life and less of yourself? What practical steps can you take to boast in the cross of Christ? [34:21]

7. Reflect on the story of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. How can you ensure that your prayers are focused on God rather than on yourself? [29:23]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Spiritual Poverty for True Humility
Recognizing our spiritual poverty is the first step toward genuine humility. This humility is not about self-deprecation but about acknowledging our limitations and our need for God's grace. When we admit that we cannot overcome sin on our own, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's presence. In this state of humility, our failures become opportunities for growth and redemption, as we rely on God's strength rather than our own. This perspective allows us to experience the fullness of God's grace and the hope that comes with His forgiveness and restoration. [21:17]

Isaiah 66:2 (ESV): "All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to acknowledge your spiritual poverty and invite God's grace to transform your failures into growth?


Day 2: Freedom from Entitlement through Gratitude
The mindset that God owes us something is a trap rooted in pride, leading to disappointment and bitterness. When we recognize that everything we have is a gift from God, we are freed from the burden of entitlement. This realization allows us to receive God's blessings with gratitude, transforming our relationship with Him. By acknowledging that we owe God everything, we shift our focus from what we lack to the abundance of His grace and provision in our lives. This gratitude fosters a deeper sense of contentment and joy, as we learn to appreciate the gifts we have been given. [23:01]

James 1:17 (ESV): "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you feel entitled. How can you shift your perspective to one of gratitude for God's gifts today?


Day 3: Cultivating a Life of Prayer through Dependence
A life of prayer is a reflection of our dependence on God. Those who are poor in spirit are naturally drawn to seek God in prayer, acknowledging their need for His guidance and provision. This active prayer life is a sign of spiritual health and humility, as it demonstrates our recognition of our own limitations and our reliance on God's strength. Through prayer, we cultivate a deeper relationship with God, allowing His presence to guide and sustain us in every aspect of our lives. This ongoing dialogue with God is essential for spiritual growth and transformation. [26:41]

Colossians 4:2 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."

Reflection: How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine to reflect your dependence on God?


Day 4: Receiving God's Fullness with Empty Hands
Being poor in spirit positions us to receive from God. When we come to Him with empty hands, acknowledging that we have nothing to offer, we are ready to receive the fullness of His grace and blessings. This posture of humility allows us to cling to the cross of Christ, where we find forgiveness and redemption. By letting go of our self-reliance, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's love and grace, experiencing the abundant life He offers. This surrender is not a sign of weakness but a recognition of our need for God's strength and provision. [31:49]

Psalm 34:18 (ESV): "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to let go of self-reliance and come to God with empty hands, ready to receive His grace?


Day 5: Boasting in the Cross for True Identity
The poor in spirit boast not in themselves but in the cross of Christ. They recognize that their worth and identity are found in what Christ has done for them, not in their own achievements. This perspective shifts our focus from self to Christ, leading us to make much of Him in our lives and ministries. By boasting in the cross, we acknowledge that our true identity is rooted in Christ's sacrifice and love, freeing us from the need to prove ourselves through our accomplishments. This understanding allows us to live with confidence and purpose, as we seek to glorify God in all that we do. [34:21]

Galatians 6:14 (ESV): "But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from your own achievements to boasting in the cross of Christ in your daily life and interactions?

Quotes


waves and it feels too much for me and do you see what is happening in the mercy of God the very temptations that seem to overwhelm you are bringing you to the place of hope the place where you are poor in spirit you're saying I don't have what it takes to beat this and Jesus Christ comes to you today and he says I will dwell with you 247 you don't know when and what's going to come at you this week but I will walk with you in it you will not be alone there's a tremendous blessing here today for the person who has really messed up [00:20:09]

your sin has found you out and the enemy of your soul who told you that there was no harm in it is now telling you there's no hope because of it but if your failure should lead you today to a place of genuine humility before God if your sin should should lead you to the place where instead of arrogance before him where you're always a asserting yourself there's a humility of spirit that is now birthed by his grace out of this very failure I tell you God can use the sin that would have led you down to Hell to help you find the path to Heaven that's his grace blessed blessed blessed are the poor in spirit Heaven belongs to them [00:21:59]

the first is this that that people who are poor in spirit give up the idea that God owes them you know what I mean by that as God's creatures we have a duty towards him but it is oh so easy especially in our culture to flip the whole thing on its head foret get that we have a duty to God and live as if God were the one who has a duty towards us we get the idea that we can as it were write Jo God's job description tell him what to do give him our Ten Commandments this is what we're looking to you for God to provide certain blessings for our family to uh provide a a level of income that and of Health that will support our chosen lifestyle uh to insulate us from the sufferings that admittedly are experienced by others in this world [00:22:13]

and then because we so easily slide into the idea that we are the ones who are writing the the uh demands and the prescriptions as it were for god um wo betide God we begin to feel if he does not meet our expectations my friends you you you know how easily all of us can slip into this strange kind of expectation God owes me mentality but do you see how pride is written all over that Pride says I gave him something and he owes me something bigger and better than I got back and as long as your heart is there you are on a path to bitterness to disappointment resentment and it kills blessing bless are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven [00:23:49]

the person who is poor in spirit says well now what do I have that I did not receive I owe God everything and I have been able to produce for him nothing and he owes me nothing and yet he is the one who has given me all things so people who are poor in spirit they have this wonderful Deliverance they they they get off this thing that God owes me better than I had in my past better than I have in my present and that God owes me something better in the future to come and it's a wonderful Deliverance to get away from that place because that's a place where you cannot experience the blessing of God because the blessing of God comes not to those who are list listing their demands for him but to the pur in spirit he dwells with them [00:24:41]

second people who are poor in spirit are not afraid to ask Thomas Watson who I referred to before and will'll refer to I'm sure many many times again he's full of pithy sayings on the Beatitudes he says the poor are always begging the poor are always begging and he who is poor in spirit will be much in prayer that's one of the ways in which you know where you're at people who feel that they have what it takes don't easily come to the place of prayer because what is there to ask for when you have what it takes it can be true of individuals it can be true of a church that's how you feel that's not going to be the place of experience the blessing of God but the poor are always begging and he who is poor in spirit will be much in prayer those who know their own need will reflect that in an active prayer life [00:25:37]

is there anything in your experience that you would say resembles what could be called an active prayer life well that's one of the registers of where you are in relation to your whole spirit before God God we read earlier a story that Jesus told about two men who prayed and one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector and isn't it interesting that both of them did actually pray but what Jesus points out is that there was all the difference in the world between their two prayers and did you notice the difference it lies in this that the Pharisee when he prayed simply expressed a focus on himself I thank you that I'm not as other men God I thank you that I'm not an adulterer I I thank you that some of The Wretched things that I see in other people's lives are not in mine [00:26:41]

you look at his Prayer in Luke chapter 18 and the Striking thing is this here is a man who comes to God and never asks asks for a thing what was the last thing you asked of God never asked a thing never asked a thing why because he was miles from poverty of spirit and the reality was although he was standing there in the temple and saying this prayer that could be heard by others he was miles and miles and miles from God you could tell because he felt no need to ask and then Jesus says over in the corner of the temple there was a fellow he didn't even come uh to the very front and he didn't raise up his head his head was down he was so aware of his own need he was a tax collector these guys were were known for their many many sins and and for good reason and and here is this man much on his conscience aware of his need and he simply says oh God be merciful to me a sinner [00:27:14]

and Jesus made this conclusion to the story that must have shocked all who heard it at that time and should still shock us today he says it was this man and not the other who went home Justified blessed forgiven at peace with God why because blessed are the poor in spirit and then Jesus says this for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and the one who humbles himself will be exalted so we've talked about using these Beatitudes as a way of measuring ourselves I the challenge that comes very directly at this point to us is to to look at what you would say resembles a prayer life in your own experience and and say is there evidence of asking is there a spirit of a person who knows his or her own need or simply a person who believes in God at a distance [00:29:08]

third and this is very wonderful and just briefly people who are poor in spirit are in a position to receive not only in a position to ask which flows directly from this but in a position to to receive see people who feel that they have something to offer God are always coming to God with their hands full Lord here's what I want to give you here's what here's what I want to offer to you here here's what I want to take tell you that I have done again Thomas Watson how can you receive gold when your hands are full of Pebbles isn't that good here I come before God my hand's full of all these Pebbles of all these little things I've done and I want to make a big deal of them and god holds in his hand the gold but I cannot receive it why because my hands are already full [00:30:32]

so here is the great blessing of the poor in spirit that not only are they in a position where it is very very natural for them to ask but they are also in precisely the position where they are able to receive that's why in a great old hymn that some of you may know we sing this line nothing in my hands I bring simply to your cross I cling you cannot cling to the cross of Jesus if your hands are full only those who come empty-handed before God only those who are putor in spirit only those who are aware of their own need are able to cling to the Cross of Christ and in this way the Kingdom of Heaven is indeed theirs when you know that you have nothing to offer God you are in a position to receive everything that he offers to you and that of course is why the blessing of God rests upon the poor in spirit Heaven is theirs because their hands are open to receive [00:31:49]

it here's the very last thing for today and it's just this people who are poor in spirit boast in the cross people who are p in Sp Spirit they're certainly not going to boast about themselves but this is what they do they boast in the cross and of course I'm thinking that of Paul's wonderful statement um in uh Galatians and chapter 6 and verse 14 and remember what a brilliant academic um what what a multi-talented um uh man uh Paul was what a spectacular career he had before his conversion and all that he gave up this this multi-talented man and he says oh far be it from me that I should ever boast accept in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ very simply folks the more a man or a woman sees in him or herself the less they will see in Jesus the more you see in yourself the less you see in Jesus you'll sometimes wonder you know why people get so enthusiastic about this all uh you see much in yourself you see little in Jesus the more you see in Jesus the less you will see in yourself [00:32:42]

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Transcript
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