Poor In Spirit

Good evening my beloved brethren. Welcome to the house of the Lord. Tonight, we will be feeding of his Word again.

The verse, we are focusing on, is found in Matthew:

Mat 5:3  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Let us pray together.

As we gather here in the harbour of your safety, Lord, we thank you for your fellowship and family.

We ask that you will strengthen us, restore us and inspire us with your love.

Lord, you fill us with Your peace, so that as we journey onwards, we would pour out Your love and grace to others.

We ask that our souls would catch the wind of Your Spirit so that we would take your promise to all the earth.

Amen

Mat 5:3  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

This verse is the opening of the Beatitudes.

What does beatitude mean? The Oxford Dictionaries tell us:

Supreme blessedness, the blessings listed by Jesus in the sermon on the mount. The word derived from the Latin word beatudo, meaning blessedness.

Each saying speaks of a blessing or divine favour which will be bestowed on a person who possesses a certain character quality.

The phrase “blessed are” in each beatitude implies a current state of happiness or well-being. This expression held a powerful meaning of “divine joy and perfect happiness” to the people of Christ’s day. In other words, Jesus was saying “divinely happy and fortunate are those who possess these inward qualities.” While speaking a current blessedness, each pronouncement also promised a future reward.

The beatitudes introduce and set the tone for Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount by emphasizing the humble state of human and the righteousness of God. Each beatitude depicts the ideal heart condition of a citizen of God’s kingdom. In this idyllic state, the believer experiences abundant spiritual blessings.

Mat 5:3  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

The phrase “poor in spirit” speaks of a spiritual condition of poverty. It describes the person who recognizes his or her need for God. “The kingdom of heaven” refers to people who acknowledge God as King. One who is poor in spirit knows he or she is spiritually bankrupt apart from Jesus Christ.

To paraphrase: Blessed are those who humbly recognize their need for God, for they will enter into his kingdom, or into his rest.

Sounds familiar. If you have been saved, this will feel very much like the moment of your salvation. Recognizing the need of God. Acknowledging the need for God. And at the same time your own lowliness. The emptiness you may have felt. At that point in your life Jesus could save you. And you may have experienced the filling of the Holy Spirit at that time in a form of peace washing over you.

Once you have accepted Jesus Christ into your life, your salvation is secure. How would you respond, if I asked you right now, “are you saved?”

You ought to be able to say, “Praise God! Glory to God! I know I am saved!”

Yet many Christians don’t know they are saved. They go around with their shoulders all bent over – drooping, wondering, and worrying. They remind me of question marks with their heads bent over, rather than exclamation points standing straight and tall and saying, “I know whom I have believed!”

Rather than being shouting Christians, they’re doubting Christians. Rather than have a “know-so salvation, they have a hope-so salvation.

Somebody once said, if you could have it and not know it, you could lose it and not miss it. But the truth is, if you have salvation, you know it, and if you have it and know it, you can never lose it.

The apostle Paul wrote an entire chapter to assure God’s people that they are indeed God’s people.

1Jn 5:13  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 

The word know means absolute assurance. According to this verse, it is possible to be saved and know it. But the very fact that John wrote this verse shows that it is also possible to be saved and doubt it.

Is doubt good? No. Doubt is to your spirit what pain is to your body. Pain is a warning, a signal that something is wrong. It does not mean you are dead. It just means that something is wrong.

If you have doubts and you are truly a born-again child of God, you are suffering from some spiritual sickness. All Christians doubt from time to time. A woman once told Dwight L Moody she had been saved for 25 years and never had a doubt. He said,” I doubt you are saved.”

The next logical question, then, is “How can I know?” I know, not because of my confidence that I have in myself, but by two infallible proofs.

The Root of our Belief

What is it we believe? Are Christians just gullible? Do we believe in fairy tales, or is there a basis for our belief? Why do we believe what we believe?

Faith is the root of our belief. But faith is not walking on eggshell and Jell-O. It is evidence and substance as we read in Hebrews:

Heb 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 

It has some spiritual steel and concrete in it. It is real, and God has given us some authentic, bona fide witnesses, a testimony that we might know we are saved and going to heaven.

John says these witnesses are the eternal work of the saviour, the eternal witness of the Spirt, and the external Word of Scripture.

1Jn 5:6  This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 

When Jesus was crucified, a soldier put a spear in His side,

Joh 19:34  But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. 

This is the eternal work of the Saviour, that we are saved by blood and sanctified by water.

The tabernacle is an Old Testament picture of Christ. When you entered, you came first to a brazen altar upon which the bloody sacrifice was made. Next was a laver, or great basin, in which the priest would wash. First the blood, then the water. The blood of Jesus Christ pays the price for our sins, and the sanctifying water keeps us clean.

Sound familiar? “In Rock of Ages,” we sing

“Let the water and the blood

from Thy wounded side which flowed

be of sin the double cure

save from wrath and make me pure.”

I know I am saved because Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died to purchase my salvation. That is a historical fact. That is the saving work of Christ.

I also know I am saved because of the internal witness of the Spirit.

1Jn 5:6  ………….And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 

1Jn 5:7  For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 

1Jn 5:8  And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. 

How do I know there was a man named Jesus Christ? How do I know He was the sinless Son of God? How do I know that God sent Him? How do I know that He actually died on that cross and took my sin?

Thank God I don’t have to depend on somebody’s argument. The Holy Spirit of God is here to make that real in my heart. You see, God gave us the work of Christ. But to make the work of Christ – the water and the blood – real to us, He gave us the Spirit.

1Jn 5:9  If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 

The word if may also be translated since. Since we believe the witness of men. All of us believe the witness of men.

When I came to Australia in 2008, I had to exercise faith in an airplane pilot I didn’t know. I never saw his credentials. I never saw him fly before. But Qantas airlines put its stamp of approval on this man, so I just got on the plane and never thought too much about it. We accept the witness of men.

Before I went on the plane, I got a coffee from a shop. How did I know that the drink wasn’t poisoned? I had faith in that lady who served it. We receive the witness of men.

When your doctor writes you a prescription, you look at it, and although you can’t read it, pronounce it, or understand it, you give it to a pharmacist who will give you the right pills. Then without a second thought, you take them pills home and swallow them. Why? We receive the witness of men.

In the same way, through faith we receive the witness of God through the Spirit that Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead for our sanctification. There is, therefore, no excuse for not believing. The bible promises that the Holy Spirit will help anyone to believe who wants to believe. First the Spirit witness to us, then He witness in us.

1Jn 5:10  He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 

Before I got saved, He witnessed to me. He told me what Christ did is true. Now He witnesses in me. I have the witness in myself.

Suppose I am enjoying myself by drinking a nice cup of coffee, and you come to me and say, “there is no such thing like coffee. I don’t believe in coffee. And if there is coffee, it is no good.”

Despite your arguments, I have the witness within me. I have the witness on the inside. A Christian with a testimony is never at the mercy of an unbeliever with an argument, because he has the witness in himself.

Finally, the external Word of Scripture assures me that I am saved:

1Jn 5:10  He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 

1Jn 5:11  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 

1Jn 5:12  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 

1Jn 5:13  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 

Here is the basis of our belief. Here is the reason for our certainty. We are not just gullible fools. Jesus Christ died. He came by water and blood. The Holy Spirit says Yes, that is true. It is all attested by the Word of God.

To doubt the Bible is to call God a liar. Some say, “well, I’m trying to believe.” But they have called God a liar, plain and simple. Either this is His Word – His inerrant, infallible Word - or it is not. And the Work of Christ, the witness of the Spirit, and the Word of God all say it is. It is fact, a matter of record.

Let me give you another example. Suppose you are in a courtroom, and the judge says to you, “Mr Blank, are you married?”

You say, “yes I am.”

“Well, can you prove that you are married, Mr Blank?”

“Yes, I can. You see, I was on the pier and was walking towards the boat. Once I could see Lady, my heart got all twitter pated, and I was so happy. Your Honour, it’s the most wonderful feeling in the world to be married. “

When you are finished the judge will say, “I’m sorry. While I’m glad you feel this way, your feelings are not evidence in this courtroom. Do you have some proof?”

Then you pull out your marriage certificate and bring it before the judge. And he accepts your marriage as a proven fact.

Your salvation doesn’t hinge on your emotions. You have an official record. You have the Word of God:

1Jn 5:13  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life

God says so, this is the basis of our belief. That’s the source of our certainty. Isn’t it better to have God’s Word than Justin’s or your neighbour’s or your own opinions, emotions, wishes and whims?

The Fruit of our Behaviour

In addition to the root of our belief, we need only look at the fruit of our behaviour to know whether or not we are truly saved. What has Jesus done in me? Is this all just some intellectual exercise, or has there been a change? The apostle John is very practical here. He shows us how our salvation ought to show up in our behaviour, and he gives three tests.

The commandment test:

1Jn 2:3  And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 

1Jn 2:4  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 

1Jn 2:5  But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 

1Jn 2:6  He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 

Just wondering if John had been in a testimony meeting where somebody may have been bragging about being saved – saying he was, but his walk and his talk did not get together. If you say you are saved, it is absolutely going to show up in your life. You are going to be keeping the commandments of God.

You do not keep the commandments of God in order to be saved; you keep the commandments of God because you are saved.

This presents a serious problem, because not one of us has always kept all of God’s commandments. I haven’t since I got saved, and you haven’t since you have been saved. Yet the bible says that we know we are in Him in that we keep His commandments.\

Both the problem and solution are found in the word k-e-e-p. It is actually a mariner’s word. In the apostles’ day, sailors navigated by the stars. And a sailor setting his course by the stars was said to be “keeping the stars”. It was his intention to sail by the stars.

To keep God’s commandments, then, means to use the Word of God as a guide for our lives. It is the desire of every child of God to live by His Word. While we may be blown off course, distracted, or confused, the goal of our lives is to keep the commandments of God.

Ever since I gave my heart to Jesus, there has been a deep, divine, radical change; and there is the burning desire to live for God. And there should be in you, too, if you are saved.

This is not to say that I don’t sin anymore. The difference is that before I got saved, I was running to sin; now I am running from it. And if I fail, I turn right around and start running away again.

The commandment test says: if you can wilfully and knowingly sin against the will of God with no conviction, no corruption, and no remorse, you need to get saved.

A lot of people may say, “Well, I walked down the aisle somewhere, and I got saved. I know I’m just an old backslider now, but I’m still saved and going to heaven.”

No, unfortunately, you are not. If you are living that way – high, wide and handsome in Spirit – and it does not break your heart, then you do not know the God of the Bible.

The companion Test

1Jn 3:14  We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 

When I am saved, I want to be right with my Father, and I want to be right with my brothers and sisters.

But there might be some who would say, “well, I’m saved, but I have no use for the church.” But the bible says if we love Jesus, we are going to love what Jesus loves, and Jesus loves the church, his bride.

Now, going to church will not make you a Christian any more than going to the garage will make you an automobile. But when you realize that you have been bought by the blood of Christ, when the Spirit of God comes into you, you receive a new nature, and you are going to keep His commandments and love the brethren.

The commitment Test

The greatest and strongest test is the commitment test. All of the others grow out of it.

1Jn 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself:…..

1Jn 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God;

In the bible believe and commit are the same word. Biblical faith is not just an intellectual exercise. You do not believe about Jesus; you believe in Jesus. You commit yourself to Jesus.

Also notice, it doesn’t say, he who has believed; it says “he who believeth”, it is always, present tense.

May be there is a particular day that you remember, as the day you got saved; but that is not the test of your faith.

The test is, do you believe in Jesus Christ right now? Are you trusting in Him today? Is there evidence in your life that you are the offspring of the living God. That is the proof of your salvation.

A closing plea

My friend, have you given your life to the Lord? Do you have the assurance that if you were to die right now, you would go straight to heaven? If not, please let me tell you how you can be saved.

First, you must understand that you are a sinner. The bible says

Rom 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 

Second, you must understand that you cannot save yourself by your efforts. The bible is very clear:

Tit 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 

Again,

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 

Third, you must believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for your sins. The bible says

Rom 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

That means He died in your place. Your sin debt has been paid by the blood of Jesus Christ, as we read in first John

1Jn 1:7  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. 

Have you ever taken this all-important step of faith? If not, I urge you to do it right now. Why? Because Jesus is the only way to heaven.

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 

It couldn’t be any clearer than that.

If you haven’t done so yet. How about today on Easter.

Ask God into your life. Open your heart. How about, you become poor in spirit that you may receive the kingdom of heaven. There is a blessing in that to all eternity.

Mat 5:3  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Living in the presence of God, what joyful thought. To all eternity. There is nothing greater than that. Rejoice in the hope of everlasting life, the flowing of the Spirit and the refreshing that we have through Him in Jesus Christ.

AMEN