Theme 2014: Experiencing God, Embracing People!

Theme 2014: Experiencing God, Embracing People!

Matthew 5:1-12Matthew 5:1-12

“Blessed are the poor in

spirit, for theirs is the

kingdom of heaven.”[NIV]

in the Bible is the Greek word

“makarios”

The word

“1 Now when he saw the

crowds, he went up on a

mountainside and sat down.

His disciples came to him, 2

and he began

to teach them ….”[NIV]

“Blessed are the poor in

spirit, for theirs is the

kingdom of heaven.”[NIV]

The New Living Translation …. The New Living Translation ….

“God blesses those who realize

their need for him. . .”

The God’s Word Translation …. The God’s Word Translation ….

God blesses those “who recognize

they are spiritually

helpless . . .”

The Common English Version…. The Common English Version….

God blesses those

“who depend only on Him.”

The New Century Version…. The New Century Version….

God blesses those “who know

they have great spiritual

needs.”

To be

which is the first condition

for God’s blessing on your life

means “I humbly depend on

God instead of myself.”

Proverbs 14:12….Proverbs 14:12….

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”

[NIV]

“There is a way that seems right, but it ends in a dead

end.”

Proverbs 3:5-7….Proverbs 3:5-7….

“5 Trust in the LORD with allyour heart; do not lean not on

your own understanding;[In other words don’t depend on your wisdom. Don’t depend on

what you think is the right thing to do. Don’t depend on your

hunches, your feelings. depend on your own understanding.]

6 In all your ways, [everything you do – how you spend your

time, your money, relationships. Everything.] Acknowledge him

[seek His will], and he [God promises] will make [direct]

your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; [What he’s saying there is don’t go

around saying …

…. “I’ve got this all figured out.I can handle this. I’m a big girl. I’m a big guy. I know what I’m

doing. I’ve got it all figured out. I’ve got a plan. Don’t be

impressed with your own wisdom.] Fear the LORD and

shun evil [Instead, respect the Lord and turn your back on

evil].” [NIV]

James 1:5….James 1:5….

“If any of you lack wisdom,

you should pray and ask

God, who gives it .…”

[NIV]

Your strength is limited.

God’s strength is unlimited.

Your strength is finite.

God’s strength is infinite.

Psalm 84:5….Psalm 84:5….

“Happy are those whose

strength comes from you …” [NCV]

Isaiah 40:31….Isaiah 40:31….

“But the people who trust

the Lord will become strong

again. They will rise up as

an eagle in the sky; they will

run and not need rest; they

will walk and not become

tired.” [NCV]

Psalm 71:16….Psalm 71:16….

“I walk in the strengthof the Lord …”

2 Corinthians 12:8-10….2 Corinthians 12:8-10….

“8 Three times I begged God

to take away my weakness.

[And you’ve got some

weakness you’d like God to

take away and you’ve

probably asked him to.]

9 Each time God said, ‘My grace is all you need! My power works best in your

weakness.’[You don’t need anything else. You just need me. My power

works best in your weakness.]

10 So, [Paul says,] I now gladly

boast. I boast about how weak

I am. [I used to hide my

weaknesses. I used to be

ashamed of my weakness.

Paul says not any more. I’m

proud of my weaknesses.

Why?]

…. Because when I’m weakest

the power of Christ works in

me and shows up through me.

When I am weak, then I am

strong.”