What are Beatitudes?

Μακάριοι οἱ/ Makarioi hoiBlessed are the…

Latin: “beatitudos”

Tony Campolo

“If we were to set out to establish a religion in polar opposition to the Beatitudes Jesus taught, it would look strikingly similar to the pop Christianity that has taken over the airwaves of North America.”

Blessed are the…

Poor In Spirit

Matthew 5:3

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

True Riches

“I have now disposed of all my property to my family; there is one thing more I wish I could give them, and that is the Christian religion. Patrick

Henry

True Riches

If they had this, and I had not given them one shilling, they would be rich; but if they had not that, and I have given them all the world, they would be poor.”

Patrick Henry

First Point

Is Jesus teaching that all poor people are uniquely

blessed?

Luke 6:20

Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the

kingdom of God.

Thomas Adams

“There are God's poor and the Devil's poor”

Proverbs 6

9 How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?

Proverbs 6

10 A little sleep, a little slumber,a little folding of the hands to rest,

Proverbs 6

11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

Second Point

If not simply an expression of material poverty, what does it mean to be poor in

spirit?

Numbers 12:2

“Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?”

Numbers 12:3 (NIV 1984)

Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.

Proverbs 29:23

Pride brings a person low,but the lowly in spirit gain honor.

Third Point

How do we begin climbing the ladder of humility thereby becoming more “poor in spirit”?

Charles Spurgeon

This beatitude is first, because this is where we start with God. “A ladder, if it is to be of any use, must have its first step near the ground, or feeble climbers will never be able to mount.

1. Listen to others.

Mark Altrogge

How to Grow in Humility

2. Be teachable.

Mark Altrogge

How to Grow in Humility

3. Don’t blame others for your sins.

Mark Altrogge

How to Grow in Humility

4. Don’t be so sure that you’re right

all the time.Mark

Altrogge

How to Grow in Humility

5. Take an interest in others.

Mark Altrogge

How to Grow in Humility

6. Ask for forgiveness; don’t just say I’m sorry.Mark

Altrogge

How to Grow in Humility

7. Ask for prayer for areas of

weakness and temptation.Mark

Altrogge

How to Grow in Humility