1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:06,680 You’re listening to a sermon from Pastor Colin Smith of Open The Bible. 2 00:00:06,680 –> 00:00:10,160 To contact us call us at 1-877-OPEN-365 3 00:00:10,160 –> 00:00:14,900 or visit our website OpenTheBible.org 4 00:00:14,900 –> 00:00:18,400 let’s get to the message. Here’s Pastor Colin. 5 00:00:18,400 –> 00:00:21,080 Some months ago 6 00:00:21,080 –> 00:00:24,340 Caren and I decided to visit the Art 7 00:00:24,340 –> 00:00:27,420 Institute in Chicago. It is 8 00:00:27,860 –> 00:00:32,340 vast place of course, magnificent and so much to see. 9 00:00:32,340 –> 00:00:36,480 When we saw how large it was getting inside there 10 00:00:36,480 –> 00:00:40,439 I immediately said to Karen I suppose in characteristic fashion I said now we 11 00:00:40,439 –> 00:00:42,619 need a plan. 12 00:00:42,619 –> 00:00:45,980 We had four hours and so we worked out 13 00:00:45,980 –> 00:00:50,220 a route that would make it possible for us to see the entire place 14 00:00:50,220 –> 00:00:56,000 in the time available. We got a diagram of the layout and so forth and so on and 15 00:00:56,000 –> 00:00:56,880 once we’d worked out 16 00:00:57,459 –> 00:01:01,939 our plan I said, right off we go we are going to see the Art Institute of 17 00:01:01,939 –> 00:01:03,500 Chicago and 18 00:01:03,500 –> 00:01:07,739 we did and we had a marvelous day. 19 00:01:07,739 –> 00:01:11,099 A few weeks later a real 20 00:01:11,099 –> 00:01:15,180 live artist came to stay with us 21 00:01:15,180 –> 00:01:20,180 in our home and one of the very few occasions that has actually happened a 22 00:01:20,180 –> 00:01:21,320 very delightful 23 00:01:21,320 –> 00:01:25,860 lady and of course in the course of conversation she asked us about the Art 24 00:01:25,860 –> 00:01:26,500 Institute. 25 00:01:26,660 –> 00:01:28,639 We were very glad to be able to say, oh yes, 26 00:01:28,639 –> 00:01:32,820 yes I’ve been there I said and she said, Now what did you see? 27 00:01:32,820 –> 00:01:36,339 And I said, we saw everything! We saw everything! 28 00:01:36,339 –> 00:01:40,720 Oh dear, she said. It was evident that she was not 29 00:01:40,720 –> 00:01:43,919 at all impressed. She said no no, that’s not the way to do it. She said 30 00:01:43,919 –> 00:01:47,199 when I go to an art gallery I go to see 31 00:01:47,199 –> 00:01:51,220 three or four things and I spend time with them 32 00:01:51,220 –> 00:01:54,239 I have to say 33 00:01:54,239 –> 00:01:57,320 I felt rather foolish because it was quite obvious that 34 00:01:57,320 –> 00:02:02,779 in our race to see everything in the Art Institute, that in actual fact we had 35 00:02:02,779 –> 00:02:03,620 run the danger 36 00:02:03,620 –> 00:02:09,199 of seeing precisely nothing. The artist question of course is a very good one 37 00:02:09,199 –> 00:02:12,100 when it comes also to our reading of the Bible 38 00:02:12,100 –> 00:02:15,279 you’ve been reading the Bible, that’s great. What have you seen? 39 00:02:15,279 –> 00:02:20,979 What have you seen? It is of course possible to race through the halls of 40 00:02:20,979 –> 00:02:21,880 scripture 41 00:02:21,940 –> 00:02:26,199 as it were, and to come very, very near to life-transforming truth 42 00:02:26,199 –> 00:02:30,300 but then to pass it by and to remain unaffected 43 00:02:30,300 –> 00:02:33,639 to view everything and yet actually to see 44 00:02:33,639 –> 00:02:37,339 nothing. Now there are eight Beatitudes 45 00:02:37,339 –> 00:02:41,179 and as I was pondering and beginning to prepare for this 46 00:02:41,179 –> 00:02:45,800 series during the summer, I looked at the calendar and it was quite clear that we 47 00:02:45,800 –> 00:02:48,179 could be through them and we could be done by Thanksgiving 48 00:02:48,600 –> 00:02:51,740 and as these truths have worked their way 49 00:02:51,740 –> 00:02:57,259 into my own life, it has become increasingly clear that this is a place 50 00:02:57,259 –> 00:03:00,660 where I, and I think all of us, need to stop 51 00:03:00,660 –> 00:03:05,179 and to pause for a longer time. The artist 52 00:03:05,179 –> 00:03:09,240 visiting the Art Institute stops and looks 53 00:03:09,240 –> 00:03:12,339 and looks and looks at a masterpiece 54 00:03:12,339 –> 00:03:16,740 until its beauty presses as it were through her eyes 55 00:03:16,740 –> 00:03:19,619 and makes a lasting impression 56 00:03:19,619 –> 00:03:22,979 upon her soul. And we are on 57 00:03:22,979 –> 00:03:27,860 a part of the scripture here where we need to come with that kind 58 00:03:27,860 –> 00:03:31,880 of pace. When I go to an art gallery, 59 00:03:31,880 –> 00:03:36,059 the artist said, I go to see three or four things 60 00:03:36,059 –> 00:03:40,460 and I spend time with them. 61 00:03:40,460 –> 00:03:45,059 Well in that spirit, over these next weeks, we’re going to look at these words 62 00:03:45,059 –> 00:03:46,339 of Jesus until 63 00:03:46,979 –> 00:03:50,100 pressed themselves inside us by the 64 00:03:50,100 –> 00:03:53,220 grace of the Holy Spirit. Until they begin to 65 00:03:53,220 –> 00:03:56,740 impart to us something of the great blessing 66 00:03:56,740 –> 00:04:01,259 that they hold. And so for that reason the plan is we’re going forward is that 67 00:04:01,259 –> 00:04:03,080 we will spend two weekends 68 00:04:03,080 –> 00:04:07,059 on each up these Beatitudes. In the first, 69 00:04:07,059 –> 00:04:10,520 we will seek to listen to the voice of Jesus 70 00:04:10,520 –> 00:04:14,419 to understand what it is that he is saying and what it is that he is 71 00:04:14,419 –> 00:04:15,199 calling us 72 00:04:15,199 –> 00:04:20,100 to. Then in the week that follows, what we’re going to do is to ask the question, 73 00:04:20,100 –> 00:04:23,359 now having understood what Jesus is calling us to, 74 00:04:23,359 –> 00:04:28,320 how can we actually go about it? How can I press after 75 00:04:28,320 –> 00:04:32,160 what I have learned that he is calling me. To pursue? 76 00:04:32,160 –> 00:04:35,399 And so we’re looking at the what and we’re looking at the how. If you 77 00:04:35,399 –> 00:04:38,959 have your Bible open it Matthew chapter 5 and verse 3 as we 78 00:04:38,959 –> 00:04:42,339 we launched today, we’re learning here that God’s 79 00:04:42,540 –> 00:04:46,859 Blessing rests on the poor in spirit. 80 00:04:46,859 –> 00:04:51,500 Well first I need to know what that means? What is it the Jesus Christ is 81 00:04:51,500 –> 00:04:52,959 calling me to hear? 82 00:04:52,959 –> 00:04:57,160 What does that look like? And then when I know what it is that he’s calling me to 83 00:04:57,160 –> 00:04:58,839 I have to ask a further question 84 00:04:58,839 –> 00:05:02,260 how can i pursue it? What does it mean to grow in humility? 85 00:05:02,260 –> 00:05:07,359 How can I actually battle the beast of pride 86 00:05:07,359 –> 00:05:10,980 that so often rears its ugly head 87 00:05:11,059 –> 00:05:13,739 in my soul? How do I wage that battle? 88 00:05:13,739 –> 00:05:17,459 But now I hope you will have your Bible open 89 00:05:17,459 –> 00:05:21,899 at Matthew chapter five and verse 3. Let us hear these words of 90 00:05:21,899 –> 00:05:24,579 our Lord Jesus Christ. He says blessed 91 00:05:24,579 –> 00:05:28,500 blessed, blessed 92 00:05:28,500 –> 00:05:33,380 are the poor in spirit. For 93 00:05:33,380 –> 00:05:36,660 here’s why theirs is 94 00:05:36,660 –> 00:05:40,160 the kingdom of heaven. 95 00:05:40,880 –> 00:05:44,679 Simply today and the first part of this as we’re trying to get the what 96 00:05:44,679 –> 00:05:48,079 of these words have Christ I want to look at the challenge, 97 00:05:48,079 –> 00:05:52,279 the blessing, and then some very simple applications. First then 98 00:05:52,279 –> 00:05:55,519 the calling. Blessed are 99 00:05:55,519 –> 00:06:01,320 the poor in spirit. What is Christ calling us to here? 100 00:06:01,320 –> 00:06:04,720 What does it look like to be 101 00:06:04,720 –> 00:06:07,880 poor in spirit in real life? 102 00:06:07,959 –> 00:06:12,600 Poor of course we understand that means you don’t have much. 103 00:06:12,600 –> 00:06:16,839 Poor in spirit then means that you realize what you lack, 104 00:06:16,839 –> 00:06:21,079 that you know that you don’t have what it takes, that your hands as it where 105 00:06:21,079 –> 00:06:24,760 are empty rather than full of what you think you bring 106 00:06:24,760 –> 00:06:29,720 that you have nothing to offer. That much is fairly simple the real question of 107 00:06:29,720 –> 00:06:31,579 course is what does it look like in real life? 108 00:06:31,579 –> 00:06:34,920 So suppose that the most 109 00:06:34,920 –> 00:06:39,000 gifted player in the high school football team 110 00:06:39,000 –> 00:06:43,000 is a Christian and is walking according to the words 111 00:06:43,000 –> 00:06:48,359 of Jesus. Does this mean that when this guy turns up 112 00:06:48,359 –> 00:06:51,320 for training at the beginning of the new season 113 00:06:51,320 –> 00:06:55,640 he is in some way to be saying to his coach 114 00:06:55,640 –> 00:06:59,640 well you know I’m not sure that I’ve got very much to offer to the team 115 00:06:59,640 –> 00:07:04,760 and maybe really the coach should be picking someone else is that what it means? 116 00:07:05,480 –> 00:07:12,119 A person comes for a job interview and at the end of that interview the 117 00:07:12,119 –> 00:07:16,279 prospective employer says a famous last question 118 00:07:16,279 –> 00:07:19,640 Now tell me why should we give you this job? 119 00:07:19,640 –> 00:07:22,760 Is that Christian applicant to sit there and say I’m 120 00:07:22,760 –> 00:07:26,600 not really very sure I don’t know if you should I mean there are probably 121 00:07:26,600 –> 00:07:29,320 a dozen people who could do it a lot better than me is that what it 122 00:07:29,320 –> 00:07:32,279 means to follow the words of Jesus if that’s what it means we should do 123 00:07:32,279 –> 00:07:38,200 it I you’ll be glad to know that that is not what the word of Jesus 124 00:07:38,200 –> 00:07:43,320 means what does it mean to be poor in spirit what does it look like in 125 00:07:43,320 –> 00:07:48,440 real life? Poor in spirit very simply means that 126 00:07:48,440 –> 00:07:53,000 you recognize your poverty before God 127 00:07:53,000 –> 00:07:59,160 Jesus is not speaking here about men and women in relation to each other 128 00:07:59,160 –> 00:08:05,720 but he is describing what a person feels what a person knows when he or she is 129 00:08:05,720 –> 00:08:11,559 face to face with the living God blessed are the poor in spirit jesus says 130 00:08:11,559 –> 00:08:18,359 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Poor in spirit then is the first mark 131 00:08:18,359 –> 00:08:23,880 of a person who genuinely walks with God. You may be a 132 00:08:23,959 –> 00:08:32,119 multi-talented sports superstar you may be a high flyer and mega successful in 133 00:08:32,119 –> 00:08:36,359 the world of business. You may be a mega mother, you may be a 134 00:08:36,359 –> 00:08:40,359 brilliant musician you may be a technical guru you may even 135 00:08:40,359 –> 00:08:46,520 be a political genius. But if you have truly met with God 136 00:08:46,520 –> 00:08:51,080 you will know that before him you have nothing 137 00:08:51,080 –> 00:08:55,400 to offer. That of course is what one of the most 138 00:08:55,400 –> 00:09:01,000 talented people who ever lived before the time of Jesus Christ discovered. 139 00:09:01,000 –> 00:09:06,919 I’m thinking about Isaiah. What a marvelous ministry he had he was 140 00:09:06,919 –> 00:09:11,080 a preacher. Here was a man who was known and was 141 00:09:11,080 –> 00:09:17,000 celebrated for his marvelous ministry the silver-tongued prophet. 142 00:09:17,080 –> 00:09:19,880 If Isaiah was around today people would be 143 00:09:19,880 –> 00:09:23,400 cramming into conference halls just to hear him speak 144 00:09:23,400 –> 00:09:27,640 and if he was on twitter he’d have millions who were following his oracles 145 00:09:27,640 –> 00:09:32,280 there right? And here’s the testimony of this most 146 00:09:32,280 –> 00:09:36,200 gifted man that would have been celebrated in his 147 00:09:36,200 –> 00:09:42,679 time for his many many skills. He says this 148 00:09:42,679 –> 00:09:47,239 In the year that King Uzziah died 149 00:09:47,640 –> 00:09:51,000 I saw the Lord 150 00:09:51,400 –> 00:09:54,840 and He was sitting upon a throne high and lifted up 151 00:09:54,840 –> 00:09:59,479 and His robe filled the temple 152 00:10:00,520 –> 00:10:03,880 and the Seraphim around Him were calling out, holy 153 00:10:03,880 –> 00:10:12,440 holy holy is the Lord of hosts and the foundation shook 154 00:10:12,440 –> 00:10:18,679 and smoke filled the house 155 00:10:18,840 –> 00:10:22,520 and I said 156 00:10:22,919 –> 00:10:28,760 Isaiah, the most talented man of his time 157 00:10:29,000 –> 00:10:35,640 woe is me, I am lost 158 00:10:36,359 –> 00:10:40,599 We’ll if Isaiah the Prophet’s lost 159 00:10:41,000 –> 00:10:43,239 where does that leave the rest of us 160 00:10:43,719 –> 00:10:47,159 you see what Isaiah’s saying to us 161 00:10:47,559 –> 00:10:49,239 the world may see my gifts, my talents 162 00:10:49,320 –> 00:10:51,479 but before a Sovereign and a Holy God 163 00:10:51,479 –> 00:10:53,880 when I really got to know him 164 00:10:54,919 –> 00:10:57,640 when I encountered him 165 00:10:57,640 –> 00:11:00,679 I had a totally different view of myself 166 00:11:01,400 –> 00:11:02,919 and I saw that I’ve got 167 00:11:02,919 –> 00:11:04,520 absolutely nothing whatsoever to offer 168 00:11:05,080 –> 00:11:07,000 since it’s in his presence 169 00:11:07,640 –> 00:11:10,919 isn’t it interesting that Isaiah had been in ministry 170 00:11:11,719 –> 00:11:13,159 preaching 171 00:11:13,640 –> 00:11:16,440 for quite a long time before this happened 172 00:11:17,880 –> 00:11:19,479 but at one point in his life 173 00:11:19,479 –> 00:11:23,400 coming before God with this intense proximity 174 00:11:23,400 –> 00:11:25,159 God drawing near to him 175 00:11:25,159 –> 00:11:27,960 it changed his view of himself 176 00:11:27,960 –> 00:11:29,400 fundamentally 177 00:11:29,400 –> 00:11:32,359 and that changed view lasted with him a lifetime 178 00:11:32,919 –> 00:11:35,080 I’m asking you this question then 179 00:11:35,080 –> 00:11:37,719 have you come close enough to God 180 00:11:37,719 –> 00:11:40,599 has God come close enough to you 181 00:11:40,599 –> 00:11:43,799 so that you have come to see that at your best 182 00:11:46,280 –> 00:11:48,280 however much you may be celebrated 183 00:11:48,280 –> 00:11:50,760 for your various gifts and successes by others 184 00:11:50,760 –> 00:11:52,039 at your best 185 00:11:52,039 –> 00:11:56,200 you’ve come to see that you are bankrupt before him 186 00:11:58,919 –> 00:12:00,679 or is the truth that God is 187 00:12:00,679 –> 00:12:05,080 such a distance from you as only a vague belief 188 00:12:06,919 –> 00:12:10,119 that such a notion has never really pressed itself in 189 00:12:10,119 –> 00:12:11,080 upon your own soul 190 00:12:13,719 –> 00:12:15,719 Think about this 191 00:12:16,760 –> 00:12:20,520 pride can only really live 192 00:12:20,520 –> 00:12:22,679 in the soul of a person 193 00:12:22,679 –> 00:12:24,520 at a great distance from God 194 00:12:26,359 –> 00:12:29,239 pride puts its foot to the gas pedal 195 00:12:30,200 –> 00:12:33,320 to get as far from God as possible 196 00:12:33,320 –> 00:12:38,359 because pride cannot exist in the presence of God 197 00:12:38,359 –> 00:12:42,359 as Satan himself before the beginning of time 198 00:12:42,359 –> 00:12:43,479 quickly found out 199 00:12:45,960 –> 00:12:48,359 When God’s presence came down to the temple 200 00:12:48,359 –> 00:12:50,679 and of course it happened again in Isaiah’s vision 201 00:12:50,679 –> 00:12:52,039 in Isaiah chapter 6 202 00:12:53,559 –> 00:12:55,479 Do you remember when the presence of God 203 00:12:55,479 –> 00:12:58,760 came down smoke-filled the temple? 204 00:12:59,880 –> 00:13:01,719 Have you ever been in a building with smoke? 205 00:13:01,719 –> 00:13:03,000 Ever been caught in a fire? 206 00:13:05,239 –> 00:13:06,280 Can you picture this? 207 00:13:07,559 –> 00:13:09,000 The presence of God 208 00:13:09,000 –> 00:13:11,640 The smoke of God’s presence 209 00:13:11,640 –> 00:13:13,799 is coming down into this temple 210 00:13:15,960 –> 00:13:19,559 And pride staggers out of the soul 211 00:13:21,239 –> 00:13:24,919 Coughing and spluttering 212 00:13:24,919 –> 00:13:28,280 because it cannot live in the awesome presence 213 00:13:29,559 –> 00:13:30,099 of God 214 00:13:30,099 –> 00:13:32,840 And that’s what happened to Isaiah 215 00:13:34,599 –> 00:13:35,960 and the result of it was 216 00:13:35,960 –> 00:13:38,840 that the man became poor in spirit 217 00:13:40,840 –> 00:13:42,599 and entered into a place 218 00:13:42,599 –> 00:13:45,000 of the knowledge of the blessing of God 219 00:13:45,880 –> 00:13:49,159 in a profound and in a wonderful way 220 00:13:49,159 –> 00:13:50,919 And so what we’re seeing here 221 00:13:50,919 –> 00:13:52,440 is that to be poor in spirit 222 00:13:52,440 –> 00:13:55,559 really is at the very first mark 223 00:13:55,559 –> 00:13:57,880 of a person who lives close to God 224 00:13:57,880 –> 00:13:59,559 Pride is always the mark 225 00:13:59,559 –> 00:14:01,239 of a person at a distance 226 00:14:01,239 –> 00:14:05,080 because pride itself cannot exist long 227 00:14:05,080 –> 00:14:09,320 in the awesome glory of the presence of God 228 00:14:09,320 –> 00:14:10,840 The presence of God 229 00:14:10,840 –> 00:14:12,599 the smoke of his presence 230 00:14:12,599 –> 00:14:16,280 is always suffocating to pride 231 00:14:17,880 –> 00:14:19,320 So here is what we are learning 232 00:14:19,320 –> 00:14:21,159 Whatever your position in this world 233 00:14:21,159 –> 00:14:23,479 whatever the talents and the success 234 00:14:23,479 –> 00:14:25,479 that God may have given to you 235 00:14:25,479 –> 00:14:27,159 However celebrated you are 236 00:14:27,159 –> 00:14:29,320 in different spheres of life 237 00:14:29,320 –> 00:14:31,799 you are in entirely 238 00:14:31,799 –> 00:14:33,000 a different position 239 00:14:33,719 –> 00:14:34,919 when it comes to God 240 00:14:36,440 –> 00:14:38,039 The gifted footballer does 241 00:14:38,840 –> 00:14:41,239 have a talent to offer to his team 242 00:14:41,239 –> 00:14:43,159 and of course he’ll be celebrated at the school 243 00:14:43,159 –> 00:14:44,760 and he’ll be offered scholarships 244 00:14:44,760 –> 00:14:46,599 for college and all the rest of it 245 00:14:46,599 –> 00:14:49,000 but when he stands before God 246 00:14:49,000 –> 00:14:51,320 if he has any knowledge of God at all 247 00:14:51,320 –> 00:14:54,119 he will know that he has nothing to offer there 248 00:14:54,119 –> 00:14:56,599 but only stands before God in his need 249 00:14:57,400 –> 00:15:02,200 And the gifted graduate has a talent to offer to her company 250 00:15:03,559 –> 00:15:05,559 she graduates cum laude or better 251 00:15:06,840 –> 00:15:08,840 and she’s fast-tracked for promotion 252 00:15:08,840 –> 00:15:10,440 in the early years of her career 253 00:15:10,440 –> 00:15:13,000 she will draw the company of other gifted people 254 00:15:13,559 –> 00:15:16,440 She’ll be a hub, a sort of centre of influence 255 00:15:16,440 –> 00:15:17,400 but before God 256 00:15:19,000 –> 00:15:21,080 if she has really come to know him at all 257 00:15:21,080 –> 00:15:24,280 she will know that however much attention she receives 258 00:15:24,280 –> 00:15:26,039 and however celebrated she is 259 00:15:26,080 –> 00:15:27,280 by so many other people 260 00:15:29,320 –> 00:15:32,679 She stands before God in all of her need 261 00:15:34,359 –> 00:15:36,359 and ultimately has nothing in her hands 262 00:15:37,400 –> 00:15:37,960 to offer 263 00:15:39,479 –> 00:15:41,880 You have something to offer to your family 264 00:15:41,880 –> 00:15:43,479 you have something to offer to your company 265 00:15:43,479 –> 00:15:46,440 you have something to offer to your friends and to your team 266 00:15:46,440 –> 00:15:48,280 but if you walk with God 267 00:15:49,320 –> 00:15:51,400 you will identify with the apostle Paul 268 00:15:51,400 –> 00:15:53,080 when he asks the question 269 00:15:53,080 –> 00:15:55,559 what do you have that you did not receive? 270 00:15:57,159 –> 00:15:58,760 where did these talents come from 271 00:15:59,479 –> 00:16:01,159 how did they end up being in your life 272 00:16:03,000 –> 00:16:04,760 who gave you all of this success? 273 00:16:06,520 –> 00:16:08,520 what do you have that you did not receive 274 00:16:08,520 –> 00:16:10,520 and since all that is in your life 275 00:16:10,520 –> 00:16:12,840 that may often be celebrated by others 276 00:16:12,840 –> 00:16:15,000 is the gift of God and you know it 277 00:16:17,479 –> 00:16:19,640 How can arrogance ever stand 278 00:16:20,359 –> 00:16:21,719 with head held high 279 00:16:21,719 –> 00:16:22,840 in the presence of God 280 00:16:22,840 –> 00:16:26,200 as if I somehow had something to offer him 281 00:16:26,200 –> 00:16:31,960 Where, what do I have that I did not receive. 282 00:16:34,119 –> 00:16:35,479 So folks, this is The Calling 283 00:16:36,280 –> 00:16:38,280 wanted to be really clear in our minds 284 00:16:39,080 –> 00:16:42,119 and want you to think through these next days 285 00:16:42,119 –> 00:16:44,760 of how we pursue that 286 00:16:44,760 –> 00:16:46,440 And we’ll come back to that next week 287 00:16:46,440 –> 00:16:49,320 And let’s move second to The Blessing 288 00:16:49,320 –> 00:16:50,599 we’ve looked at The Calling 289 00:16:50,599 –> 00:16:51,880 but that’s only the first half 290 00:16:51,880 –> 00:16:53,320 Look at the blessing here 291 00:16:53,320 –> 00:16:56,440 Blessed are the poor in spirit 292 00:16:56,440 –> 00:17:02,599 for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven 293 00:17:04,520 –> 00:17:07,400 Now here is this amazing statement of the Lord Jesus 294 00:17:07,400 –> 00:17:09,479 He says, of the people who know 295 00:17:09,479 –> 00:17:12,280 that they have nothing to offer before God 296 00:17:12,280 –> 00:17:14,920 He says now, they are blessed 297 00:17:16,680 –> 00:17:19,319 these people who are so aware of their own lack 298 00:17:19,479 –> 00:17:22,680 their own need 299 00:17:22,680 –> 00:17:26,439 their own inability to produce what God calls them to 300 00:17:28,199 –> 00:17:32,839 these are the very people Jesus says, who are blessed 301 00:17:32,839 –> 00:17:37,000 this is where blessing from God begins, Jesus says 302 00:17:37,000 –> 00:17:38,520 to be poor in spirit 303 00:17:38,520 –> 00:17:41,880 it is the gateway blessing to all of the others 304 00:17:41,880 –> 00:17:45,079 that we’ll be pursuing down through this series 305 00:17:45,079 –> 00:17:47,719 on the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ 306 00:17:47,719 –> 00:17:48,599 without this 307 00:17:49,160 –> 00:17:51,319 no other blessings are within your reach 308 00:17:51,319 –> 00:17:52,439 this is the gateway 309 00:17:52,439 –> 00:17:56,520 this is the only place that any of us can begin 310 00:17:56,520 –> 00:18:01,000 and the one place where all of us must begin 311 00:18:01,000 –> 00:18:04,199 now did you notice here that Jesus 312 00:18:06,040 –> 00:18:07,800 speaks about heaven 313 00:18:09,160 –> 00:18:11,800 in the present tense 314 00:18:13,640 –> 00:18:14,599 did you notice that 315 00:18:14,680 –> 00:18:17,959 blessed are the poor in spirit 316 00:18:17,959 –> 00:18:22,280 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven 317 00:18:23,800 –> 00:18:25,640 now heaven is future is it not 318 00:18:26,439 –> 00:18:28,680 so we might expect Jesus to say 319 00:18:29,239 –> 00:18:32,680 theirs will be the kingdom of heaven 320 00:18:33,319 –> 00:18:34,760 but that is not what he says 321 00:18:34,760 –> 00:18:38,119 he says theirs is the kingdom of heaven 322 00:18:39,560 –> 00:18:41,000 and it’s all the more striking 323 00:18:41,000 –> 00:18:42,920 if you look down the rest of the Beatitudes 324 00:18:42,959 –> 00:18:44,719 you’ll see that consistently they are 325 00:18:44,719 –> 00:18:47,280 the rest of them are all in the future tense 326 00:18:47,280 –> 00:18:48,959 except the one that you would expect to be 327 00:18:48,959 –> 00:18:49,920 in the future tense 328 00:18:49,920 –> 00:18:50,560 which isn’t 329 00:18:50,560 –> 00:18:51,760 it’s in the present 330 00:18:51,760 –> 00:18:52,800 the rest are 331 00:18:52,800 –> 00:18:54,880 those who mourn shall be comforted 332 00:18:54,880 –> 00:18:56,719 the meek shall inherit the earth 333 00:18:56,719 –> 00:18:58,319 those who hunger and thirst for righteousness 334 00:18:58,319 –> 00:18:59,439 shall be satisfied 335 00:18:59,439 –> 00:19:00,560 but when it comes to this 336 00:19:00,560 –> 00:19:02,719 Jesus says blessed is the poor in spirit 337 00:19:02,719 –> 00:19:04,719 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven 338 00:19:04,719 –> 00:19:05,920 present tense now 339 00:19:07,439 –> 00:19:09,119 so Jesus is talking 340 00:19:09,119 –> 00:19:10,239 that this is huge 341 00:19:10,239 –> 00:19:12,239 as you begin to open your mind up to it 342 00:19:12,280 –> 00:19:16,040 Jesus is talking about a taste of heaven 343 00:19:16,040 –> 00:19:17,800 that you can have right now 344 00:19:18,920 –> 00:19:19,800 present tense 345 00:19:21,640 –> 00:19:22,599 now when you think about that 346 00:19:22,599 –> 00:19:24,760 you begin to scratch your head 347 00:19:24,760 –> 00:19:26,839 and you say well now 348 00:19:26,839 –> 00:19:28,839 boy life in this world 349 00:19:28,839 –> 00:19:31,479 is such a long way from heaven isn’t it 350 00:19:33,079 –> 00:19:34,040 so in what way 351 00:19:35,239 –> 00:19:41,400 can I have a genuine taste of heaven now 352 00:19:41,959 –> 00:19:42,520 this week 353 00:19:45,079 –> 00:19:45,959 think about Heaven 354 00:19:46,920 –> 00:19:48,439 what comes to your mind 355 00:19:48,439 –> 00:19:49,880 Streets of gold 356 00:19:49,880 –> 00:19:50,920 We ain’t got that now 357 00:19:53,160 –> 00:19:55,560 redeemed people made perfect 358 00:19:56,280 –> 00:19:57,479 we ain’t got that now 359 00:20:00,040 –> 00:20:02,680 the lion lying down with the lamb 360 00:20:02,680 –> 00:20:05,880 the nations waging war no more 361 00:20:05,880 –> 00:20:08,359 every tear wiped from our eye 362 00:20:08,359 –> 00:20:11,160 we haven’t got any of that now 363 00:20:11,160 –> 00:20:11,719 right? 364 00:20:13,959 –> 00:20:15,719 So what taste of heaven 365 00:20:17,160 –> 00:20:20,760 do the poor in spirit have now? 366 00:20:22,760 –> 00:20:24,119 I’m going to give you a scripture 367 00:20:24,119 –> 00:20:25,400 that is well worth knowing 368 00:20:25,400 –> 00:20:28,280 marking, learning and hiding in your heart 369 00:20:28,280 –> 00:20:29,160 it is one of the great 370 00:20:29,160 –> 00:20:32,040 great scriptures in all of the Old Testament 371 00:20:32,040 –> 00:20:35,479 from Isaiah chapter 57 and verse 15 372 00:20:36,520 –> 00:20:37,319 and it says this 373 00:20:38,359 –> 00:20:39,719 thus says the Lord 374 00:20:40,680 –> 00:20:42,920 who is high and lifted up 375 00:20:42,920 –> 00:20:44,280 of course that’s the same phrase 376 00:20:44,280 –> 00:20:45,479 as it’s used earlier 377 00:20:45,479 –> 00:20:48,439 when Isaiah saw the glory of the lord in the temple 378 00:20:48,439 –> 00:20:50,359 He’s high and he’s lifted up 379 00:20:50,359 –> 00:20:52,119 he inhabits eternity 380 00:20:52,119 –> 00:20:54,040 and his name is holy 381 00:20:54,040 –> 00:20:55,719 he inhabits eternity 382 00:20:55,719 –> 00:20:56,680 so that’s heaven 383 00:20:57,560 –> 00:20:58,359 what does he say? 384 00:20:59,959 –> 00:21:05,400 I dwell in a high and holy place 385 00:21:06,839 –> 00:21:07,640 heaven itself 386 00:21:08,520 –> 00:21:13,959 but also with the one 387 00:21:15,239 –> 00:21:19,319 who is of a contrite and lowly spirit 388 00:21:20,280 –> 00:21:21,479 that is staggering 389 00:21:23,319 –> 00:21:25,640 the sovereign lord of the universe 390 00:21:25,640 –> 00:21:28,280 who is exalted in the heaven of heavens 391 00:21:30,199 –> 00:21:32,040 high and lifted up 392 00:21:33,640 –> 00:21:35,719 and isaiah who gives this word 393 00:21:35,719 –> 00:21:37,479 by the inspiration of the holy spirit 394 00:21:37,479 –> 00:21:39,880 saw his glory and it made him feel 395 00:21:39,880 –> 00:21:42,680 his own utter bankruptcy 396 00:21:42,680 –> 00:21:43,800 in the presence of God 397 00:21:45,640 –> 00:21:47,640 And now this God who inhabits 398 00:21:47,640 –> 00:21:49,079 the glory of Heaven says 399 00:21:49,079 –> 00:21:51,479 I want you to know that not only 400 00:21:51,479 –> 00:21:53,319 do I live in heaven 401 00:21:53,319 –> 00:21:55,160 the high and holy place 402 00:21:55,160 –> 00:21:59,319 but I live with the person 403 00:22:01,000 –> 00:22:04,920 who has a contrite and lowly spirit 404 00:22:05,800 –> 00:22:09,479 Heaven is to live with God, right? 405 00:22:11,319 –> 00:22:14,199 And the poor in spirit get a taste of it 406 00:22:15,400 –> 00:22:18,760 because God comes to live with them 407 00:22:21,239 –> 00:22:22,520 So if you want to move 408 00:22:22,520 –> 00:22:24,439 beyond a vague religious belief 409 00:22:24,439 –> 00:22:25,479 in which God remains 410 00:22:25,479 –> 00:22:26,760 at a distance from you 411 00:22:26,760 –> 00:22:29,880 If you want to have a felt awareness 412 00:22:30,599 –> 00:22:32,359 of his presence in your life 413 00:22:32,359 –> 00:22:33,959 in all that you face this week 414 00:22:33,959 –> 00:22:35,400 this is where you must begin 415 00:22:35,400 –> 00:22:36,920 If you feel your need of that 416 00:22:36,920 –> 00:22:39,000 this is exactly the very scripture 417 00:22:39,000 –> 00:22:40,280 that you need to hear today 418 00:22:42,920 –> 00:22:44,680 God makes his home 419 00:22:44,680 –> 00:22:46,599 He dwells, that’s the word 420 00:22:46,599 –> 00:22:50,119 with, the person who is poor in spirit 421 00:22:52,359 –> 00:22:54,599 Heaven is in the humble 422 00:22:56,199 –> 00:22:59,640 before the humble are in heaven 423 00:23:00,599 –> 00:23:05,719 so there is a wonderful blessing here today 424 00:23:05,719 –> 00:23:07,239 for the person who 425 00:23:07,239 –> 00:23:08,280 has come to church 426 00:23:08,280 –> 00:23:09,560 and you are feeling 427 00:23:09,560 –> 00:23:11,239 overwhelmed by some challenge 428 00:23:11,239 –> 00:23:13,239 perhaps no one else here knows about it 429 00:23:13,239 –> 00:23:13,880 but you do 430 00:23:13,880 –> 00:23:14,920 and God does 431 00:23:14,920 –> 00:23:16,760 and you’ve been saying to yourself 432 00:23:16,760 –> 00:23:19,000 I don’t have what it takes 433 00:23:20,920 –> 00:23:21,479 and you don’t know 434 00:23:21,479 –> 00:23:23,239 how you’re going to move forward from here 435 00:23:25,400 –> 00:23:27,560 You know that what God is calling you to 436 00:23:27,640 –> 00:23:28,280 right now 437 00:23:28,280 –> 00:23:30,920 is beyond the range of your own talents 438 00:23:30,920 –> 00:23:32,199 and your own ability 439 00:23:32,199 –> 00:23:33,880 The circumstances of your life 440 00:23:33,880 –> 00:23:35,239 have brought you to the very place 441 00:23:35,239 –> 00:23:36,199 where you are what? 442 00:23:36,199 –> 00:23:37,479 Poor in spirit 443 00:23:37,479 –> 00:23:38,839 You see that you’ve not got it 444 00:23:40,520 –> 00:23:43,400 And Jesus Christ Himself says 445 00:23:43,880 –> 00:23:46,680 Isaiah 57 15 446 00:23:46,680 –> 00:23:50,920 I will dwell with you 447 00:23:52,280 –> 00:23:54,359 I won’t just come near you in a service 448 00:23:54,359 –> 00:23:55,719 and then leave you this week 449 00:23:55,719 –> 00:23:58,280 I will walk with you in this 450 00:23:59,400 –> 00:24:00,760 I will live with you 451 00:24:02,119 –> 00:24:04,040 I will presence myself 452 00:24:04,040 –> 00:24:06,359 with the one who is of a lowly 453 00:24:06,359 –> 00:24:07,400 and contrite spirit 454 00:24:07,400 –> 00:24:09,000 who knows her need 455 00:24:10,119 –> 00:24:13,000 is aware of his lack 456 00:24:14,520 –> 00:24:16,119 There is such a blessing 457 00:24:16,119 –> 00:24:18,359 for the person who came here today 458 00:24:18,359 –> 00:24:19,560 and you have felt 459 00:24:19,560 –> 00:24:21,479 overwhelmed by temptation 460 00:24:21,479 –> 00:24:23,160 It has probably led you to fail 461 00:24:23,160 –> 00:24:24,040 in this last week 462 00:24:24,680 –> 00:24:26,119 And you say I just don’t know 463 00:24:26,119 –> 00:24:27,560 what to do with this stuff 464 00:24:27,560 –> 00:24:29,400 It seems like it comes at me 465 00:24:29,400 –> 00:24:30,199 in waves 466 00:24:33,640 –> 00:24:35,319 And it feels too much for me 467 00:24:37,319 –> 00:24:39,479 And do you see what is happening? 468 00:24:39,479 –> 00:24:40,599 In the mercy of God 469 00:24:40,599 –> 00:24:41,959 the very temptations 470 00:24:41,959 –> 00:24:43,560 that seem to overwhelm you 471 00:24:43,560 –> 00:24:44,439 are bringing you 472 00:24:44,439 –> 00:24:46,119 to the place of hope 473 00:24:46,119 –> 00:24:47,000 The place where 474 00:24:47,000 –> 00:24:49,000 you are poor in spirit 475 00:24:49,000 –> 00:24:49,560 you’re saying 476 00:24:49,560 –> 00:24:51,560 I don’t have what it takes 477 00:24:51,560 –> 00:24:52,439 to beat this 478 00:24:52,439 –> 00:24:54,920 And Jesus Christ comes to you today 479 00:24:54,920 –> 00:24:55,800 and he says 480 00:24:55,800 –> 00:24:58,199 I will dwell 481 00:24:58,839 –> 00:25:00,119 with you 482 00:25:01,880 –> 00:25:02,839 24-7 483 00:25:04,839 –> 00:25:05,319 You don’t know 484 00:25:05,319 –> 00:25:06,359 when and what’s gonna 485 00:25:06,359 –> 00:25:07,560 come at you this week 486 00:25:07,560 –> 00:25:08,839 But I will walk 487 00:25:08,839 –> 00:25:10,439 with you in it 488 00:25:12,040 –> 00:25:13,079 You will not be alone 489 00:25:14,839 –> 00:25:16,280 It’s a tremendous blessing 490 00:25:16,280 –> 00:25:16,839 here today 491 00:25:16,839 –> 00:25:17,880 for the person 492 00:25:17,880 –> 00:25:19,959 who has really messed up 493 00:25:20,439 –> 00:25:22,760 Your sin has found you out 494 00:25:24,199 –> 00:25:26,119 And the enemy of your soul 495 00:25:26,119 –> 00:25:27,160 who told you 496 00:25:27,160 –> 00:25:29,239 that there was no harm in it 497 00:25:29,239 –> 00:25:30,280 is now telling you 498 00:25:30,280 –> 00:25:31,239 there’s no hope 499 00:25:31,239 –> 00:25:32,119 because of it 500 00:25:34,359 –> 00:25:35,719 But if your failure 501 00:25:35,719 –> 00:25:36,839 should lead you today 502 00:25:36,839 –> 00:25:38,839 to a place of genuine humility 503 00:25:38,839 –> 00:25:39,800 before God 504 00:25:41,560 –> 00:25:43,000 If your sin should 505 00:25:43,000 –> 00:25:44,760 lead you to the place 506 00:25:44,760 –> 00:25:46,439 where instead of arrogance 507 00:25:46,439 –> 00:25:47,239 before him 508 00:25:47,479 –> 00:25:48,280 before him 509 00:25:49,640 –> 00:25:50,520 where you’re always 510 00:25:50,520 –> 00:25:51,640 asserting yourself 511 00:25:51,640 –> 00:25:54,119 there’s a humility of spirit 512 00:25:54,119 –> 00:25:56,119 that is now birthed by his grace 513 00:25:56,119 –> 00:25:57,560 out of this very failure 514 00:25:59,000 –> 00:25:59,800 I tell you 515 00:25:59,800 –> 00:26:01,479 God can use the sin 516 00:26:01,479 –> 00:26:03,000 that would have led you 517 00:26:03,000 –> 00:26:03,959 down to hell 518 00:26:05,400 –> 00:26:07,000 to help you find 519 00:26:07,000 –> 00:26:09,239 the path to heaven 520 00:26:10,359 –> 00:26:11,239 That’s his grace 521 00:26:12,920 –> 00:26:13,640 Blessed 522 00:26:15,160 –> 00:26:15,640 Blessed 523 00:26:16,599 –> 00:26:21,000 Blessed are the poor in spirit 524 00:26:23,239 –> 00:26:24,439 Heaven belongs to them 525 00:26:27,800 –> 00:26:30,760 Now we’ve looked at the calling 526 00:26:33,239 –> 00:26:35,000 we’ve looked at the blessing 527 00:26:37,400 –> 00:26:39,640 Let’s look at some applications together 528 00:26:39,640 –> 00:26:41,719 in this first part of our reflection 529 00:26:41,719 –> 00:26:43,239 on this first and 530 00:26:43,959 –> 00:26:45,640 marvelous beatitude 531 00:26:46,680 –> 00:26:48,119 blessing of Christ 532 00:26:49,319 –> 00:26:50,280 I want to suggest to you 533 00:26:50,839 –> 00:26:53,800 four very simple applications that arise 534 00:26:53,800 –> 00:26:55,560 it seems to me directly from this 535 00:26:55,560 –> 00:26:56,439 The first is this 536 00:26:56,439 –> 00:26:58,760 That people who are poor in spirit 537 00:26:58,760 –> 00:27:01,319 give up the idea that God owes them 538 00:27:02,839 –> 00:27:04,040 You know what I mean by that 539 00:27:05,400 –> 00:27:06,760 As God’s creatures 540 00:27:06,760 –> 00:27:08,439 we have a duty towards Him 541 00:27:08,439 –> 00:27:10,520 But it is all so easy 542 00:27:10,520 –> 00:27:12,599 especially in our culture 543 00:27:12,599 –> 00:27:14,520 To flip the whole thing on its head 544 00:27:14,520 –> 00:27:16,520 Forget that we have a duty to God 545 00:27:16,520 –> 00:27:18,520 and live as if God were the one 546 00:27:18,520 –> 00:27:20,199 who has a duty towards us 547 00:27:21,319 –> 00:27:22,760 We get the idea that we can 548 00:27:22,760 –> 00:27:25,160 as it were write God’s job description 549 00:27:25,160 –> 00:27:26,359 Tell Him what to do 550 00:27:26,359 –> 00:27:27,880 Give him our 10 commandments 551 00:27:27,880 –> 00:27:29,800 This is what we’re looking to you for God 552 00:27:30,760 –> 00:27:33,239 To provide certain blessings for our family 553 00:27:34,359 –> 00:27:36,920 To provide a a level of income 554 00:27:36,920 –> 00:27:38,359 and of health that will support 555 00:27:38,359 –> 00:27:39,719 our chosen lifestyle 556 00:27:40,920 –> 00:27:42,199 To insulate us 557 00:27:42,199 –> 00:27:43,959 from the sufferings that 558 00:27:43,959 –> 00:27:45,560 admittedly are experienced 559 00:27:45,560 –> 00:27:46,920 by others in this world 560 00:27:49,000 –> 00:27:50,439 And then because we so easily 561 00:27:50,439 –> 00:27:51,800 slide into the idea 562 00:27:51,800 –> 00:27:52,760 that we are the ones who 563 00:27:52,760 –> 00:27:54,280 are writing the demands 564 00:27:54,280 –> 00:27:55,319 and the prescriptions 565 00:27:55,319 –> 00:27:56,760 as it were for God 566 00:27:56,760 –> 00:27:58,119 Woe betide God! 567 00:27:58,119 –> 00:27:59,239 We begin to feel 568 00:27:59,239 –> 00:28:01,959 if he does not meet our expectations 569 00:28:04,119 –> 00:28:05,959 My friends, you know how easily 570 00:28:05,959 –> 00:28:07,640 all of us can slip into this 571 00:28:07,640 –> 00:28:08,599 strange kind of 572 00:28:08,599 –> 00:28:11,000 expectation God owes me mentality 573 00:28:12,439 –> 00:28:13,959 But do you see how pride 574 00:28:13,959 –> 00:28:15,000 is written all over that? 575 00:28:16,680 –> 00:28:18,439 Pride says I gave him something 56 00:28:19,079 –> 00:28:21,560 and he owes me something 577 00:28:21,560 –> 00:28:23,319 bigger and better than I got back 578 00:28:26,040 –> 00:28:27,800 And as long as your heart is there 579 00:28:27,800 –> 00:28:28,920 you are on a path 580 00:28:28,920 –> 00:28:29,880 to bitterness 581 00:28:30,439 –> 00:28:31,800 to disappointment 582 00:28:32,920 –> 00:28:33,719 resentment 583 00:28:35,079 –> 00:28:37,160 And it kills blessing 584 00:28:37,160 –> 00:28:43,400 Blessed are the poor in spirit 585 00:28:45,319 –> 00:28:49,319 For theirs is the kingdom of heaven 586 00:28:51,079 –> 00:28:53,000 The person who is poor in spirit 587 00:28:53,000 –> 00:28:53,800 says 588 00:28:53,800 –> 00:28:55,640 When I watched do I have 589 00:28:55,640 –> 00:28:57,560 that I did not really not receive 590 00:28:59,160 –> 00:29:01,560 I owe God everything 591 00:29:01,560 –> 00:29:02,760 And I have been able 592 00:29:02,760 –> 00:29:04,359 to produce for him nothing 593 00:29:05,239 –> 00:29:07,160 And he owes me nothing 594 00:29:07,160 –> 00:29:08,199 And yet he is the one who 595 00:29:08,199 –> 00:29:09,079 has given me all things 596 00:29:11,800 –> 00:29:13,319 So people who are poor 597 00:29:13,319 –> 00:29:13,880 in spirit 598 00:29:13,880 –> 00:29:16,280 They have this wonderful deliverance 599 00:29:16,280 –> 00:29:17,560 They get off this thing 600 00:29:17,560 –> 00:29:18,599 that God owes me 601 00:29:18,599 –> 00:29:20,280 better than I had in my past 602 00:29:20,280 –> 00:29:21,959 better than I have in my present 603 00:29:21,959 –> 00:29:22,839 and that God owes me 604 00:29:22,839 –> 00:29:23,479 something better 605 00:29:23,479 –> 00:29:24,439 in the future to come 606 00:29:26,359 –> 00:29:27,800 And it’s a wonderful deliverance 607 00:29:27,800 –> 00:29:29,479 to get away from that place 608 00:29:29,479 –> 00:29:30,439 because that’s a place 609 00:29:30,439 –> 00:29:31,959 where you cannot experience 610 00:29:31,959 –> 00:29:33,319 the blessing of God 611 00:29:33,400 –> 00:29:35,079 because the blessing of God comes 612 00:29:36,439 –> 00:29:37,239 not to those who are 613 00:29:37,239 –> 00:29:38,760 listing their demands for him 614 00:29:40,359 –> 00:29:41,640 but to the poor in spirit 615 00:29:42,680 –> 00:29:43,719 He dwells with them 616 00:29:46,199 –> 00:29:48,280 Second, people who are 617 00:29:48,280 –> 00:29:49,319 poor in spirit 618 00:29:50,760 –> 00:29:52,760 are not afraid to ask 619 00:29:54,280 –> 00:29:56,199 Thomas Watson, who I referred to before 620 00:29:56,199 –> 00:29:57,239 and will refer to I’m sure 621 00:29:57,239 –> 00:29:58,439 many, many times again 622 00:29:58,439 –> 00:29:59,959 He’s full of pithy sayings 623 00:29:59,959 –> 00:30:01,319 on the Beatitudes 624 00:30:01,319 –> 00:30:04,920 He says, the poor are always begging 625 00:30:08,920 –> 00:30:11,479 And he who is poor in spirit 626 00:30:11,479 –> 00:30:13,959 will be much in prayer 627 00:30:14,760 –> 00:30:15,479 That’s one of the ways 628 00:30:15,479 –> 00:30:16,839 in which you know where you’re at 629 00:30:18,040 –> 00:30:19,239 People who feel that they 630 00:30:19,239 –> 00:30:20,839 have what it takes 631 00:30:20,839 –> 00:30:22,760 don’t easily come to 632 00:30:22,760 –> 00:30:23,880 the place of prayer 633 00:30:23,880 –> 00:30:25,479 because what is there to ask for 634 00:30:25,479 –> 00:30:26,599 when you have what it takes? 635 00:30:27,959 –> 00:30:29,239 It can be true of individuals 636 00:30:29,239 –> 00:30:30,359 It can be true of a church 637 00:30:31,959 –> 00:30:33,079 That’s how you feel 638 00:30:33,079 –> 00:30:34,839 That’s not going to be the place 639 00:30:34,839 –> 00:30:37,160 of experiencing the blessing of God 640 00:30:39,079 –> 00:30:40,839 But the poor are always begging 641 00:30:40,839 –> 00:30:42,680 And he who is poor in spirit 642 00:30:42,680 –> 00:30:44,680 will be much in prayer 643 00:30:44,680 –> 00:30:46,599 Those who know their own need 644 00:30:46,599 –> 00:30:48,199 will reflect that 645 00:30:48,199 –> 00:30:50,280 in an active prayer life 646 00:30:50,280 –> 00:30:52,359 Is there anything in your experience 647 00:30:52,359 –> 00:30:53,079 that you would say 648 00:30:54,520 –> 00:30:56,680 resembles what could be called 649 00:30:56,680 –> 00:30:59,079 an active prayer life? 650 00:31:00,040 –> 00:31:00,920 Well, that’s one of 651 00:31:00,920 –> 00:31:02,439 the registers of where you are 652 00:31:03,560 –> 00:31:04,599 in relation to your 653 00:31:04,599 –> 00:31:06,119 whole spirit before God 654 00:31:09,239 –> 00:31:10,199 We read earlier 655 00:31:10,199 –> 00:31:11,719 a story that Jesus told 656 00:31:11,719 –> 00:31:14,280 about two men who prayed 657 00:31:14,280 –> 00:31:15,640 and one was a Pharisee 658 00:31:15,640 –> 00:31:18,119 and the other was a tax collector 659 00:31:18,119 –> 00:31:19,239 And isn’t it interesting 660 00:31:19,239 –> 00:31:20,119 that both of them 661 00:31:20,119 –> 00:31:21,640 did actually pray 662 00:31:21,640 –> 00:31:23,400 But what Jesus points out 663 00:31:23,400 –> 00:31:24,280 is that there was 664 00:31:24,280 –> 00:31:25,719 all the difference in the world 665 00:31:25,719 –> 00:31:26,760 between their two prayers 666 00:31:27,640 –> 00:31:28,839 And did you notice the difference? 667 00:31:31,400 –> 00:31:32,520 It lies in this 668 00:31:32,520 –> 00:31:34,040 that the Pharisee 669 00:31:35,239 –> 00:31:36,439 when he prayed 670 00:31:38,119 –> 00:31:39,959 simply expressed 671 00:31:41,880 –> 00:31:43,479 a focus on himself 672 00:31:43,479 –> 00:31:44,920 I thank you that 673 00:31:44,920 –> 00:31:46,599 I’m not as Other Men God 674 00:31:46,599 –> 00:31:47,719 I thank you that 675 00:31:47,719 –> 00:31:49,079 I’m not an adulterer 676 00:31:49,079 –> 00:31:50,199 I thank you that 677 00:31:50,199 –> 00:31:51,319 some of the wretched things 678 00:31:51,319 –> 00:31:52,520 that I see in other 679 00:31:52,520 –> 00:31:54,439 people’s lives are not in mine 680 00:31:54,439 –> 00:31:57,800 He looked at his prayer in 681 00:31:57,800 –> 00:31:59,400 Luke’s chapter 18 682 00:31:59,400 –> 00:32:00,359 and the striking 683 00:32:00,359 –> 00:32:01,400 thing is this 684 00:32:01,400 –> 00:32:03,560 Here is a man who comes to 685 00:32:03,560 –> 00:32:04,680 God and 686 00:32:04,680 –> 00:32:06,199 never asks for a 687 00:32:06,199 –> 00:32:06,599 thing! 688 00:32:08,119 –> 00:32:09,000 What was the last thing 689 00:32:09,000 –> 00:32:09,880 you asked of God? 690 00:32:11,719 –> 00:32:12,760 Never asked a thing 691 00:32:14,439 –> 00:32:16,119 NEVER asked a thing 692 00:32:16,119 –> 00:32:16,680 Why? 693 00:32:16,680 –> 00:32:17,560 Because he was miles 694 00:32:17,560 –> 00:32:18,680 from poverty of spirit 695 00:32:20,119 –> 00:32:21,160 and the reality was 696 00:32:21,160 –> 00:32:22,119 although he was standing 697 00:32:22,119 –> 00:32:22,920 there in the temple 698 00:32:22,920 –> 00:32:24,199 and saying this prayer 699 00:32:24,199 –> 00:32:25,800 that could be heard by others 700 00:32:25,800 –> 00:32:26,920 he was miles and 701 00:32:26,920 –> 00:32:29,000 miles and miles from God 702 00:32:31,479 –> 00:32:32,119 You could tell 703 00:32:32,119 –> 00:32:33,479 because he felt no need to ask 704 00:32:35,479 –> 00:32:36,439 And then Jesus says 705 00:32:36,439 –> 00:32:37,560 over in the corner of the 706 00:32:37,560 –> 00:32:38,920 temple there was a fellow 707 00:32:38,920 –> 00:32:39,880 He didn’t even come 708 00:32:40,520 –> 00:32:41,560 to the very front 709 00:32:41,560 –> 00:32:43,239 and he didn’t raise up his head 710 00:32:43,239 –> 00:32:44,359 his head was down 711 00:32:44,359 –> 00:32:46,839 He was so aware of his own need 712 00:32:46,839 –> 00:32:48,119 he was a tax collector 713 00:32:48,119 –> 00:32:50,040 These guys were known 714 00:32:50,040 –> 00:32:51,479 for their many many sins 715 00:32:51,479 –> 00:32:52,920 and for good reason 716 00:32:52,920 –> 00:32:54,119 and 717 00:32:54,119 –> 00:32:55,160 And here is this man 718 00:32:56,680 –> 00:32:57,719 much on his conscience 719 00:32:57,719 –> 00:32:58,599 aware of his need 720 00:33:00,839 –> 00:33:01,880 And he simply says 721 00:33:02,439 –> 00:33:04,119 Oh God be merciful 722 00:33:04,119 –> 00:33:05,319 to me a sinner 723 00:33:07,479 –> 00:33:08,599 And Jesus made this 724 00:33:09,640 –> 00:33:11,079 conclusion to the story 725 00:33:11,079 –> 00:33:12,040 that must have shocked 726 00:33:12,040 –> 00:33:13,640 all who heard it at that time 727 00:33:15,000 –> 00:33:16,599 And should still shock us today 728 00:33:18,199 –> 00:33:19,479 He says it was this man 729 00:33:19,479 –> 00:33:20,280 and not the other 730 00:33:21,239 –> 00:33:22,199 who went home 731 00:33:22,479 –> 00:33:24,560 Some justified 732 00:33:25,359 –> 00:33:26,000 blessed 733 00:33:27,520 –> 00:33:28,079 forgiven 734 00:33:29,599 –> 00:33:31,439 at peace with God 735 00:33:32,959 –> 00:33:33,760 Why? Because 736 00:33:34,959 –> 00:33:37,439 blessed are the poor in spirit 737 00:33:39,439 –> 00:33:41,119 And then Jesus says this 738 00:33:41,119 –> 00:33:43,839 For everyone who exalts himself 739 00:33:43,839 –> 00:33:44,800 will be humbled 740 00:33:46,719 –> 00:33:48,719 And the one who humbles himself 741 00:33:49,839 –> 00:33:50,319 will be 742 00:33:50,400 –> 00:33:51,040 ited 743 00:33:52,199 –> 00:33:57,560 So, we’ve talked about using these beatitudes as a way of measuring 744 00:33:57,560 –> 00:34:03,079 ourselves, the challenge that comes very directly at this point to us is to to look 745 00:34:03,079 –> 00:34:08,439 at what you would say resembles a prayer life in your own experience and and say, 746 00:34:08,439 –> 00:34:14,040 is there evidence of asking, is there a spirit of a person who knows his or her own need, 747 00:34:14,040 –> 00:34:24,340 or simply a person who believes in God at a distance. Third and this is very wonderful 748 00:34:24,340 –> 00:34:31,820 and just briefly people who are poor in spirit are in a position to receive not only in a position 749 00:34:31,820 –> 00:34:39,800 to ask which flows directly from this but in a position to receive. See people who feel that 750 00:34:40,080 –> 00:34:47,320 they have something to offer God are always coming to God with their hands full. Lord 751 00:34:47,320 –> 00:34:51,439 here’s what I want to give you, here’s what I want to offer to you, here’s what I want 752 00:34:51,439 –> 00:35:02,020 to tell you that I have done. Again Thomas Watson, how can you receive gold when your 753 00:35:02,040 –> 00:35:08,520 hands are full of pebbles? Isn’t that good? Here I come before God my hands full of all 754 00:35:08,560 –> 00:35:12,320 these pebbles, all these little things I have done and I want to make a big deal of them 755 00:35:12,320 –> 00:35:19,320 and God holds in his hand the gold but I cannot receive it, why? Because my hands are already 756 00:35:19,320 –> 00:35:26,479 full. So here is the great blessing of the poor in spirit that not only are they in a 757 00:35:26,479 –> 00:35:31,919 position where it is very, very natural for them to ask, but they are also in precisely 758 00:35:31,919 –> 00:35:37,000 the position where they are able to receive. That’s why in a great old hymn that some you 759 00:35:37,000 –> 00:35:49,919 may know we sing this line, “‘Nothing in my hands I bring. Simply to your cross I cling.’” 760 00:35:49,919 –> 00:35:56,580 You cannot cling to the cross of Jesus if your hands are full. Only those who come empty 761 00:35:56,580 –> 00:36:01,139 handed before God, only those who are poor in spirit, only those who are aware of their 762 00:36:01,139 –> 00:36:06,040 own need are able to cling to the cross of Christ and in this way this way the Kingdom 763 00:36:06,080 –> 00:36:14,439 of Heaven is indeed theirs. When you know that you have nothing to offer God, you are 764 00:36:14,439 –> 00:36:24,000 in a position to receive everything that He offers to you. And that of course is why the 765 00:36:24,000 –> 00:36:34,040 blessing of God rests upon the poor in spirit. Heaven is theirs because their hands are open 766 00:36:34,040 –> 00:36:39,699 to receive it. This is the very last thing for today and 767 00:36:39,699 –> 00:36:50,219 it’s just this. People who are poor in spirit boast in the cross. People who are poor in 768 00:36:50,219 –> 00:36:55,020 spirit, they’re certainly not going to boast about themselves but this is what they do, 769 00:36:55,020 –> 00:37:00,100 they boast in the cross and of course I’m thinking there of Paul’s wonderful statement 770 00:37:01,000 –> 00:37:04,159 Galatians chapter six and verse fourteen, and remember 771 00:37:04,159 –> 00:37:13,080 what a brilliant academic, what a multitalented man Paul was, what a spectacular career he 772 00:37:13,080 –> 00:37:20,139 had before his conversion and all that he gave up. This multitalented man and he says 773 00:37:20,139 –> 00:37:31,860 Oh far be it from me that I should ever boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 774 00:37:31,860 –> 00:37:39,139 Very simply folks the more a man or a woman sees in him or herself, the less they will 775 00:37:39,139 –> 00:37:44,100 see in Jesus, the more you see in yourself, the less they will see in Jesus. You’ll sometimes 776 00:37:44,100 –> 00:37:49,120 wonder why people get so enthusiastic about this all. You see much in yourself, you see 777 00:37:49,179 –> 00:37:57,000 little in Jesus. The more you see in Jesus, the less you will see in yourself. That is 778 00:37:57,000 –> 00:38:01,560 why when we come to worship we want to get our minds and our hearts and our thoughts 779 00:38:01,560 –> 00:38:10,580 and our affections fixed on Jesus. I will not boast in anything, no gifts, no power, 780 00:38:10,580 –> 00:38:18,040 no wisdom. But I will boast in Jesus Christ. His death and in His resurrection. Why should 781 00:38:18,120 –> 00:38:27,040 I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer. But this I know with all my heart, His wounds 782 00:38:27,040 –> 00:38:34,860 have paid my ransom.’ And here, at the very core, friends, is the 783 00:38:34,860 –> 00:38:41,860 distinguishing difference between the hypocrite and the genuine child of God. Here is the 784 00:38:42,679 –> 00:38:48,280 distinction between the fake and the true believer. Here is the distinction between 785 00:38:48,280 –> 00:38:54,840 the religious person who is actually a long, long way away from God and the humble penitent 786 00:38:54,840 –> 00:39:00,800 with whom God says He will dwell. Here is the difference. People who are far from God 787 00:39:00,800 –> 00:39:07,800 make much of themselves, and people who live near to God make much of Christ. People who 788 00:39:08,580 –> 00:39:15,580 are far from God are always talking about what they are doing for Him, and people who 789 00:39:16,459 –> 00:39:23,459 are near to God are always speaking about what He is doing for them. And so the Christian 790 00:39:26,199 –> 00:39:32,219 quarterback does not make much of himself, his multi-talents notwithstanding. He makes 791 00:39:32,219 –> 00:39:36,479 much of Christ who has not only made Him and redeemed Him. 792 00:39:37,239 –> 00:39:41,820 It’s true for the high flyer in business, for the brilliant musician, for the technical 793 00:39:41,820 –> 00:39:48,040 guru, for the political genius and for the mega-mother. If you walk closely with God 794 00:39:48,040 –> 00:39:55,040 you will make much of Jesus Christ. That was Isaiah’s story. He saw the emptiness of 795 00:39:55,360 –> 00:40:02,360 His own position before God. And he said, I am a man of unclean lips. And you remember 796 00:40:09,699 –> 00:40:16,699 what happened next? There was an angel that took a hot coal from the fire that was on 797 00:40:17,040 –> 00:40:23,639 the altar. And with tongs brought it over. And in this vision, Isaiah sees the hot coal 798 00:40:24,300 –> 00:40:31,300 touching and searing his lips. And the voice from heaven comes to him. Wonderful words 799 00:40:31,820 –> 00:40:38,820 your guilt is taken away. And your sin is atoned for. That’s what happened to this man 800 00:40:43,280 –> 00:40:49,459 who was poor in spirit. And isn’t it fascinating that through these 801 00:40:49,580 –> 00:40:56,260 very lips that in this vision were touched by the hot coals from the place of sacrifice, 802 00:40:56,260 –> 00:41:03,260 the very altar of God, it was through these very touched and cleansed lips, that the Holy 803 00:41:04,100 –> 00:41:11,100 Spirit of God was later to give, the most compelling and vivid words ever to have been 804 00:41:11,419 –> 00:41:18,419 uttered before the cross, speaking of what that atonement was and how it would be accomplished, 805 00:41:19,560 –> 00:41:26,560 it was this man, poor in spirit, who said, he was wounded for our transgressions, he 806 00:41:27,739 –> 00:41:34,739 was bruised for our iniquities. The punishment that brought us peace, it was on him I am 807 00:41:34,739 –> 00:41:41,739 led, the punishment that brought us peace, it was on him and by his wounds we are healed. 808 00:41:45,060 –> 00:41:52,060 God spoke these words through a man who knew his need and had become poor in spirit. Surely 809 00:41:56,699 –> 00:42:01,280 this is the very place that gives birth to a life and to a ministry that is of lasting 810 00:42:01,439 –> 00:42:08,439 usefulness to God. People who are poor in spirit make much of the cross. Lord make me 811 00:42:15,260 –> 00:42:22,260 one of these people. Father, work your word into our hearts and 812 00:42:22,899 –> 00:42:27,739 as today we settle into our minds what you’re calling us to, 813 00:42:27,739 –> 00:42:32,600 so we have set our sail as it were to go after what you’re 814 00:42:32,600 –> 00:42:38,080 calling us to and to seek to lay hold of this blessing. To that 815 00:42:38,080 –> 00:42:42,979 end we thank you for the gift of your presence as you dwell with 816 00:42:42,979 –> 00:42:49,139 the poor in spirit. So that theirs, ours, 817 00:42:50,060 –> 00:42:56,040 is the kingdom of heaven. 818 00:42:56,040 –> 00:42:57,439 Through Jesus Christ our Lord in whose name we pray and 819 00:42:57,439 –> 00:43:01,459 everyone said Amen. 820 00:43:01,459 –> 00:43:04,300 You’ve been listening to a sermon with Pastor Colin 821 00:43:04,300 –> 00:43:06,020 Smith of Open the Bible. 822 00:43:06,020 –> 00:43:08,379 To contact us, call us at 1-877-OPEN-365 823 00:43:08,379 –> 00:43:10,560 or visit our website, openthebible.org.