Are You Rich or Poor?

N. T. #31 "Are You Rich or Poor?"

March 21, 2023

Matthew 5

LET IT GLOW

Luke 6 names the 12 disciples of Jesus. Now Jesus began to teach his disciples. He was preparing them for ministry. Preaching and teaching, as well as discipleship, are not done only in the church, but also on the streets, in homes, on mountains, by the seashore-any place and every place.

Disciples means a learner; a pupil. The Greek word for disciples is mathetes (math-ay-tes').

Jesus lived this life before He described it. He is describing a Life of Blessedness, which is not dependent on outward possessions, like worldly goods or high birth. (F.B. Myer)

In the first 12 verses Jesus describes a true disciple who they are and their reward. He had a lot to teach His disciples. In fact, Jesus' message to them lasted 3 chapters for us to read. (5-7) So the Sermon on the Mount was directed to Jesus' disciples. (Don't confuse disciples from apostle, who saw Jesus). We can be a disciple of Jesus, a learner of His Word, but we are not an apostle since we have not seen Jesus. (The mount or hill on which Jesus taught His disciples here is located on the north side of the Sea of Galilee. What a beautiful place it is!

Do you want to learn more about Jesus and His kingdom? Are we hungry for His Word? Do we desire to learn more about how we Christians are to live so we are blessed, happy?

LET IT GROW

The word blessed means supremely blessed; fortunate; well off; happy.

Men seek to be happy, blessed, in things of this earth: position, money, fame, power, and sensual pleasure. this is his carnal, corrupt, and sinful life. (Romans 8:5-8) He is blinded and deceived to his real need, which is a renewed spirit-salvation is Jesus Christ.

How to have a Life of Blessedness:

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (verse 3)

The word poor refers to a beggar (as cringing); pauper; distressed. 

Are we distressed by our spiritual condition? do we admit to Jesus that we are in spiritual poverty? We are destitute and poor in spirit without Jesus. We are helpless before a holy God, for we do not have the righteousness He requires to be pleasing to Him. Only Jesus, who is God, is righteous. We are lacking in our works to get to heaven, but Jesus is The Way. Faith in Jesus makes us rich in the spirit. 

The poor in spirit has forgiveness of sin, fellowship with other believers walking with Jesus, and receive the gift of life that is forever-heaven.

For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. (Hebrews 8:12)

Friends, do we realize how poor in spirit we are? Jesus is the way for us to be rich in the spirit. Heaven is awaiting for us. Blessings and happiness are around the corner for us who depend upon our God for all things. We may not be rich by the standards of this world, but we can be rich spiritually.

LET IT GO 

We need Thee every hour, Jesus.

Increase our faith, Jesus.

Thank You, Savior, for meeting our spiritual needs. 

Glory to Jesus!