Sermon on the Mount Bible Study Week Two

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Day 2- Matt. 5:1-3
Imagine the scene, the excitement!  According to the end of chapter 4, Jesus has been healing and drawing crowds, and now they have come all the way out to a mountainside to hear Him and He opens with…what?

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

 What?  Here Jesus has done miracles, showed power and amassed a following and this is how He starts His teaching? Jesus goes for the deepest issue of every person to walk the earth-the spiritual.

 Define “blessed”.
Look up the Greek word for “poor”.
So what does it mean to be poor in spirit?  Is this a one-time realization, or a continuing one?  

 Is this how you would describe yourself in the past or now?  Why or why not?
Let’s consider Luke 18:9-14.  Here Jesus describes 2 different people and their approach to God - one prideful and the other with an accurate view of himself.  Make a list of everything the Pharisee does/says and what the Publican does/says.  
Is being poor in spirit a NT concept only?

 What does Isaiah 66:1-2 have to say about being poor in spirit?

 What does Psalm 51:17 say about a contrite spirit?

 What are the poor in spirit said to inherit?  How does that line up to what you receive when you receive Christ as your Lord and Savior, and the ONLY one who can redeem you from your bankrupt state?
How does Romans 5:6, 8, & 10 describe a person before they receive Christ?
Now contrast the church of Smyrna in Revelation 2:8-11 and the church of Laodicea in Revelation 3:14-22.  How are they addressed?  
Which church do you relate more to?

Think on how you view God- How it is that you approach Him?  
Do you realize that you are spiritually bankrupt and have nothing in yourself with which to come to Him?

 What great encouragement Jesus gives those who have a truthful view of themselves apart from Him.  Blessed are you, He says!  Take time to ponder how blessed you are in this truth.
Going Deeper-What do you think is different between inheriting heaven vs the kingdom of heaven?

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