Down & Out in the Kingdom of God

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Intro:  “Blessed” is a much misunderstood word.  “If I were blessed, then ______________.”

Big Idea: Jesus gives the kingdom to the spiritually impoverished.

Context: Jesus resumed His public ministry in Galilee.  He began in synagogues, but soon large crowds were gathering as His reputation grew (Genesis 12).  Much of this was a result of the miraculous healings.  Jesus now describes kingdom living to His disciples.

I. What is spiritual poverty?

-         One word for ‘poor’ means to live day-to-day.  This isn’t the word used here.

-         This word comes from the verb ‘to beg’.  It means depending on others for support.

-         This person is bankrupt; well below the poverty line.  Ill. Cinderella Man passing hat

-         Spiritual poverty: having no spiritual resources, nothing to earn or keep God’s love. 

-         The Cross proves no other way exists (Galatians 2).  Proves you’re bankrupt!

-         Spiritual poverty: dependent on God for everything He requires (John 15).

-         This is contrary to the ‘bootstrap religion’ found in the world.  We have no bootstraps.

-         We tend to relapse into works righteousness after conversion to remain right w/God.

-         Our need of Jesus does not end at conversion, but continues.  Ill. Sunday night/Journal

Transition: Spiritual poverty is utterly depending on God in our relationship with Him.

II. How are the spiritually impoverished fortunate?

-         The world thinks the successful, healthy and self-reliant are fortunate.  Ill. ads

-         Jesus turns things right-side up; spiritually impoverished are fortunate.  Ill. D&O in BH

-         The kingdom is theirs- present tense.  It is NOT a future utopia, but a present reality.

-         The kingdom: inaugurated, continuing & to be consummated.

-         Roman citizenship=> born in, buy it or earn it.  Ill. Buffett quote/ Doug’s comment

-         Heavenly citizenship=> received by grace through faith (Philippians 3).

-         Heavenly citizenship=> maintained by grace through faith (Galatians 3).

-         Humility: result of spiritually impoverishment.  The humble, not the proud, receive grace.

-         They are fortunate to experience the protection of Jesus.  He will defend them.

-         They are fortunate to experience the provision of Jesus.  He will provide (Deut. 8).

-         They are fortunate to experience the rule of Jesus.  He instructs them in kingdom living.

Transition: Spiritual poverty, utter dependence upon God, characterizes those in the kingdom.

III. How can we live out our spiritual poverty?

-         Jesus shared in our weakness, spiritually impoverished, and depended on the Father.

-         Jesus became like us, that we might eventually become like Him.  Ill. Greater to lesser.

-         Meditate on His voluntary spiritual poverty to recognize & cultivate yours.-         Meditate on His death to remember you continually go your own way.

-         Prayer: expressing our need for God to work in us.  Seek new supplies each day.

-         Jesus is pleased to provide grace & mercy in our time of need (Heb. 4) every day.

-         Jesus loves beggars of grace; He never turns a deaf ear to them.  Ill. Guys w/signs

-         A lack of prayer reveals that we are trying to be self-reliant.

-         Consistent prayer reveals a life of dependent on God, not yourself.

Conclusion: Sometimes the greatest blessings in life are those we have not earned.  They come freely from the hand of God, despite  the face we aren’t very obedient.  As spiritually impoverished people, we come to God empty handed.  God gives grace to walk with Him.  Amazingly God takes us into His kingdom, now.  What do you think of all this?  Are you still relying on yourself, trying to prove something to God?  Then you haven’t gotten it yet.
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