When Poor Is Not Poverty

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December 30, 2001, Matthew 5:1-3

Open It

  1. What are some ways people typically try to find happiness or fulfillment in life?
  2. What person (living or dead) do you respect most? Why?

Explore It

  1. What was the setting for this sermon? (5:1)
  2. Who was Jesus addressing? (5:1-2)
  3. What kind of peace does a relationship with Jesus achieve? (John 14.27).
  4. Happiness is the reward of those who? Micah 6.8; Romans 5.1)
  5. What standard will the "poor in spirit" learn to uphold and apply? (Matthew 22.37-40)
  6. According to Jesus, what is the reward for those who are poor in spirit? (5:3)

Get It

  1. How does it pay in the present to walk with God?
  2. What do you think it means to be poor in spirit?
  3. How (if at all) does the promise of future blessing affect us in the present?
  4. What does this promises mean the most to you today? Why?

Apply It

  1. As I assess the role of pride in my own life, what can I do to remain humble and strong?
  2. How can I help another person this week to experience the blessedness of which Christ speaks.

OUTLINE OF THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

The Privileges and Responsibilities of Citizens of the Kingdom of heaven

  1. Perfection of Character the Goal of Citizenship, ch. 5.
  2. How to become a citizen of the kingdom, ch. 5:3-12.
  3. Citizens of the kingdom as living representatives of its principles ch. 5:13-16.
  4. The standard of conduct in the kingdom of heaven, ch. 5:1 7-47.
  5. Transformation and perfection of character the goal of citizenship, ch. 5:48.
  6. Incentives to Right Living and Exemplary Citizenship, ch. 6.
  7. Right motives in worship, service, and human relations, ch. 6:1-18.
  8. The aim of life: planning and living for the kingdom of heaven, ch. 6:19-24.
  9. God provides for those who make the kingdom first, ch. 6:25-34.
  10. Privileges and Responsibilities of Citizenship, ch. 7.
  11. The golden rule and power to apply it, ch. 7:1-12.
  12. Obedience and self-discipline the test of citizenship, ch. 7:13-23.
  13. A call to decisive action, ch. 7:24-27.

(Back to helps home page)     (Sermon, December 16, 2001)
(Back to sermons home page)    (Back to Shultz home page)