Beatitudes 1
Bible passage: Matthew 5:1-3
“1. Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2. and he began to teach them, saying: 3. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Dear brothers and sisters,
Today, we begin a new sermon series on the "Beatitudes."
The teachings of the Beatitudes are essential for God's children to achieve sanctification and enter New Jerusalem. These precious words contain the key to understanding how to transform ourselves to resemble the Lord’s heart. As we embrace the truth and forsake sin, the love described in 1 Corinthians verse 13, the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit, and the Beatitudes will take root in us.
Those who fully bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit are sanctified and qualified to enter the third kingdom of Heaven. Whole Spirit includes the Beatitudes and means entrance to the New Jerusalem. Those who long for New Jerusalem must embrace and reflect on the teachings of the Beatitudes as spiritual nourishment. Through today’s words, I encourage you to internalize how much you’ve embodied these teachings. May you quickly fulfill them and enjoy true blessings, both in heaven and on earth. Likely there’s no one who dislikes being blessed. But what does "blessing" really mean? Many see blessings as having abundant wealth, good health, honor, power, and a loving family. Of course, material wealth and health are important in life, and a harmonious family brings about happiness.
But few people enjoy all these blessings, and even fewer can maintain them forever. Above all, the greatest blessing is the blessing of eternal life, which only God can give. What good is a lifetime of wealth, glory, and pleasure if you end up in hell? True blessing is salvation, eternal life, and entering heaven. God grants those who live according to His will with abundant blessings even on earth—this is true blessing. Jesus, the Son of God, came to offer God’s true and eternal blessings to all people. Throughout His ministry, Jesus repeatedly proclaimed the message of blessings. He didn’t just share it once but repeatedly preached everywhere. The precious message meant to bestow true blessings continues to be declared today; not only to those who believe in the Lord but to everyone worldwide. Let’s look at the eight Beautitudes Jesus spoke of in detail. The first blessing is found in Matthew 5:3: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Do you prefer poverty or wealth? Naturally, wealth is better.
When blessed with material abundance, it is easier to glorify God, evangelize, give freely, support missions, and support others. But Jesus says blessed are the poor. To someone unaware of its spiritual meaning, this may seem puzzling. However, the poverty mentioned in the verse doesn’t refer to a lack of material wealth but to being poor in spirit; having a humble heart. So, what does it mean to be poor in spirit? It refers to a heart that is free from evil, humble, without selfish desires, and open to God’s grace. Being poor in spirit is directly connected to salvation. Jesus says in Mark 10:25, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Those who are poor in spirit long for the spiritual things to fill their emptiness and thirst for God's grace to fill their hearts. Because of this, they’re more receptive to the gospel and obedient to God’s word, making salvation easier. Those whose hearts are filled with the world—the spiritually wealthy—are the opposite. Attached to worldly wealth, power, and honor, they are resistant to the gospel. Those with successful businesses and good families may have few needs and don’t require evangelism. Others may be so attached to the world that they resist evangelism, unwilling to let go of it.
Some may be too busy with work or studies and regard church as a waste of time. The people whose hearts are filled with worldly pursuits have no room for the Lord. Just as a camel cannot go through the eye of a needle, it is difficult for such wealthy people to enter the kingdom of heaven. Does this mean we should cease evangelizing family, neighbors, and others who love the world and reject the gospel? No. Even they may eventually experience a time when their hearts become poor. A turning point where they suddenly feel the fleeting nature of life, face a business failure, experience family conflict, or suffer from illnesses. At that point, they may seek the gospel; begin to listen and humbly accept even if they once ignored or opposed it. You can receive the blessing of inheriting the kingdom of heaven when the heart becomes poor before God,. 2 Timothy 4:2 tells us, "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction."
In Luke 16, Jesus gives a parable to show the great blessing of being poor in spirit. It is the story of the rich man and the beggar Lazarus. The rich man who lived in luxury and feasted every day became spiritually wealthy in heart. He did not live according to God’s word. Despite being poor and begging at the rich man's gate with sores licked by dogs, Lazarus had a humble heart and believed in God. After death, Lazarus received salvation and enjoyed happiness and wealth in heaven. Their fortunes were completely reversed after mortal death. Lazarus was comforted in Abraham's embrace, enjoying true peace and rest; while the rich man who’d lived in luxury, suffered in torment in the depths of Hades. The rich man, suffering in the fiery pits of hell, desperately longs for a drop of water, but this is impossible in hell. Even the powerful and wealthy are helpless in hell. All who fall there equally suffer in the fire and endure eternal torment without hope. In contrast, those who are humble and believe in the Lord, regardless of worldly hardship and persecution, inherit the eternal blessing of heaven. Interestingly, the phrase "for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" is repeated once more in the eighth and final blessing of the Beatitudes. Matthew 5:10 says, "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
While the phrase is the same both literally and spiritually, each reference to the kingdom of heaven carries a different spiritual meaning, which I will explain later. Brothers and sisters, have all of you worshiping today received the first blessing? Even if there are sins you haven’t fully abandoned, your humble spirit allowed you to accept the gospel and inherit the kingdom of heaven. But this is not enough. What did Apostle Paul, who was full of great faith, demonstrated God’s powerful works, and received salvation confess? Philippians 3:12 says, "Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus." This highlights a proactive faith that continues to grow until complete salvation. Just because someone has received the Holy Spirit and been saved does not guarantee their salvation if they stop praying or living in the truth. Some begin with a humble spirit, believing in God and serving faithfully, but later become proud and fall into worldly desires. As Galatians 3:3 says, "Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?"
If someone begins in the Spirit but ends in the flesh, they may lose the blessing of salvation and the kingdom of heaven. Names in the book of life can be erased. Philippians 2:12 also says, "So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling." This means we must cast off evil daily, purify our hearts, and cultivate a humble spirit. By doing so, not only will eternal heaven be yours, but it will also appear in your life. With a pure heart, the Lord will be with you, and you will be blessed and prosperous, as promised in Deuteronomy 28. You will be the head, not the tail; you will lend and not borrow. Just as Lot was blessed with Abraham, those around you will also be blessed.
Spiritual power and authority will allow you to expand God's kingdom and receive love and favor from those around you. Dear brothers and sisters, how can we firmly hold onto the true blessing of inheriting the kingdom of heaven with a humble spirit, without being swayed? First, we must forsake the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. 1 John 2:15-16 says, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.” As long as someone has the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, they are loving the world and have a rich spirit. It draws them away from the blessings of heaven. To briefly explain, first, the lust of the flesh refers to the flesh’s tendency to sin.
Simply put, the sinful nature in a person is the desire to sin outwardly. When a person has sinful traits like laziness, adultery, debauchery, hatred, envy, jealousy, judgment, and condemnation, and encounters situations that triggers these desires, then the sinful acts and thoughts are manifested. This is the lust of the flesh. As a person continues to commit sinful acts, the lust of the flesh becomes more deeply rooted in the heart. For example, repeatedly losing your temper with someone who causes you trouble shapes your behavior over time. Whenever a difficult or uncomfortable situation arises, you react with anger and irritation. By repeatedly these sinful acts, the lust of the flesh become deeply rooted in the heart. So, how can we get rid of the lust of the flesh? First, we must cut off old habits and sinful actions that manifest outwardly. Through fervent prayer, we must reject the lust of the flesh in our hearts and gradually discard inherent sinful tendencies. In the end, we’ll be able to achieve a humble heart before God. For example, someone who struggles with anger must practice self-control and respond with gentle words and actions instead of in anger. Through intense prayer, they must also burn away the root of anger that remains deep within their heart.
Secondly, the lust of the eyes refers to the desire stirred by what we see or hear. For example, someone trying to quit smoking may be tempted to smoke again if they carry cigarettes in their pocket or smell others smoking. This is like allowing reinforcements into a besieged city. To overcome the sin of loving the world, we must cut off the sources that lead us to sin, just as a besieged city must block all reinforcements. To avoid the lust of the eyes, we must refuse to look, listen, or think about anything that is untruth. We should only see, hear, and act according to the truth, and through prayer, swiftly remove any worldly desires that have taken root. Thirdly, the boastful pride of life refers to the tendency to chase after worldly pleasures and boast to exalt yourself.
When this pride takes root, we boast about what we have—like wealth, honor, power, talent, looks, or knowledge—looking down on others and becoming arrogant. But James 4:16 says, "But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil." When this pride exists, it makes it difficult to obey God's commands to become humble, serve, sacrifice, and dedicate. It’s important we cast off all worldly pride. Next, we must spiritually become a child to possess the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3 says, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." A spiritual child is simple, pure, and humble. They easily believe good things, accept teachings, and obey without insisting on their pride or personal opinions. Likewise, we need to be humble and not proud. When we should humbly receive aqnd obey the truth. When we see and hear the truth, we should rejoice and be glad like spiritual children, for then we can possess the kingdom of heaven.
Dear brothers and sisters, Psalm 73:28 says, “But as for me, the nearness of God is my good;" and 1 Peter 2:2 tells us, "Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation." As the end time approaches, people become proud within the darkness, loving themselves and the world, and pursuing their desires even more. In this generation, those who are poor in spirit, have heard the gospel of holiness, believe in the works of power, and have come before God, are truly blessed.
Having received the first blessing before God, I hope you will all draw closer to Him, quickly cast off sin, become spiritual children, and receive the full blessings of the kingdom of heaven. May you receive the blessing of salvation and diligently share the gospel with unbelievers to lead those who are poor in spirit to the Lord.
Through the Beatitudes, I pray in the name of the Lord that you will receive and enjoy God-given blessings and become blessed believers who shine like the sun in the eternal kingdom of heaven.
