Blessings of a Beggar
Matthew 5:3- Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are the poor in spirit.
Poverty of spirit involves realizing that we cannot do what God wants by depending on our own skills, insight, or energy. This realization becomes the gate into God’s kingdom. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, aware of how impossible it is for you to do what God asks, you’ve been in touch with what it means to be “poor in spirit.” In this beatitude Christ invites us into a partnership that can change us, and through us, change the world: “All of you who know you can’t possibly do it, you’re the ones I want. You’re just the kind of people I can use.”
- Mary Lou Redding
The Power of a Focused Heart
Why would there be a blessing attached to being “poor in spirit”- for lacking zest, confidence and courage by definition.
Hayford’s Bible Handbook states it is those who admit their spiritual inadequacy and cast themselves on the mercy of God.
They are opposite of the proud, arrogant, the self-righteous who boast of their own goodness.
You see there are two kinds of poor, beggar poor and pauper poor! Both of them are in contrast to each other.
Let’s take a look at the Pauper first.
I. Paupers must like their status, they stay there, why? Because they have not found the desperation to cast off pride and pride keeps them there!
A. The Pauper looks to what others think, Image is everything to the pauper.
1. They don’t want the unwarranted attention, even if the unwanted attention could get them out of their situation.
2. It’s just what would they think, if they saw me begging, no I cannot do that (whining tone).
3. So they sit and stew in their condition, rather than look through the eyes of desperation and find a way out!
B. Paupers are silent
1. They don’t want someone looking at them funny or “judging them for being poor no they’ll just be quiet!
2. The pauper would just as soon die in their condition rather than speak out and let other know what is going on!
C. Paupers are not the daring sort.
1. They just sit in silence, silenced by pride
2. Pride is a silent killer!
3. Proverbs 16:18-18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
4. Pride will lead us to spiritual ruin, utter destruction!
5. Pride will not allow you to reach out beyond yourself, it will hold you captive as a prisoner!
6. Pride will keep you out of the presence of God!
7. Don’t become a prisoner to pride!
8. Don’t allow yourself to think you can do it on your own!
D. Paupers have just settled for what state they are in, they are settled into their status, and settling for the status quo!
1. The pauper is lulled tom sleep by a sense of complacency!
Transition: Have you settled for what state you are in? Have you settled for you status, tag or label, (elaborate). Or have you settled for the status quo in your spiritual life?
II. Beggar- Live off of the charity of others.
A. But in scripture the poor in spirit is beggar poor.
B. Mark 10:46-52-46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. 50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. 52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.
C. This is what happens when a beggar comes in contact with Jesus.
D. Bartimaeus heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth!
E. When you find that you only hear Jesus is nearby and your faith rises up because you just hear the sound of him that he is getting close, you cry out because the master is close enough to hear you; then you know what it is like to be poor in spirit.
F. It didn’t matter to Bartemaeus who was around or what they had to say it only mattered that the Savior was passing by, his breakthrough was walking through, the miraculous master was but a cry away!
1. When is the last time we cried out until we broke through?
G. They tried to shut him up, but that had no effect on him, he was going to be heard by Jesus no matter the cost!
1. Are we to the point that no one can shut us up because the Miracle Maker is near and we want Him to hear us!
H. Beggars are not afraid to be loud, or attract attention, in fact it is the beggars goal to do both!
1. We cannot be afraid to be loud when it comes to getting through to Jesus, we can’t care if others are looking at us, No! We must get to Him by any means necessary!
2. I don’t care if the governor is walking by while I am trying to be heard by the master I’m going to cry out until I get out!
I. For the beggar pride is not a factor, the beggar will do whatever it takes to get through, they will beg and plead, scream and shout, no matter who sees them!
1. We must toss our pride away when we come into the House Of the Living God! An do what it takes to get Jesus attention we must cry out!
J. A beggar is desperate and they will stop at nothing to get what they want or need.
1. You see it is only when u and I get desperate enough to be completely stripped of our pride, that we realize the verse when I am weak then I am made strong!
2. In Our weakest, most desperate times God makes a way!
K. The beggar is not interested in what others think, just meeting their immediate need.
1. So they sit hoping for a chance someone will miraculously notice them, “truly notice them”!!! Or should I say see their need in their eyes!
2. They have an expectation that someone will see their desperation, their condition and have pity or mercy on them!
3. We must come in with the attitude of expectation, coming to God expecting the miraculous, deliverances, salvations, and provision!
4. The beggar is looking for a hand and listening for a sound
5. We must expect to see the hand of God moving in our lives, and hearing the sound of the miraculous
L. Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
M. The power of God was preceded by a sound from heaven there are some of you here tonight need to hear from heaven.
1. 15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet. 16 And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul’s daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD
a. As they brought the ark which represents them presence of God into town there was a sound coming with it a sound of worship and shouting!
b. You see there is a sound missing from our homes, a sound of grandma’s crying out to the Lord for their children and grandchildren!
c. There’s a sound of dad’s crying out praying fervently for their families missing from our homes!
2. I am hear you tonight in the Spirit I hear a sound, the wind is about to blow are you ready?
3. A sound of hearts changing tonight!
4. A sound of the miracle maker walking through are you ready!
