The Beatitudes- Sermon 2 Series

Isaiah 64:6: “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

Ephesians 2:5: “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”

SO even at our best we are BROKE:

Spurgeon describes man’s lost condition as being, “Naked , and poor, and miserable’ is a fair summary of man’s condition by nature. He lies covered with sores at the gates of mercy, having nothing of his own but sin, unable to dig and unwilling to beg, and therefore perishing in a penury of the direst [most desperate] kind” (Spurgeon, 466-467).

SUMMARIZATION: Being poor in spirit means to “crouch, cringe, cower down or hide oneself for fear” HERE IS “a picture of one crouching and cowering like a beggar with a tin cup to receive the pennies dropped in!” . . . . These poor were unable to meet their basic needs and so were forced to depend on others or on society.” Ref: Preceptaustin. Org. Matthew 5: Poor. http://preceptaustin.org/matthew_53.htm. Accessed October 25, 2012.

WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN? (9)

Kingdom of God/Heaven is one of power

Matthew 12:28: “But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.”

The Kingdom of God/Heaven is a present and active force

Mark 1:15: “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”

NOTE: (1) Kingdom is in place (meaning there is a King) (2) REPENTANCE is needed (3) BELIEF is essential.

THIS MORNING THIS POWER IS AVAILABLE (10)

The Power of God

John 1:12: “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”

The Power of the Holy Spirit

Acts 1:8: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Romans 15:13: “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

The Power of the Gospel

Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Power over Death

1 Corinthians 6:4: “And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.”

Power through Infirmity

2 Corinthians 12:9: “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Power in Self-Weakness (Denial)

2 Corinthians 13:4: “For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.”