MATTHEW 5:1-2 MSG
When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside.
THOSE who were APPRENTICED to HIM, the COMMITTED, CLIMBED with HIM.
Arriving at a QUIET place, he SAT down and TAUGHT his CLIMBING COMPANIONS.
This is what HE SAID:
MATTHEW 5:3 NKJV
“Blessed are the POOR in SPIRIT,
• For THEIRS is the KINGDOM of HEAVEN.
We need to have a realisation of what is truth and what is false
Totally depend on God for everything
MATTHEW 5:3 AMP
“Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the POOR in SPIRIT [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant],
• for THEIRS is the kingdom of HEAVEN [both now and forever].
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF POOR?
FROM DICTIONARY :-
• lacking sufficient money to live at a standard considered comfortable or normal in a society:
"they were too poor to afford a telephone"·
"the gap between the rich and the poor has widened"
FROM CONCORDANCE :-
G4434 POOR
Original: πτωχός
Transliteration: PTŌCHOS
Phonetic: pto-khos’
Thayer Definition:
reduced to beggary, begging, asking alms
destitute of wealth, influence, position, honour
lowly, afflicted, destitute of the Christian virtues and eternal riches
helpless, powerless to accomplish an end
poor, needy
lacking in anything
• as respects their spirit
DESTITUTE of WEALTH of LEARNING and INTELLECTUAL CULTURE which the schools afford
• (men of this class most readily give themselves up to Christ's teaching and proved them selves fitted to lay hold of the heavenly treasure)
Strong's Definition:
From πτώσσω ptōssō (to crouch; akin to G4422 and the alternate of G4098); a BEGGAR (as cringing), that is, PAUPER (strictly denoting absolute or public mendicancy, although also used in a qualified or relative sense; whereas G3993 properly means only straitened circumstances in private), literally (often as noun) or figuratively (distressed): - BEGGAR (-ly), poor.
ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 3:1-3 NLT
Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service.
As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in.
Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could BEG from the people going into the Temple.
When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.
MATTHEW 5:3 MSG
“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope.
With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
To be "POOR in SPIRIT" means
• RECOGNIZING one’s spiritual bankruptcy
• and COMPLETE RELIANCE on GOD’S GRACE for salvation.
It involves ACKNOWLEDGING that we have NOTHING to OFFER GOD and
• can ONLY receive salvation through FAITH and GOD’S GRACE.
This term does not refer to material poverty but rather SPIRITUAL POVERTY or HUMILITY before GOD.
It denotes a RECOGNITION of one’s spiritual bankruptcy and dependence on God for salvation and sustenance.
HUMILITY and DEPENDENCY :
Being “poor in spirit” involves a posture of HUMILITY, - ACKNOWLEDGING one’s inadequacy and insufficiency apart from God.
It is a DISPOSITION of DEPENDENCY on GOD’S GRACE and MERCY for spiritual nourishment and renewal.
MEANING of ACKNOWLEDGE -
• ACCEPT or ADMIT the EXISTENCE or TRUTH of:
"the plight of the refugees was acknowledged by the authorities”.
"‘That's true,’ she acknowledged"
• RECOGNIZE the IMPORTANCE or QUALITY of:
"the art world has begun to acknowledge his genius”.
"the hotel is widely acknowledged as one of Cornwall's finest"
• EXPRESS GRATITUDE FOR or appreciation of:
"he received a letter acknowledging his services"
• ACCEPT the VALIDITY or LEGITIMACY of:
"Henry acknowledged Richard as his heir"
HOW DO WE ACKNOWLEDGE?
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