When preaching on the Beatitudes, Jesus preached of the blessings that came with believing in Him and growing spiritually as we passionately strive to be like Christ (Ps. 73:25). In today’s passage, Christ preaches a stark contrast as he lays out four “woes”, transitioning from the blessings previously. What does woe mean? It’s a sort of declaration or reaching a sentence in a verdict, often introduces a prophetic oracle of doom (Reformation Study Bible), and like the word “anathema”, which means to be accursed; condemned to destruction. Jesus warned the disciples of four woes of which two will be covered in today’s sermon: woe to those that are rich and well-fed now.

Woe to you who are rich

Jesus and Scripture are not anti-wealth as God loved and blessed Abraham, Job and many others we see in Scripture. There are lots of people that are dedicated to the Lord and are rich. God is particularly against a specific group of the rich. That is, the people Jesus is preaching woe to that are pursuing wealth as the priority, the idol of self-sufficiency. Wealth and self can easily become an idol. Anything to do with God and his will is just a hindrance to this goal. Why is this bad? Those seeking these things without the Lord is sin. All good things come from God. Earthly blessings must be used to glorify God, but there are those that attribute their wealth to anything but God (Ps. 24:1).

When we see Jesus’s encounter with the young rich ruler, the Lord makes it clear to be poor in spirit because the young rich ruler is intoxicated in his wealth (Matt. 19:21). Those that are consumed in their love for wealth are cursed (v 23-24) You cannot serve Jesus and wealth. In other words, those pursuing materialism in this world is under God’s curse.

What is materialism? Money-centered and thing-centered rather than God-centered. Materialism is sin and foolish. Money cannot purchase salvation and save the soul (Matt. 16:26). The problem with so many is they think they have time, so they store up riches for themselves (Lk. 12:20-21). But God owns time and we’re living on His borrowed time. Are we pursuing to be rich in the Lord or to be rich in the world (1 Tim. 6:7)?

Woe to you who are well-fed now

This is the second woe Jesus warns his disciple of. Those that are well-fed now are people that have everything they supposedly need so they think they don’t need God. This woe might not just point to food but anything in this world such as intellectualism, atheism, or any other (Lk. 16:19).

AW Tozer points questions to examine our hearts.

• What do you value most? That is your god.
  • If we cannot confess and profess this (Phil. 3:7)
• What would we most hate to lose?
• What do your thoughts turn to most frequently when you’re free to think of what you will?
• What affords you the greatest pleasure?
• If Jesus Christ is not the answer to any of the above questions, we need to re-examine our hearts. It is because when we are converted, although not perfect, we fight to grow in sanctification and glory of God.

The consequences are severe for those that are rich and well-fed based on Jesus’ words. For those that are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full (payment). For those that are well-fed now, you shall be hungry (Ps. 73:12). Some might as if they’re cursed by God, why do the rich and well-fed seem to be doing so well on this earth? God is not going to intervene (which is part of the curse) on this earth until judgment.  It is in the future that those that are well-fed shall be hungry (Lk. 16:24).

What is the solution to find relief from these woes?

We are all born under the curse of the law of God (Gal. 3:10). But the Lord Jesus Christ redeemed those that will repent and believe in Him for salvation (Gal. 3:13)! It is only by God’s grace our hears can be opened, while under the curse, to repent and believe (Rom. 10:9)! As long as we are alive, the free gift of salvation is available that brings true blessings that goes on into eternity.

Since COVID-19 this world has become strange and confused. The times are unpredictable, there’s social and political unrest, as well as worldwide fear of COVID-19, which has caused the church to come under attack. Similarly, in the days of Moses, the Israelites were going through hardship under the Egyptians. They were under attack, there was fear everywhere (like now) and fickle beliefs. Moses chose to deal with all these by faith. People can try to come up with all sorts of solutions by their own strength or inventiveness, but those solutions will never work. The Bible tells of only one solution: faith (Hebrews 11:2). Faith is the means God gives as the answer to our circumstances.

Take Peter and the disciples in Luke 8. They were veteran fishermen, their family were fishermen. One night, they encounter a storm, they’re full of fear and become hopeless. They plead with Jesus who was sleeping. His response to their hysteria is: “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:25). The answer to their crisis wasn’t sailing skills or fishing experience but faith. 

This is how Moses also faced his challenges. “By faith” We might excuse ourselves saying we are not Moses or Jesus. However this faith is possible for all believers. George Muller says his faith is the same as all Christians, the only difference is that he tries to exercise it. As he faces situations he applies his faith continually and through the applying of faith, God answers his prayers and his faith grows. We also ought to exercise our faith in our circumstances. Even Jesus went through the same process and overcame the world for us. (John 16:33)
What is faith? “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” Hebrews 11:1 Faith is realizing we have already obtained what God has promised even though it has not happened yet. “Obeying the revealed will of God and trusting Him for the results” – Jerry Bridges.

Faith knows the object it believes and rests on. Moses was a Prince of Egypt, which was the most prosperous and powerful country at that time. He enjoyed the world to its fullest. He definitely experienced the temptations this world has to offer. Yet it says “by faith he left Egypt”. He did not love or cling to this world (1 John 2:15,17) There is nothing good in this world because it loves the darkness and as a result is under judgment (John 3:19). Departure from the wicked world is a fundamental part of being a Christian. The Christian must be like Abraham and Ruth and the disciples leaving their old life to follow Christ (Matthew 4:19-20, Matthew 19:27). Leaving the world is Christianity 101. Sadly, one of the main reasons many Christians struggle in their faith is because they have failed to leave the world. Christians are called to be pilgrims. We are enemies of the world but friends of Jesus Christ.
Faith comes from hearing the word of God. In Exodus 3:5-6 God tells Moses he is on holy ground so he must take off his sandals. Moses understands his sin before the Holy God and takes off his sandals as a sign of repentance and faith. He obeyed God’s command. “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life” John 5:24 Faith is a holy gift from God which comes from His word. We are saved by faith and have received the Holy Spirit. This means faith and holiness (obedience) are always together. If faith binds us to God who is holy, then it is clear that faith cannot be mixed with the sinful world.

By faith Moses had no fear. Moses should have been fearful of Pharaoh because he was a criminal who murdered an Egyptian. He was a traitor who ran away and hid in the wilderness. Forty years later he came back and faced Pharaoh. After the ninth plague, Pharaoh threatened to kill Moses (Exodus 10:28). Moses was a traitor. Hebrews 11:27 “not fearing the wreath of the king, for he endured”. The threat was there but by faith Moses overcame his fear. Everyone fears. Fear is a natural reaction. People have so many fears, fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of disease, fear of persecution, fear of heights and many other phobias. How can you overcome these numerous fears? By faith. “Fear is not part of the Christian life. We may be marked, we may be rejected, we may be hated, we may be imprisoned, we maybe killed, but we are loved by God” – Dale Partridge

How to overcome fear with faith? First we must know what causes fear. One thing is a guilty conscience. Like a criminal meeting the police, like Adam and Eve in the garden, our sin causes guilt and fear. For a believer, the faithful response to guilt is to believe Jesus is our advocate (1 John 2:1). Another cause of fear is uncertainty. We don’t know what’s going to happen. However, there is no need to fear, God will certainly do what he says (Numbers 23:19). God has fulfilled and is still fulfilling his promises. Also God is with us. Like a child with their parents, we can have confidence in our God who is with us (Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 10:28). God is bigger than anything we may fear. This is why the martyrs were able to joyfully face death. They knew God is more powerful than even death and Satan (Job 2:6). The Christian has no need to fear man but trust in God since He is the mightiest and above all. 
Pray to overcome fear. By praying you will receive the peace of God (Philippians 4:6-7). Prayer is the most tangible expression of trusting God. The prideful have many fears and complain but the humble cast their anxiety on the Lord and trust in His care (1 Peter 5:6-7). King David, when his son Absolom betrayed him and chased him out, turned to God in prayer in his embarrassing and shameful situation. Prayer is not complicated or confusing but simply just turning to the Lord with a genuine appealing heart (Psalms 3:4-6).

The last challenge Moses faced was fickleness. The Bible says, “he endured”. He was consistent and unshaken. This is the greatest sign of Biblical faith. Many Christians move the goal post, get bored or grow impatient, but Moses endured. Endurance is important, especially when you face challenges and receive harm and damages. They will persecute the Christian but the one who endures to the end will be delivered (Matthew 24:9-13). There are many famous pastors and Christians who did great things and wrote great books, but didn’t endure to the end. It is sad and terrible. Remember to endure.

Faith can be sight. We must continually set God in front of us in our circumstances (Psalm 16:8) By practicing faith, God who is spirit and invisible, becomes visible as He works in our lives. His presence and His promises become clearer and more vivid (1 Peter 1:8) Believing becomes seeing. Therefore, meditate on the Bible day and night to strengthen your faith (Psalm 1, Joshua 1:8). As your faith is strengthened and practiced, you will realize God’s presence more and more, which is truly a wonderful blessing.

Main subject: Rejoicing in the midst of Christian persecution.

“The beatitudes paint a comprehensive portrait of a Christian disciple” (John Stott).

From last week’s part one on Christian persecution, why does the world hate Christians? Simply state, Christians are set apart intrinsically and opposed to the world system. Our faith in Jesus Christ is exclusive and this is ultimately why the world hates us as they hated Him (Jn. 17:14). However, our faith cannot be taken away as God is faithful to preserve His people.

Christians are controlled by the thoughts of heaven and heaven where Christ is seated as King. Our conviction of the gospel and longing to be with Christ in heaven is what drives us even in the present time.

As we are persecuted, our initial response must be gladness (v. 23). Our Lord is interested in how we respond and attitude going forward in the midst of persecution. What kind of gladness does the Lord mean? Jesus is referring to joy. Biblical joy is related to grace as it goes hand in hand. Joy in Greek is kara, grace is karis. In other words, character of joy is evident in those that are saved by grace. A Spirit-filled life is accompanied with joy as well. Thus, a healthy Christian is full of joy as they walk with the Spirit.

“Believers are not dependent upon circumstances. Their joy comes not from what they have, but from what they are, not from where they are, but from whose they are, not from what they enjoy, but from that which was suffered for them by their Lord” (C.H. Spurgeon). Joy comes from the Lord Jesus Christ!

Joy is a reality internally for Christians resulting in outward expression. How can we express joy externally? In persecution, those that are internally joyous do not retaliate and leave vengeance up to the Lord. Jesus exemplified this as He went through persecution while on earth. Christians also understand that our sovereign God allows persecution to occur for His glory. Thus, we trust in Him and respond in faith and joy. Moreover, Christians do not live under the power of depression. The power of prayer helps us not to lose heart and remain in our joy of the Lord (Lk. 18:1).

Without persecution Christians remain untested and unsure of their faith. When persecution comes, believers know where they stand in the faith and that they belong to God’s family. In the U.S., physical persecution is absent. However, how we handle every problem and circumstance demonstrates where we stand in the faith. Do we trust in God’s word in both good and bad times? Is our first response to turn to God in prayer and His word?

How else can we test our faith in persecution? We are to intentionally be the salt and light of the world. Most importantly, our passion to share the gospel in the midst of persecution is how we can be demonstrating that we are children of God. Our greatest joy comes from identifying ourselves with Christ and handling trials as our Lord Jesus did. We also know that testing of our faith produces endurance so that we may be mature and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:2-4). Believing and suffering for Christ is a Christian privilege (Phil. 1:29).

Lastly, Christians desire to remain in joy during persecution as we know our reward is great in heaven. Knowing where we are headed and will end up, our present life is shaped by this knowledge. In other words, the destination will determine the path we choose daily. Do we think about heaven consistently (Col. 3:2)? Scripture is clear that even though all Christians will enter heaven, there will be those that are rewarded more than others for their faith. Our heavenly award is a promise given by God that only adds to the joy we possess.

This is the blueprint Jesus laid out for Christians in the face of persecution. Thus, when suffering occurs it is imperative remember His words as He went through it and provides hope for all believers. Christlikeness is always the goal for the glory of the Father.

Here we come to the last blessing of the Beatitudes similar to Matthew 5. Blessed are the persecuted. In the Beatitudes, Jesus is blueprinting the Christian life for His disciples. The blessings outline what a Christian life looks like and it does include persecution. However, persecution doesn’t come at the beginning. First, you must be edified internally before facing external persecution. The Chistian fully depends on Jesus by being poor in spirit, mourning over sin, thirsty and hungry for righteousness. These are the internal driving forces behind sanctification. Once the joy of sanctification fills you and gives you strength, then you will face persecution, which is also a blessing.

Persecution is not pleasant and often unexpected. Take John Mark who went along Apostle Paul’s missionary journey. He might have initially been excited to serve with Paul and Barnabas, but after the harsh reality of their missionary journey, he abandoned them. He wasn’t ready to face such persecution. Demas too, forsook Christ for the world because he was unwilling to face persecution. It shows that he wasn’t truly poor in spirit. The first 3 Beatitudes are preparatory.

It is a little strange that Jesus says those who are persecuted are blessed. The word you must remember while being persecuted is that you are blessed. The believer is truly happy regardless of their circumstance because there is peace in their heart.

Persecution is expected The word persecution has roots in ‘pursued’, ‘chased down’ and is defined as ‘harassed evilly’. Persecution is not a joyful word. Especially in America we face little persecution so it is a little difficult for us to relate. However in Afghanistan and other countries, Christians are being beaten and killed for their faith. Still, we must realize that America is not a Christian country and we are living in a post Christian era. Norman Geisler explains the transition “Eventually, a post-Christian society moves from assuming Christian values to ignoring them, to resenting them, to repressing them, and eventually to persecuting them. What was once Christian and is now post-Christian will eventually become anti-Christian.” We are heading towards persecution and it can come suddenly. However our response should not be surprise or frustration. It says in 1 John 3:13 “Do not be surprised if the world hates you.” Since the beginning of mankind, the unrighteous have attacked the righteous. (1 John 3:12)

Expecting persecution doesn’t mean it becomes a blessing. The reason we can face it joyfully is because it also happened to Christ. Jesus is not like us, he did not make any mistakes, he was not flawed. We as sinners might deserve persecution, but not Jesus. He was perfect man, yet the world still hated Him and crucified Him (Isaiah 53:9). It wasn’t only on the cross, but from the beginning Jesus was persecuted. From King Saul trying to kill David (Jesus’ ancestor) to Herod trying to kill Jesus as a baby. Even his own family ostracized him. Jesus constantly faced persecution (Mark 3:6;John 11:8;Matthew 26:55)

If Jesus was constantly persecuted then should we not also be persecuted? We always say we want to be like Christ, but does that include His persecution? As Christians, if we are not persecuted then it might signal that something is wrong with our faith. That is because the world hates you not because of who you are but because you have Jesus (John 15:18).

When you face your adversaries, remember God is with you. Jesus accused Saul of persecuting Him. This means Jesus takes the persecution of the church as His own persecution. Your persecution is also Christ’s and He is with you.

Persecution is a blessing because the end of persecution is exaltation. In Philippians 2:9-12 Jesus was obedient unto death but one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Jesus as Lord! Our persecution will one day result in exaltation. We follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

What is true Biblical persecution? To be honest, most people are persecuted because they brought it on themselves, because they acted wrongly. This is not true Biblical persecution. True persecution starts with hatred. Like how Esau hated Jacob (Genesis 27:41) Why has the Christian baker been sued 3 times? Are there no other bakeries in Colorado? It is because they hate the baker for his faith.

Christians are also abandoned by the world because of their faith. The academic world especially excludes Christians and their beliefs. Christians are insulted and slandered when it comes to science yet we have the truth and true knowledge. Many Christians have benefitted the world with their study in science, like Isaac Newton. Still, they insult and exclude us.

Finally, they scorn. They call us evil and act out on their hatred by imprisoning and killing Christians. This is the process that happened towards the Jews that eventually led to the Holocaust. It started with changing a few laws and eventually it ended with branding them as enemies of the people and allowing any sort of violence against them. Christians are now that target.

Who will persecute the Christian? In short, the world. It can be the government grabbing for power. It can be other religions, like what’s happening in Afghanistan. Other false beliefs and religions have constantly persecuted Christians in the past because we are the true faith and claim Jesus is the only way. Even nominal Christians will also persecute faithful Christians. Even today, there are Christians spreading CRT (Critical Race Theory) as an addition to the gospel. While doing so, they attack those who deny CRT, calling them racist and white supremists.

Why do we get persecuted? One reason is to test our true faith. This will be explained more next time. Matthew 5:10 also explains that it is because we are pursuing righteousness in an unrighteous world (Romans 3:11). The Christian is different from the world (2 Timothy 3:12). There is a conflict between the righteous and unrighteous. The righteous Christian will be persecuted because they stand out. We stand out because we have gospel conviction. We have the death and resurrection of Jesus and we proclaim it to an unrighteous world (Acts 24:21). Apostle Paul was imprisoned and put on trial because He proclaimed Jesus is alive. We are different because we fear God above anyone else (Acts 4:19). While the world fears or respects man, disease, wealth, authority, knowledge or anything, we fear God. All these things differentiates the believer from the world and so the world persecutes.

What will you do when you get persecuted? Many Christians around the world throughout history endured persecution with a faithful passion. What’s amazing is that the church grew during those times. They proved that the persecuted are blessed. We are called to prove the same.

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus.

In this context, the Apostle Paul is encouraging the church of Philippi and his confidence stems from being convinced himself. He had every reason to be confident in his own righteousness; however, his confidence and trust is in the Lord Jesus Christ as a result of the righteousness of God given to him on the basis of faith (Phil. 3:4-6). Paul met the risen Lord Jesus and personally knows him. Therefore, the worldly things he was formerly confident in was but mere rubbish in comparison to the things of Christ.

The Almighty God who is the only one able to save and give the gift of faith. Not only is God able, He also follows through in keeping all His promises (Joshua 21:43-45). The most significant promise God has made and kept is sending Christ Jesus to be the Savior of sinners (Genesis 3:15).

God, who begins a good work, is good because it is within His domain. Thus, we can be confident that God will see it through as He does not fail in completing His work and will (Isaiah 55:11). It is His very nature that enables Him to complete any work He begins as He is the Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8). Paul emphasizes who God is to remove any doubt. And the work Paul is specifically addressing in this passage is the work of salvation.

“For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified” (Rom. 8:29-30).

There is no greater work than salvation as it is the highlight of what God has done (Rom. 5:8). God forgiving us of our sins is not as easy as we often make it out to be (Matt. 9:5-7). A price had to be paid to be forgiven of our sins. That price was for Jesus to become man and die for our sins on the cross. As the work of salvation was costly, the work of sanctification is also costly for the Christian. For this reason, it is important to be confident in the Lord for our sanctification that will lead to our glorification in heaven, which God will bring to fruition. Moreover, we will be like Christ and see Him just as He is in our glorified state in heaven as well (1 Jn. 3:2).

Another aspect of God completing the good work of salvation is the Christian’s current suffering versus future glory (Phil. 2:12-13). Whatever temporary suffering we might face on this side of glory is incomparable to the future glory we will receive from God. However, we must be honest and ask ourselves if the sufferings we experience is for God or something we put ourselves in. If our suffering is for the sake of Christ, it is guaranteed that our future glory is worth every single suffering – however difficult it might be.

Our glorification is tied to God’s glory. God’s glory is the perfection of His attributes that is perfectly right manifested in all His majesty. God does not give His glory to another (Isaiah 42:8). As God’s glory is sure, our glorification is sure.

Having confidence in the Lord’s work have several benefits. Our attitude does not necessarily change outcomes, but it changes how we live. Thus, having a confident attitude in the Lord will change the way we live to the glory of God. Confidence gives us strength to press on and fight the good fight through many sufferings. Confidence results in courage and victory. In addition, having confidence gives internal spiritual peace because the great struggle we face is against the flesh (Rom. 7:24-25). This struggle does not end in despair or failure as God will complete the work of our salvation in our glorification in heaven. Furthermore, this confidence helps the church to grow. Rather than having confidence in men as the Corinthian church did, the church’s confidence must remain in the Lord as He is the one that causes the growth (1 Cor. 3:7). Churches grow as she trusts in the Lord.

Confidence gives us fuel in the work of sanctification. The goal Christians have is to purify themselves when the end goal is clear (1 Jn. 3:2-3). When we know what awaits us in heaven, the future glory and reward is also God’s grace that will provide us confidence in Him to pursue sanctification.

The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever (Westminster Shorter Catechism). Giving glory to God allows us to enjoy this truth and to truly find joy in Him. Enjoy God and His work demonstrates our faithfulness to Him.

In conclusion, we must not live our life with regret. Even though we might have lots of regret in this life, we will never regret giving all of ourselves to the Lord. Investment in the things of this world will always end in misery, but investment in the work of the Lord will bring glory to God and will not end in regret.

As we continue to delve into the Beatitudes, today’s beatitude to hunger and thirst for righteousness is what Jesus designates Christians. This is extremely importantly for Christians to live by as it is based on Jesus’ terms. Jesus is describing His kingdom citizens to demonstrate a character of always being hungry for righteousness. As an adolescent hungers for food constantly through development, Christians show they’re growth as they’re always hungry. In other words, spiritual appetite is directly correlated to spiritual health. It is those that are poor in spirit that continue to hunger and thirst for righteousness who will be satisfied.

What hungry and spiritually healthy Christians look like

In Scripture, we see Peter’s transformation from being a fisherman to becoming a disciple of Christ. Peter’s conversion and newfound faith began directing his hunger for worldly things to the spiritual things of God. It is after meeting and believing in Christ that Peter’s spiritual appetite is completely changed in his heart (Phil. 3:7-8). As all are born in sin from Adam’s nature, there is absolutely no spiritual appetite and spiritually unhealthy (1 Cor. 2:14). However, the gospel becomes the greatest treasure and propels the unbeliever to sell everything he must obtain and keep it. What follows the heart transformation is a hunger for righteousness.

Spiritual hunger is from a sense of lacking our own righteousness. It is starving to know the righteousness of Christ. There is nothing that will truly satisfy the Christian from the world; therefore, they never cease hungering after the things of God.

Why do some Christians, however, lose their appetite from time to time? It is a sign that spiritual sickness has taken place because spiritual junk food is eaten rather than healthy food from the Lord. Spiritual junk foods pertain to idols and the things of the earth rather than God or the things of God. We can fall into the lie that something else can satisfy the hunger we have. Rather, our attitude must be like the psalmist who pants and thirsts for God in his soul (Ps. 42:1-2).

Our indifference to the word of God is a sure sign that we are spiritually unhealthy. It is true that we often times distance ourselves from God’s word when we are not spiritually well. In contrast, those that are spiritually healthy hunger and thirst after God’s word. Joy and excitement fill the heart, soul and mind to read, study and obey the word of God.

The healthy Christian has pity for the lost and strive to the utmost to share the gospel of Christ. The truth is that unbelievers are hell-bound, and this must drive the Christian to their knees and reach out to the lost.

Unhealthy Christians fear man, not God. If we are in this state, we must quickly repent and return to a healthier spiritual state in fearing God alone.  

What hungry and spiritually healthy Christians pursue

Our spiritual appetite must lead to hungering after God’s righteousness and pursue it to the utmost. Generally, righteousness is being right and doing right before God. There are two different types of righteousness: imputed and imparted.

Imputed righteousness is given by God as someone repents and believes in Jesus Christ. “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21).  Christ’s perfect righteousness covers the Christian.

Imparted righteousness is living righteously having been given Christ’s righteousness and by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Imparted righteousness is also known as sanctification. In other words, hungering and thirsting for sanctification shall be satisfied.

The pursuit of sanctification that results in righteousness is defining character and attitude of a Christian. By the work of divine grace in salvation is also at work in our sanctification. This truth enables us to respond in obedience to God’s word as we have a strong desire to become like the Lord Jesus Christ.

What elements are apparent in our sanctification? We have deep hate and disgust for sin. One of many Christian sufferings result from struggling and resisting sin and evil. Christians hate sin because God hates sin.  In addition, a Spirit-filled life that is growing in sanctification bears spiritual fruit. The fruit of the Spirit is thereby manifested through the Christian.

Sanctification occurs as often as we read God’s word and pray. Christians receive blessing from this pursuing righteousness and sanctification as they will be satisfied. Furthermore, God promised to Christians of eternal satisfaction in heaven. What a great God who promises that our daily hunger for righteousness will be forever satisfied in Him as we enter into His presence after death!

This first verse of the Beatitudes is important because if you are not poor in spirit, then you cannot move onward to the following blessings. Jesus is explaining what the believer should look like and revealing the promises of blessing that come. The first blessing is the kingdom of heaven which means that person converted to, belongs to and covered by Jesus.

At times in life we must reflect on the assurance of our salvation by asking ourselves, “Are we living in the kingdom of God?” From the moment Jesus was born, Jesus was King and He has been conquering hearts of men through His gospel message, however not everyone who claims to be in His kingdom actually is. There’s a warning in Matthew 7:22-23, Jesus says, “I never knew you” because from the beginning they were not poor in spirit, and so Jesus doesn’t want anything to do with them.

Jesus himself was poor. He is the example. Philippians 2:6-7 says though He was God, He gave everything up and became like man. Jesus became poor, became like us and therefore God exalted Him above every name in the kingdom. This is the pattern of our Lord that we too become blessed through the poverty of spirit. Additionally, we are blessed not because we have earned that blessing or achieved it by our strength but because of Jesus’ righteousness imputed onto us.

A blessed man is also described in Psalm 1:1, who is righteous and meditates on God’s word. A blessed sheep shall never want because Jesus is the good Shepherd (Psalm 23:1). The Bible is full of blessings to the Christian (Psalm 68:5-6, Psalm 37:25, 2 Corinthians 12:10), some of which might seem illogical, but are still wonderful and powerful. Blessings are not material. Jeff Bezos spent 5 billion dollars to spend 4 minutes in space but he didn’t get any closer to the kingdom of heaven. While Stephen the martyr was able to taste and see heaven while being stoned for preaching Christ (Acts 7:55-56)

Who are the poor in spirit? The poor in spirit don’t have any traits the world admires, such as self will, self confidence, or self righteousness. They don’t seek independence from God but instead depend on Him for everything. They consider themselves nothing and nobody but their identity is found in Christ. The Apostle Peter left everything and became poor. He didn’t leave his wife or family but in his heart, Jesus was second to none (Matthew 19:27). It didn’t mean he hated everything else but in comparison to Jesus they were inferior. The poor see themselves as the sheep instead of as the shepherd. They are children while God is the Father (Mt 6:26).

A. W. Pink explains, “He who is in possession of this poverty of spirit is pronounced blessed: because he now has a disposition that is the very reverse of that which was his by nature; because he possess that first sure evidence that a Divine work of grace has been wrought within him; because he is an heir of the Kingdom of heaven.” What a blessing that comes with being poor in spirit! It is the poor in spirit that taste the sweetness of the Kingdom of God here on earth.

Seven signs of a poor spirit:

1. Separate from self. The separation won’t be 100% but there is the fight. The self is the fleshly carnal nature that is corrupt before God. The self glorifies man. The self is always trying to gain control in your life, making you the center of life. The poor realize they are beggars with nothing to be proud of, with no desire for worldly recognition. Like Jacob confesses in Genesis 47:8-9, though He had great worldly success due to his craftiness, he was pitiful before the eyes of God and man.
2. The poor esteem Jesus most. They consider themselves to be slaves to Christ and cherish His suffering for them (Philippians 3:8-10). Most people only want to share in Jesus’ authority and glorious blessings but while forgoing His humility and suffering. The poor in spirit cherish and display the fruit of the Spirit: love and joy and peace.
3. The poor in spirit are never satisfied with their spiritual progress. Even after writing 13 epistles in the new testament Apostle Paul was not satisfied but kept pressing on (Philippians 3:13-14). He desired more faith. The poor are starving for the spiritual food. Even before we eat breakfast, they desire to be fed by the word of God.
4. The poor are humble. In the parable of the prodigal son, the son tells his father he is unworthy.(Luke 15:21) The father responds with ‘quickly’. God is so gracious to the poor and humble that He blesses without delay. Thomas Watson says “The more grace he has, the more humble he is—because he now sees himself a greater debtor to God.”
5. The poor are in prayer. Like a beggar, we must ask for help continually. We must pray. Prayer is not easy to do. Satan is always hindering our prayer with negativity and doubt. But prayer is always enjoyable to the poor. 2 Thessalonians 5:17 reveals that prayer is as important as breathing or drinking water, something we need constantly. Praying is exercising our spiritual riches. Everyone is busy and everyone has their own cares and excuses not to pray. Please take the time to pray because of our poverty.
6. Christ is their source of life. The truth is that Jesus has made everything and everything you have, He has given it to you. There are so many rich and famous people who don’t have the answers to life. They all die miserably without finding the answer. Augustine wisely said “Without God I am a guide to my own destruction.” Jesus is the bread of life for the poor. (John 6:35).
7. The poor in spirit are always thankful. Without the grace of God, we would have nothing. Everything is in his timing and by his grace. When we realize our sin and how devastating it is, then we are so thankful for His mercy and enjoy His grace (1 Corinthians 15:10). When you are poor and desperate then you are thankful for every meal and every cent.

Yours is the kingdom of God The kingdom of God is the blessing for the poor in spirit. The kingdom of God was very important to Jesus. It was His goal to share as much about the kingdom of God before He ascended (Acts 1:3). The kingdom of God is where Jesus rules over His people. It is not a specific place yet but a people. The kingdom is already here, it is a current reality and it is available to you. Being saved and living in the kingdom of God is a difference of experience. There are miserable Christians who exclude themselves from God’s blessings. It is the poor in spirit who experience the kingdom of God in their daily life. Even while suffering, we know that our King Jesus is with us, we are not alone but comforted and strengthened. He is always with us.

Are you in the kingdom? First, is Jesus your king? Second, do you know your fellow citizens, which is the church? Third, do you view the world as your enemy? There are only two kingdoms and they are at war with each other. Are you at war with the world? Let us be mindful of how we live, whether it is in God’s kingdom or the world’s. Know the kingdom of God is not physical but of the Holy Spirit, full of peace and joy (Romans 14:17). The kingdom of God is powerful, overcoming evil with good and finding strength in our weakness (Romans 12: 21, 1 Corinthians 4:20). Walk with Jesus while considering yourself poor and you will experience the blessing of the kingdom of God.

God has given a myriad of gifts to both believers and unbelievers via His common grace and special grace. To Christians, our Father in Heaven provides two special gifts that can be considered the greatest of the many gifts He imparts to His adopted children. The supreme gift is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Another great gift God gives is children (parenthood).

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the greatest gift God gives freely to those that repent of their sins and put their faith in Jesus Christ. The gospel begins with God’s holiness and man’s sinfulness (Rom. 3:10-11). All mankind has fallen short of God’s glory. Therefore, all men are subject to God’s wrath as sin demands judgment and eternal damnation in hell (separation from God). But there is good news – that is, God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, from heaven to earth in order that He might die and be raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. Christ became our Substitute, the propitiation of our sins to the holy God.

What should our response be to all of this? If we remain in our sin and we cannot be free from it. Unless we repent, we likewise will perish. We need to be forgiven and saved from our unbelief. Repentance and faith is only gifted by the Holy Spirit (Romans 10:9: 1 Jn 2:10; Eph 2:10; Jn 12:11). Where there is repentance and faith, adoption as sons and daughters to God Father takes place for eternity.

As Christians become children and heirs to God the Father, the Lord gifts the married couple earthly children of their own. This, too, is a great gift the Lord gives. Parents are not God by all means but they intuitively act like God as parents to their children (Ps. 127:3; Jn. 14:8). Under God’s sovereignty, parents are responsible over their children’s lives, especially to train them up in the Lord (Prov. 22:6).

A child needs a parent to lead and teach as they grow. What does “train” mean? To train means there is dedication and initiation made by the parents in their instruction and discipline of their children. Parents are the most important when it comes to this role, not church leaders or other education teachers. God will hold all parents responsible how their children are trained up.

Children are a blank slate. How do parents begin this daunting task? As trainers, parents need to first focus on themselves to be excellent and effective trainers. In other words, both mom and dad must be genuine Christians first and foremost. This truth applies to all walks of life. We must yield to Christ His lordship in our thoughts and actions and draw near to God by walking with Him. Consequently, the following characteristics are formed: holiness, humility, happiness, gospel-centeredness.

“To train up the child in the way he should go..” Parents must instruct their children to love God. How? If the parents love God, then the children will learn to love God. A practical example of this is holding family worship. But to circle back on what’s most important is that the parents must fear God (reverence). Struggling with sin and taking God’s word seriously to obey (sanctification).

Being godly parents must include disciplining their children. What is discipline? Children are sinners, born with a sinful nature. They are born to disobey God and hate God (total depravity). How and when should parents discipline? “Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death” (Prov. 19:18. Scripture even says not to spare the rod as a part of discipline (Prov. 13:24; 29:15). Although not sparing the rod may apply to toddlers and older children, babies are able to comprehend more than they verbally can express. Parents should discipline their infants for sinful attitude, but always err on the side of mercy.

However, this passage does not promise that the child will become a Christian even if we obey and follow through in the child’s life. Salvation is ultimately up to the Lord. But mentally, emotionally and physically they will grow up healthy when instructed in the Lord. In order not to fail in instructing our children, we must not fail in the gospel and daily grow in our own faith.

The Beatitudes could be a beautiful poem. The problem with poems is that while beautiful, they can be without substance. This verse is not just aesthetically pleasing but it holds the essential and significant truth of being happy. This verse is especially crucial for Christians because it is the first step and blessing of a believer. Being poor in spirit leads to the kingdom of God and the Lordship of Jesus Christ, which is true happiness. Many famous and accomplished people seek happiness, like Alexander the Great and Ghandi, but even they failed. Many have made great attempts to be happy but ultimately failed because the truth is that man cannot be happy without Jesus.

What is happiness? Blessed and happiness are the same. True blessing or true happiness is a contentment that is not affected by circumstances. “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!… Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am… I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:4,11-13) Apostle Paul wrote this from a Roman prison in the worst circumstance, yet he was rejoicing.

How to be happy? Blessed are the poor in spirit. You must be poor to be happy. This doesn’t make sense to a modern world. Even as Christians, we think the ideal is having both salvation and worldly success. Jesus says otherwise. Those who are happy have Jesus as king.

Poverty is painful. Koreans in the 1950s knew poverty. Going hungry, losing kids to poor living conditions and starvation. Some ascetics or monks choose poverty to gain spiritual standing. Being poor doesn’t automatically make you more righteous. This is not biblical. In hell there are plenty of poor people as well as rich. They misunderstand what Jesus said about the rich (Mt 19:23-26). Jesus says with God all things are possible, it’s not a matter of wealth but of Lordship.

When the Bible talks about poverty there are two kinds (a struggling poor and an utterly poor). The poverty here refers to the completely poor, someone who has nothing and needs someone else to help them. Someone this poor cannot have pride because they need help to survive. They cannot refuse help or they would die. For example, in Acts 3:2, the beggar was ‘being carried’ everyday. Poor means someone who is a nobody with nothing. These are the people who can be blessed. If you think there is something valuable outside of Jesus then you are not poor yet. You must realize that you have nothing of worth, no righteousness or good, and you need Jesus to live. Jesus put this Beatitude first because it is the beginning of happiness. Without this poverty you cannot progress through the rest of the Sermon on the Mount.

What is spirit? The spirit is the inner man (2 Cor 4:16). Mary’s spirit rejoiced at the message from the angel (Luke 1:47). The soul of man is their mind while the spirit of the soul is their heart. Every man is made in the image of God and has a soul and spirit.

What is ‘poor in spirit’?

1. Poor in spirit means you have brokenness of the heart. You have a sense of personal unworthiness. We don’t deserve anything, therefore everything must be a reason for thanks, because we are so unworthy. In Luke 5:8, Peter was happy, not because he caught a lot of fish, but because he found Jesus, while proclaiming himself to be unworthy. D. A. Carson says poor in spirit is your utter spiritual bankruptcy.
2. Also you don’t trust yourself anymore. Your confidence and satisfaction comes from Christ and His word, not yourself. Poor in spirit means the end of self and being crucified with Christ (Phil 3:3-6, Galatians 2:20) Your self-will is gone and Christ lives in you. Are you ashamed of the gospel? Do you fear man? This is a sign of your self dependance.
3. Depending on Jesus alone. The poor in spirit can depend solely on God because Christ also did the same thing. Jesus emptied himself and became a man, completely submitting to the Father (Phil 2:6-7). So who do you depend on besides Jesus? Do you count all things as loss compared to Jesus? (Phil 3:7-8) Do you remember you are a branch in the vine of Jesus without which you can do nothing? (John 15:5) The poor trust in Jesus alone.
4. Also the poor in spirit continually want more of Jesus (Psalms 41:2). This world is the wilderness and full of the dying, the poor have a thirst that only Jesus can quench. They know what they need most and that is Jesus who is the King and the Savior.

Why is being ‘poor in spirit’ so important? Unless we are poor in spirit, we are incapable of receiving God’s grace. His grace is not just for our salvation but for our daily needs. Even while commuting to work we need the grace of God. Despite being locked in the dungeon, Paul realized the grace of God was pouring over Him continually, so he could still rejoice. The poor remember that what they have now could never have been obtained without grace. Without God’s common grace and special grace we would have absolutely nothing. We must remember what we have received to continue to receive and depend on Him. The poor in spirit are always thankful, because they realize this wonderful truth of grace and can appreciate how precious Jesus is.

Ultimately if you are not poor in spirit then you can’t become a Christian. Jesus said enter through the narrow gate. (Luke 13:23-24) Those with a lot of clutter cannot pass through the narrow gate. You cannot hold on to your self-worth. To pass through you must let go of all things. Being poor in spirit deflates the person so they can fit through the narrow gate. Knowing the doctrines in your head is not enough for knowledge puffs up but you must be poor in your heart.

Also, to pass through the narrow gate, you must be humble. Pride is the sin that goes directly against humility. The world praises the proud and shames the humble (Obadiah 1:3). Until Jesus said ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit’ no one wanted to be humble. But now, because of Jesus, we know true blessed humility.

Materialism is another sin that plagues the modern church. Both the churches and its people love money and measure their success monetarily. In Revelation 3:17, Jesus gives a brutal indictment against the materialistic church. Ultimately, materialism is idolatry. Money is the god who feeds them and brings them comfort and joy. This is not how one enters through the narrow gate.

How to be poor in spirit? We must follow the example of Jesus. While being tempted by the devil in the wilderness, He was led by the Holy Spirit and responded to Satan’s temptations with God’s word. Be filled with the Holy Spirit every day. Follow the Holy Spirit by being in the word of God every day. Every Christian has the Holy Spirit, who is their seal of salvation (Galatians 5:26, Colossians 3:16). It is a matter of seeking and being filled by Him. We know that God answers faithfully all the time (Psalms 65:5). So when we read the word, our sins are revealed, we are corrected so we repent and the Holy Spirit fills us up. This is the blessed life of the Christian.

And He raised His eyes toward His disciples and began saying, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God”

In today’s text, Jesus begins his Sermon on the Mount, which begins with the beatitudes. The meaning of beatitude is “bliss” or “blessing”. One thing for sure is that all mankind seeks happiness on earth. Here, Jesus tackles the true source of happiness for all people. Some have approached interpreting this sermon as something social, political or law. However, the Sermon on the Mount is directed toward all Christians on how to live heavenly lives on earth. Therefore, only Christians are able to follow and obey the Sermon on the Mount.

Jesus’ audience as he began preaching were his disciples. Who are these disciples? Disciple, simply put, generally means “learner”. Based on the immediate context, this crowd covers disciples who were both committed to following Christ and also those that would eventually unfollow Christ. But, based on verse 13, Jesus specifically spoke to the twelve disciples he would choose out of the many disciples.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus distinguished how He communicated between true believers and non-believers. The Lord shows, through the Sermon on the Mount, how Christians live versus the world. The beginning of the Sermon on the Mount describes the blessed after believing in Christ for salvation. In other words, those that are truly happy is the direct result of saving their souls. The world, on the other hand, attempts to find happiness through any means other than the gospel of Jesus Christ. King Solomon is the greatest example in Scripture where human happiness is pursued externally in the world will does not satisfy the human heart. He possessed everything man was able to obtain under the sun; however, he ultimately concluded to “fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil (Ecc. 12:13-14). True and lasting blessings do not stem from anything material, but it comes from the joy of salvation.

“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God” (v 20).

Every Christian must possess the characteristic of being poor in spirit, thereby being partakers of the divine nature receiving the blessings of God (2 Pet. 1:3-4). Only those that are born of God are spiritually poor and also enjoy the things of God’s kingdom. In contrast, for those that do not believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior will not submit to Jesus as King and neither be spiritually poor.

Another obvious truth for those living according to the Beatitudes is living life as kingdom citizens under the kingship of Jesus. Christians recognize that Jesus reigns in their lives after being saved. Therefore, we who have been raised up with Christ continue to seek the things above by setting the mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth (Col. 3:2).

Moreover, this text is a great means of evangelism for Christians. The spiritually poor understand the importance of sharing the gospel of Christ that enables sinners to become spiritually poor in God’s grace. Christians understand the only means of true blessing is through Christ alone.

Are you blessed now? Are you happy now? Even though we might not have the things of the world, how are Christians still happy? Pastor Paul Choi will dive further into the blessings Jesus preaches about in the Beatitudes next week.