Blessed Attitude

 Last Sunday my message was entitled, "Have We Blessed God?" Around the 4th of July we frequently hear the phrase, 'God bless America!' - But what does that actually mean? Many people associate the word 'blessed' with finances - those who are rich are somehow 'blessed'. But that's not really what we're talking about.

Biblically speaking, the word 'blessing' means, a bestowal, or gift of some kind of 'good'; or the word expresses the wish, hope or prayer for the gift of good things to come. In the context of 'God bless America', it's kind of a prayer for good things from God for our nation.

In the 5th chapter of the book of Matthew, we find a passage commonly referred to as the Beatitudes. The term beatitude comes from the Latin word meaning 'blessed' or 'happy'. The beatitudes are a list of blessings from Jesus recorded in the Sermon on the Mount. I did a series on this a number of years back and wanted to revisit it. So I'd like to go ahead and look at that familiar passage again in Matthew 5:1-12 (NIV)...

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. (4) Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (5) Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (6) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (7) Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

(8) Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. (9) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. (10) Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (11) Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. (12) Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

I want to look at each of these different 'blessing' statements off and on over the next handful of weeks - but this morning, I'd like to focus on that first blessing, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven". So, let's start with…

I. What is 'Poor in Spirit'?

In understanding any scripture, there are several principles in order to make things clear. First, I always say look at the context – the other verses around it, who said it, to whom was it spoken or written and when. Another principle is to let scripture interpret scripture – meaning if something isn't quite clear, look to other scripture verses for insight. And if we do that, we can figure out that in this instance, when Jesus talks about someone being 'poor in spirit' - He isn't referring to finances.

Jesus isn't simply saying that everyone who's poor is happy and blessed and that just being financially poor is a virtue. We know that's not the case, and if we look at other characters in the Bible we'll see that some of those who were considered the most faithful and righteous were also very wealthy. For example – Job, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph of Arimathea – all were very well off financially speaking.

And, if we look at a passage from Deuteronomy 8:17-18 (NIV)...

You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." (18) But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.

So, if simply being financially poor would make a person happy – why would the Lord give any of His followers the ability to produce wealth? So, we're not just talking about being poor, but 'poor in spirit' - a sense of humility. But this unassuming nature of being 'poor in spirit' is also...

A. Not poor self worth

Last week I shared the humanist philosophy's 'Ten Commitments' as their replacement for God's 'Ten Commandments'. Continuing with one self proclaimed humanist, regarding blessings and humility, she wrote...

"I can't possibly see why anyone would want to dedicate their accomplishments to the "blessings" of a god. If you've earned it, you deserve the credit. God did not get you that job, you did… Likewise, you shouldn't recognize someone else's accomplishments as a blessing from God. This shows you are completely unaware of what it took to achieve said accomplishment. We need to feel proud of ourselves. We need to feel significant in something and to somebody. And, we need to feel powerful and confident. Don't give your power and ability away!"

Those are not the words of one who is 'poor in spirit'.

When I say that "I'm more blessed than I deserve", it's not a negative statement ignoring my, or anyone else's, work or accomplishments. It's a factual acknowledgment that there is a God much higher than myself and much more gracious than I. Acknowledging the truth of a higher power doesn't diminish me, but helps me recognize my true worth in relationship with God! Each of us has value and worth and dignity and it comes from our Creator! King David – The King, who had a lot of personal accomplishments, celebrated his worth to God in Psalms 8:3-9 (NIV)...

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, (4) what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? (5) You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

(6) You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: (7) all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, (8) the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. (9) O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Being 'poor in spirit' doesn't mean you have a poor self image. We can have a proper and positive self image when we understand Who created us. But, as a part of this proper self image, we must also recognize that we are part of creation, not The Creator. That's what many today miss!

In order to understand what 'poor in spirit' really is all about, we need to start with an attitude that understands…

B. We can't save ourselves

We can have a sense of pride in knowing that we are so special to God that Jesus died on a cross to save us from Hell, but never forget it was only through that sacrifice that we can have any hope. We can't save ourselves. There are a lot of decent people in this world, relatively speaking. Many who are probably better people than me – more generous, more sociable, less judgmental...? However…

Romans 3:20-24 (NIV)

Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. (21) But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.

(22) This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, (23) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (24) and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

One who is 'poor in spirit' understands how valuable we are to God - but also understands that it is only through the blood of Jesus that we are not condemned to Hell. Not a one of us is good enough to deserve eternity in Heaven with God. That's not a poor self image, but a realistic understanding that should bring a sense of gratefulness when we understand just how blessed we are by God!

Over the past handful of decades in America, there have been many theological shifts and divisions in different Christian denominations and churches. And many seem to center on 'cultural' issues. Many of what are now called cultural issues used to be recognized as Biblical issues. Many Churches have used the term 'progressive' to describe their theological shifts in order to meet the changing values of those around them. It may sound open and welcoming - and while I am all for updating the methods of how we might minister to people - I cannot change what the Bible teaches.

Progressive, by very definition means progressing away from 'something'. And that 'something' is God's established values – progressing away from Biblical standards. I've heard arguments like, "There's a lot of intolerance, misogyny and bigotry in the Bible - that doesn't sound like a loving God." Or, "Why would God allow cancer or innocent little children to suffer? I can't serve a God like that!" And God allows you that choice, but there are consequences of that choice.

I cannot satisfactorily explain some of the awful things that God commanded His people to do to other people in the Old Testament. I do not fully comprehend why God allows or even causes terrible things. I know that many completely disagree with many of the Bible's teachings that seem too restrictive for modern morality.

- Anytime I come across anything in scripture that challenges my beliefs, when I read something in the Bible that's impossible according to science, something that sounds mean or sexist or outdated, something that may offend - I assume that there is something I don't understand. I don't seek to explain it away or change it or reject it - I acknowledge that I don't have all the facts. When I find myself in the position of disagreeing with scripture - I assume I am wrong. I have enough faith in God to know that He is good - He is just - He is right.

And that's not just blind faith. I have God's track record! If something sounds unfair - I can look at all of the other recorded acts of God in which God's love and grace and mercy abound! I can see the lengths to which God went to save us through Jesus! When a person is truly 'poor in spirit', they recognize and acknowledge that they are the creation and that God is The Creator. When we choose to ignore Biblical standards - that's not an act of submission, of humility – rather, it's an act of hubris, of pride. It's an act which rejects God's authority.

Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Those who humbly accept God's ways, despite popular opinion, despite their own personal opinion, theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

As people who strive to be 'poor in spirit', we need to recognize that we are not the judge of anyone – but neither can we reject God's revealed judgments. We are to love each other, always remembering that God is in charge. In order to truly become people who are 'poor in spirit' – those who would be blessed, or happy – there are…

II. Characteristics to develop

Out at our new property, the kids found some interesting plants growing in a moist area by a low spot. I used my phone and Google lens to identify them and it said they were a type of wild garlic. But the way to really tell them from some other look-a-like plants was to rub them together in your hands. When you did that, there was a strong, distinctive odor. Yup, they were wild garlic.

Those who understand and have learned to be 'poor in spirit' have a distinctiveness by which you can spot them. They may not be as obvious as the smell of raw garlic – but you can still spot 'em. The first characteristic is a…

A. Humble heart

Those who are 'poor in spirit' really understand their relationship with God. They understand just how BIG and powerful He is. They understand how amazingly loving He truly is. They understand how just and righteous and holy He is, and they appreciate just how lost they were before knowing Jesus. They understand the depth of their sin when compared to His perfection and this brings about a genuine humility.

James 4:8-10 (NIV)

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (9) Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. (10) Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

We need to understand the depth of pain that our sin causes God and the lengths He went to in order to wipe our sin away. We need to have a broken and contrite heart. Only when that happens can God put us back together again and then make us whole, blessed and happy.

Another characteristic to develop is a complete…

B. Dependence on God

We just celebrated our independence as a nation. No one really likes being dependent on anyone. As we age, we fight having to rely on others to help us with tasks we could have easily done previously.

You've heard the phrase "God helps those who help themselves." That's not Biblical. The reality is – God helps the helpless; God helps those who realize and admit just how helpless they truly are. Jesus came to save the lost - those who could do nothing to save themselves. Sure, God expects us to do our best in every situation, but we have to understand that our best efforts are nothing compared to His strength and power and wisdom!

When we humble ourselves and admit we don't have all the answers, we can't solve every problem and we can't possibly do enough good to ever earn a place in Heaven – it's then that God reaches down and gives us everything we need. It's then that we are blessed!

1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. (7) Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

As I try to become a better Christian, as I seek to serve Him and my family and attempt to do any kind of ministry, any good at all – it only works when I realize that I'm just a small man who serves a very BIG God!

So What?

A handful of years back, after my Dad's first retirement from ministry (he's retired multiple times and it doesn't seem to take...) - we were out to lunch. He was expressing some frustration at that time about what to do next. I told him that whenever I'm struggling in ministry, I ask my father for advice.

He said, 'That's not fair - my father isn't here anymore.' Very infrequently I get something right, and this was one of those times. I said, 'That's okay - mine is. What would you tell me if I were telling you this same story?" And wouldn't you know - he gave some great advice about remaining faithful even when God's answers seemed slow to come.

Why is it, that in rough times, we try everything we can think of and then say, "I guess all we can do now is pray." We know that's the first thing we need to do, to go to our Father – so let's start doing it. Do you want to be one of the blessed people Jesus was referring to when He said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Then become 'poor in spirit' and remember – you can't just become humble on your own – draw near to God and let Him change you.