Things to remember

• These are spiritual (not physical) character traits.

  • Matthew 4:17, 23

  • Matthew 6:19-20

• “Blessed” = having God’s favor / happy

• These are timeless instructions.

Matthew 5:3 – Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

• Psalms 51:2-3, 8, 17 – David showed he was poor in spirit. The poor in spirit are those who realize they are in spiritual debt and are hopeless without God.
• John 9:39-41 – These people needed to become poor in spirit.
• Revelation 3:17

Matthew 5:4 – Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

• I Corinthians 5:1-2 – The Corinthians should have mourned over their sin.
• II Corinthians 12:21
• James 4:8-10
• Jeremiah 6:15
• Romans 12:9
• I need to get to the point where I am truly sad and sorry about my sin.

Matthew 5:5 – Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

• Matthew 11:29, 20-24 – Jesus was strong, but meek.

• Matthew 21:12

• Matthew 23:37

• Meekness is strength under control.

• “Inherit the earth?”

  • Joshua 23:14 – It’s not referring to the land promise given to Abraham. That had already been fulfilled.

  • It’s not talking about a future thousand-year reign of Jesus on earth.

  • II Peter 3:7-14

  • This must be referring to a spiritual place – a heavenly inheritance.

  • I Peter 1:4

  • I need to get to the point where I have my strength under control.