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.