In this week’s sermon we reflected on Matthew 5:3, which is the first of the ‘beatitudes’: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
As a refresher, try to remember some of the stories that Bill mentioned in the sermon [Help: 1) See Luke 11:5-8; 2) remember Bill’s loaded Esso Extra card?]
Without considering the ‘in spirit’ part of the beatitude, what are our honest attitudes toward poverty of wealth, wisdom, etc? Remember, poverty here is thought of as complete lack, so that those who are poor in regards to money are actually beggars. In other words, is poverty desirable and good, something to be sought after?
Whatever our personal attitude is, why is being poor or destitute generally looked down upon (i.e, not something we would wish for ourselves)? Why might a student cheat on a test because they are lacking in knowledge? Why might we tell others that we are doing fine when we might actually be quite sad? In other words, we might like to cover up our poverty, why?
While there are wealthy, knowledgeable, and talented people in the world, are there any without poverty when it comes to relationship with God? In other words, can we legitimately say to God that we deserve his love in any way? (See Romans 3:9-12, 5:6-11)
What evidence is there that we are all spiritually destitute, that none are deserving of eternal life with God? How do we know this is true in our own hearts and experience? [If help is needed: the verses just read tell us this; our own experience tells us this; the fact that we try to hide our sin and trouble from others tells us this; the fact that Christ had to die for all of us and that we are all somehow responsible for Christ’s death tell us that none are deserving.]
What is your reaction to hearing about your spiritual poverty? [comfort; denial; knowing it in our head but not in our heart; etc.?]
According to ‘worldly’ thinking, we should be ashamed of our poverty before God and we are encouraged to work harder or to do ‘religious’ deeds in order to make amends for our lack of relationship with God. But what does this approach really lead to? [To spiritual pride; despair; frustration; etc.] Have you ever tried this worldly approach to solving your personal struggles? How does this approach lead us to think about God? Open up and honestly share with the group.
Yet with acknowledgement of our poverty and acceptance of it comes a brokenness and dependence on God that leads to a state of tremendous blessing. As Bill has said, brokenness comes when we come face-to-face with God; it comes when we admit our powerlessness and dependence; it comes when we turn to God and yield our strengths and weaknesses to God. To be able to admit our own brokenness is a gift of God that comes by way of divine revelation; yet God does not reveal this poverty without also showing us his great love in Christ, which removes our sin. What is a good response to this double revelation from God? [Repentance; rejoicing; thankfulness; prayer for continued help; etc.]
In closing, spend some time reflecting on Luke 11:5-13. Bill had this to say: “Prayer is what is done by those who are poor in spirit. They know their dependence. ... We are called to be people who help out others, but we have nothing, so we have to go to the One that has. This is the one who lives by faith. ... We must come to grips with the fact that we have nothing. It is only here, when we come to God in dependence that we have everything.” Persistence in prayer and faith go together, because faith has to do with trusting God completely.
Spend some time sharing areas of lack where you are frustrated and would like healing or power from the Holy Spirit. Be transparent about these things and open up. Pray together.
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