Manna on the Mountain
Dr. Curtis McClane is a Bible scholar with many years experience as a teacher, minister, and Christian counselor with a passion for the Lord and people who want to know God. These lessons average 30minutes in length and drop once a week.
Manna on the Mountain
Matthew Lesson 08: Intro to Sermon on the Mount and 1st Beatitude
Matthew 5:1-3 is the text for this sermon entitled, "Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount & First Beatitude: The Poor in Spirit.
The purpose of the lesson is to help us embrace the “kingdom mindset” that sees the world differently on behalf of Jesus. A person poor in spirit is one whose humility characterizes the heart of discipleship, who depend completely on God and His mercy. Totally missing is the notion of arrogantly relying on self alone. Jesus' own example of humility--from the King of Heaven to the One who stooped to heal, to comfort, to wash the feet of followers.
Note that the first and the last beatitude offer blessings tied to the kingdom of heaven, a bracketing that surrounds us in kingdom life. As the old hymn declares, "Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!"