Sermon on the Mount: Part 1

To be blessed is to have a deep, abiding joy no matter what happens and knowing God is with you at all times. In this series on the "Sermon on the Mount" we will be going through the Beatitudes and asking God to transform us!

Beatitude #1 - Poor in spirit. Read Matthew 5:3. The bottom line is you ARE desperate for God! The test of "spiritual poverty" is Prayer. The more you pray, the more you realize you are spiritually poor. If you don't pray much, you don't think God is much! Read Genesis 32:22-23 which exemplifies being poor in spirit. Why does God start the Beatitudes with "poor in spirit"? The chief sin is PRIDE.

Beatitude #2 - Those who mourn. Read Matthew 5:4. What does Jesus want us to mourn for? For loss of a loved one, for pain, for injustice, suffering in the world, and sin. Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. There are lost people all around us who don't know there is a God in heaven who loves them. Read Romans 9:2-3

Discussion Questions:
1. What do you think of when you hear "spiritual poverty"?
2. Is there a part of you that doesn't want God to make you desperate? Can you be desperate without something being wrong in your life?
3. Think about and discuss the following: The self-sufficient do not pray. The self-satisfied will not pray. The self-righteous cannot pray.
4. In what areas of your life do you see sin? Areas of pride?
5. How do you feel about the tragedy in Haiti?
6. Are you living in an area of rebellion or disobedience?
7. How do you feel about following Paul's example in Romans 9:2-3?