Matthew 5:3-6 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
    3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
    4Blessed are those who mourn,
      for they will be comforted.
    5Blessed are the meek,
      for they will inherit the earth.
    6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
      for they will be filled.

• To be blessed is an objective state.  Its not dependent on your current state of affairs... not about anything in your life, or what you've done.  To be blessed is to be prosperious, joyful, and this gives a sense of satisfaction.
• When Jesus went to the mountainside, it refers clearly to the presence of the crowds which began to form (Ch. 7 v29).  Jesus preached these things to EVERYONE, not just his disciples.
• And indeed, we cannot, by ourselves, live like this! Its a lifestyle - not a law.  Its something that we, as Christians, aim for.
• When Jesus began to speak, he "opened his heart" because it was something that he felt deeply about.  And he spoke of 8 characteristics - 8 beattitudes.
• In today's society, we refer to people who are "well off" - in terms of the amount of money they have, their possessions, property, family - what we "have"  But what Jesus refers to is WHO people are.  Not what we posses.  Who are you when no one is watching?  Its a complete lack of self-worth - we can't be self-centered, but GOD centered.  Its not what you do, what you have, but WHO YOU ARE.
• Blessed are those who are "Poor in spirit"
• Totally dependent on others
• Recognize need for God
• Humility
• Desperate - regret the past, and wish the future would be different
• Naked and poor
• Attitude is for God - not for self benefit, or recognition.
• Jesus says, then, YOURS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
• Blessed are those who mourn
• There are people who say,
• "Christians should not laugh in church."
• "Christians can NEVER be unhappy!"
• How far from the truth!  There is a time to weep, a time to laugh! A time to mourn, and a time to dance.
• We need to look into lives and see the "mess"
• Tears are often shed when we recognize and ask God to enter our lives.
• When we compare ourselves to Jesus, we experience sadness over past.  Devastation.
• Remember - we're comparing ourselves to Jesus, not other Christians!
• But now we look to the future, with a new purpose, a new way of seeing value, purpose.
• Jesus promises, those who mourn about these things, that "You will be comforted."
• Blessed are those who are meek
• Gentle, considerate, humble, unassuming
• "Strength under control"
• Recognize this brokenness before men - not just in front of God!
• And once we've accepted God, and given our lives to Him, we no longer watch ourselves, and what other people say/think about us.  We are no longer on the defensive.  We know that we are nothing in the eyes of God.  Self-pity disappears.
• We acknowledge that we have no rights.  We're already "down here" - so what is there to fear?  There is NOTHING men can say that will change that!
• A man, with this new position of humble defeat, is amazed that God and other men think so highly of him!
• We see that EVERYTHING in our lives is a gift.
• "Righteousness"
• Integrity.
• We long to do something about our brokenness.
• Passion.  Consuming need.  DESPERATE for God.
• We don't long to be "90% righteous"
• We must pay the price - to hunger and thirst for something that we will never achieve.
• Rev. 3:20 - "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me" Ask Jesus to come in!  Kneel down.
• Come desperate, mourning, meek, hungry.  And leave comforted, having inherited the kingdom of God, filled with the Holy Spirit.
• Know what it means to have grace to let people be the way they are, because God isn't finished with them yet.