Blessed Bankruptcy

The Sermon on the Mount would certainly be one of the most familiar teachings of Jesus. It is often referred to in various literary writings and political speeches, and those who embrace religions other than Christianity frequently quote it. I would even assume that that when an unbeliever decides to read his Bible, he probably turns to Matthew's Gospel, and before too long he is reading the Sermon on the Mount. However, I would also venture to say that the multitudes that read it, quote from it, or hear it quoted, have absolutely no clue what it really means. Even many Christians have distorted views because of certain theological presuppositions or faulty hermeneutical assumptions. This lesson introduces the portion of the Sermon on the Mount known as the “Beatitudes, and begins with the first beatitude: “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” It is important to define, and to know, what being “poor in spirit” means, and what it does not mean. This first beatitude is foundational to all the other beatitudes that will follow.

A course notebook for this series is available at a nominal charge, on request.