You Can’t Have Both!

(A Message to the Members)

(Preached Wednesday Evening, July 15, 2020)

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

(Matthew 5:3)

Recap last week’s message:

“He Opens…”

“And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: and he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying…” (Matthew 5:1-2)

He sees you!
He takes you up!
He sits with you!
He opens!

I. You must be blessed!

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)

A. Being “blessed” cannot mean this…

“And he [Jesus] spake a parable unto them, saying, ‘The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

and he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
And he said,’ This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.’
But God said unto him, ‘Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?’
So is he [not blessed] that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:16-21)

B. Being “blessed” is clearly stated as…

1. Having peace like Jesus!

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

2. Having power like Jesus!

“And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49)

3. Having Jesus!

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

III. You must be poor in spirit!

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)

A. Being “poor in spirit” cannot mean this…

“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: the rich man also died, and was buried; and in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.” (Luke 16:19, 22c-25)

B. Being “poor in spirit” is clearly stated as…

“And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom.” (Luke 16:20-22b)

1. Being a servant of Christ!

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30)

2. Being a student of Christ!

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30)

3. Being an imitator of Christ!

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30)

4. Being a recipient of the rest, ease and lightness of Christ!

““Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30)

III. Yours must be the Kingdom of Heaven!

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)

A. Having “the Kingdom of Heaven” cannot be this…

“And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants? The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.” (2 Kings 5:26-27)

B. Having “the Kingdom of Heaven” is clearly stated as…

“Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.” (Matthew 8:18)

1. Being with Jesus!

“And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” (Matthew 8:19-20)

2. Living for Jesus!

“And he said unto another, ‘Follow me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.’ Jesus said unto him, ‘Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:59-60)

3. Staying with Jesus!

“And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:61-62)

CONCLUSION

“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” (Revelation 3:16-22)