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If A Man Be Poor
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Introduction: God, in His instructions to Israel, takes special care for the poor. If they will do so, it will be righteousness unto them (v.13) and they will keep it from being a sin (v.15). Besides, Israel was a bondman in the land of Egypt (v.18, 22) and should treat those in similar circumstances with special care.
But this passage also shows us several characteristics of the poor. We learn about how they look at things and how they approach life. These insights are valuable, especially since God’s people are to be poor in spirit.
The first beatitude in the Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5:3 – “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Isaiah 66:2 – “For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.”
Psalm 109:22 – “For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.”
In this message, we will look at the poor man and learn from his traits.
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Pastor David Reagan
Antioch Baptist Church
07/20/2003
Sermon Recordings:
Scripture References:
Sermon Notes:
- HE COUNTS NOTHINGS AS HIS OWN
- He Uses His Own Raiment as Pledge and Must Borrow it Back to
Sleep (v.12-13)
- The Testimony of Paul (2Corinthians 6:10)
- As poor, yet making many rich; the example of Christ
(2Corinthians 8:9)
- As having nothing, yet possessing all things
- 1Corinthians 3:21-23
- John wrote to the church in Smyrna,
“I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) . .
.” – Revelation 2:9
- HE REJOICES IN EVERY BLESSING
- Even to Sleep in His Own Raiment (v.13)
- We Should Have
This Thankful Heart: 1Thessalonians 5:18
- HE SETS HIS HEART IN HOPE
- He Sets His Hope on Receiving His Hire (v.15)
- The Hope
of Abraham: Romans 4:18-21
- HE CRIES UNTO GOD FOR HELP
- In His Despair, He Cries Unto God (v.15)
- The Cry of the
Poor
- Psalm 34:6
- Psalm 40:17
- HE DEPENDS ON THE MERCY OF GOD
- Against Injustice (v.16-17)
- We Look to God as our
Helper: Psalm 54:4
- HE REMINDS OTHERS FROM WHENCE THEY CAME
- As a Bondman in Egypt (v.18, 22)
- Out of an Horrible Pit:
Psalm 40:1-3
- Hewn From the Rock: Isaiah 51:1
- HE LOOKS FOR THE GLEANINGS LEFT FOR HIM
- Gleanings to be Left for the Stranger, Fatherless, Widow
(v.19-21)
- Ruth Received Her Handfuls of Purpose: Ruth 2:15-16
- The
Woman of Canaan Received Her Crumbs: Matthew 15:25-28
CONCLUSION: James (2:5) says, “Hearken, my beloved brethren. Hath not God
chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which
he hath promised to them that love him?”
Are you proud and self-sufficient? Do you no longer have need of God except
in the most severe of circumstances? We would do well to repent of our pride
and ask the Lord to give us a spirit of poverty, broken and contrite before
Him
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