The document discusses Jesus' teaching that those who are humble and acknowledge their spiritual poverty, like tax collectors and sinners, will be blessed and find the kingdom of God. In contrast, those who are self-righteous and complacent about their moral performance, like the Pharisees, will not. It references passages like the Beatitudes and the parable of the Pharisee and tax collector to illustrate that one must recognize their need for God and confess their sins to be made right with God.

1. RUNNING ON EMPTY? GREAT!! --Matthew 5: 1-4

2. This Pop Song reflects the unworthiness that we often feel inside of us. People are crying out to be healed. In the Bible this is God’s desired starting point.

3. Matthew 5:1-4 (New living Translation) When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down [2] and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said: [3] "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. [4] "You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

4. ● There is no sauntering or strutting into the Kingdom, only the humble need apply. ● Recognize your utter emptiness and God turns you into a zillionaire. ● Tears streaming and heart aching? Wasted a bunch of years? Cheer up! You may be in line for a crown! TAKE HOME

5. Lord, you know me! I'm sorry for my sins and failures. I know that except for Jesus I am hopeless. Thank you for loving me enough to send Jesus to earth to die for my sins. Please forgive me. I'm ready to take the plunge. Commitment:

6. YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN GOD’S THE OBJECT OF DESIRE – IN SPITE OF YOUR ERRORS

7. ANNOUNCEMENTS

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9. CONTRARY TO POPULAR THINKING, MY FIRST STEP TO LIFE IN CHRIST IS NOT A LIST OF THE GOOD STUFF I'VE DONE. RATHER, A 'NO EXCUSES' CONFESSION OF HOW BANKRUPT I AM! ● "Blessed are the poor in Spirit, they will inherit it all!"

10. JESUS SHREDDED THE RESUMES OF THOSE WHO TRUSTED IN PEDIGREE OR PERFORMANCE Matthew 23 is replete with "Woe to you Pharisees!" ● Blind Guides! ● Tithing but missing out on the weightier matters! ● Clean on the outside, filthy on the inside!

11. John 8 has Jesus condemning those who are of the bloodline of Abraham but who have no faith in the Messiah. Pedigree means little in the Kingdom. You have to play your Faith Card. ● "If you were Abraham's children then you would do the things Abraham did" ( v. 40).

12. IT IS TRUE OF US TODAY, A LIST OF OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND BEING PRETTY GOOD PEOPLE IS OF LITTLE VALUE IN ENTERING THE KINGDOM OF GOD

13. EXAMPLES OF 'POOR IN SPIRIT' ● David, when his adulterous affair is revealed: "I know my transgressions and my sin is always before me." ( Psalm 51:3) ● I Timothy 1:15 "Here is trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners -of whom I am the worst." (Paul)

14. COMMUNION! AS IMPERFECT AS WE ARE, WE CAN JOIN WITH JESUS!

15. Confession: I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus is my Lord and Savoir.

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17. Luke 18:9-14 (Message Translation) He told his next story to some who were complacently pleased with themselves over their moral performance and looked down their noses at the common people: [10] "Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax man. [11] The Pharisee posed and prayed like this: 'Oh, God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, crooks, adulterers, or, heaven forbid, like this tax man. [12] I fast twice a week and tithe on all my income.'

18. Luke 18:9-14 (Message Translation) [13] "Meanwhile the tax man, slumped in the shadows, his face in his hands, not daring to look up, said, 'God, give mercy. Forgive me, a sinner.' " [14] Jesus commented, "This tax man, not the other, went home made right with God. If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face, but if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself."

19. Luke 18:9-14 A great story of self worship and spiritual sorrow. 2 different kinds of believers: ● Man 1: "I thank you that I am not like other men, like this tax collector." ● Man 2: "God, be merciful to me a sinner!"

20. WHAT'S THE LESSON FROM THAT SIMPLE STORY? ● Sinners are welcome in heaven, when their sin is acknowledged and regretted. ● Our own code of spirituality may be quite different from God's code.

21. BLESSED MOURNERS? HAPPY GRIEVERS? YOU BET!! Listen to what these believers say: ● Isaiah : "Woe is me, for I am a man of unclean lips!" ● Paul : "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?" ● Paul : "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation." II Cor. 7:10 ● David : "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit and a contrite heart." Psalm 51:17

22. YOU ARE A SINNER? DON'T LET IT SPOIL ETERNITY. ● We are all sinners, we have all gone astray (even as Christians our righteousness falls short). ● The matter at hand is confession of sin, repentance and accepting Jesus as your savior (and continuing to do so).

23. THE NEW TESTAMENT IS FULL OF STORIES MUCH LIKE YOURS. ● People heard the good news of Jesus death, burial and resurrection. ● They believed the story to be true. -John 3:16 ● They confessed that Jesus is Lord. -Acts 8:37 ● Repentance , there's no way around it. -Acts 2:38 ● Baptized as a pledge. -I Peter 3:21

24. AND THE GLAD RESULTS JESUS PROMISED. ● The Kingdom of God and Comfort ● It doesn't get much better than that!!

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26. Offering

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28. PRAYER & PRAISE

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30. ● There is no sauntering or strutting into the Kingdom, only the humble need apply. ● Recognize your utter emptiness and God turns you into a zillionaire. ● Tears streaming and heart aching? Wasted a bunch of years? Cheer up! You may be in line for a crown! TAKE HOME

31. Lord, you know me! I'm sorry for my sins and failures. I know that except for Jesus I am hopeless. Thank you for loving me enough to send Jesus to earth to die for my sins. Please forgive me. I'm ready to take the plunge. Commitment:

32. Go and be like the humble sinner man (Man 2) ● Man 1: "I thank you that I am not like other men, like this tax collector." ● Man 2: "God, be merciful to me a sinner!"