Sermon Notes 10 May 2026

From Self-Reliance to Jesus-Reliance - Week 1:
The Freedom of the Poor in Spirit

Pastor Ryan Perry
Good Hope Baptist Church
10 May 2026

Primary Text:  Matthew 5–7 — The Sermon on the Mount
Supporting Texts:  John 15:5; Romans 6:14; Romans 8:13–15; Galatians 5:16; Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 1:8; Mark 5:19

Big Idea
Jesus exposes the exhaustion of self-reliance and invites us into kingdom life as poor-in-spirit children who depend on the Father, abide in Christ, walk by the Spirit, and live on mission.

I. The Entrance — Dependence, Not Performance
Key Scripture: Matthew 5:3 — “Blessed are the poor (ptōchos, someone destitute, someone empty-handed, someone who has nothing to bring and must receive from another) in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Main Thought: The kingdom of God is entered empty-handed, not self-sufficient.
Supporting Scriptures: Luke 18:9–14; John 15:5
Key Truths:

• Poor in spirit means spiritually dependent
• We cannot save or sustain ourselves
• Kingdom life begins with humility and need
• We never graduate from dependence on Christ

Core Statement: Jesus-reliance begins where self-reliance ends.

II. The Depth — Healing the Heart, Not Just the Hands
Key Scripture: Matthew 5:20 — “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees…”
Main Thought: Jesus exposes outward religion that hides inward self-rule.
Supporting Scriptures: Matthew 5:21–28; Romans 8:13–15; Galatians 5:16
Key Truths

• Self-repair can manage appearances
• Religious performance cannot heal the heart
• Sin is deeper than behavior
• Only the Holy Spirit can transform the inner life

Core Statement: God is not merely modifying behavior—He is transforming hearts.

III. The Motive — Religion Without the Ego
Key Scripture: Matthew 6:1 — “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them.”
Main Thought: Even spiritual practices can become self-reliant when disconnected from relationship with God.
Supporting Scriptures: Matthew 6:4; Matthew 6:6; Matthew 6:18
Key Truths

• Giving, prayer, and fasting are not performance tools
• The Father already sees, knows, and loves His children
• Spiritual disciplines flow from intimacy, not insecurity

Core Statement: Kingdom spirituality is rooted in relationship, not religious image management.

IV. The Security — Living as Children, Not Orphans
Key Scripture: Matthew 6:33 — “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness…”
Main Thought: Anxiety often reveals where we are trying to carry life without trusting the Father.
Supporting Scriptures: Matthew 6:31–32; Romans 6:14
Key Truths

• Orphans feel like everything depends on them
• Children trust the Father’s care
• Self-reliance produces anxiety and control
• Jesus-reliance produces peace and kingdom focus

Core Statement: The Father’s care frees us to seek His kingdom instead of trying to save ourselves.

V. The Foundation — Fruit and Obedience Built on Christ
Key Scripture: Matthew 7:24–25 — “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them…”
Main Thought: Kingdom obedience flows from abiding in Christ, not self-effort.
Supporting Scriptures: Matthew 7:17; Galatians 5:16; Galatians 5:22–23; John 15:5
Key Truths

• Fruit reveals the source of life
• The Holy Spirit produces what self-reliance never can
• Grace does not remove obedience
• Obedience is the fruit of relationship with Jesus

Core Statement: A life built on Christ stands firm because Christ is the foundation underneath it.

VI. The Assignment — Restored and Sent
Key Scripture: Mark 5:19 — “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you…”
Main Thought: Jesus restores broken people and sends them with a testimony of mercy.
Supporting Scriptures: Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 1:8; 1 Timothy 1:13–16
Key Truths

• Mission begins with mercy
• God uses restored sinners, not self-made performers
• Our testimony is about Christ’s grace, not our perfection
• The mission rests on Christ’s authority and the Spirit’s power

Core Statement: You are not sent to prove how impressive you are. You are sent to tell how merciful Jesus has been.

Closing Challenge - Questions to Ask

• Am I living from self-reliance or Jesus-reliance?
• Am I trying to repair myself or return to Christ?
• Am I building my life on performance or dependence?
• Am I living as an orphan or as a child of the Father?

Final Declaration
Christ has freed God’s children from self-reliance. The Holy Spirit now teaches us to live from Jesus instead of from ourselves.