I made a presentation to our Presbytery yesterday about Grace Hill Church and some of the things that we are learning.  One of the things that we have learned about our city in the time that we have been in Springfield is that while we are a church-rich city, we are also a grace-poor city as well.  It’s a condition that Time Keller refers to in his book, Generous Justice, as being “middle class in spirit.”  He writes, “What if, however, you aren’t poor in spirit?  That would mean you don’t believe you are so sinful, morally bankrupt, and lost that only free grace can possibly save you.  You may find the classic Christian doctrines about humanity’s deep sin and lostness to be too harsh.  On the contrary, you believe that God owes you some things–he ought to answer your prayers and to bless you for the many good things you’ve done.  Even though the Bible doesn’t use the term, by inference we can say that you are “middle-class in spirit.”  You feel that you’ve earned a certain standing with God through your hard work.”  Jesus says in his Sermon on the mount, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:3)  He’s saying that the spiritually poor, those who know that the only thing they bring to God is their need for him, are the only ones who can be part of the kingdom of God.  Only those who know their profound brokenness and spiritual neediness can understand and accept the salvation that God offers through Jesus Christ.  Are you poor in spirit or are you middle class in spirit?  Are you trusting in your own goodness before God?  If so, then join me in repenting of that goodness and run to Christ.