The key

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.

Written in the present tense, ( continual applause from Heaven is what I should be seeking )
In this verse the word used for ' poor ', is the Greek word ' ptochos '.
Ptochos - destitute, possessing absolutely nothing.
The poor in spirit - naked, having absolutely nothing,can't bring anything. Aware of need for God's mercy and dependance on Him.

This is the first beattitude and needs to be my starting point, I can not bypass it.

The kingdom of Heaven = the place where a king reigns, so the kingdom of Heaven happens wherever God reigns, where the will of God is absolutely and perfectly obeyed.
Those with the right attitude, heart attitude towards God have the kingdom of God.

What does it look like to be poor in spirit?
Jesus gives an illustration in Luke 18v 9- 14, contrasting the attitude of a Pharisee to that of the tax collector.
The Pharisee;
Self righteous, trusted in his actions, compared himself to the tax collector to make himself look good,proud.
The tax collector;
Humble ( standing a distance away, head down, not wanting to be noticed ) , recognizes his sin and God's holiness, asks for mercy knowing his need, used God to measure his standard of righteousness not his own works.

Psalm 34v 18
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Brokenhearted - those who rend, tear, surrender, want sin out, their hearts to God.
Crushed in spirit- aware of their sin.

Where is God to these people ?
He is near.
He saves them.

Psalm 51 v17
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God you will not despise.
Broken spirit - repentance
Contrite heart- heart surrendered to God.
God accepts this sacrifice.

Isaiah 51v 15
" I will live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble.I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.

Blessed are the poor in spirit because Jesus will bring life and renewal and His presence.

Isaiah 61v 1-2 ( read by Jesus in Luke 4v18-21)
What ministries had Jesus been annionted to do;
Preach the Gospel to the poor ( poor in spirit because they are ready to listen, they understand their need )
Proclaim release to the captives ( those bound in sin and darkness )
Bring recovery of sight ( to the spiritually blind)
Set free the oppressed. People were being oppressed by the law, Jesus came to fulfill the law and thereby bring freedom ( His righteousness not mine )
To proclaim the favourable year of the Lord, a year of Jubilee when all debts are cancelled, all slaves are freed ( this is fulfilled by Jesus )

Poor in spirit ; this is the key which unlocks the door to the kingdom of Heaven
- continual dependance on God
- allowing the King to rule and reign over me
- don't look to own righteousness, I can bring nothing, Jesus is everything and has done all that is needed
-when I fail run to God.

This first beattitude shows the way to salvation. Only the ones who realise that they have no righteousness of their own to offer will inherit the kingdom of Heaven.

Poverty of spirit = fullness in Him.