Luke6:20-26 The Blessed Life

# The Blessed Life
## Luke 6:20-26

>>>
+ When we come to **worship** God, 
  + it's **natural** to seek blessings
  + for selves + our **children**
+ Every **father** wants the **best** for children
  + be **happy**, people of **integrity**
+ **pray** they have lives full of **blessing**:

---

# What constitutes a **blessed** life?

>>>
+ is it about **comfort**? no **lack** / **suffering**?
+ leaving **legacy**, being **recog** / apprec by others?
+ Today's passage tells us clearly
  + who will receive **blessing**
  + and who will receive **woe**
+ Encourages us to look **back** to prophets of old
  + and **forward** to Christ's return;
+ Challg. us in the **now** to change **value** system:
  + what we deem as **good**, successful
  + important, worth **pursuing**
+ Together, turn attention to **God's** value system
  + and behold the Lamb of God

---

## The Blessed Life [(Luke 6)](# "ref")
1. A Rich **Inheritance** [(v20/24)](# "ref")
1. A Bright **Future** [(v21/25)](# "ref")
1. A Good **Name** [(v22-23/26)](# "ref")

>>>
+ This passage has 3 groups of **blessing**
  + and 3 groups of **woe**
+ The first pair bless/woe is about **money**:
  + what a truly **enriched** life is
+ The second group is about
  + planning for the **future** 
  + in light of God's **judgment**
+ The last group is about **reputation**:
  + do I **care** more about 
  + what **people** think of me
  + or what **God** asks of me?
+ Starting in v20:

---

Blessed are you who are **poor**, 
for yours is the **kingdom** of God.

[Luke 6:20 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Nikolay Svishchev-Paola, "Beggar with a Lyra", 1900](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Beggar_with_a_Lyra,_by_Svishchev-Paola_1900s.jpg "caption")

>>>
+ Gr words for **poor**: e.g., **working** peasants,
  + who have very little **money**,
  + but are **hard-working**, doing manual labour.
+ The word used here is for the **destitute**:
  + the word means "**crouched** down".
+ It refers to one who is utterly 
  + **unable** to provide for himself,
  + who relies on the **charity** of others
+ Gr / Rom deemed this **shameful**!
+ So **why** does Jesus say these are **blessed**?
+ **Who** are those who will inherit
  + the **kingdom of God**?
+ 1 Cor 6 tells us who **won't**:

---

Or do you not know that the **unrighteous** 
will not inherit the **kingdom of God**?

[I Corinthians 6:9-11 (ESV) (p.1/3)](# "ref")
[Dylan Roberts, Strumble Head Lighthouse, UK](https://unsplash.com/photos/ndsRLeQBlsA "caption")

>>>
*(continue reading)*

---

[9](# "ref")
Do not be deceived: 
neither the sexually **immoral**, nor **idolaters**, 
[10](# "ref")
... nor the **greedy**, ... nor **revilers**, ... 
will **inherit** the kingdom of God.

[I Corinthians 6:9-11 (ESV) (p.2/3)](# "ref")

>>>
+ God is **holy**, so those with any **sin**
  + cannot inherit His **kingdom**
+ It's easy to apply this verse to **others**, but
+ it's actually taking about **us**!

---

[11](# "ref")
And such were some of **you**.

But you were **washed**, 
you were **sanctified**, you were **justified**

in the name of the Lord **Jesus Christ** 
and by the **Spirit** of our God.

[I Corinthians 6:9-11 (ESV) (p.3/3)](# "ref")

>>>
+ We are **wretched**, poor,
  + utterly **dependent** on God
+ The **kingdom** of God is given not to 
  + those who **work hard** at being good
+ but to those who are **forgiven**
  + by God's **grace**
+ **This** is true **richness**:
  + to know I am **forgiven**
+ **Money** in this life is little **comfort**:

---

But woe to you who are **rich**, 
for you have received your **consolation**.

[Luke 6:24 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ If we are **rich** and don't know what
  + it feels like to **lack**, then
+ we don't **realise** how far short 
  + we fall from **God's** standard
  + or how much we **need** His grace.
+ Money provides some **encouragement** now,
  + but it is so **fleeting**! 
  + James 1 reminds us:

---

For the **sun** rises with its scorching **heat** 
and **withers** the grass; 
its **flower** falls, and its **beauty** perishes.

So also will the rich man **fade away** 
in the **midst** of his pursuits.

[James 1:11 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ e.g., son so many **toys**, becomes bit **stressful**:
  + lose their **fun** even **while** playing!
+ Only fun while **new**, so const desires **new** toys
+ I'm just same: **boys** like their **toys**, and
  + **bigger** boys like bigger toys! (e.g., computers)
+ **Rich** man fades away in the **midst** of his pursuits
+ Pursuing external **indicators** of success
  + is both **futile** and **exhausting**:
  + e.g., job **title**, house, car, watch, private sch
+ In fact, our son already **realizes** this:
  + toys not **fulfilling**, esp when heart **disquiet**
  + only plays w/toys when **we're** too busy for him
+ hope in time find being close to **God** is best

---

# Do I feel I am **rich** because I am **dependent** on God?

>>>
+ Do I realise how **wretched** I am
  + compared to God's perfect **holiness**?
+ Do I know what it feels like to be **forgiven**,
  + the true **blessing** of **grace**?
+ "Blessed are you the **poor**,
  + for yours is the **kingdom** of God" (v20)

---

## The Blessed Life [(Luke 6)](# "ref")
1. A Rich Inheritance [(v20/24)](# "ref")
1. **A Bright Future** [(v21/25)](# "ref")
1. A Good Name [(v22-23/26)](# "ref")

>>>
+ Our rich **inheritance** consists not of
  + fleeting riches **earned** for ourselves, but
+ realizing how **destitute** we are before God, and
  + knowing we are **forgiven**.
+ Next section of **blessings** / woes
+ focuses on the aspect of **time**:
  + **present** vs **future**
+ Jesus tells us what our future **hope** is,
  + giving us **strength** in the present
  + to wait **patiently** for it

---

[21](# "ref")
Blessed are you who are **hungry** now, 
for you shall be **satisfied**.

[25](# "ref")
Woe to you who are **full** now, 
for you shall be **hungry**.

[Luke 6:21a, 25a (ESV)](# "ref")
[Neven Krcmarek, Popovec, Croatia](https://unsplash.com/photos/M4KpA7NC-l0 "caption")

>>>
+ The similar passage in **Matthew** describes
  + a hunger and thirst for **righteousness**
  + 飢渴慕義的人 (Mt5:6)
+ Hunger implies **discomfort**: yearning,
  + feeling things are **not right**.
+ The world is broken under **sin**,
  + **we** + our families are broken under sin
+ If we're **satisfied** with way things are,
  + we're **missing** out
+ **Hunger** is related to the next pair
  + about **sorrow**:

---

[21](# "ref")
“Blessed are you who **weep** now, 
for you shall **laugh**.

[25](# "ref")
“Woe to you who **laugh** now, 
for you shall **mourn** and weep.

[Luke 6:21b, 25b (ESV)](# "ref")
[Ben White](https://unsplash.com/photos/4K2lIP0zc_k "caption")

>>>
+ e.g., my son when younger said the **world**
  + doesn't seem to be getting **worse**:
+ Today is the same as **yesterday**,
  + everyday we just **play**!
+ I'm the **same**: we are pretty **comfortable**
  + no **coronavirus**
  + no systemic **racism** against us (to same extent)
+ But in **Amos** 6, God warns those who
  + focus on play or **relaxation**:

---

[4](# "ref")
Woe to those who lie on **beds** of ivory 
and **stretch** themselves out on their couches,

and eat lambs from the **flock** 
and calves from the midst of the **stall**,

[Amos 6:4,6 (ESV) (p.1/2)](# "ref")
[Vita Vilcina, Spain](https://unsplash.com/photos/KtOid0FLjqU "caption")

>>>
+ The emphasis is on **luxury**, living at ease,
  + being **idle**, not working,
+ having an **abundance**, no fear of running out

---

[6](# "ref")
who drink wine in **bowls** 
and anoint themselves with the **finest oils**,

but are not **grieved** over the **ruin of Joseph**!

[Amos 6:4,6 (ESV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")

>>>
+ We've grown accustomed to our life of **plenty**
  + just **laugh** and enjoy life
+ We've forgotten the **ruin** of our hearts
  + our families, church, country, world
+ **Godly grief**: so much **sin** / hurt bc our **pride** 
  + desire for **independence** from God
+ Our collective **sin** is why the world is **broken**:
  + **disease**, famine, war
+ In times of **pandemic**, injustice, and unrest
  + our son sees **brokenness** of world
+ But take heart! **John** 16 encourages us,
  + this sorrow is only **temporary**:

---

[20](# "ref")
You will **weep** and lament, 
but the world will **rejoice**.

You will be **sorrowful**, 
but your sorrow will turn into **joy**.

[John 16:20-22 (ESV) (p.1/3)](# "ref")
[Janko Ferlič, Koper, Slovenia](https://unsplash.com/photos/EpbIXGCrtK0 "caption")

>>>
*(continue reading)*

---

[21](# "ref")
When a woman is giving **birth**, 
she has **sorrow** because her hour has come,

but when she has **delivered** the baby, 
she **no longer remembers** the anguish,

for **joy** that a human being has been 
born into the world.

[John 16:20-22 (ESV) (p.2/3)](# "ref")

>>>
+ It's really true!
+ The **pain** of childbirth
  + is **forgotten** because of
  + the **joy** of a new baby

---

[22](# "ref")
So also you have sorrow **now**, 
but I will **see you** again,

and your **hearts** will rejoice, 
and no one will **take** your joy from you.

[John 16:20-22 (ESV) (p.3/3)](# "ref")

>>>
+ This is the **hope** 
  + that we have not **yet** received:
+ **longing** for Christ,
  + unable to **see** Him,
+ but when He **returns**
  + our **faith** will become **sight**,
+ and then our **hearts** will **rejoice**

---

# Do I **grieve** over the **ruin** of our world?

>>>
+ **Grieve** over our country, city, church, families, 
  + and even our **own** sin:
+ Our **pride**, desire to assert **indep** from God
+ "Don't **want** hear **grief**, life already full **pain**:
  + Give me **encouragement**! Power, victory!"
+ If I pursue **comfort** / idleness now, I will be
  + **wailing** when Christ comes in **judgment**
+ But if I have **godly grief** over sin,
  + leading to **repentance**: **change** of heart
+ If **long** for Christ's return, 
  + then I have hope to **see** Him again,
+ when my **heart** will rejoice, with
  + **lasting** joy that none can take away

---

## The Blessed Life [(Luke 6)](# "ref")
1. A Rich Inheritance [(v20/24)](# "ref")
1. A Bright Future [(v21/25)](# "ref")
1. **A Good Name** [(v22-23/26)](# "ref")

>>>
+ It is better to be **poor**
  + and learn to **depend** on God
+ It is better to **grieve** over sin
  + and **hope** in Christ's return
+ Better to be **shamed** by world,
  + mocked, **misunderstood**
+ but be **approved** by God

---

Blessed are you when people **hate** you 
and when they **exclude** you and **revile** you 
and spurn your **name** as evil,

on account of the **Son of Man**!

[Luke 6:22 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Ukraine. Paul Itkin](https://unsplash.com/photos/xCdFXXoZkJc "caption")

>>>
+ On **account** of Christ,
+ are we ok with being **hated**:
  + **rejected** and opposed by the world?
  + (v27 reminds us **not** to hate them back)
+ Are we ok with being **excluded** (**horizon** line)
+ and **reviled**: deemed as **shameful**, 
  + a **disgrace**, a reproach?
+ They will use even our **name** ("Christian")
  + as an **insult**, something deemed **wicked**
+ How should we **respond**?
  + 1 Peter 4 tells us:

---

[13](# "ref")
But **rejoice** insofar as 
you share Christ's **sufferings**,

that you may also rejoice and be glad 
when his **glory** is revealed.

[1 Peter 4:13-14 (ESV) (p.1/2)](# "ref")
[Dominik QN, Thailand](https://unsplash.com/photos/9gGQvhC4PEY "caption")

>>>
+ Rejoice, not because of the **shame**
+ but because we **follow** in Christ's footsteps

---

[14](# "ref")
If you are **insulted** for the name of Christ, 
you are **blessed**,

because the **Spirit** of glory and of God 
rests upon you.

[1 Peter 4:13-14 (ESV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")

>>>
+ There's no **honor** in suffering for doing **wrong**
+ But if we suffer for the name of **Christ**,
  + we are **blessed**:
+ We receive the **Holy Spirit** now
  + and a future **reward** in heaven, and
+ We are **not alone**:
  + We're in **good company**!

---

**Rejoice** in that day, and **leap** for joy, 
for behold, your **reward** is great in heaven; 
for so their fathers did to the **prophets**.

[Luke 6:23 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Briton Rivière, "Daniel in the Lion's Den", 1892](http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=1615647&partId=1 "caption")

>>>
+ The Old Testament **prophets** also
  + spoke the **word** of God
+ and were **beaten**, ostracized
  + branded **traitors**, and shamed
+ We today have the very same **Word** of God
  + and same **task** to **proclaim** it boldly
+ Will I **leap** for joy at being 
  + **misunderstood** + mistreated
  + as the OT **prophets** were?
+ On the **other** hand, v26:

---

Woe to you, 
when all people **speak well** of you, 
for so their fathers did to the **false prophets**.

[Luke 6:26 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Litchfield Park, Australia. Andy Fitzsimon](https://unsplash.com/photos/w8g2vws1VBQ "caption")

>>>
+ It was the **false** prophets 
  + who were **admired** and welcomed
+ because they spoke only 
  + what the **audience** wanted to hear,
+ **reinforcing** the **sinful** nature:
  + "You're **good** + on the **right** track"
  + who **wouldn't** be happy to hear that?
+ In **John** 15, Jesus speaks
  + to us His **disciples**:

---

[19](# "ref")
If you were **of the world**, 
the world would **love** you as its own;

but because you are **not** of the world, 
but I **chose** you out of the world,

therefore the world **hates** you.

[John 15:19,20 (ESV) (p.1/2)](# "ref")
[Samuel Ferrara](https://unsplash.com/photos/IEHPDNk2-8w "caption")

>>>
+ We do not **belong** to the world
  + we are **called** out of it
+ Our citizenship, our **home** is in heaven
  + and we long to **go** there
+ So it should not be **surprising** that
  + world deems us **delusional**,
  + misguided, or even **evil**

---

[20](# "ref")
If they **persecuted** me, 
they will also persecute you.

If they **kept** my word, 
they will also keep yours.

[John 15:19,20 (ESV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")

>>>
+ "A **servant** is not greater than his **master**"
+ The world **hated** Jesus,
  + so they will **hate** us, too:
+ To be a **disciple** of Christ
  + means aligning our **priorities** with His:
  + our **values**, thinking, and **actions**
+ This means most people will **misunderstand** us
+ Do I **care** more about following **Christ**
  + than about winning other people's **approval**?

---

# Whose **approval** do I crave?

>>>
+ Want to be **validated** by gp of **peers** / friends
  + hear **parents** say they're **proud** of me
  + hear **spouse** / kids say I'm a good **parent**
+ Will I **hold** to name of Jesus 
  + even if it means being **reviled** by all?
+ It's one thing to say that I **myself** can give up
  + pursuing **money** to **depend** God's grace
+ choose a life of **sorrow** over sin,
  + waiting for Christ's **redemption**
+ be **hated** / misunderstood because I 
  + follow Christ's **priorities**
+ But would I wish this for my **children**?
+ What is **successful** life?  life of **blessing**?
+ **Read** Luke 6:22-23:

---

[22](# "ref")
“Blessed are you when people **hate** you 
and when they **exclude** you and **revile** you 
and spurn your **name** as evil, 
on account of the **Son of Man**!

[23](# "ref")
**Rejoice** in that day, and **leap** for joy, 
for behold, your **reward** is great in heaven; 
for so their fathers did to the **prophets**.

[Luke 6:22-23 (ESV)](# "ref")

---

>>>
+ See life through **Your** eyes
  + **value** what You value, prioritize
+ Not to pursue worldly **riches** that 
  + fade away like the **flowers**
+ But to realize how **destitute** we are
  + before Your **glory** + holiness
+ Oh, how **rich** it is to know we are **forgiven**!
+ Not to be **content** w/comfortable lives
  + while world **devours** itself in sin
+ But always be **hungry** for Your righteousness
  + Godly **sorrow** that leads to repentance
+ Not to **say** what people want to **hear**
  + whatever **clickbait** gets most **likes**
+ But proclaim Your **Word** boldly as OT **prophets** did
  + **leaping** for joy to be considered
  + **worthy** of suffering for Your Name
+ To rediscover **truly blessed** life in You