Luke6:20-26 The Blessed Life
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# 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 ****** [20](# "ref") And he lifted up his eyes
on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God. [Luke 6:20-26 (ESV) (p.1/7)](# "ref") ****** [21](# "ref") “Blessed are you who are hungry now,
for you shall be satisfied. “Blessed are you who weep now,
for you shall laugh. [Luke 6:20-26 (ESV) (p.2/7)](# "ref") ****** [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! [Luke 6:20-26 (ESV) (p.3/7)](# "ref") ****** [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 6:20-26 (ESV) (p.4/7)](# "ref") ****** [24](# "ref") “But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation. [Luke 6:20-26 (ESV) (p.5/7)](# "ref") ****** [25](# "ref") “Woe to you who are full now,
for you shall be hungry. “Woe to you who laugh now,
for you shall mourn and weep. [Luke 6:20-26 (ESV) (p.6/7)](# "ref") ****** [26](# "ref") “Woe to you,
when all people speak well of you,
for so their fathers did to the false prophets." [Luke 6:20-26 (ESV) (p.7/7)](# "ref") --- ## 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