Luke 6.20-23
The 4 Blesseds

Target: To show how people today can be blessed by faithful obedience to Jesus.

3 of the 4 verses have 1 one idea in common: Blessed
The person who is Blessed:
1.  has received more blessings than someone with good luck.
2. They know that what they have has come from the All Mighty
3. They feel as though they are in a position worthy of being envied

Now the first ones to be considered “blessed” are those who are poor.
● Luke 6:20 ESV And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you
who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

Define poor.

So on the day Jesus spoke to the poor, What were they doing?  They traveled to hear Jesus?  They had placed a set of balance scales weighing what Jesus might say against their boats, little farms, cottage industries. They decided what he was saying was more important than their small intake of money
for that day. 

Should people put their jobs on a scale with Jesus on the other side?

What reward do these people get? These people are going to receive the kingdom of God. And what is the kingdom of God (church)? This kingdom of God represents a grand relationship with God himself. In the very near future, after Jesus’ ascension, Acts 2 would occur. It is these kinds of people who would be anxious to hear Peter’s message of
hope. These people would believe, repent, and be baptized. These people would become God’s kingdom. And they would have hope, joy, and peace with God.

Can poor people gain the kingdom of God today?

The 2nd group to be considered “blessed” is found in Luke 6:21 ESV “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied…..

Jesus was not talking about physical hunger was he?

Discuss hunger for truth that yields right living

How soon can I feel blessed?

Discuss “instant” truth. It does not come in a packet that only requires hot water to be added. Truth, and the subsequent right living, requires a long-term commitment.

So, these people were making such a commitment? They were there because Jesus was talking to them NOW.

So, what Jesus was talking about is a long project?

He was showing them how to:
● love the unlovable
● Handle confrontations
● Deal with beggars,
● Be merciful
● Many other truths and ways to live right.

They were beginning the process that would lead them to real deep satisfaction. Anyone today who is hungry for truth and the following improved lives can have
real satisfaction.

Who is the 3rd group?
This is found Luke 6:21b ESV “…. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.

All sadness originates from whom? ○ What is the ultimate sad event? Death, and death is the penalty for sin (Rom 6.23).

This sadness has crying you can hear.

What are some sins that cause this degree of pain / grief?
○ Adultery causes crying
○ Immorality causes tears
○ Envy causes deep sadness
○ Anger can create mourning.

So what did these people need to do to gain enough relief to laugh? IF, the relationship with God changed. Forgiveness can be gained through obedience.

And you too can have that same kind of relief from your sadness IF you change your
relationship with God.

The final group Jesus talked to that day is found in Luke 6:22-23 ESV “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) Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward
is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.

These are the persecuted, specifically for their relation to Christ

People can be brutal to force compliance

But what happens to those remain true to Jesus?

What about this part about the father and prophets?

So, are we talking about 4 groups of people that can have a great life now and hope for the future?