The Joyful & The Miserable, Part 2
Sermon 22 in Series
Luke 6:20-26
[20] And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said:
“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
[21] “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
[22] “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.
[24] “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
[25] “Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry.
“Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.
[26] “Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.
DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. How does the theme of persecution arise out of what we have seen in Luke up to this point? Why is this such a big theme in the New Testament?
2. What effect does it have on our thinking and evangelizing when we recognize the inevitability of persecution? How has it caught you by surprise?
3. In what ways are Christians in our society persecuted? What are some examples you have faced?
4. What reason does Jesus give for persecution? How do passages like John 3:19-21, John 15:18-21, and 1 Peter 4:3-5 give insight into how the world sees us?
5. Why does Jesus tell us that we should be joyful (even leaping for joy) as we endure persecution? How have you witnessed or heard of the Spirit giving joy in these situations?
6. Why is the temptation to be popular/well-liked so alluring? How does it pull Christians and churches away from the truth?
