Blessings and Woes

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Blessings and Woes

Date: Nov. 27, 2016

Passage

Luke 6:20-26 (ESV)

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.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 6:20

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said:

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

First, four blessings (20-23). As Jesus surveyed the crowds, he looked at his disciples and began to teach them. He began with four blessings. Those who are poor, hungry, weep and hated, do not seem blessed at all. But poverty, hunger, tears and persecution can help us recognize our deep need for Jesus. These can drive us into a deeper relationship with Jesus. Jesus gives us the kingdom of God. He satisfies us and gives us joy. We may be despised on earth because of our faith but we will have a great reward in heaven.

Second, four woes (24-36). Jesus also pronounced four woes. Those who are rich, well-fed, laugh and spoken of well, are not necessarily cursed. But these good things in the world can be very serious barriers to faith in Jesus. People who are satisfied with what the world offers do not know their own need for Christ. We ought not to envy those in good human conditions but pray for them to know their spiritual need and turn to God.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for teaching us how to be truly blessed. Help me to be poor in spirit and to live for your name and praise.

One Word: Blessed are you....

Countless Saved from God’s Wrath by the Blood of the Lamb

Revelation 7:1-17

Key Verse: 7:9-10

A Great Multitude from Every Nation

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

Today's Question

Are all sins equally evil?

See answer and references