0:0 - Before we open God's Word, let's pray together.
0:7 - Lord God, Holy Spirit, You were present when the waters hovered over the surface of the earth.
0:20 - You were present as your scriptures were formed, as the stories that were told unfolded, as they were written down, as they were orally passed from generation to generation, as they were translated into different languages, as they reached the pages that now sit on the chairs beside us.
0:44 - And Holy Spirit, You are present now here with us as well today.
0:50 - And we ask, God, that Your Holy Spirit speaks to us through Your Word, a Word that You have written and have sustained through the ages.
1:1 - Lord God, You have a message for us and help us to have eyes to see and ears to hear what it is that You are doing here in this place.
1:12 - In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
1:18 - We're carrying on through the book of Luke.
1:21 - We're in Luke chapter 6, and we'll be reading some verses from Luke chapter 6.
1:34 - Luke 6, verses 12 to 26.
1:37 - One of those days, Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.
1:46 - When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose 12 of them, whom he also designated apostles.
1:56 - Simon, who he named Peter, his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, son of Elpheus, Simon, who was called the Zealot, Judas, son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
2:17 - He went down with them and stood on a level place.
2:21 - A large crowd of his disciples were there, and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon, who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases.
2:37 - Those troubled by impure spirits were cured, and the people all tried to touch him because power was coming from him and healing them all.
2:48 - Looking at his disciples, he said, Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of heaven.
2:58 - Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.
3:3 - Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
3:7 - Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the son of man.
3:17 - Rejoice in that day and leap for joy because great is your reward in heaven.
3:23 - For that is how far, that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.
3:29 - But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.
3:36 - Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry.
3:42 - Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.
3:47 - Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.
3:57 - This is the word of the Lord.
4:2 - So this text has probably three or four, maybe five sermons in one.
4:8 - We're gonna be focusing mostly on the last section, but we'll work our way towards it.
4:15 - And the text really, I mean, it's like blessed are the poor and woe to the rich.
4:21 - That's a big theme that we're gonna be focusing on.
4:23 - So we probably should have taken the collection after the message.
4:28 - I don't know, you think that would have made a difference?
4:30 - If I preach like a really good sermon this morning, maybe, just maybe, maybe we could have doubled or tripled what went in the collection basket this morning.
4:40 - What do you think?
4:41 - Maybe?
4:42 - Well, good thing you can give online, right?
4:46 - So you can still give after the service, just letting you know that.
4:51 - Well, I think that's an over emphasis of maybe the role of preaching, or maybe that's too soon to expect that, a good sermon might lead to more giving or something like that.
5:4 - I'm certainly thankful that that burden doesn't fall to me, but at the same time, it is good for us to be challenged and to consider what it is that we're doing with the blessings that we have, with the things that we've been given.
5:22 - How are we responsibly using those things?
5:27 - And what is it that leads us to grow in these things?
5:30 - Is preaching a component?
5:31 - Maybe.
5:32 - But what is it that leads us into growing in this area, that leads us into giving sacrificially?
5:39 - To suffering, to living a life that is different than a life before Christ?
5:46 - Well, I wonder if we look at the life of Jesus to see maybe what that looks like.
5:51 - Our text starts with Jesus pulling an all-nighter to pray.
5:57 - That's one of the first few verses, and it's easy to just fly past that, especially with the density of scripture that we read.
6:5 - But Jesus pulls an all-nighter to pray.
6:10 - How many times have you pulled an all-nighter to pray?
6:16 - Maybe that would help us.
6:18 - Maybe that would be an opportunity for us to give back to God what he gives to us, or to be challenged by the text that we read.
6:27 - I wonder what would happen if we took these, what was it, 24 verses or 14 verses, and if we spent an entire night praying over just those words from 9 p.m.
6:40 - till 9 a.m.
6:42 - studying and wrestling with these words.
6:45 - I imagine, I imagine that that could have some impact on us.
6:51 - But this is Jesus, right?
6:53 - We're called to be like Jesus, but we're not Jesus.
6:55 - He's the son of God.
6:57 - So sometimes it's hard to know, what does it mean to be like Jesus, but not to try to be Jesus?
7:2 - I wrestle with that all the time, because we can fall into an unhealthy trap.
7:7 - We can fall into a space where we feel like we have to do all these things, but it's Christ who rescued, restores and redeems us.
7:15 - So there's limits to that urgency and that agency.
7:18 - Yet at the same time, God calls us and gives us purpose.
7:24 - We have urgency and agency because God has given it to us.
7:30 - He is partnering with us.
7:31 - And we see that in our text.
7:33 - Jesus takes 12 of his followers and he gives them a high priority.
7:39 - He moves them to the status of apostles.
7:42 - Now, does that mean that they're more saved than the others?
7:46 - No, I don't think so.
7:47 - It's not about salvation.
7:49 - It's about role and purpose.
7:51 - And we should be asking ourselves, what is our role and purpose when we read words like we're reading here this morning?
8:1 - So maybe it's better for us, instead of focusing on trying to be like Jesus, maybe we can attempt to be like Jesus' followers.
8:9 - And good news for us, the words that we find in scripture this morning is Jesus preaching and teaching to his disciples.
8:17 - It says that right in the text.
8:18 - Jesus isn't just speaking to the crowds.
8:20 - It says he turns and speaks to his apostles.
8:29 - Now we've taken a look in the past at different groups that Jesus has with him when he's speaking.
8:35 - And this is a different group again.
8:37 - There's four groups.
8:38 - We have this newly appointed 12, the 12 that we know of, the apostles.
8:43 - And then we have a larger group of disciples.
8:46 - And they're on like this mountainside.
8:48 - So there's the 12 and then there's other followers.
8:51 - And then it says that there are those from Judea and Jerusalem.
8:55 - So these are the Jewish people.
8:58 - These are the chosen ones.
9:1 - These are the ones who are religious, who understand the teachings of Jesus.
9:5 - They know the scriptures.
9:6 - They know the Torah.
9:7 - And they're also there.
9:9 - And then it mentions a fourth group from the area of Tyre and Sidon.
9:14 - Tyre and Sidon, which is a really interesting group.
9:18 - I ended up in the weeds on this this week a little bit, because Tyre and Sidon are mentioned very early in scripture and judges.
9:25 - Actually, Sidon is one of those communities that remains, one of the nations that remains when Israel takes over the promised land.
9:32 - So when we see over the years the tension between the Israelites and all of the surrounding nations, that often has to do with Tyre and Sidon, these two nations.
9:44 - They're also incredibly wealthy.
9:48 - As they exist in the first century, the time that Jesus would be saying this, they are port cities and they are wealthy.
9:56 - They're hubs of commerce.
9:58 - Things are flowing in and out of there all the time.
10:1 - I think it's Tyre that provides cedar to King Solomon as he builds the temples.
10:7 - It's a wealthy place that has resources.
10:10 - And that comes into play as we hear what Jesus has to say.
10:14 - So Jesus is preaching.
10:16 - Now, I'm pretty sure Jesus did not go to a preaching class at Calvin Seminary, one similar to maybe the one I went to.
10:25 - He doesn't start with an image or an illustration.
10:30 - He doesn't start with a clever little joke.
10:32 - He doesn't tell a personal story to try to relate to the people.
10:36 - No, he right away starts in and says blessings and curses.
10:42 - He just flat out says these things just very matter of factly.
10:49 - So he basically says, if you're poor, if you're hungry, if you're crying, and if you're hated, you are blessed.
11:0 - That's what he says.
11:2 - And this is in Luke, okay?
11:3 - This is not in Matthew.
11:4 - Now, if we were reading Matthew, we would read something like blessed are the poor in spirit.
11:11 - Blessed are the poor in spirit.
11:12 - Okay, so we could wrestle with and wonder what that means.
11:16 - It's easy, it's spiritualized.
11:18 - Is it some kind of like, is it someone who's beaten down or someone who's downcast or someone who's been beat up or abused?
11:26 - Or what does it mean to be poor in spirit?
11:29 - But this just flat out says blessed are the poor, the hungry, the hated.
11:37 - And then Jesus says, for they have the kingdom of God.
11:49 - This is a thing that we need to wrestle with.
11:56 - What does it mean that there's a blessing for the people who are suffering economically in this world?
12:3 - Now, I think there's a clue that comes at the tail end of this statement that Jesus makes.
12:8 - So he says, if we look at, let's see here, blessings and woes.
12:15 - The last blessing, blessed are you when people hate you when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the son of man, because of the son of man.
12:30 - So Jesus is saying these things in relation to people's calling and relationship to Jesus himself.
12:42 - Remember, he's speaking to his disciples, his followers.
12:45 - He's speaking to people who have given up their security.
12:49 - We have the calling stories earlier.
12:51 - We've studied them.
12:51 - We've looked at them already, right?
12:53 - Jesus approaches fishermen and says, follow me.
12:56 - And they drop everything and they follow Jesus.
13:0 - So he's saying, for those of you that are poor, hungry, outcast, your reputation is shot, people don't understand you.
13:11 - So they hate you.
13:13 - People are tearing you apart.
13:15 - People, you don't know where your next meal is coming from because you have followed me.
13:23 - You are blessed.
13:26 - You will inherit.
13:28 - You will receive the kingdom of God.
13:32 - Okay, you see that?
13:33 - It's important.
13:33 - It's not just, you know, if you've experienced, you know, like if you had a bad crop and you have no money, or if, you know, your house burned down or if there's some economic downturn or if all of your investments flop, you're blessed.
13:50 - No, that's not what he's saying.
13:52 - He's saying if you have sacrificed these things to follow me for my sake in my name, you are blessed.
14:4 - You are blessed.
14:5 - Now, what does that mean?
14:9 - Blessed how?
14:10 - To inherit or to have the kingdom of God?
14:12 - Well, to have the kingdom of God, this basically means what is the kingdom of God?
14:18 - The kingdom of God is the rule and reign of God.
14:22 - It is heaven and we can see glimpses of that heaven on earth.
14:27 - But when God talks about his kingdom and everything restored, he says, I'm going to make things new.
14:33 - I'm going to make it so that people aren't going to suffer anymore.
14:37 - People aren't going to hurt anymore.
14:39 - So you're blessed if you are contributing to that by following Jesus and by sacrificing all of the things that you have, by giving up your financial security, you are stepping into promoting and living like the true prophets because you are promoting that kind of kingdom.
14:57 - You're actually living towards that kingdom by giving up what you have.
15:4 - You're saying the gospel is true.
15:6 - We are pointing towards a day when Christ will come again and make everything new.
15:11 - And how are we doing that?
15:12 - We're doing it by actually doing it ourselves.
15:15 - And the blessing comes in and through that.
15:21 - And then there's the curses that come beyond that.
15:25 - Woe to these people who are already fed, who have good things, who have plenty, who are not hungry, who are rich.
15:41 - And we have to hold the same tension with these.
15:44 - It's not just if you are wealthy, you're cursed, right?
15:50 - If you had a really good crop and you have tons of money, you're cursed.
15:56 - Or if your investments did really, really well, you're cursed.
16:1 - No, it's the same, it's the same tension, okay?
16:6 - If you have blessings, if you have gifts in your life, if you have financial resources, if you have financial security, and you find your comfort in and through those things, if you don't see those things as blessing to then turn back to God, to use to promote the kingdom, if they are not tools that you've been blessed with to bless others, if they are in and for your own good, that is where the curse lies, that is where the challenge is for us.
16:47 - Jesus is calling all of these people, remember the disciples are there, who maybe look like the blessed ones, but also all of these people from the region of Tyre and Sidon are also listening and they are financially well off.
17:4 - They're doing well and Jesus is saying, your security needs to be in me first, in me first.
17:12 - These blessings that you have are to be used for the kingdom of God.
17:20 - I think this is the tension we have to hold for ourselves and I think this is the question that we need to ask ourselves this week.
17:27 - As we think about this message, as we reflect on this text.
17:31 - If you look at the things in your life that you hold as blessings, things that you have, you very quickly and easily say, these are blessings that I hold from God.
17:43 - The question is, are you sure?
17:48 - Because what is happening and what are you doing with those blessings and how much security are they providing you?
17:56 - If you're honest with yourself, does your comfort lie in those things that you have and hold on to?
18:5 - Are you comfortable about your future because your retirement fund looks pretty healthy?
18:14 - Would you be concerned about your future if your retirement fund flopped?
18:23 - Here's the reality, I think, for all of us.
18:27 - I don't think we could divide ourselves into, I mean, it would be a fun little exercise if I said, okay, how about we all stand and move to different parts of the room?
18:38 - Whoever feels like they're part of the 12, come stand over here, right up here with me, okay?
18:43 - And for those of you who feel like you're disciples, but maybe not the apostle level, maybe you can move to another part of the room.
18:50 - And for those of you who are the chosen, but you're just kind of here checking things out, why don't you gather?
18:56 - Well, we shouldn't say in the back, right?
18:57 - That's a stereotype.
18:58 - We'll put them in the front as well.
19:0 - And what about those that feel like they're from the area of Tyre and Sidon?
19:4 - You feel like you're really wealthy, and you really might not be using your resources as effectively as you could be.
19:11 - You're not using them as a blessing from God, you're seeing them as a blessing that you have to hold for yourself.
19:21 - I think we'd all feel conflicted probably on where to stand, because I think the reality is there's bits and pieces of each and every one of those that live inside the human heart.
19:35 - This is why it's good for us to reflect this week, is to bring these things to the Holy Spirit of God in prayer and say, Lord Jesus, where am I wealthy and not putting my trust in you?
19:53 - Lord Jesus, where have I done well to set things aside to grow in relationship with you?
20:3 - Where can we see ourselves and be proud and receive a good pat on the shoulder of the well-done, a good and faithful servant?
20:11 - Because that's important for all of us to hear.
20:14 - But at the same time, wrestle with ways that we could grow just a little bit more.
20:25 - Now, the other part of this is we all have individual roles and purposes.
20:31 - Like I was saying earlier, the 12 are not more saved than the rest.
20:38 - Okay, than the other disciples.
20:41 - They're not of a higher standing.
20:47 - They have a different purpose.
20:51 - Okay, there's salvation.
20:53 - There's being rescued and claimed by God.
20:56 - But then there is also the individual and specific purpose that Jesus is giving to each and every one of you.
21:4 - Now, to be saved, you actually don't have to do a lot other than receive the gift, which is a very important piece.
21:13 - But to step into the role and calling that God has for you requires some agency from us.
21:21 - That stuff doesn't just happen.
21:25 - We have to step into it.
21:26 - Even in the 12 disciples or the 12 apostles that are mentioned, one ultimately becomes a trader.
21:33 - One becomes a trader and that was his choice, right?
21:37 - There's things that happen that we have to wrestle with.
21:43 - So we all need to wrestle with our purpose.
21:47 - What is God calling you to?
21:51 - Okay, not all of us are called to sell and give everything we have and move overseas to take on some kind of mission as an actual missionary.
22:5 - We all have different purposes and callings.
22:7 - I think of Lydia in scripture who was wealthy and she didn't sell her home and give it up.
22:13 - She actually used her home as a place for Christians to come and gather to worship.
22:19 - I imagine that that was something she felt convicted and what was placed on her heart.
22:26 - So you each have callings that are specific to you.
22:31 - In 2016, I was really wrestling with my calling.
22:34 - I was really wondering about what it was that I was supposed to do next.
22:39 - I was starting to wonder if the purpose was sell our house and for our entire family to pick up and move overseas somewhere and become a missionary.
22:50 - And I thought, I'm willing to do that.
22:53 - I'm at the point where I'm ready to do that.
22:56 - Ultimately, came to the realization that it was to move five hours to Michigan and go to Calvin Seminary, which I'll be honest with you, was much scarier.
23:5 - I think I would have rather gone overseas than make the step to go to Calvin, which ultimately led me here.
23:13 - I was more interested in ministry than being inside this context at that time, but I didn't know what God had for me.
23:21 - I didn't know or understand, but I had to submit myself to those things.
23:27 - We are called to do things.
23:30 - We are called to mission and ministry.
23:32 - And yeah, I just invite you to reflect on that this week in prayer and just ask the Holy Spirit what it is that you're called to and where you can grow and learn.
23:49 - The last verse of Psalm 1, which I read kind of during our call to worship this morning, says this, for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
24:3 - Sometimes I find the Psalms tough to read because they do talk a lot about the wicked and the righteous, the lost and the found or the broken and the restored.
24:14 - And it doesn't sound like the grace-filled gospel that we often talk about.
24:21 - But there's that difference between salvation and our purpose.
24:26 - And God has a real calling for us that requires us to get up and do stuff inside that purpose.
24:34 - Let me pray for you as we wrestle with these things together this week.
24:40 - Lord God, you have purpose for your church.
24:46 - You have it individually for us.
24:50 - That all of us here, we have unique families and jobs and communities that we're inside of, and you have mission and purpose for us in that.
25:0 - But also God, you have mission and purpose for us collectively as a church.
25:5 - And we need Holy Spirit, your help to discern what that looks like for us.
25:10 - And then we ask God that you give us the boldness and the courage and the wisdom to step out and into those things that you call us into.
25:21 - Thank you for partnering with us, Lord Jesus.
25:23 - Thank you for your patience with us.
25:26 - And we ask that you multiply and bless the work of our hands that's done in line with your heart and your will.
25:35 - In your name.
25:36 - Amen.