Sermon Text: 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.
Sermon Theme: What Prize Are You Striving For?
- The “Consolation” Prize?
- Why is the “consolation” Jesus speaks of in v. 24 really no consolation at all?
- Or The Heavenly Reward?
- How is our great “reward in heaven” (v. 23) unlike any other reward?
Application: In what ways have you been tempted to strive for the “consolation” prize of the things of this life, instead of the great “heavenly reward?”
Who and what has Jesus given us to help fight these temptations and keep our hearts and minds focused on the true “prize” of heaven that He has won for us?