Heaven's Perspective

Introduction: Imagine your dream life. What does it look like?

Most descriptions would include ideal environments, the best possessions, the right people who love us and spectacular accomplishments.

Early in His ministry Jesus gives His new disciples a radical description of life in the kingdom of God. This sermon is recorded in both Matthew and Luke and is usually referred to as the Sermon on the mount (Luke describes the location a plain)

Setting:

Luke 6:12–19 NIV

One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was 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. 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.

Jesus spent a night in prayer before selecting His 12 apostles

Jesus was followed by a large enthusiastic crowd

Jesus was healing physical and spiritual maladies

The people sensed power coming from Jesus

Jesus reveals a heavenly perspective of Trials

Poverty of spirit is a prelude to the kingdom of God

Luke 6:20 NIV

Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

Poverty is not spiritual and wealth is not evil. What Jesus is describing is the realization of our bankrupt spiritual condition.

Spiritual Hunger is a prelude to real satisfaction

Luke 6:21 NIV

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

Example:Planned Famine

Hunger is a singular focus on fulfilling this need

Sorrow is temporary

Luke 6:21 NIV

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

Matthew 5:4 NIV

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Paul had a proper perspective on his trials

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 NIV

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Paul’s trials were far from what we might consider light and momentary

2 Corinthians 11:23–29 “Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?”

Persecution is expected by the faithful and will be rewarded

Luke 6:22–23 NIV

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. “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.

Matthew 5:10–12 NIV

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Persecution must be for the cause of Christ and not our evil behavior

There will be reward in the kingdom

This is not new or unexpected

Jesus reveals a heavenly perspective of earthly success

Wealth does not guarantee comfort

Luke 6:24 NIV

“But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.

Abundance does not ensure Satisfaction

Luke 6:25 NIV

Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.

Pleasure doesn’t last

Luke 6:25 NIV

Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.

Popularity does not ensure you are right!

Luke 6:26 NIV

Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.

The false prophets were popular while the true prophets were persecuted

Adopting a Heavenly Perspective

Don’t measure your life by earthly standards

Don’t be afraid to suffer

Be passionate about the kingdom

This is not just for Pastors - All of the apostles were lay people!