Let me Level with You

Service Notes

Give out the Missions Conference Booklets

Kason and Bethany Bloom

WBTS / Amber Taube here

4:30 Volunteers Meeting

Choir Practice

VBI & AWANA off to strong start

Luke 6:12–23 (AV)

12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; 14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, 15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, 16 And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor. 17 And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; 18 And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. 19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. 20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. 22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. 23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

Introduction

Sermon on the Plain/Mount

Luke 6:17 (AV)

17 And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;

Now Matthew spends three chapters recording for us the Sermon on the Mount. Luke's version is a little bit shorter; then he’ll disperse some of the other material elsewhere in his gospel.

Cofield Notes

But the bit that we're going to read today and meditate upon today is directly connected, to the calling of the disciples.

His aim is to explain to them what He is calling them to — what kind of life He is calling them to. It's an act of full disclosure.

Jesus shows a true happiness, not from denial of facts, but a theology that supports rejoicing in the midst of great sorrow.

Jesus calling of the 12

Choosing of the Twelve

Prayed through the night

Luke 6:12 (AV)

12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

Many other disciples following as well

Luke 6:13 (AV)

13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;

There were 12 disciples Jesus called to help him

Simon, Peter, Andrew, james and his brother John

Philip, Thomas, Matthew, James the son of Alphaues

Thadeous, Simon, Judas, & bartholemew

He has called us to

we are his disciples

I am one and you are too

We his work we must do

Common Men

Common occupations

Four of them were fishermen. 

One of them was a tax collector. 

One turned out to be a traitor.

No religious leaders

John 1:11 (AV)

11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

God answers this question

1 Corinthians 1:20 (AV)

20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

Paul urged Corinthian church to look around and survey their congregation

1 Corinthians 1:26 (AV)

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

We must love that this is the way that God has chosen to work

Genesis 48:17 (AV)

17 And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father’s hand, to remove it from Ephraim’s head unto Manasseh’s head.

Purpose is for God to show Himself strong

2 Chronicles 16:9 (AV)

9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

Disciples struggled to understand

Mark 7:18 (AV)

18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;

Lacked humility

Mark 9:34 (AV)

34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.

James and John were called the Sons of Thunder

Even toward the end they struggled with faith

Mark 4:40 (AV)

40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

Jesus was always having to teach them.

UnCommon Calling

Commemorating on the foundation of Heaven.

Revelation 21:14 (AV)

14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Special Role in the Millennial Kingdom

Matthew 19:27–28 (AV)

27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? 28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

They will be named apostles

Luke 6:13 (AV)

13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;

Jesus will be spending time with them and sent out

Mark 3:14 (AV)

14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,

They will be given power and sent out.

Luke 9:1 (AV)

1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

This group of fishermen will be used to create the foundation for what we know today

Ephesians 2:20 (AV)

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Early teachers of the church

Ephesians 4:11 (AV)

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Example for believers to follow

Ephesians 3:5 (AV)

5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

Lacked commitment

Mark 14:49–50 (AV)

49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled. 50 And they all forsook him, and fled.

We would have chosen someone else. But God chose these common men for this uncommon task.

We are a testimony of the fact they changed the world. Why?

Acts 4:13 (AV)

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

You need to get this.

Bring up Thatcher & some others

Luke 6:20 (AV)

20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

They are hearing it for the first time

Luke 6:21–23 (AV)

21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. 22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. 23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

Jesus tells them what they will face and they do face them.

poverty

weeping

be hated

loneliness

reproach

Distinctive marks of His followers will be different

Different kind of disciples

What they were seeing.

fellowship with the outcast

fasting

Sabbath

What they are learning

not just view of fasting or Sabbath is wrong but something fundamental to their lives; happiness

Called to a hard path to be hated

It is hot but at least it is humid

Hated by many

Luke 6:22 (AV)

22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.

As we are made more like Christ the more we will be hated

John 15:18 (AV)

18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

You probably have Matthew 11:28 underlined in your Bible

Matthew 11:28 (AV)

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

But probably not Matthew 10:17 even though it is in the same book

Matthew 10:17 (AV)

17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

It saddens and convicts me to think that there may be aspects of my life that our loved by this world that should be hated.

How is this happiness?

This is one of the great wonders of Christianity.

Luke 6:20 (AV)

20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

It is how the poor can be generous.

2 Corinthians 8:1–2 (AV)

1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

How parents can make it through the loss of a child.

He (God) was all we had when we had son... He is all we have now that he has our son.

Jesus wants His followers to have true joy.

John 15:11 (AV)

11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Jesus is reminding them they are built for this!

Greg gave kids a shirt that said “Built different.”

This is wisdom from God for today

Wisdom from God produces humility in man; wisdom from the world produces pride in man.

The beatitudes outline for us a life of wisdom. Look at the parallels.

James 3:17 (AV)

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Wisdom that answers the critics

God is give us wisdom from above that is greater than the fleshy wisdom the world offers. Listen and follow Him regardless of the cost.

The Corinthian Christians had become cynical, like the world we live in.

They believed that everyone had bad motives and was out for personal gain and power. They didn’t trust Paul because they were cynical.

2 Corinthians 1:12 (AV)

12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

Paul said three things about his testimony of conscience.

(1) It was with a singleness of heart.

(2) His conduct was in sincerity of purpose that could stand the closest scrutiny.

(3) His conduct was not in keeping with worldly wisdom.

Do you see what Jesus is doing in these Beatitudes? He is preparing them for the life He has called them to live.

Promises for now and for later

Those who weep will laugh

Luke 6:21 (AV)

21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.

In Heaven

Revelation 21:4 (AV)

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Be exceeding glad now

Matthew 5:11–12 (AV)

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

For the Son of man’s sake

Luke 6:22 (AV)

22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.

What you treasure most is going to set you apart from the world around you.

No dietary laws

not Sabbath rules

But the fact you have been with me

So let me explain it to you this way,

You are going to be blessed, even when you are poor, because you understand that I am the only real treasure.

You’re going to be blessed, even when you’re hungry, because you understand that I am the bread of life.

You’re going to be blessed, even when you are weeping, because you know that I came to bring joy inexpressible and fully of glory.

You’re going to be blessed, even when you are friendless, because I am the friend of sinners, and I will never leave you or forsake you.

You’re going to be blessed, even when you are persecuted for My sake, because frankly, I'm worth it.”

We know how to be abased and abound because we know HE IS WORTHY!

Philippians 4:12 (AV)

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Jump at this opportunity

Luke 6:23 (AV)

23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

There is only one proper response to this invitation. Leap for joy!

Story of Richard Wurmbrandt

I remember my last Confirmation class before I left Romania. I took a group of ten to fifteen boys and girls on a Sunday morning, not to a church, but to the zoo. Before the cage of lions I told them, “Your forefathers in faith were thrown before such wild beasts for their faith. Know that you also will have to suffer. You will not be thrown before lions, but you will have to do with men who would be much worse than lions. Decide here and now if you wish to pledge allegiance to Christ.” They had tears in their eyes when they said yes.

Believers

The greatest thing you can ever do for your unbelieving friends is recognize what you have found in Christ is far greater than anything they have found in this world.

Unbeliever

The greatest thing you will do today is to hear about the hard and hated path that Jesus has invited you to join Him on and leap with joy and do so.