God’s Kingdom (Luke #23)

Text: Luke 6:20-26

Kingdoms in conflict

  • The LORD is contrasting this present evil world with the world to come.
  • At this point, Luke begins to get into the authoritative teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ. The teaching deals with the coming kingdom. Now, get this. If you have eternal life, you aren’t GOING to a kingdom up there. Jesus Christ is bringing a kingdom here. All of God’s people end up on this earth. There is no Jews have an earthly kingdom and Gentiles have a heavenly kingdom. That’s not Bible. Paul said Jesus Christ would judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom (2 Timothy 4:1).

Kingdom values

  • Blessed are the poor (in spirit…) (vs 20)
    • Just think of the poor as needy. You don’t need any more carnal motivation, what you need is spiritual motivation and energy.
    • Isaiah 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
    • Psalm 34:18
  • Blessed are they which do hunger now (and thirst after righteousness…) (vs 21)
    • Appetite for God’s righteousness shall be filled.
    • Matthew 5:17 coupled with Romans 3:21-26.
  • Blessed are ye that weep now… (vs 21)
    • Ezekiel 9:4 someone burdened by sin
    • The crying is sorrow for sin. O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death!
  • Blessed are ye when men shall hate you… (vs 22)
    • Hate is here defined as separating themselves from you. They don’t want to be around you anymore.
    • This is how the prophets were treated with disdain.
    • Explained further in John 14-16
  • Warnings from God’s kingdom
    • Woe to the rich who have need of nothing. You’ve already been rewarded with what you were looking for. Jesus said to some people in a church one time you’re rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing.
    • Woe to the full and have no appetite for the righteousness of God.
    • Woe to you that laugh when you should be mourning.
    • Woe unto you when men will praise you like they did the false prophets.

Rewards in the coming kingdom

  • This present world really has nothing lasting to offer. Everything in it that is a part of it will eventually fade away. But this isn’t the world God’s people are a part of.
  • Mark 10:29-30 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, 30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
  • A great reward in heaven in verse 23? Why Heaven?
    • Yes, until the Lord returns with the reward.
    • Paul said it this way to Gentile believers, Colossians 3:1-5
    • Jesus said later on, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
    • John 14:1-3 I go and prepare a place for you… I will come again
  • The Lord Jesus Christ is speaking about his coming kingdom and the only way you’ll invest in that kingdom is if you actually believe Jesus Christ is a rewarder, Hebrews 11:6.