Tyler Briggs continues our series “Journey Through Galilee,” this time sitting with Christ as he redefines the world’s perception of what it means to leave the real blessed life.  Through seven verses, Jesus lays out eight points for us, giving us a depiction of being in a favorable position before the Lord.

Tyler’s Main Points:

1) Those who know their need for Christ are blessed.

2) Those who hunger for holiness will eventually be eternally satisfied.

3) Those who mourn sin now will find joy in heaven.

4) Those who follow Christ will not be accepted by those who do not.

5) Those who find their comfort in the world will not know eternal comfort.

6) Those who find themselves satisfied by the world will be eternally hungry.

7) Those who embrace sin now will mourn in eternity.

8) Those who are accepted by those who hate Christ are not in favor with Christ.

Key Takeaways:

• Being “blessed” means being in a favorable position before God.

• Conversely, “woe” is an expression of pity towards those that are in an unfavorable position before God.

• Jesus uses this message to flip the perspective of the world upside down.
  • The culture Jesus’ encountered believed wealth was an expression of God’s favor towards an individual.
  • The religious culture found salvation in the religious activity rather than through repentance.

• The Bible does not:
  • Glorify poverty
  • Demonize wealth
  • But materialism can be a hinderance to knowing the Lord

• Jesus speaks to two forms of “wealth” in these verses:
  • “Wealth righteousness,” wealth becoming their God and measurement of their holiness.
  • Wealth in spirituality, feeling as though we are righteous of our own accord and not in need of salvation.

• Followers of Christ should hate sin.
  • We mourn it when we experience it.
  • We know there will be an eventual world with no sin.

• Christians are called to be hungry for:
  • Imputed righteousness (righteousness through the Holy Spirit)
  • Sanctification (the process of God refining us to produce fruit)

• Walking in the blessed life is marked by persecution.

• Disciples are not called to “settle into this world,” but rather, disciples are called to be uncomfortable.

• True revival begins with mourning over sin and moves into repentance.

• Those who are popular with the ungodly should be pitied.

Discussion Questions/Application

Personal Application:

• Do you find yourself hungry for sanctification or satisfied with your spiritual condition?

• Where in your life do you find yourself dependent upon your “wealth” instead of Christ?

• Are you crushed by your sins and mourning over it or tolerating it?

Discuss with your Community Group:

• Take a minute and ask, where does your community group see “wealth” in your life?  Is it where you saw it when you took an inventory of your own?

• How can we best love the ungodly who hate us and point them to Christ?

• Are we comfortable being uncomfortable or are we seeking to settle into the world?

Passages Referenced

Luke 6:20-26, Proverbs 30:8-9, Matthew 5:3, Luke 18:3, Psalm 42:1-2, Psalm 63:1-5, 2 Corinthians 7:9-10, Luke 18:11-12, Revelation 3:17.

Worship Set List

King of Glory, You’ve Already Won, Thank You Jesus for the Blood, Behold the Lamb, Build My Life