Luke 6:20-26 (English Standard Version) 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. 

I. The Blessed (vs. 20-23)

A. Blessed are the ___________________________________  (vs. 20)

Matthew 5:3 (ESV) “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Experiencing The Blessing

1. Reduced _____________________________________________

1 Peter 5:5-7 (ESV) ⁵ Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” ⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, ⁷ casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.  

2. Improved____________________________________________

Philippians 2:3-8 (ESV) ³ Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. ⁴ Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵ Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, ⁸ he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  

3. Increased_____________________________________________

James 4:6 (ESV) But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

B. Blessed are those who_____________________________ (vs. 21a) 

Matthew 5:6 (ESV) “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Psalm 37:4 (ESV) Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Experiencing The Blessing

1. Recognize my real_______________________________________

Deuteronomy 8:3 (ESV) And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

2. Stop eating____________________________________________

Isaiah 55:1-2 (ESV) ¹ “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. ² Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.

3. Feed on______________________________________________

John 6:35 (ESV) Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

C. Blessed are those who_____________________________ (vs. 21b)

Matthew 5:4 (ESV) “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.             

Experiencing The Blessing

1.  Realize God is_________________________________________

Psalm 34:18 (ESV) The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.  

2. _____________________________________________ the hurt.

Psalm 55:22 (ESV) Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. 

3. Rely upon God’s_______________________________________

2 Corinthians 1:3 (ESV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

D. Blessed are those who are_________________________ (vs. 22-23)

Matthew 5:10-12 (ESV) ¹⁰ “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹ “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Experiencing The Blessing

1. _________________________________________  the real source.

Ephesians 6:12 (ESV) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 

2. ____________________________________________ to retaliate.

Romans 12:17-19 (ESV) ¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. ¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. ¹⁹ Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

3. Respond ____________________________________________ .

Romans 12:21 (ESV) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.       

II. “The Cursed” (vs. 24-26)

A. Cursed are those who are ___________________________ (vs. 24)

Revelation 3:17 (ESV) For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

1 Timothy 6:17 (ESV) As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.

B. Cursed are those who are __________________________ . (vs. 25a)

C. Cursed are those who ____________________________ . (vs. 25b)

D. Cursed are those who are __________________________ . (vs. 26)

III. The Examine (2 Corinthians 13:5)

2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV) Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!