The Blueprint
Text: Luke 6:20-26,
Key verse: verse 22 “For The Son Of Man’s Sake”

CENTRAL EMPHASIS: Deeper knowledge and experiencing the truth is vital in transforming our character to influence the present culture for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. 
If Christians are going to carry the life giving message (gospel) to the world, we must first understand it and live it seriously.

• Our Life Is To Be Ordered By Divine Principles (vv. 20-23)
  20 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.
  
  • THE TRUE BLESSING is
    
    • Realizing our greatest need is GOD
    • Showing total reliance and dependence on GOD
    • Satisfaction in GOD
    • Suffering on account of Christ
  • SIN OF SYNCRETISM
    • SYNCRETISM: the combination of different forms of belief and practice.
      • “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.” –Hosea 4:6
  • PRINCIPLES
    • Salvation is a sovereign act of God.
    • God wanted us to function in a Christlike manner drawing knowledge from the Scriptures.
    • God will first build us a character that is capable of handling His assignment.
  • APPLICATION
    • I will repent and ask for forgiveness for neglecting the greatest blessing God has given to me- SALVATION IN CHRIST
    • I will diligently study the Scripture to know the mind of Christ
    • I will let my life govern by the Word of God
•  Our Life Is God’s Instrument For Transforming Our Culture (vv. 21-23)
  21b“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.
  • Christianity in a postmodernist world:
    • POSTMODERNISM- rejects any notion of universal truth
      • All viewpoints, all lifestyles, all beliefs, and behaviors are regarded as equally valid.
        READ 2 COR. 4:1-6
  • WHAT LED THESE DISCIPLES TO RISK THEIR LIVES TO BE MARTYRED:
    • They embraced their calling
    • They are faithful in fulfilling the Great Commission
    • They were eye witnesses of the Resurrection
    • They were compelled by the Truth
    • Their supreme ambition is to share in His suffering, becoming like Him in his death (Phil. 3:10, 2 Tim. 2:11-13)
  • PRINCIPLES
    • There is only one truth worthy of suffering
    • Allegiance to Jesus produces hatred (John 15: 18-25)
    • The gospel is of first importance
  • APPLICATION
    • I will not be ashamed of the gospel-I will share the Word of God starting _________.
• Our Life Is To Be Marked By Contentment (vv. 24-26)
  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. 
  
  • The Sin of Covetousness
    • Through covetousness man will worship and serve the creation more than the Creator (Romans 1:25)
    • Covetousness fills a man with the lust of the eyes (1 John 2:16).
    • Proper perspective of material possession (1 Tim. 6:6-10)  
  • PRINCIPLES
    • Pursuit of material things is opposed to the pursuit of heaven
    • If you are more satisfied with the applause of the world than with God, remember that everything is meaningless without Him
  • APPLICATION
    • I will set my heart and treasures for the work of the Lord.
    • I will honor God by faithfully giving my tithes and offering