February 16th, Sermon & Ministry Resources

"Living in God's Upside-Down Kingdom" Text: Luke 6:17-26

Lectionary Readings — Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany — February 16, 2025

Jeremiah 17:5-10; Psalm 1; 1 Corinthians 15:12-20; Luke 6:17-26

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Call to Worship (based on Luke 6:17-26)

Leader: Come, let us gather on level ground before our God

People: From near and far, we come seeking healing and hope

Leader: Blessed are you who are poor and hungry now

People: For God's kingdom belongs to us, and we will be filled

Leader: Blessed are you who weep in this present time

People: For our mourning will turn to laughter and joy

Leader: When people reject you because you follow Christ

People: Rejoice! For your reward in heaven is great

Leader: But let us walk humbly before our God

People: For earthly comfort and praise are fleeting rewards

Leader: Come, let us learn from our Teacher and Healer

All: We gather to worship the God who lifts up the lowly and fills the hungry with good things

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Opening Prayer (based on Jeremiah 17:5-10)

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, we gather in your presence today with hearts open to your word and your guidance. As your prophet Jeremiah reminds us, you alone can truly know and understand the depths of our hearts. We confess that we often place our trust in human wisdom and earthly powers rather than depending fully on you.

Lord, help us to recognize when we're relying on our own strength instead of yours. Give us the wisdom to root ourselves deeply in your truth and your promises. Make us like those trees planted by streams of water that Jeremiah describes – strong, steady, and continually nourished by your presence.

We lift up to you today those in our congregation who are struggling. For those facing illness, we ask for your healing touch. For those burdened by grief, we pray for your comfort. For those wrestling with doubt or fear, we ask that you would strengthen their faith. For those experiencing financial hardship, we pray for your provision. For those feeling lonely or isolated, we ask that you would surround them with your love and the support of this church family.

We ask that you would examine our hearts today. Show us where we need to grow, where we need to change, and where we need to trust you more fully. Help us to be faithful in following you, not just in our words but in our thoughts and actions as well. Guide us to be a congregation that reflects your love and care to all who enter here.

Give us discernment to recognize the difference between trusting in human strength and partnering with the gifts you've given your people. Help us to be wise stewards of both our individual talents and our collective resources as we seek to serve you and our community.

We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.

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Sermon Outline: [NOTE to Paid subscribers — scroll down for the full manuscript sermon].

[Note: All Scripture is taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.]

Sermon Outline: "Living in God’s Upside-Down Kingdom" (Luke 6:17-26)

Introduction:

• Set the scene of Jesus coming down to level ground - the significance of this positioning

• This passage introduces Luke's version of the Beatitudes - distinct from Matthew's account

• Preview: Today we'll explore how Jesus redefines blessing and success in God's kingdom

I. LOCATION Matters (vv. 17-19)

A. Jesus descends to "level ground" - symbolic significance

B. Mixed crowd of disciples and seekers

C. People came from:

• All Judea

• Jerusalem

• Coast of Tyre and Sido

D. They came for two reasons:

• To hear

• To be healed

E. Power going out from Jesus to heal

II. LACKING is Blessed (vv. 20-21)

A. The poor are blessed

• Understanding "poor" in Luke's context

• Material and spiritual implications

B. The hungry will be filled

• Physical hunger

• Spiritual hunger for righteousness

C. Those who weep will laugh

• Present sorrow

• Future joy promised

III. LOYALTY Brings Reward (vv. 22-23)

A. Persecution explained

• When people hate you

• When people exclude you

• When people revile you

• When people defame you

B. The cause: "on account of the Son of Man"

C. The response: rejoice and leap

D. The reason: great reward in heaven

E. Historical precedent: treatment of prophets

IV. LUXURY Has Its Warnings (vv. 24-26)

A. Woe to the rich

• Already received consolation

• Danger of self-sufficiency

B. Woe to the full

• Will be hungry

• Temporary vs. eternal satisfaction

C. Woe to those laughing now

• Will mourn and weep

• False security

D. Woe to those well spoken of

• Connection to false prophets

• Danger of seeking human approval

Conclusion:

A. God's kingdom operates differently than worldly kingdoms

B. Current circumstances don't define ultimate blessing

C. Challenge to live according to kingdom values

D. Call to examine our own positions, privileges, and priorities

Full Manuscript Sermon Below for Paid Subscribers