Today, we are diving into Luke chapter 6, verses 17 through 26, which is Luke's version of the Beatitudes. While Matthew covers them in more detail, our focus today is on the difference between true and false prophets. Jesus stood on level ground, symbolizing the importance of standing on sound doctrine. He had just chosen His twelve disciples and came down to teach the people how to live in their day. A large crowd gathered from all over Judea, Jerusalem, and the coastal regions to hear Him and be healed of their diseases. Power was coming from Him, and people tried to touch Him to be healed.
The first point is that Christians should stand on the level ground of sound doctrine. Jesus emphasized the importance of standing on solid ground, especially in a world that often tells us things that are not true. Isaiah 52:7 says, "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news." We must stand firm on the doctrine that says, "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." We can't tell people what they want to hear; we must stand on the truth of God's Word.
The second point is that troubled people were healed by the power of the Holy Spirit in Jesus. When Jesus came up out of the water after being baptized by John, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove. Acts 1:8 says, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you." Have you received that power? If you have opened your heart to Christ, the Holy Spirit lives inside you. We can't be on a diet when it comes to the Gospel; we need the full power of the Holy Spirit to navigate the challenges of life.
The third point is the importance of discerning true prophets from false ones. True prophets are often opposed, while false prophets are loved because they tell people what they want to hear. Jesus said, "Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets." True prophets, like Jesus, are often persecuted for standing on the truth. They are opposed because they don't conform to the self-satisfying culture.
The fourth point is that we are blessed when the world treats us like they treated Jesus. Jesus was the greatest prophet who ever lived, and He was persecuted for telling the truth. He said, "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven." We must stand firm on sound doctrine, even when the world tells us otherwise. The culture we live in wants to do what it wants and expects God to be okay with it. But we must follow our Savior and stand on the truth of God's Word.
Finally, we must be aware of the loud voices in our culture that try to lead us astray. The media, radio, television, and movies all have millions of dollars behind them to tell us what to do and what not to do. But we must listen to the voice of God and stand on solid ground. The Holy Spirit will guide us and give us the strength to do what God tells us to do. We must resist the devil, and he will flee from us. Let's honor God and live for Him, knowing that our reward is in heaven.
