Dr. John Oakes preached a sermon from the Book of Luke 4/19/15 in San Diego. The lesson focuses on how Jesus valued things that the world thinks are of little value and how he taught that the things the world values greatly are of no value in the Kingdom. It focuses principally on the Sermon on the Plain in Luke 6.

1. Luke: The Upside Down
Kingdom of God

2. What Do You Value?What Do You Value?

3. Features Unique to LukeFeatures Unique to Luke
Jesus’ concern for outsiders, the poor,Jesus’ concern for outsiders, the poor,
“sinners”, Samaritans“sinners”, Samaritans
Reversal of fortuneReversal of fortune
Emphasis on role of women in Jesus’ ministryEmphasis on role of women in Jesus’ ministry

4. Zechariah, Elizabeth and JohnZechariah, Elizabeth and John
Luke 1:6 They are upright and observant.Luke 1:6 They are upright and observant.
But… 1:7 Elizabeth was barren.But… 1:7 Elizabeth was barren.
1:18 She is “well along in years.”1:18 She is “well along in years.”
A pattern—a connection to the OT:A pattern—a connection to the OT:
Sarah/AbrahamSarah/Abraham
Rachel/Joseph (Genesis 30:22-23)Rachel/Joseph (Genesis 30:22-23)
Hannah/SamuelHannah/Samuel
Elizabeth/JohnElizabeth/John

5. Zechariah, Elizabeth and JohnZechariah, Elizabeth and John
Luke 1:19, 13 Good news!Luke 1:19, 13 Good news!
If we will be upright and observant,If we will be upright and observant,
The old will be productiveThe old will be productive
The barren will be fruitfulThe barren will be fruitful
Our disgrace will be taken away (Luke 1:25)Our disgrace will be taken away (Luke 1:25)
Q: How has/will God done these things in yourQ: How has/will God done these things in your
life?life?

6. Mary: The Favored of the LordMary: The Favored of the Lord
Facts about Mary:Facts about Mary:
1. She was very young.1. She was very young.
2. She was female.2. She was female.
3. She was poor.3. She was poor.
4. She was defenseless4. She was defenseless
and vulnerableand vulnerable

7. Mary: The Favored of the LordMary: The Favored of the Lord
What does God say about Mary? Luke 1:26-28What does God say about Mary? Luke 1:26-28
1. You are highly favored.1. You are highly favored.
2. God is with you.2. God is with you.
Why Mary? Luke 1:38 Luke 1:45 (a great memory verse)Why Mary? Luke 1:38 Luke 1:45 (a great memory verse)
Good News:Good News:
The old will be productiveThe old will be productive
The barren will be fruitfulThe barren will be fruitful
Our disgrace will be removedOur disgrace will be removed
We will be greatly favored and God will be with usWe will be greatly favored and God will be with us
If we will: Be righteous and observantIf we will: Be righteous and observant
Believe that what the Lord has said will be accomplishedBelieve that what the Lord has said will be accomplished

8. Luke and SalvationLuke and Salvation
Q: What does it mean to be saved?
Luke 1:67-79 Zechariah’s Song
v. 71 rescue from those who hate us.
v. 79 knowledge, light in darkness

9. Luke and SalvationLuke and Salvation
Luke 7:36-50
A sinful woman is saved, but a Pharisee is lost
Luke 18:18-30
A righteous rich ruler is lost, but those who give
up everything will be saved (even though they don’t
have very much)
Luke 19:5-9
The lowest of the low is saved.
Acts 4:8-12
Salvation in the name of Jesus.

10. Luke and SalvationLuke and Salvation
Acts 2:38-40 Save yourselves from this
corrupt generation.
We can save ourselves? We are saved from
the corruption of this world.
Joel Green:
Salvation embraces the totality of embodied life,
including its social, economic and political concerns.
For Luke, the God of Israel is the Great Benefactor
whose redemptive purpose is manifest in the career of
Jesus, whose message is that this benefaction enables
and inspires new ways of living in the world.

11. The Birth of JesusThe Birth of Jesus
Jesus’ birth turns everything upside down. HeJesus’ birth turns everything upside down. He
breaks all human expectations.breaks all human expectations.
Luke 1:51-53Luke 1:51-53
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
He has scattered those who are proud in theirHe has scattered those who are proud in their
inmost thoughtsinmost thoughts
He has brought down the rulers from theirHe has brought down the rulers from their
thrones but has lifted up the humblethrones but has lifted up the humble
He has filled the hungry with good thingsHe has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.but has sent the rich away empty.

12. The Birth of JesusThe Birth of Jesus
Announced to lowlyAnnounced to lowly
shepherds (Luke 2:17)shepherds (Luke 2:17)
A ministry of salvationA ministry of salvation
(Luke 2:11, 30)(Luke 2:11, 30)
A light to the GentilesA light to the Gentiles
(Luke 2:32)(Luke 2:32)
A sign spoken againstA sign spoken against
(Luke 2:34)(Luke 2:34)

13. IV. Jesus’ Galilean MinistryIV. Jesus’ Galilean Ministry
Luke 4:16-30 Jesus’ first sermonLuke 4:16-30 Jesus’ first sermon
Q: What will the message of his first sermonQ: What will the message of his first sermon
be?be?

14. Jesus Brings Good NewsJesus Brings Good News
Luke 4:18-19 Isaiah 61:1-2Luke 4:18-19 Isaiah 61:1-2
1. Good news for the poor
2. Freedom for prisoners
3. Healing for the sick.
4. Release the oppressed.
5. The favor of the Lord.
Jesus: “Today this Scripture is
fulfilled in your hearing”

15. Luke 4:31-44 Jesus fulfills Isaiah 61:1-2Luke 4:31-44 Jesus fulfills Isaiah 61:1-2
Jesus frees the prisoners (Luke 4:31-37)Jesus frees the prisoners (Luke 4:31-37)
Jesus heals the sick (Luke 4:38-44, 5:12-14,Jesus heals the sick (Luke 4:38-44, 5:12-14,
5:17-26).5:17-26).
Jesus releases the oppressed (Luke 4:41)Jesus releases the oppressed (Luke 4:41)
Jesus proclaims the Lord’s favor (Luke 4:43)Jesus proclaims the Lord’s favor (Luke 4:43)
All this is used to point to the breaking out ofAll this is used to point to the breaking out of
the Kingdom of God (Luke 4:43)the Kingdom of God (Luke 4:43)

16. Luke 5:27-32Luke 5:27-32
Jesus Calls Sinners to be His DisciplesJesus Calls Sinners to be His Disciples
Jesus calls Levi (Matthew)Jesus calls Levi (Matthew)
Who is Jesus hanging out with? TheWho is Jesus hanging out with? The
Pharisees? NO!!Pharisees? NO!!
AA crowdcrowd of tax-collectorsof tax-collectors
Luke 5:31 Good news for (those who admitLuke 5:31 Good news for (those who admit
that they are) sinners.that they are) sinners.

17. Who Will Be in the Kingdom?Who Will Be in the Kingdom?
The Poor, the Despised and the OutcastThe Poor, the Despised and the Outcast
An outsider—a Centurion—has more faith than anyone
in Israel (Luke 7:1-10)
A poor widow’s son is raised from the dead (7:11-17)
A prostitute is praised (Luke 7:36-50)
Luke 18:9-14 Parable of the Pharisee and the tax
collector
Luke 15:11-32 the Prodigal Son
Luke 19:1-10 Zacchaeus
Luke 23:39-43 Repentant thief on the cross
“Those who have been forgiven much love much and
those who think they need little forgiveness love little
(Luke 7:47)

18. The Poor are Saved Before the RichThe Poor are Saved Before the Rich
The rich fool Luke 12:13-21
Invite the poor, the lame and the blind to your
banquets. Luke 14:12-13
The Pharisees sin? They are lovers of money
Luke 16:14
The Parable of the rich man and Lazarus Luke
16:19-31

19. The Samaritans are Preferred to the JewsThe Samaritans are Preferred to the Jews
James and John rebuked for calling fire downJames and John rebuked for calling fire down
on a Samaritan village Luke 9:51-16on a Samaritan village Luke 9:51-16
The Parable of the Good Samaritan LukeThe Parable of the Good Samaritan Luke
10:29-3710:29-37
The only leper who returns to thank Jesus is aThe only leper who returns to thank Jesus is a
Samaritan Luke 17:11-19Samaritan Luke 17:11-19

20. Women Come Into the KingdomWomen Come Into the Kingdom
Before MenBefore Men
Luke lists 13 women not mentioned in the
other Gospels
Women with great faith:
Elizabeth
Mary
Ana
Widow of Nain Luke 7:12-15
Woman who anoints Jesus’ feet Luke 7:36-50

21. Jesus and Women
Women supported Jesus financially Luke 8:1-3
Woman healed of bleeding Luke 8:43-48
Mary and Martha Luke 10:38-42
Crippled woman healed on the Sabbath Luke 13:10-17
The poor widow Luke 21:1-4
Women were the chief witnesses and comforters of
Jesus at the crucifixion Luke 23:49
Women were the first to witness the resurrection Luke
23:55-24:11

22. Luke 6:17-49Luke 6:17-49
The Sermon on the Level PlaceThe Sermon on the Level Place
Luke 6: 17-49 Radical Kingdom Ethics.
Theme: In the Kingdom of God there will be a radical
kind of love and righteousness which will greatly
exceed that required by the Law of Moses.
Who is blessed in the Kingdom of God?
The poor.
The hungry.
The sorrowful.
The persecuted.
This matches Luke’s theme perfectly!
What is valuable in the Kingdom
is despised in the world

23. The Upside-down Kingdom of GodThe Upside-down Kingdom of God
6:24 the rich already have their comfort!
6:25a the well fed will go spiritually hungry
6:25b those who laugh will mourn
6:26 those well thought of will be at the bottom
6:27-36 Jesus spells out the upside-down kingdom
ethic.
Love your enemies 6:27-36
Praise those who curse you
Give to those who take from you
Luke 6:36 In doing these things you will simply be
acting like God.

24. What Do You Value?What Do You Value?