Tag: Upside Down Kingdom

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The Least is Great

Summary of my sermon, based on Luke 9:43b-50. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on November 10, 2024.

In Asian dramas, especially Korean and Japanese ones, a powerful scene often plays out: a chairman or politician arrives, and employees line up, bowing in reverence. The greater the person’s importance, the larger the crowd bowing. It’s a striking display of honor that mirrors how societies worldwide esteem power, wealth, or status. Many aspire to such honor, imagining what it would feel like to be on the receiving end of such reverence. Yet, as believers in Christ, we know this pursuit of worldly greatness is not the way of Jesus.

In Luke 9:43-45, the disciples witness Jesus’ astounding power. After casting out a demon that others couldn’t, “they were all marveling at everything he was doing” (Luke 9:43, ESV). Amid the crowd’s awe, Jesus speaks to his disciples, saying, “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men” (Luke 9:44, ESV). The people marvel at Jesus, yet the same people would soon betray Him. This contrast between marveling and betrayal is profound.

Even today, many, like Jordan Peterson, admire Jesus’ teachings for their practical wisdom but stop short of recognizing Him as Lord. They see Jesus as useful for human flourishing, not as the Savior who delivers us through His suffering and death. This was also the disciples’ struggle—they expected a conquering Messiah to overthrow Rome, not a servant who would suffer and die. They failed to understand that Jesus was ushering in a kingdom not built on worldly power but on humility and sacrificial love.

Jesus confronts their misunderstanding with a powerful lesson. As the disciples argue about who among them is the greatest—a debate laced with irony given their recent failures—Jesus places a child by His side and says, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great” (Luke 9:48, ESV). In their culture, children symbolized the lowest, most dependent members of society. By elevating the least, Jesus flips worldly ideas of greatness upside down.

This countercultural view of greatness challenges our sinful nature. We instinctively seek to elevate ourselves, replaying arguments in our minds where we always emerge victorious. At the heart of sin is “I,” our desire to make much of ourselves. But the gospel calls us to something radically different. Philippians 2:5-8 reminds us of Christ, who, “though he was in the form of God… emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant… He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (ESV). True greatness is found in humility and service, modeled perfectly by Jesus.

How do we combat our self-centeredness? By making much of Christ. As John the Baptist said, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30, ESV). Greatness in God’s kingdom is not about demanding others bow to us but bowing in humility before God and serving others in love.

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Overcoming Doubt

Summary of my sermon, based on Luke 7:18-35. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on July 14, 2024.

Joshua Harris’s journey is a cautionary tale that many in the Christian community are familiar with. Once a leading figure in the purity movement, Harris became a pastor and authored books that shaped a generation’s views on relationships. But his life took unexpected turns. In 2018, Harris apologized for his earlier teachings, divorced his wife in 2019, and declared he no longer considered himself a Christian. Reflecting on his journey, Harris shared on Instagram, “I used to have all the answers—chapter and verse. Now I’m happily uncertain and enjoying the wonder and mystery of life.”

This shift reveals an underlying issue: the danger of certainty without room for doubt. Harris’s story serves as a backdrop to the main topic of our discussion today—how doubt can play a role in our faith journey.

As we journey through the Gospel of Luke, we’ve seen Jesus preach the “Upside Down Kingdom,” where the poor are blessed, enemies are loved, and cheeks are turned instead of retaliating. This kingdom, as preached in the Sermon on the Plain, turns conventional wisdom on its head. Now, as we move into Luke chapter 7, Jesus demonstrates this kingdom’s principles through his interactions with people who were often seen as outsiders.

One of these encounters is with a Roman centurion who sought healing for his servant (Luke 7:1-10). Then, Jesus raises a widow’s son from the dead, causing a stir throughout the region (Luke 7:11-17). Word of these miracles even reaches John the Baptist, leading to a moment of doubt that is the focus of our passage today.

Luke 7:18-20 tells us, “The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’”

At first glance, this question might seem like a simple request for confirmation. But it reveals a deeper struggle within John—a doubt about Jesus’ identity as the Messiah.

To understand this doubt, we need to consider John’s life. From birth, John was set apart for a special mission. An angel had told his father, Zechariah, that John would “be great before the Lord… and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God” (Luke 1:14-16). John embraced this mission, calling people to repentance and baptizing them in preparation for the Messiah’s arrival.

When Jesus finally appeared, John recognized him as the one he had been waiting for. But after boldly confronting Herod Antipas about his immoral behavior, John found himself in prison. Meanwhile, Jesus, the Messiah John had proclaimed, seemed to be allowing evil to persist, and John remained in jail. This wasn’t the messianic overthrow of evil John had expected. Doubt crept in, leading him to ask, “Shall we look for another?”

Many of us have experienced similar moments of doubt. We look at the world around us and see evil flourishing, or we face personal tragedies that shake our faith. Doubt is often met with shame, either self-imposed or from others. But the Bible shows us that God allows room for doubt. Sarah doubted when God promised her a child in her old age (Genesis 18:12). Moses doubted his ability to lead Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 4:10). Even Elijah, after a great victory, doubted when Jezebel threatened his life (1 Kings 19:3-4).

In the New Testament, we see that Jesus’ own family thought he was out of his mind, his disciples abandoned him, Peter denied him, and Thomas refused to believe in the resurrection without physical proof. Doubt is a natural part of the faith journey, and it’s something that even the most faithful figures in the Bible have experienced.

Jesus doesn’t rebuke John for his doubts. Instead, he responds in a way that reassures him. Luke 7:21-23 records, “In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight.” Then Jesus tells John’s disciples, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

Jesus reminds John of the prophecies from Isaiah, showing him that the Messiah’s work is being fulfilled. This is a powerful validation of who Jesus is and an encouragement for John to hold on to his faith.

In our moments of doubt, we should remember that we are in good company. Like John the Baptist, our doubts do not disqualify us from God’s love or from being used by Him. Instead, we are invited to bring our doubts to Jesus, who reassures us with His actions and His words.

As we navigate the Upside Down Kingdom, may we hold fast to our faith, even in the face of uncertainty, and trust that God is at work, even when we can’t see it.

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The Widow’s Son

Summary of my sermon, based on Luke 7:11-16. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on June 16, 2024.

In our journey through the Gospel of Luke, we’ve been exploring a series of messages that reveal the heart of Jesus and the principles of His Kingdom. These teachings, often referred to as the “Upside-Down Kingdom,” challenge the world’s expectations, flipping conventional wisdom on its head. Jesus’ sermon on the plain, which echoes the more famous Sermon on the Mount, is filled with teachings that call us to live in ways that seem contrary to our natural inclinations—blessing the poor, loving our enemies, and turning the other cheek.

This theme of an upside-down Kingdom is not just limited to His teachings but is also vividly demonstrated in His interactions with those who were often considered outsiders. One such instance occurs in Luke 7:1-10, where Jesus encounters a Roman centurion seeking healing for his servant. The centurion, a representative of the very empire oppressing the Jews, demonstrates a faith that amazes even Jesus. This story sets the stage for the next encounter, which takes place in a small, insignificant village called Nain.

The Village of Nain: A Scene of Sorrow

In Luke 7:11-12, we find Jesus entering Nain, a small village about 10 kilometers southeast of Nazareth. This village was so small that it likely had only a few hundred inhabitants. Jesus, perhaps just passing through, encounters a funeral procession at the town gate. The scene is one of profound sorrow: a widow is burying her only son. The text emphasizes her plight, saying, “As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her” (Luke 7:12, ESV).

This verse is often considered one of the most tragic in the Bible. The loss of a child is a sorrow that few can comprehend, and for this widow, the pain is compounded by the fact that she has already buried her husband. In the ancient world, a woman without a husband or son would face economic destitution, relying entirely on male relatives for her livelihood. This widow, now bereft of both her husband and her only son, faces an uncertain and bleak future.

The Compassion of Jesus

As the funeral procession moves forward, Jesus sees the widow and is moved with compassion. Luke 7:13-15 records, “And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, ‘Young man, I say to you, arise.’ And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother” (ESV).

What is striking about this passage is how focused Jesus is on the widow. Despite the considerable crowd and the commotion of the funeral, Jesus zeroes in on her suffering. He doesn’t just observe; He acts. His compassion moves Him to intervene in a way that changes everything for this woman. In the grand scheme of Jesus’ mission, one might wonder what difference this miracle made. But this is precisely the point—Jesus’ ministry is not just about grand, world-changing events; it’s also about the individual, the marginalized, and the forgotten.

Jesus’ actions in Nain remind us that He is deeply compassionate, entering into our grief and suffering. This compassion is not just a response to the widow’s sorrow but a reflection of the Father’s heart. Jesus makes it clear that His actions are a direct expression of the Father’s will, saying in John 14:9-10, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?” (ESV).

Our Confidence in Christ’s Compassion

The compassion of Christ is a source of immense comfort for us. He understands our pain, and because of this, we can approach Him with confidence, knowing that He will meet us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16 encourages us with these words: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (ESV).

This assurance is beautifully captured in Matthew 11:28-29, where Jesus invites us, saying, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (ESV).

As we reflect on the compassion of Christ, especially on a day like Father’s Day, we are reminded that this compassion is a reflection of the Father’s love for us. Psalm 103:13-14 declares, “As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust” (ESV).

May we, in turn, be moved by this same compassion in our own lives, reaching out to those who are hurting, just as Jesus did.

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The Centurion’s Servant

Summary of my sermon, based on Luke 7:1-10. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on May 19, 2024.

In a recent incident from Rochester, New York, a District Attorney named Sandra Doorley found herself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. While driving 55 miles per hour in a 35-mile zone, Doorley was pulled over by a police officer. However, instead of stopping, she continued driving until she reached her home, where the officer confronted her. Doorley, known for her role as a government lawyer prosecuting crimes, refused to comply with the officer’s orders. The situation escalated when she called the town’s police chief, further complicating matters.

This incident quickly sparked controversy, with local and state officials expressing concern over Doorley’s behavior. Her actions were widely criticized as a potential abuse of authority, a stark reminder of how power can sometimes lead to a sense of entitlement. In moments like these, one might ask, “Do you know who I am?” This question, often associated with those in positions of power, serves as a fitting backdrop for the scripture passage we’ll explore today.

As we delve into the Gospel of Luke, we begin a new sermon series here at GCF Toronto, focusing on the concept of the “Upside Down Kingdom.” Previously, we examined Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain, where He taught about living and acting as His disciples. In this sermon, Jesus flipped the world’s expectations upside down: the poor are blessed, enemies are to be loved, and when struck, we are to turn the other cheek. These teachings introduced us to the idea of the “Upside Down Kingdom,” where conventional wisdom is turned on its head.

Today, we see this principle in action as Jesus interacts with those who would typically be considered outsiders. Our story begins with an unusual outsider—a Roman Centurion.

Luke 7:1–2 introduces us to this Centurion: “After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him.” The Centurion, a Roman officer in charge of about 100 soldiers, was a figure of authority and power. In our modern context, this might seem insignificant, but in the ancient world, his position was one of considerable influence.

At the peak of the Roman Empire, the army was dispersed across vast territories, and officers like the Centurion had not only military command but also administrative authority over the areas they were stationed. This Centurion, stationed in Capernaum, had developed a strong relationship with the Jewish elders in the region, which becomes evident in their plea to Jesus.

Luke 7:3–5 tells us, “When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, ‘He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.'” The fact that these Jewish elders advocated for a Roman officer, despite their general resentment toward the Romans, speaks volumes about the Centurion’s character.

But even more telling is the Centurion’s attitude toward his dying servant. In Luke 7:2–3, we learn that the Centurion’s servant, better understood as his slave (δοῦλος in Greek), was highly valued by him. The term “valued” here is translated from ἔντιμος, meaning highly regarded, honored, or respected. This wasn’t just any slave; this was someone the Centurion deeply cared for, enough to seek out Jesus for healing.

The Centurion’s desperation reminds me of the story of Andy Kaufman, a comedian who, after being diagnosed with lung cancer, sought out various treatments in vain. His desperation led him to the Philippines, where he sought a fake “psychic surgeon” in a last-ditch effort to be cured. This desperate search for healing mirrors the Centurion’s own situation. However, unlike Kaufman, the Centurion sought out someone real—Jesus, who has the power over life and death.

As Jesus approaches the Centurion’s home, something remarkable happens. In Luke 7:6–7, we read, “And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, ‘Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed.'” The Centurion, despite his authority, recognizes his unworthiness before Jesus. He understands that Jesus doesn’t even need to be physically present to heal his servant.

In Luke 7:8, the Centurion explains, “For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” The Centurion’s understanding of authority allows him to grasp something that even Jesus’ closest followers had not yet fully understood—Jesus’ authority transcends physical presence.

Jesus is so impressed by the Centurion’s faith that He declares in Luke 7:9, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” The Centurion, a Gentile and Roman officer, demonstrates a faith that surpasses even that of the people of Israel.

This Centurion knew who he truly was in the presence of Jesus, and this recognition led him to a profound faith. In contrast to the earlier story of Sandra Doorley, who relied on her position of power, the Centurion humbled himself before the true authority of Christ.

As we reflect on this passage, let us remember who we are in Christ. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds us, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” In Christ, we find our true identity, one that is not based on our own authority or accomplishments, but on His grace and power.