The Upper Room – Week 6 (10-12-25)
The Upper Room
“Are You Surprised?”
October 5, 2025
“The World’s Blessings”
Blessed are the independent,
for they need help from no one.
Blessed are the emotionally invincible,
for pain and failure will never slow them down.
Blessed are the strong-willed and forceful,
for they always get what they want.
Blessed are the successful,
for they will be seen and admired.
Blessed are those who win at all costs,
for mercy is weakness.
Blessed are the image-conscious,
for they will be followed, liked, and admired.
Blessed are those who take sides quickly,
for they will be seen as loyal.
Blessed are the powerful,
for they can control what others do.
A better way, a counter-cultural kingdom.
THE KINGDOM’S BLESSINGS
Matthew 5:3–10
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Why would this kingdom be such a threat?
John 15:18–19
If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.
If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.
As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
“The world” —> He means any system, religious or secular, that refuses to acknowledge Christ is King.
THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT
John 15:26–16:7
When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.
They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God. They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me.
I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them.
I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you, but now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things. But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
Why promise a Helper?
JUDGMENT AS GOOD NEWS
John 16:8–11
When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:
about sin, because people do not believe in me;
about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
“Your Honor, it was far too easy to convict this wrongly accused man, and far too hard to win his freedom after proving his innocence.”
Bryan Stevenson
What’s shaping your soul more, the vine of Christ, or the voices of culture?”
A VISION OF WHAT’S REALLY TRUE
2 Kings 6:15–17
“When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning,
an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city.
‘Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?’ the servant asked.
‘Don’t be afraid,’ Elisha answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’
And Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.’
Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes,
and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”
John 16:33
“I have told you these things,” Jesus said,
“so that in Me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have overcome the world.”