Monday, August 20, 2007

Following Jesus in Our Relationships, Part III, Luke 6:37-49, August 19, 2007

Following Jesus In Our Relationships III - Luke 6:37-49

Hillcrest Church, August 19, 2007

Text (Luke 6:27-49)

" ³⁷"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. ³⁸Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." ³⁹He also told them this parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? ⁴⁰A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher. ⁴¹"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴²How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. ⁴³"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. ⁴⁴Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. ⁴⁵The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. ⁴⁶"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? ⁴⁷I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. ⁴⁸He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. ⁴⁹But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete." " (Luke 6:37-49, NIV)

Introduction

In the first two messages in this series, dealing with what it means to follow Jesus in our relationships, we learned four important principles:

· Godly relationships are providential, not accidental. (vs. 12-15)

· Godly relationships prioritize His purposes more than our comfort. (vs. 16-19)

· Godly relationships will always be at odds with an ungodly world. (vs. 20-26)

· Godly relationships require doing right, even in the face of wrong (vs. 27-38)

Loving, not hating – doing good to those who hate you (vs. 27)

Blessing, not cursing – praying for those who mistreat you (vs. 28) literally, "good wording…"

Yielding, not resisting – turning cheek, giving tunic as well as cloak (vs. 29)

Giving, not getting – give to everyone that asks you and do not demand it back (vs. 30), give and it will be given unto you (vs. 38)

Acting, not reacting – Do unto others as you would have them do unto you and whether or not they will do good unto you…! (proactive, not reactive) (vs. 31-34)

Forgiving, not avenging – love your enemies and lend to them, expecting nothing in return (vs. 35); do not judge and you will not be judged, do not condemn and you will not be condemned (vs. 37)

Governed by grace, not grounded in law – be like your Father who is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked; be merciful like He is merciful…! (vs. 36)

In essence, we should not only treat others the way we want them to treat us, but we should treat others the way we want God to treat us…because He will treat us the way we treat others…!

Today, we want to learn four more principles of how to walk in godly relationships…

1. Godly relationships are grounded in honesty, respect, and humility. (vs. 39-42)

· HONESTY – can a blind man lead a blind man? (vs. 39)

"³⁹He also told them this parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?" (Luke 6:39, NIV)

We must be honest with ourselves and with others in order to effectively lead them.

We must be able to see where we are going in order to guide others…! We must learn the truth ourselves before we can teach others into the truth. We can never effectively take people where we have never been. Leadership vs. coaching)

Ø Leading With a Limp (Dan B. Allender) – All leaders limp. Wise leaders bring people around them who can help them where they limp. People will follow a leader who limps if that leader acknowledges that he/she limps!

Honesty is part of transparency and transparency is necessary for intimacy.

Where there is no transparency, there can be no intimacy, and where there is no intimacy, there can be no true relationship.

"³For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. ⁴Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." (Romans 12:3-5, NIV)

New Living Translation - Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, ^{^[1]}

This honesty with ourselves must extend to our relationships with others. We must be truthful with them about who we really are and about the way we perceive them to really be. Remember: The truth should always be spoken in love…!

"¹⁵… speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ." (Ephesians 4:15, NIV)

We must speak the truth with a loving (redemptive) motive; with a loving attitude (spirit); and in a loving way…! When we speak in anger, it is very difficult to speak in love, so it is much better to not speak until we are not angry…!

"Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?"

· RESPECT – he student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.

Honesty about our own limited knowledge gives us respect for those who have knowledge. In Jesus' day, students did not have access to books, much less the internet. Teachers incarnated truth, were themselves a vast repository of information. In order to learn, one needed to approach the teacher with an attitude of respect. Students were even taught to call their teachers, "Master," as an exercise to helping them adopt a posture of humility toward their instructor.

"It's what you learn after you know it all that really counts!" (Kenneth Brand)

In the Old Testament, those who learned much from great mentors often adopted a posture of faithful service toward those mentors (Elisha poured water on the hands of Elijah. His relationship with the aged prophet was such that even his peers recognized that Elijah was his master on the day he was taken to heaven in a fiery chariot…!)

Ø Ask yourself the question, "Who is God giving me to that I might serve them and help them become everything God has destined them to be so they might maximize their contribution to His Kingdom?"

Now, I do not claim to be an Elijah, and I am not asking for someone to pour water on my hands, but I can tell you that, as a minister, I find it is very, very difficult to impact people who do not respect the office and anointing God has given me. Part of wisdom as a leader is learning to recognize/discern/perceive the level of influence you have in the lives of others (John leaning on Jesus' breast)

cf. John Bevere's message at WME on "Honor"…!

Ø The best place in life to begin learning the lesson of honor is at home with your parents…! (Command to honor parents found eight times in Scripture…!)

" Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ²"Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— ³"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." ⁴Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:1-4, NIV)

This need for respect cuts both ways…!

Wise teachers know they can learn much from their students, even as wise parents learn much from their children…!

Ø Never set yourself to learn from a teacher who does not acknowledge their need of further learning and never follow a leader who does not freely acknowledge their own limitations…!

In one sense, the greatest need both husband and wife have from marriage is honor. One of the saddest scenes in the Old Testament illustrates this as Leah said to herself,

"²⁰Then Leah said, "God has presented me with a precious gift. This time my husband will treat me with honor, because I have borne him six sons." So she named him Zebulun." (Genesis 30:20, NIV)

Proverbs 31 proclaims that a godly woman is worthy to be "praised," i.e., "honored…"

"²⁸Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ²⁹"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." ³⁰Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. ³¹Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." (Proverbs 31:28-31, NIV)

1 Peter says Sarah called Abraham, "Master."

" Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, ²when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. ³Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. ⁴Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. ⁵For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, ⁶like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. ⁷Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. ⁸Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. ⁹Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. ¹⁰For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. ¹¹He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. ¹²For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."" (1 Peter 3:1-12, NIV)

· HUMILITY – plank in own eye should be of greater concern than speck of sawdust in brother's eye.

Even in confrontation, i.e., dealing with someone else's shortcomings or failures, we must adopt a posture of humility…!

"⁴²How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (Luke 6:42, NIV)

Jesus does not say that we should let our brother suffer endlessly with a speck in his eye. Sometimes in the Kingdom, sin must be confronted, but it must be done with a right spirit, not a self-righteous spirit…!

" Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. ²Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. ³If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself." (Galatians 6:1-3, NIV)

Humility – acknowledging our own need of God.

Ø In marriage, respect is the foundation for all true love and humility is the foundation for all true respect.

Points 2-4 to be continued next week...!

Invitation

1. Do you need God to cleanse your tongue and fill it with words that will nourish your relationships?

2. Do you need to begin a relationship with God?

^{^[1]}Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible : New Living Translation., "Text Edition"--Spine., 2nd ed. (Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers, 2004), Ro 12:3.

[2] zygṓs [yoke, scales], heterozygéō [to be unevenly yoked] zygṓs. A. zygṓs. in the LXX. 1. The normal LXX use is for "scales" or "yoke." For scales in the secular sense cf. Ezek. 5:1 (division), Is. 46:6, and Jer. 32:10 (weighing). God weighs the universe in Is. 40:12, and demands just weights in Lev. 19:35; Ezek. 45:10; Hos. 12:7; Am. 8:5; Prov. 11:1; 16:11. Scales symbolize justice when given to Dan (cf. Gen. 49:16). For a moral use cf. Sir. 21:25; 28:25 (the measuring of words). 2. A significant figurative use is found for destiny and human worth. Job's sufferings weigh more than the sand (i.e., they cannot be measured) (6:2). We ourselves are to be weighed (Job 31:6; cf. Mic. 6:11). We count for nothing in God's sight (Ps. 62:9,; cf. Is. 40:15). Belshazzar's kingdom, when weighed, is found wanting. Though the LXX translates this differently, the idea of weighing in judgment occurs in many apocryphal and apocalyptic texts. 3. The image of the "yoke" is also common in the LXX. It denotes political tyranny in 2 Chr. 10:4ff. (cf. Gen. 27:40) and alien rule in Is. 19:10; 14:29; 47:6; Dan. 8:25. Deliverance is the taking away of the yoke in Is. 9:3 and its breaking by God in Lev. 26:13 (cf. the false prophecy in Jer. 28:2, 4, 11). In the moral sphere, slaves must be under the yoke (Sir. 30:35), one must avoid the yoke of the tongue (28:19), but it is good to accept the yoke of wisdom (51:26). Sinners do not want to bear God's yoke (Jer. 2:20) but finally the nations will bear it gladly (Zeph. 3:9). The suffering of the righteous is construed as God's yoke (cf. Mt. 11:29-30). [G. Bertram, II, 896-98] B. zygós in the NT. 1. In Rev. 6:5 the third horseman (on the black horse) has "scales" in his hand. He symbolizes scarcity as a sign of impending judgment (cf. Lev. 26:26). 2. Elsewhere in the NT zygós means "yoke," but is used only figuratively in the general sense of absolute dependence. a. In 1 Tim. 6:1 the word expresses the situation of slaves; where the masters are Christians, the legal situation is the same but the personal relation is determined by their love as brethren, which adds a new dimension to service. b. The yoke of slavery has figurative significance in Gal. 5:1: Having escaped bondage to the elemental spirits (4:8ff.), believers should not submit to the yoke of the law but enjoy the freedom of sonship that Christ has conferred. The use in Acts 15:10 is similar: Gentile Christians are not to be put under the yoke of the law. c. In Mt. 11:29-30 Jesus invites those who labor and are heavy laden to take his easy yoke upon them. The apparent paradox (how can a yoke be easy?) vanishes when one considers that this is the yoke of the Messiah who offers free access to God to all who accept his call. Parallel rabbinic sayings refer to the putting off of the yoke of government by acceptance of the yoke of the law, or of coming under the yoke of earthly rule by breaking the yoke of heaven, but with the distinction that human achievement is here presupposed (though the divine yoke is regarded as a privilege rather than a burden), and that the yoke of Christ does not stand in such absolute antithesis to that of earthly government (cf. Mt. 22:15ff.). d. The apostolic fathers adopt the metaphor of the yoke, e.g., in Did. 6.2 (more legalistically) and Barn. 2.6 (characterizing the new law of Christ as gift rather than obligation). heterozygéō. This word derives from heterózygos, "unequally yoked" (e.g., the yoking of an ass and ox). It occurs for the first time in 2 Cor. 6:14, where Paul uses it to describe the abnormal situation that results when Christians fail to maintain their distinction from unbelievers. [K. H. Rengstorf, II, 898-901]

Monday, August 06, 2007

Following Jesus in Our Relationships Part II - Luke 6:20-49

Following Jesus In Our Relationships II - Luke 6:20-49

Hillcrest Church, August 5, 2007

Text (Luke 6:27-49)

" ²⁷"… I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. ²⁹If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. ³⁰Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. ³¹Do to others as you would have them do to you. ³²"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. ³³And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. ³⁴And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. ³⁵But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. ³⁶Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. ³⁷"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. ³⁸Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." ³⁹He also told them this parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? ⁴⁰A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher. ⁴¹"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴²How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. ⁴³"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. ⁴⁴Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. ⁴⁵The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. ⁴⁶"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? ⁴⁷I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. ⁴⁸He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. ⁴⁹But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete." " (Luke 6:20-49, NIV)

Introduction

Last week, we began looking at this sixth chapter of the Gospel of Luke through the lens of relationships, seeking to learn lessons we can apply to each one of our lives by living out our relationships the way Jesus did.

As I shared last Sunday, the Lord was remarkably successful at living in healthy relationship with those around Him. As we follow Him, He will teach us how to relate to others the way He did.

In our first study of this topic, we noted three important things:

· Godly relationships are providential, not accidental. (vs. 12-15)

As we walk with Jesus, He will lead us into the right relationships.

· Godly relationships prioritize His purposes more than our comfort. (vs. 16-19)

After praying all night long, the Father let Jesus choose a Judas…! NOTE: This was a God-given relationship with an ungodly individual…!

From a natural point of view, no one would want to have a relationship with a Judas…! No one would ever want to experience rejection and betrayal, but God allowed Jesus to experience this painful relationship so that His purposes could be established in the earth.

"¹⁵In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) ¹⁶and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus— ¹⁷he was one of our number and shared in this ministry." ¹⁸(With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. ¹⁹Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) ²⁰"For," said Peter, "it is written in the book of Psalms, " 'May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,' and, " 'May another take his place of leadership.' ²¹Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, ²²beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection."" (Acts 1:15-22, NIV)

· Godly relationships will always be at odds with an ungodly world. (vs. 20-26)

The world cannot teach us how to live out godly relationships and it will misunderstand and oppose us as we do.

The life of Jesus Christ broke some of the laws popular speakers and books lay down about how to get what you want out of relationships. Beware many of these writings, for they are ultimately selfish in their motives and purposes and this is contrary to the life we are called to live in God's Word as a follower of Jesus!

For instance, Jesus never flattered His subordinates. He never fawned over the powerful. He never glossed over unrepentant sin and He always spoke truth to everyone in perfect love with redemptive, not selfish, motives.

Then, beginning with verse 27, we learn five important principles from the words of Jesus about how to live in right relationship with others, in Luke's version of the Sermon on the Mount.

It is interesting, by the way, to note in passing three important differences between Luke's version and that of Matthew.

· Matthew's account s longer.

· Luke leaves out much of the legal language Matthew uses, perhaps because his audience is Gentile instead of Jewish.

· Luke includes "woes" as well as "blessings."

1. Godly relationships require doing right, even in the face of wrong (vs. 27-38)

Always do right, even if the other person in the relationship does wrong…!

Do right proactively, i.e., without waiting to see whether or not the other person will do right or wrong.

What, specifically, does this mean?

· Loving, not hating – doing good to those who hate you (vs. 27)

" ²⁷"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you," (Luke 6:27, NIV)

The biblical concept of "love" has far more to do with action than with emotion. Jesus did not say, "Have warm, fuzzy feelings about your enemies." He said "Do good to those who hate you…" We can act in love even when we do not feel love, and often, doing the right thing results in our feeling the right thing…!

Ø Corrie ten Boom's story about extending her hand toward the ex-concentration camp guard.

· Blessing, not cursing – praying for those who mistreat you (vs. 28)

"²⁸bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6:28, NIV)

"Bless" (literally, "speak well of") εὐλογέω – from which we get our English word, "eulogize." Made from two other words (εὖ, εὖγε [eu /yoo/] - good/well) and (όγος [logos /log·os/] word/speech, etc.")

"Curse" – καταρωμένους from ἀρά [ara /ar·ah] Derived from katarásthai, "to enchant," katára means "curse." "…utterances that are designed to bring harm by supernatural operation…"

Blessing someone who has done you wrong does not mean approving or blessing their wrong, but, rather, speaking God's promises and purposes over their lives.

Ø Cesky Tesin altar call story during Krestanke Cirkem's dedication – "What is it that you want most from God? Now, pray and ask God to give that same thing to your enemies…!"

Cf. Brad and Melba Burke's "Blessing" message. (Praying for God's purpose – which always involves blessing – be realized in that person's life…!)

This concept is specifically referred to at least four times in Scripture - Luke 6:28 plus…

"¹⁴Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse." (Romans 12:14, NIV)

"¹²… When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; ¹³when we are slandered, we answer kindly…" (1 Corinthians 4:11-13, NIV)

" ⁸Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. ⁹Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." (1 Peter 3:8-9, NIV)

Note that Peter promises that when we return blessing for cursing, we will experience even greater blessing…!

Jesus led the way in this…!

"³⁴Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots." (Luke 23:34, NIV)

Stephen did the same as he was stoned,

"⁶⁰Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep." (Acts 7:60, NIV)

· Yielding, not resisting – turning cheek, giving tunic as well as cloak (vs. 29)

"²⁹If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic." (Luke 6:29, NIV)

Matthew specifies the right cheek (which might infer being struck with the left hand, which would be all the more insulting…!)

In Acts 23:2, Ananias, the High Priest, had Paul struck on the mouth…

"²At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth." (Acts 23:2, NIV)

· Giving, not getting – give to everyone that asks you and do not demand it back (vs. 30), give and it will be given unto you (vs. 38)

"³⁰Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back." (Luke 6:30, NIV)

"³⁸Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."" (Luke 6:38, NIV)

Ø Never go into any relationships solely for what you think you can get out of it…! That is not the way God is, i.e., that is an ungodly approach to that relationship…!

· Acting, not reacting – Do unto others as you would have them do unto you and whether or not they will do good unto you…! (proactive, not reactive) (vs. 31-34)

"³¹Do to others as you would have them do to you. ³²"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. ³³And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. ³⁴And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full." (Luke 6:31-34, NIV)

· Forgiving, not avenging – love your enemies and lend to them, expecting nothing in return (vs. 35); do not judge and you will not be judged, do not condemn and you will not be condemned (vs. 37)

"³⁵But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked." (Luke 6:35, NIV)

" ³⁷"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." (Luke 6:37, NIV)

"²¹To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. ²²"He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." ²³When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." (1 Peter 2:21-23, NIV)

Ø When you are wronged, surrender what seems, humanly speaking, your right to take justice in your own hands and commit it into God's hands. (And, do not be surprised if He is merciful and gracious and treats that person better than they deserve…!)

Ø Paul's conversion was an answer to Stephen's prayer that those who were stoning him should be forgiven.

"⁶⁰Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep." (Acts 7:60, NIV)

· Governed by grace, not grounded in law – be like your Father who is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked; be merciful like He is merciful…! (vs. 36)

"³⁶Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." (Luke 6:36, NIV)

Ø "How many times do I have to do this?" Peter asked. "Seven times seven?" (i.e., for a limited amount of times) Jesus replied, "No, seventy times seven!" (i.e., for as many times as they sin…!)

Do right because of who you are, not because of who they are…!

This means focusing on our responsibilities instead of our rights. Godly relationships are built by focusing on responsibilities more than rights…!

Because we are all sinful, any relationship that is not filled with God's love and empowered by His Spirit will ultimately fail to be all that it could be and all that it should be…!

Invitation

1. Do you need God to help you do right when someone else does wrong in your relationship?

2. Do you need God to cleanse your tongue and fill it with words that will nourish your relationships?

3. Do you need to begin a relationship with God?

Notes

· Judas did not really care about the poor, but he helped himself to some of the money from time to time.

Luke's "Beatitudes" is quite similar to the "Sermon on the Mount" recorded by Matthew (Matt. 5–7). However, they are located at different times in Jesus' life chronologically, and Matthew's account was considerably longer than Luke's (107 verses in contrast to 30). It is probable that Jesus repeated the essential message of the Sermon on the Mount several times during his ministry. Luke recorded a similar sermon but with more brevity and slightly different language and phraseology. Luke's use of the phrase "Kingdom of God" (Luke 6:20) and Matthew's "kingdom of heaven" are virtually equivalent. "Heaven" was a respectful, Jewish form of reference to God.^{^[1]}

Jesus came down to "a level place" (NKJV) ("plain," KJV) on the side of the mountain, and there He preached the apostles' "ordination sermon." In his report of what we call "The Sermon on the Mount" (Matt. 5–7), Luke eliminated the "Jewish sections" that would not pertain to his audience of Gentiles. Jesus preached this sermon to the multitudes as well as to His apostles, and its message applies to us today. Nobody is saved by "keeping the Sermon on the Mount," because salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ.

The sermon deals with the disciples' relationships to possessions (vv. 20–26), people (vv. 27–45), and the Lord (vv. 46–49). In the section on people, Jesus tells us how to get along with our enemies (vv. 27–36) and our brothers (vv. 37–45). You can summarize the sermon in four words: being (vv. 20–26), loving (vv. 27–36), forgiving (vv. 37–45), and obeying (vv. 46–49).^{^[2]}

The people who followed Jesus were, for the most part, poor people who lived from hand to mouth, a day at a time. They envied the rich and longed to be like them. The Bible does not teach that poverty is a blessing, for it tells us to take care of the poor and needy, but that poverty need not rob us of blessing. It has well been said that many people know the price of everything but the value of nothing. It is not a sin to be rich, but it is a sin to trust riches and think you are a special person in God's sight because of^{^[3]}

The four striking figures in this section teach us some important lessons about ministry. To begin with, as His disciples, we must be sure that we see clearly enough to guide others in their spiritual walk. While there are blind people who have a keen sense of direction, it is not likely any of them will be hired as airplane pilots or wilderness guides. Jesus was referring primarily to the Pharisees who were leading the people astray (Matt. 15:14; 23:16). If we see ourselves as excellent guides, but do not realize our blindness, we will only lead people into the ditch (see Rom. 2:17–22).

Luke 6:40 reminds us that we cannot lead others where we have not been ourselves, nor can we be all that our Master is. In fact, the more we strive to be like Him, the more we realize how far short we fall. This is a warning against pride, for nothing blinds a person like pride.

Continuing the image of "the eye," Jesus taught that we must be able to see clearly enough to help our brother see better. It certainly is not wrong to help a brother get a painful speck of dirt out of his eye, provided we can see what we are doing. The crowd must have laughed out loud when Jesus described an "eye doctor" with a plank in his eye, performing surgery on a patient with a speck in his eye!

The emphasis here is on being honest with ourselves and not becoming hypocrites. It is easy to try to help a brother with his faults just so we can cover up our own sins! People who are constantly criticizing others are usually guilty of something worse in their own lives.^{^[4]}

6:27-38. Jesus mentioned seven aspects of unconditional love. These actions, not done naturally by human nature, require supernatural enabling—and are thus proof of true righteousness:

(1) Love your enemies.

(2) Do good to those who hate you.

(3) Bless those who curse you.

(4) Pray for those who mistreat you.

(5) Do not retaliate (v. 29a).

(6) Give freely (vv. 29b-30).

(7) Treat others the way you want to be treated (v. 31).

This kind of love marks one off as distinctive (vv. 32-34), and as having the same characteristics as the heavenly Father (v. 35).

Jesus then taught His followers a fundamental principle of the universe—what one sows he will reap (vv. 36-38; cf. Gal. 6:7). Jesus outlined five areas which were proof of the sowing and reaping theme, mentioned so often in Scripture: (1) Mercy will lead to mercy (Luke 6:36). The disciples were exhorted to have the same merciful attitude God displayed toward them.

(2) Judgment will lead to judgment (v. 37a).

(3) Condemnation will lead to condemnation (v. 37b).

(4) Pardon will lead to pardon (v. 37c).

(5) Giving will lead to giving (v. 38). It is simply a fact of life that certain attitudes and actions often reflect back on the individual.^{^[5]}

A Nobody Named Kimball

Edward Kimball was concerned about one of his young Sunday School students who worked at a shoe store in town. One day Kimball visited him at the store, found the student working in the back stocking shelves, and led him to Christ then and there. Dwight L. Moody eventually left the shoe store to become one of the greatest preachers and evangelists of all time.

Moody, whose international speaking took him to the British Isles, preached in a little chapel pastored by a young man with the imposing name of Frederic Brotherton Meyer. In his sermon Moody told an emotionally charged story about a Sunday School teacher who personally went to every student in his class and let each of them to Christ.

That message changed Pastor Meyer's ministry, inspiring him to become an evangelist like Moody. Over the years Meyer came to America. While speaking in Northfield, MA a young preacher heard Meyer say, "If you are not willing to give up everything for Christ, are you willing to be made willing?" That remark led J. Wilbur Chapman to respond to the call of God on his life.

Chapman went on to become one of the most effective evangelists of his time. A volunteer by the name of Billy Sunday helped set up his crusades and learned how to preach by watching Chapman. Sunday eventually took over Chapman's ministry becoming one of the most dynamic evangelists of this century. Billy Sunday's preaching brought thousands to Christ.

Inspired by a 1924 Billy Sunday crusade in Charlotte, NC a group of Christians dedicated themselves to reaching their city for Christ. The group invited the evangelist Mordecai Ham to come and hold a series of evangelistic meetings in 1932. A lanky
16 year old sat in the huge crowd one evening, spellbound by the message the white-haired preacher gave. Each evening the preacher seemed to be shouting and waving his finger at the young man. Night after night the teen came and finally went forward to give his life to Christ.

That teenager was Billy Graham. Billy Graham has communicated the gospel to more people than any other person in history. And it all started with a Sunday School teacher named Kimball. Millions have been affected by his decision to go into a shoe store and share Christ with one person. Millions more will continue to feel his impact.

^{^[1]}Robert B. Hughes, J. Carl Laney and Robert B. Hughes, Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary, Rev. Ed. of: New Bible Companion. 1990.; Includes Index., The Tyndale reference library (Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001), 447.

^{^[2]}Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1997, c1992), 161.

^{^[3]}Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1997, c1992), 161.

^{^[4]}Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, "An Exposition of the New Testament Comprising the Entire 'BE' Series"--Jkt. (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1996, c1989), Lk 6:20.

^{^[5]}John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 2:220.

Following Jesus in Our Relationships Part 1 - Luke 6:1-11

Following Jesus In Our Relationships I - Luke 6:1-11

Hillcrest Church, July 29, 2007

Text (Luke 6:12-49)

" ¹²One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. ¹³When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: ¹⁴Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, ¹⁵Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, ¹⁶Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. ¹⁷He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon, ¹⁸who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by evil spirits were cured, ¹⁹and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all. ²⁰Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. ²¹Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. ²²Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. ²³“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets. ²⁴“But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. ²⁵Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. ²⁶Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets. ²⁷“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. ²⁹If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. ³⁰Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. ³¹Do to others as you would have them do to you. ³²“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. ³³And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that. ³⁴And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full. ³⁵But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. ³⁶Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. ³⁷“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. ³⁸Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” ³⁹He also told them this parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? ⁴⁰A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher. ⁴¹“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴²How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. ⁴³“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. ⁴⁴Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. ⁴⁵The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. ⁴⁶“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? ⁴⁷I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. ⁴⁸He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. ⁴⁹But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” " (Luke 6:12-49, NIV)

Introduction

Suggestions for sermon topics during July included several questions about relationships. I preached on both husbands and wives. Today, I want to talk more broadly about principles that apply to all of life’s relationships.

This section of Luke’s Gospel opens with Jesus formally establishing His closest and most intimate relationships. It shows us how important relationships were in the life of Jesus.

He could not become what the Father intended Him to be or do what the Father had called Him to do without coming into relationship with the right people and walking in right relationship with those people!

As I follow Jesus, He brings me into relationships with people who will help me become like Him and with people that He wants me to help to become like Him! (People I need and people that need me.)

· Jesus wants to help us choose our closest relationships (based on the promptings of the Holy Spirit). (“Show me your friends and I will show you your future…!)

· Jesus wants to help us prioritize our most important relationships. (“If you do not love me more than fathers, mothers, sisters, and brothers, you have no part in me.” Jesus did not say that we should not love our relatives at all, rather, He was saying that we must love Him more.

"³⁴“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. ³⁵For I have come to turn “ ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— ³⁶a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ ³⁷“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; ³⁸and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ³⁹Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 10:34-39, NIV)

Why? Because sometimes our family will not want to follow God as much as we do and we must be willing to follow Him even if no one else around us does. (NOTE: This does not mean that a converted husband or wife can or should abandon the unconverted husband or wife…!)

"¹⁰To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. ¹¹But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife. ¹²To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. ¹³And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. ¹⁴For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. ¹⁵But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. ¹⁶How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?" (1 Corinthians 7:10-16, NIV)

· Jesus wants to help us nourish and maintain the relationships in our life.

This does not mean that we will always experience what we want or hope for in relationships. Even Jesus did not always experience success in every relationship (His commitment to God did not violate or override the other person’s free choice, i.e., Peter’s failure, Judas’s betrayal, etc.) But, applying God’s principles to our relationships means that God’s purposes will be accomplished in our relationships and that we will experience God’s blessings and help in our relationships.

Even godly relationships involve risk. (Jesus took risks on relationships with people others were unwilling to take a chance on. Woman at the well, Mary Magdalene, etc.)

Jesus experienced disappointment and unmet needs in His relationships (“My soul is exceedingly sorrowful even unto death. Will you not watch with me one hour?” and “Will you also go away?”)

God-given relationships are not just about you (what you can receive), they are also about others (what you can give.) As I follow Jesus, He brings me into relationship with people I can help to become like Him. Through His relationships, Jesus impacted others and through those others, He impacted the world.

Other than our walk with Christ, there is perhaps nothing that will more impact your ability to live a healthy, meaningful life like your ability to walk in right relationship with other people.

People who have good relational skills and limited professional skills succeed far beyond people who have good professional skills and poor relational skills.

You may experience some level of success based on talent alone, but not matter how high you rise in your field of endeavor, you can always rise higher with good relational skills.

As we follow Him, He will transform the way that we approach relationships, He will change what we expect out of relationships, and He will help redeem the failure we may have experienced in relationships…! He will teach us to enter into relationships with open minds, open hearts, and open hands.

Let’s walk through this passage together…

1. Godly relationship are providential not accidental. (vs. 12-15)

Jesus chose His apostles after spending the night in prayer. These extremely important relationships were God-given, not man-made. The disciples chose Him, but He chose the apostles…!

· Terry Phillip’s advice before going to Export – “Choose your friends based on character qualities you see in their lives that you want in your life.”

· “Show me your friends and I will show you your future.

· Never, ever, ever marry someone to change them. It is much more likely that they will change you…!

The right life companion comes through praying, not partying…!

2. Godly relationships prioritize His purposes more than our comfort. (vs. 16-19)

After praying all night long, the Father let Jesus choose a Judas…!

NOTE: This was a God-given relationship with an ungodly individual…!

From a natural point of view, no one would want to have a relationship with a Judas…! No one would ever want to experience rejection and betrayal, but God allowed Jesus to experience this painful relationship so that His purposes could be established in the earth.

Peter said in the Upper Room before Pentecost,

"¹⁵In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) ¹⁶and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus— ¹⁷he was one of our number and shared in this ministry.” ¹⁸(With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. ¹⁹Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) ²⁰“For,” said Peter, “it is written in the book of Psalms, “ ‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, “ ‘May another take his place of leadership.’ ²¹Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, ²²beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”" (Acts 1:15-22, NIV)

Then, preaching on the Day of Pentecost,

"²²“Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. ²³This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross." (Acts 2:22-23, NIV)

· Cf: The rich man with the beggar at his door; Paul’s counsel to godly individuals married to ungodly individuals; godly people working for ungodly bosses, etc.

It was not always easy for Jesus to have crowds of needy people chasing after Him…!

· He felt the power going out of Him…ministry took something out of Him…! (Woman with issue of blood.)

3. Godly relationships will always be at odds with an ungodly world. (vs. 20-26)

· His ideas are different than our ideas…!

· Notice He said, “Blessed are the poor, the hungry, those who weep, the hated, the excluded, and the rejected…!”

Life was difficult for the people of that day and there was not much hope their circumstances would be improved. Like people today, many of them thought that happiness came from having great possessions, or holding an exalted position, or enjoying the pleasures and popularity that money can buy. Imagine how surprised they were when they heard Jesus describe happiness in terms just the opposite of what they expected! They discovered that what they needed most was not a change in circumstances but a change in their relationship to God and in their outlook on life.

Jesus was not teaching that poverty, hunger, persecution, and tears were blessings in themselves. If that were true, He would never have done all He did to alleviate the sufferings of others. Rather, Jesus was describing the inner attitudes we must have if we are to experience the blessedness of the Christian life. We should certainly do what we can to help others in a material way (James 2:15–17; 1 John 3:16–18), but we must remember that no amount of “things” can substitute for a personal relationship with God.^{^[1]}

H.H. Farmer wrote that “to Jesus the terrible thing about having wrong values in life and pursuing wrong things is not that you are doomed to bitter disappointment, but that you are not; not that you do not achieve what you want, but that you do” (Things Not Seen, Nishbet [London], p. 96). When people are satisfied with the lesser things of life, the good instead of the best, then their successes add up only as failures. These people are spiritually bankrupt and do not realize it. ^{^[2]}

· The life of Jesus Christ broke some of the laws popular speakers and books lay down about how to get what you want out of relationships. Beware many of these writings, for they are ultimately selfish in their motives and purposes and this is contrary to the life we are called to live in God’s Word as a follower of Jesus!

For instance, Jesus never flattered His subordinates. He never fawned over the powerful. He never glossed over unrepentant sin and He always spoke truth to everyone in perfect love with redemptive, not selfish, motives.

Eleven out of the twelve most important relationships in Jesus’s life turned out so strong that those people literally laid down their lives for Him and His vision…!

Walking out our relationship His way really is better than walking out relationships our way!

Notes

· Judas did not really care about the poor, but he helped himself to some of the money from time to time.

Luke’s “Beatitudes” is quite similar to the “Sermon on the Mount” recorded by Matthew (Matt. 5–7). However, they are located at different times in Jesus’ life chronologically, and Matthew’s account was considerably longer than Luke’s (107 verses in contrast to 30). It is probable that Jesus repeated the essential message of the Sermon on the Mount several times during his ministry. Luke recorded a similar sermon but with more brevity and slightly different language and phraseology. Luke’s use of the phrase “Kingdom of God” (Luke 6:20) and Matthew’s “kingdom of heaven” are virtually equivalent. “Heaven” was a respectful, Jewish form of reference to God.^{^[3]}

Jesus came down to “a level place” (NKJV) (“plain,” KJV) on the side of the mountain, and there He preached the apostles’ “ordination sermon.” In his report of what we call “The Sermon on the Mount” (Matt. 5–7), Luke eliminated the “Jewish sections” that would not pertain to his audience of Gentiles. Jesus preached this sermon to the multitudes as well as to His apostles, and its message applies to us today. Nobody is saved by “keeping the Sermon on the Mount,” because salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ.

The sermon deals with the disciples’ relationships to possessions (vv. 20–26), people (vv. 27–45), and the Lord (vv. 46–49). In the section on people, Jesus tells us how to get along with our enemies (vv. 27–36) and our brothers (vv. 37–45). You can summarize the sermon in four words: being (vv. 20–26), loving (vv. 27–36), forgiving (vv. 37–45), and obeying (vv. 46–49).^{^[4]}

Continuing the image of “the eye,” Jesus taught that we must be able to see clearly enough to help our brother see better. It certainly is not wrong to help a brother get a painful speck of dirt out of his eye, provided we can see what we are doing. The crowd must have laughed out loud when Jesus described an “eye doctor” with a plank in his eye, performing surgery on a patient with a speck in his eye!

6:27-38. Jesus mentioned seven aspects of unconditional love. These actions, not done naturally by human nature, require supernatural enabling—and are thus proof of true righteousness:

(1) Love your enemies.

(2) Do good to those who hate you.

(3) Bless those who curse you.

(4) Pray for those who mistreat you.

(5) Do not retaliate (v. 29a).

(6) Give freely (vv. 29b-30).

(7) Treat others the way you want to be treated (v. 31).

This kind of love marks one off as distinctive (vv. 32-34), and as having the same characteristics as the heavenly Father (v. 35).

(2) Judgment will lead to judgment (v. 37a).

(3) Condemnation will lead to condemnation (v. 37b).

(4) Pardon will lead to pardon (v. 37c).

(5) Giving will lead to giving (v. 38). It is simply a fact of life that certain attitudes and actions often reflect back on the individual.^{^[7]}

^{^[1]}Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, "An Exposition of the New Testament Comprising the Entire 'BE' Series"--Jkt. (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1996, c1989), Lk 6:20.

^{^[2]}Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, "An Exposition of the New Testament Comprising the Entire 'BE' Series"--Jkt. (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1996, c1989), Lk 6:20.

^{^[3]}Robert B. Hughes, J. Carl Laney and Robert B. Hughes, Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary, Rev. Ed. of: New Bible Companion. 1990.; Includes Index., The Tyndale reference library (Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001), 447.

^{^[4]}Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1997, c1992), 161.

^{^[5]}Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1997, c1992), 161.

^{^[6]}Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, "An Exposition of the New Testament Comprising the Entire 'BE' Series"--Jkt. (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1996, c1989), Lk 6:20.

^{^[7]}John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 2:220.