Following Jesus In Our Relationships II - Luke 6:20-49
Text (Luke 6:27-49)
" 27 "… I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If 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. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do 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. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34 And 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. 35 But 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. 36 Be 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. 38 Give, 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." 39 He also told them this parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A 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? 42 How 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. 44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45 The 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? 47 I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48 He 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. 49 But 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.
"15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and 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— 17 he 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. 19 Everyone 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.' 21 Therefore 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, 22 beginning 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)
"28 bless 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…
"14 Bless 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; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly…" (1 Corinthians 4:11-13, NIV)
" 8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do 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…!
"34 Jesus 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,
"60 Then 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)
"29 If 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…
"2 At 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)
"30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back." (Luke 6:30, NIV)
"38 Give, 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)
"31 Do 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. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34 And 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)
"35 But 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)
"21 To 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." 23 When 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.
"60 Then 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)
"36 Be 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 "
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
That message changed Pastor Meyer's ministry, inspiring him to become an evangelist like Moody. Over the years Meyer came to
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
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 (
[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.
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