Jesus Explains the Sabbath · Jesus Explains the Sabbath Luke 6:1-11 I. The second Sabbath A.The...

Jesus Explains the Sabbath Luke 6:1-11

I. The second Sabbath

A. The challenge to breaking the Sabbath 1 (the 1st being the Now it happened on the second Sabbath after the first

one that was at Capernaum when He healed the demon possessed man) that He

(Jesus) (probably along a path or roadway went through the grainfields

between the fields). And His disciples plucked the heads of grain

(as they walked), and ate them rubbing them in their hands

(separating the chaff from the grain). 2 (not all but) (the disciples), And some of the Pharisees said to them

(not permitted) “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the

Sabbath?”

To glean by hand (not using a sickle) in someone’s field was permitted by law [according to] (Deut 23:25). But to do this and to rub the heads of grain (a detail Luke alone makes) was considered [by the Pharisees] to be threshing. [According to] The Mishnah [the written form of the Jewish traditions] forbids threshing (v. 2) on the Sabbath (Shabbath 7.2).1 [So the disciples were being accused of breaking the Sabbath on a manmade technically. They were viewed as harvesting, as well as satisfying their hunger.]

[Now you may be understandably asking, “Just how legalistic were the Pharisees?] The rabbis [had] drawn up a catalogue of thirty-nine principal works, [which were] subdivided into six minor categories under each of these thirty-nine, all of which were forbidden on the sabbath?2 [That adds up to 234 things the people couldn’t do on the Sabbath. No wonder the Pharisees needed their scribes, the expert lawyers concerning the laws, to keep them straight on these matters. Just like fasting {one day a year verses two times a week}, the Pharisees were burying the law of God under a mountain of manmade traditions.]

It’s easy to see that the tension between Jesus, the Pharisees and their Scribes is not diminishing, it is escalating. 1 Leifeld, W. L. (1984). Luke. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Volume 8: Matthew, Mark, Luke (F. E. Gaebelein, Ed.) (886–887). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House. 2 Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953-‐2001). Vol. 11: New Testament commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Luke. New Testament Commentary (318). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

[On another note, remember in Luke 5 that] According to the teaching of Jesus [in 5:34, 35], those who are living in close fellowship with him, the Bridegroom, should be feasting instead of fasting; they must rejoice rather than mourn. And this manifestation of gladness instead of sadness must characterize even the manner in which the sabbath is kept.3

The Pharisees must have forgotten that days lesson that Jesus taught. Notice:

B. Jesus’ response to the challenge 1. There’s nothing wrong with quenching/satisfying

your hunger 3 (on behalf of his disciples and certainly not But Jesus answering them

according to their manmade traditions, but not even according to the law. Jesus responded to them with a question and) said, “Have you not even read this

(implying certainly in all your prideful fanaticism concerning the Sabbath you know), (while escaping from King what David did when he was hungry

Saul), 4 he and those who were with him: how he went into the house of

God, took and ate the showbread, and also gave some to those with him,

(With the question which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat?”

Jesus removed the manmade tradition by emphasizing the truth of His disciples situation in using David and his men’s hunger as an example.)

Jesus next takes this a huge step further:

2. Jesus challenges the Pharisees authority 5 (on top of that) (Me, God the And He said to them, “The Son of Man

Son) (Master) (by reason that God created the is also Lord of the Sabbath,”

Sabbath and is thus greater than it. Christ being God would also affirm that He knew the truth concerning the situation at hand, as well as David’s.)

Colossians 2:8, 16-17 clearly verifies Christ’s statement of being Lord of the

Sabbath– 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, 3 Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953-‐2001). Vol. 11: New Testament commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Luke. New Testament Commentary (315–318). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

and not according to Christ… 16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a SHADOW (a similarity, merely a likeness) of things to come, but the SUBSTANCE (the real thing, the reality) is of Christ.

Warren Wiersbe so insightfully states, “slavish devotion to religious rules

blinded them [the Pharisees] to the true ministry of [1] the Law as well as [2] the very presence of the Lord who gave them the Law.”4 (Pride and selfish ambitions will do the same to us, too.)

John MacArthur writes concerning this passage with the Pharisees, “The

Sabbath was anything but a time of rest. It had become a time of oppressive frustration and anxiety. The people were sick to death of this system that had been imposed on them by ungodly, worldly legalists, and they were indeed “weary and heavy-laden” (Matt. 11:28).5 (“Come unto me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest”)

Sabbath observance was the heart of the Jewish legalistic system, and when

Jesus violated the traditions as to how that day should be honored, He struck a raw nerve.

Both the English Sabbath and the Greek sabbaton transliterate the Hebrew shabbat, which has the basic meaning of ceasing, rest, and inactivity. At the end of creation “God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made” (Gen. 2:3). In honor of that day, the Lord declared it to be a special time of rest and remembrance for His people and incorporated its observance into the requirements of the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:9–11).

But [listen carefully] that law is the only one of the Ten Commandments that is nonmoral and purely ceremonial; and it was unique to the Old Covenant and to Israel. The other nine commandments, on the other hand, pertain to moral and spiritual absolutes and are repeated and expanded upon many places in the New Testament. But Sabbath observance is never recommended to Christians, much less given as a command in the New Testament.6

To call Sunday “the Sabbath” is to confuse the first day [Sunday] and the

seventh day [Saturday] and what each signifies. The Sabbath is a reminder of the completion of “the old Creation,” while the

Lord’s Day is a reminder of our Lord’s finished work in “the new Creation” (2 Cor. 5:21; Eph. 2:10; 4:24). 4 Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Lk 6:1). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books. 5 MacArthur, J. (1989). Matthew (283). Chicago: Moody Press. 6 MacArthur, J. (1989). Matthew (Mt 12:1). Chicago: Moody Press.

• 2 Corinthians 5:17 – If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things

have passed away; behold, all things have become new. • 2 Corinthians 5:21 – He made Him (Christ) who knew no sin to be sin for

us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. • Ephesians 2:10 – We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for

good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. • Ephesians 4:24 – Put on the new man which was created according to

God, in true righteousness and holiness.

With the new creation through Christ we find some Scriptures noting the early church meeting on the first day of the week are (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1–2).

Acts 20:7 – Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.

1 Corinthians 16:1–2 – Now concerning the collection for the saints (the believers offerings), as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you (too) must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

[Now even so] some Jewish believers kept the Sabbath [Friday from sunset to sunset on Saturday sunset], and this sometimes led to division. Paul addressed this problem along with others in Romans 14:1–15:13 where he gave principles to promote both liberty and unity in the church.

Romans 14:5–6a – One person esteems one day (say the Sabbath) above another (say the Lord’s day); another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it...

Even though liberty was given to both sides, the reality was that because the Lord of the Sabbath had come, the shadow of His Sabbath rest was no longer needed or valid. The New Testament does not require Sabbath observance, but rather allows freedom as to whether or not any day is honored above others. The only requirement is that, whatever position is taken,

• it is taken for the purpose of glorifying the Lord (Rom. 14:5–6);

Romans 14:5–6a – One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who

observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it…

• and no believer has the right to impose his views in this regard on anyone else (Gal. 4:9–10; Col. 2:16).

Galatians 4:9, 10 – Now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years.

Colossians 2:8, 16-17 – Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ… 16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.

Jesus here reaffirms that the Sabbath was given for God’s glory and for man’s

welfare. It was never intended to restrict the expression of love through • deeds of necessity, (like satisfying ones hunger) • service to God, • or acts of mercy.7

By their strict and oppressive rules, the Pharisees and scribes had turned the

Sabbath Day into a burden instead of the blessing God meant it to be, and Jesus challenged both their doctrine and their authority. He had announced a new “Year of Jubilee” (Luke 4:19), and now He would declare a new Sabbath. He had already healed a lame man on the Sabbath, and the religious leaders had determined to kill Him (John 5:18; also note John 5:16). Now He was to violate their Sabbath laws on two more occasions.8

II. The Third Sabbath A. The challenge to breaking the Sabbath 6 (after the eating grain situation), Now it happened on another Sabbath

(Jesus) (as has become His also, that He entered the synagogue and taught

practice on the Sabbath). And a man was there whose right hand was

(It’s interesting that Dr. Luke notices the double tragedy being the withered

man’s right hand). 7 (Jesus)So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him 7 MacArthur, J. (1989). Matthew (Mt 12:3). Chicago: Moody Press. 8 Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Lk 6:1). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.

(they could already see the closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath

writing on the wall at this point in Jesus’ ministry—they watched), that they

(a reason to accuse Jesus of some might find an accusation against Him

wrong doing—It’s more than a little interesting to see here that the Pharisees appear not to wonder “if” Jesus could heal the man, but Jesus can and “would” He heal him).

How unfortunate [it is] that they could not rejoice in a healing[. I]nstead, they hoped to use the healing to bring a charge against Jesus. It was more important for them to protect their [traditions] than to free a person from suffering. 9 (Talk about hardness of heart!)

B. Jesus’ response to the challenge 1. Jesus challenges the Pharisees doctrine

8 (Jesus) (even so) But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man

(obediently) who had the withered hand, “Arise and stand here.” And he

9 (the Pharisees), arose and stood. Then Jesus said to them “I will ask you

(“good” being that which is one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good

in keeping with God’s Word and character) (Jesus asks) (to do what or to do evil

contradicts God’s Word and character—for example), (allow it to save life or to

to be) (ed when you had the power to help to do good—In Matthew 12:11, destroy

12 Jesus uses the example of a sheep in trouble. What do you suppose they said? More importantly, what would you have said?)

2. Jesus does good

10 (each one, eye to eye and And when He had looked around at them all

no answer came—as the only one they wanted to give would incriminate them), He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his

(Think about what Jesus didn’t say hand was restored as whole as the other.

or do here! Jesus didn’t do a single thing to the man or even say be healed! The man simply stretched out his hand, which certainly was not against the Sabbath, or even the Pharisees traditions! Who then did the physical work that the Pharisees were so ready to condemn?! the entire trinity—other individuals than just Jesus are at work here.)

9 Barton, B. B., Veerman, D., Taylor, L. C., & Osborne, G. R. (1997). Luke. Life application Bible commentary (141). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.

3. The Pharisees response to Jesus’ response

11 (even after Jesus reached out to them and revealed their dark sinful But

heart again with truth) (burning hatred—so much so they were filled with rage

that Mark 3:6 tells us they joined with the Jewish Herodians who supported the tyrant dictator Herod), and discussed with one another what they might do

(Their selfish pride and purposes ruled over God’s truth of right and to Jesus.

wrong. How sad, but it is a scary and undeniable testimony as to the power and depravity of our flesh. Christ has to fight tooth and nail for supremacy in our daily lives. Do any of us dare to deny it? Decisions. Devotions. Being last.)

Some Applications of what we have learned:

Was the man’s condition life-threatening? No. Jesus could have avoided conflict by waiting until the next day to heal the man. But Jesus, as Lord of the Sabbath, had the authority to overrule the Pharisees’ traditions and regulations. If he had waited another day, he would have been submitting to the Pharisees and showing that their made-up rules were indeed equal to God’s law. But God’s law for the Sabbath was never meant to keep people in bondage. When Jesus saw a need, he filled it, regardless of the day or time.10

Nothing nor no one will stop Jesus from intervening in your life either. Nothing.

• We are more than conquers through Him who strengthens us! • If God is for us who or what can be against us?!

Other lessons we can learn:

1. Today our rest is not so much found in a Sabbath day, as it is in a Person: Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath.

Jesus isn’t promoting by being Lord of the Sabbath, that you can substitute golfing, a cup of coffee and a quiet hour at your table or sitting in some serene place, etc. for meeting with Him at His church (that is combining our day with Him—but not physically with other believers focusing entirely on Him) Hebrews 10:24–25 – Let us (all of us) consider one another (all of our brothers and sisters in Christ) in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, collectively, as is the manner of some who don’t

10 Barton, B. B., Veerman, D., Taylor, L. C., & Osborne, G. R. (1997). Luke. Life application Bible commentary (141). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.

do this, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. • Concentrated, public and collective worship needs to happen on some day at

some time during our week.

A. Our primary reason to come together is:

• To show respect and honor to our Lord—to glorify Him—to lift His name up—to proclaim His attributes—to give Him supremacy of our lives for another week…

• To celebrate the eternal and more abundant life He has given us—to thank Him for His many and wonderful blessings and promises…

B. We also come together because:

• We need refreshment

The supernatural life is too much for us to pull off alone— John 15:4–5 – Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. The broken world is too much for us to endure—John 16:33 – These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” We too then overcome by our association with Him. The flesh is too corrupt for us to follow to use as a guide—Jeremiah 17:9 – “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? Who can figure it out? We can talk or reason ourselves into just about anything. The world and the devil are too perilous for us to take on singlehandedly—1 John 2:16–17 – For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. James 4:7 – Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

• We need to be there for each other: Ephesians 4:11–16 [Jesus] Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all

come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

2. The joy of getting back what we lost: (the restoration of the mans hand) Peace Because of sin (fresh start), an experience, a relationship or a fear

3. We need to continually open the doors to our life: (the Pharisees refusing to open their lives to Jesus)

• To surrender more of ourselves to Him • To admit the exposers of a sinful heart and not run away from God or His

church

The High Calling of Dying John McArthur wrote a book called “12 Ordinary Men”. He starts it with these words: “If you were going to recruit a team to alter the course of history, how would you begin? Jesus began with a walk by the lake. "Follow Me." The Master told them. And they did. Thus began His uncommon mission with twelve most common individuals: men who would become Christ’s very first disciples. Have you ever considered who Jesus didn’t choose for His inner circle? He didn’t select a rabbi. He didn’t recruit scholars. He didn’t look within the religious establishment to build His team. Any of these would have given Him an inside track with those in power. Instead. he assembled a ragtag bunch of folks with unimpressive resumes. Jesus wasn’t looking for religious superiority or extraordinary talent. Jesus wanted ordinary people-people with hopes and dreams of their own, but people who were willing to leave their lives behind to follow the savior. People like you.”

I. The Seriousness and Preparation of the Calling

12 (probably shortly after the Sabbath Now it came to pass in those days

confrontations) (Jesus alone) (privacy of the) that He went out to the

(to commune together with the Trinity—Jesus left heaven, but mountain to pray

He didn’t leave the other members of the Trinity), (being more than a normal and

time of communion, Jesus) continued all night in prayer to God.

In the OT psalms mountains are places of safety, strength, and permanence. They are associated with YHWH’s presence (cf. Ps. 121:1)...11 “I will look unto the hills from whence cometh my help. My help comes from the Lord.”

Have you ever wondered why a bird sleeping on its perch never falls off? The secret is the tendons of the bird’s legs. They are so constructed that when the leg is bent at the knee, the claws contract and grip like a steel trap. The claws refuse to let go until the knees are unbent again. The bended knee gives the bird the ability to hold on to his perch it gives it stability in its life. Just like a bent knee helps that bird stay balanced and safe through the long hours of darkness, a knee bent in prayer enables us to get a firmer grip on life and the wisdom that is from above.

Do you have a mountain were you regularly bend your knees and meet with God? A place that represents God’s safety, strength, and presence to you. Susanna Wesley’s mountain was under her apron—where is yours—what special place do you and God have were you meet together? Do you even have one?

II. The Giving and Receiving of the Calling

13 (Jesus) (all of) (all of His And when it was day, He called His disciples

“followers” at the time) (to His side); to Himself and from them He chose

(selected out of the group) (His twelve whom He also named apostles

“appointed or commissioned messengers”): 14 Simon, whom He also named

(Peter, a fisherman, who is named first, is the disciple that is described as Peter

doing the most wrong of all the others with the exception of Judas Iscariot—there is definitely hope for us—God doesn’t need the perfect or the gifted, He wants the obedient—Peter would eventually write 1 &2 Peter), (Peter’s) and Andrew his

(a fisherman); (also a fisherman, who would be the first to be brother James

martyred and join Christ in heaven) (the beloved,—and yes, he too was and John

a fisherman who would write the Gospel of John, 1-3 John & Revelation. John was the only disciple “not” to be martyred and probably the last of the 12 to die and be reunited with Christ —Jesus called James and John the Sons of Thunder—They were Peter and Andrews business associates—both were a part of Jesus inner 11 Utley, R. J. D. (2004). Vol. Volume 3A: The Gospel According to Luke. Study Guide Commentary Series (Lk 6:12). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.

circle within the 12 and yet both failed Jesus in the garden by not praying with Him—they were also the two that asked for special positions in Christ’s kingdom and were the ones who desired to call fire down upon a Samaritan town); Philip

(who introduced Bartholomew to Christ—Phillip lived Bethsaida where Peter lived—again, there’s hope for us) (also called Nathanael, and Bartholomew

who at first rejected Christ, but Jesus called him a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false); 15 (a tax collector, the scourge of the Jewish people, who Matthew

would later write the Gospel of Matthew—there’s even MORE hope for us) and

(the perpetual skeptic); (brother of John), Thomas James the son of Alphaeus

(a passionate patriot of Israel); 16 and Simon called the Zealot Judas the son

(also called Thaddaeus), (at the end of the list) of James and Judas Iscariot

. (Not and impressive team of individuals by the who also became a traitor

worlds standards.)

III. The Work and Example of the Caller

17 (Jesus) (further) (the mountain side) (His And He came down with them

12 disciples and others around Him) and stood on a level place with a crowd

(his collective followers) (curious) of His disciples and a great multitude of

(the people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of

Gentile cities of) (to listen to His Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him

message) (many of them to) (plural) 18 and be healed of their diseases, as

(demons, again well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits

plural). (all) (no ones troubles were beyond Christ’s And they were healed

ability to help—whether spiritual, physical or demonic). 19 And the whole

(they could see the) (that) multitude sought to touch Him, for power went

(Jesus’ popularity is exploding!) out from Him and healed them all.

We notice here in this passage that:

1. Jesus prayed often 2. Jesus prayed long 3. Jesus prayed in a place of quiet solitude 4. Jesus’ prayers were effectual

There was a man working in an ice factory who lost a valuable watch. His fellow workmen scurried around searching with him for more than two hours through the sawdust on which the ice was stored, but were unable to find it. They finally left the plant for lunch and returned to find a little boy with the watch in his hand. "How ever did you find it?" They inquired. He replied, "I just lay down in the sawdust and heard it ticking." Sometimes we try to find God in our business, our activity and our noise. But we can’t find God that way - we must "be still and quiet - then we can know that He is God." How do you pray about the decisions of life? Do you take time out and find a place of solitude to spend time one on one with God, or do you try to squeeze him into your schedule amidst the noise and business of life? Does Alan Grant’s poem on prayer, reflect your prayer life? I got up early one morning and rushed right into the day; I had so much to accomplish that I didn’t have time to pray. Problems just tumbled about me, and heavier came each task. "Why doesn’t God help me?" I wondered. He answered, "You didn’t ask." I wanted to see joy and beauty, but the day toiled on, gray and bleak; I wondered why God didn’t show me. He said, "But you didn’t seek." I tried to come into God’s presence; I used all my keys at the lock, God gently and lovingly chided, "My child, you didn’t knock." (long pause—If that is you, it doesn’t have to continue to be so as the poem goes on saying:)

I woke up early this morning, and paused before entering the day; I had so much to accomplish that I had to take time to pray. (If there needs to be some confession and repentance concerning your prayer life, take that action before you leave here today.) When the values of the world guide you, you will eventually experience great dissatisfaction, confusion and difficulties. But when you let God’s values guide you, you will always be greatly blessed with little or much. Through the disciples close fellowship with our Lord in much prayer; they were even willing to allow the Lord to eventually lead them into the waters of martyrdom.

Jesus Follows His Example of Prayer Again 12 (probably shortly after the Sabbath Now it came to pass in those days

issues) (He went away to be alone) that He went out

(where He could be away from the people, ministry and to the mountain

distractions, etc.—taking only Himself)

, (to have an uninterrupted conversation) to pray

(had no time limit, was completely engaged) and continued all night

(in visiting, in fellowship, in communion) in prayer

(the Father and Spirit). to God

Now you might be asking, “Since Jesus is God the Son, why is He praying at all?!” The “Son that was given” wouldn’t need to, but “the Child that was born” does need to, (Isa. 9:6).

As “the Child that was born,” Jesus subjected Himself to the same sufferings and necessities that all of us are subject to. We could ask the same question about Jesus eating or sleeping.

Phil. 2:6-8 who, being (already, always) in the form of God, (form/morphē— very nature of something— [So] Both before, during, and after His incarnation, [Jesus]

was, by His very nature, fully and eternally God.) did not consider it robbery to be equal with God (Because He was God “he therefore considered equality with God not a matter of getting, but of giving up.”)

7 but (instead) made Himself (verses “being” God in verse 6) of no reputation ([Jesus veiled] every [trace] of advantage and privilege, refusing to assert any divine right on His own behalf. He who created and owned everything forsook everything.), taking (acquiring or becoming) the form (morphē— very nature of something—) of a bondservant, (one who carries the burdens of another, with few if any personal possessions and/or privileges) and coming in (taking on) the likeness of men (became humanity in order to fulfill the role of a slave).

8 And being found in appearance (at first glance) as a man (implying Jesus was found, discovered, or proven as being a 100% ordinary man), He humbled Himself (became a part of a lower race and lived as one of them below His higher rank, ability, necessity and authority) and became obedient to the point of death (even accepting the title of a criminal and the death penalty when He had done no wrong), even the death of the cross (the most humiliating and painful means of death).

Now certainly we can’t spend all of the evening hours in close fellowship with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Neither could or did Jesus. What prompted this out of the norm duration of prayer was that Jesus was about to select His 12 closest disciples.

Now in case we might be thinking that this length of time in prayer is way out of league, desire or ability of us, think about this:

Ø There are a lot of people who stay up all night planning a business venture or some other kind of venture if they believe they will acquire a great gain by doing so.

Ø There are a lot of people who stay up all night in some form of recreation. Ø There are a lot of people who stay up all night worrying about something.

Why then, should we think it so impossible or outlandish that we should stay up all night on occasion to fellowship, commune and worship God? Are not issues of our faith far more significant than our acquisitions and recreation?

In all honesty:

• Is our habitual prayer time measured in mere minutes, even seconds, verses even a half-hour?

• Is our habitual prayer offered on the run in the midst of our business verses in stillness in seclusion and solitude?

• Is our habitual prayer more reflective of spur of the moment thoughts than a concentrated grappling of issues?

• Is our habitual prayer more like rifling off commands to God rather than seeking to find the mind of God concerning our requests?

13 (when the morning arrived), (Jesus) And when it was day He called His

(all those seeking to be his pupil, seeking to learn from Jesus) disciples to

(to gather around Him) Himself;

People already wanted Jesus dead. Out of all of the disciples following Jesus at this time, He had to be sure to select men who would carry on, even after He

Where God Says You Will Find Contentment

I. Contentment Defined, (Luke 6:20a) 20 (addressing all of His disciples, but certainly benefitting everyone else Then

who was there for healing and for whatever other reason) (Jesus) He lifted up

(to look at them all, collectively), His eyes toward His disciples and said:

(fortunate, happy, content) “Blessed

We are going to take time to build upon this word “blessed” as it will build desire, anticipation, commitment, attention, hope, etc. to each of the beatitudes.

John MacArthur says concerning the word “blessed:” The fullest meaning of the term, [has] to do with an inward contentedness that is not affected by circumstances. That is the kind of happiness God desires for His children, a state of joy and well-being that does not depend on physical, temporary circumstances...12

Think of the benefits of this! Sadly dogs are probably the best examples of this.

God tells us through Paul in, Phil. 4:11, Not that I speak in regard to need (my joy isn’t because I no longer have a particular need), for I have learned in whatever state (whatever circumstance) I am, to be content (my joy was intact even before your gift.):

Paul knew that the chief end of man is not to have his needs met, but to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Because of that, he was satisfied with whatever God

12 MacArthur, J. (1989). Matthew (142). Chicago: Moody Press.

graciously provided him. As he wrote to Timothy, “If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content” (1 Tim. 6:8).

Paul goes on to say in Philippians 4:12, I know how to be abased (how to get along with humble means), and I know how to abound (how to get along with more than I need). Everywhere (in all places) and in all things (in all circumstances) I have learned (“learned” being the by-product of the biblical acceptance and use of ones resources and experiences) both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need, (My state of contentment is not affected by any of these external, non-essential things.)

The world says, “Happy are the rich, the noble, the successful, the macho [man, the professional woman,] the glamorous, the popular, the famous, the aggressive.” But the message from our King does not fit the world’s standards, because His kingdom is not of this world but of heaven. His way to happiness, which is the only way to true happiness, is by a much different route.

Seneca, the first-century Roman philosopher who tutored Nero, wisely wrote, “What is more shameful than to equate the rational soul’s good with that which is irrational?” His point was that you cannot satisfy a rational, internal personal need with an irrational, impersonal object. External things cannot satisfy internal needs. [Things cannot ensure contentment.]

Yet that is exactly the philosophy of the world: things satisfy. Acquiring things brings happiness, achieving things brings meaning, doing things brings satisfaction.13

Solomon tried this in Ecclesiastes and found that things and accomplishments couldn’t do it. Some examples are:

He tried to find the blessing God is describing in Luke through WISDOM—his conclusion was:

Ecclesiastes 1:13–14 (NIV) – I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind! I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

He tried to find the blessing God is describing here in PLEASURE—his conclusion was:

Ecclesiastes 2:1–2 (NIV) – I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless. “Laughter,” I said, “is madness. And what does pleasure accomplish?”

13 MacArthur, J. (1989). Matthew (142–143). Chicago: Moody Press.

He tried to find the blessing God is describing here in his LABOR AND ACHIEVEMETS—his conclusion was:

Ecclesiastes 2:10–11 (NIV) – I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.

He tried to find the blessing God is describing here in WEALTH—his conclusion was:

Ecclesiastes 5:10 (NLT)— Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!

He tried to find the blessing God is describing here in FULFILLING HIS EVERY DESIRE—his conclusion was:

Ecclesiastes 6:2 (NIV) – God gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them, and strangers enjoy them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil.

He tried to find the blessing God is describing here in RELATIONSHIPS AND LONG LIFE—his conclusion was:

Ecclesiastes 6:3 (NIV) – A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he.

He tried to find the blessing God is describing here in MATERIAL POSSESSIONS—his conclusion was:

Ecclesiastes 5:11 (NIV) – As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them?

Now we understand the thesis statement that Solomon made at the beginning of the book of Ecclesiastes:

Ecclesiastes 1:14 (NLT) – I observed everything going on under the sun (upon this broken earth), and really, it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind (Solomon discovered he had to live above the sun to find contentment and fulfillment).

Solomon discovered that he had to live above the sun to find contentment and fulfillment.

Listen to Solomon’s conclusion:

He begins his final chapter in Ecclesiastes 12:1 (NIV) saying – Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them”—

He concludes the chapter saying in Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14 (NIV) – Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

To do less, to remain living life under the sun, is what God instructed Jeremiah to say in Jeremiah 2:13 (NIV) – “My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

If we look to anything or anyone – other than God our Creator – for fulfillment contentment – we won’t find it. This blessing that God is describing is something He is and gives, not something we are or can acquire through any earthly “under the sun” means. It is also an inner state of being, not an external possession or achievement.

This is why we also find the word “blessed” used: To describe God:

• “Blessed be God!” (Ps. 68:35). • “Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone works wonders”

(Ps. 72:18). • “the glorious gospel of the blessed God” (1 Tim. 1:11)

It’s also used to describe the Christ:

• Jesus Christ “who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords” (6:15).

God exists in a continual state of blessedness.

• His possessions and achievements doesn’t change it. • Our obedience or disobedience doesn’t change it

God wants His children to possess and exhibit the same blessedness that He enjoys. But, it can only be found through a right relationship with God and His

values. In the beatitudes, Jesus is giving some examples of the conditions where this blissful contentment can be found.

A Means towards the state of being content: Being “Poor in Spirit,” (Luke 6:20b). I don’t believe that this is a coincidence that this is the first beatitude. For example: do you start a fire with a twig or a log?

It’s also important to remember that these beatitudes are a part of the gospel that we preach to the world through our actions, or should be anyway! 20 Blessed

(Mat. 5:3 reveals “poor in spirit” – meaning here those who know are you poor

themselves to be completely destitute, especially spiritually—rather than possessing a spirit of being full of him or herself—this person knows he or she is completely indebted to and dependent upon God to save Him or her as well as to keep and mature him or her),

The poor here are like the tax collector in Luke 18:11–14 – The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ [Poor in spirit? Yes or no – No, he’s full of himself!] And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, [ he bowed, cringingly like a beggar) but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ (He gave no defense, but simply asked for mercy) [Poor in spirit? Yes or no] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

20 (like the tax collector) (not “may be,” Blessed are you poor for yours is

but “is”) (all of the realm, Person and blessings of God are the kingdom of God

your eternal inheritance and abode).

The word πτωχός [poor] is derived from a verb which signifies cringing, crouching like a beggar (M.-M. 559). It is stronger than just “poor,” it denotes “cringingly, beggarly poor.” 14

When you think of the poor approaching others for alms, do you envision them standing tall and proud?

The poverty referred to [here though] is not one against which one’s will rebels [saying, “This isn’t right! This is not fair! I will not accept this! I’m being cheated! You’re going to hear from my lawyer!”) but one under which the will bows in deep

14 Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The Interpretation of St. Luke's Gospel (344–345). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House.

[humility] [saying, “This is who I am. This is my true self. I have nothing more to offer than this. I have no defense. “Good be merciful to me a sinner.”] ... It is the attitude that grows out of the profound realization of [being utterly] helplessness and beggary as far as any ability or possession of self is concerned. These [poor in spirit] bring absolutely nothing to God but their complete emptiness and need and stoop in the dust to receive pure grace and mercy only. 15 Just in case you are still struggling with this truth, who determines your:

• Natural abilities • Sex • Place and time of birth • Intellect • Personal wiring

• Spiritual gifts • Opportunities • Open and closed doors • Successes and failures

The Queen Mary was the largest ship to cross the oceans when it was launched in 1936. Through four decades and a World War she served until she was retired, anchored as a floating hotel and museum in Long Beach, California. During the conversion process, her three massive smokestacks were taken off to be scraped down and repainted. But on the dock they crumbled. Nothing was left of the ¾ inch steel plate from which the stacks had been formed. All that remained were more than 30 coats of thick hard paint. The steel had rusted away. When Jesus called the Pharisees “whitewashed tombs”, he meant they had no inner substance, only an exterior appearance. They were frauds, hypocrites.

They were full of themselves, I, I, I, I. We too can put on a great appearance – We too can boast of great feats and human achievements – But, it’s only paint and no substance. It will eventually crumble to pieces and the small measure of contentment the appearances and achievements created will crumble with it and we would be left destitute like the Pharisees.

"Poor in spirit" means several things. For one it means: 1. To acknowledge one's utter helplessness before God, one's spiritual poverty, one's

spiritual need; acknowledging that one is solely dependent upon God to meet his need.

It has been said by an unknown source that, “God pickles the proud and preserves the foolish.”

You see pride will dig all kinds of pits for you to fall in to as a clever salesman knew very well when he closed hundreds of sales with this line: "Let me show you 15 Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The Interpretation of St. Luke's Gospel (345). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House.

something several of your neighbors said you couldn't afford." --- Source Unknown.

President Abraham Lincoln hit the nail on the head though, concerning this issue of “poor in spirit” in his Proclamation of a day of National Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer, in 1863. He said, “We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.”

Wouldn’t you love to hear words from our president, senators and congressmen like that today?! Let’s bring it home though:

• Do you feel that you are further along in your spiritual journey because you possess superior wisdom and greater virtue than others?

• Have you become so self-centered, proud with your successes and affluence that you have distanced yourself intellectually and physically from and above others?

• Do you feel superior to others because of your seeming self-sufficient stamina, abilities and resources, whereby you feel you don’t need others nor do you feel compelled to share your resources them?

Ø Well, I’m telling myself, as well as you, that ANY spiritual growth and success that can be attributed to our Christian walk can ONLY be attributed to our willingness to surrender and submit to Christ as our Savior as well as our Master. Jesus Himself said this in John 15:5 – “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. You can’t be saved, you can’t serve worthily, nor can you mature in your faith without Christ.

Ø Our spiritual growth and success is all due as the Apostle Thomas said, to our admission and submission to Christ’s absolute superiority and authority over us, “my Lord (Master) and my God,” (Creator—Jn. 20:28). All of our growth and success is due to our willingness to receive it from the gracious hand of our Lord, and anyone can do that to any equal degree.

Ø The bare fact of the matter is that every single gospel believer is equally spiritually needy, but not all gospel believers are equally “poor in spirit.”

Is there a single one of us who would dare to compare our spiritual growth or success to the Apostle Paul’s?! Outside of Christ, Paul, would be seen by most as “the” spiritual giant of the New Testament, and yet what does Paul say of himself?

• I am the least of the apostles. 1 Corinthians 15:9 – That’s still pretty far up there…

• I am the very least of [or less than] all the saints. Ephesians 3:8 – Now I’m a little confused…

• I am the foremost [or chief] of sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15 – Now I’m lost?! You would be if you didn’t understand “poor in spirit.” It gets ever better though.

These are the words of Paul, whom we see as a spiritual giant!

Something even more interesting than these quotes is the timing and progression of them.

• I am the least of the apostles. 1 Corinthians 15:9—A.D. 59 • I am the very least of all the saints. Ephesians 3:8—A.D. 63 • I am the foremost of sinners. 1 Timot hy 1:15—A.D. 64

James Packer observed this progression and said, “As the years pass [Paul] goes lower; he grows downward! And as his self-esteem sinks, so his rapture of praise and adoration for the God who so wonderfully saved him rises.” [Paul’s personal self-worth shrivels up as God’s endowed value explodes within him! We are “complete” in Christ! (Col. 2)] ---James Packer, Your Father Loves You, Harold Shaw Publishers, 1986.

The shriveling is necessary to make room for the explosion! Do you want a pop…or an explosion!? It’s progressive.

Paul says in Galatians 6:14 – God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

So you see there was a big difference here between the high-minded, boastful, legalistic Pharisees and the simple, humble, needy tax collector and people.

2. [The “poor in spirit” means] To acknowledge one's utter lack in facing life

and eternity apart from God; to acknowledge that the real blessings of life and eternity come only from a right relationship with God.

Ephesians 1:3 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, (in relationship to and with Him.)

John 10:10 – The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (A new kind /quality that is available otherwise.)

Galatians 5:22–23 – But the fruit (or the life produced) of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Dr. Samuel Brengle (Salvation Army) said “The axe cannot boast of the trees it has cut down. It could do nothing but for the woodsman. He made it, he sharpened it, he used it. The moment he throws it aside, it becomes only old iron. O that I may never lose sight of this.” (Without the woodman, the iron will rust away and the wood will rot away.)

3. (To be poor in spirit also means) To acknowledge one's utter lack of superiority before all others and one's spiritual deadness before God; to acknowledge that no matter what one has achieved in this world (fame, fortune, power), he is no better, no richer, no more superior than the next person. His attitude toward others is not proud and haughty, not superior and over-bearing. To be "poor in spirit" means acknowledging that every human being is a real person just like everyone else—a person who has a significant contribution to make to society and to the world. The person who is "poor in spirit" approaches life in humility and appreciation, not as though life owes him, but as though he owes life. He has been given the privilege of living; thus, he journeys through life with a humble attitude, that is, with an attitude of being poor in spirit and contributing all he can out of a spirit of appreciation. ---Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Luke.

John MacArthur says, [concerning this “poor in spirit”

• “Until a soul is humbled, until the inner person is poor in spirit, Christ can never become dear, because He is obscured by self. (we have to go in Paul’s drieciton)

• Until one knows how helpless, worthless, and sinful he is in himself, he can never see how mighty, worthy, and glorious Christ is in Himself. (We have to remember we’re the ax not the woodsman.)

• Until one sees how doomed he is, he cannot see what a Redeemer the Lord is. (We are completely a product of His grace.)

• Until one sees his own poverty he cannot see God’s riches. (No one can claim superiority over another and without Christ we can do nothing.)

• Only when one admits to his own deadness can Christ give him His life. “Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord” (Prov. 16:5).16

Here’s our last warning with this beatitude, “poor in spirit”. It’s God’s warning to us from Revelation 3:17, 18 – Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness you high mindedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. That is the way to “poor in spirit.”

The second beatitude that leads to permanent contentment is: 21 (are famished) (priority to eternity: Blessed are you who hunger now

Matthew 5:6, fills this out more too, “and thirst for righteousness” [those who have a healthy appetite for spiritual food—In this case these persons are those who are famished for Christ’s righteousness—ex. Like a child sneaking cookies out of the cookie jar—when I was home, it was mom’s white fudge]), (the reason being) (not “may” be, I promise for you shall be

you—that when all is said and done you will be) (satisfied—you will filled

hunger for nothing else like the righteousness of Christ and it will satisfy every other thirst—Once you acquire a taste for righteousness everything else will pale in comparison—Do you see why this blessing of contentedness can be so permanent, a state of being?).

Ø God showed us Lucifer’s hunger in Isaiah 14:13–14, and it wasn’t after righteousness – For you (Lucifer) have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’

Ø God showed us Nebuchadnezzar’s hunger in Daniel 4:29–30, and it wasn’t after righteousness either. “At the end of the twelve months he (Nebuchadnezzar) was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. The king


spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?”

Ø God shows us the parable of the rich farmers hunger in Luke 12:16–21, and he wasn’t hungering after righteousness. “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

God revealed 3 major hungers in the world and how they don’t satisfy.

• Lucifer hungered for power • Nebuchadnezzar hungered for praise • The rich fool hungered for pleasure

Nebuchadnezzar is the only one of the 3 that learned from his mistake. Because the 3 hungered for wrong[, temporary, selfish] things and rejected God’s good[, eternal, godly] things, they forfeited [God’s blessing—the state of permanent peace and contentment].17 So I ask you again…

• What do you hunger for? • What are you thirsting after? • Your things or God’s things?

Most people have an instinctive [general] desire for goodness, but that desire is vague and mediocre rather than sharp and intense; and when the moment of decision comes they are not prepared to make the effort and the sacrifice [the leap, so to speak, towards righteousness] which real goodness demands. [Many will ignore the instinctive warning, and follow the culture and one’s personal bents.]

In a recent NCAA cross-country championship held in Riverside, California, 123 of the 128 runners missed a turn. One competitor, Mike Delcavo, stayed on the 10,000 meter course and began waving for fellow runners to follow him. Delcavo


was able to convince only four other runners of the remaining 127 to go with him. Asked what his competitors thought of his mid-race decision not to follow the crowd, Delcavo responded, "They thought it was funny that I went the right way." Delcavo was one who ran [the race correctly] correctly. In the same way, our goal out to be to run [our race of life] correctly; to finish the race marked out for us by Christ. We can rejoice over those who have the courage to follow, ignoring the laughter of the crowd. Who waves to us to follow Him. As the Apostle Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7-8 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness."

When we understand what God is expressing here [concerning “hungering and thirsting after righteousness”], it is probably the most demanding, and the most frightening, of [of all the beattitudes].

William Barclay stated concerning this verse, “Blessedness comes to the person who, in spite of failures and failings, still clutches to him the passionate love of the highest.” [In other words, he or she, still presses forward—through the world—through the demonic warfare—through ones personal weaknesses and failures. Staggering, crawling, clawing if necessary towards the blessed state of contentment that the byproduct of God’s righteousness will bring.]

The race was supposed to have been a moment of glory for the top runner at a northern California high school and her teammates, on December 3, 2010.

But instead of crossing the finish line in a flash at the head of the pack -- a finish that would have all but guaranteed the team another state championship -- 16-year-old junior Holland Reynolds collapsed just feet from that line and stunned onlookers by stubbornly crawling to the end, despite being in obvious pain.

… her excruciating finish [was still] …fast enough to still secure the state championship for her team, and honoring the team's coach who is suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.

"I just kept on telling myself, 'I need to finish and I need to cross the line,'" Reynolds said. "I don't remember falling, but … I remember crawling across the line."

Video of the race shows Reynolds slowing to a stop, then staggering for a bit before collapsing into the grass on the side of the track.

A race official, immediately at her side, advised her that if she wanted to finish the race -- the finish line just mere feet in front of her -- she could crawl enough to get one foot over the line. But if she received assistance, she'd be disqualified and the points would not count toward her team's total.

Reynolds [with obvious strain, pushed herself to her hands and knees and began crawling.] As soon as her foot went over the finish line she was scooped up and loaded into an ambulance. ---ABCNEWS.com

She had a hunger and a thirst that could only be quenched by crossing that finish line. That’s hungering thirsting after righteousness.

[You see], the verbs of hungering and thirsting [here] in Greek mean to hunger and thirst is for the whole thing. For example, I not only hunger for bread but I want the whole loaf [not just a slice]. I not only thirst for water but I want the whole pitcher [not just a swallow]. For Holland Reynolds, she not only wanted to run in the race, she wanted to win it. A good translation here would be William Barclay’s:

Many are content with a portion of righteousness. But, this beatitude says, it is not enough to be satisfied with a partial goodness. Blessed is the man who hungers and thirsts for the goodness which is total.18

• There is no picking and choosing • There is no area of your life or unrighteousness that you reserve for you • You press towards the whole package of righteousness/Christlikness in

every area of your life.

Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness experience that longing in at least three forms:

1. The desire to be righteous—to be forgiven and accepted by God; to be right with God. (Saved, born again, to become a gospel believer)

Romans 5:1–2 (NIV) – Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.

18 The Gospel of Matthew : Volume. Edited by Barclay, William, lecturer in the University of Glasgow. The Daily study Bible series, Rev. ed. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 2000, c1975.

Philippians 3:9 – …not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

2. The desire to do what is right—to do what God commands; imitating and reflecting God’s righteousness [in public and private—when all can see and when none can see].

Romans 6:13 (NIV) – Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.

3. The desire to see right done—to help bring about God’s will in the world.19

Romans 9:2–3 (NIV) – I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race,

James Dobson said, "When I went to my old high school in Texas I found my tennis trophies thrown away in the trash heap to make room for new ones in the trophy case. It made me realize that all human accomplishments are really nothing but trash that will not stand the test of time. It made me realize that we should put our emphasis not on human achievement like tennis championships, but on enlarging the quality and quantity of His kingdom and righteousness."

ü How early in our spiritual journey will we realize this principle? ü And even more important that that when will we commit ourselves to it – in

order to be at last and forever set free from ourselves and discontent? ü It starts by desiring to be righteous. ü It then continues by desiring to do what is right and desiring to see right

done.

Those Who Weep Can Laugh Again Luke:6:21b (fortunate, content is the state of being of those) Blessed are you who

(weep here means to, “wail, lament, implying not only the shedding weep now,

of tears, but also every other external expression of grief”20 – the tense of this verb

19Barton, Bruce B. Matthew. Life application Bible commentary, Page 78. Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers, 1996. 20 Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.

denotes an ongoing, continual action. So you could say, “Content are those who weep and continue to weep.” – And all God’s people said not “AMEN! But , “SAY WHAT?!”)

“Thank you God, but I’ll skip this blessing. Is that what you really want? Have you counted the cost of what you would be giving up?

Listen to one of the world’s best modern-day apologist and Christian philosophers, C.S. Lewis’, take on this — Isn’t God supposed to be good? Isn’t God supposed to love us? And does God want us to suffer? What if the answer to that question is yes? ’Cause I’m not sure that God particularly wants us to be happy. I think he wants us to be able to love and be loved. He wants us to grow up. I suggest to you that it is because God loves us that he makes us the gift of suffering.

How many of us would thrill over that gift for our birthday or for Christmas? Luke:6:21b (the reason being) Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall

. (“God shall cause you to laugh, to be merry – the verb here is in the future laugh

tense—e.g., if, when and as you weep, as time goes on and ultimately in glory, you shall laugh and be merry.)” Ultimately in glory, but to a significant degree, even here on earth.

Mt 5:4—Blessed (happy, fortunate), are those who mourn (sorrow or grieve intensely21—the tense of this verb denotes an on going, continual action—you could say, “Blessed are those who mourn and continue to mourn.”), for they shall be comforted, (this is future tense—e.g., if, when and as they mourn—as time goes on and ultimately in glory—they shall be consoled, encouraged,

21 Of the nine terms used for sorrow, the one used here is the strongest, the most severe – it represents a deep, and heart-‐felt grief like grieving over the death of a loved one. E.g., • Jacob’s grief when he thought his son Joseph was killed by a wild animal (Gen.

37:34). • It is used in Mark 16:10 of the disciples’ mourning for Jesus before they knew He

was raised from the dead. • It is used in Rev. 18:11, 15 of the mourning of world business leaders over the death

of its commerce because of the destruction of the world system during the Tribulation.

Point: The word carries the idea of deep inner agony, which may or may not be expressed outwardly, but certainly is felt in the inner man.

strengthened—only God can heal the our anguish caused by our sin, and only God can heal some other forms of deep sorrow like the death of a loved one).22 Now what do you do with this? Where do you go with it? You want to take it to the bank, but can you? Dare you?!

Only God can make this promise, because only God can keep it.

William Nicholson, who wrote the screen play for Shadowlands, said something that I think is very perceptive and aptly applies to our text this morning. He said, “Self-sufficiency is the enemy of salvation. If you are self-sufficient, you have no need of God. If you have no need of God, you do not seek Him. If you do not seek Him, you will not find Him.”

Do you see yourself as self-sufficient? We would probably all say we need God, but is it true? How much time do you spend in prayer every day? How are your daily devotions going?

You see, God knows us really well. There isn’t much that will reveal our real lack of self-sufficiency more than the circumstances that bring us to the depths of severe mourning and weeping, to the brink of collapse – and thus press us towards a maturing level of necessary awareness and greater appreciation for God who is all sufficient in every way and over everything.

It is only with this understanding that we can find the “blessing”, the state of being content in our mourning and weeping in this verse. It is in this way that we can find the comfort and the laughter we seek.

Remember that each of these Beatitudes has to do with an INWARD CONTENTEDNESS that is not affected by circumstances. This is an inner man issue – these are issues of the gospel believers heart!

Now, there are many things that can cause us to weep. Some examples are:

22 God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Re 21:4 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, 2 Th 2:16 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Ro 15:4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 2 Co 1:3

• Sin and its consequences upon the world in general, sin that we commit as well as that which others commit (war, disease, death, crime, selfishness, pride, drugs and other addictions and afflictions)

• Rejection, ridicule, persecution, and loss: whether our own or that of others (Those things hurt us and those we love.)

• Those yet to place saving faith in Christ for salvation (a family member, friend or neighbor)

• Weaknesses, imperfections, and shortcomings (We are so aware of ours and those of others.)

• The death and separation of those we love (There’s no commentary needed here.)

Here are some ways that God alone can make us laugh again are:

• God promises to reverse the effects of sin upon the world, and offers personal forgiveness for all sin through Christ. (His mercies/comforts are new every morning.)

• God promises special rewards for those who are rejected, ridiculed, persecuted and martyred for His sake as well as the grace to suffer such mistreatment here and now.

• God promises that any and all who call upon Christ will be saved. • God promises that in eternity the gospel believer will have no weaknesses,

imperfections, or shortcomings. (Yet even here on earth Paul said, “When I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Cor. 12:10

• God promises the gospel believers will be reunited with all who have preceded them to heaven because He has conquered death through the resurrection of Christ.

There are many Scriptural reasons why every gospel believer should experience genuine comfort/laughter again even amidst their mourning/weeping. Job sure had plenty of reason for weeping didn’t he? He lost all his children, all his crops, all his animals, all his servants, all in the same day! Yet Job says: Behold, God will not cast away the blameless, nor will He uphold the evildoers. He will yet fill your mouth with laughing, and your lips with rejoicing. (Job 8:20–21)

God told Isaiah in 60:20, “Your sun shall no longer go down, nor shall your moon withdraw itself; for (the reason being) the LORD will be your everlasting light, and the days of your mourning shall be ended.

God told Jeremiah in 31:13, “Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old, together; for (the reason being) I will turn their mourning to joy, will comfort them, and make them rejoice rather than sorrow.

God told John in Revelation 7:17, “the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Matthew Henry says concerning this weeping and laughing, “You weep now, are often in tears, tears of repentance, tears of sympathy; you are of them that mourn in Zion. But blessed are you; your present sorrows are no [disrespect] to your future joy, but preparatories for it: You shall laugh. You have triumphs in reserve; you are but sowing in tears, and shall shortly reap in joy,’ ’ Ps. 126:5, 6. They that now sorrow after a godly sort are treasuring up comforts for themselves, or, rather, God is treasuring up comforts for them; and the day is coming when their mouth shall be filled with laughing and their lips with rejoicing, Job 8:21.23

God told John as well in Revelation 21:4, “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things (of this broken world) have passed away.”

Every gospel believer will always and only laugh in glory, but don’t forget that Christ also said to His disciples in this broken world in John 14:18 “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”

Listen to these words of Christian writer, Bob Benson, “When life caves in, you do not need reasons -- you need comfort. You do not need some answers -- you need someone. And Jesus does not come to us with an explanation -- He comes to us with His presence.”

Now listen carefully to me. The comfort you find, or the laughter that you return to, doesn’t necessarily mean that you get over the pain of your circumstance. It means that as you mature in your understanding of your lack of self-sufficiency and God’s all-sufficiency, you begin to process your pain more biblically and thus effectively. Nothing has really changed but you. But, when that change is God’s transforming work in you, that is enough. Brokenness is no longer you adversary, it is your treasure house in darkness. Now, what do I mean by “your treasure house in darkness…”

23 Henry, M. (1996). Matthew Henry's commentary on the whole Bible : Complete and unabridged in one volume (Lk 6:20–26). Peabody: Hendrickson.

Please turn to Isaiah 45 with me.

The Holman Bible Handbook tells us what is happening in Isaiah chapters 44 and 45. “Identifying Himself as the sovereign Creator, who alone controls the events of history, the Lord announced that He would use Cyrus the Persian to restore His people to the land [of Israel] and rebuild the ruined cities…

Though God had great plans for His exiled people [now in Babylon], some grumbled about their condition [in Babylon] and questioned God’s ways [God’s supposed treasures in darkness that He promised to hand out]. The Lord reminded such individuals that they had no right to question their Creator’s sovereign decisions. To do so would be as absurd as a piece of pottery criticizing the potter who forms it.”24 With that background in mind, I believe there is a strong premise for a spiritual application today from Isaiah 45:2, 3 based on the mourning and weeping that Israel is experiencing in their exile from the promised land, what God was promising Israel He will bring out of their brokenness, as well as the fact that God is the same today, yesterday, and forever. Isaiah 45:2–3 (NKJV) 2 – tell me, is it better for the sheep to lead the shepherd, ‘I will go before you

or for the shepherd to lead the sheep? Duh.

• God knows the best way through our trouble. • He knows how and where to meet our individual needs throughout our

troublesome journey. • He knows how to not just restore meaning, joy, and contentment back in our

life, but how to magnify it as a result of our trouble. • BUT, we have to follow Him to receive these things.

-- The ‘I will go before you and make the crooked places straight;

Israelites couldn’t see how God could possibly straighten their lives out again. They figured everything was too messed up.

• Although our lives may be shattered and forever changed by some tragedy, God will enable us to put our lives back together again.

• He will put the pieces back together in a new, but beautiful way.

24 Dockery, D. S., Butler, T. C., Church, C. L., Scott, L. L., Ellis Smith, M. A., White, J. E., & Holman Bible Publishers (Nashville, T. (1992). Holman Bible Handbook (402). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

In the Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren comments on the attitudes God is looking for in us and he says, “When you fully comprehend that there is more to life than just here and now, and you realize that life is just preparation for eternity, you will begin to live differently.” ---Rick Warren – The Purpose Driven Life p. 37

-- I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron.

How was Israel going to get free from the iron grip of Babylon!?

• God will take care of the impossibilities of our life, no matter how impossible, dark, tiresome, long, or painful they may be.

• God will break each step into bite sized pieces. • It’s as easy for God as cutting butter with a hot knife.

3 I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret

-- These are the places where the royal treasures would be hidden. places,

• In due time God will reveal the treasure-blessings of our trials that can only be found in the dark chambers of our brokenness.

That

• In order that, the primary reason God does these things

[is] (Israel)that you may know that I, the Lord, who call you by your

name, Am the God of Israel.

• That God’s children would be comforted and satisfied with Him and look to Him and glorify Him before all others and for all eternity.

• God knows us intimately by name, loves us perfectly and is committed to us eternally.

When things go well it is possible to live for years on the surface of these things; but when sorrow comes a man is driven to the deep truths of life, and, if he accepts it, a new strength and beauty enters into his or her soul from the God of all truth.

“I walked a mile with Pleasure,

She chattered all the way,

But left me none the wiser

For all she had to say.

I walked a mile with Sorrow,

And ne’er a word said she,

But, oh, the things I learned from her

When Sorrow walked with me!”

I don’t like going through the experiences of brokenness, but I would never want to give up the truths I have learned through it. C. S. Lewis in the movie Shadowlands says, “I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn't change God, it changes me.”

Those are not the words of a self-sufficient man. But, the words of a man who, though he mourns and weeps, has found he can find comfort and laughter again as his ALL-SUFFICIENT God eventually brings treasures out of the dark chambers of his brokenness.

I close with a word of caution.

Improper mourning, weeping [comes from the attitude of] “I didn’t get my way!”

[God makes it very clear, that] Life isn’t about you or I – Life wasn’t even about what Christ wanted.25

Are you more concerned about what you want or what God can and desires to do in and through you?

• One way will lock you up in your brokenness. • The other will bring you treasures through your brokenness.

Persecution that Pays High Dividends: Standing in the Storm

Luke 6:22, 23 – 7/15/12

In your mind, what kinds of things would cause you to feel that the greatest good fortune in the world has just been laid in your lap?

25 I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. Jn 6:38

In the book of Luke chapter 15 we are told of a father who had a son that didn’t want to wait for his inheritance. The father ended up giving the son his portion of his inheritance and the son left soon thereafter.

For that father the greatest good fortune in the world would be to see his wayward son return home a new and better man, which he did. His heart leaped with such joy when the father saw his son returning that he ran down the road to meet him. The son confessed and repented of his sin toward God, his father, and the father put a robe on his back, sandals on his feet, a ring on his finger and barbequed a fatted calf for a party dad threw for his son.

Although when a Sunday school teacher told the story of the prodigal son to her class of young students and asked, “Was anyone sorry when the prodigal son returned?” One little boy answered but she was surprised he didn’t say the prodigal’s brother. He said, “Yes, the fatted calf.”

So, in your mind, what kinds of things would cause you to feel that the greatest good fortune in the world had just been laid in your lap? Nobody is going to know your thoughts, so be honest. What would be the greatest things in the world that could happen to you?

Would it be something like:

• Winning the lottery? • Being able to retire at your present age? • Being a superstar or hero of some sort? • Having a dream job? • Finding your life mate?

What sort of things would constitute that degree of blessing in your life, where you would literally jump for joy? Luke 6:22 (fortunate, happy, inward state of being content) Blessed are you

(followers of Christ, gospel believers) (that’s an interesting word. Why when

not “if?”) (representing the unsaved human race) ( when men hate you

Say what?! This can’t be the kind of hate I’m thinking of… “ ” here Hate

means to dislike strongly, to detest – The implication is not only that the gospel believer will be hated, but that he or she can and should expect these afflictions and attitudes as a norm from the world when the unbelieving hate you.)

Allow me to give you a few biblical examples of this word “hate.”

Genesis 27:41 – Esau Jacob because of the blessing with which his father hated

blessed him, and Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” (That’s a pretty severe hate!)

John 15:19, 20 – If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world

you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than hates

his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. Matthew 10:22 – you will be by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures hated

to the end will be saved. Now that there shouldn’t be any confusion about this work at this point so “hate,”

let’s continue on through verse 22:

Luke 6:22b (you are blessed as well) Blessed are you when men hate you, and

(meaning to separate, to cast out, to ostracize, to shun, to when they exclude

excommunicate) (mainly referring here in the context to those who profess you

faith in Christ, who are as a result cast out of the Jewish synagogues, jobs, families, etc.),

John 9:22 – (The) parents (of the healed blind man) said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out/excluded of the synagogue. Interestingly, this word “exclude” is also used in Acts 13:2 – As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” It’s also used in Romans 1:1 – Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God. (This separation is pretty clear, thorough and absolute exclusion.)

Luke 6:22 goes on to say, Luke 6:22c (blessed are you when people)And revile

(insult you, mock you,), (meaning say you and cast out your name as evil

slanderous, wicked, scornful things about you; point you out and reject you as evil),

That has probably happened to all of us here today. The question though is for

what “reason” did it happen? It happened to Jesus because of the claims He was making.

John 8:47–48 – He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?” Luke 6:22d (“for” here is in reference to what turns this normally horrible For

experience into a priceless blessing is because it is for) the Son of Man’s

(Jesus Christ’s) . (LISTEN, THIS IS THE KEY TO THIS BE ATTITUDE: sake

If you miss this, it will be impossible to enjoy this be attitude. When your persecution is the result of your identification with and loyalty to, your Master and Savior, Jesus Christ, you can count it a great blessing.)

God says this blessing applies when the hated, excluded and slandered are so for Jesus’ sake.

“The cause,” said St. Augustine, “not the suffering, makes a genuine martyr.”

Do you see what St. Augustine is saying? He understood as we must come to understand, that Suffering for the Lord Jesus’ sake, not the suffering itself, is what makes persecution a blessing. This blessing doesn’t apply for suffering for any other cause or reason.

Steve Cleary, a member of the Voice of the Martyrs, team said, “The persecution of Christians is not about human rights, it is a rite of passage.”

Suffering for Christ’s sake, is a privilege provided only for gospel believers, only those belonging to the Lord Jesus Christ.

FOR EXAMPLE: Acts 19:13–16 (NIV) – Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were

doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. (Their suffering was not for Christ’s sake.)

Listen to what God tells us in Philippians 1:29 – (the gospel believer) For to you it has

(bestowed, conferred) (the One who has the been granted on behalf of Christ

right to bestow the privilege of), not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer

. Think about that, suffering for Christ is a rite of passage. for His sake

23 (Instead of doing what many of the unsaved would do when being persecuted, gospel believers are commanded to) (“rejoice” is a verb—it is only Rejoice

experienced and expressed through an action. Otherwise it’s simply a word with no power or effect) (In what day? In the day of Rejoice in that day

your being detested, excluded, and slandered) (another verb—and leap

another expression of an action) (R.C.H. Lenski puts this leap for joy!

phrase this way, “…regard all this persecution as the greatest good fortune that could come to [you]26) (So, what’s going through your head right now?)

Nada. No thank you. I’ll pass. I don’t think so.

Catherine Marshall said, “Faith is not even worthy of the name [faith] until it erupts into action.”

In other words, faith in and of itself is nothing tangible, nothing meaningful until it is expressed through some action. The apostle James says faith without action is no faith at all, it is dead faith.

• So, what kind of daily actions of faith are we expressing in our Christian walk? • Do we have to think long and hard or stretch the truth to come up with some? • If so, is our faith something we turn on and off; or something we always

profess, but only occasionally at best express? • If we are not living by faith on a daily basis, all day long, what is it really worth?

Pastor Richard Wrumbrand, a severely persecuted Romainan Pastor says, “Faith is never passive. It demands a response. It asks for a mission. It demonstrates the indwelling presence and power of the Holy Spirit.”

26 Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The Interpretation of St. Luke’s Gospel (352). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House.

There is some faith that is worth something. Do you have and desire that kind of faith? Jesus says you are blessed if you do.

Pastor Wurmbrand also said, “Friendship with Jesus is costly. Faith alone saves, but saving faith is never alone. It is always accompanied by great sacrifices for Christ’s sake.” (Like being hated, excluded and slandered…)

Take Acts 5:40b–41 for example – “… when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.”

And that is only the tip of the ice burg of the great sufferings the apostles and NT saints went through.

Listen carefully and thoughtfully to the words of Pastor Noble Alexander, who was imprisoned for 22 years in Cuba. “In spite of the painful reflections and memories, I have no time for bitterness. My life is filled with too much happiness, too many loving, caring people to allow myself to be devoured by the cancer of hate. I rejoice. I sing. I laugh. I celebrate, because I know that my God reigns supreme over all the forces of evil and destruction Satan has ever devised. And best of all—my God reigns supreme in me!”

There is some more faith that is worth something that has plenty of action and power behind it.

23b (these situations are the best days of your life secondarily, because) For

(“indeed” here means listen up, pay attention, don’t miss this) indeed your

(the interest on your persecution) (this is the Greek word reward is great

for great in quantity and quality) , (which is when and where you in heaven

will receive the interest on your investments—Judgment Seat of Christ)

We can learn several things here:

• The gospel believer’s reward depends upon a specific kind of deposit, “for

(vs. 22). the Son of Man’s sake,”

• The gospel believer’s reward is to put us in a celebratory mood, “rejoice,

(vs. 23). leap for joy,”

• The gospel believer’s reward is supposed to gain our attention, “indeed,”

(vs. 23).

• The gospel believer’s reward is individual, not corporate, “your reward,”

(vs. 23). • The gospel believer’s reward is guaranteed the greatest interest yields,

(vs. 23). “great,”

• The gospel believer’s reward is kept in a safe place, (vs. 23). “heaven,”

Listen to these words written by an unnamed Chinese Christian. “Where there is no cross, there is no crown. This lesson cannot be learned from books, and men do not usually taste this sweetness. This rich lie does not exist in a comfortable environment. If the spices are not refined to become oil, the fragrance of the perfume cannot flow forth; and if the grapes are not crushed in the vat, they will not become wine.”

Remember God’s words of wisdom in Matthew 6:19–21 – “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Hebrews 11:35 – Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.

23c (referring to the physical process of gaining this For in like manner

reward [persecution] and the same biblical basis of this blessing [for the Lord’s sake]) (your ancestors) did to the prophets (the their fathers

persecuted the OT prophets who spoke of and lived for God as well).

Some other things we can learn are:

• This is nothing new, but very old. • This is nothing unusual, but very normal. • This is nothing that can’t be done, but very supernatural. • This is nothing trivial, but very rewarding • This is nothing to instigate or avoid, but to thoroughly rejoice through.

It was getting late, and the Soviet officer had beaten and tortured Paulus for many hours. “We are not going to torture you anymore,” he said, smiling brutally when the Christian looked up. “We will send you instead to Siberia, where the snow never melts. It is a place of great suffering. You and your family will fit in well.”

Paulus, instead of being depressed, smiled. “The whole earth belongs to my Father, Captain. Wherever you send me I will be on my Father’s earth.”

The captain looked at him sharply, “We will take away all you own.”

“You will need a high ladder, Captain, for my treasures are stored up in heaven.” Paulus still wore a beautiful smile.

“We will put a bullet between your eyes,” shouted the captain, now angry.

“If you take away my life in this world, my real life of joy and beauty will begin,” answered Paulus. “I am not afraid of being killed.”

The captain grabbed Paulus by his tattered prison shirt and screamed into his face, “We will not kill you! We will keep you locked alone in a cell and allow no one to come see you!”

“You cannot do that, Captain,” said Paulus still smiling. “I have a Friend who can pass through locked doors and iron bars. No one can separate me from the love of Christ.”

The World’s Bottom Line on Returns Craig Golden, in his farewell address, mentioned that in the end, our life is

summed up in one or two paragraphs. That is sobering. What would you want written in the one or two paragraphs? I hope you would want what could actually be summed up in 7 words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

I. The Final Return of Self-sufficiency, in and of itself, (24) 24 (in contrast to those who are blessed) (“Woe” here is a warning “But woe

expressed in an attitude of compassion or pity towards another. It is a warning of impending intense hardship, distress, disaster, horror)

• For you kids, “woe” would be something like being told by your mother, “Keep it up and you’ll be sorry when your father gets home.”

• For you college kids, “woe” would be something like being told by your teacher that he only expects 2 people in your entire class passed the final.

• For some of you adults, “woe” would be something like hearing that all the financial institutions of the world are about to go belly up. Ø BUT, in both of these cases, this “woe” is exceedingly more grim,

and with eternal consequences…

24b Woe to you who are rich

The scholar R. C. Blight, in his Exegetical Study of Luke, comments here concerning the rich, that:

• Their comfort was obtained from their social and economic status [AB]. • Their consolation consisted in thinking they had everything they wanted and

needed nothing else [AB, Lns, Su]. • They were contented with the good life they were able to provide for

themselves [WBC]. • The comfort they already have received consisted of the possessions they

have acquired and that is their full payment, … [BECNT]27

(24b “ ,” is the opposite of those who see themselves as Woe to you who are rich

“ ” meaning those who have nothing but God those who are poor in spirit

to depend upon—for salvation and life. These “ ” individuals on the rich

other hand, see themselves as the god of their own universe, the sovereign over their own destiny. They need no Savior, and certainly no Master! They scoff merely at the idea of it.)

Do you remember Nebuchadnezzar’s worldview of worldly riches? Do you remember in Daniel 4:31, 32, where Nebuchadnezzar said, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by MY mighty power and for the honor of MY majesty?” 31 While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! 32 And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.”

Do you remember the same worldview of worldly riches mentioned by the Psalmist in Psalm 73:3–18 (NLT) – For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else. They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for! They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others. They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth. And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking

27 Blight, R. C. (2008). An Exegetical Summary of Luke 1–11 (2nd ed.) (247). Dallas, TX: SIL International.

in all their words. “What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?” Look at these wicked people—enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply. Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain. If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people. So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is! Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. [I finally understood the world’s bottom line on returns] Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. [Woe, take warning of this terrible ending coming to them who die in that condition.]

(intense hardship, distress, disaster, horror Woe to you who are rich, for

awaits you because) (present tense) you have received your consolation

(meaning the level of comfort, encouragement, happiness, satisfaction you are experiencing now, is all there is; there is nothing waiting for you in the future.

[1] you are presently receiving the maximum availability of your worldview of being rich, self-sufficient, as your worldview is only good for the here and now, under the sun, in the land of the living. Your worldview of riches is no good in your life after death, in eternity. Your rich life is short-term, not long-term. It’s temporary, not permanent. It’s finite not infinite.

[2] You are also receiving the maximum blessing of your worldview of being rich, as it is limited to what it alone, in-&-of-itself, can supply. What you gain in this world is limited to your ability to keep it, your opportunities to even utilize it, as well as your wisdom to use it to the maximum benefit. You are at the mercy of the world economy as well as your personal wellbeing and abilities.)

LISTEN: The key here is not being wealthy and/or powerful, but the most obvious danger that worldly possessions presents to our spiritual welfare (even though most worldly possessions [in-and-of-themselves are fine] is that they can so very easily become a substitute, an idol in our hearts for God, to Whom our supreme devotion is due. Here’s how:

• Worldly riches are present; God is unseen. • They provide pleasure; God demands discipline. • They are acquired by human intervention (whether by earning or by taking

them); God demands trust and obedience. • They provide instant rewards; God’s are mostly future. • They are not in conflict with ones broken human nature, God’s are. • And on we could go…

Worldly riches has its own little creation dynamic going on in that it can very easily create within the pursuer and possessor of worldly riches, the idea of his or her rising power that tends to lure him or her into idolizing self. And if worldly riches can and does do that to mankind, it can have the same affect upon a nation as well.

Watergate conspirator George Gordon Liddy once said, “I have found within myself all I need and all I ever shall need. I am a man of great faith, but my faith is in George Gordon Liddy. I have never failed me.” ---The Christian Century, 9-28-77, p. 836.

Liddy is a contemporary of the influential person described in Psalm 73.

In Luke 6:24, Jesus tells us that “faith in me” will ultimately fail us catastrophically.

Listen to Jesus’ words in Revelation 3:17 – Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—

17 “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy (because you believe you live in abundance), and (and think you), have need of nothing’—and (thus), do not (even), know that you are (actually), wretched (suffering affliction a midst’s your affluence), miserable (in need of compassion and pity rather than the admiration you get), poor (starving spiritually in the midst of your abundant riches), blind (not able to see your actual spiritual state, nor find your way to real spirituality, nor avoid the present dangers your condition creates), and (if that were not pathetic enough, you are), naked (in a humiliating and destitute state, regardless of your checkbook balances, material assets, and powerful connections and positions)— “Woe to you who rest in yourself and in what the world’s riches has to offer you.”

• We could go here to examples like Judas, who betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver only to find a suicidal death for his return.

• Or Ananias & Sapphira who sold some property and said they gave all the profits to God’s work, but didn’t, lying to the Holy Spirit and died an early death for their return.

• Or how about the rich, self-sufficient man who died after living the good life, only to find himself in judgment and is told in Luke 16:25, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.’

It was this message of “woe” that Christ Himself was trying to get across to the rich young ruler, who was investing in and resting in what the world had to offer

rather than investing in and resting in the kingdom of God and His kingdom work. In Mark 10:21–22; “Jesus, looking at [the rich young ruler], loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” 22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

If anyone or anything you have (or even aspire to have), takes you away from

• the regular worship of God in His house with His people, • the regular service of God’s kingdom work in and out of His house, • or from having regular devotions in your own house

you need to act now, today, to either get these things in biblical order or to drop whatever worldly riches that you have allowed to become an idol like a poisonous snake.

That could mean:

• Working towards getting a new job, (expectations, integrity, time consumption)

• It may mean downsizing your material possessions, (insuring, upkeep, worrying about)

• It may mean altering your sports or recreational life, (time consumption, cutting into other important activities, cost)

• It may mean not giving your friend, spouse, child or grandchildren a higher degree of devotion than you do God. (people can be as much an idol as any thing)

• It may mean a reallocation of your free time. (wasting it)

All this basically means, Woe is unto you and me, if we don’t hightail it, to get rid of any and all idols ASAP before it is too late. Before the “woe” takes affect. (An idol is defined by anything that dethrones God from having first place in our lives.)

Jonah: they jettisoned the cargo to save what was most important to them in life; which was their lives. We too must do the same when God tells us we have something on our ship that will sink us in the end.

One is blessed in being “poor in spirit” meaning those who have nothing but God to depend upon—for salvation and life rather than to be “rich” in ones self-sufficiency.

Remember, in the end, all we get is one or two paragraphs about how we lived. Would you rather have a couple of paragraphs written about you like Bill Gates might, or how Mother Teresa does?


summed up in one or two paragraphs. That is sobering. What would you want written in the one or two paragraphs? I hope you would want what could actually be summed up in 7 words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Pompous

I. The Final Return of Self-sufficiency, in and of itself, (24)

II. The Final Return of Self-supremacy, (25) 25 (verses those who are famished in verse 21— Woe to you who are full

meaning those who “thirst for righteousness” [those who have a healthy appetite for spiritual food—persons who are famished for Christ’s righteousness and will. Those on the other hand, are those “who are full”

who have obtained a fashionable level of social and economic status; those who have or think they have obtained the persona, the image they desire to portray. They need nothing else to create that persona. They are full of themselves. But God says) (remember Woe to you who are full for

“woe” refers to intense hardship, distress, disaster, horror awaits you because) (not “MAY,” not stand a good “CHANCE” of, but you you shall

“SHALL”) (the satisfaction of your fullness, that your persona hunger

brings you now will not last. The appetite you don’t have today will one day arrive; your taste buds will change one day and you will crave another kind of diet, another persona.)

Remember the Rich man in Luke 17 who said to Abraham, send Lazarus back to the living to warn my brothers the woe I presently suffer for being full of myself! They were still full of themselves just as he once was and the rich man now knew the persona they are enjoying would soon come to a horrible and abrupt end.

When Mother Teresa was passing through a crowd in Detroit a woman remarked, "Her secret is that she is free to be nothing. Therefore God can use her for anything." ---Michael Glazier, Inc. catalog advertising Free to be Nothing.

Who are you, or who are you trying to be, or even, who do you want, strive, ache to be?

There is one biblical answer to all three of those questions. Do you know what it is?

Turn to 1 Corinthians 2:16— (who For “who has known the mind of the Lord thinks God’s thoughts, who possesses God’s knowledge, who is God’s equal),

, (that they may give Him counsel, that they may direct that he may instruct HimHis paths, that they may enlighten His mind)?” (gospel believers), But we have

(How!? We have it because of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the mind of Christ, us! How great is that!!)

It gets better though! God tells us in Romans 8:29 that as gospel believers we are predestined to have the mind of Christ.

(these would be the gospel believers), For whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the

. firstborn among many brethren So, God tells us in 1 Corinthians 2:16 that we have the mind of Christ in us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and in Romans 8:29 God tells us that we are predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ, but it is in Philippians 2:4–5 that God tells gospel believers how we are to personify Christ our Savior and Master. (don’t be full “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests of yourself), but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you (LISTEN: Let this mind be your disposition, adopt its ways, seek its influence, allow it free access to fill and dominate your mind and heart) which was also in

(while He walked this earth.) Christ Jesus”

In 2 Corinthians 13:11 when Paul is giving his farewell benediction to the Corinthians he said, (this is in the “Finally, brethren, farewell. Become imperative so it is a command to be) (lacking nothing). (I command complete Be you to be) (I command you to be) (here of good comfort, be of one mindmeaning to personify One Person, and I command you to), live in peace; and the

God of love and peace will be with you.”

When the wife of missionary Adoniram Judson told him that a newspaper article likened him to some of the apostles, Judson replied, "I do not want to be like a

Paul...or any mere man. I want to be like Christ...I want to follow Him only, copy His teachings, drink in His Spirit, and place my feet in His footprints...Oh, to be more like Christ!" ---Source Unknown.

We are not to be full of ourselves, to be full of our image; we are to be full of one mind, the mind of Christ. Would you like me to give you the basic litmus test as to whether you are exercising the mind of Christ or not? Well you don’t really have a choice, I’m going to tell you anyway. =) SIMPLY PUT: if you are faithful in living true to the knowledge and understanding that you have of the Scriptures up to this present time, you are exercising the mind of Christ. What do you think having the mind of Christ would look like then collectively speaking, as a church family? Here are some fundamental ways it would look:

• When we see the poor we all would say, “Let’s go help.” We may come up with a hundred different ways to help, but helping would not be optional to any of us.

• When we see the lost we all would say, “Let’s go endeavor to share the gospel with them as we live it before them.”

Again, we may differ in our approach to share the gospel, but sharing would not be an option for us.

• When we see an impossible situation we all would say, “Let’s pray.” Some may fast as well as pray, some may pray longer or more frequently than others, but we would all pray. Not praying would not be optional.

• When we are together, we all would edify one another. That edification may be expressed in many different forms, but we all would edify.

• When we are saved, we all would say, “Where do I sign up for the work of the ministry? How can I serve my King and join Him in building His church?”

We won’t all be involved in the same kingdom work, but even when we are, many of us will do it differently than the other, but not serving would not be optional.

• When we are offended by others, we all would say, “How can we reconcile this?”

There will probably be different opinions of how it can be done, but not reconciling will be not be an option.

• When we are asked to look at something sinful, we all say, “No.” • When we are asked to do something sinful, we all say, “No.” • When we are asked to listen to something sinful, we all say, “No.”

We are told that the gospel believers in Acts 4:32 (who were indwelt with the Holy Spirit) were no-longer full of themselves. They had dropped all of the images they wished to personify for the one they were predestinated and commanded to personify, Christ’s.

“Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.”

God backs up His woeful warning to those who remain full of themselves in Luke 6:25 in Romans 13:12–14 – The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on

the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

The clearest Scriptural example of putting on the Lord Jesus, is probably found in Gal. 2:20--20 (not been cleansed of my sin by my merit and/or works, but I I havehave), (cleansed through Christ’s work on the cross—been crucified with Christthrough His merit and work. I have died to the law and to the judgment, guilt and power of sin that it once convicted me of); (the old unregenerate it is no longer Iman—full of him or herself), (now) (the who live, but Christ lives in me

predestinated regenerate new man—full of Christ.); (as and the life which I nowa gospel believer), (perfect tense—meaning a past completed action with livecontinuing results) (yet unredeemed—full of itself), (here upon this in the fleshearth), (practical), (according to my predestination to be the image I live by faithof Christ, with and through the mind of Christ—by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit) in (placing all of my devotion to and confidence in), (the Author the Son of Godas well as the finisher of my new found faith [Heb. 12:2]), (He who loved me andloved me so much that He), , (to help me to become all He gave Himself for mepredestined me to be). "IS HE LIKE BILL?" Bill was a drunk, converted at a city mission. Before his conversion he had gained a reputation as a beggar and alcoholic for whom there was no hope. But when he was converted everything changed. He became the most caring person at the mission. He spent all his days there doing whatever needed to be done. There was never anything he was asked to do that he considered beneath him. Whether it was cleaning up vomit left by some alcoholic or scrubbing toilets used by men who left them filthy, Bill did it all with a heart of gratitude. He could be counted on to feed any man who wandered in off the streets and care for his needs when he was unable to care for himself. One evening after the mission director delivered his evangelistic message to the usual crowd of solemn men with drooped heads, one of them came down to the altar and kneeled to pray, crying out to God to help him change. The repentant drunk kept shouting, "O God make me like Bill! Make me like Bill! Make me like Bill!" The director of the mission leaned over and said, "Wouldn't it be better if you pray , Make me like Jesus?" After thinking about it for a few seconds, the man looked up and asked, "Is he like Bill?" Who does my life most resemble?

• What am I most concerned about? • What upsets me the most? • What am I most fearful of? • What excites me the most?

ü Are the things I am most concerned about, what I find Jesus most concerned about?

ü Are the things that upset me the most, what I find Jesus most upset about? ü Are the things that cause me great fear, what I find Jesus most fearful of? ü Are the things that most excite me, things that I find Jesus most excited

about?

Ø To find the mind of Christ, we have to go to the Word of God. Ø To find the mind of Christ, we have to fellowship with the Spirit of God. Ø To find the mind of Christ, we must be faithful to practice what the Holy

Spirit teaches us about the Word of God. Ø Not once, not twice, not several times, but every day.

SELF-ABSORPTION

Clifton Fadiman, in The Little Brown Book of Anecdotes, tells a story about Vladimir Nabokov, the Russian-born novelist who achieved popular success with his novels Lolita (1955), Pale Fire (1962) and Ada (1969).

One summer in the 1940s, Nabokov and his family stayed with James Laughlin at Alta, Utah, where Nabokov took the opportunity to enlarge his collection of butterflies and moths. Fadiman relates: "Nabokov's fiction has never been praised for its compassion; he was single-minded if nothing else. One evening at dusk he returned from his day's excursion saying that during hot pursuit near Bear Gulch he had heard someone groaning most piteously down by the stream. "'Did you stop' Laughlin asked him. "'No, I had to get the butterfly.'" The next day the corpse of an aged prospector was discovered in what has been renamed, in Nabokov's honor, Dead Man's Gulch." While people around us are dying, how often we chase butterflies! (we chase after our persona)

Vernon Grounds.

The rich man and Lazarus, Luke 17

PSALM 73

How long did the 30 pieces of silver Judas received satisfy him?

How long did the satisfaction of usurping Daniel’s power last when the other wise men had him thrown into the lion’s den?

How long did David’s satisfaction last when holding Bathsheba, the wife of another man, in his arms?

Psalm 37:35 (NASB95)

35 I have seen a wicked, violent man

Spreading himself like a luxuriant tree in its native soil.

Similarly, those who have set their hearts on earthly pleasures are going to discover in the end that they are stuffed so full that all desire is lost. Yet, having never shown any appreciation for the higher values of life, these gluttons, unless they are converted, face the never-ending future with a maddening ache that can never be assuaged, a burning thirst that can never be quenched, a ravening hunger that can never be alleviated.28

. (“God shall cause you to laugh, to be merry – the verb here is in the future

tense—e.g., if, when and as you weep, as time goes on and ultimately in glory, you shall laugh and be merry.)”

All this basically means, Woe is unto you and me, if we don’t hightail it, to get rid of the wood, hay and stubble in our lives in order to gain the gold, silver and precious stones ASAP before it is too late.


summed up in one or two paragraphs. That is sobering. What would you want written in the one or two paragraphs? I hope you would want what could actually be summed up in 7 words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

I. The Final Return of Self-sufficiency, materialism, (24)

II. The Final Return of Self-supremacy, superiority, (25)

III. The Final Return of Self-importance, vanity, (25b)

The number of things written about vanity and pride are incalculable.

A few are:

• If there’s anything small, shallow, or ugly about a person------giving him or her a little authority will bring it out.

• As the chest swells, the brain and the heart shrink. 28 Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953-‐2001). Vol. 11: Exposition of the Gospel According to Luke. New Testament Commentary (344). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

• Some folks are so proud of themselves they can strut sitting down.

Even the animal kingdom has problems with pride I found:

Fred the lion was proud of his mastery of the animal kingdom. One day he decided to make sure all the other animals knew he was the king of the jungle. He was so confident that he bypassed the smaller animals and went straight to the bear. “Who is the king of the jungle?” the lion asked. The bear replied, “Why you are, of course.” The lion gave a might roar of approval. Next he asked the tiger, “Who is the king of the jungle?” the tiger quickly responded, “Everyone knows that you are, mighty lion.” Next on the list was the elephant. The lion faced the elephant and addressed his question: “Who is the king of the jungle?” The elephant immediately grabbed Fred with his trunk, whirled him around in the air five or six times and slammed him into a tree. Then he power dived him while he was still on the ground. After this the elephant proceeded to dunk Fred under the water in a nearby lake, and finally dumped him out on the shore. Fred—beaten-crushed—bruised and battered—struggled to his feet. He looked at the elephant through sad and bloody eyes and said, “Look, just because you don’t know the answer is no reason for you to get mad about it!”

Luke:6:21b (fortunate, content is the state of being of those) Blessed are you who

(weep here means to, “wail, lament, implying not only the shedding weep now,

of tears, but also every other external expression of grief”29 – the tense of this verb denotes an ongoing, continual action. So you could say, “Content are those who weep and continue to weep.”) (the reason being) . (“God for you shall laugh

shall cause you to laugh, to be merry – the verb here is in the future tense—e.g., if, when and as you weep, as time goes on and ultimately in glory, you shall laugh and be merry.)” Ultimately in glory, but to a significant degree, even here on earth.

(those who find it hilarious to make fun of the Woe to you who laugh now

simple ordinary folks and/or the disadvantaged; those who snicker when someone brings up the issue of a Creator God, sin and righteousness; those who joke about people they have used as rungs in their ladder to success; those who chuckle about being held accountable; those who whoop it up over their successes and others failures; those who find excitement in compromise; those who live to party), (intense hardship, distress, for

29 Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.

disaster, horror awaits you because) (you will you shall mourn and weep

in the end be filled with grief, and lament your life poorly lived with perpetual tears).

• Pride was the fall of Lucifer: Isaiah 14:12–15 (NKJV)

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ Yet [woe because] you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit.

• Pride was the fall of Belshazzar: Daniel 5

[In Daniel 5] Belshazzar is throwing a party while his kingdom is being besieged by his enemies; the Medes and the Persians. It’s a kind of “in your face” statement to the enemy. Belshazzar’s actions could seriously damage the solidarity and moral of the people of his kingdom as well. While the enemy is knocking on their door, their king and leaders are partying and mocking.

How do you face difficulties in your life? Do you try to ignore or make light of your troubles by taking the party approach? Are you upsetting the lives of those around you, and/or those that depend on you because of your attitude or because of your actions or lack of action?

Nebuchadnezzar learned real fast who was really in control. He learned that God can demote as fast as He can promote. It is but for God’s grace and mercy we are who we are and we are where we are! A person interrupts and endangers his climb up the ladder of success when he stops to pat himself on the back.

God tells Daniel in 5:22–24 – 22 “But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this. 23 And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified. 24 Then the fingers of the hand were sent from Him, and this writing was written.

Daniel 5:25-27 – “And this is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. 26 “This is the interpretation of each word. Mene: (lit., to number, reckon), God has numbered your kingdom (God has fixed the number of years of your empire), and finished it (and that number is now complete [saying this

twice expresses the emphatic]); 27 “Tekel: (lit., weighed), You have been weighed in the balances (the balances of the Most High God which evaluates the moral and spiritual worth of men), and (you Belshazzar, have been), found wanting (too light, lacking, deficient in these matters); 28 “Peres: (lit., broken or divided), Your kingdom has been (consequently), divided, and given to the Medes and Persians,” (Cyrus and Darius).

Warren Wiersbe states about pride: “Pride—thinking ourselves more important than we really are. It was pride that led man into sin at the beginning (Gen. 3:5). When Christians are living for themselves and not for others, then there is bound to be conflict and division (Phil. 2:1ff).30

Life Application Bible Commentary tells us that we must “Estimate ourselves honestly—Having neither false humility nor inappropriate pride in our serving relationships with others.”31

In Colossians 2:9–10, God tells us the appropriate measure of every single gospel believer, “For in Him [Christ] all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority.” (NASB95)

Pastors aren’t immune to pride. A young pastor often boasted in public that all the time he needed to prepare his Sunday sermon was the few minutes it took him to walk to the church from the parsonage next door. When the congregation got wind of this, they bought a new parsonage—five miles away!

I love the way The Message paraphrases Proverbs 16:18–19 (The Message) – First pride, then the crash— the bigger the ego, the harder the fall. It’s better to live humbly among the poor than to live it up among the rich and famous.

The cure for pride is humility. Pride will bring humiliation, but not humility. Humility on the other hand promotes wisdom and honor.

Proverbs 11:2 – When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom.

Proverbs 29:23 – A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.

Two of our greatest biblical examples of genuine humility are Jesus and Moses.

30 Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Mt 18:1). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. 31 Barton, B. B., Veerman, D., & Wilson, N. S. (1992). Romans. Life Application Bible Commentary (228–229). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

Numbers 12:3 – (Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.)

Matthew 11:29–30 – 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. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Prideful people are not gentle and lowly. Neither will you find rest for your souls around them, and they will do everything but make your life easy and burden light.

Humility—gentleness—meekness is not weakness. It is an asset not a detriment. It is an attribute, not a curse.

It is an attribute of God the Spirit we are told in Galatians 5:22–23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Gospel believers who exercise it are blessed we are told in Matthew 5:5 – Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Listen to C. H. Spurgeon as he explains what he believes is the best cure for pride!

“I am persuaded, beloved, that the best cure for pride is a sight of Christ!

Oh! when your eyes see him, then your own loathsomeness, blackness, and deformity, are clearly revealed.

I am fair until the sun arises - then am I black indeed.

I think myself pure until I see Him whiter than any fuller [soap] could make him, and then I fall down and cry, “Unclean, unclean, unclean!” “Now my eye sees you,” said Job, “wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

Down go your flaunting pinions and your lofty plumes, when you have a sight of Christ.

Christ’s presence is a cure-all.

When Jesus comes, every spiritual disease flies before him.

The Church at Laodicea was very far gone, and how did the Master propose to cure it?

Here it is - “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock, if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him.”

What, Lord, is this your delightful treatment of your sick Church? “Yes, my communion with you, poor lukewarm Laodicea, will revive you.”

Robert M. McCheyne: “Oh, for true unfeigned humility; I know not how to be truly humble. I know I have cause to be humble, but I do not know one half of that cause; I know I am proud, and yet I do Not know half of my pride.”

J. Edwards: (twenty years after his conversion) “I abhor the bottomless, infinite depths of wickedness and pride left in my own heart.”

I also discovered 14 Pride Stompers:

1. Welcome critics--bless those who curse you. 2. Volunteer for menial tasks. 3. Ask others about blind spots. 4. Express gratefulness. 5. Listen to others instead of talking about yourself. 6. Kneel in prayer. 7. Let authorities make final decisions. 8. Ask forgiveness for wrongs you have done. 9. Praise and honor others. 10. Take time for prayer and fasting. 11. Give sacrificially. 12. Give testimony of God's grace. 13. Deflect praise. 14. Be a servant.

Cheryl Long, http://treasuresfromashoebox.blogspot.com/2011/12/cure-for-pride.html

The World’s Bottom Line on Returns I. The Final Return of Self-sufficiency, materialism, (24)

II. The Final Return of Self-supremacy, superiority, (25)

III. The Final Return of Self-importance, Pride, (25b)

IV. The Final Return of Self-congratulatory, Praise/Affirmation, (26)

The world rings with praise—lovers praising their mistresses, readers their favorite poet, walkers praising the countryside, players praising their favorite moves—praise of weather, wines, dishes, actors, motors, horses, colleges, countries, historical personages, children, flowers, mountains, rare stamps, rare beetles, even sometimes politicians or scholars. I had not noticed how the humblest, and at the same time most balanced and capacious, minds, praised most, while the cranks, misfits and malcontents praised least. Sam Crabtree

Bishop Fulton J. Sheen was greeted by a burst of applause when he made his appearance as a speaker at the meeting in Minneapolis. He responded by saying: “Applause before a speaker begins is an act of faith. Applause during the speech is an act of hope. Applause after he has concluded is an act of charity.”

God is telling us here that if we head his woes and apply his blesseds, we will not conclude our earthly lives with His charity, but we will be welcomed into eternity with His affirmation of, (Mat. 25:21). “Well done, good and faithful servant,”Luke 6:22 (fortunate, happy, inward state of being content) Blessed are you

(followers of Christ, gospel believers) (remember that I said that when

“ ” is an interesting word. Why not “if?”) (representing the when when men

unsaved human race) (“ ” meaning to dislike strongly, to hate you, Hate

detest – The implication is not only that the gospel believer will be hated, but that he or she can and should expect these afflictions and attitudes as a norm from the world when the unbelieving hate you.) (you are blessed and

as well) (meaning to separate, to cast out, to when they exclude

ostracize, to shun, to excommunicate) (referring here in the context to you

those who profess faith in Christ, (blessed are you when people)And

(insult you, mock you,), revile you and cast out your name as evil

(meaning say slanderous, wicked, scornful things about you; point you out and reject you as evil), (“for” here is in reference to what turns this for

normally horrible experience into a priceless blessing is because it is for) (Jesus Christ’s) . (REMEMBER: THIS IS THE KEY the Son of Man’s sake

TO THIS BE ATTITUDE: If you miss this, it will be impossible to enjoy this be attitude. When your persecution is the result of your identification with and loyalty to, your Master and Savior, Jesus Christ, you can count it a great blessing.)

Now God contrasts this blessing with its woeful counterpart in verse 26:

26 (around you) (meaning: Woe to you when all men speak well of you

when no one dares to criticize you; when people are only concerned about saying what you want to hear; when everyone around you seeks to flatter for favors, acceptance or flattery in return—It’s like wearing a sign that says, “Please pat me on the back right here….frequently.” Woe to you when all

(around you) ), (intense hardship, distress, men speak well of you for

disaster, horror awaits you because) (speak well) so did their fathers to

(the kings and crowds praised the false prophets up the false prophets

and down for only telling them good news – but – it didn’t change the truth or reality of their situations and they still suffered intense hardship, distress, disaster, and horror, and God is saying to those who seek this kind of affirmation and praise will experience the same reality).

This desire for praise and affirmation starts when we are very young. For example: Billy said to his father, “Dad, let’s play darts. I’ll throw, and you say, ‘Great shot!’”

It’s pretty easy to get the praise and affirmation you want. You simply have to conform yourself to the values, standards and whims of others. But God says in Romans 12:2, “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of y our mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Gospel believers are to conform themselves to God’s values, standards and will.

The world praises and affirms freely and frequently those who conform to it:

• [those] who live as they live. • [those] who speak as they speak. • [those] who compromise [as they compromise]. • [those] who seek their company and approval. • [those] who never point out the truth of sin and death, judgment and

hell.

Worldly [people] want attention and esteem, position and place, honor and praise, recognition and applause. [People] honor such ambitions and rewards. Therefore, they speak well of [those] who attain [them]. But [keep in mind what Jesus is saying here in verse 26.] He said that were those of whom the false prophets

world spoke well, and this was their reward, [worldly praise and affirmation is] all

they would ever receive. They coveted worldly recognition and honor and they received it, but at the expense of heavenly recognition and honor.32

A few verses that describe these false prophet types are:

Proverbs 26:28 (NIV) A ly ing tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Proverbs 29:5 (NIV) Those who flatter their neighbors are spreading nets for their feet.

Psalm 12:3 (NIV) May the Lord silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue—

2 Timothy 4:3 predicts the days we are living in. Listen to the prophecy, (NIV) For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of

teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

The sad fact of the matter is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by truth. [TELL ME IF THAT IS NOT TRUE!] Part of our problem today is that society doesn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. Everyone is to get a reward. All speech is to be politically correct. And as a consequence of these mindsets, conversations in general lose their value as their intent is no longer to edify, but to glorify the person: regardless of reality.

In our day and age, we demand praise and affirmation, and we don’t want to wait for it either.

A mom found this out when she asked her preschool daughter, “Would you like and ice cream sundae, sweetie?” Her daughter thought for a few moments and answered, “No, I think I would rather have one today.”

That is so us in this day and age!

Wanting self-affirmation and praise for everything we do is such a big issue for us, yet what does God tell us in His word?

Matthew 6:2–4 – When y ou do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before y ou as the hy pocrites do in the sy nagogues and in the streets, that

32 Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible -‐ Commentary -‐ The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Luke.

they may have glory from men. Assuredly , I say to y ou, they have their reward. But when y ou do a charitable deed, do not let y our left hand know what your right hand is doing, that y our charitable deed may be in secret;

(later!) and y our Father who sees in secret will Himself reward y ou openly .

Matthew 10:42 – And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means

(Even though he won’t receive it until later!) lose his reward.

Luke 14:12–14 – Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask y our friends, y our brothers, y our relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite y ou back, and you be repaid. 1 3 But when y ou give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. 1 4 And y ou will be blessed, because they cannot repay y ou; for y ou shall be repaid at the

(Later!) resurrection of the just.”

Proverbs 20:6–7 – (Proverbs 20 says)Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but who can find a faithful man? The righteous man walks in his

integrity; his children are blessed after him.

Job was one of the righteous who walked in his integrity as he said in Job 32:21 (NIV) – . I will show no partiality , nor will I flatter any one

In his book Practicing Affirmation, Sam Crabtree skillfully makes a case for and gives practical applications of biblical affirmation of others. He states, “[W]e ought to praise God rather than man, while acknowledging that the praise of God does not forbid all praise of others. It only prohibits the praise of others in ways that diminish God’s glory” (p. 18).

Some of the verses he quotes demonstrate the purpose of building each other up so that we will continue to love one another and do good for the Lord’s good name

Hebrews 10:24 – And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,

Ephesians 4:29 – Let no [unwholesome] word proceed out of y our mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the

hearers.

Romans 15:2 – Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.

1 Peter 3:9 – [do] not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that y ou may inherit

a blessing.

“The aim” Crabtree says, “is to glorify God by refreshing people as we help them to see God at work in their lives, moving them toward Christlikeness” (p. 69). “God is glorified in us when we affirm the work he has done and is doing in others.”

Ephesians 1:15–16 – Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and y our love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for y ou,

making mention of you in my pray ers.

Philippians 1:3–5 – I thank my God upon every remembrance of y ou, alway s in every pray er of mine making request for you all with joy , for y our fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.

1 Thessalonians 1:2 – We give thanks to God alway s for y ou all, making mention of y ou in our pray ers.

2 Thessalonians 1:3 – We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because y our faith grows exceedingly , and the love of every one of y ou all abounds toward each other.

2 Thessalonians 2:13 – But we are bound to give thanks to God alway s for y ou, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose y ou for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

Crabtree rightfully doesn’t allow you to take the easy or belligerent way out on this affirmation issue either, meaning that you just won’t affirm anyone. He says, “Just as the heavens are declaring the glory of God, if only we have eyes to see it, when we commend the character of a person, we are also pointing to the glory of God from which that character is derived—if we have eyes to see it! To fail to commend the character of Christ in people is to fall into the same lackluster indifference of a person who never exclaims what a beautiful morning it is, thereby robbing the Creator of glory he deserves for making that sky, that volcano, that character.”

You see, “Good affirmations are God-centered, pointing to the image of God in a person.”

Praise is even important concerning those who do not profess Christ as their Savior. For example: “Salvation will not happen in the absence of preaching, but [even so] salvation is not guaranteed in the presence of preaching. Similarly, affirming people will save no one. But lack of affirmation may bring hindrances and obstacles into play, making it less likely that they will give the gospel a hearing, especially when the good news comes from someone who is predominantly bad news.”

Let me give our younger generation a push of encouragement concerning godly affirmation. “It seems easier to practice affirmation early in relationships, and it can get harder later. Have you ever noticed in a restaurant that some couples are talkative and some are not? What happened? Generally, new relationships are still predominately affirming, but as relationships endure the years, they also endure a lot of correction. More specifically, affirmation didn’t keep up. Not enough affirmation was dished out compared with all the other.”

[Remember] It’s easier for a person to endure physical sickness than the crushing blows of words that impact the soul:” Proverbs 18:14 (NIV) – The human spirit

can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?

“This is where we [all tend to] get in[to] trouble: affirmations tend to evaporate over time. Meanwhile, corrections keep piling up. [Our] Corrections tend to out-number affirmations, and by doing so, corrections sabotage or undercut the value of affirmations [even when they are given].” “The absence of affirmation for God’s handiwork in his people is also a kind of sacrilege . . . It is disobedience to God’s command[s such as in] Proverbs 31:30.”

Proverbs 31:30 (NIV) – Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

We need to seriously ask ourselves why we resist offering godly affirmation if it is a problem for us, as “When our mouths are empty of praise for others, it [may be] because our hearts are full of love for self.”

Pointing to Christ-like character qualities in a person is a way of praising God, by commending his attributes reproduced in others by his grace. By valuing a character quality, we attribute honor to its source.

What about those who hurt us, who have sinned against us or are unkind to us. Well, aren’t there times when “we don’t deserve to have others forgive us, listen to us, or give us any second chances[?] Yet those [actions] are [mercies] from God when we show [the character, attitude and actions of our Lord Jesus] by seeking to refresh, encourage, energize, and build up others, taking a genuinely loving interest in their welfare.”

[In many ways] Blessing others is the very calling of the Christian: 1 Peter 3:9 (NIV) – Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary , repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may

inherit a blessing.

Striving to affirm others puts us in the practice of looking at them positively—that is, looking for evidence of God’s work in them. [Godly] Affirmation changes us before it changes them. It is one of the more beautiful features that God has designed into this fallen world, namely, that no one can sincerely benefit another without benefiting himself.

God gives mercy to us and to those who live with us [or around us] when we give refreshment to others, and [not only that, but] in the process we are being observed by onlookers.

Western culture’s emphasis on self-esteem has resulted in a yawning response to the meaning and value of words because everyone gets an A+ regardless of character, attitudes and actions. God’s word has shown us the cure for this.

How Can God Honestly Expect Us to Love Our Enemies?!

[As we discovered in the previous verses; Luke 6:24-26] Jesus’ message of “woe” on the rich doesn’t mean that everyone should be poor, hungry, and miserable. Instead, it means that those who make happiness in this life their goal may very well get it … but that is all they will get. There is a higher law, a higher ethic, a higher reality. Pursue it, and God may be kind enough to grant you some of the world’s riches also. Maybe not. But if you pursue only the world’s riches, the world’s happiness, you are guaranteed to miss the higher ones. Jim Elliot, martyred missionary to the Auca tribe in Ecuador, wrote shortly before his death: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” In the

tug-of-war between the world’s riches and God’s, which side has the stronger grip on your heart?33 From here God endeavors to take us into the high law,, the higher ethic, the higher reality in practical ways.

• We all have people we don’t click with; love is not a problem here. • We all have people we don’t get along to well with; love takes a little more

effort, but we can still do it. • Some have people in their lives that are enemies, are at war with them; love

often times isn’t even on the radar with these inividuals. 27 “ (in this dog eat dog world) (referring to those But I say to you who hear

of you that have already heeded or are committed to continue to heed the warning): (I command you to agape love, i.e., determine to love, commit Love

yourself to love) , your enemies

Now just who are the people Jesus is commanding the disciples and others around them to love?

• Outside of all of the other people that just in normal daily living get our dander up, the Jews had the Romans who were terribly oppressive in just about every area of their lives.

• They taxed the people to death for money for authorities and erecting things in Israel that the Jews didn’t want in the first place.

• They wanted to replace their beloved Jewish culture with the Greek culture • They desecrated their temple with idols • They enacted laws not kosher with the Law of Moses • Friends, family and relatives had died horrible deaths in the coliseums or on

crosses and/or were placed in dungeons by the hands of the Romans • Some lost ancestral property that had been in the family for centuries, just

because the Romans wanted it

“I say,” Jesus says, “to you who hear, love your enemies.” Here are the reasons Jesus gives us.

One, how can God actually ask these people to love the Romans, two, how do you obey such a command even if you were willing to, and three, what exactly do we do concerning our enemies?

33 Barton, B. B., Veerman, D., Taylor, L. C., & Osborne, G. R. (1997). Luke. Life Application Bible Commentary (154). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

1. ONE, HOW CAN GOD ACTUALLY ASK THESE PEOPLE TO LOVE THE ROMANS AND US TO LOVE OUR ENEMIES?

[We must understand that] “The command to love one’s enemies does not appeal to the emotions but to the will. Jesus did not command his followers “to feel” in a certain way but to “act” in a certain way. [Our] Emotions can be elicited but not commanded. Actions and the will can be commanded. Thus the command to love one’s enemies is not directed to how believers are to feel but how they are to act.”34 Another way to put it is that God is not asking us to “fall” in love with our enemies, but “act” in agape love towards our enemies.

Is this not the essence of John 3:16? – For God so (agape) loved the world [What world? The world that hated Him] For God so loved the world that [in an act of love directed towards His enemies] He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever (no matter to what depths, or to what length of time, or number of times they demonstrated their hatred for God, yet) believes in Him should not perish (get what their hatred deserves) but have everlasting life (in spite of their hatred).

Is there any better illustration we could really go to in order to demonstrate how to love our enemies!? God doesn’t feel love towards His enemies, He acts in love, agape love, towards them.

An evangelist was recently asked, “How is a gospel believer to respond to the increasing hatred and antagonism that he or she receives when identifying him or herself with Christ in or day?” The evangelist responded, “You have to ask yourself what it is that you desire. Do you want the destruction of your enemy, or do you want the salvation of your enemy? Answer the question, then act accordingly.”

That sort of puts John 3:16 together doesn’t it?

1. ONE, HOW CAN GOD ACTUALLY ASK THESE PEOPLE TO LOVE THE ROMANS AND US TO LOVE OUR ENEMIES? God is not asking us to “fall” in love with our enemies, but “act” in agape love towards our enemies.

2. TWO, HOW DO YOU OBEY SUCH A COMMAND EVEN IF YOU WERE WILLING TO?

Honestly and biblically, we can only obey such a command through the conviction, strength and direction of the Holy Spirit. 34 Stein, R. H. (1992). Vol. 24: Luke. The New American Commentary (206). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

When Jesus told His disciples He was going to return to the Father in heaven, they became all concerned about how they were going to be able to carry on without Him? How would they live the higher calling without Him? Jesus told them in John 14:16 – I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, (enabler, the Holy Spirit) that He may abide with you forever.

The Holy Spirit is our enabler who helps us to live according to God’s commands and principles. Galatians 5 discribes some of what the Holy Spirit helps us to become.

Galatians 5:22–25 (NIV) – The fruit of the Spirit (meaning the harvest He produces in gospel believers) is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Is that not the fruit that is needed in order to sincerely love ones enemies with the right attitude and motivation?! The passage in Galatians 5 goes on to say) Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh (the instincts/natural drives within oneself) with its (selfish, me first) passions and desires. Since we live by (or since we find our source of new life in and through) the (enabling of the) Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit (yield to the Holy Spirit allowing Him to direct our steps, choose our paths and plot our course).

Listen to Williams Hendrikson on this issue, “If the source of our life is the Spirit, the Spirit must also be allowed to direct our steps, so that we make progress, advancing step by step toward the goal of perfect consecration to the Lord.”35 [Loving our enemies is part of the means of that consecration.]

It’s part of the path that leads to a higher calling and life.

Every devotional in the book, “Extreme Devotion,” is about persecution, so I’d say they know something about persecution. Listen to what they say about this important path we must follow. “Persecution is often the final battleground in the fight between natural instinct and spiritual conviction.

• Instinct is interested in self-preservation. • Conviction is above our own interests • instinct says to take revenge upon our perpetrators. • Conviction reminds us of the spiritual needs concerning those who

persecute us.

35 Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953-‐2001). Vol. 8: Exposition of Galatians. New Testament Commentary (226). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

This persecution is part of my consecration process. It is one of the ways I become like my heavenly Creator and Father.

[Hebrews 11, the hall of fame chapter] proves it is possible for our convictions to overrule our instincts. 36

Samson is one of the proofs that really stands out here.

We must remember that God tells us in James 1:20 that, “Hatred only produces more hatred,” for man’s anger “does not bring about the righteous (the consecrated) life that God desires” (James 1:20, NIV). Hatred is not the fruit of the Holy Spirit, it is not the fruit of conviction, it is the fruit of instinct, the fruit of self. Agape love is the fruit of the Spirit.

1. ONE, HOW CAN GOD ACTUALLY ASK THESE PEOPLE TO LOVE THE ROMANS AND US TO LOVE OUR ENEMIES? God is not asking us to “fall” in love with our enemies, but “act” in agape love towards our enemies.

2. TWO, HOW DO YOU OBEY SUCH A COMMAND EVEN IF YOU WERE WILLING TO? We can only obey such a command through the conviction, strength and direction of the Holy Spirit, keep in step with Him.

3. THREE, WHAT EXACTLY DO WE DO CONCERNING OUR ENEMIES?

Gospel believers are to do things that exhibit the fruit of the Spirit. Such things that are mentioned in Luke 6:27b–30 – 27 “ Love your enemies, do good to

those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who

29 (insultingly) spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one

cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak,

30 do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you.

And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.

This whole section of IMPERATIVES deals with an attitude of sacrificial, self-giving love (cf. 6:35; Matt. 5:44)…

1. do good to those who hate you (v. 27) 2. bless those who curse you (v. 28) 3. pray for those who mistreat you (v. 28) 4. turn the other cheek (v. 29) 5. give away your clothes (v. 29) 6. give to all who ask (v. 30) 37

36 Extreme Devotion, The Voice of the Martyrs, 2001, p. 39 37 Utley, R. J. (2004). Vol. Volume 3A: The Gospel According to Luke. Study Guide Commentary Series (Lk 6:27). Marshall, TX: Bible Lessons International.

[These commands] describe an attitude of heart that expresses itself

• positively when others are negative, [How many of us love to do that?] • …generously when others are selfish, [Another tough thing to do.] • [and] all to the glory of God. [That needs to be our motivation!] • It is an inner disposition, [more than] a legal duty. [That needs to be our

attitude!]

[Warren Wiersbe wisely cautions us thought that] We must have wisdom [though] to know when to turn the other cheek and when to claim our rights (John 18:22–23; Acts 16:35–40). Even Christian love must exercise discernment (Phil. 1:9–11).38 Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:16, yes, be harmless as doves, but He also tells us to be wise like the serpents. For example:

We find Jesus sometimes standing His ground before His enemies the Pharisees as in John 18:22–23 – When He testified at His illegal trial, “one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, “Do You answer the high priest like that?” Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?”

We find Paul sometimes standing his ground before his enemies as in Acts 16:35–40 following Jesus’ example when wrongfully beaten and imprisoned – And when it was day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, “Let those men go.”

36 So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace.”

37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.”

38 And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. 39 Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city. 40 So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.

38 Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Lk 6:20). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

God tells us in Philippians 1:9–11 how to figure out the exceptions to the rule concerning our passage in Luke 6. – This I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Each situation needs to be bathed in prayer, discerning what the will of God is.

• Never deny your faith! • Never deny your mission, make disciples! • Never deny your Savior! • Seek the Spirit’s direction in all other matters!

Let’s look at the verses in our Luke 6 passage, in a little more detail. 27 “ (in this dog eat dog world) But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies

(Exhibit the reality of your new found faith in do good to those who hate you, that you have “put off” cutting people out of your life and have “put on” a new life of grace; exhibiting and offering to those who hate you what they don’t deserve your goodness.)

I want you to take a few moments to "Do good to them which hate you."

imagine the impact of these words to the world of Jesus' day. They were an enslaved people conquered and hated by the Romans, yet Jesus was saying, "Do good to them."

[It’s important for us to understand] that doing good goes beyond words; it is

actually doing things for the person who hates [you, doing good things for their benefit.] • It reaches out to him through his family and friends, employment and

business. • It searches for ways to do good to him, realizing that he needs to be

reached for God. • If no immediate way is found, then the Christian continues to bless him,

ever waiting for the day when the hater will face one of the crises that comes to every human being. And then the believer goes and does good, ministering as Christ Himself ministered.39

Now before you collapse in a heap, how is it that we obey such a command?

39 Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible -‐ Commentary -‐ The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Luke.

28 (treat favorably) (wish you ill—This really bless those who curse you

brings the issue of revenge to an abrupt halt. — Exhibit the reality of your new found faith towards this person, in that you have “put off” name calling and cursing in order to “put on” a new life of self-control and kindness. Exhibit the reality that God’s transforming power has no limits of meekness, strength under control, for Christ and His kingdom.)

Vengeance is a Passion to Get Even

Philip Yancey comments here, “Vengeance is a passion to get even. It is a hot desire to give back as much pain as someone gives you. [We have all felt the heat of that prssion haven’t we…] The problem with revenge is that it never gets what it wants; it never evens the score. Fairness never comes. The chain reaction set off by every act of vengeance always takes its unhindered course. It ties both the injured and the injurer to an escalator of pain. Both are stuck on the escalator as long as [equality] is demanded, and the escalator never stops, never lets anyone off” - (Philip Yancey). [EX: Feuds – vengeance isn’t a dead end road, it’s a circular road that had no end.]

28 (treat favorably) (Think about this! bless those who curse you and pray

God is commanding us to intercede on their behalf, to Me, your Heavenly Father, who “so loves the world”) (who are at the moment the enemies of Mine, for those

My children and the kingdom work) (this refers to those who spitefully use you

who mistreat you in threatening and abusive ways as they did our Father’s Son, Jesus Christ. Exhibit the reality of your new found faith in that you have “put off” taking retaliation and have “put on” a new life of gentleness. God calls us to exhibit the reality that God’s transforming power has no limits of forgiveness for Christ and His kingdom.).

When Her Husband Was Angry Not long ago a Hindu woman was converted chiefly by hearing the Word of God read. She suffered [a great deal of] persecution from her husband. One day a missionary asked her, "When your husband is angry and persecutes you, what do you do?" She replied: "Well, sir, I pray for him and then I cook his food better; when he complains I sweep the floor cleaner; and when he speaks unkindly I answer him mildly. I try, sir, to show him that when I became a Christian I became a better wife and a better mother." The consequences of this was that, while the husband could withstand all the preaching of the missionary, he could not withstand the practical preaching of his wife, and gave his heart to God.—Evangelical Visitor.

Christ gives 4 examples of how we are to love our enemies: These next four are more the spirit of the issue than literal actions.

The gospel believer is to show that he or she functions by a new and higher set of laws and principles concerning him or herself towards those around him or her. Gospel believers are not to be governed by the laws of the flesh, the world or the devil. We must continue to serve others by God’s standards and power, even at the risk of further injury.

The first example of how we can live our enemies: 29 (whoever it may be) To him who strikes you on the one cheek

(signifying suffering an insult to ones honor, respect or dignity), offer the other

(What is Christ asking us to do here? He is telling us to retaliate against also

demeaning insults and injustices with quiet and confident humility. To exhibit the reality of your new found faith in that you have “put off” taking defense and have “put on” a new life of long-suffering. Exhibit the reality that God’s transforming power has no limits on suffering insults for Christ and His kingdom. In each situation we need to ask the question, “What is offering the other cheek in this situation).

Christ not only said these words, He lived them.

Isaiah 50:6 referring to Jesus Christ says, “I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.

The Apostle Phillip told the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8:32a–33a, “He (Jesus) was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so He opened not His mouth. In His humiliation His justice was taken away...”

That makes Christ’s response to offering the other cheek when His honor, respect, dignity was attacked.

1 Peter 2:20–23 tells every gospel believer, “For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this (kind of treatment) you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth”; 23 who,

when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;

We must all remember that the enemy’s strikes to our honor, respect, dignity do not ever change the truth of who we are.

Colossians 2:9–10 – For in Him (Christ) dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you (gospel believers) are complete (lacking nothing) in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

Christ’s second example of how to love our enemies: 29b (outer) (signifying suffering And from him who takes away your cloak

through robbery/thievery or a lawsuit, acts of passion or even of necessity), do

(inner) (do not withhold your shirt from the individual) not withhold your tunic

. (Show them that relationship ranks over possessions and that humility either

ranks over selfishness. Show them that things have no power over you. Exhibit the realism of your new found faith in that you have “put off” a grasping life in order to “put on” a new life of giving. Exhibit the reality that God’s transforming power has no limits of self-denial for Christ and His kingdom. In each situation we need to ask the question, “What is offering my tunic here, what best shows selfless mercy here?”)

Psalm 37:21 – The wicked borrows and does not repay, but the righteous shows mercy and gives.

Proverbs 21:26 – He covets greedily all day long, but the righteous gives and does not spare.

Christ’s third example of how to love our enemies: 30 (signifying not suffering through force as Give to everyone who asks of you

the previous two examples, but this example refers to the issue of needs. Then God says) (by force or thievery) And from him who takes away your goods

(for) (lit. “do not keep clamoring to get them back.” do not ask them back

Rather, exhibit the realism of your new found faith what you have “put off” and “put on” such as giving ranks over keeping, that compassion ranks over comfort, and that forgiveness ranks over rights. Exhibit the reality that God’s transforming power has no limits of sacrificial giving for Christ and His kingdom. Show them that it truly is better to give than to receive. In each situation we need to ask the question, “What would generosity look like here?”)

[Would you say this is a true or false statement.] The disciple [may] loses less by letting his things be taken wrongfully than he would by a selfish heart clamoring to have them returned.40

The gospel believer would have to conclude true wouldn’t he or she?...

R.C.H Lenski gives an excellent and challenging reason why [he believes] it is a true statement, “By means of these striking illustrations Jesus wants to protect the disciple’s soul from damage and loss. It is better to suffer in body and in goods to every extent than to let passions and wrong desires possess the soul.” 41

That’s something to think about isn’t it? What do you and I value the most, our things, or the health of our soul? The tangible, or the intangible?

What possesses your soul? Is it a selfish heart, or is it a transformed heart that has no limits of sacrificial giving for Christ and His kingdom? Is your soul suffering loss, or is it growing healthier every day?

The fourth example of loving our enemies:

31 (in the same way that) (good) And just as you want men to do to you,

(good) . you also do to them likewise

This isn’t the first time we see the principle of this verse. Way back in the OT, in the Book of Leviticus 19:18 we see it, “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself (as you want to be loved): I am the Lord.”

Thomas Fuller, an English churchman and historian, asks an incredible and terrifying question concerning verse 31. “If God should have no more mercy on us than we have charity one to another, what would become of us?”42

What really would become of us? Have we tried to express love in any way to our neighbors yesterday, last week, or even last month? If we have, is it consistent and sincere?

[There is another very important aspect of this verse that I don’t want you to

miss. And that is,] Many religions teach a negative version of this statement. Confucius said, “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.” The

40 Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The Interpretation of St. Luke’s Gospel (364). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House. 41 Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The Interpretation of St. Luke’s Gospel (364). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House. 42 Barton, B. B., Veerman, D., Taylor, L. C., & Osborne, G. R. (1997). Luke. Life Application Bible Commentary (157). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

well-known Rabbi Hillel, when challenged to teach the entire Law while standing on one foot, said, “Whatever angers you when you suffer it at the hands of others, do not do it to others, this is the whole law.” But Jesus stated this in a positive manner, making it even more powerful. While it may be possible to not do evil to others, it is much more difficult to take the initiative to actually do good. A person may be able to keep the negative form of the law by avoiding sin, but to keep the positive form requires action. 43 [It requires active love, mercy and grace.]

In each situation we need to ask the question, “What is loving my neighbor as I

would want to be loved here?” 32 “ (in contrast to God’s instructions as to how to love our enemies) But if you

[only] [why would you love those who love you, what credit is that to you,

think you would get any special praise or recognition for that]? For even sinners

(in other words, that kind of love makes you no love those who love them

different than the world. That is the secular worldview of love, not the biblical worldview of God’s agape love. You don’t need God to help you with the world’s kind of love; that comes naturally, easily. There is nothing supernatural about it). 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to

(It’s the same thing)? (again) 34 you For even sinners do the same. And if

(whatever you you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back

loaned), what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to

(God sure knows we are thick headed doesn’t He! He’s receive as much back.

really clearly, repetitiously and meticulously driving His point home.) 35 (in But

contrast to the secular worldview on these matters, when you do what does not come naturally, do what only God can do supernaturally though you, exercising the biblical worldview) love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for

(expecting) (from your fellow man); (heavenly)nothing in return and your

(don’t hope for praise or recognition from man, but only reward will be great

look for it from God. Now listen carefully to this:), (when you live and you will be

your enemy as God prescribes, practically speaking,) you will be sons of the

(exercising the highest virtues—you will be as God is [1] It will be Most High

evidence of the Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are bona fide sons of God, saved {Rom. 8:16}. [2] It will be like Christ Himself once again serving humanity on earth; only through “you” this time). (God) For He is kind to the 43 Barton, B. B., Veerman, D., Taylor, L. C., & Osborne, G. R. (1997). Luke. Life Application Bible Commentary (158). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

(those who neither thank nor praise God for His kindness) (He unthankful and

is kind to the) (those who are the very opposite of who God is and who stand evil

for the very opposite of His will). 36 (since loving your enemies, etc. is Therefore

such a powerful and obvious witness of God, blessing to God and opportunity for God) (compassionate rather than judgmental), be merciful just as your Father

(Allow your life to radiate the compassion of Christ through also is merciful.

words and acts that He said and did and desires to continue to do through you, and the Father’s will, will continue to be fulfilled.)

You life the same way our Lord did, to fulfill God’s will, rather than our own. To

be more concerned about having a healthy soul than anything else.

You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving. ---Amy Carmichael44

God gives because He agape loves, and God wants His children to do the

same.

Don’t Tread on Me I’m sure that a lot of our judgments of others is going to turn out in the end like

it did for the two taxidermists. The two taxidermists stopped before a window and immediately began to

criticize the way an owl had been mounted. Its eyes were not natural; its wings were not in proportion to its head; its feathers were not neatly arranged; and its feet could certainly be improved.

Toward the end of their critique, the old owl turned his head… and winked at them. =)

I think too many of our judgments of others, are going to turn out to be just as

off base as the taxidermists. The reason I say this is the reason some unknown individual has said,

“Comparisons are unhealthy because we compare our insides with others outsides.” Isn’t that true...? It’s not have we done that, it’s how often have we done that? 44 Barton, B. B., Veerman, D., Taylor, L. C., & Osborne, G. R. (1997). Luke. Life Application Bible Commentary (159). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

How many times have you been told, or heard someone say, “Judge not, lest

you too shall be judged.” It may be the most quoted verse in the Bible. What exactly does “Judge not” and “condemn not” mean? I know what the

person quoting it to me thinks it means, “You have not right to criticize my life, actions or beliefs.” But, is that what it really means?

37 “ (do not find or pronounce others guilty, do not be known for a Judge not,

disposition of being judgmental/critical of others) and you shall not be judged:

(the idea here is not that you won’t be judged at all, but that you won’t in any way be judged unfairly or without compassion). (do not sentence, do Condemn not,

not call down verdicts) , (Again, the idea here and you shall not be condemned

is not that you won’t be condemned at all, but that you won’t in any way be condemned unfairly or without compassion).

The Greek word “judge” is the etymological source for our English word “critic.”

It seems to imply a critical, judgmental, self-righteous spirit which judges others more severely than it does itself. It emphasizes one set of sins over another set of sins. It [overlooks] one’s own faults, but will not excuse the faults of others (cf. II Sam. 12:1–9).45

Let’s look at an example of this in 2 Samuel 12:1–7a. Then the LORD sent Nathan to David. And he came to him, and said to him: “There were two men in one city, one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had exceedingly many flocks and herds. 3 But the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb which he had bought and nourished; and it grew up together with him and with his children. It ate of his own food and drank from his own cup and lay in his bosom; and it was like a daughter to him. 4 And a traveler came to the rich man, who refused to take from his own flock and from his own herd to prepare one for the wayfaring man who had come to him; but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.”

5 So David’s anger was greatly aroused against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the LORD lives, the man who has done this shall surely die! 6 And he

45 Utley, R. J. (2004). Vol. Volume 3A: The Gospel According to Luke. Study Guide Commentary Series (Lk 6:37). Marshall, TX: Bible Lessons International.

shall restore fourfold for the lamb, because he did this thing and because he had no pity.”

7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man!

• David was being self-righteous • He was emphasizing the rich man’s sins over his own • He was overlooking his faults

What “Judge not,” doesn’t mean:

• The command not to judge does not refer though to using discernment [NIGTC, NIVS],

• forming an opinion about someone [NTC, Rb, Su, TG], • making moral judgments on the conduct of others [BECNT, Gdt, Su], • making ethical evaluations [BECNT], • voicing an adverse or unfavorable opinion [NTC], • taking disciplinary action in the church [Lns, NAC, NTC], • or making judicial decisions by a constituted judge [AB, BECNT, NAC,

TNTC].

Gospel believers must be discerning and must make certain judgments. For example:

Jesus said to expose false teachers in Matthew 7:15–23, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Jesus also said to admonish others in order to help them in Matthew 18:15. “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.

Jesus taught in John 7:24, Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” Paul taught that we should exercise church discipline in 1 Corinthians 5:1–5, 46 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife! 2 And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3 For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed. 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 5:12 (NIV), What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?

The Apostle John taught in 1 John 4:1, Beloved, do not believe every spirit (testimony of man), but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Jesus is going to teach us a little further on in Luke 6:43–45 that we are to assess one another by the fruit our life produces [Su]. Luke 6:43–45 (NIV) – “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 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. So you see, “Judge not” is not so much about the act of judging as it is about the type of judgment and the attitude in which one judges.

1. One aspect in which we are not to judge, is that we are not to pass judgment with a superior attitude.

[In Luke 6:37] Jesus was referring to the judgmental attitude [of superiority] that

focuses on others’ faults, tearing them down. [He’s referring to] Harsh judgment [which] often leads to an attitude of condemnation, and this also must not

46 Barton, B. B., Veerman, D., Taylor, L. C., & Osborne, G. R. (1997). Luke. Life Application Bible Commentary (161–162). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

characterize Jesus’ followers. One cannot love and have a judgmental, condemnatory [superior] spirit (see Galatians 6:1; Hebrews 3:13).

Luke 7:37–50 – And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, 38 and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.” (This woman was “touching” Jesus and it made the Pharisee’s skin crawl, just “seeing” her! He felt he was “FAR” superior to this woman.)

40 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”

So he said, “Teacher, say it.” 41 “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?”

43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” 44 Then He turned to the woman

and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? (DAHHH!)I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. (So much for the Pharisee’s superiority.) 47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”

48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is

this who even forgives sins?” 50 Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” We would do well to heed the warnings in Galatians 6:1 and Hebrews 3:13 in

our judging.

Galatians 6:1 – Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest

you also be tempted. (There’s no superiority implied here, nor harshness in dealing with anothers sin; only gentleness.)

Hebrews 3:13 – exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (Neither is there any superiority or harshness implied here.)

How do we score concerning these two verses…

2. A second aspect in which we are not to judge, is that we are not to be eager to pass judgment. Typically one who is so inclined is a person who extends very little mercy if any.

The context would suggest that it is the attitude which fails to show mercy to

the guilty which is here being attacked. It is not the use of discernment and discrimination which is forbidden, but the attitude of censoriousness.47 [Meaning one who is inclined or eager to criticize others or things.]

Those who wanted to condemn the woman caught in adultery.

John 8:3–11 – Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. (If they didn’t bring this woman to Jesus with stones in hand, they certainly came ready to stone her on the spot.) But what do You say?” 6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.

7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”

11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

47 Marshall, I. H. (1978). The Gospel of Luke: A commentary on the Greek text. New International Greek Testament Commentary (265–266). Exeter: Paternoster Press.

Jesus was not quick to follow the letter of the law, but was quick to offer mercy. What is our score card say here?

The Pharisees were also eager to judge Jesus mercilessly when they judged Him in an illegal court, refused to allow Him to be freed, and screamed “Crucify Him!”

3. The third aspect in which we are not to judge, is that we are not to pass judgment as if we were God Himself.

In their own day-to-day conduct the disciples are forbidden to usurp the place of God in judging and condemning other people [as if they were God].48

Luke 9:51–54 (NIV) – As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; 53 but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. (The Samaritan half Jews and the Jerusalem pure Jews, hated one another.) 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” (God is to be the giver and taker of life. There is a bit of a Jonah complex here.)

Luke 9:55 (NKJV) – But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit (influence) you are of.

The Savior does not call for men to cease to be examining and discerning, but to renounce the presumptuous temptation to try to be God.49 It’s because of these aspects of what it means to not judge wrongly that commentators interpret wrong judging to mean:

• It is usurping the place of God in judging and condemning others [NIGTC]. • It is appointing oneself as a judge over people whom one has no right to

judge [Arn]. • It is being censorious [BECNT, ICC, NIGTC, NTC]. • It is hypocritical faultfinding [Lns, NTC]. • [It is] When someone sets himself up as a judge of the moral worth of

others, … in an unkind spirit [Gdt]. • This command forbids the self-righteous, self-exalting, and hypocritical

judging of those who set themselves up as judges of all other people [Lns].

48 Marshall, I. H. (1978). The Gospel of Luke: A commentary on the Greek text. New International Greek Testament Commentary (265–266). Exeter: Paternoster Press. 49 MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1985). Matthew. MacArthur New Testament Commentary (434). Chicago: Moody Press.

• While it does not forbid forming opinions, it prohibits forming them rashly and unfairly [Rb, TG].50

At the end of earth’s history, all persons will be judged by Jesus Christ. John 5:22 – For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son,

Romans 14:4 – Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

Gospel believers will be judged following the rapture of the church at the judgment seat of Christ: 2 Corinthians 5:10 – For we (gospel believers) must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Unbelievers will be judged at the conclusion of the thousand year reign of Christ at the great white throne judgment: Revelation 20:11–15 – Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

If we want to be judged fairly and mercifully, we must heed God’s warning here in Luke 6:37 as well as in:

Luke 6:38 – Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Matthew 7:2 – For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; (with mercy or not, in fairness or not, in gentleness or not) and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

Now that we know what judging is and isn’t, how do we do or not do it?

50 Blight, R. C. (2008). An Exegetical Summary of Luke 1–11 (2nd ed.) (262). Dallas, TX: SIL International.

1. Evaluate whether you should pass go, meaning to judge or not; to determine if any form of judgment is necessary.

a. Be sure that issues of personal preference are not involved (cf. Rom. 14:1–23; I Cor. 8:1–13; 10:23–33)

Romans 14:1–23 – Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written: “As I live, says the LORD, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”

12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.

14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.

19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21

It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. 22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

b. Be sure that issues of personal superiority are not involved (1 John 4:1)

1 John 4:1 – Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. [Including our own!]

Luke 6:41–42 – And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye.

2. If you are to pass go, evaluate whether you will do it in a spirit of humility and gentleness (cf. Gal. 6:1) 51

Galatians 6:1 – Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

JUDGING OTHERS [Let me ask you something at this point.] If you were caught in some notorious sin—unquestionably, publicly, humiliatingly—would you run to the church, or away? Unfortunately, many, if not most, people probably would run away [and sadly for good reason]. How ironic, how tragic! The church exists to proclaim the mercies of God. The church exists to let people know that God is indeed the righteous judge, that he does not laugh at sin or treat it lightly … but also that he has made a way of atonement and redemption for those who deserve his wrath. Yet the church is often thought of as the first place a person would go to be judged for his or her sins.

You may not be able to change your whole church, but you can take a bold, unblinking look at your own attitudes. When you hear of another Christian being involved in some scandalous behavior, how do you react? With smugness, superiority, self-righteousness? Or is your heart grieved for that person, knowing that you are capable of committing the same sins, or [even] worse? When you are

51 Utley, R. J. (2004). Vol. Volume 3A: The Gospel According to Luke. Study Guide Commentary Series (Lk 6:37). Marshall, TX: Bible Lessons International.

tempted to act as someone else’s judge, remember what God has done so that you can be pardoned before him. Then extend that same grace to your fallen brother or sister.52

Forgive… And Don’t Stop

A Sunday school teacher had just concluded her lesson on forgiveness and

wanted to make sure she had made her point. She said, “Can anyone tell me what you must do before you can obtain forgiveness of sin?”

There was a short interval of silence and then, from the back of the room, a small boy spoke up. “Yea, sin,” he said.

Well, we don’t have too much trouble with that part do we. 37 “ Judge not, and you shall not be judged: Condemn not, and you

([1] its meaning: pardon, acquit [2] its shall not be condemned. Forgive

recipients: there are no qualifications, so any and all who seek it), and you will

. (if we maintain a habitual forgiving spirit, others will tend to extend be forgiven

forgiveness towards us as well. This also allows God to quickly forgive us).

This command does not require that the believer ignore the guilt of those who have sinned against them or to proclaim the guilty as innocent. It means instead to forgive the guilty.53 Luke 17:3 – Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. Even if they don’t repent, we can achieve and maintain a forgiving spirit. Meaning, if they were to come to us later, at any time, we would gladly forgive them right there and then.

This command goes beyond not judging, not condemning, and forgiving personal injuries and injustices. Like the Golden Rule (6:31), it seeks the positive good of others. 54

This is not the usual word that speaks of forgiving sins, but a word meaning ‘to pardon’ or ‘to set free’. It implies holding nothing against a person and leaving the judging up to God.55

52 Barton, B. B., Veerman, D., Taylor, L. C., & Osborne, G. R. (1997). Luke. Life Application Bible Commentary (162). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers. 53 Stein, R. H. (1992). Vol. 24: Luke. The New American Commentary (212). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. 54 Stein, R. H. (1992). Vol. 24: Luke. The New American Commentary (212). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. 55 Blight, R. C. (2008). An Exegetical Summary of Luke 1–11 (2nd ed.) (263). Dallas, TX: SIL International.

Even Jesus when He came to earth did not come to judge the people. It was not His purpose and it was not the will of the Father that He came to fulfill. Jesus came to set individuals free! To forgive all who would repent and seek His forgiveness.

John 3:17 – “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

And Jesus says a few chapters later in John 8:36 – if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

When Jesus comes again, as the book of Revelation says He will, then Jesus will judge all people. We would do well to leave all that kind of judging to Him and keep ourselves busy with forgiving until that time comes. It will come soon enough as Revelation states.

Revelation 11:17–18 – “We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned. The nations were angry (those who did not repent), and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, (those who have repented) and should destroy those who destroy the earth.”

This verse contains a significant truth which was repeated quite often in the NT.

Matthew 5:7 – Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Matthew 6:14–15 – “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Mark 11:25 – “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.

James 2:13 – For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

James 5:9 – Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!

Here’s a real life example of what this passage is talking about, and we are commanded to do.

A Romanian pastor and his wife had hidden Soviet soldiers during the Nazi occupation of their country. Now it was the Nazi soldiers who needed refuge.

Three German officers hid in the little building behind their house. The pastor’s wife sneaked them food and emptied their waste buckets at night. As a Jew, she felt hatred for their actions—they had murdered her entire family. [You see, she did not ignore their guilt or proclaim them innocent.] But as a Christian, she felt compelled to aid the refugees and offer them physical and spiritual support. [A forgiving spirit]

The show of favor intrigued the captain: “I wonder why a Jewess should risk her life for a German soldier? I do not like Jews, and I do not fear God. I must tell you that when the German army recaptures Bucharest, and it surely will, I will never return the favor to you.”

The pastor’s wife was undaunted by his cold heart. [Maintaining her forgiving spirit] She continued preaching to him, “Even the worst crimes are forgiven by faith in Jesus Christ. I have no authority to forgive, but Jesus does, if you repent.”

The officer replied, “I won’t say I understand you. But perhaps if more people had this gift of returning good for evil, then there would be less killing.” The officers soon escaped to Germany, still unrepentant. But the pastor and his wife had done their part in showing them the true meaning of Christian forgiveness.56 They had won another victory even though the German officers didn’t repent of their sin. By offering and maintaining a forgiving spirit, that was all God required of them. The rest was between God and the officers.

The core issue:

When we openly and sincerely extend forgiveness to others, it models God’s character and desire to extend forgiveness towards those who have offended Him, during this dispensation of grace. Our approachability and graciousness in this matter ought to encourage them to go to God to receive the same.

56 Extreme Devotion, Voice of the Martyers, p. 130

Let’s Put It All Together

38 (be known as being generous and compassionate), Give and it will be

: (and you will be the recipient of the generosity and compassion of given to you

others, with) (with more than fair quantities, with lavish quantities) good measure

(meaning to lavish as much as possible on the one being pressed down

blessed), (making sure there is no available space left to press shaken together

additional blessing into), (referring to one’s lack of even being and running over

able to receive any additional blessings doesn’t stop them from coming our way, all of which) (will be applied to your personal life). will be put into your bosom

(the same standard, approach, attitude) For with the same measure that you

(personally) (exercise), (whether little use it will be measured back to you.”

or much, and not so much as tit for tat from those you are gracious towards, but it’s more above and beyond the measurement of your generosity that you receive from God your Creator in ways He determines, again when you are generous).

6:38 Bosom – The term bosom refers to the folds of the garment as they extend beyond and droop over the girdle or belt. This part of the dress is also called the “lap.” It is used as a receptacle for various articles, just as pockets are now employed, though some of the things carried in the bosom would not fit in our pocket. Children were often carried in the bosom (Numbers 11:12), as were lambs by their shepherd (2 Samuel 12:3; Isaiah 40:11).57

The full climax has even now not been reached, however. We are told to go beyond forgiving wrongs; we should also bestow gifts, and this generously:58

Mark 4:24–25 – Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. 25 For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

[Self-absorbed] Abrasive people lurk in nearly every area of our lives. They enroll in our classes, they attend the same activities that we choose, they obtain jobs where we work, sometimes they even reside in our homes. Rude people, selfish people, hurtful people mix with kind and pleasant people unavoidably. We cannot associate only with those whom we enjoy. Those whom we do not enjoy are thrust

57 Freeman, J. M., & Chadwick, H. J. (1998). Manners & customs of the Bible (504). North Brunswick, NJ: Bridge-‐Logos Publishers. 58 Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953-‐2001). Vol. 11: Exposition of the Gospel According to Luke. New Testament Commentary (356). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

upon us. And even those people with whom we like to interact sometimes make relationship mistakes, sometimes have grouchy days, sometimes disappoint us or wound us [intentionally or] unintentionally.59

To these people, Jesus commands us in Luke 6:37–38 to – “Judge not, and

you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned.

Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you:

good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be

put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will

be measured back to you.”

There was a minister who told everyone to stand during the offertory at which time he instructed everyone to reach forward to the person standing in front of him and get his wallet. Then he added, “Now open the wallet and give as you always wanted to, but felt you couldn’t afford.”

Romans 5:6–11 – For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Christ did this in our place. Jesus didn’t judge or condemn us, John 3:17 “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” Jesus forgave us while we were quite unlovely and self-absorbed. Now Jesus asks us to do the same for Him, on behalf of those who are unlovely around us.

Ephesians 4:32 – Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

The Blind Leading the Blind Matt. 7:3–5, 16–18

59 http://bible.org/seriespage/choosing-‐good-‐husband-‐3-‐kindness-‐and-‐goodness

39 And

20 (this person knows he or she is completely indebted Blessed are you poor

to and dependent upon God to save Him or her as well as to keep and mature him or her), (all of the realm, Person and for yours is the kingdom of God

blessings of God are your eternal inheritance and abode). 21 (are famished) (those who have a healthy Blessed are you who hunger now

appetite for spiritual food—for Christ’s righteousness), for you shall be filled

(satisfied—Once you acquire a taste for righteousness everything else will pale in comparison).

Luke:6:21b . (as time goes Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh

on God shall cause you to laugh, to be merry – Ultimately in glory, but to a significant degree, even here on earth.) 22 (The implication is that one can and Blessed are you when men hate you

should expect these afflictions and attitudes as a norm from the world when the unbelieving hate you.) (you are blessed as well) and when they exclude

(separate, cast out, ostracize, shun, excommunicate) you, For indeed your

(the interest on your persecution) . reward is great in heaven

24b “ ,” (those who need no Savior, and certainly no Woe to you who are rich

Master!) (the level of comfort, for you have received your consolation

encouragement, happiness, satisfaction you are experiencing now, is all there is; there is nothing waiting for you in the future. 25 (those who have obtained a fashionable level of Woe to you who are full

social and economic status; those who have or think they have obtained the persona, the image they desire to portray) (the for you shall hunger

satisfaction of your fullness, that your persona brings you now will not last.) 25b (those who find it hilarious to make fun of the Woe to you who laugh now

simple ordinary folks and/or the disadvantaged; those who snicker when someone brings up the issue of a Creator God, sin and righteousness; those who whoop it up over their successes and others failures; those who find excitement in compromise; those who live to party), (you will for you shall mourn and weep

in the end be filled with grief, and lament your life poorly lived with perpetual tears). 26 (when no one dares to Woe to you when all men speak well of you

criticize you; when people are only concerned about saying what you want to hear; when everyone around you seeks to flatter for favors, acceptance or flattery in return) (and it didn’t change for so did their fathers to the false prophets

the truth or reality of their situations and they still suffered intense hardship).

Luke 6:27–30 – “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.

Luke 6:36–38 – be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give and it will be given you… 39 (in light of all of Jesus’ beatitude teaching—seeking to pull it all together And

and with an knockout punch) (pressing them to He spoke a parable to them

make a decision to act wisely concerning His message) (those : “Can the blind

without eyes to see, implying the spiritually visionless [in verse 27 Jesus said “I say to you who “do” HEAR” referring to those who were connecting the dots of His message verses those who weren’t hearing.] So now Jesus talks about ones sight) (Can the spiritually blind lead those in the Can the blind lead the blind?

same spiritual sightless/visionless condition?) Will they not both fall into the

(fall short of the Lord’s desired destination for them) ditch ?

Matthew Henry sums it up beautifully, he says, “How can they expect any other? Those that are led by the common opinion, course, and custom, of this world, are themselves blind, and are led by the blind, and will perish with the world that sits in darkness. Those that ignorantly, and at a venture, follow the multitude to do evil, follow the blind in the broad way that leads the many to [the pit of] destruction”.60

60 Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: Complete and unabridged in one volume (Lk 6:37–49). Peabody: Hendrickson.

Jesus is saying here, “I know there are two groups of people on this mount that have listened to My message today. One group is blind. So where do you go to correct your blindness? To the blind? No. 40 (who may be deaf and blind) (who is A disciple is not above his teacher

neither deaf nor blind), (even though a disciple may be presently deaf and but

blind) (the word “perfectly” here means to everyone who is perfectly trained

mend, to restore, to prepare, to set right—It is used of those who mend up the holes in fishing nets—So, those who are mended, set straight in their spiritual understanding and practice) (now able to hear and will be like his teacher

see—able to understand and practice the teaching Christ is providing). 41 And

(the splinter of spiritual deafness or blindness) why do you look at the speck

(in your brothers spiritual understating and actions),in your brother’s eye but

(the entire board from which the splinter comes do not perceive the plank

from) (in your own spiritual understanding and actions) 42 in your own eye ? Or

(even worse) how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove

(this small thing) the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not

(even) (this huge issue of ungodliness in comparison) see the plank that is in

(the huge spiritual fault your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank

and hypocrisy) (meaning life), (and only then)from your own eye and then

(as the teacher sees the issue in order) (rightly and you will see clearly to

humbly) (the small fault) . remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye43 (is like seeing clearly as it) “For a good tree does not bear bad fruit,

(which is like seeing unclearly) 44 nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For

(recognized, determined) (whether every tree is known by its own fruit

hearing or deaf, whether seeing or blind, whether godly or ungodly). For men

(who are “perfectly trained” or that “see clearly”) (referring to do not gather figs

that which is godly) (referring to that which is ungodly), from thorns nor do

(who hear and see) (valuable) (worthless) they gather grapes from a bramble

45 (one who has ears to hear and eyes to see spiritual bush. A GOOD man

matters) (the storehouse of benefits referring here to out of the GOOD treasure

the blessings mentioned above) (the mastermind of every decision, of his heart

plan and choice we make during our lifetime) ; (pleasing figs brings forth GOOD

and valuable grapes in good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and

running over) (in contrast) (one who is deaf and blind to and an EVIL man

spiritual matters) (the storehouse of wood, hay and out of the EVIL treasure

stubble [1 Cor. 3:12-13]) (where every decision, plan and choice he of his heart

or she makes) , (wounding, choking thorns and useless, brings forth EVIL

worthless bramble). (the key to everything Jesus has been teaching is that it For

is) (the reservoir, the overflow) out of the abundance of the heart his mouth

(good or evil, blessings or curses). speaks

The last image, the treasury, teaches us that what comes out of the lips

depends on what is inside the heart. The human heart is like a treasury, and what we speak reveals what is there. A man who apologized for swearing by saying, “It really wasn’t in me!” heard a friend say, “It had to be in you or it couldn’t have come out of you!” 61

Does your speech and actions at church match your speech and actions at

home, school, work, with all your friends and acquaintances etc.? Whatever is in your treasury is what is going to come out.

The Lord Sets Us Straight 46 “ (profess allegiance to Me, Jesus But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’

as Master, Master) (not prize and practice) and not do the things which I say

(if I’m supposedly your Master? What’s the point? In what way is it meaningful? What does it accomplish? What do you expect from Me by doing so? Do you really think I find it pleasing? Let Me set you straight) 47 (number one) Whoever

(not physically on this sermon mount, or in aspiring words, but alone comes to Me

and personally, empty and open, quiet and surrendered), (number two) and

(not simply with his or her intellect, and/or assumptions, as an hears My sayings

individual who casually listens to the words of his equal, but hears Me with his or her soul and will, as a slave who carefully listens to the words of his master) and

(number three) (not partially, and/or pharisaically for external or self-does them

righteous reasons, in a manner and for reasons of which that are hypocritical of our Creator, but does them completely, humbly for internal and honorable reasons, in a manner and for reasons of which that are glorifying to our Creator), I

(so you will recognize him or her): 48 (as he will show you whom he is like He

61 Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Lk 6:20). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

or she constructs his or her life by appropriately coming, hearing and doing) is

(constructing) (whose size and beauty is not its like a man building a house

grandeur, but), (dug and dug into the ground, not stopping who dug deep and

until he) (of his simple house) (solid, immovable, laid the foundation on the

permanent) (Committing him or herself to taking however much time it rock.

takes in putting forth whatever effort it requires to build the blesseds into his or her daily life, and determining to avoid the woes.) (not if, but) And when the flood

(the terrible, devastating, frequent, life changing floods that a broken world can easily hurl upon a soul) (wave after drilling arose, the stream beat vehemently

wave, blow after hammering blow, storm after ruinous storm came) against that

(the life of that man or woman who comes to Me, who listens to my words house

and does them), (all the fallen world could through at his or her life) and could

(loose or apart), (constructed) not shake it for it was founded on the rock

(on the character and Word of Lord and Creator). 49 (in contrast to the one But

who comes, hears and does—the thorns and brambles) (simply he who heard

with his or her intellect, and/or assumptions, as an individual who casually listens to the words of his equal) (did not put into practice what he or and did nothing

she heard when they came) (top of) is like a man who built a house on the

(even a shallow) (Committing him or herself to earth without a foundation,

taking however much time it took in putting forth whatever effort it required to build the blesseds into his or her daily life, and determining to avoid the woes.) against

(as it does in everyone’s life, it is no which the stream beat vehemently

respecter of persons); (in no time at all) (into pieces). and immediately it fell

(the woe) (that life) (extensive).” And the ruin of that house was great

This doesn’t mean that the one who comes, hears and does suffers any less than the one who doesn’t. It means that there is a huge difference in the resources each has to go through them with and the way they process them.

For those who come, hear and do:

• God assists His children (E.g., Galatians 5:22–23 – The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.)

• God hurts with His children (E.g., Hebrews 4:15 – we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

• Jesus and the Holy Spirit intercede for their children (E.g., Hebrews 7:25 (Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.)

• Jesus provides His children with a hope that is out of this world (E.g., 1 Peter 1:3 (NIV) – Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

• God will never allow His children to struggle with more than I can handle, (E.g.,1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV) – No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

And God does so much more…

God also provides us with personal benefits:

Somehow God will use my experience for some element of good, no matter what I’m going though (E.g., Romans 8:28 – we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

• Adversity provides me with a special way to honor my Lord, (E.g., Philippians 1:29 (NIV) – It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.

• Adversity deepens my fellowship with the Lord, (E.g., Philippians 3:10 – that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

• Adversity tests and matures my faith, (E.g., 1 Peter 1:6-7 – In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

• Adversity not only matures my faith, but it also develops my character, (E.g., James 1:2-4 NIV – Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

• Adversity will provide me with a richer reward to offer my Lord at my resurrection, (E.g., Hebrews 11:35 (NIV) – Women received back their dead,

raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection.

And again, adversity benefits us in so many more ways…

Do you have ears that hear and eyes that see? If you do:

1. You are going to the Lord daily. 2. You are listening to His Word and impressions daily. 3. You are doing all that He teaches and impresses upon you.

You are not just calling Jesus, Lord, Lord, but He really is your Master.

The Beatitudes 20 (Jesus) (probably to Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples

the 12 with the others listening too), and said:

20b (The very first in the list of blessings is for the poor) (fortunate, “Blessed

happy, privileged) (totally destitute, begging poor—the same word are you poor

is used in Luke 16:20 to describe the beggar Lazarus)

Ptōchos [pit—ō—hōs] (poor) is from a verb meaning “to shrink, cower, or cringe,” as beggars often did in that day. Classical Greek used the word to refer to a person reduced to total destitution, who crouched in a corner begging. As he held out one hand for alms he often hid his face with the other hand, because he was ashamed of being recognized. The term did not mean simply poor, but begging poor. It is used in Luke 16:20 to describe the beggar Lazarus.

The word commonly used for ordinary poverty was penichros [penny—chrōs],

and is used of the widow Jesus saw giving an offering in the Temple. She had very little, but she did have “two small copper coins” (Luke 21:2). She was poor but not a beggar. One who is penichros [penny—chrōs], poor has at least some

meager resources. One who is ptōchos [pit—ō—hōs] poor, however, is completely dependent on others for sustenance. He has absolutely no means of self-support.62

“Blessed (are) you poor” cannot mean though,

• “Blessed are all poor people,” • nor does it mean, “Blessed are you, my disciples, because you are poor in

earthly goods.”

Do you remember the words of Agur in Proverbs?

Ø Proverbs 30:8–9 – Remove falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches—Feed me with the food allotted to me; lest I be full and deny You, and say, “Who is the LORD?” Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God.

Ø Neither the rich or poor receive any more or less of a blessing for being so.

(Now, having said that, in cross referencing Scripture with Scripture we find that Matt. 5:3 fills particulars out a little more saying “in spirit,” Blessed are the poor

meaning those who have nothing but God to depend upon—for salvation and life), (the ultimate of one’s blessing) for yours is the kingdom of God.

To be poor is spirit is to recognize one’s spiritual poverty apart from God… Apart from Jesus Christ every person is spiritually destitute, no matter what his

• education, • wealth, • social status, • accomplishments, • or religious knowledge.

…The poor in spirit are those who recognize their total spiritual destitution and

their complete dependence on God. They perceive • that there are no saving resources in themselves and • that they can only beg for mercy and grace. • They know they have no spiritual merit, and • they know they can earn no spiritual reward. • Their pride is gone, • their self-assurance is gone, and • they stand empty-handed before God.


In spirit also conveys the sense that the recognition of poverty is genuine, not an act. It does not refer to outwardly acting like a spiritual beggar, but to recognizing what one really is. It is true humility, not mock humility. It describes the person about whom the Lord speaks in

• Isaiah 66:2-“To this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.”

It describes the person who is

• “brokenhearted” and “crushed in spirit” (Ps. 34:18), • who has “a broken and a contrite heart” before the Lord (Ps. 51:17).63

So do you see what God is telling us?

describes the type of condition that must be present in order to enjoy the “Poor”

blessing.

describes were the condition must exist “In spirit”

It didn’t exist in the story that is told of a young American student who visited the Beethoven Museum in Bonn, Germany.

The student became fascinated by Beethoven’s piano that was on display there. It was a thrill to think that Beethoven had composed some of his greatest works on that piano! She asked the museum guard if she might play a few notes on it, and to help persuade the guard, she also slipped him a lavish tip. The guard agreed and the girl went to the piano and played the opening of the Moonlight Sonata.

As she was leaving she said to the guard, “I suppose all the great pianists who come here want to play on that piano.”

The guard shook his head and said, “No, not really. Many don’t. In fact, “Pade-rewski, the famous Polish pianist was here a few years ago, and he said he wasn’t worthy to touch it.” Ouch…

We do see it existing in the sinner in Luke 18 though.

"Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax man. The Pharisee posed and prayed like this: ’Oh, God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, crooks, adulterers, or, heaven forbid, like this tax man. I fast twice a week and tithe on all my income.’ "Meanwhile the tax man, slumped in the shadows, his face in his hands, not daring to look up, said, ’God, give mercy. 63 MacArthur, J. (1989). Matthew (146). Chicago: Moody Press.

Forgive me, a sinner.’ " Jesus commented, "This tax man, not the other, went home made right with God. If you walk around with your nose in the air, you’re going to end up flat on your face, but if you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself." Luke 18:10-14 (MSG)

It existed in Job and many of the Psalmists.

Ø Job 7:17 – “What is man, that You should exalt him, that You should set Your heart on him,

Ø Psalm 40:17 – But I am poor and needy; yet the LORD thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God.

Ø Psalm 8:4 (The Message) – Then I look at my micro-self and wonder, why do you bother with us? Why take a second look our way?

Being means knowing who is King of the hill and always will be. “poor in Spirit”

It’s like a relief valve that bleeds out (or puts off) things like pride and self.

One commentator put it this way. “The door into God’s kingdom is low, and no one who stands tall will ever go through it.

• [God] cannot [fill us up with Himself] until we are empty [of self]; • we cannot be made worthy until we recognize our unworthiness; • we cannot live until we admit we are dead.

We might as well expect fruit to grow without a tree as to expect the other graces of the Christian life to grow without humility.

• Until a soul is humbled, until the inner person is poor in spirit, Christ can

never become dear, because He is obscured by self. • Until one knows how helpless, worthless, and sinful he is in himself, he can

never see how mighty, worthy, and glorious Christ is in Himself. • Until one sees how doomed he is, he cannot see what a Redeemer the Lord

is. • Until one sees his own poverty he cannot see God’s riches.

…“Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord” (Prov. 16:5).

The church in Laodicea said proudly, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” not knowing that she was instead “wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked” (Rev. 3:17). 64

How can we know if we are genuinely humble, if we are poor in spirit?

Thomas Watson gives seven principles we may apply in determining humility.*

1. First, if we are humble we will be weaned from ourselves. … One who is poor in spirit loses his serf-preoccupation. …Paul’s humility is nowhere more beautifully expressed than in his saying, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me” (Gal. 2:20). To the Philippian believers he wrote, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21).

2. Second, humility will lead us to be lost in the wonder of Christ, “with

unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, … being transformed into the same image from glory to glory” (2 Cor. 3:18). Our satisfaction will be in the prospect of one day being fully in the likeness of our Lord.

3. Third, we will not complain about our situation, no matter how bad it

may become. … When tragedy comes we will not say, “Why me, Lord?” When our suffering is for Christ’s sake we not only will not complain or feel ashamed but will glorify God for it (1 Pet. 4:16), knowing that we will “also be glorified with Him” and realizing “that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom. 8:17–18).

4. Fourth, we will more clearly see the strengths and virtues of others as

well as our own weaknesses and sins. With “humility of mind” we will “regard one another as more important than [ourselves]” (Phil. 2:3) and will “give preference to one another in honor” (Rom. 12:10).

5. Fifth, we will spend much time in prayer. Just as the physical beggar

begs for physical sustenance, the spiritual beggar begs for spiritual. We will knock often at heavens gate because we are always in need. Like Jacob wrestling with the angel, we will not let go until we are blessed.


6. Sixth, we will take Christ on His terms, not on ours or any other. We will not try to have Christ while keeping our pride, our pleasures, our covetousness, or our immorality. … His Word alone will be our standard.

7. Seventh, when we are poor in spirit we will praise and thank God for

His grace. Nothing more characterizes the humble believer than abounding gratitude to his Lord and Savior. He knows that he has no blessings and no happiness but that which the Father gives in love and grace. He knows that God’s grace is “more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 1:14).65

Do you think that being poor in spirit means to be weak and milktoasty? No. David and Goliath

1 Samuel 17:33 (NKJV) 33 And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight

with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.” 1 Samuel 17:37 (NKJV) 37 Moreover David said, “The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

And Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you!” 1 Samuel 17:45–46 (NKJV)

45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

If the Israelites had progressed in their spiritual journey to being “poor in spirit,”

they would not have hedged in going in and taking the promised land. Only Moses, Joshua and Caleb were there.


Being poor in spirit will allow us to truly rest in the Lord (meet our responsibilities and leave the results to God)

Allow us to exercise greater faith in reaching out and witnessing to others

Jesus Explains the Sabbath · Jesus Explains the Sabbath Luke 6:1-11 I. The second Sabbath A.The...

Documents

Transcript of Jesus Explains the Sabbath · Jesus Explains the Sabbath Luke 6:1-11 I. The second Sabbath A.The...