Sermon on the Plain Part 2

Sermon on the Plain Part 2

Series: The Gospel Truth

Text: Luke 6:37-49

Introduction: (What?)

In this message we will find Luke’s report on what is called “The Sermon on the Plain”. Last week we looked at the Lukan version of the Beatitudes and the Woes that opposed the Bless-eds. This week we will unwrap Jesus’ teaching on behavior, source of fruit and the basis for faith. We find that there is a law of reciprocity. When we judge, we will be judged using the same measuring tools we have used against others.

Examination: (Why?)

1. You see in others what you deny in yourself.

Lk 6:37-42 ““Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over—will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” He also told them a parable: “Can the blind guide the blind? Won’t they both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher. “Why do you look at the splinter in your brother’s eye, but don’t notice the beam of wood in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the splinter that is in your eye,’ when you yourself don’t see the beam of wood in your eye? Hypocrite! First take the beam of wood out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the splinter in your brother’s eye.”

Jesus was very straight forward. He said “Do not judge!” He was speaking to the Jewish leaders about their hypocritical, condemning spirit that grew out of their self-righteousness. This does not mean that you abandon all sense of right and wrong. Instead it means that you pay attention first to the sin in your own life before you go pointing out the sin in the life of another. It seems that we can quickly notice sin in the life of others while ignoring the same sin in our own lives. That is hypocrisy to the nth degree.

According to anthropology, there’s a natural law in every society called the Law of Reciprocity. The Law of Reciprocity states that when people receive something, they feel compelled to return the favor in kind. Today we call that “paying it forward”. When someone does something nice for you, you in turn do something nice for someone else. That is the opposite of paying someone back for what they may have done for or to you.

Jesus used several examples in explaining why a person should not judge another person. If you choose to judge, you will be judged, but if you choose not to be judgmental, then you won’t be judged.

If you choose to condemn, you will be condemned in return. However, if you choose not to condemn, you won’t be condemned.

If you choose to forgive, you will be forgiven. However, should you choose not to forgive, you will not be forgiven. Remember what Jesus said in teaching The LORD’s Prayer. “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” In Matthew 6:14-15 Jesus expanded on the idea of reciprocity. ““For if you forgive others their offenses, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive your offenses.” In Matt 7:2 Jesus said “For you will be judged by the same standard with which you judge others, and you will be measured by the same measure you use.”

In verse 38 Jesus taught the Law of Reciprocity as it relates to our generosity. “Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure---pressed down, shaken together, and running over---will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” Notice that He doesn’t stipulate WHAT you give. The application is that WHATEVER you give will be returned in kind. One preacher suggested, and I agree with him, that you should give at your point of need. If you need money, give money. If you need time, give time. If you need love, give love. Your motive in giving will determine your reward for giving.

The mental picture that Jesus gave regarding what you will receive when you give is the picture of someone purchasing grain at the market. The grain is poured into a basket, then the basket is shaken so that there are not open spaces, then it is pressed down and more grain is poured in until the basket overflows. Then the purchaser hold ups the front edge of his/her apron and the grain is poured into it so that they can take it home.

In vss 39-42 Jesus used hyperbole to make His point. Can the blind guide the blind? Can the disciple teach his teacher? Can you point out a splinter in someone’s eye when you have a plank in yours? The bottom line is; before you judge another person, check your life. You may just find that you are projecting your own sin or failure onto someone else.

2. Trace the fruit to the root.

Lk 6:43-45 ““A good tree doesn’t produce bad fruit; on the other hand, a bad tree doesn’t produce good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs aren’t gathered from thornbushes, or grapes picked from a bramble bush. A good person produces good out of the good stored up in his heart. An evil person produces evil out of the evil stored up in his heart, for his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.”

The fruit of a tree is produced by the root of the tree. An orange tree only produces oranges when the roots are firmly grounded so that they can get nutrients and water from the soil. By the same token a person who is “rooted” into bad soil will produce bad fruit. If you follow a false teacher, you will eventually produce bad fruit. In Matt 7:15-20 Jesus elaborated on this idea. ““Be on your guard against false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves. You’ll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So you’ll recognize them by their fruit.”

Before you buy into the message of a teacher or preacher, observe their life. If you find them living differently from what they are teaching, steer clear.

3. The basis of your faith

Lk 6:46-49 ““Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things I say? I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the river crashed against that house and couldn’t shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The river crashed against it, and immediately it collapsed. And the destruction of that house was great.””

Genuine faith produces obedience. That is what Jesus referred to when He said, “Don’t call me LORD if you’re not going to do what I say!” Your lip service is worth nothing if there is no obedience to back it up. Once again Jesus used a parable to bring His point home. If you come to church, listen to a sermon and then walk out and do nothing about it, you are like the foolish man who built his house on sand in a flood zone. Make sure that you are building on a firm foundation. Failure to do so will put you in the position of the person Jesus described in Matt 7:21-23 ““Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?’ Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!’”

Application: (How should I adjust my life to this?)

At the end of your life here on earth you will hear the voice of Jesus saying on of two things.

Matt 25:23 “‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy.’” or “I never knew you. Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!”

You must decide now what you want to hear then…and act accordingly.

If you have never surrendered to Christ, that is your starting point. Do that today. “Lord Jesus, I give you my life”. Pray that right now.

If you have been guilty of judging others harshly while giving yourself a pass on your sinful behavior, your only recourse is repentance. Stop it!

If God has brought to your mind something He wants you to do…do it! Don’t delay.