A Lofty Sermon From a Level Place Pt.3 Luke 6:37-38

Introduction:

Today is week number three in our examination of Jesus most famous sermon which is often called “The Sermon on the Mount” or what some Bibles label as “The Sermon on the Plain.” We’ve titled it “ A Lofty Sermon From a Level Place.”

Jesus began this sermon by descending down the mountainside with his newly called out 12 apostles to the larger crowd of committed disciples and curious on-lookers gathered below. He then found a level place to sit as he began to teach.

Remember, this sermon is not a sermon about Christian ethics, it is a sermon on the attitudes and behaviors of those who are saved. There are many who claim to be christians (i.e. every single politician) who are not in fact genuine believers. It becomes necessary to identify who those genuine believers are then by their attitude and behavior.

Jesus began his sermon by distinguishing between those who have genuine faith and those who do not. (v.20-26) He then continued in v.27-36 by noting that there is one overarching ethic that all true believers possess and that is “deliberate love” for their enemies. We most look like our Father in Heaven when we love those who do not love us. We demonstrate that love through our deeds, words and prayers to and for them.

Now, in this third part of Jesus sermon he begins addressing the disposition of genuine believers in v.37-42

Disposition- the predominant or prevailing tendency of one's spirit; natural mental and emotional outlook or mood; characteristic attitude:state of mind regarding something; inclination:

A genuine believer possesses a markedly different disposition from those who are merely religious and/or non-believing.

This disposition is:

Non-judgmental. (v.37a)

Forgiving. (v.37c)

Giving. (v.38)

Let’s begin unpacking the believers disposition here in these verses.

1.) A non-judgmental disposition. (v.37a)

Luke 6:37 (NKJV)

37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned...

This is perhaps the most well known but most misapplied verse by people who are not Christians.

One commentator called this the “magna carte” of American religion and it usually comes out when they might feel the slightest bit of disapproval from a christian.

To judge someone in America today is tantamount murder.

Let’s nail something down right out of the gate. Jesus is NOT saying that christians shouldn't judge and condemn sin. In fact if you read further to v.43-45 you will find the exact opposite is true because Jesus says a “tree is known by it’s fruit.” . Christians are in fact supposed call out and stand against sin.

The Apostle Pul would later tell the corinthians to make moral judgements

1 Corinthians 6:2 NKJV

2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

As christians we are in fact supposed to have a high regard for right and wrong. We are to make moral judgements. Christ command here is not for christians to negate moral responsibility.

What Jesus is speaking against here is a spirit of judgmentalism and condemnation in personal relationships.

Judgmentalism is when we take a hard critical view of other peoples failures instead of giving them understanding and compassion. It unmercifully attaches motives to actions that have never occured. It sees others in the worst light and pompously puts us in the place of God.

Have you ever met any judgmental Christians? Some of the most judgmental people I have ever met have been people who claim the name of Christ.

Here is the thing, we tend to be judgmental of those who are guilty of the sins that we are committing. It reveals what is simmering in our own souls. We love to condemn others for the same sins that we are committing.

There is an example of this in scripture in the life of King David in 2 Samuel 12. David has just committed adultery with Bathsheba which resulted in her pregnancy. To cover for his sins, he lures her husband Uriah home from the battlefield in an attempt to get him to go hame and have marital relations with his wife. But, Uriah was a man of character and refused to do so knowing he commanded men who were not afforded the same luxury. So, instead of going home, he slept at the gate of the kings palace. When that didn't work, David gave orders to his military commander to arrange things so that Uriah would be killed in battle and he could then marry Bathsheba. Soon afterward the Lord sent the prophet Nathan to King David to tell him a story about a ric man who took a poor man’s much loved pet sheep and slaughtered it to feed to his dinner guests. This enraged David to the point he said:

2 Samuel 12:5–7 NKJV

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 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! Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.

David was guilty of a far greater sin, but was blind to his own condition while enraged over someone else's sin.

Being judgmental is a sign of spiritual cancer that, if not dealt with will lead to spiritual death. We are no better than anyone else around us and were it not for God’s grace we would be no better off than those who are without Christ.

Titus 3:3–7 NKJV

3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Instead of judging and condemning others, we are to treat them the way Christ has treated us.

Luke 6:36 NKJV

36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

2.) A forgiving disposition. (v.37c)

Luke 6:37 (NKJV)

37 Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Being judgmental is the opposite of having a forgiving disposition. so its not mistake the Lord has coupled them together.

We must understand that Jesus is not saying that a person can be forgiven of his sin by forgiving others. That would be akin to meriting salvation. His command to forgive is rooted in God’s grace.

When God’s gives his grace to a person, it radically changes them. A forgiving disposition is evidence that person has been forgiven.

Genuine christians can and do forgive. This doesn't mean its easy or that we somehow don’t struggle with forgiveness; of course we do. But, genuine believers work at forgiving even when it’s hard.

Ephesians 4:32 NKJV

32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

When we offer forgiveness to others , we display character traits of our Father. Holding a grudge isn't Christlike. We cannot credibly seek forgiveness from the Lord while holding unforgivness in our hearts toward someone else.

3.) A Giving disposition. (v.38)

Luke 6:38 NKJV

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.”

A non-judgmental and forgiving disposition is now connected with a giving disposition. There is a link here back to v.30

Luke 6:30 NKJV

30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.

Jesus is not talking about our giving to the church or some ministry, through we should absolutely be doing that. He is referring to others. The genuine believer possesses a spirit of giving that doesn't hoard or selfishly hold on to what God has given him but practices generosit.

Notice, there is a principle of reciprocity at play here. Jesus says when we give, we will be given back to far beyond what we’ve given.

God is in debt to no human being, no matter how much we give, he gives us more.

The illustration here is beautiful.

The grain is pressed down into the measure so that it will hold as much as possible. Next it is shaken together to make it fill every possible space. And then, not content with this full measure, the grain is piled above the rim so that it cannot be contained by the measure and spills over into the robes of one’s lap.

True disciples are marked by their giving disposition. They give and give and give and give. This is how we demonstrate love for others.

John 3:16 NKJV

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

2 Corinthians 8:9 NKJV

9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

Conclusion:

The goal of a believer demonstrating a Christlike disposition is so that we may have a better opportunity to share the gospel with those who are not believers.

Someone once said that we as christians may be hated for our positions but may it never be said we are hated for our dispositions.

When we as believers act toward others in the way that God does, with mercy and compassion instead of judgmentalism. Forgiving them whenever necessary for the wrongs they have done to us, remembering all that Christ has forgiven us for. Then we give of our resources, time, energy etc seeking their good. It puts actions with our words.