Sermon on the Plain: Be Big Hearted

Sermon on the Plain: Be Big Hearted Luke 6:37-42

This Morning I want to begin by having a reader response time.

I know it’s not something that we normally do, but I think it fits

Psalm 100 (CSB)

A psalm of thanksgiving.

1 Let the whole earth shout triumphantly to the Lord!

2 Serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

3 Acknowledge that the Lord is God. He made us, and we are his— his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name.

5 For the Lord is good, and his faithful love endures forever; his faithfulness, through all generations.

One of the things that is so important for us as followers of Jesus is to go back to these simple truths.

The truth that God is good.

That he is faithful.

That he loves us and cares for us.

And the reason why it’s important is so that we can serve him more faithfully.

If we remember that truth then it’s a little easier to live how God has called us to live.

But if we don’t carry in our hearts and mind this truth then we quickly forget how much we have been forgiven.

How much love we have experienced.

How much grace we have encountered.

Then we start to think that we earned God’s love.

That he loved us b/c we were good

B/c we served in the community.

B/c we_______(fill in the blank).

And when that becomes how we live, then we will inevitably think that people should act like us.

That they should behave like us.

Like they should have their stuff together like us.

And this is a dangerous position to be in.

B/c to think that people should be like us takes all the attention off of who they should truly be trying to imitate.

God.

But if we think that they should be like us then we have replaced God and now we get the to be the ones that dictate who is right and who is wrong.

Like Jesus has abdicated or given up his throne to us.

But that’s not the case.

Though we are to act like Jesus we don’t carry with us the same Authority as Jesus.

So he has to teach his disciples and train them on how to live in light of who they are and who he his.

And here is where Luke’s Gospel takes us to what is called the Sermon on the Plain.

Jesus uses the sermon on the plain for his followers to take their temperature.

How are they doing when it comes to other’s well being.

Really, Jesus says the law of God is summed up in two commandments.

Love God and Love People.

How do we demonstrate love to them.

How do our actions toward people reflect God’s goodness and our transformation.

Well last week we saw that love is radical.

We don’t just love those who are easy to love like family and friends, rather we love our enemies.

We seek their good.

We make sure that we are embodying the Love that God revealed to us through Jesus.

This week Jesus is going to teach about the heart state of his followers.

As I was reading and studying for this sermon I came across a commentary that called these verses “A Magnanimous Disposition”

And I know that the we don’t us Magnanimous often in our everyday languages.

But here’s what it means.

It comes from two Latin words “Magnus” which means Great and “animus” which means Spirit.

So Magnanimous means someone who has a great spirit or is great souled.

It describes a spirit that generous and forgiving.

And this is one of the marks of Jesus’ disciples that they be generous and forgiving.

And this is shown to us in this next section of Jesus’ teaching.

I know that I said we were going to start in v.37, but I want to back up a little to help us understand the context of what Jesus is saying.

Luke 6:36–42 CSB

36 Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. 37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over—will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” 39 He also told them a parable: “Can the blind guide the blind? Won’t they both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher. 41 “Why do you look at the splinter in your brother’s eye, but don’t notice the beam of wood in your own eye? 42 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.

Don’t Be Judgmental

Last week we ended on verse 36.

Luke 6:36 “36 Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”

This is the starting point for the next section about Judgement and condemnation.

We have to have the right mindset and heart-state.

We must begin with the mercy of God if we are going to live a life that follows Jesus.

We have received mercy therefore we must be merciful.

That must be in the back of our mind when we approach the next verse.

As Jesus begins this teaching he couples 2 negatives what we shouldn’t do, and then offers 2 positives, what we should do.

The negatives Jesus tells us not to do is Judge and condemn.

“Do not judge” tends to be a favorite verse of a lot of people.

In fact, I don’t think there is a verse that is quoted more by non-Christians than this verse.

And it’s even popular within Christianity.

In fact, for most of society it seems as if this is the underlying ethic for people.

Let me do me.

and you do you.

Don’t judge my behavior, attitude, or beliefs.

This verse has been hijacked by all types of people to essentially say this, “It’s none of your business what I do, don’t Judge me.”

Or as the Late Tupac Shakur would say “Only God can Judge me”.

But is that what Jesus means when he says don’t Judge.

Is that what the context of this passage really points to?

I think its first and foremost important that we recognize that Jesus is talking to his disciples about other disciples.

So other believers are in view here.

I can say that b/c Jesus is primarily focused on the new community he’s building.

One of his focuses and charges for this community is that they stay unified and fixed on the mission and message that he has given them.

Now this verse does have application for all people, but is pointed toward those who are a part of this new community Jesus is building.

In addition, if Jesus means make no judgement at all then he is contradicting what he’s about to tell his disciples in v.43-45.

Where he instructs them to make a judgement on whether someone is producing good fruit or bad fruit.

In 1 Cor. Paul tells us the believers will Judge the world.

In addition to live this life we have to make judgment calls all the time.

Is something good or bad?

Moral or immoral?

Safe or dangerous?

So there is more nuance to this conversation.

Do not judge:

Doesn't mean we never render judgement

Doesn't mean we don't use discernment, church discipline

Doesn't mean we don't confront sin with our brothers and sisters.

Jesus is telling us not to be quick to criticize or find faults with others.

Refers to a critical and judgmental spirit.

There's a difference between calling out someones sin and thinking that they are lesser than b/c they struggle with that sin.

Our calling as believers is to practice the ministry of reconciliation.

Meaning that we don't overly criticize someone's sinful behavior, rather we rush to encourage them to leave it behind.

We don’t get to hold people down in guilt, instead encourage them toward God.

Judgementalism can be characterized by bitterness, arrogance, and self-righteousness

Where what we do is only look at the negative, while being destructive in the lives of others

Judgementalism seeks and enjoys finding fault with others.

So Jesus isn’t telling us that we shouldn’t judge others.

Rather he’s telling us that we need to bestow grace and mercy on those who are sinning.

On those who don’t live up to the Christian moral code of ethics.

You see the Judging that Jesus is talking about goes hand in hand with not condemning others.

So when we look at or examine the life of others we don’t get to sit on our high horse and think that we are better then them.

And then hold that condemnation over their heads.

Instead we seek to point them toward the love, mercy, and grace of God.

Condemnation is not our to dole out.

We don’t get to establish or mark out the boundaries of God’s love, mercy, and grace.

And to be honest that’s exactly what we do if we start with a judgmental and condemning attitude.

So how do we rightly judge?

What does it look like to judge like Jesus’ judges?

We have to judge without hypocrisy.

Look what Jesus says in v. 41-42

Luke 6:41–42 CSB

41 “Why do you look at the splinter in your brother’s eye, but don’t notice the beam of wood in your own eye? 42 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.

Don’t Be Judgmental

To be honest with you, judging and condemnation is easy for us.

It doesn’t take too much energy or brain power to automatically add judgement or condemnation to a person we don’t know or even someone we do know.

In fact, a judgmental and condemning spirit really reveals our own soul.

B/c we want sin to be condemned just not our own.

And it’s easier for us to see the sin in someone else than it is to examine our own.

This is what the psychology of the world calls projection.

We are projecting our own sin and unworthiness on someone else.

Mostly b/c we don’t want to take responsibility or own up to our own mistakes.

But for those who have been saved by Jesus, need to put that wickedness to rest.

We need to take off the cloak of judgment and put on the robe of mercy.

Here’s an example of that from Scripture.

King David goes out on his balcony when he should have been off at war.

He looks out and see a beautiful woman.

He tells his people to go and take her.

He then has her husband murdered.

And he doesn’t really have a problem with what he’s done.

Then one day Nathan the prophet approaches David and tells him a story.

In that story, there is a poor man who owns one precious sheep.

He treats it like a family member.

All of a sudden we are introduced to a new character a rich man.

This rich man who has hundreds of sheep, goes and takes the one sheep of the poor man, slaughters it and feeds it to some of his guest.

Nathan asks David what should happen to the rich man.

2 Samuel 12:5–6 “5 David was infuriated with the man and said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who did this deserves to die! 6 Because he has done this thing and shown no pity, he must pay four lambs for that lamb.””

2 Samuel 12:7 “7 Nathan replied to David, “You are the man!...”

David was blind to his own sin.

Yet he was quick to see the sin in others.

So in order for us to have a magnanimous disposition we must have hearts that seek after love and reconciliation.

We have to first do some self examination when it comes to our hearts toward other people.

We don’t want to be like David ready to condemn others when they do the same thing we do.

Rather, we need to approach all people and circumstances with humility.

I want you to see that Jesus is using some hyperbole to kind of poke fun at the hypocrites.

Hypocrites are those who want to change others without being changed themselves.

They have no interest in personal holiness or change.

But all their concern is with changing those around them.

This doesn't mean that it's wrong to point out or help others see their blind spots.

Rather, before we approach others we need to practice self-examination.

Humility

How much time do you spend complaining about others sin, contrasted with how much time you spend confessing your own sin.

It's easier to point out other people's faults and failures than it is to acknowledge where we fall short.

This is one of the areas of Christian discipleship where it can be incredibly difficult to be like Jesus.

Jesus is training his disciples to be big hearted people.

Ready to forgive.

Quick to show mercy.

where our natural reaction is to be ready to judge

and quick to condemn.

But I want us to see that regular judgementalism means that they haven't recognized the grace mercy and Love that God has extended them.

And if that's the case, then the argument can be made that they have never received that grace to begin with.

Rather we think that we have earned God's favor and God is right in having us on his team.

Yet Jesus sees all our wickedness

He sees all our inner thoughts.

He sees us at our worst.

He examines our every fault and failure.

He could point out every sin.

Every short coming.

And what does he do?

Does he condemn?

Does he cast Judgement?

No he forgives.

He washes away.

He cleanses.

He is generous

He embodies what he expects of his disciples.

Talking about condemnation Jesus didn’t even come to condemn the world.

John 3:16–21 CSB

16 For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. 19 This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed. 21 But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”

Here’s something we have to understand.

The world is already condemned.

Yet Jesus comes to provide life.

To remove that Judgement.

For those who will believe in him.

For those who are committed to following after him.

Living a life that honors him.

And believe that he’s already accomplished our forgiveness.

We are no longer condemned.

So as those who belong to Jesus we shouldn’t be casting condemnation on others.

Rather we should be bringing them the truth of reconciliation.

We should be preaching and proclaiming the truth that Jesus offers salvation.

He offers forgiveness.

Those who are born again.

Those who believe go from condemned to not condemned.

That’s the message of the Gospel

That we are under the wrath of God b/c of our sinfulness.

B/c of our rebellion against God.

But b/c he is rich in mercy abounding in steadfast love we are offered forgiveness through the sacrifice of Jesus.

So one of the ways that combat our tendency toward judgementalism and condemnation is that we remember the mercy and grace that we have recieved from God.

Now that’s easier said than done.

Examination of our own heart and motivation is important to accomplish this.

This is why we are to remove the plank out of our own eye before we focus on the the speck in our brothers.

But I want you to see that Jesus isn’t telling us to ignore the speck in our brother’s eye.

He says in v. 42

Luke 6:42 “42...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.”

We remove the plank so that we can see more clearly to aid our brother or sister.

If we are inhibited by our own sin it’s going to be more difficult to help others see their own problems.

So if we truly want to render aid.

If we really want to help our brother or sister who’s fallen into sin, then we need to make sure our vision isn’t impeded.

Jesus has taught his followers that they shouldn’t judge and shouldn’t condemn.

Those are negative behaviors.

And he also understands that when giving someone negative behaviors to avoid, we need them replaced by positive ones.

So in v. 37-38, he gives us positive actions that replace our negative ones.

He tells us to forgive

And to be generous.

Luke 6:37–38 (CSB)

37 "... Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

38 Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over—will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Forgiveness and Generosity

Let us begin talking about forgiveness.

Can we be honest and all say that forgiveness is difficult.

Some of you have been hurt real bad by others.

Some of you have experienced things at the hands of other people that would shock those around you.

So when we talk about forgiving others, I don’t want to minimize the pain and hurt that you have felt.

Here’s the thing...

Jesus doesn’t say forgive if it’s easy.

Forgive if it’s convenient.

or even Forgive only if they ask for forgiveness.

He commands his disciples to forgive regardless.

There is no excuse, no caveat, no exemptions.

If we have received forgiveness from God then we will forgive.

That’s what Jesus means by “forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

Sometimes I think we get the wrong Idea about what forgiveness is.

When we think about forgiveness often we can think that it’s pretending as if someone who is guilty has now become innocent.

But Forgivness doesn't mean that there aren't consequences for people's action.

It doesn't mean that we will always reconcile with those who have wronged us.

Forgiveness means to release or set free.

Forgiveness means that we lay down the right to demand that our offender owe us something.

When we don’t offer forgiveness we become bitter.

We become slaves to our hatred and anger toward those who have hurt us.

In fact, it consumes us.

Our refusal to forgive causes us more pain and hurt than it does the person we refuse to forgive.

When I was a teenager, I held a lot of anger and bitterness toward my father.

When my parents got a divorce, I blamed it all on him.

He was the one who left.

He was the one who chose to abandon his family.

And so the anger and bitterness swelled in me for several years.

Then I came to know Christ.

I came to the point where I was confronted with my own unforgiveness.

So I decided to forgive my father.

I let it go. I laid down the right to demand that he owe me something.

And one night, I was about 16-17 years old, we were visiting his home and it was right before bed.

This was 5-6 years after the divorce was final.

He came to the room to tell us good night.

I remember this night as clear as if it happened yesterday.

I looked at my dad.

I built up the courage to speak the words “Dad, I forgive you.”

This had been weighing on my heart and mind for weeks.

And he looked at me with absolute confusion on his face.

And said, “For what?” I said, “For the divorce.”

He then responded, “Okay”.

That’s when I realized that my bitterness, anger, and resentment toward my father only hurt me.

It was b/c I was unable to forgive that I was an angry and hateful teenager.

All the while the man I was angry at had no idea.

Here’s what we have to know as Jesus’ disciples.

Forgiven people forgive people.

Those who have received mercy are merciful.

As his disciples we need to be quick to forgive.

We need to be quick to show mercy.

We need to be quick to seek out the good of our brother or sister.

This doesn’t mean that sin gets a free pass.

Or that we overlook egregious behavior.

Rather we stand on the truth that eventually Justice is going to be served.

We don’t get to be vindictive or vengeful toward those who have hurt us.

Instead we let God handle it, knowing that his justice is perfect.

Now maybe you haven’t experienced God’s Forgiveness.

But let me tell you he stands ready to forgive.

In fact, He is more willing to forgive than we are to confess.

Micah 7:18–19“18 Who is a God like you, forgiving iniquity and passing over rebellion for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not hold on to his anger forever because he delights in faithful love. 19 He will again have compassion on us; he will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.”

1 John 1:9 “9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Through Jesus we are offered forgiveness from God.

Our offense toward God is infinitely more than any offense from others.

And yet forgiveness is available.

So, If we belong to him then we need to extend that same forgiveness to those who have hurt us.

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Not only do we forgive b/c God has forgiven us, we are generous b/c God has been generous toward us.

Generosity should be a mark of Jesus’ disciples as well.

We can’t be stingy and selfish, rather we are called to be generous and selfless.

We are called to be generous not just with our finances.

But with our time, energy, talents, and even our forgiveness.

If we have been forgiven by God, then we recognize that our lives are no longer our own.

So we live a life that is generous.

And generosity can change lives of the people around us.

Jesus paints a little picture here of God’s generosity.

This is something that we don’t often do.

But think about the 1st century.

People would buy from the market.

If you approach someone who is selling flour, the ungenerous merchant would take the vessel and loosely pack the flour in there.

While the generous merchant would put flour in the container, pat it down, press it down, and top it off.

Giving more than you deserve and more than you paid for.

To make it more relatable to us.

Let’s say you go to an Ice Cream stand.

The generous person behind the counter would put you ice cream in a cup, then press it down and add more on top of it.

And that’s the type of generosity we as Jesus’ followers should live with.

We give way more than we get.

We are generous with all the blessings that God has given us.

Which includes forgiveness and mercy.

We should be quick with them and generous with them.

This doesn’t not mean that you become a door mat.

But that when you are wronged.

When you are hurt you give it to God and extend forgiveness to your trespasser.

Again if we recognize how much we have been given.

How much we have been forgiven.

It shouldn’t take too much for us to extend that same generosity and forgiveness.

Finally lets take a quick look at v. 39-40

Luke 6:39–40 CSB

39 He also told them a parable: “Can the blind guide the blind? Won’t they both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.

Who to Follow?

I’m not going to spend a lot of time on these verses.

But Jesus here is saying we need to be careful who we follow.

Who we learn from.

B/c whoever teaches us, will become the one we imitate.

It doesn’t take long to see that simply in our children.

Just a couple of weeks ago, Levi was helping me cook.

We were going to cook outside.

So I got ready, put on an apron, and my hat.

Next thing I know Levi comes out of his room with a hat on and is looking for an apron to wear too.

He wanted to be like his teacher.

This is a silly analogy, but the truth remains.

We are like who we learn from.

And we can either have a foolish teacher or a wise one.

We can have teacher who leads us in the direction of truth.

Or a blind teacher who leads us down the path of destruction.

We all need to recognize that whether we like it or not, we are listening too and following someone.

Whether its social media, the news, a political pundit, pastor, or friend.

But there’s only one we can follow who will lead us down the road of life and relationship with God.

There’s only one who can change our hearts and our souls.

There’s only one who offers us eternal life.

And if we truly follow after him then we will live like him.

We will be quick to forgive.

Be overwhelmingly generous.

Be quick to offer mercy.

Be quick to extend grace.

Be quick to love and show compassion.

We will live this life with a magnanimous disposition.

We will live this life being big hearted.

If you aren’t following him today.

Then he is calling out to you to follow him.

Let’s pray.