Building on the Rock: Living Out the Sermon on the Plain

Bible Passage: Luke 6:37–49

First Let’s Start with a Quiz.

Each of those answers you gave comes from this passage. That is what is unique about this passage is that there are so many “one liners” or individual sermons or lessons we take from it.

Summary: In this passage, Jesus outlines the ethical implications of His teachings from the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing a life of mercy, non-judgmental attitudes, and building one's life on the foundation of His words.

Application: This sermon encourages Christians to embrace a lifestyle that reflects Christ’s teachings, urging them to practice forgiveness, serve others, and establish their lives on the solid foundation of Christ's principles as they navigate daily challenges.

Teaching: The sermon conveys the importance of applying Jesus’ teachings to our lives, showing that true discipleship involves transforming our hearts to reflect God's love and grace toward others.

How this passage could point to Christ: This theme connects to Christ as the ultimate teacher and example of living out God's law through love and mercy. He not only preached these principles but practiced them in His life, culminating in His sacrificial love for humanity.

Big Idea: True disciples establish their lives on the teachings of Jesus, embodying His love and grace in a broken world as a reflection of their faith and commitment to God.

Introduction: Building our home. It was so exciting, but once the foundation began to be poured we knew we had a problem. It wasn’t built on sand or stone, it was built on the side of a hill, a steep hill. we had no yard, we had a bank. We had to walk away from everything we so eagerly planned.

Each day we are building and adding additions to our plans. But if your foundation is not right, it is all for nothing. If you are building a home for your pleasure, your plans, your perceptions, your are destined to collapse. A house built on the teachings of Jesus that we will examine is a home that stands the lightening strikes of Satan and the waves of the world.

Many of us are familiar with James words when he command his readers to “receive with meekness the engrafted Word which is able to save our souls.” He goes on a few verses later and says we need to be doer of the Word and not just a hearer. If you just hear and not do you are like a man person looks into a mirror and is a mess, and just goes on with their day not worried about it. We would say, “Who would do that?” We should be asking, “How can God speak to me and I go on like it was for someone else?”

That is exactly how Jesus sums up this section of teaching on the sermon on the plain. In this passage, Jesus outlines the ethical implications of His teachings from the Sermon on the Plain. This sermon encourages Christians to embrace a lifestyle that reflects Christ’s teachings, urging them to practice forgiveness, serve others, and establish their lives on the solid foundation of Christ's principles as they navigate daily challenges. And those challenges are very much interpersonal.

The present section lists behaviors owed to those within the family of faith. The instructions are given by placing two things in antithetical parallelism—two blind people, a teacher and a disciple, two brothers, two trees, two types of people (good and evil), and two houses. The dualities focus attention on interpersonal, “I-Thou” ethical responses and responsibility.

James R. Edwards, The Gospel according to Luke, ed. D. A. Carson, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos, 2015), 202.

1. Mercy Multiplies Blessings

Luke 6:37-38

father of mercies

you mercies we are not consumed

ps 103:17- mercy of the lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him… the necessity of mercy in a disciple’s life, as Jesus commands us not to judge but to forgive and be generous. This reflects Christ’s own attitude toward humanity and sets a foundation for living out His teachings. grace and mercy not only aligns with God’s character but also transforms relationships. to mirror Jesus’ mercy, which is essential in establishing a life built on His words.

Judge Not

Let’s remember the overriding context there. That is agape. So in the realm of judgment love (God’s love) must be the overriding theme. When you add that love to judge it is hard to find words of criticism and to cast judgment.

Now, that being said, even Paul tells us, “That your love may abound more and more in all judgement. So judging is a part of being a Christian, but it is a judging of false verses the true. Not that of a person who uses a different translation of the Bible.

But there does come a time as a Christian when we must take our stand. When we must not criticize but not compromise.

Word Pictures in the New Testament Luke 6:37

The common verb κρινω [krinō], to separate, we have in our English words critic, criticism, criticize, discriminate

Amos 3:3 “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” The Gospel according to Luke (Ethics within the Family of Faith (6:37–49))

“Do not judge” is thus not a command to refrain from ethical evaluation or spiritual discernment, but a warning against a fault-finding and censorious spirit that binds rather than liberates others in the faith community (Rom 2:1–3

Condemn Not-employs a Greek word (katadikazein) that connotes hard-heartedness and lack of compassion

Now let’s put this all together. You have a coworker. Let’s say a nurse on your shift who is a homosexual and you obviously cannot support her lifestyle. Or, like Heath’s associate. (anyone like that?) OK.

Now if you are sitting around the dinner table at night and say, “Let’s pray for Shelby. She is a great asset to the team but she is living in sin. We need to pray God gets ahold of her heart and she gets saved.”

Forgive- To release something or let it go.

Luke 23:16-25

English Standard Version Chapter 23

34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Now look, this hits home…I know some of you sitting here today have been wronged. You have been abused or abandoned. You have offended. You must LET IT GO!

Our forgiving of others will not procure forgiveness for ourselves, but our not forgiving of others proves that we ourselves are not forgiven.

John Owen (Puritan Divine and Statesman)

By forgiving his friends and praying for them, Job brought back the blessing to his own life (v. 10). We only hurt ourselves when we refuse to forgive others.

Warren W. Wiersbe

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King David, who had the opportunity to judge King Saul but chose not to. Instead, he forgave Saul after being hunted down. David saw Saul not just as an enemy but as someone in need of grace. Imagine how different things could’ve been if David had chosen to judge rather than forgive. This story reminds us that often the light-hearted approach of forgiveness can free us from the heavy burdens of judgment.

Now lets filter everything I just said through the next two points

2. Introspection Inspires Authenticity

Luke 6:39-42

By recognizing and repenting of our flaws, we can genuinely help others, thus strengthening our foundation in Jesus' teachings.

3. Fruitfulness Flows from Faith

Luke 6:43-45

You could examine how genuine faith in Christ produces good fruit. Jesus teaches that our actions and words reflect the condition of our hearts. Fostering a heart rooted in Christ’s love leads to actions that exemplify His teachings. This emphasizes the importance of a heart transformation in living a life that embodies Jesus' principles and brings glory to God.

4. Foundations Firm in Christ

Luke 6:46-49

Maybe delve into the powerful image of building on the rock. Jesus contrasts those who hear and act on His words with those who do not. This illustrates the stability that comes from living according to His teachings. Encouraging believers to anchor their lives on Jesus assures strength and resilience amidst life's challenges, reflecting a profound commitment to His way.