God’s Gift of Kindness
Stewardship 2025 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Transcript
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Introduction
Introduction
What is the best way to deal with those who are unkind to you? What does Jesus tell us about those who do not show kindness to us? In this passage this morning, we see the answer to these two questions.
Stewardship is the careful and faithful accounting and investment of the character, talents and possessions that God has given us. Good stewardship is the result of a choice to follow the commands of Scripture and the pattern of our Saviour. Generous stewardship is the outcome that results from complete surrender of our lives to the work of the Holy Spirit and His plan for us.
Where are you in your stewardship? Where am I? None of us are where we ought to be, but in this series, we can move forward to where we can be. Will you commit to being a generous steward today?
But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
In our passage this morning, we are looking at a series of commands given by Jesus in what is known as the “Sermon on the Plain.” Portions of this sermon match or parallel the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5-7. Jesus is expanding on the truths that He has brought forth in the Beatitudes.
What is a believer to look like? What should someone in the kingdom resemble? What is true righteousness in the heart and how is it visible in the life? These are the questions that Jesus is answering in these verses. Questions such as this affect us even today. What makes a Christian different from any other “good person” in the world. Isn’t everyone just following the Golden Rule?
Jesus has something to say about these statements here in Luke 6. As we begin our series on Generous Stewardship, we want to be sure to find our foundation in the work and words of Jesus Christ. What is the nature of the Gift of God in Jesus?
Declaration
Declaration
Because of the Love of God, we can share true love. Because of the kindness of God, we can show mercy. Because of the gift of God, we can give without expectations and experience His blessings. Give today without any expectations because God has done so for us.
God’s Kindness Expected Nothing in Return
God’s Kindness Expected Nothing in Return
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
Jesus is speaking to those who had some knowledge of being treated unfairly. The Jewish people had been slaves in Egypt after the death of Joseph. For over four hundred years, they had been away from the land that God had promised to give to Abraham and his descendents. When they were disobedient in the land, the Jewish people were sent by God into Exile in the land of Babylon. The book of Esther tells us that there was a man named Haman who was a leader among those that were enemies of the Jews. Through the superintendence of God, Haman’s plans were stopped. Surely, the Jewish people had enemies.
How does Jesus command His hearers to treat those that hated them? He tells them to love them. What could this mean? Jesus desires for His hearers to care about the welfare of those who are unkind to them.
I remember when Melody and I first started dating. We were getting to know each other on dates at the pastor’s house that we were helping in Tennessee. We started to know the concerns of each other. There were challenges at the school that Melody worked at. I had concerns about my work that we discussed.
As time went on, we developed a heartfelt interest in the daily affairs of the other. One afternoon, I was having some car trouble. It is probably the lowest I have ever felt in my life. Melody brought me a pizza with a smiley face in the pepperonis.
We began using the word “care” for one another. “I care about you.” This was an idea of support or concern for the other’s welfare. Jesus commands His listener to care about his enemy.
The enemies were those that hated the Jews. They were cursing the Jews. They were doing physical harm to the Jews. However, the teaching of Jesus is in keeping with the teachings of Solomon. The book of Proverbs tells us,
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat;
And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head,
And the Lord shall reward thee.
The first aspect of kindness is that which is toward the enemy. The second aspect that Jesus mentions is toward those who are in need. Jesus is teaching that there should be generosity to those who are in poverty. The Psalms are echoed here in the kindness that the listener is to show toward the needy person around him.
Blessed is he that considereth the poor:
The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.
Jesus is building a case of shocking commands toward the guiding principle of the Christian ethic. In verse 31, we come to the Golden Rule. There is a comparison between what is expected and how others should be treated in verse 31. Echoed in the book of Matthew, Jesus asks His listener to stop and think about what he desires from others and then act upon this resolve.
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
The Golden Rule builds upon another truth that is found later in the paragraph however. Here we come to the central theological thought of the passage. Look in verse 35. We see that the description of God is one of kindness where nothing is expected in return. “for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” The rest of the paragraph supports this truth. The bedrock of Divine kindness is a lack of expectation of return. As God to us, so we ought to be toward each other. Giving is the character of the believer. This morning, what are three applications of this theological thought?
1. As God is Merciful, Be Merciful
1. As God is Merciful, Be Merciful
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
In verse 36, Jesus commands mercy in the pattern of the Father. Before the world began, God knew that mankind would sin. He could have allowed the rebellion of humanity to run its course without interference. Instead, the response of the Father to the sin of mankind was mercy. There was a choice to delay the guilty verdict of all until the opportunity for faith in Jesus was offered at the cross.
Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
This is a picture of the Divine concern that brought Jesus to earth. God felt with us that we needed redemption. Jesus was willing to come to earth as God was merciful to us. This word “merciful” is indicative of the compassion of God toward us. Matthew tells us that when Jesus saw the people and had compassion on them, it moved Him toward the giving of the Gospel. The compassion of Jesus gave us His prayer request. Jesus desires more labourers in the harvest of those who the Father has been merciful to.
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Later in the epistle to the Ephesians, Paul is making a similar argument to the one Jesus has begun in verse 27. What is to be done with those who are in conflict with the Jewish people? How can there be unity when there is enmity based on race and prejudice? Paul answers this by pointing out that what is shared is the common redemption by the cross alone for salvation.
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
How can we be merciful to others? Compassion requires knowledge and action. Jesus saw the concerns that the people of Israel had at this time of turmoil. Do you open your ears to the daily struggles of those around you. Too often I listen only to my own voice. I wait for another to stop speaking so I can respond with my next thought. A believer shows the mercy of the Father when he treats the other person as Jesus died, someone who has their sin paid for at the cross. Are you showing mercy today?
2. As God Forgives, Forgive Others
2. As God Forgives, Forgive Others
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
In verse 37, there is a change of scenery. From the fields where the sheep are scattered, we move to the courtroom of God’s justice. Some from the audience presume to step up to the oversized judicial bench. Their feet cannot touch the floor. The chair is too large for them to fill. Only the God of the Universe can preside over this transcendent courtroom. Yet some have tried to fill this seat.
Jesus speaks directly to those who would try. Don’t seek to make statements about others. Doing so put you in the same jeopardy. Don’t volunteer verdicts when it appears that someone is without hope. The result is your own condemnation. Surely, we are all without hope were there not Another who has given Himself for us.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
There is a release of the guilt for the offender. Such is the meaning of the word “forgive”. While there will still be sins that cannot be disposed of, the guilt is now wiped away. Surely this is what Jesus did for us. He took the sins on Himself on the cross.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Jesus calls for forgiveness just as God has forgiven. He could have chosen to treat Israel according to all that they had done against Him. He could have foreseen their rejection and offered a conditional covenant with them. Yet, Ezra records for us his prayer with this statement,
And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this;
How can we forgive others? Forgiveness is a release of the guilt of another just as God has released all through Jesus. We are owed nothing compared to the debt that all owe because of sin. If God can forgive through His kindness, we can forgive through following His example.
3. As God Abundantly Gives, Give Abundantly
3. As God Abundantly Gives, Give Abundantly
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
The final command of Jesus brings us the application most directly connected to stewardship. In verse 38, we see a command and a promise. How often in the Bible these two statements are found together! God will do something for us when we do something that He has commanded.
The command is “give”. This is a simple command that is found in the Old Testament as well. The Law had commanded generosity to the poor. The Proverbs had contrasted the lazy person with the one who would offer of his earnings to those in need.
The desire of the slothful killeth him;
For his hands refuse to labour.
He coveteth greedily all the day long:
But the righteous giveth and spareth not.
But, you may ask, why should we give?
Because God has commanded it! We see that here in verse 38.
Because we are forgiven through the Son that He gave for us. We see that in verse 37.
Because we are no longer treated as those who are enemies. In fact all of mankind is under the mercy of God toward our sin. We see that in verse 36.
The promise is “it shall be given unto you”. The word “measure” gives us the picture of grain that was being purchased for a certain amount. This referred to either length or volume. “Pressed down” is the putting of as much grain as possible into the container. “Shaken together” is the result of too much put inside the container. It is now unstable and rocks back and forth. “Running over” is the result of too much. It is now going onto the garment of the one taking it.
Men will give to you based on what you give. This is not just a truth regarding giving to the church. Nor is it confined to generosity toward the needy on the street corner. The command here is non-specific. God simply commands give and gives the promise that it will be given back.
Have you ever tried to put something that has air in it back into the original container?
When I was in the Boy Scouts, we went on quite a few camping trips. One of the staples of every camping trip is setting up the tent. We would put out the ground cloth and then unroll the tent. When we went to leave, we would have to roll up the tent to put it away. One of the best ways to get all of the air out is by laying it on the ground and pressing out the air with your knees. We faced the same challenges with getting air out of a sleeping bag or an air mattress.
How ingenious it is that these three items always come with another bag to put them in instead of expecting you to put it into the box it was sold in. You cannot fit that back into that box. Such is the nature of the blessings God promises for those who give.
The reason for the blessing of God is that what is sown is what is reaped. This is the principle that Jesus quotes at the end of verse 38. Just as a wheat farmer would plant a certain amount of seeds in order to get the grain he is now able to heap upon his customer, so Jesus commands us to give. Again, we can see the fulfillment of a promise from Proverbs.
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord;
And that which he hath given will he pay him again.
How can we give abundantly? The command and example of God point us to an efficient investment of our blessed resources. Giving is not something that happens, it is something that is chosen. The believer will chose to give, not because the recipient will repay, but God Himself may bless his gift.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Because of the Love of God, we can share true love. Because of the kindness of God, we can show mercy. Because of the gift of God, we can give without expectations and experience His blessings. Give today without any expectations because God has done so for us.
How often do we do service for others and expect them to do the same for us? How often do we secretly expect that there will be some hidden outcome of our kindness that will get ahead in our lives. God doesn’t show kindness like that.
Isaiah, prophesying about the coming Messiah, gives us a picture of the kindness of God,
I gave my back to the smiters,
And my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair:
I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
God needs nothing. He owns it all. Yet, He was merciful toward our sin. He forgave our iniquities through the atonement of His sent Son. He gave us the blessings of this world to enjoy. This is the kindness of God without expectation of a return on His investment.
One of the acronyms that a business owner will be familiar with is an ROI. This is a Return On Investment. Should we hire a new person? Write up an ROI and let’s find out. Put in the expenses of their salary and benefits. Add in the cost of a company car and cell phone. Factor in the added sales and revenue. If there is a positive number at the end, the ROI says we should hire them.
God would never have had a positive number at the end because we were lost in sin. Yet, He decided that we were worth it. Such is the kindness of our God.
Will you give as God gave, generosity because of kindness? Will your stewardship be without expectation of getting something back from the receiver? Give today without any expectations because God has done so for us.
Unbeliever, the Gospel is the good news that Jesus died for you, was buried and rose again the third day from the grave. We have seen this morning that the Gift of God is His Son for you without an expectation of return. Yet, the call of God to you from His Word is to receive the gift.
Will you receive the kindness of God? You can receive it today! Your sin is paid for and you can walk out of this service this morning knowing that you are on your way to heaven. All that is required is the choice to receive the gift. Believe today.
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
