The Gospel Project
Lord of Love UNIT 23: WAY OF Jesus Session 4 26 JUL 26
LUKE 6:12-21 This Sermon on the Mountain’s Plain is more of a discipleship training class during which others besides members attended. It was directed to his disciples but the “multitudes” heard what he taught them. Dr. Herschel H. Hobbs in his book an exposition of the gospel of Luke, Baker Book, 1970, page 116 wrote that this “comes about the middle of Jesus’ ministry…Luke presents his material as an extended discourse.” Then on page 117 that the beatitudes “in Luke are given in direct address and point to the happiness in the Christian life as outward and present circumstances affect the inward and future conditions.” The Greek for “Blessed” means 3107. makarios, mak-ar'-ee-os; a prol. form of the poetical makar (mean the same); supremely blest; by extens. fortunate, well off:--blessed, happy (X -ier). Further, page 117, “In interpreting Luke we must keep in mind that he is reporting Jesus’ sermon to the Gentile mind.” So it is more literal than figurative.
LUKE 6:22-23 Why would anyone feel happy when people around him/her hates and reviles them? (John 17:12-15 RSV) "While I was with them, I kept them in thy name, which thou hast given me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. {13} But now I am coming to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. {14} I have given them thy word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. {15} I do not pray that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil one." The answer is not that people hate us but that such hatred has no effect on the Father’s relationship to us. We are not the children of God based upon being popular with the people around us.
No matter what they do we have Eternal Security so that Satan can do nothing against us soiritually. The world hated Peter and he was eventually killed for not being “of the world.” He lost his physical life but kept his eternal life. So Jesus’ strong words are used in the method of the day to emphasize an important point of fact. We should be very happy that we have the guarantee of Eternal Security and nothing in this life can change that. We must also note the significant fact that lost people in the multitudes were being told that being a Christian is not a bed of roses. That people would really hate them. If a Jew accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, the person’s family would treat him/her as if they were dead. Other Jews would scorn and hate them. Jesus is stating the strong words of Luke 14:25-33. Dr. Hobbs, page 118 “The poor and needy will have a rough time in life. They may well be cut off from social intercourse…. Of course, any of these things could happen to a Christian in more favorable material circumstances. In either case this experience must be due to his faithfulness to Christ. When they experience such things the Christians are to “rejoice…in that day,” even “leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven” (v. 23). \
Again, present sufferings, future blessings. True servants of God have always had to endure present hardships. But they have also had the blessed prospect of rewards in heaven.” Two major points arise here: (1) Do you tell lost people about this when you are trying to get them to be disciples? The answer is an emphatic “YES!” We must tell them what Jesus said in Luke 14:25-33. (2) Rewards are vital to living for Jesus. Often people preach and teach that we are not to serve for rewards. While rewards cannot be the sole reason to seek to be a child of God, the desire for rewards is used by God both as motivation to greater living and the lack thereof as a punishment. While the Bible does not define what these rewards might be, nonetheless, they are very important because taught them and did so often.
LUKE 6:27-30 Dr. Hobbs, page 119 “The conduct of a Christian should exceed in moral quality that of the non-Christian. This thought is implied in the words “but I say unto you” (v. 27). “To you” in contrast to those addressed in verses 24-26. The governing principle is Christian “love” (agapate) as over against the law of retaliation (vv. 27-29). Love for one’s enemies, good deeds toward those who hate, invoking blessings upon one’s abusers call for more than social self-control. There must be the positive outgoing of the kind of love which God in Christ has shown toward us (agape). A pugnacious world finds great difficulty in verse 29. To a blow on the face with a fist we want to reply in kind. Jesus says to turn the other cheek. This is not an argument for national disarmament. Jesus is talking about personal relationships.” This is a most critical point. If we were to apply Jesus’ statement across the board, the United States would not exist and evil would rule the world.
The other vital and usually ignored fact is in the statement that we are to show God’s kind of love. We use the phrase all the time but few really know what it entails. John best stated it in (John 3:16-18 RSV) "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. {17} For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. {18} He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God."
God’s love has both a forgiveness and a condemnation toward humans. God has a limit to generous treatment for rejecting Jesus. That ends at physical death.
Even Christians have (still can feel) felt the discipline aspect of HEB 12:3-11 (except never the lost of guaranteed salvation as in EPH 1:13-14).
(Acts 5:10 RSV) "Immediately she fell down at his feet and died. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband." So it is with “turn the other cheek.” Dr. Hobbs wrote on page 120 “Love gives for the sake of giving with no thought of return.” Applying this to God’s kind of love, we cannot buy salvation. But rejection of Jesus (spiritual abuse) will result in a person going to Hell. Both are aspects of God’s love. So in every case there are limits. God does not expect us to get rid of our military anymore than He did with Israel.
Nor will He allow the rejection of Jesus to go on forever. Someday Jesus will return and stop time and hold the Judgment
LUKE 6:31-36 Dr. Hobbs wrote a key thought, page 120 “And then Jesus gave a general rule to cover all cases.” Note “general” rule. (Luke 6:31 RSV) "And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them." But not without limit. But, you ask, where is the limit? That depends on the immediate situation. Are you to let someone beat your infant baby to death when you could shot him or her and thus stop them? Are you to let every man who wants to. to rape you? God stopped Ananias from further hurting his church. Is there is limit to the number of times? It depends on what is happening. Are we to give the opportunity to a man to rape seven times seventy before we stop him? Paul’s statement brings us to the best answer we will get: (1 Th 5:15 RSV) "See that none of you repays evil, for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all." We are to always SEEK to do good but that may not be possible for a situation. But the first thought and intended action or response is to do good. (But always remember the “good” is God’s definition and not that of our enemy or even ourselves.) Dr. Hobbs stated, page 120 “The Christian under all circumstances should act in love, not for his own benefit but in order to demonstrate the quality of being a child of God and for God’s glory (cf. Matt. 5:16).” There is no glory to God to stand by and let someone abuse a child when a blow to his face would stop it. Dr. Hobbs, “As God is abundantly merciful to us, even so we should be abundantly merciful toward others.” But there comes a time when God has no more mercy and will punish and even destroy.
LUKE 6:37-45 Dr. Hobbs, page 120 “From outward relationships Jesus now turns to inward attitudes. "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged" (v. 37). Literally, "Stop having the habit of judging." The word "judge" (krlno) means to separate or to discern between two things. Jesus does not prohibit the forming of opinions. But they must not be formed rashly. We should not prejudge (prejudice) without sufficient evidence. Even then man's judgment is incomplete, for only God can know all the facts and the thoughts and intents of another's heart. If we are considerate of others, they will be considerate of us. It is the simple law of return. Furthermore, the Christian should not "condemn" others. This is simply a greater degree of judgment in which one sets himself up as both judge and jury. Instead, one should "forgive" if he would receive forgiveness. The positive side of such an attitude is to have a charitable nature (v. 38). The law of return works here also. Only the return will be exceedingly abundant beyond that which is given.”
The only authorized Judge is Jesus. (John 5:22 RSV) "The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son," Thus we are not to assume that role at any time. The love of enemies does not mean they are given free reign to do as they will with whom they will. There is still to be law, police, the military and other controls on lawless people. All these are to be run as if someday you will be on the other side and want them to be both fair and merciful. Dr. Hobbs concluded, page 121 “Jesus summarizes this entire thought in the words, "For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again" (v. 38). This is true whether you measure good or evil. You fill a measure and send its content to another. He simply takes your measure, fills it with the same, and returns it to you.
Before judging others we should first judge ourselves. A man with a beam in his eye cannot remove a speck of dust from the eye of another (vv. 41‑42). A tree is known by its fruits, whether they be good or bad (vv. 43-44). The Christian should recognize Jesus as Lord. Therefore, Jesus asked, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (v. 46).
A man is not saved by his deeds. But his deeds will reflect his salvation or the lack of it.
And his life will stand or fall in accord to how he hears and does Jesus' words or fails to do so.”
APPLY THE WHOLE BIBLE BEFORE YOU STATE A DOCTRINE!
Best Study Guide: How to Study the Bible Principles with Bible, A Study Sources by Orin T. Binkley.
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