The Messiah that has Come

The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’ ” In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me” (Luke 7:18-23).

John questioned Jesus' Messiahship. His time was running out. He would be tried and executed soon. Jesus had said nothing about the Day of the Lord, the Messianic fire of judgment, cities falling or sinners being judged. John heard nothing about Jesus raising a great army. Jesus was not plotting the strategy to free Israel from Roman domination and to set up the Kingdom of God. The answer Jesus sent back to John was a totally unexpected concept of Messiahship. It is God's idea of Messiahship, radically different from man's idea. In word and deed, Jesus Christ proclaimed and demonstrated a gospel of salvation and God's love and care for people. As we, His obedient disciples fulfill the Great Commission, His gospel will continue to be both a blessing and an offense because He truly was and is the Messiah that has come.

Jesus’ ministry provokes inquiry. John’s expression of doubt does not surprise maturing disciples. As we proceed through this inhospitable world on our way to Heaven we have all encountered trials and circumstances that generate doubt in our hearts. We grow in the truth of God’s Word and we develop expectations about how we believe He should answer our prayers, but He often has another agenda… “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9). Often we think deliverance is our greatest need, but God instead is working to sharpen our faith… “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4). Too often our eyes are on self and not seeing Christ’s glory revealed through our maturing faith… “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7). When doubts arise maturing disciples learn to go right to Jesus, who will always provide a faith-building answer… “Everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened” (Matthew 7:8).

Jesus’ ministry proves His Messiahship. Jesus responded to John’s inquiry with action that confirmed and defined His Messiahship… “ The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound” (Isaiah 61:1). As we are faithful to obey His command, Christ will do the same today… “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation… And these signs will accompany those who believe…” (Mark 16:15-18).

Jesus’ ministry produces blessing and offense. The gospel confronts our heart with the truth that all are sinners… “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The gospel insists that forgiveness is only available to those who trust in Jesus Christ… “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Confrontation with such profound truth provokes the heart. There will either be blessing for those who believe or offense for those who reject the clearly presented truth of the gospel… “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36).

As we grow up into Christ and fulfill the Great Commission, our ministry will reveal Jesus Christ…

The Messiah that has come.

The Life that is Raised

Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!” And this report about him spread through all of Judea and all the surrounding country (Luke 7:11-17).

Jesus was busy proclaiming the gospel of His kingdom through word and deed… “Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction” (Matthew 9:35). He was also preparing His disciples to confront the world and establish God’s kingdom on earth after He returned to the Father… “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). Jesus taught His disciples the secret to building the kingdom lies in confronting and transforming hearts with truth from God’s word and power from God’s throne. Today, the Virgin’s Son meets the widow’s son, the Author of life confounds the consequences of death, and Jesus gives truth seekers a glimpse of the life that is raised.

In Christ we are raised from physical death. All death is a consequence of sin… “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). The Spirit reveals the truth that there are two deaths… “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death” (Revelation 2:11). The Spirit teaches further that the first death is a physical death that everyone born in the flesh must face… “Just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). But notice that physical death is not terminal. There is something that follows. It is called judgment. Jesus taught that there is life after death and that God has given Him authority to judge in that resurrection… “And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment” (John 5:27-29). Jesus exhorted His disciples to have no fear of the first death… “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). Jesus does not want His disciples to live in the shadow of death, but in the light of eternal life… “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

In Christ we are raised from spiritual death. The Spirit teaches that because we are born in sin, we are spiritually dead… “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world” (Ephesians 2:1-2). God graciously resurrects our spirit that we might be saved through faith in Christ… “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

In Christ we are raised from temporal death. I speak here of a kind of death that is acquainted only with this temporary world. From time to time we all face the death of dreams, relationships, and more. Just like physical death, this kind of death is caused by sin… “Sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned” (Romans 5:12). Jesus Christ offers new life to those who’ve experienced the loss of a loved one, divorce, a broken relationship, a failed business or ministry, and all kinds of death… “For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many” (Romans 5:15).

As we grow up into Christ we enjoy now and anticipate forever…

The Life that is Raised.

The Faith that is Rare

After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well (Luke 7:1-10).

After presenting the kind of teaching that would transform hearts, make disciples, and advance the kingdom of God on earth, Jesus turned His attention to another indispensable requirement for kingdom building disciples. As a demonstration of His sovereignty, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17), Christ arranged for a living illustration of His next disciple-building and equipping lesson. Jesus stirred the grieving but believing heart of a Gentile centurion to reach out to Him for help in order to teach His disciples an invaluable lesson about the faith that is rare.

The faith that is rare comes from hearing Christ’s Word. The Spirit leads us to note that the centurion “heard about Jesus”. His faith was prompted by a report about the preaching, teaching, and healing ministry of Christ. The Spirit teaches through the pen of the apostle Paul that genuine faith comes from hearing the words of Christ… “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). Faith-filled disciples spend much time listening to and storing up the words spoken by and about Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible… “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27). Earnest disciples are eager to share the truth-filled words of Christ in order to sow seeds of faith in the hearts of others… “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Romans 10:14). Abiding in and sharing the gospel of Christ builds the faith that is rare.

The faith that is rare prompts a love for Christ’s people. The Spirit inspired Luke to note that this Gentile centurion “loves our nation”. Because he saw through the politics of his day and beyond the legalities of his official position, the centurion was able to recognize the Jews as God’s special people… “For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth” (Deuteronomy 7:6). Because he showed favor to the Jews, the Gentile centurion was blessed… “I will bless those who bless you” (Genesis 12:3). His blessing was the gift of faith to believe in Jesus Christ… “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). Genuine disciples are born again, having received by grace the gift of the faith that is rare.

The faith that is rare respects Christ’s authority. The Spirit exhorts us here to imitate the centurion’s submission to Christ’s authority. He did not want to disrupt Christ’s agenda with a demand of his own. He simply trusted Jesus to respond in whatever way He would, and he knew Christ’s words had the same kind of spiritual power that his own commands had among his soldiers… “If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it” (John 14:14). Productive disciples trust the same authority today… “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you” (Luke 10:19). Christ’s authority is released through the faith that is rare.

As we grow up into Christ we are increasingly more effective and productive disciples through…

The Faith that is Rare.

The Teaching that is a Sure Foundation

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great” (Luke 6:46-49).

Today Jesus concludes His discourse on building the kingdom of God. He prescribes a unique method for changing the world. Jesus saw the world as a huge community of hearts that were estranged from His Father. His kingdom was to be established and grow by confronting the hearts of men and women with the love and truth of God. Christ’s kingdom building master plan is to make disciples through teaching that renews the mind and transforms the heart. He ended this equipping discourse with an exhortation to establish a firm and lasting support in the born again heart through obedience to His Word. He gave an illustration of “a man building a house” to help them understand and obey His truth in their own lives because Jesus wants genuine disciples in every age to know and experience the blessings of the teaching that is a sure foundation.

God’s Word will lay a foundation of truth in the hearts of obedient disciples. Serious disciples that want to discover and pursue the will of God are very aware of the opposition of the world and its culture. We cannot hope to know God’s will if our hearts and minds are filled with the emptiness and deception of worldly thinking and philosophy… “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8). The Spirit of Truth teaches that to know and pursue God’s will our hearts and minds must be free from captivity and conformity to the world’s foolishness… “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). Our thoughts must be increasingly surrendered to the truth of Christ through obedience to His Word… “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete” (2 Corinthians 10:5-6). Obedient disciples hunger for the teaching that is a sure foundation of truth.

God’s Word will lay a foundation of holiness in the hearts of obedient disciples. Growing, maturing disciples are being conformed into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ… “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Romans 8:29). This is a life-long process that will be completed when we arrive to live with Christ in Heaven… “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). Truly born again children of God have an increasing desire for holiness because we want to become more like Christ… “And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure” (1 John 3:3). This maturing process of growing in holiness is called sanctification and Jesus prayed that His disciples might be sanctified by the truth of God’s Word… “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17). Obedient disciples hunger for the teaching that is a sure foundation of holiness.

God’s Word will lay a foundation of peace in the hearts of obedient disciples. Jesus promised that earnest disciples will experience tribulation in this temporal world, but He also promised them peace… “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). God’s Word is a source of peace for those who love it… “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble” (Psalm 119:165). Obedient disciples hunger for the teaching that is a sure foundation of peace.

As we grow up into Christ we grow in truth, holiness, and peace as we obey…

The Teaching that is a Sure Foundation.

The Teaching that Bears Good Fruit

“For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:43-45).

Jesus continued to teach about the importance of the heart. After exhorting His disciples to love their enemies and to confront and transform hearts by living and teaching His truth, Jesus taught that the condition of the heart is revealed by the quality of the words and deeds that proceed from it. This truth was revealed in the Old Testament… “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23). Simeon had prophesied over Jesus when He was an infant, that He would be a revealer of the hearts of men and women… “Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34-35). By teaching this truth in the midst of His teaching about God’s Word, Jesus shows us that as we are faithful to present God’s Word to the world, it will provoke and reveal the condition of the hearts of its hearers… “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:12-13). We are exhorted today to abide in and share with others the teaching that bears good fruit.

God’s Word keeps our hearts connected to Jesus Christ. Jesus wants us to be as intimately connected to Him as a branch is connected to a vine… “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Maturing disciples discover early in their walk with Christ that abiding in Him is greatly enhanced through abiding in His Word… “Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples’” (John 8:31). Jesus taught that the scriptures contain all the testimony we need to know Him intimately… “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me” (John 5:39).

God’s Word keeps our hearts nourished in His truth. The Holy Spirit inspired the Psalmist to declare that God’s Word is truth… “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever” (Psalm 119:160). Jesus prayed that the truth of God’s Word would set true disciples apart from the world and keep us holy and available to do the work of the Lord… “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17).

God’s Word keeps our hearts overflowing with His truth. Jesus taught that there is a direct connection between the mouth and the heart… “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person” (Matthew 15:18). The Holy Spirit affirms this direct relationship between what we confess with our lips and what we believe in our heart... "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:9-10). While people are good at hiding what they really believe in their heart, when their world is shaken by a severe crisis or trial, the words that come out of their mouth will always give them away. That’s why Jesus admonished His disciples to store up the “good treasure” of truth from God’s Word in their heart. He promised that our lives will be shaken and tried as our faith is refined on our way to heaven, but He also promised that with the Holy Spirit’s help and a heart filled with His truth, true disciples can always be identified by bearing fruit that glorifies God… “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples” (John 15:8).

As we grow up into Christ our hearts are kept, nourished, and overflowing with God’s truth by…

The Teaching that Bears Good Fruit.

The Teaching that Transforms

He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye” (Luke 6:39-42).

In the last few lessons we have seen that Jesus was preparing His disciples to transform the world. He had already exhorted them to confront and change hearts and minds by loving their enemies. Today we learn that He also expected His disciples to lead others to become disciples of Christ through the teaching of His Word… “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). But Jesus prescribed a peculiar kind of teaching. He exhorted His disciples to become teachers that imitate their Teacher, apply the truths they teach to their own hearts, and rely on the power of His truth to work in the hearts of their students. Today disciple-making disciples learn about the teaching that transforms.

Transformational teaching comes from a transformed teacher. With the words “everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher“, Jesus revealed His definition of education. It is all about producing disciples that look like Jesus. Christ-like teachers are to be a living illustration of His truth that may be imitated by their students. The Holy Spirit empowered Paul to be a successful heart transforming teacher and to exhort true disciples to imitate him… “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). What an intimidating truth! But we discover the encouraging secret to becoming more like Christ in the promise He included in the Great Commission, His presence with His disciples… “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to echo this important truth… “We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Successful heart-transforming teachers spend much time in the presence of Jesus, allowing the Holy Spirit to make us more like Christ.

Transformational teaching finds a home in a transformed heart. The study should produce a change in the heart, not just an impact on the mind. While the mind stores up information, we do not act on it unless we believe it in our heart because it is the heart that directs the course of our life… “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23). That’s why Jesus taught to transform hearts, and to fill them up with the truth from God’s Word… “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). Successful heart-transforming teachers help students develop a love for God’s truth in their hearts.

Transformational teaching trusts the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Because transformational teaching works on the hearts of students, the successful teacher must trust the Holy Spirit to implant God’s truth… “Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual” (1 Corinthians 2:12-13). Transformational teachers are humble disciple makers who trust the Holy Spirit to teach God’s Word through them… “The anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you” (1 John 2:27). Successful heart-transforming teachers rely on the Holy Spirit’s work, shaping the hearts of students as they become Christ-like disciples.

As we grow up into Christ we become more effective disciple makers as we learn to share…

The Teaching that Transforms.

The Overflowing Abundance of God's Love

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:37-38).

The truth that sets Christianity apart from other religions is the mystery of Christ dwelling in the born again believer… “To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). When we receive Jesus Christ we become a repository of His very nature, and He is the exact representation of God… “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell” (Colossians 1:19). This mysterious indwelling of the believer by Christ is accomplished by the Spirit of Christ taking up residence in our hearts… “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” (Galatians 4:6). In today’s discourse Jesus teaches that evidence of maturing discipleship is an increasing abundance and overflowing of His mercy, forgiveness, and benevolence. Jesus Christ’s earnest desire is that the world will be won through His disciples’ reflection of the overflowing abundance of God’s love.

Genuine disciples have been delivered from God’s judgment and condemnation. In the place of the punishment we deserve for our sin God has extended His mercy toward us… “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 103:8). The result is the removal of judgment and condemnation between us and our Father… “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). We are now free from guilt and free to approach and enjoy fellowship with God… “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13). Genuine disciples want this same freedom and fellowship for others, so we are eager to be merciful in order to show them God’s mercy… “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). Evidence of the indwelling presence of Christ is overflowing mercy that attracts others to Christ.

Grateful disciples have been forgiven for their sins. Truly born again disciples remember their former separation from God because of sin… “Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear” (Isaiah 59:2). We know that the fellowship we enjoy with Him now is because of God’s mercy. He did not give us the punishment we deserve, but He chose to forgive us instead… “He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities” (Psalm 103:10). Grateful disciples are increasingly thankful that God has removed our sin from His sight… “As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12). Grateful disciples don’t want sin to keep us separated from those Christ died to forgive, so we are quick to forgive others… “As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive” (Colossians 3:13). Evidence of the indwelling presence of Christ is overflowing forgiveness that leads others to Christ.

Generous disciples have received an abundant life in Christ. When we are saved we begin a whole new life in Christ… “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Jesus promises this new life is an abundant life… “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). As our selfish desires give way to His kingdom priorities, we learn to trust Christ to meet every need… “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). But the Lord’s abundant blessing does not stop with us. The indwelling presence and power of Christ will overflow from the hearts of generous disciples and He will empower us to be generous toward others… “You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:11). Evidence of the indwelling presence of Christ is overflowing generosity that gives glory to Christ.

As we grow up into Christ maturing disciples are increasingly filled with…

The Overflowing Abundance of God’s Love.

The Transforming Power of God's Love

“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:32-36).

This is another clear illustration of the Master’s continuing exhortation to His followers to step away from the crowd and closer to Him, to become His true disciples. Knowing how difficult this fresh definition of love was, Jesus continued to explain the differences between the world’s love and God’s love. Having already taught that God’s love was intended for everyone, especially those who would oppose the disciples as enemies of Christ, Jesus next proposed that there are special heart shaping, life-changing evidences and results of God’s love. Today, we learn that the Holy Spirit inspired Luke to record this teaching of our Lord to reveal to earnest disciples the transforming power of God’s love.

God’s higher love rewards His servants. As we mature as His disciples, our selfish hearts are transformed as His priorities replace ours. We learn to love others because we’ve experienced His love… “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Our desire to show His love to others grows… “No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us” (1 John 4:12). Our joy and fulfillment comes from leading others to Christ… “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died” (2 Corinthians 5:14). Jesus promises that disciples controlled by His love will win many souls and “your reward will be great”. The Spirit affirms this promise through the words of Daniel… “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever” (Daniel 12:3). Loving God’s enemies into the kingdom produces eternal rewards!

God’s higher love reflects our new birth. True disciples of Jesus Christ have been changed. We are born again… “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). We are no longer slaves to sin like the rest of the world… “But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin… having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness” (Romans 6:17-18). When we share God’s love with sinners we are showing them that we have become “sons of the Most High”. When we share God’s love with sinners we are imitating the one who loved us into His kingdom… “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Loving God’s enemies empowers us to offer them the new birth!

God’s higher love reveals His mercy. How do the enemies of God become the friends of God? Jesus gave an illustration to teach that it is through seeking and receiving God’s mercy that sinners are justified… “The tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified” (Luke 18:13-14). We believe we were transformed from enemies to friends of God through His mercy… “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy” (Titus 3:5). Evidence that we are real disciples, growing in the faith and becoming more like Christ is a Holy Spirit imparted ability to see and love enemies like Jesus did. We are convicted and exhorted by the love and mercy reflected in His prayer for those enemies that crucified Him… “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Loving God’s enemies releases the power of His mercy to save their souls!

As we grow up into Christ we become more effective soul winners as we learn to share…

The Transforming Power of God’s Love.

The Way of God's Love

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them” (Luke 6:27-31).

Jesus’ mastery as a teacher is revealed here. He had just challenged His disciples to examine their hearts and to replace any love for the world with a consuming love for Christ and His kingdom. Jesus taught that the blessings of kingdom life were available to those true disciples that would let love rule their hearts when He told the scribe who rightly discerned that the greatest commandment was to love God with the whole heart, “You are not far from the kingdom of God” (Mark 12:34).  The Holy Spirit reinforced the rule of love in the hearts of true disciples through the pen the Apostle Paul… “Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14). Now, with an exhortation to “Love your enemies” Jesus leads us to a deeper appreciation and understanding of the way of God’s love.

The way of God’s love is to “do good to those who hate you”. It’s easy to love those who love us back. But God’s love is a heart-transforming force. God defines love as giving Himself to meet our greatest need… “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). God showed His love through Christ on the cross to His greatest enemies, those who hate Him most, the ungodly… “Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6). He wants to reveal the power of His love to an ungodly and needy world through us, His disciples. That’s why He commands us to love those who hate us by intentionally pouring good into their lives in love. As we meet the emotional and physical needs of our enemies, their minds will be transformed… “To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:20-21). Their hearts will be changed toward us, and we can introduce them to the One who is the motivation behind our love… “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

The way of God’s love is to “bless those who curse you”. The Greek word translated bless here is eulogeō, and it means to speak well of, to invoke a benediction on, or to prosper. The Greek word translated curse here is kataraomai, and it means to condemn, denounce, or damn. It certainly is not natural to return a blessing for a curse, but the Spirit exhorts us to do just that through the pen of the Apostle Peter… “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9). The Spirit clearly implies a blessing for earnest disciples who desire to bless those who curse them. The greatest blessing is the evidence of the Spirit’s fullness in us, empowering us to do that which is unnatural, imitating Jesus by blessing our enemies… “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:21).

The way of God’s love is to “pray for those who abuse you”. This may be the most difficult commandment of the day. The natural response to those who are abusing, harming, and taking advantage of us is self-defense. We are wired to protect and preserve ourselves. Jesus elaborated on this commandment… “To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either”. He knows it will take a strong connection to God for us to overcome the natural tendency of self-defense, so He tells us to pray. We note that He does not tell us to pray for ourselves, but to “pray for those who abuse you”. When we obey this instruction we take our eyes off of self and are able to begin to see our enemies through God’s eyes. His Spirit will help us see into their heart and empower us to love them like Jesus does… “These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything” (1 Corinthians 2:10).

As we grow up into Christ our love for our enemies increases as we learn more about…

The Way of God’s Love.

The Way of Blessing and the Way of Woe

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets. “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. “Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. “Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. “Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets” (Luke 6:20-26).

The Holy Spirit intentionally inspired Luke to note that before Jesus spoke, “He lifted up his eyes on his disciples”. The precious revelation and instruction that follows depends on the Spirit-revealed truth about how Jesus sees His disciples. It’s not about how rich or poor in material possessions we are. It’s not about how hungry or satisfied our bellies are. It’s not about how sad or happy in our current circumstances we are. It’s not about our reputation among the people of the world. With the words “on account of the Son of Man” Jesus reveals that our true condition in the eyes of God depends not on anything in the world, but entirely on our relationship with Jesus Christ. Earnest disciples discover here encouraging truth about the way of blessing and the way of woe.

The way of blessing requires releasing the world’s wealth and receiving the kingdom of God. God does not bless those who are anxious and worried about how little or how much they have accumulated… “Do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?”’(Matthew 6:31). God blesses those who use all they have to seek and spread His kingdom and righteousness… “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

The way of blessing requires renouncing the world’s ungodliness and rejoicing in God’s righteousness. God does not bless those who feed the flesh but neglect the spirit… “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). God blesses those who hunger for His righteousness… “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6).

The way of blessing requires repenting of the world’s sinful pleasures and regretting the serious consequences of evil. Jesus said those who laugh at sin now will mourn and weep later as they suffer its eternal consequences… “The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:41-42). Those who weep over the consequences of sin now will be blessed to rejoice forever in God’s kingdom… “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (Matthew 13:43).

The way of blessing requires rejecting the world’s reputation and reflecting more of Christ. God does not bless those who are consumed with building their own reputation… “I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead” (Revelation 3:1). God blesses those who follow Christ’s example by surrendering their reputation to live for Him… “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:5-7).

In summary, Jesus taught that the way of blessing is through loving Christ and His kingdom above all else… “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). This kind of first love keeps us on the way of blessing and ever closer to God’s kingdom… “You are not far from the kingdom of God” (Mark 12:34).

As we grow up into Christ our love for Him increases and we become more aware of…

The Way of Blessing and the Way of Woe.

The Alluring Power of Christ

And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all (Luke 6:17-19).

The activity in today’s scripture took place “on a level place” after Jesus, His disciples, and the freshly appointed twelve apostles “came down” and it was all preliminary to what has come to be called the Sermon on the Mount. The ever-increasing size of the crowd compelled Jesus to find a safe place where He could prepare to teach the crowds some important truth about the life of earnest discipleship. Before sharing the words of God, He gave a clear demonstration of His authority and divinity by supernaturally meeting the needs of everyone in the crowd. The reason we should listen closely and follow diligently His word is because we have seen and we trust in the alluring power of Christ.

The power of Christ attracts the needy. As word of Christ’s preaching, teaching, and healing power spread throughout the land, “a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon” gathered to be near Him. What does your local church rely on to gather crowds to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ? Is it the latest popular praise and worship music? Is it the most popular Christian celebrity that can be booked? Does your church use slick radio, television, billboard, and social media advertising to fill the pews? The Holy Spirit inspired Luke to record the way Jesus attracted crowds as an example for us to follow. As we proclaim the gospel of Christ, we should pray for and expect the power of Christ to move in the life of our local churches… “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation… And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;  they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:15-18). And just as it did in the earliest days of the church, Christ’s power will attract the needy… “The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed” (Acts 5:16).

The power of Christ accommodates the need. The Spirit was careful to move Luke to note that “power came out from him and healed them all”. Jesus Christ got all the credit and glory for healing the sick and oppressed in this great crowd, and every need was met. Perhaps we don’t trust the power of Christ to heal today. Here in our affluent western culture we trust the doctor or the pharmacist to help us get well while we trust the latest church growth strategies and trends to build our local churches. We are fooling ourselves when we don’t rely on the power of Christ who said He will build His church… “On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). When we don’t trust the power of Christ we lose sight of the real spiritual condition of our local church and even our own soul… “For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17).

The power of Christ appeals to the heart. In the light of Christ’s power as it was revealed in His preaching, teaching, and healing ministries, the desperate condition of hearts in the crowd were exposed. When we trust the power of His healing and of His word the results are the same today… “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). The exposed heart is prepared to receive and respond to gospel truth… “For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:10).

As we grow up into Christ we become more effective disciple makers as we trust…

The Alluring Power of Christ.