REAL DISCIPLES
LUKE 6:37-49
In this sermon to the disciples, Jesus emphasized the spirit of the kingdom. Jesus wanted these twelve men to be different from those outwardly religious.
I. Principle of reciprocity (6:37-38)
Jesus taught the disciples the principle of the boomerang. In Christ’s Kingdom the disciples would receive back in likeness and proportion to giving.
A. Criticism
Mk. 4:24 [GNB]. He also said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear! The same rules you use to judge others will be used by God to judge you–but with even greater severity.
B. Condemnation
Rom. 2:1 [ESV]. Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.
C. Compassion
Jas. 2:13 [GW]. No mercy will be shown to those who show no mercy to others. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
D. Charity
2 Cor. 9:6 [MSG]. Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop.
This passage does not prohibit doctrinal convictions or spiritual discernment (Jesus required such discrimination–Mt. 7:6, 15). The passage does forbid a negative fault-finding spirit.
II. Pattern of replication (6:39-40)
In discipleship, the pupil will become like the master. Disciples will make other followers and impart their same character.
A. Phariseeism
Mt. 15:14 [CEV]. Stay away from those Pharisees! They are like blind people leading other blind people, and all of them will fall into a ditch.
B. Christlikeness
Jn. 13:16 [CEV]. I tell you for certain that servants are not greater than their master, and messengers are not greater than the one who sent them.
III. Paradox of reprimand (6:41-42)
A. Legalism
Legalism blinded Pharisees to personal sin (Lk. 18:9-14). The Pharisees acted harsher on others (2 Sam. 12:5). Legalism lacked mercy, grace, and forgiveness.
Rom. 14:10 [ESV]. Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God;
B. Hypocrisy
Hypocrisy blinded the religious from reality. Jesus taught that without reality before God, discipleship would lose its power.
Mk. 9:47. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
IV. Parallel of reproduction (6:43-45)
A. Fruit
Gal. 5:22 [KJV]. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Phil. 1:11. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
1. Known
Mt. 12:33 [MSG]. If you grow a healthy tree, you’ll pick healthy fruit. If you grow a diseased tree, you’ll pick worm-eaten fruit. The fruit tells you about the tree.
a. Righteousness
b. Rottenness
The test of Christianity is fruit. The Christ-life inside produces good fruit.
2. Kind
Jas. 3:12 [CEV]. Can a fig tree produce olives or a grapevine produce figs? Does fresh water come from a well full of salt water?
B. Root
Mt. 15:19 [CEV]. Out of your heart come evil thoughts, murder, unfaithfulness in marriage, vulgar deeds, stealing, telling lies, and insulting others.
1. Good heart
2. Evil heart
Jesus stressed to the disciple not what to do but who to be.
V. Parable of response (6:46-49)
Those who truly repent and receive Christ will obey the words of Christ. True faith demands obedience.
Jas. 1:22. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
A. Hear (with foundation)
Jesus, the carpenter, knew all about building houses. Homes built on the foundation of Christ Jesus face the same tests as others but stand at the end.
B. Do (without foundation)
The builder who did not obey the Word fell in the day of trouble. Jesus called the disciples to take up the cross not look religious.
Lk. 14:28 [NIV]. Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?