This is an exposition of Luke 6:17-26. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, September 9, 2012.
Intro:
We’ve all got different tastes. Likes and dislikes. You like red, I like blue. I like ice cream you like broccoli. You love to camp – I consider it roughing it if the motel doesn’t have a pool! The same is true when we evaluate preachers and ministries. You may like a “screamer.” “He is passionate in his preaching.” I tend to think, “if you look in his notes it says – scream here this point is weak!” I might think the sermon was thorough, thought provoking even profound. You thought boring! You might think that church is really doing something look at all the things they are involved in. I might think – they are doing everything but the main thing – preaching the gospel.
How are we to evaluate ministry? Surely it cannot be left to personal taste. There must be a more objective standard. We tend to think “real” ministry fits our mold. We look at some forms of worship, some methods of preaching and because of it’s form or style, conclude that it cannot possibly be honoring to God. But is there a scriptural standard? There are several things that characterize “biblical” ministry. Of course the overall standard is that it be “Christ-like.” That it follows the pattern of the Lord Jesus. As we explore what that means we will examine Luke chapter 6 verses 17-26.
Text: Luke 6:17-26
Luke writing to his friend Theophilus.
An accurate, orderly account of the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus.
Jesus is the Messiah of the Jews, the Savior of the world.
Jesus is at the height of his popularity.
The people are flocking to him.
The religious establishment is furious with him.
Jesus’ ministry of grace is met with contempt from the Pharisees.
As we follow along in our text we find some insight into biblical, Christ-like ministry.
Thesis: A Christ-like ministry faithfully, passionately preaches the full gospel.
I recognize that the phrase – “full gospel” carries a certain connotation.
Churches and ministries refer to themselves as “full gospel” – they emphasize tongues, healing, prosperity, visions, revelations and the like.
That is not what I mean by “full gospel.”
By full gospel I mean the full or complete message of the gospel.
To tell the whole story of Jesus, His mission and its result.
I must say – I’ve heard many of these full gospel preachers – and their message contains little or no gospel.
As we consider the text before us I think we find two parts of the “full gospel.”
- The full gospel offers blessing to all who turn from themselves and trust in Christ. (6:20-23)
- The full gospel warns of the misery that awaits those who continue to trust in themselves. (6:24-26)
Conclusion:
The full gospel acknowledges there is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun.
The full gospel offers the assurance of blessing to those who will trust in Christ and warns of the misery of those who do not.
A biblical ministry – a Christ-like ministry faithfully, passionately preaches the full gospel.