The Transformed Life: 2016 Gospel of Luke #21
This is an exposition of Luke 6:37-42. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, July 10, 2016.
Intro:
It was at Antioch where the name first came into use. “Christian.” One who is like Christ. A Christlike attitude or action. It was mean as a derogatory remark. To call someone a Christian was to slander or to defame them. Of course to those who followed Christ it became a badge of honor. One aspired to achieve the name. We seem to be heading back in the other direction. To be labeled Christian is to be berated, ridiculed or even despised. To many the name is given simply because you are in some fashion connected to Jesus. You are a member of a Christian church or attend one. You identify with some of the teachings of Jesus, no matter how remotely. But what does it mean to genuinely bear the title? What does it mean to genuinely bear the title of Christlike one? What characterizes a genuine Christ follower?
After a night of prayer the Lord Jesus set apart 12 men to be his apostles. These were chosen to be set apart for a unique purpose. They were to be “with” him, to learn from him, to be equipped by him for a work ordained for them. Having called the 12 he gathered them along with his disciples and a large crowd of on-lookers and began to teach them about what it means to follow him. His message was startling. To follow him was to embrace a life of poverty, hunger, suffering and rejection. Yet such a life would ultimately lead to wealth beyond measure, great satisfaction, joy and loving acceptance. This life would demand that you love your enemies; doing good to those who hate you, blessing those who curse you and praying for those who abuse you. But living this sort of life demonstrates that you are indeed a son of the Most High, who is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. These are hard truths. This is a demanding lifestyle. Yet our Lord does not let up. He continues with this straight forward teaching. Our text this morning is found again in the 6th chapter of Luke beginning with the 6:37.
Text: Luke 6:37-42
The crowd must be getting “punch drunk” from taking blow after blow.
This is contrary to all they have believed.
This is contrary to the natural way of thinking.
This demands more than anyone could possibly do.
Just when they think they’ve heard it all – they get hit again!
At first glance this section reads like a loose collection of teachings strung together.
But on closer examination these are related and speak to the heart of what it means to follow Christ. This passage speaks to the spirit or disposition of the Christ follower. The material will be familiar to you as it is often quoted and most often misapplied!
[Read Text]
As we work our way through this passage we are reminded that…
Thesis: A true follower of Christ manifests the life of one genuinely transformed by the grace of God.
Paul said, “If any man is in Christ he is a new creation. Old things have passed away and all things have become new.” As people of God we are different. We’ve been changed, transformed by God’s grace. It affects the way we think, the way we act and react. Everything is different. This passage speaks directly to those differences.
There are three (3) things I would have us to note.
- Such a life possesses a magnanimous disposition. (6:37-38)
Such a person is accepting.
Such a person is forgiving.
Such a person is giving. - Such a life possesses spiritual insight and sets a godly example. (6:39-40)
- Such a life is marked by repentance and compassion. (6:41-42)