The Gospel of Luke (21) Sermon on the Plain (3) 04/09/2023

Pastor Jason is now going to come and read for us Revelation chapter 5.

Now there are many who look at this chapter as a future event, but that is really a mistaken

understanding of this chapter.

When John was caught up into heaven and watched this unfold before him,

he was actually transported back in time to the resurrection of Christ when Christ

ascended from death into the throne room of God.

And Christ came to the Ancient of Days.

It's a fulfillment of Daniel chapter 7, 13 and 14.

And Jesus came to the Ancient of Days and received a scroll from the Father's hand

and then immediately praise is voiced in heaven.

And it's basically Jesus Christ receiving his kingdom.

That scroll is an emblem of the authority of God for Jesus Christ to execute his

decrees in history.

And this is what Jesus Christ has been doing for the last 2 ,000 years and will continue to do

until the second coming.

And so this describes our Lord's ascension and his enthronement as Lord of Lords and

King of Kings, Revelation chapter 5.

Then I saw in the hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within

and on the back, sealed with seven seals.

And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, who is worthy to open the scroll and break

its seals?

And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it.

And I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.

And one of the elders said to me, weep no more, behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah,

the Root of David has conquered so that we can open the scroll and its seven seals.

And between the throne of the four living creatures and among the elders, I saw a lamb standing

as though it had been slain with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God

sent out into all the earth.

And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.

And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the lamb,

each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

And they sang a new song saying, worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its

seals for you were slain and by your blood, you ransomed people for God

from every tribe and language and people and nation and you have made them a kingdom and

priests to our God and they shall reign on the earth.

Then I looked and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders, the voice of many

angels numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands saying with a loud

voice, worthy is the lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and

wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.

And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea and all that is in them saying

to him who sits on the throne and to the lamb be blessing and honor and glory and

might forever and ever.

And the four living creatures said amen and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Let's pray.

Lord God, worthy is the lamb that was slain to receive power

and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.

Lord Jesus Christ is worthy of our praise because Jesus Christ did what we could never

do.

He obeyed the father.

He kept the will of the father.

He obeyed the law of the father.

And Lord, because of his life, because of his death, his sacrifice, Lord,

we have life because of Christ.

We thank you for the tremendous blessings that we have in Christ Jesus.

And we pray, Lord, that as we continue our worship that you would be pleased.

So Lord, help us now as we open up your word.

Help us to see clearly who you are.

Help us to see clearly who Christ is and who we are in light of Christ.

Help us to see our great need for a savior.

Thank you, Lord.

In Jesus' name, amen.

Well, let's turn in our Bibles to Luke 6.

We're continuing our study in this gospel.

Actually, this morning we're going to conclude our study of our Lord's Sermon on the Plain that's

recorded here in Luke chapter 6.

Actually, from verses 20 to 49.

This is the third Sunday, of course.

There are three divisions within this sermon.

And they are, or they may be regarded as perspectives of kingdom citizens,

which we addressed a couple weeks ago, verses 20 through 26.

And then secondly, principles of kingdom living, verses 27 through 38.

We addressed these last Lord's Day.

And today we want to consider this third division, proofs of kingdom citizenry,

verses 39 to 49.

And so we first consider the new perspectives which the Lord Jesus desired for his persons,

for his disciples to possess.

We're to see ourselves and the world about us quite differently than before we regarded the world,

before we came to faith in Christ.

And so disciples of Christ are not to view this life as holding forth that which is truly life

enriching or enduring.

Rather, we are to order our lives as his disciples looking forward to a future time when

the Lord will establish his kingdom in fullness.

When we will then live in a world in which righteousness reigns.

And then secondly, we considered that Jesus had set forth principles by which his disciples are to live.

And we saw, of course, the overarching ethic of the kingdom of God is love.

Our loving concern and behavior toward others should characterize us extending our loving actions

even to our enemies.

And moreover, our attitudes are to reflect our kingdom citizenship.

We are to be optimistic and encouraging people as we enlist

others through the gospel to join us in entering the kingdom of Jesus Christ.

Our attitudes toward others should not be judgmental or fault finding.

But rather we are to be a forgiving and giving people purposing to manifest the life of

Christ before them so that they might observe our behavior and consider our witness for

Jesus Christ.

And Jesus emphasized that we had better live in this manner of not judging and condemning others for with the

same standard and degree with which we judge others, God will judge us one day.

As Jesus said, for with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.

And that's how that section ends with verse 38.

Well, today we'll address this third division which we have called proofs of kingdom

citizenry.

Verses 39 through 40.

And here our Lord exhorts his disciples to be humble and aware of their personal weakness.

Jesus then concluded his sermon by stressing the importance of his disciples to be doing

what they have heard him teach them.

This is a new emphasis in Luke's gospel, which we'll point out.

Let's read this passage.

Here is Luke 6, 39 through 49.

And he, Jesus, spoke a parable to them.

Can the blind lead the blind?

Will they not both fall into the ditch?

A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.

And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye?

Or how can you say to your brother, brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye, when you

yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye?

Hypocrite.

First remove the plank in your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that

is in your brother's eye.

For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit, for every tree is known by its

own fruit.

For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good, an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart

brings forth evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

But why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Whoever comes to me and hears my sayings and does them, I will show you

whom he is like.

He's like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock.

And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house and could not shake it, for

it was founded on the rock.

But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth

without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently, and immediately it

fell, and the ruin of that house was great.

I came across a sermon by Charles Spurgeon on this passage, and I

actually copied it, and I think Mary copied it, and it's available to

you this morning.

I don't know if it got in your notes.

Did it get in your notes, you have it?

It's in the back, if you care to have a copy of that.

You know, I'll put together a sermon, and then I'll turn and read one of Spurgeon's sermons on the same passage, and I thought, why do I even try?

It's just a wonderful sermon.

I commend it to you.

They're available in the back after service.

As we examine this third section of our Lord's Sermon on the Plain, we can affirm four major qualities or

characteristics before us.

First, a true disciple of Jesus is a humble student of his master, verses 39 and 40.

Secondly, a true disciple of Jesus is one who should be aware of his own weakness, and this should influence how he

relates to others.

Third, a true disciple of Jesus is one who has undergone a heart change.

And fourth, a true disciple of Jesus both hears and obeys his Lord.

So let's work through these four points of emphasis.

First, a disciple of Jesus is a humble student of his master.

Jesus gave an exhortation to his disciples to be very careful and discerning in

choosing teachers who are suitable and qualified to teach and lead them.

Verses 39 and 40 again.

He spoke a parable to them.

Can the blind lead the blind?

Rhetorical question implying no.

Will they not both fall into the ditch?

A disciple is not above his master, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.

And so our Lord was warning his disciples of those who would stand before them and teach them regarding the things of

God.

They were to make sure that their teachers saw the truth clearly so that they could and that they would

teach their students the truth of the word of God.

Our Lord was certainly intimating that the Pharisees and their scribes who were always in the crowd

were teaching them things contrary to what he was instructing them.

They were the blind guides, clearly.

So Jesus was warning his disciples of them.

Matthew Henry wrote, I'm gonna quote him a couple times, he's so good.

Those who put themselves under the guidance of the ignorant and erroneous are likely to perish with them.

Can the blind lead the blind?

Can the Pharisees who are blinded with pride, prejudice, and bigotry lead the blind people into the right

way?

Shall not both fall together into the ditch?

How can they expect any other?

Those that are led by the common opinion, course, and custom of this world are themselves blind

and are led by the blind and will perish with the world that sits in darkness.

Those that ignorantly and out of adventure follow the multitude to do evil follow the blind in the

broad way that leads the many to destruction.

Alluding to Matthew 7, 13, and 14.

Well, Jesus gave two analogies.

One is a blind teacher's and then second analogy is that of a pupil.

Our Lord was somewhat implied that all of his disciples are as blind persons in need of being led about by someone who

sees clearly.

Each of us, when we came to faith in Christ, were in a helpless condition, knowing very little

with certainty of the truths of God's words and ways.

We were blind.

One's in need of direction and assistance.

There's actually an Old Testament prophecy of our Lord Jesus that he would restore sight, that is

spiritual sight, to blind people.

Isaiah 42, here we have God the Father speaking about his son.

Here, God the Father is referred to as Lord, calling forth his servant, and this is a

prophecy of Jesus Christ, commissioning his son to instruct and guide his people.

I, the Lord, have called you, notice you is probably capitalized, if you have a New King James version.

God the Father called you, his son, Jesus Christ, in righteousness and will hold your hand.

The Father will assist him.

I will keep you and give you as a covenant to the people.

It's a prophecy of Jesus.

Drink this cup, in this cup is the new covenant in my blood.

Jesus is the covenant between his people and God the Father as a

light to the Gentiles, and here it is to open blind eyes, to bring out

prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house.

And of course, we sing the hymn of grace.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost, but now I'm found, was blind, but now I see.

And it is true that we were blind to many essential matters, which we came to see clearly when we

were first converted.

We were blind, but now we see.

But even after our conversion, none of us could see things clearly.

We were in need of instruction.

And in some ways, we were still blind, half seen, incapable, however,

seeing things clearly that were before us.

The Puritans often used the miracle of our Lord healing a blind man recorded in Mark 8

to illustrate this reality.

The reason follows, then Jesus, he came to Bethsaida, they brought a blind man to him and

begged him to touch him.

So he took the blind man by the hand, led him out of the town, and when he had spit on his eyes and put his hands on him,

he asked him if he saw anything.

He looked up and said, I see men like trees walking.

And then he put his hands on his eyes again and made him look up.

And he was restored and saw everyone clearly.

And then he sent him away to his house, saying, neither go into the town nor tell anyone in the town.

Now, we should not think that somehow our Lord made a first effort to heal this man of blindness, but failed to do so

completely.

And so he could only complete his miracle on a second effort.

That's not true.

Our Lord healed this man in this two -stage manner to reveal a spiritual truth to his disciples.

When we first come to faith in Christ, we're enabled to see spiritual reality, but we do not see

clearly like this man.

Whereas this man whose sight was being restored to him, for we see men like trees walking.

When new in the Lord, we did not see matters in right proportion or in right relationship with other things.

But the Lord does enable us in time to do so.

And here again, Matthew Henry drew the application from this miracle story for

Christians.

Thus Christ would show how in what method those are healed by his grace, who

by nature are spiritually blind.

At first, their knowledge is confused.

They see men as trees walking, but like the light of the morning, it shines more and more to the perfect day.

And then they see all things clearly.

Let us inquire then, if we see all of those things which faith is the substance and evidence of,

and if through grace we see anything of them, we may hope that we shall see yet more and more for

Jesus Christ will perfect forever those that are sanctified.

Beautiful application.

And so even as Christians, especially young Christians, or those who have not been

taught well, they are as blind ones who do not see clearly.

They are as the Ethiopian eunuch who could not understand Isaiah's prophecy that he was reading.

We read in Acts 8.

So Philip ran to him, heard him reading the prophet Isaiah and said, do you understand what you're reading?

This was a Jewish man probably.

He'd been to Jerusalem for the celebration of the Passover.

He was informed in the scriptures.

He was reading from the Old Testament prophets.

But he responded, how can I unless someone guides me?

And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.

And then Philip explained, preached from that passage, Jesus Christ.

So even Christians are in need of teachers.

A measure of helplessness and ignorance characterizes all disciples of Jesus.

That's true of you.

It's true of me.

And as a result, they're dependent on their Lord for direction and instruction.

A blind man does not know where he's going unless somebody directs him.

A pupil is by definition, one who is ignorant in a measure and is in need of instruction.

But Jesus warned his disciples, essentially saying, make sure that you have one who sees clearly

to lead you who are blind.

Jesus said this by these words, can the blind lead the blind?

Will they not both fall into the ditch?

A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like

his teacher.

Most of my teachers are dead men.

You know, thankfully,.

We have a wonderful availability to things they have left behind in writing.

Let's remember the setting in which the Lord gave these words.

He had just singled out 12 of his apostles.

He came down from the mountain.

They had a special role.

They were being going to be his 12 apostles.

And these apostles and those under them would be the ones who would carry out his work after his departure.

But with privilege and leadership comes the danger of pride.

And so to counter the danger and tendency toward being puffed up, Jesus spoke these words.

These apostles were novices as such, unaccustomed to spiritual leadership and in danger, thinking more

highly of themselves than they ought to think.

And for the rest too, they too were in danger of becoming puffed up.

And so these words of Jesus were fitting on this occasion.

But again, we would say that these words are fitting for any occasion before the disciples of Jesus.

Disciples are never to advance beyond viewing themselves in these terms.

This characterizes how true disciples are to view themselves.

And yet I think we would have to admit none of us find this easy for there is a tendency within our fallen natures to

resist this need for us to be taught rightly and faithfully.

We presume that we already know and understand.

This is certainly a good lesson for teenagers in particular.

Teen years are both an exciting but also a dangerous time in life.

Exciting in that as you are maturing, you're seeing things for yourself and judging things through your own thought processes

rather than those of your parents.

You're becoming individuals.

That's healthy.

That's normal.

But the danger exists as you look about and see the flaws and weaknesses of those about you, your teachers and your

parents.

I can remember vividly as a young man first recognizing the flaws in my mother's reasoning and thinking.

I held my dad to a high esteem but later on I became more wise than he.

Or so I thought.

This is natural.

You can become dangerously independent and self -sufficient.

The problem is that although you have a fully developed capacity to observe keenly and reason quickly,

perhaps even more quickly than your parents, we don't think as quickly as we used to.

Yet you don't have the breadth of experience to observe clearly and to reason fully.

So you tend to say I'm not blind or I'm no longer a child.

In other words, pupil.

But the Lord tells you that you're just that if you're one of his.

You're a pupil in need of instruction and guidance.

And that's why God has ordained parents to be your guides and guardians as well as your counselors.

But teenagers do not always resort to this divine provision for they see all too clearly the splinters in

their parents' eyes.

But they don't see the plank in their own eyes which can render them virtually blind to so many things.

The wise son or daughter will realize his or her ignorance in many areas of life and consider carefully the

counsel of parents.

It's a foolish son or daughter which says not only do I see clearly how I should govern my life but I see more

clearly than my parents.

And yet parents and adults these words are no less applicable.

The Lord was talking to grown people and some among these his apostles he was speaking to

successful tradesmen, businessmen, self -sufficient men of the world.

But Jesus likened them to blind students in need of his counsel and instruction.

And again that never changes.

For although we may grow and learn and see more clearly and become more like our teacher it is only

because we continually look to Christ and continually learn from him.

Humility and a teachable spirit should always characterize all of God's people

both those who are young and those who are not so young.

Of course this leads quite readily into verses 41 and 42 which we see secondly.

A disciple of Jesus is one who should be aware of his own weaknesses and they should influence how he relates to

others.

A proud man is of little use to anybody.

Jesus said to his gathering of disciples why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye but do not

perceive the plank in your own eye?

Or how can you say to your brother brother let me remove the speck that's in your eye when you yourself do not see the

plank that's in your own eye?

Hypocrite.

First remove the plank from your own eye then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother's eye.

Notice we're to be taking splendors out of people's eyes.

The question is whether you're qualified to do that or not.

Well there's much in these two verses.

First it reveals that we tend to think that we can see clearly the faults of others.

Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye?

Is it not amazing how many of us have been so blessed with unusual gifted insight that we can

see the faults in others so clearly?

That's the nature of us isn't it?

But we think that we can see so clearly the flaws and faults of others.

We think that we see so clearly we can at any given moment scan a person's situation assess his character

and personality and then very accurately detail causes, effects, cures and even prophesize outcome.

You and I don't have that kind of wisdom.

But secondly although we tend to think we can see clearly the faults in others at the same time we think that we have no

flaws.

Or at least we do not recognize them as such or we believe that they are no consequence.

Jesus said why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye but you do not perceive the plank in your own eye.

This is part of our remaining partial blindness.

The faults of others are quite clearly displayed before us or so we think but our own faults are either not

seen by us or they're marginalized by us.

We have this propensity to justify ourselves.

In fact the plank in one's own eye actually diminishes the ability to see the splinter in someone else's eye

and it's often the case that the bitter complaining and very critical spirited person who's

always fault finding of others is actually betraying a large plank in his own eye.

That is a flaw or fault in his own character that he may not see at all.

But we have this tendency.

We often assume the flaw in the other is greater than our own.

Jesus said or how can you say to your brother brother let me remove the speck that is in your eye when you yourself do not

see the plank that's in your own eye.

We're quick to inspect another.

Even when we do not think we have a problem which we may need to give attention.

But in reality whereas we think our own problem is minor in reality it's

greater.

It's a plank because it's in our own eye.

The other may have a splinter but we may have a plank.

The splinter in the eye of another is not going to hurt you but the plank in your own eye has great potential for harm.

It blinds you in your ability to assess.

And so the Lord was making it clear you have no business or ability to criticize another when you yourself has so many hang ups.

And until you deal with your own problem first you're in no position to judge others.

This does not mean that until you get help you're not to try to help others but it does mean we're in no position to

criticize others when we ourselves have serious problems.

So what should our attitude be?

Well we should be humble and approach the one we see in need patiently with genuine concern to help

rather than to condemn.

Come on brother you've got a.

Splinter.

I've got a plank.

Let us both go to the physician for help.

The old adage were fellow beggars showing another beggar where to get bread.

That should be our attitude.

And so the disciple of Jesus is to be aware of his own weaknesses perhaps better.

He's aware that weaknesses exist and so he examines himself but further he corrects his

deficiencies as he looks to Christ and this in turn influences how he relates to others.

He does not tell others to do what he himself has refused to.

Do.

Well in the third division of this of this third

section of the sermon a disciple of Jesus is one who has undergone a heart change.

Jesus taught the people for a good tree does not bear bad fruit nor does a bad tree bear good fruit for

every tree is known by its fruit.

For men do not gather figs from thorns nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good and evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart

brings forth evil for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

First we have in these words an analogy of the good tree and the.

Bad tree.

The Lord used the analogy of a tree to describe the kind of life that characterizes a true Christian.

In contrast to the kind of life that characterizes a non Christian whereas

a good tree is one which has experienced the grace of God and salvation.

A bad tree is one that has not experienced the saving grace of God.

Fruit may include everything that characterizes a person his attitudes his words his teachings his deeds.

It's impossible for a good tree to bring forth bad fruit is impossible for a bad tree

to bring forth good fruit.

That's what Jesus declared.

And once again I think this is the last Matthew Henry quote of the day but it's a good one.

The heart is the tree and the words and actions are fruit according to the nature of the.

Tree.

If a man be really a good man if he have a principle of grace in his heart

and the prevailing bent and bias of the soul be towards God and heaven though perhaps he may not abound in

fruit though some of his fruits may be blasted and though he may be sometimes

like a tree in winter yet he does not bring forth corrupt fruit

though he may not do you all the good he should yet he will not do any material instance do your

heart hurt or harm.

If he cannot reform your manners he will not corrupt good manners.

I like that statement.

If the fruit that a man brings forth be corrupt.

If a man's devotion tend to botch the mind and conversation if a man's conversation be

vicious if he be a drunkard or fornicator if he be a swearer or a liar if he be in

any instance unjust or net unnatural his fruit is corrupt and you may be sure that he is not a

good tree.

On the other hand a corrupt tree does not bring forth good fruit though it may bring forth green leaves

for a thorns.

Men do not gather figs nor of a brandle.

Do they gather grapes.

You may if you please stick figs upon thorns and hang a bunch of grapes upon a bramble but they neither

are nor can be the natural product of the trees.

In other words they can maybe put on a show look like a Christian but they're not in.

Reality.

Neither can you expect good conduct from those who have justly a bad character.

If the fruit be good you may conclude that the tree is so if the conversation be holy heavenly regular

though you cannot infallibly know the heart yet you may charitably hope that it is upright with God

for every tree is known by its fruit but the vile person will speak villainy.

And the experience of the moderns herein agrees with the proverb of the ancients that wickedness proceeded

from the.

Wicked.

It's going to be seen in your life whether you're a Christian or you're not.

And then the Lord gives an analogy of a treasure chest.

Jesus said a good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good and evil man out of the evil

treasure of his heart brings forth evil for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

So the outward speech and deeds of a man or woman are the products of the heart.

If the treasure chest is empty it can't bring forth anything valuable but only evil.

All of these things are revealed in the speech of a man for the mouth speaks from that which fills the heart.

The point is that disciples of Jesus think what they think say what they say and do what they do

because they have a good.

Heart.

That's of course a product of God's grace.

Good heart can only be the result of a work of God's grace by which this Holy Spirit makes a person a new

creature a whole new and different kind of person he creates a new heart.

So what our Lord was suggesting in these words was that the things he set forth in a sermon are not impossible

to put into practice for the true disciple of Jesus Christ.

In fact they are just the.

Opposite.

The Christian life is natural for the person who's been born anew by a work of God's mercy and grace.

That's not to say that they're easy.

The things of living the Christian life is not easy for it takes grace to live as a Christian.

But it does mean the things that our Lord has instructed us to live by are not hard grievous things but are

natural.

John wrote that the commandments of the Lord are not grievous to the Christian.

They might be very difficult but they're not grievous.

No what grieves us is that we don't do them or have trouble doing them.

On the other hand the things which are outlined here are impossible for non disciples of.

Jesus.

Churches have so dumbed down the Christian life that an unregenerate person can live the Christian life

in their gatherings.

If we're not presenting the Christian life as something that's impossible to do unless you're born again we have dumbed

down the standards of scripture.

The things of Christ living a Christian life is impossible for non disciples of Jesus.

It's not in their nature.

They don't want to do it.

They don't love to do it.

There's no treasure in the chest from which to draw.

There's no health in the tree which will generate this kind of.

Fruit.

But these things grow naturally from the good tree.

Some people who find themselves so unwilling and unable to live as disciples of Christ should stop pretending and

even attempting to do that which is impossible for them.

Rather they should flee to Christ where alone a new heart may be obtained.

Only then will a change of affections be experienced.

Only then will desires of life be conformed to God's will.

Only then will attitudes be changed.

Only then will a change of behavior be seen in one's relations to others.

For the heart of a citizen of the kingdom of God is one that's been implanted by God himself.

God who alone can create a new heart where before there was but an evil heart of unbelief and.

Rebellion.

And oftentimes when God begins to draw a person that person will begin to make overtures and efforts

to conform his thinking and his living to what the Bible sets forth.

And before long if the Holy Spirit is working in his life he sees this isn't possible for me.

It's not natural for me.

I'm unconverted.

I need a new heart.

And so the Lord will often reveal to a person his sinfulness and his need for

grace from God a new heart from Christ.

So as a result of a new heart through God's grace alone things that were once primary in life are now

secondary to the king's will and things which were once seen as weaknesses like humility submission

obedience goodness kindness patience sympathy are now viewed as treasured qualities which issue forth from

the heart and our greatest frustration as Christians is it not as forthcoming as it

ought to be and what we want it to be for the heart of a citizen of the kingdom of

God is one that has been implanted by God himself who alone can create a new heart

where before there is but an evil heart of unbelief and rebellion and as a result of God's grace alone

things that once were primary are now secondary to the king's will.

Well now we come to the fourth section of this portion of the

sermon and it's the conclusion of our Lord's Sermon where he emphasizes

Jesus emphasizes that his disciple is one who hears and obeys him a true

disciple of Jesus is one who hears and obeys his Lord.

And in this passage there is an obedient there is an emphasis on obedience not

just hearing.

Our Lord concluded his sermon but why do you call me Lord Lord and do not the things which I say

it's incongruent.

Whoever comes to me and hears my sayings and does them hears and does hears and heeds hears and.

Obeys.

I'll show you whom he's like.

He's like a man building a house who dug deep laid a foundation on the rock and when the flood rose

the stream beat vehemently against that house could not shake it for it was founded on the rock.

But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on earth on the earth

without a foundation against which the stream beat vehemently and immediately it fell and the

ruin of that house was great.

Now let's stand back a moment and consider the flow of the Gospel of Luke.

As we've tried to point out we've emphasized this earlier.

Luke gave great attention and focus earlier in his gospel on the authority of Jesus Christ.

Jesus was shown to have authority over demonic forces nature disease even had authority to forgive

sins.

But having established the authority of Jesus Luke then emphasized his readers should therefore take great care to

hear the teaching of Jesus because he has authority what he says is true

they are to be taught by him for God.

His father had given him authority to speak forth his word but now the Luke is carrying the matter further.

Not only are his disciples to hear Jesus's words but they are to heed them that is they are to obey him

and this becomes an emphasis in Luke's gospel now from this point onward.

This emphasis has begun here in Luke 6.

In our Lord's Sermon on the plain it was suggested in verse 27 when Jesus said but I say to you who hear

all right you hear love your enemies.

This is what you're to do.

This is how you're to obey do good to those who hate you.

And then it set forth clearly here in Luke 6 46 through 49 when he asked the question why do you call

me Lord Lord and do not the things which I say.

Obedience is absolutely essential to being a true Christian.

We see in verse 46 true Christians live according to the will of God that only they may

be regarded as the citizens of the kingdom.

Our Lord's words would make here make clear that the real evidence or proof of being a disciple of Jesus

Christ in other words a true Christian a citizen of the kingdom of God is when one hears the

words of the king and he obeys them that is he acts upon them.

A true disciple of Christ is one who lives according to Christ's words according to his will.

The commentator Matthew Poole probably few of us have ever heard of him.

Spurgeon thought very highly of him.

He wrote the sum is men's hope of salvation built upon any other but Christ alone or built

upon Christ without a sincere study and endeavor to keep the commandments of Christ are vain hopes

that our Lord would have to say something like this before this large crowd of disciples and others suggest that there were

those who do just that they hear his words but they fail to heed them.

There's no salvation promised for hearers only no salvation

no benefit will come to the one who claims to know or believe in Jesus whose life is unaffected by him.

For the essence of being a citizen of the kingdom of God is to be governed by the king of the kingdom Jesus Christ.

I think several points need to be reinforced here for misunderstanding of the implications of this passage

for our faith can result in unsettling or troubling a timid and insecure child of God.

Let us understand this matter very clearly.

Our Lord's words recorded here do not explain the basis on which God receives sinful persons

granting them forgiveness of sins and giving them eternal life.

That's who faith alone but rather Jesus is describing the nature of persons who are his

true disciples who've received the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life.

He's contrasting them with false disciples who make claims to believe on Jesus Christ but whose

manner of living reveals their true condition.

This distinction is very important and you'll trouble yourself and others if you don't

understand this.

God receives us because of who we believe Jesus Christ alone.

But the one who truly believes on Jesus Christ follows him as his Savior and Lord.

True disciples of Christ order their lives according to the word of God.

All those who claim to believe on Jesus alone for salvation but who disregard ordering their lives according to

his words are deceiving themselves and the world is full of those

churches are full of.

These.

J .C. O 'Reil wrote of this problem.

This was in the 19th century.

Let us mark in these verses that what an old and common sin is profession without practice.

Profession we be professing to be a Christian.

It's written that our Lord said why call you me Lord.

Lord do not the things I say he's quoting Luke 6.

The son of God himself had many followers who pretended to honor him by calling him Lord

with double emphasis Lord.

Lord who pretended to honor him but yielded no obedience to

his commandments.

The evil which our Lord exposes here has always existed in the church of God it was found 600

years before our Lord's time.

In the days of Ezekiel they come unto thee.

We read as the people cometh.

They sit before thee.

As my people.

They hear thy words.

But they will not do them.

For with their mouth they show much love but their heart goeth after covetousness.

It was found in the primitive Church of Christ in the days of Saint James.

Be you doers of the word.

He says not.

Here is only deceiving your own selves.

If you claim you believe on Jesus but you're not obedient.

You're not obedient to Jesus as were you deceiving yourself if you think that you have salvation.

It is a disease which has never ceased to prevail over Christendom.

It is a soul ruining plague which is continually sweeping away crowds of gospel hearers

down the broad road that leads to destruction.

Open sin and avowed unbelief no doubt slay their thousands but profession without

practice slays its ten thousands.

Some people assume that true Christians are great in number a number that includes anyone and everyone who professes

faith in Christ regardless of how they live.

They look at the number of believers and they're very optimistic.

They might argue from Scripture.

This is so they say do not.

The Scripture say whoever believes in him is not condemned.

Whoever believes is very broad.

They say many believe.

Therefore the number of those who will be saved are many.

Even a majority of the population.

They might argue further.

Did not our Lord say truly truly.

I say to you whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life.

He does not come into judgment but passed from death to life.

And there are tens of millions upon millions who have heard and have believed.

George Barna the well -known Christian pollster has a very optimistic opinion of the number of true Christians in America.

This was back in 2004.

Currently 38 percent of all adults and one third of all teenagers.

There are an estimated 98 million adults and children who've

accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior.

98 million people in America are Christian.

According to George Barna we'd have the Millennium on Earth if there were 98 million

Christians in America.

Bill Bright the founder of Campus Crusade believe there were 100 million born -again Christians in America.

He wrote a book.

He lamented that 50 million of this 100 million lacked assurance.

He said it's my calling in life to give those 50 million assurance of salvation.

In other words he saw his motivation life to give false assurance.

In my opinion to 50 million people who were right and doubting their salvation he wanted to

assure them.

There's this optimism that has no biblical basis.

When one examines the scriptures one learns what it is to truly believe.

Not all faith is saving faith.

Faith must be of a saving kind.

There are far fewer true believers than there are professing believers.

Lots of professing believers.

Matthew's account of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said on that day of judgment many will say to me

Lord Lord they will protest on the day of judgment.

I'm a Christian Lord.

Lord James wrote.

Not all who had faith had saving faith.

What's a prophet brethren.

If a man says he has faith but doesn't have work can that faith think kind of faith save him.

No.

And then Jesus was telling some they needed to persevere in their faith if they truly belonged to him.

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed on him.

If you abide in my word you're truly my disciples.

You must abide in Jesus's words in the Word of God if you're a true Christian.

And so it's apparent that not all faith is saving faith.

True faith.

Saving faith must prove itself to be true under examination by the scriptures.

And here in Luke 6 46 to 49 Jesus made it clear true Christian true believers

are ones who order their lives according to the will of God.

Not perfectly.

Nobody does not everyone who believes that

Jesus Christ is Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven.

Only those who believe him to be Lord and lives with him as Lord will

enter the kingdom of God.

And this is confirmed in other places that we will not refer to because of the time.

And then we read in verses 47 through 49 many nominal Christians will be condemned on the day of

judgment.

This is one of those to me most terrifying passages of scripture.

The Lord Jesus said whoever comes to me here's my saints and does them.

That's what it is to build a foundation to build on the rock.

A lot of people say well the rock is Jesus.

The Bible clearly says the rock is Jesus.

But not in this metaphor the rock the foundation which is built is obedience to his

words.

He's like a man building a house who dug deep laid the foundation on the rock.

Why.

Because he hears and does them.

When the flood arose an emblem of judgment the stream beat vehemently against that house could not shake it for it was founded

on the rock.

But he who heard did nothing.

He who hears believes but doesn't obey is like a man who built his house on earth without a foundation.

The stream beat vehemently.

When judgment comes immediately it fell in the ruin of that house was great.

The foundation is obedience to the authority and teaching

of Christ in the word of God.

And again this only takes place with a person who to whom the Lord has given a new heart.

Because this isn't natural for the unbeliever.

It's natural for the one who has been given a new heart.

I want to live this way.

I want to please Jesus.

I lament that I don't always or I don't consistently or fully.

But that's my desire and my purpose as God enables me by the power of the Holy Spirit to do so.

And I confess my sin when I fail to do so which is so frequent.

But the tenor of the Christian life is one forward following Jesus.

That's what a disciple is following Jesus.

Charles Spurgeon wrote of these professing but unconverted Christians.

Our earnest attention will now be given to those who are hearers of the word of God and are somewhat affected by it.

All hearers are builders of houses for their souls.

Every all that are mentioned in this in these last verses of the sermon on the plane were hearers of the word

of God.

And they were all professors that they believe these things that they heard.

All hearers are builders of houses for their souls.

They're each one doing something to set up a spiritual habitation.

He's not talking about the unbelievers out here the rebellious and the atheists.

He's talking about those professing to be Christians.

Some of these go a considerable distance in their house building even crown the structure by publicly confessing Christ.

They say unto him Lord Lord.

They meet with his followers join with him in reverence to the master's name.

But they do not obey the Lord.

They hear him but they fail to do the things which he says.

Therefore they are mistaken.

Builders who fail in the foundation make nothing sure except their house will come down about their

ears.

And others there are and we trust they will be found to be many among us who are building rightly.

I hope that's true of us building for eternity.

Constructing the dwelling place with a foundation of rock and walls of well -built stone

of which the Lord Christ is both foundation and corner stone.

Nominal believers in name only they will have regarded themselves as servants and

ministers of Jesus Christ.

And according to Matthew 7 there will be many on the day of judgment who will protest their sentence of damnation

saying did we not prophesy in your name.

Cast out demons in your name.

Do many mighty works in your name.

They were preachers.

They'll be preachers there on that day claiming to perform miracles and having been used

by him in his service.

They'll claim to have known him but he will deny he ever knew them

again the issue the bottom line is not whether or not you've accepted Jesus.

The bottom line is as Jesus accepted you as a sinner coming to him

humbly in repentance from sin and faith in him as Lord.

You'll say to many I never knew you depart from me you workers of lawlessness.

In other words you you workers of who live contrary to

the laws of God that's what lawlessness means.

And the word that's used there and on me of the Greek word is the the

negation of Nama law anti law anti no man.

Well as we close let each of us examine ourselves after all we're commanded to do

so by the word of God examine yourselves as to whether or not you're in the faith.

Do you not know you know that you're reprobates unless you pass the test.

Is there some command of God that you failed or you have refused to do.

Ask the Lord about that what's your conscience say.

Is there something God has commanded you to do clearly in.

The word.

I'm not talking about little minor things or some impressions you have but something the word of God has commanded you to do but you've

refused.

You ought to be concerned.

Have you failed to build your life's profession on a salad solid foundation secured in the bedrock of

obedience on to Jesus the Lord.

Well if not purpose to do so today.

Be resolved to do so as God enables you.

Amen.

May the Lord enable each of us to be true and right in these.

Matters.

May he grant us grace to repent of our rebellion and acknowledge it as that.

Lord I see what you've commanded me to do and I have been wrong in hesitating or refusing or failing

to do it.

Please have mercy on me.

Give me grace to do so.

Our God not that I'm trusting in that obedience in any way whatsoever but help me to show forth

my faith in you.

By how I live for you.

It's as simple as that.

May the Lord grant us grace to do so.

Father thank you for your word and our Lord Jesus meant our God for these

concluding words to be very direct and very hard hitting to this mass of people that were sitting

before him standing before him listening to his words in which we see pressed upon

them not only here to hear and to believe our God but to hear

and to order their lives accordingly.

Help us our God we pray give us grace and have mercy upon us Lord that we would

resolve to do what you've commanded us forgive us of our sins our father help each of us to

look to Jesus Christ as our only basis and hope of salvation.

May we yield to him and Lord Jesus may you give us fresh measure of

the Holy Spirit to enable us to do the things that you command us for we pray these things our father in

Jesus name.

Amen.