Living as God's People

                                                        Sunday School Lesson                                          

Lesson: Luke 6:20-31                                                                                                 
Golden Text: “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you” (Luke 6:27).

INTRODUCTION.  God’s people are a people removed from the world’s spiritual darkness and placed into the light of the Lord and His Word.  Thus they possess a new and different perspective on life.  It’s a view that leads us to gain knowledge and understanding of how to live to please God and represent Him in the world.  This week we look into the teachings of Jesus that cast more light on how to live as God’s people.  Four blessings will precede four woes which will be followed by some exceedingly challenging commands for living. 
BACKGROUND FOR THE LESSON.  According to Luke, after Jesus healed the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath, He went to a mountainside and prayed all night (see Luke 6:10-12).  The next morning, He called His disciples of whom there were many, and chose twelve of them.  He designated those twelve as apostles or “sent ones” (see Luke 6:13-16).  They would become His inner circle to whom He gave special training, and whom Jesus would send out with His own authority.  He then assembled on the plain with His disciples and a great multitude of people from Judea who came to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases.  Many were demon possessed, and many had other sicknesses, and Jesus healed them all (see Luke 6:17-19).  At this point our lesson begins.
III. The Beatitudes (Luke 6:20-23).   At first look, it appears that Luke is giving His version of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.  However, the words recorded here according to Luke 6:17 were spoken at a different time and on a level place, or plain.  Luke 6:17-49 is often referred to as the Sermon on the Plain.  As a Jewish teacher often followed by multitudes of people, no doubt Jesus repeated His important words in many locations and on many different occasions.  Verses 20-23 are called Beatitudes from the Latin word meaning “blessing.”  They describe what it means to be Christ’s followers. They are standards of conduct and behavior.  They contrast Christian values with worldly values.  These Beatitudes indicate what Jesus’ disciples can expect from the world and what God will give them.  They contrast fake piety with true humility and also show how Old Testament behavioral expectations are fulfilled in God’s kingdom.      
A. Reversal for the poor (Luke 6:20).  The first verse of our text says “And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.”  Looking at His disciples or learners, Jesus began by saying “Blessed be ye poor.”   In the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew identifies the “poor” as being poor in spirit.  However, we will see later that Luke defines the “poor” in reference to the lack of finances since he contrasts them to the rich in verse 24.  Since those who are poor in this world’s goods are more apt to be poor in spirit as well, Luke’s text and Matthew’s are not contradictory.  Jesus said the “poor” are blessed because “for yours is the kingdom of God.”  In the kingdom of God no one will be poor or lack for anything.
B. Reversal for the hungry (Luke 6:21).   The Lord continued to say “Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.”  In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke of those who hungered for righteousness.  But here in the Sermon on the Plain, Jesus adds a new element.  Those who suffer from real “hunger now” will find something far better in the kingdom.  Jesus said “for ye shall be filled.”  In the future to come, God will bless the world with abundance (see Isaiah 25:6).  In God’s kingdom, everyone will have enough and the provisions will be like that of a wealthy person for all to enjoy.  Jesus also said “Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.”  Tears and sadness are not foreign to most people, and certainly God’s people are not exempt from the kinds of events that bring sorrow.  The followers of Christ, who weep now for any reason, will laugh in those future days.  Constantly thinking about the future kingdom of God should give us faith that will sustain and empower us to live godly lives.
C. Reversal for the persecuted (Luke 6:22).   This verse says “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.”  This fourth blessing is also found in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew’s gospel, but in slightly different terms.  However, they both have to do with persecution.  There are today people who hate the followers of Christ.  They don’t want to be in our company thus ostracizing us for fear that they may hear the name “Jesus.”  They will even call us “evil” since our beliefs are so different from theirs.  The word “reproach” means to blame someone for doing something wrong.  The world’s view of believers is that we are wrong for following Christ.  Jesus, in this verse says that we will be confronted with this type of behavior “for the Son of man's sake” meaning because we represent Jesus Christ.  The term “Son of man” is used by Jesus to describe Himself in His relation to humanity.
D. Example of the prophets (Luke 6:23).  Jesus, still speaking about those disciples who will be ostracized and hated for His sake says “Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.”  Even though believers will be persecuted for Jesus’ sake, we are told to “Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy.”  The words “in that day” refer to the times that we are persecuted and experience isolation.  When that happens to us we are to rejoice and jump for joy, and we know some in the early church did just that (see Acts 5:41; 16:25).  This kind of response can only be demonstrated as we are submissive to God’s Holy Spirit.  The world reacts to opposition with opposition, but believers respond to opposition with joy, because our “reward is great in heaven.”  We must believe that our faithfulness will be rewarded.  Jesus gave the prophets as an example of how His disciples will be treated.  He said “for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.”  In other words, the forefathers of those who hated Jesus’ followers also hated the prophets because they were obedient in speaking for God (see I Kings 17:1; 19:1-3).  In the same way, people will react to believers today.

IV. THE WOES (Luke 6:24-26) 

A. Reversal for the rich (Luke 6:24).  Now Jesus turns to the opposite of the “blessed” to the “woes.”  In this verse He says “But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.”  The first “woe” is directed toward the “rich” just as the first “blessed” was directed to the “poor.”  The word “woe” means calamity or trouble.  If the poor can look forward to the coming kingdom of God with hope, the rich ought to look ahead with concern.  The mere fact of having plenty is not the spiritual danger for the rich.  The danger is the tendencies and behaviors that go along with being rich (see I Timothy 6:10; Deuteronomy 8:11-14).  The psalmist put it this way “…If riches increase, set not your heart upon them” (Psalms 62:10).  In the parable of the rich fool, Jesus explained the problem with riches: we tend to be poor in our relationship with God when we are rich in the possessions that give ease in this life (see Luke 12:16-31).   Jesus said that those who put their trust in riches “ye have received your consolation” or “comfort.”  In other words, if our trust is in riches, what we have now is all we will ever have.  If anyone tries to find fulfillment through riches only, that may be the only reward they will ever get---and it does not last.  We should not seek comfort now at the expense of eternal life.  The future time of the kingdom will involve reward and comfort for faithfulness and hardship.
B. The reversal for the satiated (Luke 6:25).  This verse says “ Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.”  The indictment here is against those who “are full” or gluttons.  The issue here is the tendency of those whose wants are fully met to forget the Provider.  A time will come when they “shall hunger.”  They will long for the times when they had plenty.  In addition, Jesus pronounced a woe “unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.”  Those who engage in superficial gaiety, laughing at the expense of others will “weep and mourn” throughout eternity.
C. Reversal for the respected (Luke 6:26).  In the last woe of this text, Jesus said “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.”  This “woe” is for those who take pride in position and authority.  They are lifted up in pride when “all men shall speak well of you!”  If we choose to live our lives solely for the applause and approval of men, we will never reach our full potential in Christ.  We will live lives guided by the fear of men.  The phrase “for so did their fathers to the false prophets” means that Israel’s forefathers praised and honored false prophets, because they spoke what the people wanted to hear rather than what they needed to hear.  There were many false prophets in Old Testament times.  They were praised by kings and crowds because their predictions---prosperity and victory at war---were exactly what the people wanted to hear.  But popularity is no guarantee of truth, and human flattery does not bring God’s approval.  Sadness lies ahead for those who chase after crowd’s praise rather than God’s truth.  When we are dominated by pride in our position, we will compromise to keep our advantage.  We will politick and self-promote.  This is all emptiness and folly.  Flattery is putting a trap out for others (see Proverbs 29:5).  A gentile rebuke in love does more for a friend than empty flattery (see Proverbs 28:23).   
V. LOVE (Luke 6:27-31)
A. The extent of love (Luke 6:27).  Now Jesus turns to what separates those who abide in the kingdom of God and those who don’t.  He said “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you.”  The phrase “you which hear” refers to those who were not only listening, but were willing to carry out or obey Jesus’ words.  Those who were hearing Jesus were commanded to “Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you.”  There is a difference between loving others and falling in love.  Falling in love is based on emotions that can easily change.  If one can fall in love, it’s only reasonable that they can also fall out of love.  Note:  Jesus is speaking of God’s love which is not based on one’s emotion; it is based on our relationship with Christ.  Love is a word of action.  It must be demonstrated.  God’s kind of love is directed outward toward others, not inward toward ourselves.  It’s utterly unselfish.  God’s love goes against our natural inclinations.  We can only practice this kind of love if God helps us set aside our own desires and instincts, so that we can give love while expecting nothing in return.  Thus the more we become like Christ, the more love we show to others.  Jesus was teaching something revolutionary: loving one’s enemies.  Although this may have sounded odd to the hearers, Jesus wasn’t talking about having affection for enemies; He was talking about an act of the will.  Real love takes a conscious effort.  God’s love truly is blind for it cannot see whether it is being shown to friends or enemies.  In case anyone didn’t understand what Jesus meant by loving our enemies, He explained what that meant by adding “do good to them which hate you.”  In other words, loving our enemies means acting in their best interests no matter how we may feel about them.  We can pray for them and think of ways to help them.  It has been said that the best way not to have enemies is to make them your friends.  That’s where love comes in.  
B. The spirit of love (Luke 6:28).  Jesus went on to say that when you love you will “Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.”  Although the word “curse” can mean foul language, it also has the idea of speaking evil against someone.  When that happens to the believer we are to respond by blessing them or speaking well of them.  As we grow spiritually we can truly wish the best for people who are rude and unkind to us.  One way to ensure that our enemies stop cursing and spitefully use us is to “pray for them.”  Trust me, this takes real love, but prayer does change things!
C. The practice of love (Luke 6:29).  As stated earlier, love is a word of action.  Therefore, Jesus said here “And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.”Jesus said that godly love is demonstrated when one responds to being hit on the cheek by offering the other cheek as well.  This does not mean that we should become willing victims of serious violence.But we shouldn’t be so eager to fight back. Jesus taught His disciples to flee from danger (see Luke 21:21).Remember, violence begets violence.  Jesus also said that if someone takes your cloak or outer garment, don’t stop them from taking your coat or inner garment.The idea here is that we shouldn’t be so attracted to our possessions that holding on to them could lead to further violence.  But in order to be able to respond in the ways Jesus expects, we must practice love.  One act of love does not reveal a character of love.
D. The extent of generosity (Luke 6:30).   Still talking about the practice of love, Jesus here says “Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.”  The extent of generosity that God requires of kingdom dwellers is a willingness to give to whoever asks, including our enemies.  The term “every man” means every man.  This does not mean that we must fill every need presented to us, but we can usually give something toward the need.
E. The definition of active love (Luke 6:31).  Jesus concludes our text by saying “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.”  What has become known as the Golden Rule ends our lesson.  If we want to be treated fairly, we must be fair in our day-to-day dealings with others.  How we treat others will in some cases determine how they will treat us. 
                            
Conclusion.  As the “blessed” statements in our text were meant for encouragement, so the “woes” are meant for people to take note of their behavior and then take action.  This passage points out the vast differences between those in the world and those in God’s kingdom.  All of us want to be loved and treated fairly.  In the coming kingdom of God, all needs will be met.  Everyone will be loved and there will be no lack.  Therefore, in the present time, those of us who follow the King and believe in the kingdom should love in such a way as to make the future perfection a closer reality.  As His disciples, we must emulate His love.