Original Sin
Ever disappointed by how empty a new bag of chips or box of cereal is - “some settling of contents has occurred” Illustrate this
Jesus unpacks what this new kingdom is like by some very unsettling illustrations.
Very UN-Kingdom like laws
Nothing here is vague or hard to understand
Hard to put into practice - Absolutely
But crystal clear - painfully easy to understand
As you read or listen - stop looking for loopholes, you are not the EXCEPTION
Let’s take a close look at what Jesus has to say about my enemies. About the unfairness and inequality in this world
But let’s go deeper and see how or if repentance changed my life in regard to those most difficult to love. E G R - Extra Grace Required.
Read LK 6:27-42
I know - it’s outrageous! Love - Enemies!
Do Good - to those who HATE you
Bless those who - Curse you
Pray for those who mistreat you
What was He thinking
Love vs. Judge
Don’t judge - Primary sin of the fall - Limitations of Judges - we can’t ever see clearly - speck or plank. Goal to be like teacher - He doesn't judge
Forgive vs. Condemn
Give Lavishly vs. Refuse
What might happen if we obey these radical new Kingdom Laws - Radical love - humble service gains good will and turns enemies to friends
What if as Christians we began to live abundantly
Give generously, forgive lavishly, love unconditionally?
Our world is broken, our lives are damaged, what we see when we open the bag/box is pretty disappointing, but it doesn't have to stay that way.
With God, He refills to overflowing those who live in Grace and are gracious to others.
The aim is for the student to be like His teacher
Illustrate with a volunteer
Blind leading Blind - so don't follow me - except as I am following Jesus
As Jesus calls us to live merciful lives, Take a closer look at the mercy quotient in your life.
Is it a defining character trait or defect?
Do you have to fake it till you make it?
No - there is no mention of how you feel in any of these directions.
Love your enemies (Bless them - do good, pray for them, none of this requires you to feel anything)
Take the hit on the chin, lean into it
Give stuff away, don't demand
Do to others what you would have them do to you
So DON'T JUDGE
DON'T CONDEMN
INSTEAD - FORGIVE - GIVE GENEROUSLY
Next Step - Dare me to be like Jesus
It is hard to judge fairly when you are incomplete
We are incomplete because we are broken, our families and friends are broken, our world is broken, because our vision is impaired, our understanding is finite, our judgments are not just.
So God lets us off the hook
Jesus came to save not Judge - so Jesus lets us off the hook in judgment department and tells us to do the same
God freely forgives our senseless - evil - selfish - mean acts
He exchanges favor for condemnation
He gives freely though we have no hope of repaying
He Blesses us though we often blame and curse Him
And He invites us to do the very same thing
Think about it, - God invites us to Imitate HIM - for the student to be like the teacher
And in doing so, we become more like His image
As He originally designed us
Breathtaking, glorious, beautiful creatures
Designed and patterned in God’s own image.
That’s Heaven - God’s Kingdom Come, on earth as it is in heaven
Getting back to the bag of chips - box of cereal
Don’t miss this - it is very important
YOU ARE THE BOX, THE BAG, THE CONTAINER
