Guest speaker at Chapel Grace Coalinga, California on May 18, 2025

The Mark of a True Believer: Selfless, Sacrificial Love

Luke 6:27-36

Introduction: It is imperative that we keep Luke 6:17-18; 27 in mind as well as the immediate preceding context in Luke 6:12-26. Identifying the audience is vital to properly interpreting and applying the Sermon on the Plain (which is one and the same as the Sermon on the Mount found in the parallel account found in Matthew chapters 5-7). The primarily Jewish audience is crucial to understanding the text as it has eschatological implications as well. What is the Kingdom? The Kingdom of God (in the Messiah Jesus) is the rule and reign of God in His disciples in the here and now. His Sovereignty in our hearts to be one day extended out. Jesus was inaugurating His Kingdom on earth here in this passage. However, because of the Jewish rejection of their Messiah (The Lord Jesus; see John 1:11-13), the Kingdom was simply postponed. It was inaugurated at Jesus’ first coming, but one day will be consummated (see Acts 1:6; Romans chapters 9-11, especially 11:26; Revelation 20). Moreover, in God’s perfect Providence, the Messiah had to suffer and atone for our sins according to the Scriptures (1 Peter 1:11; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Zechariah 12:10; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8).What is Love? Love is a selfless, sacrificial act of the will, accompanied by emotion, which leads to action on behalf of its object.A. The Divine Commands (To Love, do good, bless and pray) (Luke 6:27-28)1. V. 27: “To you who hear” (referring to the Jewish audience; Luke 6:17)B. The Divine Commands Fleshed Out (Luke 6:29-30)1. V. 29: See Romans 12:9-13 & Romans 12:14-21 also

C. The Divine Commands Summarized (Luke 6:31)1. This is the clear golden rule

D. The Warnings to Misinterpreting and Misapplying the Divine Commands (Luke 6:32-34)1. V. 32: Everyone loves people who love them! We are commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ to love our “enemies” (any hostile or estranged person (like a Gentile)). We are commanded to love everyone and not just people of our own ethnicity!2. V. 33: It’s easy to “do good” to those who “do good” to us. The test is when we do that to people who don’t “do good” to us!3. V. 34: Do you give to those who only give back to you?! Soul, are you sure that you aren’t enslaved to your “money god?” See Matthew 6:21. Soul! Are you characterized by your gracious, selfless, sacrificial giving (which is biblical love expressed and fleshed out)? Or are you characterized by your selfish, self-righteous money enslaved heart? Are you like the Pharisees of Luke 16:14?! My response to you is that of Jesus in Luke 6:24-26! For those who are rich, we also need to be humble and aware of what 1 Timothy 6:17-19 says.E. The Divine Commands Restated and Rewarded (Luke 6:35-36)1. These are the blessed rewards for those whom lives are characterized by this.Conclusion: Are you sure you are a true disciple (Christian; 2 Corinthians 13:5)? For those who profess to be Christians, read Luke 6:46-49. For those who are saved, I encourage you with Luke 6:35-36.