The Certainty Of Christ's New Living Way
Book of Luke 6:20-49
What is materialism? Materialism is believing the things of this world have great value.
Jesus taught just the opposite of this false belief.
Jesus warns those with such beliefs that severe judgment is coming to them!
Christians sometime have the wrong idea about the promises of Jesus.
Happiness is sought by most all people in this world but there is no moral meaning in happiness.
We certainly are to be happy Christians but our happiness comes from our "blessedness"!
It is blessedness alone that can satisfy the mind and the heart!
These Scriptures today are called the "Beatitudes".
David wrote of the blessed man in the Book of the Psalms:
Psa 32:1 A Psalm of David, Maschil. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Psa 32:2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
Blessedness begins with the forgiveness of sins and then a New Spirit!
*****Luk 6:20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
Luk 6:21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
Luk 6:22 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.
We will be able to see the "Spirit of the Gospel" in these Scriptures.
When we see this word "poor", we should not assume that Jesus is referring to those in poverty or who are financially poor.
Hunger, and those living in the slums are not pleasing to God!
The riches and the bountifulness of this world are under the control of evil men who are led by Satan.
It's ridiculous to use corn to put in gasoline when much of the world is starving for food.
This world has the ability to feed all it's people, yet even in America there are people on starvation!
SO, Jesus was not talking about "material poverty".
Matthew writes this way:
Mat 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
It is all those "poor in spiritual needs" that concern the Lord Jesus!
***To be poor in spirit is to be helpless in the sight of God!
Only God can fill this void and He chose to do this through the Lord Jesus Christ!
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you
***To be poor in spirit is a lack in understanding that true blessings and the blessings of eternal life, come only from a personal relationship with God!
Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
***To be poor in spirit is to be humble in the sight of God.
Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
When we acknowledge that we are poor in spirit, we will turn away from the things of this world.
When we acknowledge that we are poor in spirit, we will place our attention on God and His kingdom.
Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
The opposite of being "poor in spirit" is to be "full of Jesus".
2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
We have no righteousness in our selves without the righteousness of Christ Jesus!
Those who know their spiritual needs will have the kingdom of God!
The same goes for those that hunger.
It is not those with physical hunger but those with spiritual hunger who will be filled!
Being hungry is not a blessing, but a starving spirit will crave righteousness!
Righteousness means not only "to do right" but also "to be right"!
Today there are many in our world who say they have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior but there is no change in the way they live.
This is false security!
If we are filled with the righteousness of Jesus Christ then we will be righteous, not only to be right with God in a personal relationship, but we will be a doer of righteousness to all those around us because Jesus is our example of righteousness in every way.
We simply have no righteousness of our own!
Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Those that think that no matter what they do they are still acceptable to God, but the truth is they live in a world of false righteousness.
The Bible never mentions righteousness without the example of living righteously!
***Self-righteousness leads to legalism!
God gives us the examples of the Pharisees and the Scribes and the Sadducees who followed the laws of Moses but inside were still filthy.
Luk 11:39 And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.
Works will never get you saved!
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
***Self-righteousness leads to being judgmental!
Jesus Christ never says in these Scriptures, "blessed are the righteous" because there are none that are righteous!
Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Jesus says blessed are those that hunger and thirst after righteousness.
It is they who will be filled!
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
We cannot be perfect while still in the flesh but we can be led by the Holy Spirit in the ways of righteousness!
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Those who weep and mourn are the sorrowful.
These are the broken hearted, the desperate, the the helpless.
They weep over sin.
They are broken hearted over evil and suffering from evil.
It is sad that many of us had to reach rock bottom before we realized we needed a Savior.
Thank goodness for the long arms of God!
It is these same people who after their own salvation, who, when they see the suffering of others can be a great witness for the Lord.
It is those who have been through personal tragedies once they are saved can relate to those others who are suffering from personal tragedies.
Our example of these things is still Jesus Christ when we can relate our own suffering by seeing Jesus Christ suffer through the things of the cross!
We may ask any question but Jesus Christ is still the answer to every question!
The promise is that we will all laugh about all these things and all tears will be wiped away one day in Heaven where we will gather with our Lord!
Those that are hated by men are all those who are persecuted for Christ sake.
Being persecuted means being hated, being reproached, being banished, and being martyred.
Those who take a stand for Jesus Christ will be cast out of the land.
Even in America the Christians are being asked to leave!
It is already happening in those places controlled by terrorist but also other governments!
But what is God's answer?
*****Luk 6:23 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.
Christians will suffer in this world, because we are not of this world, just pilgrims passing through!
Joh 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
Joh 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Christians will suffer because we speak of sin!
Joh 15:21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
Joh 15:22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.
Christians will suffer because the world is in the hands of the "Deceiver"!
Joh 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Joh 8:45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
But the rewards will be great in Heaven!
Act 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
1Pe 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1Pe 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
1Pe 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
Thank goodness there is a much greater reward than those 70 virgins of the Muslim faith!
But there are "woes" to many others!
*****Luk 6:24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
Luk 6:25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
Luk 6:26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
We started this lesson by mentioning "materialism" which is having confidence in the things of this world.
And there are many who preach a prosperity "gospel" which also do not follow the Word of God.
God gives us a strong warning of all these things.
There is a warning to the rich!
The rich are those that have put back much after meeting the needs of their family.
Luk 21:1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
Luk 21:2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
Luk 21:3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
Luk 21:4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.
***The rich are warned because because wealth can pull a person away from the Kingdom of Heaven.
It is difficult for a rich man to enter into Heaven!
Mat 19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Riches lure and attract, riches become some imaginary power or force that reaches out to draw us away from the true power of salvation!
Most of the rich, embrace their riches and not the God who allowed them to have those riches!
The wealthy are usually honored and envied.
The wealthy seem to have power over others.
Their downfall, is that the wealthy become self-sufficient and all about themselves.
The rich loose focus on the things that money simply cannot buy, which are peace, love, joy, goodness, and faith!
The rich loose focus on events that money cannot save them from, such as death, disaster, disease, and accidents.
What does the Bible say:
Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, "working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth".
This has nothing to do with tithing!
It is still true that the rich still get richer while the poor get poorer.
In this wealthy world there are more starving, sick, naked and people living on the streets than there has ever been and governments concentrate on global warming, weapons of warfare, and outer space which are in the hands of God.
We see that riches simply make men selfish!
The more they get the more they want.
They are never satisfied with enough riches!
The rich simply loose thought to compassion and a love for people.
In most every case the rich live with the rewards of this world and miss out on the riches of the glory world!
1Ti 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
It is "People" who are the true riches of this world we live in!
Joh 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
***The full are warned because they are the opposite of those who hunger for righteousness.
They are so full of themselves and of the things this world has to offer that they forget about the things of God!
Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Rom 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Rom 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Rom 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
The judgment on the full is that they will one day hunger!
Luk 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Luk 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
Luk 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
***The merry are also warned.
Laughing means they mock sin.
They indulge in the entertaining of their flesh.
They indulge in carnal and sinful things.
Laughing means they pay no attention to the real world and live in their own little world.
Their conscience is seared.
1Ti 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Laughing means they deny the truth!
2 Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
The Judgment on those who laugh now, is that they will mourn and weep in Hell.
***The warning is strong to those full of self-pride and those who compromise the Word of God.
These are the opposite of all those who are persecuted for Christ's sake!
The worldly, will always speak well of those that live a worldly lifestyle!
Those of the world seek the attention,or they seek a position, or honor, and the praise of others.
2Pe 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2Pe 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
After His warnings, Jesus will always gives us the answer to the problems!
*****Luk 6:27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
Luk 6:28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
Luk 6:29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.
Luk 6:30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
Luk 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
What is the truth of the Word of God? Many just refuse to accept it as the truth and they simply will not hear.
Every true preacher realizes that when he preaches there will always be those in hearing range that will simply close their ears to the truth.
It was the same this day of Jesus!
Jesus was preaching the changed life after salvation and most people will refuse to change the way they think and therefore refuse to repent.
Jesus preached the only form of human relationships that will work!
Jesus preached:
Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
The truth is no Jew was about to love the Romans!
And no Jew was about to love a Samaritan!
Most of the people who gathered at the feet of Jesus that day did not want to hear His message!
***As believers we are to love all mankind and this includes our enemies.
We are simply to respect and honor all men!
No matter the individual, they have a soul that is in need of the God who made them!
Of course this goes against human nature.
Human nature is to hate, strike back, and wish hurt on all our enemies.
Self-preservation is not in itself a sin!
Love does not mean we are to accept wicked behavior!
Love does not mean we are to compromise on the Word of God!
Love does not mean we are giving away a license to sin!
***As believers we are to show mercy and compassion to all humans, in fact on all God's created beings.
Our reaction to our enemies should never be based on their hate for us!
In fact the terrorist of today will use these things against us.
Jesus says to do good to them which hate you!
Doing good goes beyond words and includes doing good things for those who hate so much.
We are to seek some way to reach them with the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ!
Every human being will face some crisis in this world and it may be that even our enemies can be reached during such a personal crisis.
Rom 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Rom 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
***Be a blessing to them.
Speak softly and use kind words no matter their reaction!
Rom 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
***Pray for them.
Today in our world we face more and more of those who despite-fully use us.
It seems the entire world hates the Christian and even attempt to shame us and hurt us personally.
They twist the Word of God into some false thing and then they persecute those who stand on the truth.
If you are a Christian, you have already seen the proof that prayer works!
We simply do not spend enough time praying for our enemies.
We certainly do not spend enough time praying for the lost!
What did Jesus do while He was nailed to the cross?
Luk 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Luk 23:35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
Luk 23:36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
Luk 23:37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
Even while Jesus was praying for them they were still mocking Him!
There is no greater example of our own prayers for our enemies than this prayer of Jesus!.
Jesus paid the price for the sins of all mankind, including His enemies!
When we pray for those that persecute us, we get all the benefits!
***Offer the other cheek.
These words were spoken to drive home the meaning of this sermon.
Let's see how Jesus handled this situation as our example.
Joh 18:22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
Joh 18:23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
Jesus Christ teaches us patience in bearing injuries and not to seek private revenge but if need be, to suffer more than to show our own temper.
Men and most women find these things hard to do!
The truth is, it's better to be struck again than it is to sin in the face of God!
If some one steals your cloke, it is better to given him everything than to sin in the face of God.
God never told us not to defend our homes, God told us to not seek revenge!
The Apostle Paul responded to such a thing in this manner:
Act 23:2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.
Act 23:3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?
We see in both cases that it is God who will revenge His people!
We should do all we can to avoid sin!
We are to help everyone that has a need by realizing the greatest need they have is salvation!
We are to give but God stills says to use discretion!
Psa 112:5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
Deu 15:8 But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.
Even in our verse, God says to give but He does not say to give everything we have!
We must remember we are not of this Earth, just pilgrims passing through. The treasures of this Earth must have very little meaning to us!
If we get too possessive of material things, then we are going against the Word of God!
We simply do not live for the things of this world!
1Ti 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
1Ti 6:18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
1Ti 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
The total purpose of working in a materialistic world is to meet our own needs and to have enough to help those in need!
Act 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
There are some things in the Bible that are known as the golden rules.
One of those is: "As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise"
*****Luk 6:32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
Luk 6:33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
Luk 6:34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
What Jesus is saying is that a believer's behavior must surpass that of a sinner's behavior!
Sinners also love those who love them.
Sinners also do good to those that are good to them.
Sinners also lend seeking to gain or some future favor.
What Jesus is saying is if we cannot live by the Word of God, we are no better than a non-believer!
The world sees goodness as love.
The world sees doing good and lending as being neighborly.
The truth is, these things by themselves will not get you saved.
Jesus Christ denied Himself in order to win the world!
Jesus Christ died to save His enemies!
Jesus Christ did good to those that hated Him!
Jesus Christ loved His enemies!
**Jesus Christ died for the ungodly which includes me and you!
Rom 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
**Jesus Christ died for sinners:
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
**While we were the enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him, by the death of His Son:
Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
BUT, We are saved by His life!
Jesus Christ walked out of that grave because death could not hold Him.
2Co 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
2Co 4:11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
We must clearly understand, No amount of good works can get you into Heaven!
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
It takes the denial of oneself for the sake of reaching the enemies of God!
*****Luk 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
Luk 6:36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
What is the truth? There is no reward unless we live as Jesus said!
*If we do our best to live as Jesus said, then our reward will be great!
All that we suffer and lose on this earth will be restored. In Job's case all he lost was doubled.
All that suffer in the name of Jesus Christ will gain eternal life and inherit all that our Father in Heaven has!
Joh 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pe 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
1Pe 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
*If we do our best to live as Jesus said, we will be adopted into the family of God and be a child of the Highest.
Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Gal 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
*If we do our best to live as Jesus said, we will be acting like a child of God!
1Jn 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
1Jn 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
We are not doing things right until we do the things that Jesus said to do!
And we are to remember, we have only one Judge who can judge our ways and that is the Lord Jesus Christ!
*****Luk 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Luk 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
If we become judges instead of witnesses and then condemn because we are unforgiving of others, then all others and God Himself will treat us the same.
When we become Judges then we will also be judged!
If we have condemned someone then we will also be condemned!
If we refuse to forgive then we will also be unforgiven!
These things will happen here on this earth but also by our Father in Heaven.
To be a true believer is to possess a spirit of giving!
To be a true believer is to be unselfish!
To be a true believer is to have a cup that continues to run over!
Psa 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
The truth is we will receive what we give!
We will get out of a life for God what we put into it!
God saved us for many reasons but He would taken us on to Heaven if we did not have important things to do after our salvation!
Isa 58:6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
Isa 58:7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
Isa 58:8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.
The greatest reward we can have is when we see Jesus we will be just like Him!
1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Remember when we are giving for the Lord, we are not just giving but we are certainly sowing!
Questions?
Let's Pray!
Book of Luke 6:20-49
What is materialism? Materialism is believing the things of this world have great value.
Jesus taught just the opposite of this false belief.
Jesus warns those with such beliefs that severe judgment is coming to them!
Christians sometime have the wrong idea about the promises of Jesus.
Happiness is sought by most all people in this world but there is no moral meaning in happiness.
We certainly are to be happy Christians but our happiness comes from our "blessedness"!
It is blessedness alone that can satisfy the mind and the heart!
These Scriptures today are called the "Beatitudes".
David wrote of the blessed man in the Book of the Psalms:
Psa 32:1 A Psalm of David, Maschil. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Psa 32:2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
Blessedness begins with the forgiveness of sins and then a New Spirit!
*****Luk 6:20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
Luk 6:21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
Luk 6:22 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.
We will be able to see the "Spirit of the Gospel" in these Scriptures.
When we see this word "poor", we should not assume that Jesus is referring to those in poverty or who are financially poor.
Hunger, and those living in the slums are not pleasing to God!
The riches and the bountifulness of this world are under the control of evil men who are led by Satan.
It's ridiculous to use corn to put in gasoline when much of the world is starving for food.
This world has the ability to feed all it's people, yet even in America there are people on starvation!
SO, Jesus was not talking about "material poverty".
Matthew writes this way:
Mat 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
It is all those "poor in spiritual needs" that concern the Lord Jesus!
***To be poor in spirit is to be helpless in the sight of God!
Only God can fill this void and He chose to do this through the Lord Jesus Christ!
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you
***To be poor in spirit is a lack in understanding that true blessings and the blessings of eternal life, come only from a personal relationship with God!
Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
***To be poor in spirit is to be humble in the sight of God.
Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
When we acknowledge that we are poor in spirit, we will turn away from the things of this world.
When we acknowledge that we are poor in spirit, we will place our attention on God and His kingdom.
Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
The opposite of being "poor in spirit" is to be "full of Jesus".
2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
We have no righteousness in our selves without the righteousness of Christ Jesus!
Those who know their spiritual needs will have the kingdom of God!
The same goes for those that hunger.
It is not those with physical hunger but those with spiritual hunger who will be filled!
Being hungry is not a blessing, but a starving spirit will crave righteousness!
Righteousness means not only "to do right" but also "to be right"!
Today there are many in our world who say they have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior but there is no change in the way they live.
This is false security!
If we are filled with the righteousness of Jesus Christ then we will be righteous, not only to be right with God in a personal relationship, but we will be a doer of righteousness to all those around us because Jesus is our example of righteousness in every way.
We simply have no righteousness of our own!
Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Those that think that no matter what they do they are still acceptable to God, but the truth is they live in a world of false righteousness.
The Bible never mentions righteousness without the example of living righteously!
***Self-righteousness leads to legalism!
God gives us the examples of the Pharisees and the Scribes and the Sadducees who followed the laws of Moses but inside were still filthy.
Luk 11:39 And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.
Works will never get you saved!
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
***Self-righteousness leads to being judgmental!
Jesus Christ never says in these Scriptures, "blessed are the righteous" because there are none that are righteous!
Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Jesus says blessed are those that hunger and thirst after righteousness.
It is they who will be filled!
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
We cannot be perfect while still in the flesh but we can be led by the Holy Spirit in the ways of righteousness!
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Those who weep and mourn are the sorrowful.
These are the broken hearted, the desperate, the the helpless.
They weep over sin.
They are broken hearted over evil and suffering from evil.
It is sad that many of us had to reach rock bottom before we realized we needed a Savior.
Thank goodness for the long arms of God!
It is these same people who after their own salvation, who, when they see the suffering of others can be a great witness for the Lord.
It is those who have been through personal tragedies once they are saved can relate to those others who are suffering from personal tragedies.
Our example of these things is still Jesus Christ when we can relate our own suffering by seeing Jesus Christ suffer through the things of the cross!
We may ask any question but Jesus Christ is still the answer to every question!
The promise is that we will all laugh about all these things and all tears will be wiped away one day in Heaven where we will gather with our Lord!
Those that are hated by men are all those who are persecuted for Christ sake.
Being persecuted means being hated, being reproached, being banished, and being martyred.
Those who take a stand for Jesus Christ will be cast out of the land.
Even in America the Christians are being asked to leave!
It is already happening in those places controlled by terrorist but also other governments!
But what is God's answer?
*****Luk 6:23 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.
Christians will suffer in this world, because we are not of this world, just pilgrims passing through!
Joh 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
Joh 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Christians will suffer because we speak of sin!
Joh 15:21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
Joh 15:22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.
Christians will suffer because the world is in the hands of the "Deceiver"!
Joh 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Joh 8:45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
But the rewards will be great in Heaven!
Act 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
1Pe 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1Pe 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
1Pe 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
Thank goodness there is a much greater reward than those 70 virgins of the Muslim faith!
But there are "woes" to many others!
*****Luk 6:24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
Luk 6:25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
Luk 6:26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
We started this lesson by mentioning "materialism" which is having confidence in the things of this world.
And there are many who preach a prosperity "gospel" which also do not follow the Word of God.
God gives us a strong warning of all these things.
There is a warning to the rich!
The rich are those that have put back much after meeting the needs of their family.
Luk 21:1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
Luk 21:2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
Luk 21:3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
Luk 21:4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.
***The rich are warned because because wealth can pull a person away from the Kingdom of Heaven.
It is difficult for a rich man to enter into Heaven!
Mat 19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Riches lure and attract, riches become some imaginary power or force that reaches out to draw us away from the true power of salvation!
Most of the rich, embrace their riches and not the God who allowed them to have those riches!
The wealthy are usually honored and envied.
The wealthy seem to have power over others.
Their downfall, is that the wealthy become self-sufficient and all about themselves.
The rich loose focus on the things that money simply cannot buy, which are peace, love, joy, goodness, and faith!
The rich loose focus on events that money cannot save them from, such as death, disaster, disease, and accidents.
What does the Bible say:
Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, "working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth".
This has nothing to do with tithing!
It is still true that the rich still get richer while the poor get poorer.
In this wealthy world there are more starving, sick, naked and people living on the streets than there has ever been and governments concentrate on global warming, weapons of warfare, and outer space which are in the hands of God.
We see that riches simply make men selfish!
The more they get the more they want.
They are never satisfied with enough riches!
The rich simply loose thought to compassion and a love for people.
In most every case the rich live with the rewards of this world and miss out on the riches of the glory world!
1Ti 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
It is "People" who are the true riches of this world we live in!
Joh 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
***The full are warned because they are the opposite of those who hunger for righteousness.
They are so full of themselves and of the things this world has to offer that they forget about the things of God!
Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Rom 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Rom 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Rom 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
The judgment on the full is that they will one day hunger!
Luk 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Luk 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
Luk 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
***The merry are also warned.
Laughing means they mock sin.
They indulge in the entertaining of their flesh.
They indulge in carnal and sinful things.
Laughing means they pay no attention to the real world and live in their own little world.
Their conscience is seared.
1Ti 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Laughing means they deny the truth!
2 Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
The Judgment on those who laugh now, is that they will mourn and weep in Hell.
***The warning is strong to those full of self-pride and those who compromise the Word of God.
These are the opposite of all those who are persecuted for Christ's sake!
The worldly, will always speak well of those that live a worldly lifestyle!
Those of the world seek the attention,or they seek a position, or honor, and the praise of others.
2Pe 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2Pe 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
After His warnings, Jesus will always gives us the answer to the problems!
*****Luk 6:27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
Luk 6:28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
Luk 6:29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.
Luk 6:30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
Luk 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
What is the truth of the Word of God? Many just refuse to accept it as the truth and they simply will not hear.
Every true preacher realizes that when he preaches there will always be those in hearing range that will simply close their ears to the truth.
It was the same this day of Jesus!
Jesus was preaching the changed life after salvation and most people will refuse to change the way they think and therefore refuse to repent.
Jesus preached the only form of human relationships that will work!
Jesus preached:
Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
The truth is no Jew was about to love the Romans!
And no Jew was about to love a Samaritan!
Most of the people who gathered at the feet of Jesus that day did not want to hear His message!
***As believers we are to love all mankind and this includes our enemies.
We are simply to respect and honor all men!
No matter the individual, they have a soul that is in need of the God who made them!
Of course this goes against human nature.
Human nature is to hate, strike back, and wish hurt on all our enemies.
Self-preservation is not in itself a sin!
Love does not mean we are to accept wicked behavior!
Love does not mean we are to compromise on the Word of God!
Love does not mean we are giving away a license to sin!
***As believers we are to show mercy and compassion to all humans, in fact on all God's created beings.
Our reaction to our enemies should never be based on their hate for us!
In fact the terrorist of today will use these things against us.
Jesus says to do good to them which hate you!
Doing good goes beyond words and includes doing good things for those who hate so much.
We are to seek some way to reach them with the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ!
Every human being will face some crisis in this world and it may be that even our enemies can be reached during such a personal crisis.
Rom 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Rom 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
***Be a blessing to them.
Speak softly and use kind words no matter their reaction!
Rom 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
***Pray for them.
Today in our world we face more and more of those who despite-fully use us.
It seems the entire world hates the Christian and even attempt to shame us and hurt us personally.
They twist the Word of God into some false thing and then they persecute those who stand on the truth.
If you are a Christian, you have already seen the proof that prayer works!
We simply do not spend enough time praying for our enemies.
We certainly do not spend enough time praying for the lost!
What did Jesus do while He was nailed to the cross?
Luk 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Luk 23:35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
Luk 23:36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
Luk 23:37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
Even while Jesus was praying for them they were still mocking Him!
There is no greater example of our own prayers for our enemies than this prayer of Jesus!.
Jesus paid the price for the sins of all mankind, including His enemies!
When we pray for those that persecute us, we get all the benefits!
***Offer the other cheek.
These words were spoken to drive home the meaning of this sermon.
Let's see how Jesus handled this situation as our example.
Joh 18:22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
Joh 18:23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
Jesus Christ teaches us patience in bearing injuries and not to seek private revenge but if need be, to suffer more than to show our own temper.
Men and most women find these things hard to do!
The truth is, it's better to be struck again than it is to sin in the face of God!
If some one steals your cloke, it is better to given him everything than to sin in the face of God.
God never told us not to defend our homes, God told us to not seek revenge!
The Apostle Paul responded to such a thing in this manner:
Act 23:2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.
Act 23:3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?
We see in both cases that it is God who will revenge His people!
We should do all we can to avoid sin!
We are to help everyone that has a need by realizing the greatest need they have is salvation!
We are to give but God stills says to use discretion!
Psa 112:5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
Deu 15:8 But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.
Even in our verse, God says to give but He does not say to give everything we have!
We must remember we are not of this Earth, just pilgrims passing through. The treasures of this Earth must have very little meaning to us!
If we get too possessive of material things, then we are going against the Word of God!
We simply do not live for the things of this world!
1Ti 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
1Ti 6:18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
1Ti 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
The total purpose of working in a materialistic world is to meet our own needs and to have enough to help those in need!
Act 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
There are some things in the Bible that are known as the golden rules.
One of those is: "As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise"
*****Luk 6:32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
Luk 6:33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
Luk 6:34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
What Jesus is saying is that a believer's behavior must surpass that of a sinner's behavior!
Sinners also love those who love them.
Sinners also do good to those that are good to them.
Sinners also lend seeking to gain or some future favor.
What Jesus is saying is if we cannot live by the Word of God, we are no better than a non-believer!
The world sees goodness as love.
The world sees doing good and lending as being neighborly.
The truth is, these things by themselves will not get you saved.
Jesus Christ denied Himself in order to win the world!
Jesus Christ died to save His enemies!
Jesus Christ did good to those that hated Him!
Jesus Christ loved His enemies!
**Jesus Christ died for the ungodly which includes me and you!
Rom 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
**Jesus Christ died for sinners:
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
**While we were the enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him, by the death of His Son:
Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
BUT, We are saved by His life!
Jesus Christ walked out of that grave because death could not hold Him.
2Co 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
2Co 4:11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
We must clearly understand, No amount of good works can get you into Heaven!
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
It takes the denial of oneself for the sake of reaching the enemies of God!
*****Luk 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
Luk 6:36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
What is the truth? There is no reward unless we live as Jesus said!
*If we do our best to live as Jesus said, then our reward will be great!
All that we suffer and lose on this earth will be restored. In Job's case all he lost was doubled.
All that suffer in the name of Jesus Christ will gain eternal life and inherit all that our Father in Heaven has!
Joh 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pe 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
1Pe 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
*If we do our best to live as Jesus said, we will be adopted into the family of God and be a child of the Highest.
Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Gal 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
*If we do our best to live as Jesus said, we will be acting like a child of God!
1Jn 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
1Jn 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
We are not doing things right until we do the things that Jesus said to do!
And we are to remember, we have only one Judge who can judge our ways and that is the Lord Jesus Christ!
*****Luk 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Luk 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
If we become judges instead of witnesses and then condemn because we are unforgiving of others, then all others and God Himself will treat us the same.
When we become Judges then we will also be judged!
If we have condemned someone then we will also be condemned!
If we refuse to forgive then we will also be unforgiven!
These things will happen here on this earth but also by our Father in Heaven.
To be a true believer is to possess a spirit of giving!
To be a true believer is to be unselfish!
To be a true believer is to have a cup that continues to run over!
Psa 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
The truth is we will receive what we give!
We will get out of a life for God what we put into it!
God saved us for many reasons but He would taken us on to Heaven if we did not have important things to do after our salvation!
Isa 58:6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
Isa 58:7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
Isa 58:8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.
The greatest reward we can have is when we see Jesus we will be just like Him!
1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Remember when we are giving for the Lord, we are not just giving but we are certainly sowing!
Questions?
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