Preparing for the End of the Year Part 3
Luke 6:27-38

As we continue looking at our approaching of the year 2006, it is important that we look at our lives with a good deal of scrutinization. We need to self examine our lives so no one else needs to!

The Lord sees our every step, struggle, success, and sorrow. He is willing to help us as we approach the end off this year. Is it too late to change what we have done this year? mostly - Yes. However, we can learn from our (many) mistakes and build upon them to the point that we improve next year.

We have already looked at the need for prayer and a determined stand for the Lord today I want to look at how introspection is important in our lives for improvement.

Luke 6:27 - 49 27But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. 29And 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. 30Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. 31And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. 32For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. 33And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. 34And 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. 35But 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. 36Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. 37Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: 38Give, 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. 39And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? 40The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. 41And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 42Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye. 43For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 44For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. 45A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. 46And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? 47Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like: 48He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. 49But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

I. We need to have a deep caring for all souls in our hearts!

A. Love our (YOUR) enemies
1. Do good unto them - 27
2. Pray for them - 28
3. Withhold angry reactions - 29
4. Be benevolent - 30
5. Live the golden rule -- 31
B. Treat people without selfish motives
1. Is equal treatment to others the proper way? - 33,34
2. Be the shining example of the Christmas Spirit for the rest of this year and ingrain it into your life and be this way in 2006 - 35

II. We need to use a deep searching into our souls and heart's intents

A. Cease from unscriptural judging - 37
1. Judge not
2. Condemn not
3. Forgive
4. Give (i.e. understanding, compassion, caring, etc.)
B. Take care of SELF as we approach the end of this year - 39-45
1. Self-examination handles most of our REAL problems - 39-45
2. Looking at others and solving ALL of their problems is unscriptural 41,42
3. Making sure we bear the right fruit should be our main goal! - 43,44
4. Live like a "good man"! - 45

 

Gary Marcum - New Beginnings 121105pm - First used - 120896am