Make Sure Your Plan Is Based On God's Way

Series: Things Jesus Wants Us To Know

Part 5 - - Make Sure Your Plan Is Based On God's Way

Luke 6:37 - 49

INTRO: Four weeks ago I started a series entitled "Things Jesus Wants Us To Know." Part 1 was, "He Is The One Sent By God For You." In that we saw that Jesus was and is identified as the only Son of God in whom we can place our trust and confidence in for salvation. Part 2 was, "Satan Can Be Defeated (Through Jesus)." Jesus wants us to know this as He set the example and gives us encouragement to fight and resist Satan. Then, for Part 3 I looked at Luke 5 where I used, Come And Follow Me (All The Way)." Last week I looked into Luke 6 and our need to take time out for God while we can.

Today I want to continue in Luke 6 and see what Jesus wants us to know about how we should plan and live our lives.

Luke 6:37 - 49 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.
Today we are going to look at some scripture that reminds me of an advice column. IT is filled with one story after another that points us the right way. Whether or not we accept this advice or just brush it aside is up to us.
First, we can see Jesus had…
Good advice for the hearer:
Here we see He starts a short discourse filled with all kinds of advice.
It has been my experience that many times (not always) the difference in good advice and poor advice is whether or not the one receiving advice listens!

Does God talk to you?
Do you listen to Him?
Do you act properly on His advice?

Okay, we can see in verses 37 and 38, Jesus in His wisdom tells us…
What goes around comes around 37-38

When we treat someone a certain way, they tend to treat us the same
Jesus encourages us to break the ice (so to speak) and give

Certainly there is money
Also we can give a hand
There is also time to give
And, let us not forget ourselves

Don't be stingy to others
Be a good friend and you will have great friends

Jesus' advice: Do good to others and you won't regret it - it is right!

Have you ever gotten in the wrong line? Have you ever followed someone whom you trusted, and they led you the wrong way?
[Share story about exit on I 75].
Sometimes people are really wandering around as if blind in life. They make mistakes only to lead those following them into trouble. That brings us to the next advice Jesus gives.
Make sure you are following the right one - 39-40

Are they blinded by…
Ambition and power?
Greed and selfishness?
Even by Satan?
Or are they enlightened, given to…
Concern and kindness?
Rightness and integrity?
Following His Word?
Aware of, or better yet…in touch, or in sync with God and His Son?
The real questions are…
Do they have the spiritual vision for us to trust in their direction?
Or are we able to see - that we do not follow the wrong way?
Are they (or you) following the right Master?
Jesus' advice: Don't follow one who is blind (spiritually) you won’t like the outcome

Now Jesus continues with another lesson…
Be careful of the stones you (pick up to) throw 41-42

We can find many reasons to toss "stones" at others

If we don't pick them up we cannot throw them

They are often based in our own errors and sins
They can see our problems and sins better than we
We cannot help others if we cannot help ourselves
We will cause great damage
Jesus' advice: take care of you own problems and sins before you (can) help others or it will get messy!

Next, Jesus conveys another lesson for us…
You can take the boy out of the country, but you cannot take the country out of the boy - 43-45

We are either good or corrupt - 43-45

Goodness comes from the Lord
Corruptness from Satan - 43a

Our inner being breaks out for all to see - 44-45

Sinners sin - bring forth "thorns"
Believers do right, bring forth "figs" or "grapes"

Last today, I ask you…
Is His advice going in one ear and out the other? - 46-49

Good advice is priceless
Good advice unheeded is worthless
Good advice starts at their mouth
Good advice ends at our ears
People talk a good talk, but do they walk a good walk? - 46

People react in front of others with…
"Yes sir, yes sir, yes sir."
"I hear you!"
"Yep that's right!"
Etc.
But they follow up with a different idea…
"I know what I'll do…"
"I'll do it my way!"
"He doesn't understand!"
Etc.

There are consequences both good and bad when we either listen or fail to heed the Lord's teachings in our lives. - 47-49

Build our lives on a strong foundation and we will endure

His strength is our strength
We are seen by those around us (including our families)
Their lives are affected as well

When we build on shifting sand it all comes crashing down

Our weakness is our doom
We are seen by those around us
Their lives are affected as well

Jesus' advice: Don't just listen to listen, but hear and do what He says to you!
How can we hear what Jesus has to tell us today?

His Word teaches us, strengthens us, guides us
His Holy Spirit talks to us (in our heart)
He pursues speak to you today?

How can we follow Him?

Tell Him you are a sinner and that you need His help
Acknowledge Him as God's Son, your savior
Ask Him to come into your life
Confess that you are a sinner and that He is your cure
Believe on Him and walk with Him
Let His light shine in you for others to see}}}}}}}}}}}}

Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church - 040107am