The Moody Church Sunday Morning Podcast

What is a good person? It’s quite an important question. Have you ever felt like you knew someone who seemed like such a good person and then one day, it all came crashing down?Have you ever wondered if you are a good person?Consider these 4 parables that Jesus preaches in the Sermon of the Plain:The Blind Leading the Blind

The Speck and the Log

The Fruit and the Tree

The House Built on a RockIn each of these 4 parables, Jesus offers a critique and a calling, as he teaches us what it means to be a good person.The Blind Leading the BlindCritique: You’re helplessly lost in the dark.You can’t see to save yourself.Calling: I’m here to lead you into the light.If you want to become a good person, you need to step into the light.

Jesus is here to lead you into the light.The Speck and the LogCritique: You’re obsessed with the problems of others.A symptom of our spiritual blindness is easily identifying the sins of others while remaining oblivious to our own sins.Calling: I’ll teach you to be responsible for yourself.Take the log out of your own eye, and then you’ll see clearly enough to help others.

Because the biggest problem in your life isn’t somebody else, it’s you.The Fruit and the TreeCritique: You’re attempting behavior modification.Behavior flows from being.

No amount of behavior modification will change the badness that’s in your heart.Calling: I’m offering you heart transformation.I’m calling you to come to me because I can give you a new heart.

If you want to become a good person, you’ll need a good heart.The House Built on a RockCritique: You’re in for a catastrophic wipeoutA storm will come along that’ll expose your lack of foundation, and that “good person” image will collapse.Calling: I’m giving you the blueprint for an enduring lifeTakeaway: Come to me. Hear my words. Do them. And live!

When comparing Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain in Luke with Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, we get the same core message. But in Luke, Jesus is much more efficient and to the point. This means in Luke, we’re getting the core of Jesus’ central message. There are 3 major elements:The Blessings and WoesWhat is the good life?The Ethics of LoveWhat is the good way?The Closing ParablesWhat is a good person?Today, our focus is on that middle section - Jesus’ Ethics of Love: What is the good way? We will be following three key phrases that build into one complete sentence: Love your enemies as your Father does, with overflowing mercy.Love Your EnemiesBy loving your enemies you are:Embracing the Kingdom of Heaven.

Breaking the cycle of violence.

Reclaiming your agency.

Opening up a window of grace.The good way overcomes evil with good.As Your Father DoesThe good way to love your enemies is to love even when it’s not reciprocal.

We were once God’s enemies, but Jesus laid down his life for us.

The good way follows in our Father’s footsteps.With Overflowing MercyIn God’s mercy, he moved toward us, His enemies, with forgiveness and generosity.

Mercy is:Eager to forgive.

Triumphant over judgment.

Full of lavish grace.The good way unites in the hope of redemption.Takeaway: As an apprentice of the good way of Jesus, who will you extend love to this week? Love Your Enemies as your father does, with Overflowing Mercy. This is the good way of Jesus.

Jesus has been causing quite a stir up in Galilee. Many are drawing near in astonishment and faith. While others are recoiling back in skepticism and disbelief. Jesus’ own followers are starting to feel the heat. They’ve left everything and followed Him. Now the Pharisees are starting to question where their loyalties lie. Of course, we know the answer. Because in Luke 6:12-16, we read that Jesus called his disciples to Himself and chose twelve of them to join His inner circle as Apostles. They’ve decided to go “all in” with Jesus. And with these words, Jesus begins what scholars call “The Sermon on the Plain.” It bears many similarities to the Sermon on the Mount recorded in Matthew. In both sermons, Jesus begins the same, “Makarios!” Which means blessed, happy, well-off, and favored. It’s the Good Life! In these opening verses, Jesus is answering three crucial questions:Who has the Good Life?

What is the Good Life?

Where is the Good Life? 1. Who has the Good Life?The good life belongs to the most unlikely people.

Despite poverty, hunger, or exclusion, the Good Life belongs to those who seek Christ. 2. What is the Good Life?The good life is citizenship in the kingdom of God.

Jesus shows us what the Good Life is by pairing these couplets of “Blessings” and “Woes” in this passage.

You can be a loser in the kingdoms of men, but if you belong to the kingdom of God, you’re a winner. 3. Where is the Good Life?The good life is found in the presence of Jesus.

Rejections shall fade in His embrace.

Give me Jesus. Give me Jesus! You can have all this world, give me Jesus! Takeaway: Which Good Life are you living for?Are we living for the Good Life here and now? Or are we living for the real Good Life that begins now and comes in fullness in the age to come? Matthew 6:18–33 says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 24 No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. 31 Do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” “Aim at Heaven and you will get Earth 'thrown in': aim at Earth and you will get neither.” - C.S. Lewis

A Personal God

The God of History

The God of Liberation

A Holy GodTakeaway: God – not nature – is the ultimate foundation of our existence. And, as he has shown us in history, he is on our side.

“No one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.” With those words, recorded here at the heart of Luke 5 & 6, Jesus is setting the stage for what He’s doing as His ministry begins. Like wine ripening in the leather wineskins, Jesus is going to stretch everyone’s confined expectations to make way for the expansive kingdom that is already breaking into the world in Himself. In this passage, Jesus will bring the Pharisees to their breaking point, as he wields with increasing boldness, His miracle-working power. The Cleanser (5:12-16)Jesus cleanses by becoming unclean.Jesus stretched out his hand and touched the untouchable man full of leprosy.

He exchanges his cleanliness to take on the man’s uncleanliness.The Forgiver (5:17-26)Jesus forgives by becoming unforgivable.The Pharisees will never forgive Jesus for what He did for the paralyzed man.

This charge of blasphemy will follow Jesus to the cross.

The paralyzed man was guilty and helpless, but Jesus exchanged places with him.The Protector (6:1-5)Jesus protects by becoming unprotected.Jesus’ disciples were under attack for violating the Sabbath. But when Jesus declared himself to be the Lord of the Sabbath, the Pharisees came after him.

To protect the disciples, Jesus switched places with them and took on the attacks from the Pharisees.The Restorer (6:6-11)Jesus restores by becoming unrestorable.After restoring the man's withered hand, Jesus became unrestorable in the Pharisee’s minds.Takeaway: Jesus is our substitute in every wayJesus’ actions in this passage foreshadow the cross…The Cleanser who removed the leprosy of our sin, by taking it all upon Himself.

The Forgiver who made atonement for sin, by becoming sin for us.

The Protector who stood between us and the accuser and offered His life in our place.

The Restorer who brought life, by enduring death for us. For on the cross Jesus died in our place and for our sake, bearing all our sin and shame, and rose again to make us right forever with God. He is our substitute in every way.

As we come to chapters 5 & 6, we find Dr. Luke brings together two themes like a zipper. Jesus is beginning his ministry, and many are drawn to him and choosing to become one of his followers. Yet on the other side, many are skeptical of him, especially the Scribes and the Pharisees. Dr. Luke is zippering these two themes together, going back and forth between the Disciples who are drawing near and the Pharisees who are keeping their distance. For today, we will focus our attention on the call of discipleship. The Command of JesusJesus’ Authority is BroadHe knew where the fish were, and they caught a large number (5:6a).Jesus’ Vision is WideThe fishermen caught so many fish they needed two boats (5:6b–7).Jesus’ Ministry is StretchingJust as the fishing nets were stretching, so will we be stretched in ministry (5:8–11).Jesus’ Call is TransformingThese fishermen will no longer be catching fish, but men.The Companions of JesusJesus’ Authority is BroadJesus commanded the attention of the tax-collector, Levi (5:29, 6:12–16).Jesus’ Vision is WideJesus wants to see all people reconciled to Himself (5:30–39).Jesus’ Ministry is StretchingJesus’ twelve disciples felt the change and stretching of Jesus’ ministry (6:13).Jesus’ Call is TransformingIt all began with a simple call to follow Jesus (5:27b, 5:10b).The Commission of JesusJesus’ Authority is BroadHe is the Lord and Master of all of life (Matthew 28:18–20).Jesus’ Vision is WideHe wants all people to come and follow Him (19b–20).Jesus’ Ministry is StretchingThis monumental task will bring Jesus’ disciples to their breaking point, but He knows what He’s doing (20b).Jesus’ Call is TransformingBecause He is with us, what was impossible on our own is now ours to receive.Takeaways:Will I follow Jesus’ Authority?

Will I embrace Jesus’ Vision?

Will I stretch toward Jesus’ Ministry?

Will I surrender to Jesus’ Calling?

One of the best descriptions of Jesus is found in Hebrews 1:3, "He is the radiance of the glory of God, the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power." Jesus is the glory of God up close and personal. If you want to know what God is like look at Jesus! When God speaks and brings all creation into existence, that Word is Jesus. Through Him, all things were made and by Him, all things are sustained. When Jesus speaks stuff happens. This passage shows Jesus, the incarnate Word of God, wielding the word of His power with astonishing authority as He's, dispatching demons, and mending maladies. Astonishing AuthorityWhat gave Jesus' teaching such astonishing authority? His Approach, His Content, and His Person.

At the King's word, souls stir.When the incarnate Word of God opens up the inspired word of God, soul's stir and come to life. Dispatching DemonsThe demon in this passage wants Jesus to be quiet and leave town. It's a challenge to Jesus' authority.At the word of Jesus, the evil spirit flees the scene.At the King's word, darkness trembles. Mending MaladiesJesus lays His hands on the sick to bring them healing.In both creation and re-creation God uses the hands-on approach.At the King's word, renewal begins. Takeaway: If God is for us, who can stand against us?The One who upholds the universe by the word of His power has given us His word that He will never leave us, nor will He ever forsake us. He promises to be with us always and to the very end. And if God is for us, who can stand against us?

In The Lord of The Rings, when Frodo, Sam, Pippen, and Mary return to the Shire, they come home changed. When they left, they were a ragtag bunch of mischievous friends, but now they’re heroes. However, the other hobbits of The Shire don’t know about their adventures. So, as these four friends arrive home in all their regalia, their old neighbors are left staring. In Luke 4, at His own homecoming, something a bit like that happens to Jesus. He comes back to Nazareth and He’s changed. The Father endorsed Him from Heaven and the Spirit descended upon Him. And now Jesus returns North to Galilee in the power of the Spirit to begin His ministry and His old neighbors don’t know what to do with Him. This is Jesus’ homecoming where He reveals to his childhood friends and neighbors, just who He is, and why He’s come. Luke 4:16–21 | The Prophecy - The days of renewal are here in Jesus. Jesus is teaching about the prophecies from the book of Isaiah in the synagogue. Jesus proclaims that those prophecies have been fulfilled. He is the Servant of the Lord and He is bringing the days of renewal. Luke 4:22–24 | The Prejudice - The days of humbling are here in Jesus The people spoke well of Jesus and marveled at what he was saying, but they couldn’t get over who was saying it. They ask him to perform a miracle like he’s done elsewhere. But he simply replies that no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. Instead of humbling their hearts, they begin to resist Jesus’ teaching even more. Luke 4:25–30 | The Peril - The days of decision are here in Jesus Jesus references the stories of Elijah and Elisha to make the point that Israel rejects the Lord's prophets. When you reject God’s mercies and the renewal of all things, great peril will come before you. Jesus’ warning makes the people livid, and they want to throw him off of a cliff. But Jesus slips away. No one can take his life from him. Jesus has come, and with Him, are the days of renewal. But they will only be ours if we humbly receive Him. Takeaway: What will you do with Jesus? C. S. Lewis, in Mere Christianity

“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him:I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”

When being interviewed for a job, people are always asking about the same things: your background, your credentials, your qualifications, and your experience. They’re trying to see if there’s a fit between the job and what you have to offer. You’ve got to get the right person in the right assignment if you want to have the right outcomes. In 1st century Israel, there was one position in particular that so many longed to see filled, the Messiah. Then one day, Jesus of Nazareth stepped out onto the stage of history as the Savior of the World. Luke is going to show us that Jesus stands alone, uniquely prepared, to be a Savior like none other. Luke gives us three accounts concerning Jesus. His Baptism, His Genealogy, and His Temptation. Let’s consider each of these accounts as we discover Jesus to be the Son of God, the Son of Man, and the Son of Righteousness. 1) Son of God - Luke 3:21–22

In His Baptism – We see Jesus is divine.Jesus’ baptism brings hope to all of creation.2) Son of Man - Luke 3:23–38

In His Genealogy – We see Jesus is human.Son of David - heir of the throne.

Son of Abraham - heir of the promise.

Son of Adam - heir of humanity.3) Son of Righteousness - Luke 4:1–13

In His Temptations – We see Jesus is perfect.Jesus is the true and better Israel, Adam, and humanity.Takeaway: Jesus is our only, all-sufficient Savior!

Dr. Luke has been weaving together the stories of these two remarkable boys—John and Jesus—born six months apart, both of whom will be integral in this new chapter of redemption that God is writing in salvation history. God is clearly on the move, and these two boys will be central to His saving work as it breaks through! The last we heard of John was in Luke 1:80, “And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.” But today we’re going to see him rising into the height of his ministry. John the Baptist will prepare the way of the Lord, crying out as a voice in the wilderness. John’s call, in this passage, is to the “why”, “what”, and the “how” of repentance. The “Why” of Repentance Repentance is a call to rethink the way you’re living, to turn around, and head in a whole new direction. Repentance feels like death, but it is the only way to life. The “What” of Repentance (3:3-6) There are four major life-patterns that John is calling people to turn away from.Cultural Religiosity (3:7-9)

In John’s day, like ours, people hid behind their religious cultural heritage and failed to love God for themselves.When the Lord shows up, He will separate those who truly know him and are bearing good fruit, from those who are fruitlessly going along with the religious cultural flow.Disintegrated Faith (3:10-14)

Repentance is about getting right with God, but the fruit of repentance is about living right with others. Loving God rightly means loving others rightly.Hypocritical Fakery (3:15-17)

Jesus will baptize, not with water but the Holy Spirit and fire.The Lord is separating the valuable and genuine from what is worthless and false. Jesus can see through all the fakery, and He’ll sort it out perfectly on the day of judgment.Defiant Indulgence (3:19-20)

John called Herod out for his Defiant Indulgence. Herod figured that the rules didn’t apply to him because he was in power.Repentance is turning away from ourselves, and turning instead toward God. The “How” of Repentance Whenever we feel the weight of conviction, we’re faced with a choice. To yield in tenderness or to become defensive. Repentance means surrendering to the Lord and walking in faithful obedience.

That’s why we need Jesus. Jesus took the fire; he felt the purging and rose again to clothe us in his righteousness forever. Takeaway: Repentance is good news, if you and I will receive it.