Luke 6:27-38
Compassionate
• Americans have been having a real problem with
dehumanizing people. We generalize, and label other people
to create a “lesser-than” mentality. We call people racist, or
ignorant, or some other title, so that we can absolve ourselves
of guilt when we judge them.
• Jesus was different. He loved all people, and saw them as
worthy of His time. He would confront His critics, showing
them how to be compassionate in the process.
• Can you disagree with someone and still love them? Explain
• Context
• Today’s study comes from what has been called the Sermon
on the Plain. Luke 6:17 since it says it “took place on a level
place”
• It has some common themes from the Sermon on the Mount
• There is a variation of the beatitudes
• The central idea is to love other people through mercy and
forgiveness
• Love All
• Luke 6:27-28
◦““But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do
good to those who hate you, bless those who curse
you, pray for those who abuse you.”
• Jesus emphasizes the difference between non-believers and
His followers.
• One of the primary differences between believers and non-
believers is how we view our enemies. We aren’t to return evil
for evil. We are to do good to those who hate us.
• This is hard to do, but we should really pity those that hate us.
They don’t have our peace, our love, or our salvation.
Returning good to them may be what they need to see what it
means to be a Christian.
• When it says bless those who curse you, this is more than just
us doing good to them. It’s a desire for God’s blessings for
these people.
• What makes it so difficult to pray for someone who mistreats
you?
• Luke 6:29-31
◦“To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other
also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not
withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs
from you, and from one who takes away your goods do
not demand them back. And as you wish that others
would do to you, do so to them.”
• We need to be willing to suffer for Jesus’ sake.
• We need to be willing to give more than is our natural
tendency to do so.
• When someone asks for a handout, we shouldn’t judge their
motives, but give generously to them.
• The sayings in these verses aren’t necessarily a set of rules to
be followed, but rather a reflection of the type of attitude
Christians should have.
• We should react to circumstances differently than the rest of
the world.
• With a Pure Heart
• Luke 6:32-36
◦““If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to
you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if
you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit
is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you
lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what
credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to
get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and
do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and
your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the
Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”
• These verses are a call to question our motives in how we
respond to people.
• We should do good to people, wether we are going to gain
something in return or not.
• Christianity isn’t quid pro quo. We recognize that nothing we
have is truly ours. It all comes from God. So we should give
freely.
• The verses go on to show that this is the same way God
reacts to us and others.
• He is gracious to those who are ungrateful.
• He is merciful to us, even though we don’t always deserve it.
So, we should grant mercy to others, just as we have received
mercy.
• Which of these commands is most difficult to follow?
• And With Mercy
• Luke 6:37-38
◦““Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not,
and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be
forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good
measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over,
will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use
it will be measured back to you.””
• Only God is in a position to judge others. We can’t sit as
judge and jury.
• The part that says you will not be judged is qualified in the
Sermon on the Mount
• Matthew 7:2
◦“For with the judgment you pronounce you will be
judged, and with the measure you use it will be
measured to you.”
• So it would benefit us to extend a lot of forgiveness and mercy
• I find it surprising, though, that Christians often times are the
most judgmental.
• It turns a lot of people off from church.
• Conclusion
• Believers are to treat all people with dignity and respect
• Believers are to love all people with pure intentions
• Believers are to exhibit God’s character in this world
