The Pathway to Harvest
speaking notes

 

(since this is my speaking notes, you may need to read between the lines and consider possible explanations agents the given scriptures)

 

Luke 6:20-49
-how to be spiritually productive

-a set of attitudes

-remove the world’s mindset

“why” before the “how”…
Why we need a new mindset: (43-49)
-if we have blind-worldly mindsets, we can’t lead another blind anywhere helpful.

- Removing the world’s mindset from our “eye” … show them the right mindset
- remove the plank and then help with the speck. That’s how they learn

-If we are God’s people, we shouldn’t have a poor harvest (just like a good tree doesn’t bear bad fruit)
-A good man brings forth good; likewise for evil.
We need good treasure inside = mindset
 

-If we call Him Lord, we need to be obedient. When we hear God and obey, we build a firm foundation. Otherwise, what we’re working for will be for nothing.
 

Mindset 1: Accept the Valleys (20-26)

It is good to be in hard times. “Without valleys, there wouldn’t be mountains”.
Christ gives more specific examples: (20-23)
-those now poor will be blessed with the kingdom of God later
-those now hungry will have food later
-those sad will be happy later
-those who people hate for Christ’s sake have a great reward in heaven later
The good thing about having downs is that they were created so we can go up. However, in the same way, the opposite is true of the ups in life.
Christ gives some examples of this too: (24-26)
-those who are rich now are already satisfied
-those who are well-fed now will be hungry
-those who laugh now will mourn and weep
-those who people speak well of are being tricked

Mindset 2: Showing Love (27-36)
We think love should be easy, but the truth is that usually it isn’t love until it’s hard. Loving the world requires things that hurt us in nearly every way.
Christ gives these examples: (27-31)
- Love your enemies
- Do good to those who hate you
- Bless those who curse you
- pray for those who mistreat you
- If someone hurts you, let them hurt you again
- Whoever takes from you, give them more
- give to everyone who asks of you
- don’t ask for your stolen stuff back
- Do to others what you wish they’d do for you
Love isn’t natural either. It’s a choice that doesn’t make sense to our proud and selfish minds. There are worldly standards of right and wrong that don’t accomplish anything spiritually, because they are the world’s standards.
Christ explains: (32-34)
- No credit in loving those who love us
- No credit in doing good to those who do good to us
- No credit in lending something we intend to get back

Go beyond these standards to love your enemies
Christ says: (35-36)
- do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return… then your reward will be great. God is even kind to the unthankful and evil, just as we should also show this mercy.

Mindset 3: Deeds are Your Seeds (37-42)
Whatever action you take towards people, you will get that same action back.
Christ tells us:
-Don’t judge and you won’t be judged
-Don’t condemns and you won’t be condemned
-Forgive and you will be forgiven
-Give and it will be given to you