Exploring God’s Word with Brad Thurston

What’s so Special About the Kingdom of God - Part 3

Part 3 of the beatitudes focuses on the quality of life in the Kingdom of God. An examination of Luke 6:37-38.

1. Judgement, condemnation, and pardon

a. Not a focus on our judicial system, but he addresses disciples!
b. Personal attitudes are in play here, and Jesus points to our basic attitudes of self preservation, being right, and wanting to think more of ourselves (or less) than we should
c. Jesus will go through these trials personally on his way to the cross
d. In doing so, he reiterates the previous admonition in 35
e. These are the things that upset us the most

2. Counteract judgement by giving

a. The practice in heaping stuff in the basket or displaying it in the market
b. God has the same practice in our lives.
c. This passage and the one previous often deal with money. True
d. But it also deals with all things we are stewards of.
e. It focuses on our faith in Jesus.
f. We hang on to material possessions, but we can overcome our dependence upon them by trusting Jesus to meet our needs. Example
g. Learn to give and grow in your giving and stewardship