Hearing and Doing

N.T.#524 "Hearing and Doing"

April 9, 2025 

Luke 6-Part 15

LET IT GLOW

For the last three days it has been pouring down rain. Our dirt roads are washing, streams are flooding, and yards are a swamp. However, we did need rain very much, just not this much. Although, my life is built upon the Rock of Jesus and nit shifting sand.

Leadership in God's kingdom bears little resemblance to leadership in the world. Jesus describes the difference using 3 parables:

1. 1. The blind leading the blind (verses 39-42)
2. 2. The produce of good and bad trees (verses 43-45)
3. 3. The wise builder and the foolish builder (verses 46-49)

In the first two illustrations, we find the difference between genuine citizens of God's kingdom and those who merely pretend. A blind person usually takes the elbow of a sighted person who leads the sightless person through unfamiliar territory, helping them avoid obstacles and pitfalls. What good is a blind guide? Those who reject God's Messiah and teach others to do so will lead them to destruction. Is the character and conduct of our Master shining through, because discipleship is a reflection of the Life of Christ?

The third reveals the devastating consequences of disobedience. The spiritually blind cannot lead a spiritually blind person. It's like do as I say, not as I do. The Pharisees were good at that. 

Good trees produce good fruit and bad trees produce bad fruit. Apple trees produce apples. You can identify people who follow God based on what they say and do. Spiritual leaders are to lead by example. The good spiritual leader produces good fruit of the Spirit. Jesus is their authority and teacher, not them. 

We speak and act from the overflow of the heart. (verse 45)

The wise person builds their life on Jesus and His Word. Because his foundation is built upon the Rock, when the rains and flood come, it does not crumble. 

Are we having spiritual eyesight? Does our life produce good fruit? Do we stand firm amidst the storms of life because Jesus is our Rock?

LET IT GROW

If we have a beam (sin) of wood in our own eye, then we should not complain about the splinter in our brother's eye (a minor fault). A hypocrite says one thing and does another. They talk a big game and give an impression of being a spiritual person but are not. Our actions speak louder than words. So let's deal with the larger issues in our own heart before addressing the small issues in the life of a brother or sister in Christ. 

And why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (verse 46)

LET IT GO

Is there anything which keeps us from serving and loving God with all our heart? Let it go.

Are we hearing and acting upon it? We are to be doers of the Word and not hearers only. (James 1:22)

We ask Jesus what He would have us do. If we love Him, then keep His commands. (John 14:15)