Read Luke 6:43-45

THE TREE AND ITS FRUITS

Read Luke 6:37-42

DON’T CONDEMN OTHERS
A forgiving spirit demonstrates that a person has received God’s forgiveness. Jesus uses the picture of measuring grain in a basket to ensure the full amount. If we are critical rather than compassionate, we will also receive criticism. If we treat others generously, graciously, and compassionately, however, these qualities will come back to us in full measure. You are to love others, not judge them.
Make sure you’re following the right teachers and leaders, because you will go no farther than they do. Look for leaders who will show you more about faith and whose guidance you can trust.
We shouldn’t ignore wrong doing, but we should not be so worried about other’s sins that we over look our own. We often rationalize our sins by pointing out the same mistakes in others. What kind of specks in other’s eyes are the easiest for you to criticize? Remember your own logs when you feel like criticizing, and you may find you have less to say.
We should not be so afraid of the label hypocrite, that we stand still in our Christian life, hiding our faith and making no attempts to grow. A person who tries to do right but often fails is not a hypocrite. Neither are those are those who fulfill their duty even when they don’t feel like doing it. It is often good and necessary to set aside our desires in order to do what needs doing. It is not hypocrisy to be weak in faith. A hypocrite is one who puts on
religious behavior in order to gain attention, approval, or admiration from others.

Read Luke 6:27-36

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
The Jews despised the Romans because they oppressed God’s people, but Jesus said to love these enemies. Such words turned many away from Christ. But Jesus wasn’t talking about an act of the will. You can’t “fall in” to this kind of love – it takes conscience effort. Loving our enemies means acting in their best interests. We can pray for them and we can think of ways to help them. Jesus loved the whole world, even though the world was in rebellion against God. Jesus asks us to follow His example by loving your enemies. Grant your enemies the same respect and rights as you desire for yourself.
Love means action. One way to put love to work is to take the initiative in meeting specific needs. This is easy with people who love us, people whom we trust; but love means doing this even to those who dislike us or hurt us. The money we give others should be a gift, not a high-interest loan that will put a burden on them. Give as though as you are giving to God.

Read Luke 6:17-26

JESUS GIVES THE BEATITUDES
Once word of Jesus’ healing power spread, crowds gathered just to touch Him. For many, He had became a magician or a symbol of good fortune. Instead of desiring God’s pardon and love, they only wanted physical healing or a chance to see spectacular events. Some people still see Jesus as a cosmic magician and consider prayer as a way to get God to do tricks. But God is not a magician – He is the Master. Prayer is not a way for us to control God; it is a way for us to put ourselves under His control.
The hunger about which Jesus spoke of is a hunger for righteousness. In a nation where riches were seen as a sign of God’s favor, Jesus startled His listeners by pronouncing blessings on the hungry. In doing so, He was in line with an ancient tradition. The Old Testament is filled with texts proclaiming God’s concern for the poor and needy.
These verses are called the Beatitudes from the Latin word meaning “Blessings.” They describe what it means to be Christ’s followers; they are standards of conduct; they contrast Kingdom values with worldly values, showing what Christ’s followers can expect from the world and what God will give them; they contrast fake piety with true humility; and finally, they show how Old Testament expectations are fulfilled in God’s Kingdom.
If you are trying to find fulfillment only in riches and worldly things, wealth may be the only reward you will ever get – and it does not last. You should not seek comfort now at the expense of eternal life.
There are many false prophets in Old Testament times. They are praised by kings and crowds because their predictions – prosperity and victory over enemies – were exactly what the people wanted to hear. But popularity is no guarantee of truth, and human flattery does not bring God’s approval. Sadness lies ahead for those who chase after the crowd’s praises rather than God’s truth.

Read Luke 6:12-16

JESUS CHOOSES THE TWELVE DISCIPLES
Before every important event in Jesus’ life, He took time to go off by Himself and pray. This time Jesus was preparing to choose His inner circle, the 12 Apostles. Make sure all your important decisions are grounded in prayer.
Jesus had many disciples, but He only chose 12 Apostles. The Apostles were His inner circle, to whom He gave special training and whom He sent out with His special authority. These were the men who would start the Christian Church.
Jesus selected ordinary men with a mixture of backgrounds and personalities to be His disciples. Today, God calls ordinary people together to build His church, teach Salvation’s message, and serve others out of love. Alone you may feel unqualified to serve Christ effectively, but together you, and other believers, make up a group strong enough to serve God in any way. Accept the diversity in your church, and build on the variety of strengths represented in your group.
The disciples are not always listed by the same names. For example, Simon is sometimes called Peter or Cephas. Matthew is also known as Levi. Bartholomew is thought to be the same person as Nathaniel. Judas the son of James, is also called Thaddaeus.