“The Just Shall Live By Faith”

New King James Version                          Written by: David Hicks

 

Romans 1:17 “ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

Galatians 3:11 “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."

Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him."

“Articles of Faith"

An Orderly Account Of The Greatest Story Ever Told

(A Study in Luke)

Chapter 6:17-21:

In our last lesson, Jesus went up on a mountain to pray and continued there all night because of the task that lie ahead of Him; choosing the twelve! At the completion of this task, we pick up the work of His ministry in this lesson.

Text#1:

Luke 6:17-19 “And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, 18 as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. 19 And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.”

General Notation: This passage of Luke closely corresponds with Matthews account ( Matthew 4:23 -25 ). Both of these passages denote that multitudes of people are coming to find Him from virtually every corner of Palestine . Both passages indicate that His fame had spread; not for the message He preached, but because of the healings He performed.

Luke's account indicates that Jesus came down from the mountain to a level place, thus it is often referred to as “the sermon on the plain”. Matthew's account says that “he went up on a mountain” ( Matthew 5:1 ), thus it is called “the sermon on the mount”.

I have listened to many an explanation as to the differences and that they are in fact two separate occasions (the idea being that a preacher will often repeat good sermons when the occasion calls for it). However, if you look closely at the similarities, we find that we cannot reconcile certain aspects of this thought.

In the similarities we find multitudes coming to Him to be healed. In both records of this event, there is a specific notation concerning “His disciples”. As we mentioned in our last lesson, this reference designated a difference between the general disciples that followed Him, from those He has chosen to teach specific lessons. In both cases the Lord seems intent on teaching this specific sermon to His chosen followers.

In this case, it seems un-likely that He would preach this same sermon to them more than once (not to say that they didn't often have to be told things more than once). In the similarities, we see more evidence that it is the same occasion and that Jesus has come to a level place on the mountain (“level place” being a more accurate translation than “plain” – from the Greek “ topos ” which means “place” with “ pedinos ” which means “level”). So, if indeed they are the same account, then the title of the sermon would more accurately be “The Sermon on the Plain of the Mount” (a little humor).

In addition, we know that there were other witnesses besides His chosen who were able to hear this sermon ( Acts 1: 21 -22 ), denotes that even though He may have had a specific audience in mind (the majority of the multitudes were there for the miracles not the sermons), many would hear the sermon.

Additionally, the sermon would be to those living under the Law of Moses and establishing principles truly needed at this time for repentance and preparation for the coming kingdom. Luke's account being written to a Gentile and is considerably shorter than Matthew's written to the Jews, who would be much more aware of the perversions and traditions taught by the Rabbi's of the day.

As we get into the sermon, we will take a look at the Old Testament teaching as it was given, then in turn we will look at similar principles re-introduced to Christians in the kingdom.

The Beatitudes:

The word “beatitude” does not appear anywhere in the English Bible, however, is given as a title to the two accounts of this sermon because of the statements “blessed are”, used in both accounts. These were phrases that occur often in the Old Testament ( Psalms 32:1-2 ; 33:12 ; 41:1 ; 65:4 ; etc…). The blessings being mentioned here set forth qualities that are described as characteristic of being worthy of blessing. Thus the concept of “ happy are you ” if you are as they describe!

Text #1:

Luke 6:20 “Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said:

"Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God .”

Matthew's account:

Matthew 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Poor – Poor in spirit: Under the Old Law, true worship was described as coming from one with a contrite spirit, or one that is in need of spiritual help. It describes one who recognizes that he is in need of divine guidance, note:

Isaiah 66:1-2 “Thus says the Lord :

"Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? 2 For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist," Says the Lord .

"But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word.”

Jesus is describing that this characteristic is needed right now and in order to posses the kingdom of heaven to come.

Proverbs 29:23 “A man's pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor.”

New Testament: To the Christian, who wishes to maintain the grace of God that has been measured to them, this same humble and submissive spirit is necessary to maintain our citizenship and allow the word of God to direct us.

Romans 12:3 “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”

James 4:6 “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:

"God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

Text #2:

Luke 6:21 “Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh.”

Matthew's account:

Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.”

Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.”

Hunger and Thirst: As you may have guessed, this has little to do with our fleshly appetites. Those that hunger and thirst for righteousness, are those who are eager to know what constitutes a righteous life before God. Here Jesus states that, happy are you if you hunger and thirst for this knowledge.

Deuteronomy 8:3 “So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord .”

Psalm 63:1 “A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah .

O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.”

New Testament: To the Christian under Apostolic tutor, as they were directed by the Spirit to glorify Christ, we likewise find that we also find happiness in the same characteristic. Peter would denote that we should seek the word of the Gospel with the same longing as an infant that instinctively longs for milk, note:

1 Peter 2:2 “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,”

The Hebrew writer would denote that solid food (principles of the Oracles of God), was for the spiritually mature, note:

Hebrews 5:13-14 “For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness , for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

Those that Mourn: What a paradox that exists in this statement, “happy are you if you mourn”? Yet, it is exactly what Jesus means. It was described best in the life of Noah, who was righteous in a world of evil. He suffered the flood like everyone else, the difference being that his righteousness brought about salvation. The paradox is described in the life of Job. Although a righteous man, was allowed to suffer every calamity known to man on this world. However, because he would maintain his faith in God, he would be delivered in the end. Likewise, Daniel suffered right along with all those who were taken in the first deportation to Babylonian captivity, delivered to the Lions den; yet, because of his faith in God, he was delivered (see: Ezekiel 14:14 , 20 ).

Jesus recognizes a principle that has existed ever since man was removed from the Garden of God ; all men suffer in this life. Only those who find favor in the salvation of God will be delivered (comfort and joy).

New Testament: Likewise the Spirit would reveal to Christians that we should count it all joy when we suffer, for this testing refines us and helps us see our true joy and hope, note:

James 1:2-4 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

1 Peter 4:12-16 “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.”

Since we will work at all the teachings of Jesus in this fashion, this may take several lessons to accomplish. It is important to see the sermon as the Lord intended it for His audience. Likewise important to garner the principles that we can use this very day!