THE SERMON ON THE LEVEL PLACE
17 May, 2010
Introduction
Introduction
In this paper I have done a detailed study of Luke 6:20-49 in which I have investigated and analyzed the methods of Jesus teaching and contents of what he taught in this passage and how this might be contextualized for a contemporary Christian audience.
Contents of Jesus’ Teaching
In the Sermon on the level place, Jesus taught many things to his disciples. These are:
(c)Lecture:
Read more
(a)A Christian character
“What Jesus affirmed in the antithesis was rather that this
Luke 6:37-45, Jesus taught his disciples a Christian relationship. A Christian lives in the community and all the time in contact with others in the community. The relation both within the community and between the community and others are most important. Jesus taught his disciples on how to behave towards a fellow member who has misbehaved. In such a situation Jesus forbids a Christian from being a judge, a hypocrite and he stressed that the Christian is rather to be a brother.
counter - culture is high and healthy. In all our attitudes and
Probably the two strongest elements in our Christian consciousness
Jesus warned his followers of false prophets because they already existed. We come across them on numerous occasions in the Old Testament and Jesus seems to have regarded the Pharisees and the Sadducees in the same light. Blind leaders of the blind, he called them. He also implied that they would increase and that the period preceding the end would be characterized not only by the world-wide spread as the gospel but also by the rise of false teachers who would lead many astray”. [STOTT, 1978, P197]
In Luke 6:46-49, Jesus concluded his sermon by turning to individual Christians. He taught them that not only false teachers who make the narrow way difficult to find and harder to thread, but a Christian himself can be a hindrance to himself.
“The ultimate issue posed by the whole sermon concerns the authority of the preacher. It is not enough either to call him Lord [21-23] or to listen to him teaching [24-27]. The basic question is whether we mean to say and do what we hear. Only the man who obeys Christ as lord is wise. For only he is building his house on a foundation of rock, which the storms neither of adversity nor of judgement will be able to undermine”. [STOTT, 1978, P26]
as the quality and conduct of life in the kingdom”. [DOUGLAS, J P, 1980, P1419]
In his teaching Jesus used a combination of methods to suit his listeners. In the sermon on the level place Jesus used a number of methods to put his message across to his disciples.
In Luke 6:20: Starting teaching the sermon to his disciples, Jesus made eye contact with disciples.
nother notable method Jesus used in teaching in this sermon is parables. Jesus used the parables when teaching his disciples to illustrate his points. In the sermon on the level place Jesus used the parable of the two builders to emphasize life’s foundation. The difference between the two builders is the obedience of one and the other’s failure to obey God’s command. Luke6:47-49.
In the sermon on the level place, Jesus employed the lecture method when he was instructing his disciples. He used adequate illustrations, examples and stories. In his lecture he used stories, parables and questions to illustrate his points.
Jesus used illustrations in his teaching while instructing his disciples during the sermon on the level place.
Jesus told stories to provoke or illustrate a point. Most of his stories were in the form of parables. The examples from the sermon being the blind leading the blind and the parable of the builders.
Jesus used questions when teaching his disciples in the sermon on the level place. He used provocative questions which moved his disciples from general implications to the personal application. The whole sermon Jesus asked eight questions. These questions are:-
ii Can a blind man lead a blind man? (Luke6:39)
After detailed research on the sermon on the level place we find that it can easily be applicable to a modern Christian audience. The sermon preached long time ago, forms a wonderful coherent whole. The sermon depicts the behavior which Jesus expected of his disciples who are also thereby a citizen of God’s Kingdom. This is also applicable to a modern Christian audience.
Read more
(b) A Christian’s righteousness
In Luke 6:27-36 we get that Jesus taught his disciples on a Christian’s righteousness. He emphasized on non-retaliation and active love. Jesus asked his disciples to show an attitude of total love towards those who do evil and also to our enemies.
(c)A Christian relationship
“The Standard of Jesus for relationships in the Christian
On relationships, Jesus also taught a Christian’s relationship with our heavenly father and the importance of prayer. He taught us that keep praying to our heavenly father.
“And the Christian community is in essence a family, God’s family.
Also in relationships Jesus taught his disciples on relationships to false prophets. He cautioned them to be aware of false prophets who hinder people from finding the narrow gate and the hard way.
(d)A Christian commitment
Jesus insists that having intellectual knowledge of neither him nor verbal profession can ever be a substitute for obedience even though both are important in themselves. So the most important commitment of a Christian is doing his will and doing his word.
“This theme is presented in the beatitudes and can be expressed
Teaching methods
(a)Eye contact:
Eyes can communicate much by looking at our students. We can communicate and interest. We can monitor feedback and we can gain greater attentiveness. It is a good start to improved teacher effectiveness and it can begin immediately in your teaching. [RICHARD L O 1998, P223]
(b)Parables:
Jesus also used a parable about a blind man leading a blind man, Luke 6:39-40.
(d)Illustrations:
“Jesus used illustrations which follow all apply the principle of Christian non-retaliation and indicate the lengths to which it must go each introduces a person who is evil and seeks to do us injury, one by hitting us in the face, another by prosecuting us at law, a third by commandeering our service and fourth by begging money from us”. [STOTT, 1978, P 106]
In his illustrations, he used stories, parables and questions.
(e)Story telling:
(f)Provocative questions
i what grace are you showing? (Luke6:32, 33, 34)
Conclusion
BIBLIOGRAPHY
BROWNING, W R F (1996).In Oxford Dictionary of the Bride, Oxford University Press
BURKETT, D (2002).An introduction to the New Testament and the origins of Christianity, Cambridge University Press
DOUGLAS, J D (ed) (1980).Illustrated Bible Dictionary part 2 Inter-varsity Press
DOUGLAS, J O (ed) (1980).Illustrated Bible Dictionary part 3 parable - Zuzim, Inter-varsity Press
LEANEY, A R C (1958).The gospel according to St Luke, Adam and Charles Black London
LEFEVER, M D (1985).Creative Teaching Methods, Be an effective Christian teacher, cook Ministry resources
LOCKYER, HERBERT, SR (1986). Illustrated Bible Dictionary, General Edition, Thomas Nelson 1978
RICHARD, L D (1998).Creative Bible Teaching, Moody Press Chicago
In Luke 6:20-49, Luke has recorded one of the greatest teachings of Jesus. Luke says the sermon on the level place was delivered by Jesus after having come down from the hills where he had gone to pray. There is a similar sermon, commonly known as “the sermon on the mount” recorded in the gospel of Matthew 5-7.
The major notable different of the two is that the sermon in the mount is longer having 107 verses while the sermon on the level place has 30 verses.
“Nevertheless, there are also obvious similarities between them. Both sermons begin with beatitudes, end with the parable of the two house builders and in between them contain the golden rule, the commands to cover our enemies and to turn the other cheek, the prohibition against judging people and the vivid illustrations of the log or speck in the eye and of the beginning and ending, suggests that the two are versions of the same sermon” (STOTT, 1978 P22)
Most of the writings of Luke targets the under privileged members of society. He focuses his attention to the underdog in the society and he emphasizes God’s choice which includes the sinful and lost, the poor and oppressed and worried.
“Luke emphasizes salvation for non-Jews, salvation for the underdog, the holy spirit, true discipleship and the coming of the kingdom”. (Burket, 2002; P198)
These emphases of Luke give a clue to the composition of the church during Jesus time. It also gives a clear picture of the social status of Jesus’ disciples when he delivered the sermon on the level place.
“The central theme of the sermon is summarized in Matthew 5:48 you shall be perfect just as your father in heaven is perfect”. (Lockyer. H, 1986: P965)
Luke 6:20b-26: Jesus taught his disciples the character a Christian should have. These he emphasized in the beatitudes at the beginning of the sermon. Jesus began his teaching by stating the way to happiness.
“The beatitudes emphasize eight principal marks of Christian character and conduct especially in relation to God and men and the divine blessing which rests in those who exhibit these marks”. [STOTT, 1978, P24]
principle, though it pertains to the law courts and to the judgment of God, is not applicable to our personal relationships. These are to be based in love, not justice. Our duty to individuals who wrong us is not retaliation but the acceptance of injustice without revenge or redress”. [STOTT, 1978, P 105]
behavior towards others we are to play neither the judge
(becoming harsh, censorious and condemning), nor the
hypocrite (blaming others while excusing ourselves), but the
brother, caring for others so much that we first blame and
orrect ourselves and then seek to be constructive in the
help we give them”. [STOTT, 1978, P179-180]
is awareness of God as our father and of our fellow Christian
as our brothers and sisters through Christ, although at the same
time we can never forget our responsibility to those outside the
family whom we long to see brought in”. [STOTT, 1978, P192]
“So Jesus confronts us with himself, sets before us the radical
choice between obedience and disobedience and calls us to an
unconditional commitment of mind, will and life to his teaching”.
STOTT, 1978, P205]
“The central theme of the sermon is summarized in Matthew 5:48”
You shall be perfect just as your father in heaven is perfect. The
word perfect does not refer to sinless or moral perfection. It
means completeness, wholeness, maturity-being all that God wants
a person to be. It is a goal that is never attained in our earthly
life, but is continuously challenges us to greater achievements for
the lord”. [LOCKYER, H, 1986, P965]
Jesus in teaching the sermon used the following methods:
When a reader can make eye contact with the listeners or even with other people who are participating in the reading, the end result is more interesting”. [LEFEVER M D, 1985, P66]
“The parable is meant to shock or surprise in other words, parables stretch language so that they show the hearer or reader new or greater insight”. [LEFEVER. M D 1985, P191]
iii Will not both fall into the pit? (Luke6:40)
iv Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but the beam
which is in your own eye you do not notice? (Luke 6:41)
v How can you say to your brother, “brother, let me take on the
speck which is in your eye”, When you do not see the beam which
is in your own eye? (Luke 6:42)
vi Why do you address me, “Lord, lord and do not do what I say? (Luke 6:46)
The analysis of the sermon helps to demonstrate its relevance to a modern Christian audience. It expresses ethical standards which are self evidently true, common to all religions and easy to follow.
The beatitudes emphasize the principal marks of Christian character and conduct, especially in relation to God and to man and the devine blessing which rests in those who exhibit these marks.
Christian live is a complex network of relationships which are ever changing. The only important thing for a Christian to do is to keep praying to our heavenly father and as the number of false prophets is growing, they hinder people from finding the narrow path to the kingdom of God.
In the modern Christian audience, Christians should be committed to what they say about God. The sermon insists that Christians should not be judgemental in their attitude towards others. A Christian should always judge himself in terms of God’s expectations and it is true that a Christian should treat other people as they would like to be treated. A Christian should put truth into action.
Contents of Jesus’ Teaching
In the Sermon on the level place, Jesus taught many things to his disciples. These are:
(c)Lecture:
Read more
(a)A Christian character
“What Jesus affirmed in the antithesis was rather that this
Luke 6:37-45, Jesus taught his disciples a Christian relationship. A Christian lives in the community and all the time in contact with others in the community. The relation both within the community and between the community and others are most important. Jesus taught his disciples on how to behave towards a fellow member who has misbehaved. In such a situation Jesus forbids a Christian from being a judge, a hypocrite and he stressed that the Christian is rather to be a brother.
counter - culture is high and healthy. In all our attitudes and
Probably the two strongest elements in our Christian consciousness
Jesus warned his followers of false prophets because they already existed. We come across them on numerous occasions in the Old Testament and Jesus seems to have regarded the Pharisees and the Sadducees in the same light. Blind leaders of the blind, he called them. He also implied that they would increase and that the period preceding the end would be characterized not only by the world-wide spread as the gospel but also by the rise of false teachers who would lead many astray”. [STOTT, 1978, P197]
In Luke 6:46-49, Jesus concluded his sermon by turning to individual Christians. He taught them that not only false teachers who make the narrow way difficult to find and harder to thread, but a Christian himself can be a hindrance to himself.
“The ultimate issue posed by the whole sermon concerns the authority of the preacher. It is not enough either to call him Lord [21-23] or to listen to him teaching [24-27]. The basic question is whether we mean to say and do what we hear. Only the man who obeys Christ as lord is wise. For only he is building his house on a foundation of rock, which the storms neither of adversity nor of judgement will be able to undermine”. [STOTT, 1978, P26]
as the quality and conduct of life in the kingdom”. [DOUGLAS, J P, 1980, P1419]
In his teaching Jesus used a combination of methods to suit his listeners. In the sermon on the level place Jesus used a number of methods to put his message across to his disciples.
In Luke 6:20: Starting teaching the sermon to his disciples, Jesus made eye contact with disciples.
nother notable method Jesus used in teaching in this sermon is parables. Jesus used the parables when teaching his disciples to illustrate his points. In the sermon on the level place Jesus used the parable of the two builders to emphasize life’s foundation. The difference between the two builders is the obedience of one and the other’s failure to obey God’s command. Luke6:47-49.
In the sermon on the level place, Jesus employed the lecture method when he was instructing his disciples. He used adequate illustrations, examples and stories. In his lecture he used stories, parables and questions to illustrate his points.
Jesus used illustrations in his teaching while instructing his disciples during the sermon on the level place.
Jesus told stories to provoke or illustrate a point. Most of his stories were in the form of parables. The examples from the sermon being the blind leading the blind and the parable of the builders.
Jesus used questions when teaching his disciples in the sermon on the level place. He used provocative questions which moved his disciples from general implications to the personal application. The whole sermon Jesus asked eight questions. These questions are:-
ii Can a blind man lead a blind man? (Luke6:39)
After detailed research on the sermon on the level place we find that it can easily be applicable to a modern Christian audience. The sermon preached long time ago, forms a wonderful coherent whole. The sermon depicts the behavior which Jesus expected of his disciples who are also thereby a citizen of God’s Kingdom. This is also applicable to a modern Christian audience.
Read more
(b) A Christian’s righteousness
In Luke 6:27-36 we get that Jesus taught his disciples on a Christian’s righteousness. He emphasized on non-retaliation and active love. Jesus asked his disciples to show an attitude of total love towards those who do evil and also to our enemies.
(c)A Christian relationship
“The Standard of Jesus for relationships in the Christian
On relationships, Jesus also taught a Christian’s relationship with our heavenly father and the importance of prayer. He taught us that keep praying to our heavenly father.
“And the Christian community is in essence a family, God’s family.
Also in relationships Jesus taught his disciples on relationships to false prophets. He cautioned them to be aware of false prophets who hinder people from finding the narrow gate and the hard way.
(d)A Christian commitment
Jesus insists that having intellectual knowledge of neither him nor verbal profession can ever be a substitute for obedience even though both are important in themselves. So the most important commitment of a Christian is doing his will and doing his word.
“This theme is presented in the beatitudes and can be expressed
Teaching methods
(a)Eye contact:
Eyes can communicate much by looking at our students. We can communicate and interest. We can monitor feedback and we can gain greater attentiveness. It is a good start to improved teacher effectiveness and it can begin immediately in your teaching. [RICHARD L O 1998, P223]
(b)Parables:
Jesus also used a parable about a blind man leading a blind man, Luke 6:39-40.
(d)Illustrations:
“Jesus used illustrations which follow all apply the principle of Christian non-retaliation and indicate the lengths to which it must go each introduces a person who is evil and seeks to do us injury, one by hitting us in the face, another by prosecuting us at law, a third by commandeering our service and fourth by begging money from us”. [STOTT, 1978, P 106]
In his illustrations, he used stories, parables and questions.
(e)Story telling:
(f)Provocative questions
i what grace are you showing? (Luke6:32, 33, 34)
Conclusion
BIBLIOGRAPHY
BROWNING, W R F (1996).In Oxford Dictionary of the Bride, Oxford University Press
BURKETT, D (2002).An introduction to the New Testament and the origins of Christianity, Cambridge University Press
DOUGLAS, J D (ed) (1980).Illustrated Bible Dictionary part 2 Inter-varsity Press
DOUGLAS, J O (ed) (1980).Illustrated Bible Dictionary part 3 parable - Zuzim, Inter-varsity Press
LEANEY, A R C (1958).The gospel according to St Luke, Adam and Charles Black London
LEFEVER, M D (1985).Creative Teaching Methods, Be an effective Christian teacher, cook Ministry resources
LOCKYER, HERBERT, SR (1986). Illustrated Bible Dictionary, General Edition, Thomas Nelson 1978
RICHARD, L D (1998).Creative Bible Teaching, Moody Press Chicago
In Luke 6:20-49, Luke has recorded one of the greatest teachings of Jesus. Luke says the sermon on the level place was delivered by Jesus after having come down from the hills where he had gone to pray. There is a similar sermon, commonly known as “the sermon on the mount” recorded in the gospel of Matthew 5-7.
The major notable different of the two is that the sermon in the mount is longer having 107 verses while the sermon on the level place has 30 verses.
“Nevertheless, there are also obvious similarities between them. Both sermons begin with beatitudes, end with the parable of the two house builders and in between them contain the golden rule, the commands to cover our enemies and to turn the other cheek, the prohibition against judging people and the vivid illustrations of the log or speck in the eye and of the beginning and ending, suggests that the two are versions of the same sermon” (STOTT, 1978 P22)
Most of the writings of Luke targets the under privileged members of society. He focuses his attention to the underdog in the society and he emphasizes God’s choice which includes the sinful and lost, the poor and oppressed and worried.
“Luke emphasizes salvation for non-Jews, salvation for the underdog, the holy spirit, true discipleship and the coming of the kingdom”. (Burket, 2002; P198)
These emphases of Luke give a clue to the composition of the church during Jesus time. It also gives a clear picture of the social status of Jesus’ disciples when he delivered the sermon on the level place.
“The central theme of the sermon is summarized in Matthew 5:48 you shall be perfect just as your father in heaven is perfect”. (Lockyer. H, 1986: P965)
Luke 6:20b-26: Jesus taught his disciples the character a Christian should have. These he emphasized in the beatitudes at the beginning of the sermon. Jesus began his teaching by stating the way to happiness.
“The beatitudes emphasize eight principal marks of Christian character and conduct especially in relation to God and men and the divine blessing which rests in those who exhibit these marks”. [STOTT, 1978, P24]
principle, though it pertains to the law courts and to the judgment of God, is not applicable to our personal relationships. These are to be based in love, not justice. Our duty to individuals who wrong us is not retaliation but the acceptance of injustice without revenge or redress”. [STOTT, 1978, P 105]
behavior towards others we are to play neither the judge
(becoming harsh, censorious and condemning), nor the
hypocrite (blaming others while excusing ourselves), but the
brother, caring for others so much that we first blame and
orrect ourselves and then seek to be constructive in the
help we give them”. [STOTT, 1978, P179-180]
is awareness of God as our father and of our fellow Christian
as our brothers and sisters through Christ, although at the same
time we can never forget our responsibility to those outside the
family whom we long to see brought in”. [STOTT, 1978, P192]
“So Jesus confronts us with himself, sets before us the radical
choice between obedience and disobedience and calls us to an
unconditional commitment of mind, will and life to his teaching”.
STOTT, 1978, P205]
“The central theme of the sermon is summarized in Matthew 5:48”
You shall be perfect just as your father in heaven is perfect. The
word perfect does not refer to sinless or moral perfection. It
means completeness, wholeness, maturity-being all that God wants
a person to be. It is a goal that is never attained in our earthly
life, but is continuously challenges us to greater achievements for
the lord”. [LOCKYER, H, 1986, P965]
Jesus in teaching the sermon used the following methods:
When a reader can make eye contact with the listeners or even with other people who are participating in the reading, the end result is more interesting”. [LEFEVER M D, 1985, P66]
“The parable is meant to shock or surprise in other words, parables stretch language so that they show the hearer or reader new or greater insight”. [LEFEVER. M D 1985, P191]
iii Will not both fall into the pit? (Luke6:40)
iv Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but the beam
which is in your own eye you do not notice? (Luke 6:41)
v How can you say to your brother, “brother, let me take on the
speck which is in your eye”, When you do not see the beam which
is in your own eye? (Luke 6:42)
vi Why do you address me, “Lord, lord and do not do what I say? (Luke 6:46)
The analysis of the sermon helps to demonstrate its relevance to a modern Christian audience. It expresses ethical standards which are self evidently true, common to all religions and easy to follow.
The beatitudes emphasize the principal marks of Christian character and conduct, especially in relation to God and to man and the devine blessing which rests in those who exhibit these marks.
Christian live is a complex network of relationships which are ever changing. The only important thing for a Christian to do is to keep praying to our heavenly father and as the number of false prophets is growing, they hinder people from finding the narrow path to the kingdom of God.
In the modern Christian audience, Christians should be committed to what they say about God. The sermon insists that Christians should not be judgemental in their attitude towards others. A Christian should always judge himself in terms of God’s expectations and it is true that a Christian should treat other people as they would like to be treated. A Christian should put truth into action.