Charles (Chuck) Kensinger

We continue with the stories told in Luke chapter 6.

43 A good tree does not produce bad fruit; neither does a sick tree have good fruit. 44 Every tree is known by its fruit. Men do not gather figs from thorn bushes,

Matthew 7:17 Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree produces evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring bad fruit, neither can a sick tree produce good fruit.

19 Every tree that does not give good fruit is cut down and burned.

20 By their fruits you will know them.

Luke 6:43 begins with the distinction between good and evil trees and quality and inadequate fruit. Following this introduction, the fact that thistles and thorns do not produce figs or grapes is given. Matthew shared this concept first. We are not talking about fruit. He is speaking of men. They can be evil or righteous. We are to be fruit inspectors to know the difference.

Matthew 6:45 A good man does what is good out of the treasure of his heart; and an evil man acts with evil intent from the evil of his heart: from the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. 46 Why do you call me, Lord, Lord, and do not do the things which I ask?

Jesus talks in verse 45 about where our motivations reside. The treasure in our hearts is either good or evil. That inner pressure leads us to be righteous or unrighteous. These different ideas come out of our mouths or are expressed through our hands and feet. Our actions show who we are.

Matthew 7:16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?

When you go to the grocery store to buy produce, do you ever contemplate how the things you buy are grown? I like to grow my own food if I can. This year my garden includes onions, lettuce, tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, carrots, and beets. I don’t intentionally grow weeds. Often, they are more prolific than my preferred plants. I know some people in this world that might be considered human weeds. They have no useful purpose in their lives.

Matthew 7:21 Not everyone that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me at the day of judgment, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works?

23 And then I will profess to them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.

Matthew 7:21-23 has the Son of God telling us that He will deny that He knows us, if we are just playing games with God. Do you call Him Lord, or do we truly respect Him as the one that we follow and let Him guide us through everything? Doing the work that we have been given makes us disciples. Trying to do it on our own, makes us hopeless. Our Father gives hope and encouragement when we ask for it.

We are reading the words that were spoken by the Messiah while He was living on this earth. Hearing these sayings are not enough. We must do what we are told to do. Go back to the beginning of this sermon that was given from a mountain top. These are not suggestions. At this point We are likened to one of two types of men depending on whether we obey His commands or ignore them.

Luke 6:47 Whoever comes to me, and hears my sayings, and does them, I will show you who he is like:

48 He is like a man who builds a house, and digs deep, and lays the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon the house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

49 But he that hears, and does not, is like a man that builds a house without a foundation on the earth; against which the streams beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and it was completely destroyed.

Are you familiar with the construction process? Every project begins with a foundation. The size of the building is irrelevant in determining how the structure should be supported. If you do not dig down and start building from solid rock, you are foolish. Ask any builder and he will tell you this is true. Today we may need to use concrete below our brick, stone, wood, or metal framework. Christians are often referred to as being stupid enough to believe unfounded claims. Continuing listening to what this Godman says about himself and those that follow Him.

©Copyright 2021 by Charles Kensinger