‘No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognised by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn-bushes, or grapes from briers.’ (Luke 6:43-44)
We’ve reached the end of Jesus’ sermon, and a pause in our look at Luke’s Gospel. Jesus uses two parables to help us see what it means to follow him. First he goes to gardening: you can tell what a tree it, by what fruit it grows. Later in the passage, he moves to architecture: buildings on the right foundation will stand firm, buildings without a foundation will fall.
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.’ (Luke 6:38)
How should we treat other people when we think about judgement and mercy? Should we judge other people? What should our mercy look like? What does Jesus say about how to be righteous?
Vicar's Report from the APCM on 14th May 2023
These notes formed the basis of the Vicar's Report at the APCM on Sunday 14th May 2023.
Wednesday Prayer @ 10am
This Wednesday, at 10am, we’ll meet in St Andrew for a service of Morning Prayer.
We’ll be finished in time for the Coffee Shop at 10:30.
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (Luke 6:35)
What does it look like to follow Jesus? What can we expect from the Christian life? Is what we think of as the good life the same as God’s? How should we treat other people? How does God treat us?