You Good?
Sermon by Danny Kim
Luke 6:27-29
The spiritual journey begins by deconstructing the social mask of being "good" to hide internal struggles and avoid appearing weak. True transformation with Christ starts only when individuals first admit they are fundamentally not good on their own. Even the Apostle Paul struggled with the war between his flesh and his desire to do good, as described in Romans 8:1 and Romans 7:18-20. Acknowledging this brokenness and a desperate need for Him is the only way to experience the true power of transformation.
Living like Jesus requires understanding His specific character as revealed in the Gospels rather than following a mere set of rules. He deliberately pursued those whom society avoided, such as the Samaritan woman, the hated tax collector Zacchaeus, and the contagious leper. This model of radical love, explored in Luke 6:27-29, commands believers to love their enemies, do good to those who hate them, and pray for those who abuse them. This is not a sign of weakness; it is a strategic choice to stop the cycle of retaliation and pride, trusting God enough to resist evil without becoming like it. Living the Jesus way is about living with humility, obedience, and surrender to Him. We should be living out Galatians 2:20 - “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
While salvation is a free gift of grace through faith that cannot be earned (Ephesians 2:8-9), a genuine encounter with that grace requires a response of effort. This means choosing to be a "doer of the word" rather than just a hearer. We can respond in 4 practical ways:
Reading Scripture and: Build an intimate relationship through consistent study of the word. The Bible is the living and God-breathed. By studying it, we can gain a deeper understanding of God.
Spending Intimate time with God: Prayer is an essential time that is required to build a relationship with God. Make a daily effort to build the discipline of prayer.
Obedience: Respond to God's prompts right away, even when feeling unqualified. It is okay to make mistakes.
Sacrificial Service: Step outside of your comfort zone. For example, ensure that newcomers feel seen and loved, rather than staying where you are comfortable.
This life is only possible through the help of the Holy Spirit, the "Helper" promised by Jesus to empower believers when they feel scared or unqualified. The ultimate goal of the Christian walk is summarized in John 3:30: "He must increase, but I must decrease". By letting go of the need to be right, comfortable, or self-sufficient, believers allow the life of Christ to be revealed through their own.
Discussion Questions
Zacchaeus took a first step by climbing a tree. What is one "first step" you feel the Holy Spirit inviting you to take this week to deepen your relationship with Him?
Serving outside your comfort zone often involves "dying to pride." Can you share a time when you felt unqualified for a task but saw God work through your obedience?
How does admitting "I am not good" actually lead to spiritual freedom rather than condemnation?
