05/08/2025
God Measures as We Measure🙏🏼
Luke 6:38 (NIV)“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.”
I. What does the passage say?
A. Speaker: Jesus Christ, during the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:20–49)
B. Audience: His disciples and a great crowd from all over (v. 17)
C. Immediate Context: Luke 6:37–38
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you…”
D. Key Terms:
1. Judge (Gk. "krinō") – to condemn, to pronounce guilt
2. Forgive (Gk. "apolyō") – to release, to let go, to cancel a debt
3. Give (Gk. "didōmi") – to offer freely, to extend grace
4. Measure (Gk. "metron") – a standard or degree used in assessing others
5. Good measure, pressed down… – A vivid image of overflowing generosity, originally used in the marketplace, now applied to judgment and mercy
II. What does the passage mean?
A. Jesus is giving kingdom principles on how we treat others. In verses 37–38, He speaks about judgment, condemnation, forgiveness, and generosity.
B. The command to “give” follows “forgive” — this giving is about mercy and grace, not just money.
C. The image of “measure” shows how God responds to our treatment of others. If we are generous with grace, mercy, and forgiveness, we will receive those same blessings in return — multiplied.
D. The passage is a warning and a promise:
How you treat others is how you will be treated.
The “measure” of judgment or grace you give out will come back to you — pressed down and overflowing.
III. How does this relate to the rest of the Bible?
A. Matthew 7:1–2 – “Do not judge, or you too will be judged…”
B. Romans 2:1 – “You who pass judgment on someone else… are condemning yourself…”
C. James 2:13 – “Judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”D. Proverbs 11:17 – “Those who are kind benefit themselves…”
E. Galatians 6:7 – “A man reaps what he sows.”
IV. What does it mean for us today?
A. What it does NOT mean:
1. This is not a prosperity verse about money.
2. It is not a formula to “give more and get rich.”
3. It is not about manipulating God into blessing you.
B. What it DOES mean:
1. God takes note of how we treat others — and responds accordingly.
2. If we are merciful, forgiving, and gracious, we open the door to receive the same from God and people.
3. If we are critical, harsh, or judgmental, we invite the same treatment back upon ourselves.
4. Kingdom living means treating others with the same grace we’ve received from Christ.
Sermon Points for Preaching / Teaching (Exposition)
1. God Sees How We Treat Others
• Every act of mercy or judgment is like a seed.
• Jesus is teaching that your posture toward others will come back to you.
2. The Measure We Use Reveals Our Heart
• A generous heart uses a generous measure of grace.
• A harsh heart uses a tight, small measure — and that will return in kind.
3. Mercy Multiplies, Judgment Boomerangs
• Just as the “good measure” overflows, so does grace — and so can judgment.
• What do you want poured into your lap — mercy or condemnation?
4. Live Graciously Because God Is Gracious
• Jesus showed compassion to the undeserving — and so must we.
• We are called to reflect God's mercy in all our dealings.
Luke 6:38 is not a promise of material wealth, but a warning and encouragement about our relationships. When we extend grace, mercy, and forgiveness generously, God pours the same back into our lives — in abundance. But when we withhold grace and judge harshly, we invite the same standard upon ourselves.
This verse challenges us: “What kind of measure are you using — in your heart, your thoughts, your words?” Because that’s the measure God will use on you.
Imagine going to a market where the vendor fills your basket with grain. You expect fairness, but they shake the basket, press it down, and overflow it generously into your lap.
Now imagine that instead of grain, it’s forgiveness, understanding, and grace. Wouldn’t you want that kind of measure? Then live that way toward others — because that’s exactly what Jesus is teaching.
