Sermons on Luke 6:46

Luke 6:46 Interpretation:

Aligning Our Lives: Spiritual Adjustments for Discipleship (THE HUB Underwood) interprets Luke 6:46 as a direct challenge to Christians who verbally acknowledge Jesus as Lord but fail to demonstrate that lordship through their actions and life adjustments. The sermon uniquely emphasizes the linguistic weight of the word "Lord" (kyrios in Greek), highlighting that it implies full authority, surrender, and submission, not just a title. The preacher uses the analogy of a coach telling an athlete to "make an adjustment" to illustrate that following Jesus requires ongoing, practical changes in ambitions, habits, relationships, and possessions. The sermon also employs the metaphor of Jesus as the "pilot" rather than a "co-pilot," rejecting the idea of Jesus as a mere helper and insisting on his total control over the believer's life. This interpretation is distinct in its focus on the necessity of continual, concrete adjustments as evidence of true discipleship.

Aligning Faith with Action: Following Jesus Authentically (Saanich Baptist Church) offers a novel interpretation by framing Luke 6:46 as a question of influence and authenticity, using the analogy of a hiking trip where students verbally agree to follow the leader but then wander off, paralleling how Christians may call Jesus "Lord" but not actually follow his direction. The sermon further explores the metaphor of building a house, drawing on the Greek concept of "foundation" (themelios), and as a carpenter, the preacher details the process of digging down to solid rock, emphasizing that true discipleship requires deep, foundational obedience, not just surface-level agreement. The sermon distinguishes itself by focusing on the internal transformation that leads to natural, outward obedience, rather than a checklist of rules, and by inviting listeners to consider whose voice truly shapes their lives.

Honoring God: A Call to Sincere Worship (Crazy Love) interprets Luke 6:46 through the lens of Malachi 1, drawing a parallel between the Israelites' empty worship and modern Christians who call God "Lord" but offer only leftovers in their devotion. The sermon uses the analogy of offering a blind, crippled animal as a sacrifice to God, likening it to giving God the scraps of one's time, energy, and resources. The preacher vividly illustrates this with the image of tossing God a leftover chicken bone at the end of a busy day, challenging the congregation to give God their best, not their remnants. This interpretation is unique in its integration of Old Testament sacrificial imagery and its focus on the insult of empty words unaccompanied by genuine honor and obedience.

Understanding Evangelism and Discipleship in Christ (Ligonier Ministries) provides a distinctive interpretation by connecting Luke 6:46 to the issue of false assurance and non-lordship salvation. The sermon explicitly references the Greek understanding of "Lord" (kyrios) as denoting ruling authority and insists that true saving faith necessarily involves submission to Christ's lordship at conversion. The preacher critiques the common testimony of making Jesus "Savior" but not "Lord" as unbiblical, emphasizing that only God makes Christ Lord and that genuine faith is always accompanied by obedience. This interpretation stands out for its theological precision and its focus on the dangers of superficial professions of faith without the fruit of obedience.

Embracing Surrender: Eight Words to Transform Your Life (SermonIndex.net) offers a unique interpretation of Luke 6:46 by connecting it directly to the conversion of Paul in Acts 9. The sermon frames Jesus’ question—“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”—as a challenge to move beyond mere verbal confession to a life of surrendered obedience. The preacher uses Paul’s first prayer as a Christian (“Lord, what do you want me to do?”) as the model of genuine lordship, contrasting it with those who only say “Lord, Lord” but do not yield their lives. The analogy of “a new boss” is used, emphasizing that true lordship means relinquishing personal control and agenda, not just using the title “Lord” as a religious formality. This approach is distinct in that it personalizes the passage through Paul’s story and the eight-word prayer, making obedience the evidence of authentic relationship rather than mere religious speech.

Building a Firm Foundation: Faith in Action (Alistair Begg) interprets Luke 6:46 as a diagnostic question that exposes the gap between profession and practice. The sermon uses the metaphor of a “Biblical CAT scan” to describe how Jesus’ question investigates the reality beneath outward appearances. The preacher highlights the contrast between “our lips and our lives,” and between “saying and doing,” arguing that the true test of lordship is moral obedience, not verbal affirmation. The illustration of two builders—one who digs deep and one who does not—serves as a metaphor for the hidden foundations of faith, which are only revealed when trials come. The analogy of mailboxes and houses that look identical until a storm hits is used to show that superficial similarities among Christians are meaningless without the foundation of obedience. The sermon also uses the image of ships at anchor, emphasizing that only those anchored to the “Rock” (Christ) will withstand life’s storms. This interpretation is notable for its vivid analogies and its focus on the hidden, often invisible, nature of true obedience.

Building Faith: The Call to Obedience (Alistair Begg) closely parallels the previous sermon, but adds a nuanced emphasis on the dangers of equating giftedness or dramatic ministry with genuine obedience. The preacher draws out the distinction between “saying and doing” and “hearing and doing,” and warns against relying on public ministry, giftedness, or religious activity as evidence of true lordship. The sermon uses the same builder and mailbox analogies, but also introduces the idea that church and Bible can be “dangerous places” if they foster a false sense of security based on external conformity rather than inward transformation. The preacher stresses that the real evidence of lordship is a life that “departs from iniquity,” not one that merely professes faith or performs religious acts. This interpretation is distinguished by its critique of evangelical culture’s focus on verbal profession and its warning against self-deception.

Luke 6:46 Theological Themes:

Aligning Our Lives: Spiritual Adjustments for Discipleship (THE HUB Underwood) introduces the theme that discipleship is an ongoing process of making specific, practical adjustments in every area of life—ambitions, habits, relationships, and possessions—in response to God's call. The sermon adds the facet that obedience is not a one-time event but a continual series of faith-driven pivots, each requiring trust in God's mysterious and sometimes counterintuitive plans. It also highlights the idea that proclaiming Jesus as Lord is most powerfully expressed through action, not words.

Aligning Faith with Action: Following Jesus Authentically (Saanich Baptist Church) presents the theme that authentic faith is measured by the congruence between one's declaration and one's daily living. The sermon uniquely applies the concept of influence, asking whose voice shapes the believer's actions, and introduces the idea that Jesus' invitation is not to guilt-driven compliance but to a transformative, joy-filled participation in the kingdom. It also explores the theme of ongoing, age-transcending growth, suggesting that every stage of life offers new opportunities to align actions with Jesus' direction.

Honoring God: A Call to Sincere Worship (Crazy Love) develops the theme that God desires and deserves wholehearted, excellent worship, not perfunctory or leftover offerings. The sermon adds the facet that God would rather have no worship than insincere, half-hearted worship, and that true honor for God is demonstrated by giving him the first and best of one's life. It also introduces the sobering idea that God may reject worship that is not accompanied by genuine obedience and reverence, drawing on the Old Testament context to reinforce the seriousness of this demand.

Understanding Evangelism and Discipleship in Christ (Ligonier Ministries) brings forth the theme that true conversion is inseparable from submission to Christ's lordship, and that the church is often filled with people who have made verbal professions without genuine obedience. The sermon adds the angle that assurance of salvation must be grounded in the evidence of sanctification—"no sanctification, no justification"—and that repentance is not a one-time act but a lifelong posture. It also emphasizes the necessity of preaching that calls for a verdict, not just intellectual assent.

Embracing Surrender: Eight Words to Transform Your Life (SermonIndex.net) introduces the theme of lordship as total surrender, not just verbal acknowledgment. The sermon develops the idea that true Christian life begins with a prayer of yieldedness—“Lord, what do you want me to do?”—and that obedience is the gateway to divine purpose and transformation. The preacher argues that many Christians remain powerless because they have never truly surrendered control, and that God’s plans for individuals far exceed their own, but require active cooperation and willingness to step into the unknown. The theme of obedience as the key to understanding and spiritual fruitfulness is emphasized, drawing from Psalm 119:100 (“I understand more than the ancients because I keep your precepts”). This is a distinct theological angle that frames obedience as the path to wisdom and effectiveness in God’s kingdom.

Building a Firm Foundation: Faith in Action (Alistair Begg) presents the theme that the ultimate test of faith is not profession but perseverance through trials. The sermon emphasizes that storms and difficulties are allowed by God not to punish but to purify, revealing the true foundation of one’s life. The preacher also stresses that assurance of salvation is grounded in God’s grace, not in perfect obedience, but that genuine faith will inevitably produce works. The theme “faith alone saves, but the faith that saves is not alone” is highlighted, drawing from Luther and Calvin, and the sermon warns against relying on external markers of faith (attendance, baptism, giftedness) without inward transformation.

Building Faith: The Call to Obedience (Alistair Begg) adds the theme that religious environments can foster self-deception if they emphasize verbal profession or dramatic ministry over actual obedience. The preacher critiques the evangelical tendency to equate public acts (baptism, ministry, giftedness) with true faith, and insists that the real evidence is a transformed life that departs from iniquity. The sermon also explores the idea that God’s judgment will reveal the true state of every heart, and that only those who “do the will of my Father” will enter the kingdom.

Luke 6:46 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Honoring God: A Call to Sincere Worship (Crazy Love) provides detailed historical context by explaining the Old Testament sacrificial system, particularly the requirement to offer unblemished animals and the cultural expectation of honoring one's father and master. The sermon notes that in ancient Israel, offering a defective animal was considered evil and an insult to God, and that rebellious children were subject to severe punishment, underscoring the seriousness of honoring authority. The preacher also describes the process of removing the offal (intestines and dung) from sacrifices and the ritual of carrying it outside the city, using this as a vivid illustration of God's response to insincere worship. This context deepens the understanding of what it means to call God "Lord" without corresponding honor and obedience.

Luke 6:46 Cross-References in the Bible:

Aligning Our Lives: Spiritual Adjustments for Discipleship (THE HUB Underwood) references several biblical passages to support the message of Luke 6:46. The sermon cites Luke 9:23 ("If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me") to emphasize the daily nature of discipleship and surrender. It also references Isaiah 55:8 ("My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways") to encourage trust in God's higher purposes when making life adjustments. The story of the rich young ruler (Mark 10:17-22) is used to illustrate the cost of following Jesus and the challenge of surrendering possessions. Additionally, the sermon mentions the stories of Noah, Abraham, Gideon, the disciples, and Zacchaeus as examples of individuals who made significant adjustments in obedience to God's call, reinforcing the necessity of action that matches one's confession.

Aligning Faith with Action: Following Jesus Authentically (Saanich Baptist Church) cross-references John 10:27 ("My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me") to highlight the progression from hearing Jesus' voice to intimate relationship and obedient action. The sermon also alludes to Luke 6:43-49, the parable of the wise and foolish builders, to illustrate the importance of a solid foundation built on obedience. Additionally, it references Luke 6:41-42 ("Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye...") to encourage self-examination rather than judgment of others. John 10:10 ("I have come that you might have life and have it to the full") is used to frame Jesus' invitation as one to abundant, purposeful living.

Honoring God: A Call to Sincere Worship (Crazy Love) extensively cross-references Malachi 1-3 to draw parallels between the Israelites' worship and contemporary Christian practice. The sermon quotes Malachi 1:6 ("A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me?") to establish the expectation of honor and respect for God. Malachi 1:8-10 is used to illustrate the insult of offering defective sacrifices, and Malachi 2:1-3 describes the consequences of failing to honor God, including the graphic image of offal being spread on the priests' faces. Malachi 3:6-10 is referenced to emphasize God's unchanging nature and his desire to bless those who return to him with wholehearted devotion. The sermon also alludes to the command to honor one's father and mother (Exodus 20:12) and the principle that "by their fruit you will know them" (Matthew 7:16-20) to reinforce the connection between words and actions.

Understanding Evangelism and Discipleship in Christ (Ligonier Ministries) references several passages to support its interpretation of Luke 6:46. The sermon cites Matthew 7:21-23 ("Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven...") to highlight the danger of false professions and the necessity of obedience as evidence of true faith. James 2:18 ("Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works") is used to argue that justification must be accompanied by sanctification. The preacher also alludes to John 14:6 ("I am the way, the truth, and the life...") and the broader teaching of Jesus on repentance and lordship, reinforcing the call to genuine discipleship.

Embracing Surrender: Eight Words to Transform Your Life (SermonIndex.net) references Acts 9 (the conversion of Saul/Paul) as a living example of what it means to call Jesus “Lord” and actually do what he says. The sermon also references Matthew 26:39, where Jesus prays, “not my will, but thine be done,” as the ultimate model of surrendered obedience. Psalm 119:100 is cited to support the idea that obedience leads to greater understanding than knowledge alone. These cross-references are used to show that true lordship is evidenced by a willingness to yield one’s plans and follow God’s direction, even when it is costly or unclear.

Building Faith: The Call to Obedience (Alistair Begg) references Matthew 7:21-23, where Jesus warns that not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom, but only those who do the will of the Father. The sermon also cites Romans 10:9 (the necessity of confessing Jesus as Lord), 1 Corinthians (the Spirit enables true confession), Matthew 24:24 (false prophets performing signs), 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 (counterfeit miracles), 1 John (walking in darkness vs. fellowship), and James (“faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead”). These references are used to reinforce the point that verbal profession, giftedness, and even miraculous ministry are not sufficient evidence of true faith—only obedience and a transformed life are.

Building a Firm Foundation: Faith in Action (Alistair Begg) also references John’s first letter (1 John) to highlight the necessity of walking in the light, and James to emphasize that “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” The sermon draws on the words of Jesus in the Gospels and the teaching of Paul to show that salvation is by grace through faith, but that true faith is always accompanied by works.

Luke 6:46 Christian References outside the Bible:

Aligning Our Lives: Spiritual Adjustments for Discipleship (THE HUB Underwood) explicitly references Henry Blackaby, quoting, "The proclamation, Lord, is heard loudest when broadcast through actions," to emphasize that verbal confession must be matched by obedient living. The sermon also mentions a story from a book (likely Blackaby's "Experiencing God") about a woman named Linda who gave up coffee in obedience to God's prompting, illustrating the importance of making even small adjustments in response to God's voice.

Understanding Evangelism and Discipleship in Christ (Ligonier Ministries) references Martin Luther, noting his teaching that repentance is not a one-time event but a lifelong practice, as well as the Puritans, specifically mentioning the book "The Almost Christian Discovered," which addresses the issue of false assurance and the need for genuine conversion. The sermon also critiques the "Four Spiritual Laws" of Bill Bright and Campus Crusade for Christ for lacking a call to repentance, and references Charles Finney as an example of problematic evangelistic methods. These references are used to support the argument for a robust, repentance-centered gospel and the necessity of lordship salvation.

Building a Firm Foundation: Faith in Action (Alistair Begg) explicitly references Martin Luther (“faith alone saves, but the faith that saves is not alone”) and John Calvin (“true piety is not distinguished from its counterfeit till it comes to the trial”) to support the idea that genuine faith is evidenced by obedience, especially under testing. The sermon also alludes to John’s writings and the old spiritual “O Sinner Man,” as well as the hymn “How Firm a Foundation,” to reinforce the message that only those who have fled to Jesus for refuge will stand in the day of judgment.

Building Faith: The Call to Obedience (Alistair Begg) again references Luther and Calvin, as well as John Stott (“What better Christian profession could be given than this...”), to emphasize that profession without obedience is empty. The preacher uses these authorities to warn against self-deception and to highlight the necessity of a transformed life as the evidence of true faith.

Luke 6:46 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Aligning Our Lives: Spiritual Adjustments for Discipleship (THE HUB Underwood) uses the analogy of sports coaches telling athletes to "make an adjustment"—whether in baseball, tennis, volleyball, or basketball—to illustrate the need for continual spiritual adjustments in the Christian life. The sermon also references the popular bumper sticker "God is my co-pilot," dismissing it as "hogwash" and insisting that Jesus must be the pilot, not a helper. Additionally, the preacher shares a personal anecdote about obsessively researching a concealed carry pistol, using it as an example of how "stuff" can distract from following God.

Aligning Faith with Action: Following Jesus Authentically (Saanich Baptist Church) provides several detailed secular illustrations. The preacher recounts a hiking trip to Mount Revelstoke with youth, where students verbally agreed to follow but then wandered off, paralleling the disconnect between calling Jesus "Lord" and actually following him. The sermon also references the influence of media and advertising, citing slogans like "Milk, it does the body good," "Disneyland: the happiest place on earth," "Nike: just do it," and "MasterCard: for everything else, there's MasterCard," to illustrate how various voices shape our actions and beliefs. The preacher further draws on his experience as a carpenter, describing the process of building a house and the importance of a solid foundation, using this as a metaphor for obedience to Jesus' teachings. The sermon also mentions planning a trip to Italy and the importance of having a vision for the future, using this as an analogy for intentional spiritual growth.

Honoring God: A Call to Sincere Worship (Crazy Love) uses the vivid illustration of offering God a leftover chicken bone at the end of a busy day to represent giving God the scraps of one's time and energy. The preacher also humorously suggests writing a note to the government offering old clothes and a sofa instead of paying taxes, to highlight the absurdity of giving God less than what is required. The sermon references the cultural practice in Hong Kong of congregants arriving early to practice worship songs, contrasting it with the casual approach often seen in American churches. These illustrations serve to challenge listeners to examine the quality and sincerity of their worship.

Building a Firm Foundation: Faith in Action (Alistair Begg) uses several vivid secular analogies to illustrate Luke 6:46. The preacher describes two houses under construction, noting that from the outside, both appear identical until a storm reveals the difference in their foundations. He extends this analogy to mailboxes, humorously recounting how a poorly anchored mailbox may look fine until a strong wind knocks it over, exposing the lack of a proper foundation. The sermon also uses the image of ships at anchor, explaining that while all may appear secure in calm weather, only those truly anchored to the rock will survive a storm. These analogies are used to show that superficial similarities among Christians are meaningless without the hidden foundation of obedience, and that trials reveal the true state of one’s faith.

Building Faith: The Call to Obedience (Alistair Begg) repeats the house and mailbox analogies, but adds the idea of an “exit poll” after church, where all attendees appear equally nice, polite, and orthodox, yet only God knows who has a true foundation. The preacher also references the “Sound of Music” and the image of vessels on the sea, where only those with anchors fastened to the rock withstand the storm. These illustrations serve to highlight the hidden nature of true obedience and the danger of relying on outward appearances or religious activity.