Luke Pt. 32: God’s Heart is Our Hope

Luke 15 is a famous chapter, it is best understood in the context of the previous chapters of the book of Luke, and the rest of scripture. This is Biblical Theology: Scripture understood in whole in order to get the complete picture of God and us.

Three stories: all illustrations of what Jesus has been teaching in previous chapters: The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin and The Lost Child. In all three we see the heart of God for the lost AND for those who are His. The first two are more about God than us…but we can pull application. The third story is the application treasure trove: we can be as many as three characters!

Christ uses different examples to display His heart for those who are apart from Him. Jesus was addressing the Jewish leaders view of salvation being ‘Merit Based’. They believed they were earning God’s favor while others would not and could not be acceptable to God.

Jesus reveals God’s heart of compassion for the lost, His love should give us hope! He dosen’t give up on lost people, He rejoices over redeeming what is lost… so do ‘His Surrendered Disciples’! God (in coming as Jesus Christ) seeks & redeems what appear to be lost causes. Scripture consistently reveals God’s divine patience, mercy & grace. These three stories give us a great picture of God’s Heart, and it gives us hope!

Luke 15

1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

  • The Biblical Gospel (Christ’s Teachings) draws people from all walks of life
  • Religious Legalists like to decide who should get God’s favor
  • They want to discredit Christ so they can control (beware a judgmental spirit)

3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

  • Common sense to go after a sheep that foolishly wanders away
  • Leaving the 99 sheep ‘in the open country’ is not being ‘reckless’ (Done Often)
  • He finds it brings it home & shares the joy with ‘His People’
  • The 99 are already found, & will stay found: John 10 ‘The Good Shepherd’

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” ~ Jesus @ John 10:28-29

8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

  • The woman & shepherd are human expressions of the image of God
  • One coin may not seem like a bog deal…
  • She still had 90% of her wealth, shouldn’t 10% be considered acceptable loss?
  • One person entering the Kingdom is important to God, and His friends…

11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.

  • The whole inheritance thing is important
  • What was given was not accepted, rather he demanded ‘His Way’ of it
  • He sees the Father as a source of things rather than ‘The Thing’
  • The ‘Prosperity Gospel’ is not Biblical Theology
  • When dishonor the Father you will not be a good steward of what he gives you
  • God will let us have things that are not best for us so that we can learn!

14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

  • Sin can be enjoyable for a time…
  • Doing life ‘His Way’ brings him to the end of himself

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’

  • He didn’t know the Father well or he would never have left
  • But he knew enough to try to go back… hat in hand, humbled by reality
  • Any place in the fathers house would do…he is ready to give up his rights

20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

  • Not just ‘went home’…he went to his father
  • The father was ever watchful for his child to return
  • He welcomes the lost child without reservation or judgement or condemnation
  • This is BEFORE the son humbles himself…God’s compassion is not reactive!
  • Repentance is admitting the wrong and giving up your rights

22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

  • The Father restores the lost child to it’s previous place (He didn’t keep score)
  • The celebration is to be shared by all of The Father’s People

25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’

  • The older son, dutiful and loyal sees the passionate celebration and is curious
  • When given the Good News, you would think he would react like The Father

28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’

  • The older son’s reaction is rooted in the same thinking as the Pharisees
  • He thinks he has earned something that was always given to him
  • He appeals to The Father to be ‘Just’… based on what he thinks is just
  • He basically says: ‘My Brother dosen’t deserve to be forgiven!’

31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”

  • The Father tells the older son: ‘You have always had what matters most: ME!’
  • I and my household will celebrate my grace because they know my grace

SUMMARY:

Jesus tells this story directly to The Pharisees & Scribes (Members of the Sanhedrin)

to rebuke them for how they view people who don’t know God as unredeemable.

God keeps his flock in safety (Eternally) and goes after the one WE might write off.

God doesn’t work in percentages, He works in individuals. Each has particular value.

God will allow you to blow up your life with choices that dishonor Him, there is no ‘forced grace’.

God will not give up on you, you can always go back to Him!

God’s people rejoice with Him when Biblical Salvation occurs in anyone & everyone!

Religious authorities want salvation to be earned so they can control it. (They think)

APPLICATION:

You are not the shepherd, woman or father; what can you understand about God from them?

Lost sheep: If you wandered off without realizing it, do you know your Father will come for you? 99 sheep: Do you stay where your Father puts you, spiritually, embracing Christ’s Discipleship? Shepherd’s Friends: Do rejoice with God & Heaven for the salvation of any who wandered off?

Lost Coin: You didn’t actively ‘get lost’… Can you trust God is relentless looking 4 U? Other Coins: How can you make sure you don’t take eternity with God for granted? Woman’s Friends: Do you rejoice with God & Heaven for the saving of anyone, no matter who?

Lost Son: If willful, knowing rebellion has you far from God; do you trust you can return? Father’s Household: Will you rejoice with God & Heaven for the salvation of one who left you? Older Brother / Pharisees: Do you think some deserve eternity and some don’t?

/by

Luke Pt. 31: The Costs of Christ’s Discipleship

The person who has influenced my walk with Christ more than any other human is Dietrich Bonhoeffer. His story is a challenge and his words a massive inspiration. When I first read the Cost of Discipleship, his seminal work, in 2005, I was rocked! It really informed and ultimately formed my vision of Christ’s Discipleship in my life. A Biblical vision for MY discipleship led to a Biblical vision for OTHER’S discipleship.

Two of the most important quotes from The Cost of Discipleship:

“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”

―Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship

“Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: ‘Ye were bought at a price’, and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.”
―Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship

Ch14:15-35

15 Hearing this, a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, “What a blessing it will be to attend a banquet in the Kingdom of God!” 16 Jesus replied with this story: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. 17 When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.”

  • Jesus is still having dinner at the home of the ‘Ruler of The Pharisees’
  • The man was desiring to be at the ‘resurrection of the righteous’
  • Jesus is explaining how you get there

18 But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’ 19 Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 Another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’

  • These people are considered guests, they have already been invited
  • They begin to back out of their previous commitment
  • I can relate, I made some excuses for a couple of years…
  • The excuses are thing that make sense to this world’s view of what matters
  • Important things like working, stewardship of investments & a marriage

21 “The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, ‘Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’

  • The Master is God (Banquet in the Kingdom of God)
  • This is not a story about some guy having a dinner
  • In context of everything that’s been happening so far and going forward in Luke
  • God is emotional / because the people who had said they were coming, bailed
  • Do they realize what they have been offered and are now taking for granted?

22 After the servant had done this, he reported, ‘There is still room for more.’ 23 So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. 24 For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.’”

  • This is an expression of God’s grace, He has room for all who will come to Him
  • God kingdom is not entered by talk, it takes action
  • If the invitation is not accepted on God’s terms, the invite is not left open

This is Christ declaring that the invitation of salvation is not something to treat lightly

25 A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.

  • The scene has changed, and Christ continues tying discipleship to the Kingdom
  • The terms of His ‘Invitation’ are determined by Him: (His discipleship)
  • Relationally Jesus is to be primary, by comparison we hate everyone else

27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.

  • Jesus cannot be more direct, personal sacrifice is required
  • No one can do it for you, you must take ownership of your discipleship
  • Jesus will make no compromise, He sets the conditions for His discipleship

28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? 29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. 30 They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’

  • The nature of Christ’s Discipleship must be ‘whole hearted’ / ‘all in’ / ‘sold out’
  • The only way to get all in is to consider what it takes to be all in
  • Incomplete Discipleship is ‘Foolishness’ (why everyone laughs)

31 “Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? 32 And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away.

  • When faced with the reality of the situation wisdom calls for surrender
  • Asking for terms of peace with Christ amounts to surrendering your life

33 So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.

  • The cost of Christ’s discipleship is everything we have
  • You must be willing to give up what Christ calls you to give, nothing less
  • The idea of ‘turning my life over to Jesus’ is Biblical Salvation

34 “Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? 35 Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!”

  • Salt has a purpose, if it does not fulfill it’s purpose it’s not salt.
  • Christ’s call to salvation is the call to His discipleship, the purpose of every Christian is Discipleship
  • Without discipleship there is no salvation: Christ’s discipleship = salvation
  • Christ’s Discipleship requires costs to be paid, are you willing to pay them?

SUMMARY:

The 1st cost of Christ’s discipleship is obedience to Christ’s calling; without excuse.

The 2nd cost of Christ’s discipleship is making your relationship with Him come first.

The 3rd cost of Christ’s discipleship is taking sole responsibility for your discipleship.

The 4th cost of Christ’s discipleship is the willingness to relinquish all possessions.

Without considering the costs of Christ’s discipleship you can’t give yourself fully to it.

Christ’s discipleship only comes at these costs; anything less is rejected by God.

The Biblical Gospel of Jesus Christ is one of ‘Costly Grace’. God’s Grace is worth it!

APPLICATION:

Do you rationalize or repent regarding excuses to avoid Christ’s call to discipleship?

What relationships have you placed above your relationship with Christ? Why?

How might you take more ownership of your discipleship? (Motivation or Execution)

Where are you in the process of ‘counting the costs’ of Christ’s discipleship?

ADDITIONAL STUDY: 2nd Timothy 3:1 – 4:8

/by

Luke Pt. 29: The Kingdom Of God

Luke 13:10-30

10 One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, 11 He saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight.

  • Change of scene from crowd to synagogue, where God should be understood
  • Christ was able to see the Spiritual dimension, it was being overlooked (18yrs)
  • Literal translation: Spirit of Weakness

12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!” 13 Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised God!

  • ‘Dear Woman’…He touched her: personal, intimate expressions of relationship
  • Her healing was total & instant (literal: ‘you are released from your weakness’)
  • Instant healing and instant, intense praising of God!
  • She recognized the power of God manifested in Christ

14 But the leader in charge of the synagogue was indignant that Jesus had healed her on the Sabbath day. “There are six days of the week for working,” he said to the crowd. “Come on those days to be healed, not on the Sabbath.”

  • The religious establishment does not recognize God’s power
  • This guy & his followers are more concerned with ‘protocol’ than people

15 But the Lord replied, “You hypocrites! Each of you works on the Sabbath day! Don’t you untie your ox or your donkey from its stall on the Sabbath and lead it out for water?

  • Jesus says to those who use religion for power & control: ‘You are an Actor’
  • They define work based on their lives / What we do is ok / Justification of sin
  • This is religious legalism, Rules rather than Relationship
  • If you don’t intentionally have Biblical Theology & Culture legalism

16 This dear woman, a daughter of Abraham, has been held in bondage by Satan for eighteen years. Isn’t it right that she be released, even on the Sabbath?” 17 This shamed his enemies, but all the people rejoiced at the wonderful things he did.

  • One of your own (Abraham reference) that you did nothing for
  • He asks why it matters how she is released rather than that she is released
  • They had shame, it was about who they were not just what they had done
  • Everyone else rejoiced: the only ones who didn’t rejoice were Christ’s enemies

18 Then Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it? 19 It is like a tiny mustard seed that a man planted in a garden; it grows and becomes a tree, and the birds make nests in its branches.”

  • He had called out what the Kingdom of God is not like (legalism)
  • He illustrates what it IS LIKE: little actions that grow into big things

20 He also asked, “What else is the Kingdom of God like? 21 it is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.”

  • Next example of how God works: yeast! (longstanding biblical metaphor)
  • When God’s Kingdom become part of you it will effect everything you do
  • God’s work in us is not ‘compartmentalized’

22 Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he went, always pressing on toward Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” He replied, 24 “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail.

  • Christ was about getting around and teaching; but He had a destination
  • The question is asked with a recognition that salvation is not ‘Universal’
  • ‘Work Hard’, better translation would be: ‘Do your best’ (Not about earning it)
  • Narrow door is one of many choices, narrow speaks of limited capacity
  • Bottom line: Many Will Fail !

25 When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Lord, open the door for us!’ But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’

  • The Master (God) is the one who determines who can enter by the narrow door
  • People will want to go in and ask to go in (eternity with God)
  • But God will speak the truth: You are unfamiliar to ME

26 Then you will say, ‘But we ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 And he will reply, ‘I tell you, I don’t know you or where you come from. Get away from me, all you who do evil.’ 28 “There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for you will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you will be thrown out.

  • Basically they say: we did life with You, You were here among us…
  • But God has chosen who He will bring into His kingdom / establish relationship
  • We are not in relationship (as HE defines it) and He will not be in their presence
  • Those who realize their fate will mourn / they will recognize the divide

29 And people will come from all over the world—from east and west, north and south—to take their places in the Kingdom of God. 30 And note this: Some who seem least important now will be the greatest then, and some who are the greatest now will be least important then.”

  • The Kingdom will be made up from people all over the world
  • Our way of evaluating who is important is shown to be opposite of God’s way
  • What matters to God is not what matters to the world / society / modern culture

SUMMARY:
Following Christ / God’s Kingdom, is about helping people where they are, not religious forms & rules.
God’s Kingdom is built by small faith-filled actions that grow into bigger things & influences.
God’s Kingdom ways lead us to an entrance into that Kingdom, it’s a specific way.
God’s Kingdom is not about being in the right place & doing things; it is a relationship
The inhabitants of God’s Kingdom will be diverse and without ‘worldly significance’.
APPLICATION:
How can we avoid making our ‘Religious Protocols’ more important than people?
What are some small actions you can take to seek and distribute God’s influence?
Is obedience to God’s Word analogous to the narrow door?
How can you move from being around God, to being in a deeper relationship with God?

/by

Luke Pt. 28: God’s Providence & Our Perceptions

We are a Body of people, a church that seeks to live more fully based on Scripture. The Word of God is our source of how we think and how we act. Now more than every, let us anchor our lives to God’s Word. When we look at a passage like this bit of Luke, what are we looking for? Truth! When we find God’s truth in Scripture what do we do with it? We commit to live by it, learn how to live by it…We let it change the way we think, feel and act.

Today’s Passage: What does Jesus Christ say about how God’s eternal saving grace is dished out? What does Christ say regarding salvation along family lines? Is the eternal division of family members a Biblical reality, whether we like it or not? Is our lifespan determined by our actions or by God’s sovereign providence? Can you take all the time you want when responding to God’s offer of saving grace? Serious questions… in the Scripture we find clear and understandable answers. Last Sunday the text in Luke 12 ended with this statement by Christ:

When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. Luke 12:48b

Luke 12:49-59 & 13:1-9

49 “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished!”

  • The fire He casts is the outpouring of God’s Spirit, indwelling Christ’s followers
  • This is His mission! To buy us back from hell through His sacrifice on the cross
  • He wants it to happen ASAP… but He will be obedient to the ‘Plan’
  • His ‘Baptism’ (what He will be immersed in) is paying the price for OUR sin!
  • Jesus knows what He will face and it weighs on Him, but it doesn’t deter Him

51 “Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

  • What He is going to do, Cross & Resurrection, makes some eternally different
  • God in His providence will grant eternal life based on HIS grace, not family
  • Christ speaks directly against universal salvation
  • Because some will be indwelled with God’s Spirit and some not, it will divide
  • He is exhaustive in His examples to show it will divide regardless of relationship

54 He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens. 55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?”

  • We have intellect, information & experience we combine to understand things
  • He calls them hypocrites (Actors) because they act like they don’t get it
  • He is saying; ‘You have the info, now respond’ (Surrender)
  • Why don’t they know how to interpret who He is? The problem is PRIDE!

57 “And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? 58 As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. 59 I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny.”

  • What keeps us from seeing what is right / God’s offer of eternal life in Christ?
  • Instead of admitting our guilt and humbling ourselves we want control
  • If you see it as ‘Your’ life to do as you wish you will face judgement
  • If you hold on to your life you will surely lose it. (parable looking at eternity)

“If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.” ~ Jesus @ Luke 9:24

1 At that very time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple. 2 “Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered? 3 Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God.”

  • Some sort of announcement of a current event,
  • Jesus disconnects everyone’s time to go from everyone’s actions
  • Perishing: the end of this life without an eternal relationship with God (context)
  • We all will ‘Parish’ = eternity apart from God without repenting & turning to God

4 “And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? 5 No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.”

  • 2nd example of why people die & how we should perceive God’s providence
  • Those who know God & those who don’t will be mixed together, even in death

Matthew 13: Parable of the wheat & the weeds. The divide between the ‘repentant’ and the ‘perishing’ is the indwelling of God’s Spirit.

6 Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. 7 Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’

  • You could be a fig tree in God’s garden, brought there by HIS providence
  • God has an expectation that you will produce fruit (kingdom living & purpose)
  • The Man & the Gardener are God speaking within His Triunity
  • There has been a certain amount of patience with this tree ‘taking up space’

8 “The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. 9 If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’”

  • God in His grace always gives more chances than any of us deserve
  • But those chances do have a predestined end to them, based on God’s will
  • Are you a fig tree in God’s garden? Where are you in the process described?

SUMMARY:

Jesus was both humanly anxious and divinely resigned to accomplish His mission.

Christ’s work on the cross will bring about division in families because of God’s Spirit.

Now that the Gospel has been revealed, we are to respond.

Humility is the only way to escape judgement.

None of us know when we will die, we have a closing window to get ‘right with Christ’.

God is patient, but not infinitely patient, at some point the patience ends.

APPLICATION:

How might you better practice humility before God in your relationships?

How do you react to God’s providence when it is not what you would prefer?

In what ways are you accountable to respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ today?

How can you do more of what God requires of you based on what you have been given?

/by

Luke pt. 27: Who’s That At The Door?

  • When was the last unexpected visit you had from a relative or friend?
  • Were you ready?
  • What did you do when you saw them at the door?
  • What did you pick up first?
  • What were you wearing?
  • Did you run to the mirror?
  • Did you brush your teeth?
  • Men, did you smell your underarm?

Luke 12:35-48

35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning,
36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him

37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes.
Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will
come and wait on them

38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in
the middle of the night or toward daybreak.

39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was
coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.
40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
41 Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?”

42 The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master
puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time?
43 It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns.
44 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

45 But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’
and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and
drink and get drunk.
46 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

47 “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do
what the master wants will be beaten with many blows.
48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Application questions:

  • What are you doing with your life to be prepared for Christ’s return?
  • Will He catch you sleeping and not looking?
  • Will He find you beating His people?
  • Will you have a meal prepared for Him and welcome Him in?
  • Will you welcome Him in and begin to introduce Him to those you are discipling?
  • What stories will you share about Your God delivered you from danager?

Sermon by Woody Johnson

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Luke Pt. 26: Priorities & Provision / Let Christ Be Your Treasure

What is the relationship between your priorities and God’s provision? What shapes your priorities and how much are you focused on providing for you? What do you treasure most?

Chapter 12:13-34

13 Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.” 14 Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” 15 Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” 16 Then he told them a story:

  • …”I will honor you if you help me get more stuff.”
  • Jesus says; “Don’t look to me to justify your greed / coveting.”
  • Christ’s Kingdom is not in any way concerned about earthly possessions
  • Message to the crowd: ‘This life is not about what you have’

“A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ 18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

  • Who made the farm produce such fine crops? Who made the soil fertile?
  • His response to abundance is self focused (control)
  • I can’t use everything I have, I will make room to have even more…
  • He keeps talking to himself… calls himself: ‘My Friend’… self-satisfied

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ 21“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

  • He stored up stuff based on a life he had no control over (God demonstrates)
  • He wanted to have the stuff for himself ONLY…
  • God defines foolishness as preoccupation with ‘earthly wealth’
  • The opposite of that is a rich relationship with God (through Jesus Christ)

That part is directed at the crowd, the rest of this passage is for ‘Christ’s Disciples’. Christ’s Disciples defined by Scripture: By God’s grace they have surrendered their life to Christ’s Lordship and are indwelled with God’s Holy Spirit

22 Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing.

  • Those who declare themselves to be Christ’s disciples are to live by this lesson
  • Our discipleship is about learning to live a life that is not focused on STUFF
  • Our lives, Christ given redeemed lives, are to be focused on ‘Rich Relationship’
  • Disciples are not focused on playing the worlds stuff accumulation game!
  • Even basic necessities are not to a focus of worry
  • ‘Do your best, trust God for the rest’

24Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! 25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 26 And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?

  • The example is to show God’s intimate care in the smallest of creatures
  • We are the apex of God’s creation! We bear HIS Image!
  • Don’t forget He is talking to His chosen Disciples: Rich Relationship=Max Value
  • The basis for that relationship is understanding God is ultimately in control
  • We have illusions of control about small things, but it has to be all or nothing
  • Biblical Theology: God consistently declares He is in control of EVERYTHING!
  • If God is in control of anything than HE is in control of everything!

27 “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

  • Examples from creation (God’s character is consistent throughout creation)
  • Jesus is trying to explain how much God will care for you if surrender your life
  • The repetition is driving home the point that God is fully invested in YOU
  • He has chosen you to be His disciple, trust that God is invested in your care

29 “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. 30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. 31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. 32 “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.

  • Christ’s disciples will not have an ‘overriding concern’ with life’s basic needs
  • Don’t let such things bother you, God knows what you need to survive
  • Concern for survival dominates the lives of those apart from God
  • As Christ’s disciples we are to make His Kingdom our ‘Overriding Concern’
  • As we work at doing that (discipleship) God will gives us everything we need
  • We should enjoy our salvation as much as God does! Fear smothers joy
  • If Christ has given you eternity with Him you can be free from fear!

33 “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. 34 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

  • Disconnect yourself from unnecessary stuff
  • Do you own stuff or does stuff own you?
  • Valuing people and relationships above things (things serve needs of people)
  • Being an agent of God’s blessings rather than a storehouse of them
  • By distributing God’s goodness we accumulate what has eternal value
  • If you have stuff, you have to worry about it.
  • If God is your treasure, no worries!
  • What you invest your time, emotion and skill in is what you truly value

Summary:

Following Jesus is not about justifying your focus on stuff.

Blessings & resources are to be shared not hoarded.

A focus on accumulating earthly things is in opposition to relationship with God!

Storing up things is an expression of not trusting God to provide.

Christ will take care of His disciples who prioritize His Kingdom work.

Jesus’ disciples have nothing to fear when we put His Kingdom first.

As Christ’s disciples our focus is to be storing up what is of ‘Eternal Value’.

Your true spiritual allegiance is proven by what you use your life to store up.

Application:

Jesus says beware ‘every’ kind of greed; what kind of greed are you susceptible to?

What are a few ways you can shift your focus from earthly things to Kingdom things?

What are some ways you can tangibly express trust for God to provide in new ways?

How does worry & preoccupation with stuff hamper your relationship with God?

/by

Luke pt. 25: Don’t Manage Fear, Banish Fear!

Christ speaks directly to His disciples about the futility of facade and how faithless fear is for those who have surrendered their lives to The Gospel. In Christ we don’t have to manage fear, we can banish fear because God is in control.

Chapter 12:1-12

1 Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy.

  • This message is to disciples of Christ (first)
  • Fear of people is what makes people into hypocrites
  • Yeast infiltrates whatever it is joined to…metaphor for corrupting influence
  • The temptation is to live a life that is a facade for the approval of people

2 The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. 3 Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!

  • God is in control of exposing what we try to hide
  • The idea that we have control of what is known, or not is an illusion
  • The more you try to hide the more you have to fear…
  • Facade & Fear go together and feed each other

4 “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. 5 But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, He’s the one to fear.

  • These are Christ’s words to you in love, as friends…
  • God tells us not to fear whatever can only kill our bodies
  • What is rational to fear is the ONE who can kill Body and Soul
  • Only God controls your eternity
  • To fear about losing this life means you have not given it up (Gospel)
  • This is the only way to move from managing fear to banishing fear

Matthew 16:24-26

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?

Can you surrender your life without trusting that God can & will give you eternal life?

6 “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. 7 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

  • God is intimately involved in everything! He wants to be intimate with your soul
  • We can live without fear because values us!
  • Can you trust that God applies His ‘Omins’ to your care?
  • The only true value and identity we have emanates from God

8 “I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. 9 But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels.

  • God defines truth: Christ is crystal clear on this point
  • There are no such things as ‘Undercover’ Christians, just undercover fakers
  • God know where you are with Him, if you are with Him you cannot deny it
  • Giving fear place, trying to manage it, is not acknowledging Christ as your Lord
  • Valuing this physical life more that Christ’s eternal Kingdom does not end well

10 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

  • Misunderstanding Christ’s person & teaching is forgivable; discipleship process
  • Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit: denying that God exists and defines the universe
  • Why is it ‘The Unforgivable Sin’?

11 “And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.”

  • When faced with opposition for openly acknowledging God / Christ: Trust God!
  • If you have given your life to Christ His Spirit can & will lead you
  • He doesn’t promise to lead you to physical safety and comfort
  • Without God’s Spirit you cannot banish fear, only manage fear
  • If you have His Spirit you must learn to ‘Leverage your relationship’
  • Yield to and walk in the power God has placed in you (Holy Spirit / Salvation)
  • Spirit empowerment happens for specific needs & times (Situations)

Jesus is offering us a life of hope rather than a life of fear: if you surrender your life!

We find the fullness of what that means in our ‘Body Life’ known as Discipleship!

SUMMARY:

Beware the effects of religious hypocrisy, it will infiltrate YOUR entire life.

In His time GOD will expose what He will, YOU can’t hide anything from Him

As Christ’s surrendered follower YOU have nothing to fear except GOD!

If YOU belong to Christ YOU can entrust YOUR life to His care & purposes for it.

If YOU belong to Christ YOU are called to live openly trusting YOUR life to HIM.

YOU can be forgiven for not following Jesus properly, denying GOD is unforgivable.

GOD, by His indwelling Spirit, will lead YOU in times of trouble and opposition.

APPLICATION:

If you are not a Pharisee, why should you be wary of their hypocrisy?

Do your actions and attitudes serve to manage fear or banish fear?

How might you change your life to more fully express your awe & respect for God?

In what ways are you unable to be at peace and rest in God’s control of your life?

/by

Luke Pt. 24: The Cost of Misusing Scripture

The use of God’s Word is a sacred responsibility for everyone, especially someone God has raised to Eldership. The leaders of God’s people must be constantly on guard for what has overtaken the Pharisees & Scribes that Jesus points out & condemns in our passage today. They have become corrupt; their position of leadership is meant to serve people, and instead they oppress and control those people using God’s Word to justify it!

There are honest mistakes, misinterpretations and misapplications of God’s Word that happen all the time as we pursue discipleship. Jesus is condemning religious leaders for abusing the power God’s Name in a willful, unrepentant manner

Leaders have a massive responsibility to handle God’s Word and to teach others how to handle it. (Context, Audience, Place in Scripture, Language @ both ends) Everyone one who is part of Jesus Christ’s body needs to always be growing in their knowledge of Scripture so they can be aware of misuse, misrepresentations and misinterpretations of God’s Word

Luke 11:43-54

43 “What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you love to sit in the seats of honor in the synagogues and receive respectful greetings as you walk in the marketplaces. 44 Yes, what sorrow awaits you! For you are like hidden graves in a field. People walk over them without knowing the corruption they are stepping on.”

  • ‘What Sorrow’ is the ultimate sorrow: Eternity separated from God
  • What they love (more than God) is the attention, approval & praise of people
  • This is what is known as narcissism, a self focus that is incredibly corrupting
  • It’s a preoccupation with image, & facade as well (a lifestyle of dishonesty)
  • You can’t see the rot & filth with a casual observance, but the ‘Death’ is there

45 “Teacher,” said an expert in religious law, “you have insulted us, too, in what you just said.” 46 “Yes,” said Jesus, “what sorrow also awaits you experts in religious law! For you crush people with unbearable religious demands, and you never lift a finger to ease the burden.

  • We are offended because we support the Pharisees, they have picked sides
  • Jesus says, ‘Yeah you are in the same boat with them’ (Against God)
  • The sorrow of being separated from God is born of misusing your expertise
  • Justifying oppression by ‘God’s Word’ & exempting yourself from responsibility
  • A lack of acting with compassion is a sign of religious misuse of God’s Word

47 What sorrow awaits you! For you build monuments for the prophets your own ancestors killed long ago. 48 But in fact, you stand as witnesses who agree with what your ancestors did. They killed the prophets, and you join in their crime by building the monuments!

  • You act like you honor what God has revealed thru prophets / scripture
  • The ‘Cult of The Temple’ at that time
  • Their allegiance was to the structure they controlled rather than God
  • God was a ‘Figure Head’ for how them rather than the leader
  • We also support such evil if we do not oppose the wrong practices

49 This is what God in his wisdom said about you:‘I will send prophets and apostles to them, but they will kill some and persecute the others.’

  • The rejection of God’s revelation & the manipulating of God’s Word will happen
  • Misusing God’s Word is the same as persecuting & killing His representatives

50 “As a result, this generation will be held responsible for the murder of all God’s prophets from the creation of the world— 51 from the murder of Abel to the murder of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, it will certainly be charged against this generation.

  • ‘This generation’ is everyone from this point forward (The revelation of Christ)
  • With what they now knew and what we know (Christ) we are accountable
  • We either honor God’s prophets / word or we are guilty of murder too

Old Testament Tie-In Time! Let’s take a look at what Jesus was referencing:

Chronicles 24:19-22

Although the Lord sent prophets to the people to bring them back to him, and though they testified against them, they would not listen. Then the Spirit of God came on Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, “This is what God says: ‘Why do you disobey the Lord’s commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the Lord, he has forsaken you.’”

But they plotted against him, and by order of the king they stoned him to death in the courtyard of the Lord’s temple. 22 King Joash did not remember the kindness Zechariah’s father Jehoiada had shown him but killed his son, who said as he lay dying, “May the Lord see this and call you to account.”

  • King Joash met with a bad end…

52 “What sorrow awaits you experts in religious law! For you remove the key to knowledge from the people. You don’t enter the Kingdom yourselves, and you prevent others from entering.”

  • Their misuse of Scripture keeps them & others from eternity with God
  • To willingly do such a thing, is blasphemy of The Holy Spirit / denial of God

53 As Jesus was leaving, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees became hostile and tried to provoke him with many questions. 54 They wanted to trap him into saying something they could use against him.

  • Instead of hearing what Christ was saying they wanted to keep manipulating
  • Their study of Scripture was not to understand it but to leverage for themselves
  • The trap is using scripture to justify your desires in opposition to Christ
  • Proper use of scriptures transforms your desires to match God’s (Psalm 37:4)

Summary:

A life of religious facade will corrupt and ultimately leads to the greatest sorrow.

The use of God’s Word as a pretext for oppression leads to the greatest sorrow.

Institutionalizing Scripture but not truly honoring His revelation contained in it, leads to the greatest sorrow.

We are responsible if we allow or tolerate what Christ has condemned, instead we must actively oppose it.

Expertise in Scripture that is not used for yours & others salvation leads to the greatest sorrow.

Using Scripture as a means to manipulate people & justify selfish actions is ‘Anti-Christ’.

Application:

What are some specific ways that scripture is misused in the world around you?

Why does Jesus focus so intently on the misuse of scripture by such a small group?

If you are not working against the misuse of scripture, are you supporting the misuse of scripture?

How can you intentionally keep yourself from misusing Scripture to justify selfish actions?

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Luke PT. 23: CHRIST BASED PERSPECTIVE

What goes into the way you view this world? What shapes your perspective? How do you see it? What is your point of view?

Each of us has a perspective, a worldview that we apply to EVERYTHING! As followers of Jesus Christ we claim our perspective is based on HIM. To have that be the truth we will listen to Christ’s Words and apply them with actions.

And how do we keep our ‘Eye Healthy’? ie. keep a Biblical perspective? Look at what Jesus says in Luke 11:28: “Even more blessed are all who hear the Word of God and put it into practice.”

Luke 11:29-42

29 As the crowd pressed in on Jesus, he said, “This evil generation keeps asking me to show them a miraculous sign. But the only sign I will give them is the sign of Jonah. 30 What happened to him was a sign to the people of Nineveh that God had sent him. What happens to the Son of Man will be a sign to these people that he was sent by God.

  • The sign of Jonah is being dead and coming back to life
  • It was enough for the entire city of Nineveh to repent, because God sent him
  • Christ’s resurrection will be enough for those He was sent to
  • Every generation has evil who wont believe & a chosen group who believe
  • ‘Spiritual Scarcity’ isn’t a fruit of The Spirit. (Gal 5:22-23 = Christ’s Disciples

31 “The queen of Sheba will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here—but you refuse to listen.

  • To ‘Stand up against’ is to give evidence to the contrary…
  • She did what she did to taste of God’s wisdom, NOW God offers HIMSELF!

32 The people of Nineveh will also stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here—but you refuse to repent.

  • This ties back to how He said the only sign will be the sign of Jonah…
  • The people of Nineveh, the whole city repented!
  • They did that because God sent a man, Now God has come Himself

33“No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house. 34 “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is unhealthy, your body is filled with darkness.”

  • Think of your eye as ‘The way you see things’ ie ‘Subjective Reality’
  • Your subjective reality is ruled by your theology, Biblical or Non Biblical
  • There is no 3rd theology, it is either Biblical (good) or non-Biblical (evil)
  • Healthy = Reality that is ruled by Biblical Theology (Relational Grace by Spirit)
  • Unhealthy = Reality influenced by Non-Biblical Theology (legalism / scarcity)

How do we evaluate this health? Galatians 5:22&23

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

35 “Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. 36 If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.

  • Christ tells us to ‘Make Sure’ …’Be Intentional’ about evaluating your life
  • We need some objectivity / less subjectivity, that’s how we get into the corners
  • The objective is to shine God’s light, we need each other to grow into that

37 As Jesus was speaking, one of the Pharisees invited him home for a meal. So he went in and took his place at the table. 38 His host was amazed to see that he sat down to eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony required by Jewish custom.

  • Some of what Jesus was saying was resonating with a Pharisee…
  • He expected Christ to be caught up in legalism, like he was

39 Then the Lord said to him, “You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and wickedness! 40 Fools! Didn’t God make the inside as well as the outside? 41 So clean the inside by giving gifts to the poor, and you will be clean all over.

  • Similar analogy to Christ calling Pharisees ‘Whitewashed Tombs’
  • Their focus on appearances led to the rotting of their souls
  • Doing things for others in need comes from experiencing forgiveness

42 “What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.

  • A focus on minutia & disregard the big picture of The Gospel, does not go well
  • A focus on the more important things and growing in obedience = balance

Summary:

Christ’s Resurrection is enough of a ‘Sign’ for those Christ is sent to.

The Resurrection is the gateway to a Christ Based Perspective

There are people who have humbled themselves before God and believed who had far less info than we have, they will testify against those who want more info.

Exhaustive information dosen’t creates Christ Based Perspective, Faith does!

How you look at things really matters! A Worldview born of Biblical Theology is a goal of Christian Discipleship. That is what makes your eye healthy & helpful to others.

Having a ‘Healthy Eye’ is seeing this world for what it is and seeing God for who He is. ‘The way you see things’ / perspective, effects every part of your life.

Having a healthy eye is living by faith & grace in a way that others notice: growing consistently in ‘The Fruit of The Spirit’.

You change your perspective by changing how you live: doing, not talking

We can make sure our light is not really darkness by living out honest relationships in Biblical community. It is the only way to get at ‘dark corners’.

We need help making sure…

God wants to clean our insides (soul) by having us do sacrificial things, not ‘Shows of Spirituality’. Following Christ requires sacrifice & change (Romans 12:1&2)

Perspective change happens through living & doing

Following the letter of the law rather than the Spirit is the height of foolishness. It leads to greed (not just for money) & wickedness.

Legalism is a sickness that rots your integrity

Christ calls us to live in balance: Observing God’s Word relationally not legalistically. We align our priorities with His by growing in His love and His Justice.

Application: Being intentional about growing in your Christ based perspective

Two aspects of good Biblical application:

Honest evaluation of your life.

Intentional action to change where you need to

How do you see it now? How can you change how you see it?

#1. Is Jesus’ Resurrection alone enough for you to declare Him Christ? Why or why not?

#2. What things / activities / people have had the most influence on your worldview?

#3. How does your relationship life exhibit growth in the fruit of the Spirit?

#4. How have you recently changed & what have you sacrificed as a result of your discipleship?

/by

Luke Pt. 22: Whose Side?

This Scripture exists to address a serious problem that happens in Jesus Christ’s Church. The problem at it’s root is we don’t understand things about Evil based on scripture. We can at times be confused about the spiritual world how it has only two sides. Jesus Christ wants to teach us about Evil, we need to listen and apply the biblical knowledge, not get sucked into emotional ideas about evil. Ideas about evil being less than intentional, less than diabolical, less than absolutely opposed to God and His Christ, less than divisive, less than opportunistic.

In this passage Jesus is going to specifically address some of the ways evil works. We need to pay attention, we need to build a culture that intentionally works against evil from a place of understanding and unity. We are all able to be infected with what is afflicting these people, Jesus is addressing. Whenever something is addressed in Scripture that means it pertains to you and me. Dear Christian, never tell yourself: ‘oh that can’t happen to me’. When something like that comes out of our mouth we give evil a place.

11:14-28

14 One day Jesus cast out a demon from a man who couldn’t speak, and when the demon was gone, the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed…15 but some of them said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.” 16 Others, trying to test Jesus, demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.

  • Jesus does an amazing healing and for some it’s not ‘good enough’
  • The result of a lack of grace & faith: cynical, jaded and demanding
  • Who were the ‘some of them’ that questioned what side Jesus was on?
  • On who’s side are the people questioning Jesus’ authority? Are they neutral?
  • Because Jesus was not their tribe (The Temple) they labeled Him ‘Evil’

17 He knew their thoughts, so he said, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A family splintered by feuding will fall apart. 18 You say I am empowered by Satan. But if Satan is divided and fighting against himself, how can his kingdom survive?

  • Since He knew what they were thinking He addressed the root issue
  • Root issue for them & us is we don’t apply biblical knowledge of how evil works
  • Evil is not haphazard. Evil is not obvious. Evil is subtle & intentionally deceptive
  • Evil seeks to divide it’s opponents while banding together to survive

19 And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. 20 But if I am casting out demons by the power of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you.

  • Jesus tells them: ‘Your Bias is Showing’! If someone is in your tribe, they’re ok
  • Jesus calls them out for using a double standard, not seeking objective truth
  • Can we get this narrow minded about what is constitutes Kingdom work?
  • They only see God’s work in a context they have deemed ‘appropriate’

21 For when a strong man is fully armed and guards his palace, his possessions are safe— 22 until someone even stronger attacks and overpowers him, strips him of his weapons, and carries off his belongings.

  • This is a story to show there are different sides and you are on one or the other
  • One side can appear to be the one in power until the greater power shows itself
  • We can’t always see God working, it appears evil has the upper hand
  • But eventually God will show Himself sovereign over evil
  • Because HE is stronger He can render evils weapons useless
  • And HE can take what evil has stolen: SOULS!

23 “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.

  • This is the main point of the passage and other teaching of Christ: ‘Pick a Side’
  • Everything that is not Good is Evil by definition…there is no 3rd Kingdom
  • The Myth of the 3rd Kingdom Book: Kingdom matrix by Jeff Christopherson
  • Exposition of the Biblical teaching that there is no ‘middle ground’

24 “When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, searching for rest. But when it finds none, it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ 25 So it returns and finds that its former home is all swept and in order.

(Move In Ready / Unoccupied Space)

  • If ‘Spiritual House’ is Unoccupied, ie. Neutral, it is open to be inhabited by evil
  • The unoccupied space is not neutral, it’s still evil’s territory until good replaces it
  • What is not good, is evil…What is not evil is good

26 Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before.”

  • If you don’t replace evil with God you are still basically evil
  • All that is not ruled by good / God’s Ways is open to become ruled by evil
  • If your ‘House’ (Life / Soul) isn’t aligned with Good it is de-facto aligned with evil
  • Don’t leave your ‘house’ available to ‘squatters’
  • Once entrenched, evil get stronger; when given place evil becomes the ‘Owner’

27 As he was speaking, a woman in the crowd called out, “God bless your mother—the womb from which you came, and the breasts that nursed you!” 28 Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”

  • Your linage is not what determines your blessedness
  • True Blessings: Our receptiveness to God’s Word & practice of God’s Word
  • Practice means to with regularity and the goal of improving
  • As disciples this is how we are to approach God’s Word: becoming a practitioner

SUMMARY:

Those on Christ’s side don’t create division by making false claims & accusations.

Division is a killer of kingdoms & families; on our side we fight it with God’s Grace!

Evil can appear to be in charge, God’s ways are always able to overcome it.

All Spiritual things are either of Christ or of the enemy, there is no spiritual neutrality!

Jesus says: ‘You are either with me or against me’, there is no 3rd Kingdom!

When evil is expelled it must be replaced with good or evil will reclaim the territory.

There’s more blessings in practicing God’s Word than any heritage or tradition.

APPLICATION:

How can you avoid being demanding & instead be gracious towards God’s actions?

Understanding evil always seeks to divide, how do you proactively promote unity?

What things are considered ‘spiritually neutral’? How do you avoid treating them that way?

Have you ever recognized a place in your life you ‘swept clean’ but didn’t replace the evil?

What are some specific ways you can become more of a practitioner of God’s Word?

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