Tag: Luke

Christmas, Luke, Matthew, Preaching

Joseph and Mary’s Faith

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Text: Matthew 1:18-25 & Luke 1:28-55

These are the two people most affected by the actual birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

They are prepared people

  • Purity

They are faithful

  • Faithful
  • Joseph and Mary have been entrusted with a once in forever task, not just once in a lifetime.
  • Mary’s question, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? (vs 34)
    • Mary asks what everyone asks before God makes clear he wants to use them. She asks HOW?
    • The work of God is always done by the Spirit of God.  This is significant because the flesh can never comprehend the work of God.  The temptation is to make something happen in the flesh through some natural work.  But God is in the business of doing supernatural work.
    • God of the impossible (vs 37)
  • God uses believing people.
    • Mary believes God …be it unto me according to thy word. (vs 38)
    • Conception in verse 38 probably.
      • Spiritual transaction, not physical transaction.
      • Notice immediately that Mary goes to see Elisabeth and John the Baptist leaps in Elisabeth’s womb.
    • And blessed is she that believed: (vs 45)

They are willing participants

  • Willing hearted in spite of very complicated circumstances.
  • Belief in spite of what it might mean to her relationship with Joseph.
    • Mary leaves to the hill country in haste (vs 39)
    • Joseph is a a just man. Just = equitable
Christmas, Luke, Preaching

The Manger

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Text: Luke 2:6-16

The word manger only shows up three times in the Bible; all three times are in the verses we will preach from in Luke chapter 2.

The reason for the manger (vs 7)

  • It’s significant why Jesus was in the manger.
  • The wise men go to the palace and ask Herod about the birth of a king because they thought, like anyone else, the king would be born in the palace.
  • …because there was no room for them in the inn.  The inn would be like a house with a couple extra rooms.
  • I’ve heard multiple sermons about where there is no room for Jesus and you probably have too.
    • No room in culture.
    • No room in education.
    • No room in politics.
  • Consider the innkeeper
    • No room because of ignorance.
      • The innkeeper didn’t make any preparations to accommodate Joseph, Mary, and Jesus.
      • You didn’t know he’d be here, so you’re booked.  No rooms vacant.
    • No room because of indifference.
      • The innkeeper didn’t care enough about housing Joseph, Mary, and Jesus.
      • Maybe you didn’t care he was coming.  Church, prayer, Bible, preaching, teaching, witnessing; none of it is “your thing.”
      • You can take him or leave him.  Makes no difference to you.
    • No room because of inconvenience
      • Look, as an innkeeper, to take on a pregnant mother means special accommodations are going to have to be made.
      • Things will have to be rearranged in order to make room and I just don’t want to get into that.
      • Obligated to current guests.  Some might understand there’s a newborn here, but others may not.  Either way it’s going to be hard to get those guests out to make room for him.  
    • Haven’t you found in your life fitting Jesus in is like an overbooked innkeeper who would have to say no to other guests in order to make room?

The sign of the manger (vs 12)

  • It’s significant what the manger is.
  • The angel said this would be a sign to the shepherds that they’d find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.The sign to the shepherds was unmistakable.
  • The manger is where the flock is fed.
  • The sign of the manger is Jesus Christ would feed his people.
    • He fed his people in the wilderness with manna.
    • He fed the 4000 as they travelled with him.
    • He fed the 5000 as they travelled with him for three days.
  • John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
  • John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
  • Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
  • Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

The baby in the manger (vs 16)

  • It’s significant who was in the manger.
  • It is the Lord Jesus Christ that makes the manger significant.
  • …the babe…That baby is God manifest in the flesh.
    • Your calendar would forever be changed with this event.
    • In that manger was the humanity of God
    • 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh… God in diapers, what a thought!?  God as a child learning, growing, asking questions, hitting his thumb with a hammer, getting splinters, scraping his knee.  Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.  Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (3 words that changed everything)
    • John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
    • Righteousness, wisdom, sanctification, and redemption all have a body – 1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
    • Eternal life has a form – 1 John 1:1-3 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
    • Truth is a man – John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
  • That the manger smelled like cattle
    • Ordinary stable furniture turned to something extraordinary because of who was in it.
    • God would take the ordinary, insignificant, common feed trough and make it special by putting someone priceless in it.
    • Like a sinner that gets saved.
    • 2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Luke, Preaching

Simeon

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Text: Luke 2:25-32

Simeon is a spiritual man.  Notice how many times God’s spirit is mentioned in connection with Simeon.  The Holy Spirit is upon him in verse 25.  The Holy Spirit reveals a specific promise to Simeon in verse 26.  The Holy Spirit leads Simeon into the temple in verse 27. Then you see the results of the Holy Spirit’s close personal involvement in a man’s life.

Simeon is a welcome vessel for the Holy Ghost (vs 25)

  • Some places you feel more comfortable than others.  The Holy Ghost is the same way. Seal of God’s approval is His Spirit.  Simeon displayed characteristics of the Spirit of God.
  • Waiting for the consolation of Israel meant he had an earnest expectation of God’s redemptive work.
    • Waiting like waiting tables.  It is an active waiting. If you’re really waiting on a table, you do everything you can to make their experience pleasant.  Orders taken timely. Drinks stay full. Isn’t it frustrating when your waiter stops waiting on you. I imagine God feels the same way.
    • Waiting is defined as:
      • Just means doing right; it is justice
      • Devout means committed. This is someone who is invested themselves in the consolation of Israel.
      • We want God to do a work in our lives so that we can then commit ourselves to him.  The reality is that God’s work is the reverse of that. Nothing great can be done in your life UNTIL there is a commitment on your part to the Lord.
      • Psalm 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
      • Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

Holy Ghost revealed a promise to Simeon (vs 26)

  • Holy Spirit of promise
  • Assurance and confidence
  • It was revealed to him because Simeon was looking for the consolation of Israel.  People looking for Jesus Christ get answers; they get confidence and assurance.

Spirit of God led Simeon to Jesus Christ (vss 27-32)

  • Leading of the Spirit of God leads to fulfilled promises and peace.

Simeon’s prophecy (vss 34-35)

  • Perhaps the only man who saw the resurrection.
Luke, Preaching

The Manger

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Text: Luke 2:7, 12, 16

The word manger only shows up three times in the Bible; all three times are in the verses we will preach from in Luke chapter 2.

The necessity of the manger (vs 7)

  • It’s significant why Jesus was in the manger.
  • …because there was no room for them in the inn.  The inn would be like a house with a couple extra rooms.
  • I’ve heard multiple sermons about where there is no room for Jesus and you probably have too.
    • No room in culture.
    • No room in education.
    • No room in politics.
  • Consider the innkeeper
    • No room because of ignorance.
      • The innkeeper didn’t make any preparations to accommodate Joseph, Mary, and Jesus.
      • You didn’t know he’d be here, so you’re booked.  No rooms vacant.
    • No room because of indifference.
      • The innkeeper didn’t care enough about housing Joseph, Mary, and Jesus.
      • Maybe you didn’t care he was coming.  Church, prayer, Bible, preaching, teaching, witnessing; none of it is “your thing.”
      • You can take him or leave him.  Makes no difference to you.
    • No room because of inconvenience
      • Look, as an innkeeper, to take on a pregnant mother means special accommodations are going to have to be made.
      • Things will have to be rearranged in order to make room and I just don’t want to get into that.
      • Obligated to current guests.  Some might understand there’s a newborn here, but others may not.  Either way it’s going to be hard to get those guests out to make room for him.  
  • Haven’t you found in your life fitting Jesus in is like an overbooked innkeeper who would have to say no to other guests in order to make room?

The sign of the manger (vs 12)

  • It’s significant what the manger is.
  • The angel said this would be a sign to the shepherds that they’d find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. The sign to the shepherds was unmistakable.
  • The manger is where the flock is fed.
  • The sign of the manger is Jesus Christ would feed his people.
    • He fed his people in the wilderness with manna.
    • He fed the 4000 as they travelled with him.
    • He fed the 5000 as they travelled with him for three days.
    • John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
    • John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
    • Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

The babe in the manger (vs 16)

  • It’s significant who was in the manger.
  • …the babe…That baby is God manifest in the flesh.
    • Your calendar would forever be changed with this event.
    • In that manger was the humanity of God
    • 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh… God in diapers, what a thought!?  God as a child learning, growing, asking questions, hitting his thumb with a hammer, getting splinters, scraping his knee.  Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.  Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (3 words that changed everything)
    • John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
    • Righteousness, wisdom, sanctification, and redemption all have a body – 1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
    • Eternal life has a form – 1 John 1:1-3 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
    • Truth is a man – John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
  • That the manger smelled like cattle
    • Ordinary stable furniture turned to something extraordinary because of who was in it.
    • God would take the ordinary, insignificant, common feed trough and make it special by putting someone priceless in it.
    • Like a sinner that gets saved.
    • 2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Luke, Preaching

Living Faith of the Dying Thief

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Text: Luke 23:39-43

Here is a deathbed confession.  Literally within a couple of hours of this man’s death he puts his trust in Jesus Christ.  

Overcame the voice of his companion (vss 39-40)

  • For a while both criminals are jeering and taunting Jesus Christ.  
  • Some of you don’t know what to do with Jesus Christ and don’t even know how can help you because you’re too influenced by your friends.

Overcame the vileness of his own condition (vss 40-41)

Overcame the vulnerability of Christ (vss 41-42)

  • How could this be the son of God if he’s dying on a cross?
Luke, Preaching

Busy Isn’t Success

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Text: Luke 10:38-42

Let’s read this entire passage first then come back and make some comments on it.

People are busy.  Sometimes they want to seem busy to seem successful.  

Your responsibilities will keep you from Jesus Christ (vs 38)

  • Martha is generous.  She is the keeper at home and with a guest like the Lord Jesus Christ, she wants to make sure things are done.
  • Notice her responsibilities are going to blind her from what she needs.
  • However, things are different when Jesus Christ is in the home.

Success is not where you think it is (vs 39)

  • Mary sits at Jesus’ feet to hear his words.  Now you might think that Mary is wasting her time and she needs to get up and get something done.  But as we’ll see, she is actually getting done what needs to get done FIRST.
  • Success is found at Jesus’ feet listening to his words.
  • Success is not a matter of more movement, but a matter of priorities.  Jesus Christ being the first and foremost priority.
  • In ministry
    • Beware of much serving if you haven’t sat at Jesus’ feet
    • First learn to sit, be fed, grow
    • Be careful of service apart from fellowship with Jesus Christ

Bitterness of busy (vs 40)

  • Consequences of service without your own personal fellowship with the Lord are several
  • Ignorance – you will miss things from the Lord that you need to hear.  What happens if she fails to spend time with the Lord? She doesn’t get what she needs.
  • Even your service becomes a burden – cumbered about with much serving.  That’s a peculiar phrase!
  • Bitterness toward the Lord – Lord dost thou not care?!  There is the trouble!  Your closeness to the Lord has grown distant and now it’s easy to see Him in the wrong light.
  • Resentment – hath left me to serve alone?  I’m the only one who does anything around here!  If you begin to think that first of all it’s not true.  Second of all, if you think that way, your motivation is wrong for service.
  • Indictment – bid her therefore that she help me.  
  • Burn out – that will lead to burn out because you trying to accomplish things for the Lord in your own power.  Eventually the wheels will come off and the train wreck will be man made.

Burden of busy (vs 41)

  • Duty is the motivation of Martha.  You could also call it obligation. She feels obliged to do what she’s doing, but in the process she’s missing the point and wearing herself out.
  • Martha, Martha.  A few times in the New Testament Jesus Christ speaks like this.  He says Jerusalem, Jerusalem; Simon, Simon; Saul, Saul.  Each time he’s speaking out of pity.  Be careful that your service is not a grief to the Holy Spirit of God because it will become a grief to you as well.
  • What’s driving you?  Careful and troubled about many things is a description of your life?  It’s not because you have too many responsibilities.  It’s because you aren’t doing the needful thing: sit at Jesus feet and hear from him FIRST.
  • Everything is trouble when the one, needful thing is neglected.
  • It may not be wrong to be doing what you’re doing, but it may be in the wrong order.  Keep your priorities in order.
  • One thing versus the many things – Martha is divided and consequently is busy missing the most important time with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Fellowship with Jesus Christ is not wasted time (vs 42)

  • One thing is needful…
  • Time spent with Jesus Christ is NOT keeping you from doing the things you need to do.
  • Fellowship with Jesus Christ is not a distraction I have to fit into my day.  If fellowship with Jesus Christ is an inconvenience then you’re looking at it from the wrong angle.  You have Martha’s view and you need Mary’s.
  • Martha is trying to fit God in the “To Do” list of day to day activity, but Mary understands that there is no life apart from Jesus Christ.  He that hath the Son hath life; I am the way the truth and the life; In him was life – Jesus Christ is LIFE! And apart from Him you can do NOTHING!  No matter how busy you are!

Good choices (vs 42)

  • Mary hath chosen that good part…
  • You don’t have more or less time than anyone else.  God gave you and me the right amount of time to be able to do the right thing.
  • God’s commands never demand your time.  Notice it’s always something else that demands your time.  Eternal blessings won’t demand your time.
  • Sometimes we think it’s easier to by busy because we can measure the results.  But if busy is all you are, you may be investing and spinning your wheels on things that aren’t giving you any real benefit and have no eternal value.
Christmas, Luke, Preaching, Teaching

Mary, Handmaid of the Lord

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Text: Luke 1:28-38, 45-55

We shy away from talking about Mary because of how she’s been exalted by the Roman Catholic church to the heights of deity and mediator.  Mary is highly favored of God.  She is the handmaiden of the Lord: maiden waiting at hand.

Gabriel is sent by God to Mary.  Gabriel only speaks to three people in the Bible, Daniel Zacharias (John the Baptist’s dad), and Mary.

Now, we need to put ourselves in Mary’s life.  Mary and Joseph are engaged.  She is a virgin.  And she’s told she is going to have a child.  Not just any child, but the only begotten Son of God.  Mary.  From this point on her thoughts and life are consumed with the blessing God has bestowed on her.  This blessing of God is going to complicate her future wedding.  This blessing of God is going to be unexplainable to those around her.

Mary is one of God’s favorites (vss 28-30)

  • …thou art highly favoured…thou hast found favour with God. (vss 28, 30)
  • God has his favorites.
  • God so loved the world and it can be said of every soul in this world that Jesus Christ died for that soul.  That is the ultimate sacrifice and display of love.  Now, that doesn’t mean that God likes everybody or that God trusts everybody.
  • Mary has been entrusted with a once in forever task, not just once in a lifetime.
  • Mary was prepared by purity (vs 27)
    • To a virgin espoused to a man…
    • Ephesians 5:25-26 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
    • HOLY Spirit
    • HOLY Bible
    • God likes clean.
    • It will be a sad day when we learn our lack of morals have made us useless to God.
    • Consider the negative side of this in God’s work.
      • Baalam taught the children of Israel to commit fornication so God would curse his own people.
  • Mary feared God
    • His mercy on them that fear him 1:50
  • Mary is humble
    • exalted them of low degree 1:52
  • Mary hungers and thirsts after righteousness
    • 1:53

Mary meditates on godly things

  • Considers the weight of divine responsibility 1:29
    • We would do well to consider our responsibilities.
    • God entrusts her with tremendous complications in her life
      • Her husband is going to be mad.
      • Her marriage may go out  the window.
      • Her reputation may go out the window.
      • He trusts her to keep a right spirit with all the trouble that will come with this.
    • 1 Thessalonians 2:3-4.  If someone has been entrusted with something, that means I am going to let them have the responsibility of this thing.
  • Considers the sacrifice associated with God’s blessing 2:19
    • She is exhausted.  Had a baby.  No room for them to stay anywhere but a barn.  Then these excited shepherds show up.
  • Considers the ordinary made extraordinary 2:33
    • He’s a baby.  He cries.  She changes his diaper.  She feeds him and burps him.  And he is the only begotten Son of God.
    • Simeon proclaims the great work of God in this little baby.
  • Considers losing Jesus 2:51
    • Can you imagine Mary here?  Jesus has been lost for 3 days.  Mary is suppose to be taking care of the only begotten Son of God, her firstborn son, and she can’t find him.
    • We seem to have little reaction when we can’t find Jesus.

Mary’s question (vs 34)

  • How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? (vs34)
  • Mary asks what everyone asks before God makes clear he wants to use them. She asks HOW?
  • The work of God is always done by the Spirit of God.  This is significant because the flesh can never comprehend the work of God.  The temptation is to make something happen in the flesh through some natural work.  But God is in the business of doing supernatural work.
  • God of the impossible

Mary believes God (vss 38-45)

  • God uses believing people.
  • …be it unto me according to thy word. (vs 38)
  • And blessed is she that believed: (vs 45)
  • Conception in verse 38 probably.
    • Spiritual transaction, not physical transaction.
    • Notice immediately that Mary goes to see Elisabeth and John the Baptist leaps in Elisabeth’s womb.
  • Belief in spite of what it might mean to her relationship with Joseph.
    • Mary leaves to the hill country in haste (vs 39)
  • You find the same language in Daniel 6:23.  Someone believes God, therefore some work of God is accomplished in them.
  • Luke 11:27-28 One tried to worship Mary, but the Lord corrected them and said the believers are the one’s blessed.
Christmas, Luke, Preaching

Simeon, a Spiritual Man

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Text: Luke 2:25-35

Simeon is a spiritual man.  Notice how many times God’s spirit is mentioned in connection with Simeon.  The Holy Spirit is upon him in verse 25.  The Holy Spirit reveals a specific promise to Simeon in verse 26.  The Holy Spirit leads Simeon into the temple in verse 27.  Then you see the results of the Holy Spirit’s close personal involvement in a man’s life.

Seal of God’s Spirit on Simeon (vs 25)

  • Seal of God’s approval is His Spirit.  Simeon displayed characteristics of the Spirit of God.
  • Waiting for the consolation of Israel meant he had an earnest expectation of God’s redemptive work.
    • So much of our lives is determined by what we are waiting for.  So much is determined by our expectations.  Our attitude.  Our behavior.
    • Waiting like waiting tables.  It is an active waiting.  If you’re really waiting on a table, you do everything you can to make their experience pleasant.  Orders taken timely.  Drinks stay full.  Isn’t it frustrating when your waiter stops waiting on you.  I imagine God feels the same way.
  • Just means doing right; it is justice.
  • Simeon is just because he is waiting on the consolation of Israel.
    • Someone who fears God, like Simeon, who is looking for the consolation of Israel is going to be like the Lord.
  • If we confess…faithful and just to forgive… We sometimes forget about the justice in that verse.  God said it was just to forgive when a real confession of sin is made.
  • Devout means committed.
    • This is someone who is invested themselves in the consolation of Israel.
    • We want God to do a work in our lives so that we can then commit ourselves to him.  The reality is that God’s work is the reverse of that.  Nothing great can be done in your life UNTIL there is a commitment on your part to the Lord.
      • Psalm 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
      • Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

God’s personal promise to Simeon (vs 26)

  • Not everyone gets this promise.
  • He had a great desire to see God’s salvation.
  • God is personal.  If you have a personal relationship with the Lord, there are some things between you and the Lord that aren’t between you and anybody else.

Spiritual leadership in Simeon’s life (vss 27-35)

  • Led him right (vs 27)
    • Right place
    • Right people
  • Was cause for rejoicing (vs 28)
  • Resulted in satisfaction (vs 29)
  • The work of God was made visible (vss 30-32)
  • Marvellous words of life (vs 33)
  • Blessing to those in God’s will (vs 34)
  • Perhaps the only man who foresaw the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ (vss 34-35)
Luke, Preaching

Hurricane Harvey Lessons

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Text: Luke 8:22-25

Trouble doesn’t mean sin

  • … there came a storm of wind…(vs 22)
  • Faith is nothing until it’s proven so trouble is necessary
  • Circumstances are not an indication of your relationship with God.  Carnal thinking says God is waiting to thump me.
  • Blessings don’t mean you’re right with God either.  God is good, He sends rain on the just and the unjust.
  • Consider Job, Paul, the prophets, apostles, Jesus Christ

Find security in who God is because you don’t always know what He’s doing

  • … he fell asleep…(vs 24)
  • What is trouble to you is not trouble to God.
  • Not the sleep of apathy, but the sleep of confidence.  Disciples are thinking, what is he doing?
  • Psalms 46:10 – Be still and know that I am God…
  • Do you know that God is good?  Do you know that the Lord loves you?  Do you know that the Lord is merciful and graceful?

Fear is focusing on the wrong thing

  • Where is your faith? (vs 25) – Great question
  • Faith cannot exist with fear
  • General George Patton after admitting to being scared during combat added this, “I never take counsel from my fears.”
  • Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus – Great advice

Never forget in the darkness what was said in the light (vs 25)

  • Find ourselves forgetting what God said when the storm comes in. He said, Let us go over to the other side of the lake. They said, Master, we perish.
  • It’s easy to believe God when the water is calm, but just because the waves have become boisterous and water is filling the boat doesn’t change what God said
  • God trieth the hearts…

The intended outcome of your storm is a greater revelation of who God is

  • What manner of man is this! (vs 25)
  • The storm was instructive
  • There wasn’t another way for the disciples to see that Jesus had power over the elements; wind and water than by corralling them in a storm
  • How can God show you He is the Provider unless He puts you in a position of need?
  • How can God show you He is the Comforter unless you are in a position of great discomfort?
  • Illustration of Nick, Brittany, and Haddie
Luke, Preaching

You’re the Dirt

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Text: Luke 8:3-14

  • The seed is the word of God (Luke 8:11; Matt. 13:19)
  • The ground is the heart of the hearer (Luke 8:12).  How do you like that?  You can be the dirt in the parable.

Unprepared heart

  • Significance of the wayside ground is that it is unprepared.
    • Pawn Stars guy looking at a Bible supposedly signed by Mickey Mantle.  He said the Bible wasn’t worthy much to him, but if it had Mickey Mantle’s signature on it that would make it worth something.  That illustrates the attitude of church going people.  The Bible we can take it or leave it, but if it helps me make money then it’s worth it to me.  You dump out the treasure chest full of gold silver and precious stones in order to find the fidget spinner.
    • If I offered a thousand dollars to anyone who could answer 5 questions about the sermon next Sunday.  You’d come prepared to get something from the sermon.
  • Unprepared because you have no interest
    • Because you have no heart for the things of God.
    • Because it doesn’t make you feel good.
  • Unprepared because your religious teaching
    • Jesus said to the Pharisees they make the words of God of none effect by your tradition.
  • Unprepared because it’s not a priority
    • Because it doesn’t pertain to your life.
    • Because it would be a nuisance to make it a part of your life.  That was Pilate.
  • Unprepared means you choose to give the devil the upper hand in your life.  Unprepared means you take the grace the Lord offers you and give it directly to the devil.

Shallow heart

  • Emotional response to the words of God without any change of heart or desire for true righteousness.
  • This problem is not at the surface.  Underneath, this soul is set in its way.
  • What was the problem?  No root.  The seed entered in at the surface, but couldn’t find deep enough place to root.  Temptations weren’t the problem, they just revealed the problem.
  • Shallow because of your age.
    • God can’t make any real change in my life at this point in my life.
  • Shallow because you received the word of God for some selfish motive.
    • Do you know when people show up to church more often than anything else?  When they have trouble.  Job trouble.  Marriage trouble.  Financial trouble.  Don’t get me wrong, Jesus Christ is the answer and the word of God is the solution.  But the stupidity of thinking, I want God to fix my marriage, but I want to go back to ruining my life after that.  Look, if he is the solution to your marriage, the solution to your finances, the solution to your job situation, why would you leave him?
    • This person will bail on God’s words as soon as it begins to cost them.  And you will forget that the words of God are the answer.

Suffocating heart

  • The words choked out with worldliness – influences, cares of this world, deceitfulness of riches, pleasures of this life, worldly lusts.
  • It “becometh unfruitful” indicating that it had the opportunity to bear fruit (Mark 4:19, Luke 8:14).
  • Bearing fruit is its natural state.  If a farmer sees his crop not bearing fruit he will try to figure out what is wrong with it because it is natural to bear fruit.
  • The soil here is good, but there is competition in the heart
  • Demas. 2 Timothy 4:10
  • Suffocating cares
    • The bills, the bank account, kids education, my job, the things of life.
    • What happened to the fruit?  You say, well, life happened!  As though life doesn’t happen for anyone else.  As though fruitful Christians don’t deal with life, but are somehow insulated from it.
    • Martha care
    • Your concern for the things in this world is suffocating the work of the word of God in your life.
  • Suffocating riches
    • Matthew called it the deceitfulness of riches.  Riches promise happiness.  They don’t deliver, but you keep chasing it.
    • How many of you have ever associated your spiritual barrenness with your pursuit of money?
  • Suffocating pleasure
    • Things that please you.  Things that make you happy, but not God.
    • There is too much play, fun.  You do what you want, when you want and God’s word suffocates in the party.

Productive heart

  • The soil is well prepared when the seed is planted and fulfills its purpose.
  • The productivity is noteworthy.  For every fourth seed you get a minimum 30 fold return.  As a pastor you end up spending time with the fruitful ones.
  • The only factor in levels of fruit is the watering and care of the seed and fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ. (John 15:5)
  • If you’re not bearing fruit, it’s because you belong to one of the other three categories.
    • God wants to bear fruit in your marriage.
    • God wants to bear fruit in your family.
    • God wants to bear fruit in your church.
    • God wants to bear fruit in your job.
    • But there is no fruit to bear if he can’t bear fruit in you.
  • What made the ground good?
    • Honest and good heart
      • Quit making excuses.
      • Quit making your fruitlessness someone else’s fault.
      • The word of God, the seed, has found a place it can work and grow.
    • Keep the word of God
      • Keeping it watered.
      • Weeding what needs to be weeded.
    • Patiently wait for the seed to yield
Luke, Preaching

Why You Won’t Follow Him

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Text: Luke 9:57-62

We see the twelve disciples as though they were a part of fate somehow in becoming disciples.  That there was no way they couldn’t be his disciples.  But I want you to consider at least three people who could’ve made the cut but didn’t.

The Lord has another step for you to take with him, but you’ll find the reason that hasn’t happened yet is because of one of these three things.

Rash and hasty decisions (vss 57-58)

  • Trying to go from one emotional high to another.
  • You’re not considering the big picture and he knows the response is a superficial one.
  • Jesus explains that there are times he goes without basic necessities.
  • The cost of family
    • We want to soften the blow, but you realize Jesus doesn’t explain himself.
    • LISTEN CAREFULLY! – You and I underestimate what God is willing to let die in order to gain a soul and conform that soul into the image of Jesus Christ.
    • Jesus was a prophet without honor in his own home.
    • Some of you have paid this price.  And I want to encourage you.  If it were easy, there wouldn’t be a cost involved.  But you know exactly what Jesus Christ means when he says at some point it will come down to you following family or you following me.  Because you’re family may not want to go in the direction I’m going and the question is when they don’t want to go, will you still follow me?
  • The cost of following
    • Jesus Christ says Christianity is following me and I carried my cross.  You don’t get to call what you do following Jesus Christ unless you’re walking in the same steps he walked.
    • Walk in Jesus Christ footsteps.
    • He doesn’t ask you to go anywhere He hasn’t gone.
    • The problem with following is we don’t want to walk where he walked.
    • No servant is greater than his master.  Jesus Christ isn’t going to walk one path while you walk another and still claim to follow him.

Divided loyalty to other good priorities (vs 59)

  • Let me get my house in order.
  • Let me stop doing this and then I’ll follow.
  • Make my priorities your priorities.
  • When I started learning the Bible, no one had to tell me to go to church.  I found out where to get fed and I was hungry to get fed.  They say you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.  If that horse is thirsty, you don’t have to make him drink.  He’ll drink on his own.

Living in the past (vss 60-61)

  • Family member dies without getting saved and it’s scarred you.
  • Glory days aren’t here anymore.  Great, what’s that between you and the Lord?
Luke, Preaching

When God Gets the Benefit of Your Doubt

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Text: Luke 5:1-11

Obstacles to the benefit of your doubt

  • Regardless of belief
    • You don’t believe that it will work
    • You don’t trust God. Did you trust God the first time that you learned that you should tithe?
    • You know a better way (Children obey your parents)
  • Regardless of experience
    • Your presumption of the results
  • Regardless of ability
    • No education
    • No talent.
    • Or when talent leads you away from the Lord.
    • No service because of age
  • Regardless of convenience
    • Interferes with your plan
    • Interferes with you pet sin
    • Fear of man bringeth a snare

Overabundance in the benefit of your doubt

  • What happened to them because of their obedience? Enclosed a great multitude…net brake…filled both the ships…astonished and all that were with him…
  • Psalm 119:162 I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
  • Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
  • Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
  • 1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Opportunity after the benefit of your doubt

  • Opens the next door – Luke 5:10 …henceforth… Nevertheless always precedes henceforth
    • Until you are in full obedience to God he will not open the next door in your life.
  • Gives you another reason to trust Him.  And that’s what He’s going for.  He’s saying, Prove me.  Put my words to the test and see for yourself if what I’m telling you isn’t true.
  • Removes doubt about God’s words.
Luke, Preaching

The Significance of the Manger

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Text: Luke 2:7, 12 16

“Were you born in a barn?” use to be a common colloquialism to describe our kids’ lack of discrimination between what’s inside the house and what’s outside the house.  That saying came from the birth of Jesus Christ in whose case it was true that He was born in a barn.

The word manger only shows up three times in the Bible; all three times are in the verses we will preach from in Luke chapter 2.

It’s significant why Jesus was there

  • No room in the inn.  The inn would be like a house with a couple extra rooms.
  • I understand Jesus wasn’t born on December 25, but I enjoy the season.  I like the Christmas music, the lights, the decorations, the days off work, the presents, the get togethers.  But some things about Christmas which is suppose to be a birthday for Jesus Christ.
  • Christmas is the only birthday celebration I know of where everyone else gets gifts except the one with the birthday.  We may say He’s the reason for the season, but how many of you have a gift to give the Lord Jesus Christ?
  • Christmas is the only birthday I know of where sometimes the birthday boy is not allowed to attend.  Instead the heroes are Santa, Rudolph, and Frosty.
  • I’ve heard multiple sermons about where there is no room for Jesus and you probably have too.
    • No room in culture.
    • No room in education.
    • No room in politics.
    • No room in the public.
  • All that is true.  We don’t have any misconceptions about the world and there really is little reason for me to tell you the world has no room for Jesus.
  • Let’s get personal.  Haven’t you found in your life fitting Jesus in is like an overbooked innkeeper who would have to say no to other guests in order to make room.
  • It’s significant why Jesus was in the manger.
    • No room because of ignorance
    • No room because of indifference
    • No room because of inconvenience

It’s significant what the manger represents

  • The angel said this would be a sign to the shepherds that they’d find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  The sign to the shepherds was unmistakeable.
  • The manger was where the flock was fed.
    • Here is Jesus Christ, the bread of life, to feed the flock of God.
    • John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
  • The manger was a filthy vessel.
    • Make no mistake, the manger is a feed trough.  It was dirty.  It smelled like animals.
    • Manger, like you and me are dirty.
    • Manger, like you and me are unworthy of divine royalty.
    • Manger, like you and me are places God chose to put Himself.
    • Manger, like you and me have nothing to do with glory other than the one that is in it.  This is what made the manger special – who was in it.  Ordinary stable furniture turned to something extraordinary.

It’s significant who was in the manger

  • …the babe…That baby is God.  Your calendar would forever be changed with this event.
  • In that manger was the humanity of God
    • 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh… God in diapers, what a thought!?  God as a child learning, growing, asking questions, hitting his thumb with a hammer, getting splinters, scraping his knee.  Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.  Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (3 words that changed everything)
    • John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
    • Righteousness, wisdom, sanctification, and redemption all have a body – 1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
    • Eternal life has a form – 1 John 1:1-3 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
    • Truth is a man – John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
  • In that manger was the humility of glory
    • Philippians 2:5-11 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
    • Humility has no dignity.  God lowered himself to make us right with Him, but we won’t lower ourselves to make ourselves right with Him.  Maybe tonight you’re too dignified to get right with God.  There too much to lose in your mind.  Don’t look for the glory if you won’t let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.
Luke, Preaching

Anna

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Text: Luke 2:36-38

In the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ we are probably familiar with the shepherds, the wise men, Mary, and Joseph, but Anna is a lady that doesn’t make it in the manger scene.   She is there when Jesus Christ is a baby and brought to the temple.  There is not a lot written about Anna, but there is much said about Anna in what is written.  Ten to twelve details are given about Anna’s life that describe the incredible character of this woman.

Anna’s reputation

  • The first thing of note is that Anna is a prophetess.  That means she had a reputation for giving good godly counsel.  Like Deborah who is a prophetess in the old testament.

Anna’s expectation

  • A focussed life indicates someone living with a goal in mind.
  • An athlete in training.
  • A musician preparing.
  • A saint looking for the coming of Jesus Christ.

Anna’s devotion

  • She learned to love the Lord first.
  • After her husband died, she didn’t remarry.
  • She spent all her time in the temple.
  • 1 Timothy 5:5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

Anna’s consolation

  • She saw her desire come to fruition.
  • Anna poured her life into the Lord’s work and it paid off.

 

Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear,

We’re tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;

But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away,

All tears forever over in God’s eternal day.

Sometimes the sky looks dark with not a ray of light,

We’re tossed and driven on, no human help in sight;

But there is one in heav’n who knows our deepest care,

Let Jesus solve your problem – just go to Him in prayer.

Life’s day will soon be o’er, all storms forever past,

We’ll cross the great divide, to glory, safe at last;

We’ll share the joys of heav’n – a harp, a home, a crown,

The tempter will be banished, we’ll lay our burden down.

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,

Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;

One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,

So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

Luke, Preaching

The Unjust Steward

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Text: Luke 16:1-12

The unjust steward is commended for making opportunity with the resources he had.  He used what was in his care to open doors when other doors closed.  It is a story that the Lord Jesus Christ used to illustrate the resourcefulness of worldly people with worldly things in contrast to the lack of resourcefulness of the children of light with spiritual matters.

Stewardship with less will lead to more

Stewardship with simple will lead to more complex

Stewardship with others will lead to your own

Luke, Preaching

Discipleship

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Text: Luke 14:25-33

Jesus Christ defines successful Christianity much differently than most.  Give them everything they want and call that success.  Jesus Christ is doing the exact opposite of the mega church movement.  This is Jesus Christ weeding people out.  Not with joy, but because they had not considered the price of following the Lord.  Quality is at stake.

There is a difference between someone who is saved and someone who actually follows Jesus Christ.  Now, after you’re saved, is following Jesus Christ optional?

Does Jesus say, I know you’ve got a lot on your plate like video games watching TV, but if you can find time to follow me that’d be great. But if not I don’t want to intrude on your fun.

Conditions of Disqualification

  • If you can’t do this, you are disqualified from consideration.
  • If you can’t do this, you are not able to perform the duties of service.
    • If what you do doesn’t help the mission, then you have no right to call what you do service.
    • I fear most of you don’t even qualify for service much less victory in the form of revival.
    • Not only are you losing, but you’re not even qualified to be in the game.
  • That also tells me this is what service is going to look like
  • The followers had not considered the cost.
    • Playing football I considered the cost.
    • Pastoring a church, I’ve considered the cost.
  • Some followed because they wanted to. Some followed him for the food.  Some followed him to improve their lives.  The problem was that none had considered the COST.
  • Because there is opposition
    • Following Jesus Christ has a price because of the enemies of the gospel.
  • We have a form of godliness but denying the power thereof.  We’ve never done anything that required spiritual strength.

The cost of family

  • Preachers take verse 26, then step out in front of Jesus as they push Jesus into the background and say, Now this is what he means.  His mouth just got ahead of him, let me do a little damage control with an explanation of what he’s saying.
  • We want to soften the blow, but you realize Jesus doesn’t explain himself.
  • LISTEN CAREFULLY! – You and I underestimate what God is willing to let die in order to gain a soul and conform that soul into the image of Jesus Christ.
    • Our problem is not that we don’t understand the definition of hate, our problem is we’ve underestimated what God is willing to destroy, or let go of, or allow to be broken in order to follow him.
  • Jesus was a prophet without honor in his own home.
  • Some of you have paid this price.  And I want to encourage you.  If it were easy, there wouldn’t be a cost involved.  But you know exactly what Jesus Christ means when he says at some point it will come down to you following family or you following me.  Because you’re family may not want to go in the direction I’m going and the question is when they don’t want to go, will you still follow me?

The cost of following

  • Jesus Christ says Christianity is following me and I carried my cross.  You don’t get to call what you do following Jesus Christ unless you’re walking in the same steps he walked.
    • Perverted view of Christianity thanks to lazy Christians and pep rally speakers that say Christianity is me getting my way, prospering, having good, doing good, feeling good, etc.
  • Walk in Jesus Christ footsteps.
    • He doesn’t ask you to go anywhere He hasn’t gone.
    • He doesn’t drive you like the devil does.  He’s a shepherd who leads.
  • The problem with following is we don’t want to walk where he walked.
    • No servant is greater than his master.  Jesus Christ isn’t going to walk one path while you walk another and still claim to follow him.
    • The Lord is my shepherd… he leadeth me.  But he’s really not your shepherd and he really doesn’t lead you because you’re not following.
    • Servant is led away of his own lust sometimes
  • Self denial.  It means your motivation doesn’t come from what’s happening to you now, your motivation comes from what going to happen in the future.

The cost of finishing

  • I’m saved and that’s good enough for me.
  • According to what Jesus Christ said your Christianity is a joke. All that behold it begin to mock him…
  • Some decisions need to be made before you ever get started.

The cost of forfeiting

  • Conditions of surrender.
  • Unreasonableness of fighting against God.  As though you’re going to ignore what the Holy Spirit says to you, but will go on to live a good life.
  • The blessed life is described in terms of how we hinder it
    • Our inability to relinquish our grip, to let go.
    • Our unwillingness to rest in faith
  • Illustration of holding on as the burden gets heavier and heavier.
  • Unsaved folks here, you won’t receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your savior because you don’t want him touching the pleasures of your sin.  That sin that comforts you will put you in hell one day if it continues to keep you from the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.

The cost of forsaking

  • Have you ever had to just write something off as a loss?  You sold a car for a lot less than you wanted to.  A house maybe.  Something in business even.  You get to a point where you say it’s going to cost me more to hang on to this than it is to let it go.
  • The Bee and Businessman
    • A businessman often found a place to think high up in an office building away from his own office and away from his home office.  He’d go there to get away from all the clamour of the day.  It happened that oftentimes he’d find himself accompanied by an insect here or there.  Sometimes he’d stop what he was doing and just watch and consider the bug and its activities.  On this particular day a bee made its way into his get away.  He was fairly distracted, but was finishing up work anyway so he stopped what he was doing and considered the bee.  After a little while he decided to head home, but before doing so he opened a window to let the bee fly out to freedom.  But the bee was stubborn and unaware of the prison he’d be trapped in if he didn’t leave.  The man tried to encourage the bee to fly out, but the bee grew angrier and his curious wondering turned malicious toward his would be liberator.  The man tried a little more coercive action, but about that time the bee stung him then landed on a shelf above what the man could reach.  Resigning to know the bee would be dead the next time he made his way there, he shut the window and made his way home.  A few days later the businessman returned to his hide away to find the dried carcass of the bee right on the shelf where it landed after its furious fight to stay a prisoner.
    • We are the bee and the Lord Jesus Christ is the businessman trying to liberate, trying to make free if only we’d yield to his will.  But what we will soon find out in this short life is that what we tried so hard to hang on to was what kept us from truly living an abundant life here.
Luke, Preaching

Walking with the Lord Jesus Christ

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Text: Luke 24:13-35

Walking with Jesus Christ means His faithfulness for our failures (vss 25-27)

  • He is faithful where we aren’t
  • Not the healthy that need a physician, haven’t come to call the righteous, but the unrighteous
  • 1 Corinthians 10:13, Jude 24, Hebrews 4:15-16

Walking with Jesus Christ means desiring His fellowship (vss 28-29)

  • He would’ve gone on if they didn’t constrain Him
  • James 4:8 – He will test your desire and allow offenses
  • Mad at God, unforgiveness? Works of the flesh will keep you wanting to stay away from the Lord.

Walking with Jesus Christ means walking by faith (vss 30-31)

  • They knew him, and he was out of their sight
  • Knowing him by faith – effectual work of words of God to them that receive them (1 Thessalonians 2:13) – illustrate salvation
  • Knowing him means walking by faith – Just shall live by faith
  • When you don’t walk by faith you’ll notice
    • life is unfair and you’ll quit
    • laborers are few and you’ll quit
    • leaders will fail and you’ll quit
    • b/c love of many will wax cold
  • He broke bread, blessed it, gave it
    • Reminds me of the loaves and fishes and the solutions the disciples came up with.  Buy food or send them away and Jesus said, Give ye.
  • The purpose of the breaking is to reveal something to your heart
  • Use brokenness to bring you into fellowship with him and then make you an able minister
  • 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Walking with Jesus Christ means continued revelation and grace (vs 32)

  • Growing in your understanding of the scriptures.
  • Growing in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • People say, “I don’t understand the Bible.”  If you spent as much time with an open Bible with the Lord Jesus Christ as you do some other things, you’d understand the Bible.
  • Sufficient grace
    • Grace for the time
    • Latimer and Ridley being burned at the stake.  Latimer recanted several times before finally being burned.  He said to Ridley, “Be of good comfort, and play the man, Master Ridley; we shall this day light such a candle, by God’s grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out.”
    • These disciples downtrodden, depressed, confused, wondering what has happened in the last three years and how did it end so quick.  The Lord shows up with grace sufficient for the time.

Walking with Jesus Christ means fellowship with his saints (vss 33-34)

Luke, Teaching

Service

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Text: Luke 10:38-42

Here are two good ladies.  Both serving, but with very different personalities and different understandings of service.  Mary and Martha were sisters from whom we learn very much about service.

The cares of this world will choke the words of God whether you’re saved or not

  • Your anxiety or worry is directly related to the place the words of God occupy in your heart.  Great peace have they which love thy law and nothing shall offend them.
  • Martha is not hearing the words of God and is “stressed out”.

Sitting before service (vss 39-40)

  • Beware of much serving if you haven’t sat at Jesus’ feet
  • First learn to sit, be fed, grow
  • Be careful of service apart from fellowship with Jesus Christ
  • Consequences of service without your own personal fellowship with the Lord are several
    • Ignorance – you will miss things from the Lord that you need to hear.  Daniel spends personal time with the Lord in Daniel 2 and gets exactly what he needs to answer the king that day.  What happens if he fails to spend time with the Lord?  He just like we miss the things we need for the day.
    • Resentment – hath left me to serve alone?  I’m the only one who does anything around here!  If you begin to think that first of all it’s not true.  Second of all, if you think that way, your motivation is wrong for service.
    • Burn out – that will lead to burn out because you trying to accomplish things for the Lord in your own power.  Eventually the wheels will come off and the train wreck will be manmade.
    • Bitterness toward the Lord – Lord dost thou not care?!  There is the trouble!  Your closeness to the Lord has grown distant and now its easy to see Him in the wrong light.

Motive matters in service (vs 40)

  • Duty is the motivation of Martha.  Duty is how backslidden king Solomon described obedience to God and fear of the Lord in Ecclesiastes.
  • If brutal obligation is all you have to motivate you to service then go with that until you learn to love the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Jesus Christ asked Peter, Lovest thou me Peter?  He didn’t put the yoke on him because you owe me.
  • Martha, Martha.  A few times in the New Testament Jesus Christ speaks like this.  He says Jerusalem, Jerusalem; Simon, Simon; Saul, Saul.  Each time he’s speaking out of pity.  Be careful that your service is not a grief to the Holy Spirit of God because it will become a grief to you as well.

Neglect means trouble (vss 41-42)

  • Everything is trouble when the one, needful thing is neglected
  • Don’t show me what you do, show me what you leave undone and I’ll show you what kind of Christian you are.
  • It may not be wrong to be doing what you’re doing, but it may be in the wrong order.  Keep your priorities in order.
  • One thing versus the many things – Martha is divided and consequently is busy missing the most important time with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Fellowship with Jesus Christ is not wasted time (vs 42)

  • One thing is needful…
  • Time spent with Jesus Christ is NOT keeping you from doing the things you need to do.
  • Fellowship with Jesus Christ is not a distraction I have to fit into my day.  If fellowship with Jesus Christ is an inconvenience then you’re looking at it from the wrong angle.  You have Martha’s view and you need Mary’s.
  • Martha is trying to fit God in the “To Do” list of day to day activity, but Mary understands that there is no life apart from Jesus Christ.  He that hath the Son hath life; I am the way the truth and the life; In him was life – Jesus Christ is LIFE! And apart from Him you can do NOTHING!

You are the choices you make (vs 42)

  • Mary hath chosen that good part…There are many things Mary could be doing.  You are where you are as a result of the decisions you’ve made.
  • You don’t have more or less time than anyone else.
  • God’s commands never demand your time.  Notice it’s always something else that demands your time.  Consequently, the things you ought to do have to be done on purpose.
Preaching
Luke, Preaching

Martha, Martha

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Text: Luke 10:38-42

The cares of this world will choke the words of God whether you’re saved or not

  • Your anxiety or worry is directly related to the place the words of God occupy in your heart.  Great peace have they which love thy law and nothing shall offend them.
  • Martha is not hearing the words of God and is “stressed out”

Beware of much serving if you haven’t sat at Jesus’ feet (vss 39-40)

  • Consequences of service without your own personal fellowship with the Lord are several
    • Ignorance – you will miss things from the Lord that you need to hear.  Daniel spends personal time with the Lord in Daniel 2 and gets exactly what he needs to answer the king that day.  What happens if he fails to spend time with the Lord?  He just like we miss the things we need for the day.
    • Resentment – hath left me to serve alone?  I’m the only one who does anything around here!  If you begin to think that first of all it’s not true.  Second of all, if you think that way, your motivation is wrong for service.
    • Burn out – that will lead to burn out because you trying to accomplish things for the Lord in your own power.  Eventually the wheels will come off and the train wreck will be manmade.
    • Bitterness toward the Lord – Lord dost thou not care?!  It’s His fault!  Be careful you’ll get bitter toward God.

Duty is not a substitute for devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ (vs 40)

  • Duty is the motivation of Martha.  Duty is how backslidden king Solomon described obedience to God and fear of the Lord in Ecclesiastes.
  • If brutal obligation is all you have to motivate you to service then go with that until you learn to love the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Jesus Christ asked Peter, Lovest thou me Peter?  He didn’t put the yoke on him because you owe me.
  • Martha, Martha.  A few times in the New Testament Jesus Christ speaks like this.  He says Jerusalem, Jerusalem; Simon, Simon; Saul, Saul.  Each time he’s speaking out of pity.  Be careful that your service is not a grief to the Holy Spirit of God because it will become a grief to you as well.

Everything is trouble when the one, needful thing is neglected (vss 41-42)

  • Don’t show me what you do, show me what you leave undone and I’ll show you what kind of Christian you are.  Joshua left nothing undone of all that God commanded Moses.  He left many things undone – he said “No” to many things being a leader of several million people, but he didn’t leave the commandments of God undone.
  • It may not be wrong to be doing what you’re doing, but it may be in the wrong order.  Keep your priorities in order.
  • One thing versus the many things – Martha is divided and consequently is busy missing the most important time with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Change your attitude about fellowship with God (vs 42)

  • One thing is needful…
  • Time spent with Jesus Christ is NOT keeping you from doing the things you need to do.
  • Fellowship with Jesus Christ is not a distraction I have to fit into my day.  If fellowship with Jesus Christ is an inconvenience then you’re looking at it from the wrong angle.  You have Martha’s view and you need Mary’s.
  • Martha is trying to fit God in the “To Do” list of day to day activity, but Mary understands that there is no life apart from Jesus Christ.  He that hath the Son hath life; I am the way the truth and the life; In him was life – Jesus Christ is LIFE! And apart from Him you can do NOTHING!

You will have to do the right thing on purpose (vs 42)

  • Mary hath chosen that good part…There are many things Mary could be doing.  You are where you are as a result of the decisions you’ve made.
  • You don’t have more or less time than anyone else.
  • God’s commands never demand your time.  Notice it’s always something else that demands your time.  Consequently, the things you ought to do have to be done on purpose.

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