Lectionary Calendar

Friday, April 19th, 2024
the Third Week after Easter

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Bible Commentaries
Luke 9

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Introduction

Introduction
READ: Rev 19:11-16
1. Last week we saw Jesus heal a woman who had had an issue of blood for 12 yrs…Jesus told her it was by faith.
2. Then, He went to a man’s house and raised his 12yo from the dead saying, “Do not fear…only believe”. Faith is the key to our lives in the Kingdom of God. Faith is the hope in things not seen…
3. We are saved by placing our faith in Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross, we are kept in our salvation by faith and we are to walk by faith and not by sight.
4. Jesus, in chapter 9, is going to send them out to preach the Kingdom of God by faith.
5. But, before we look at it we must ask, “How much do we trust Jesus?” >> Isn’t our faith supposed to be radical? How much do we believe that He will protect, provide and heal as we follow Him?
6. How much of our life is given over and being controlled by Jesus? What would our life look like if we were 100% sold out to Jesus?
7. Allow today’s message to challenge our faith in ways that will allow Jesus to be Lord of ALL of who we are…

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Verses 1-6

The Mission
We will be looking at Luke 9:1-6 today and as we do we will address three areas surrounding the sending out of Jesus’ Apostles: 1) their empowerment, 2) their mission, and 3)their method.
1. Empowerment
  Luk 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together (because apparently they weren’t all together?), and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
  1. Jesus gave the disciples power – this is dunamis power, the power we gain from the Holy Spirit when we are walking under the Baptism of the Spirit. This is the dynamic power that God gives to “EMPOWER” us for ministry.
  2. 2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
  3. We have available to us the same power that was given to the Apostles – do we receive it and use it?
  4. Jesus also gave them authority…this is the delegated authority that is given from a superior to a junior to represent them and their desires to another person or persons.
  5. 2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
  6. An ambassador is a person who represents another person to a 3^rd party. For example, the U.S. ambassador to Russia is there to represent the President and his wishes, directives and motivations to the Russian government – he is not to interject his own opinions, desires or motivations during the discussions.
  7. When we are given the task of representing another person – it comes with a great responsibility…the giver is trusting us to share only what is directed and nothing more and nothing less.
  8. Jesus trusts us to do the same thing – He has empowered us through His Spirit and expects us to represent Him accurately and adequately!
2. Mission Statement
  Luk 9:2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
  1. “HE” sent them – Jesus sent them…they didn’t dream this up on their own. They were sent – have we been sent? Do we recognize that we have already been sent?
  2. Do we see that we are to be missionaries in our own homes / in our jobs / schools / communities? We don’t think we need to go to Africa to be sent, do we?
  3. Their sending required them to do 2 things: 1) Preach the Kingdom of God, and 2) Heal the sick.
  4. Preaching, here, literally means to herald or proclaim the Kingdom. They were to travel about proclaiming the Kingdom of God…this is exactly what Jesus did when He began His ministry.
  5. Mar 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
  6. But, what *IS* “The Kingdom of God”?
  7. …it’s God’s kingdom worked out here on earth and His kingdom in Heaven.
  8. G. Campbell Morgan in his commentary on Luke (written in 1931) suggests that people would better understand the implication and application of this statement is we preached, “The Kingship of God”! This is…
  9. >> The Kingship of Jesus who is King of kings and Lord of lords! «
  10. This speaks to God’s authority, His reign, His position in the universe and begs the question individually to us, “Is God our King”?
  11. How do we justify saying “YES”? If we ignore the sovereign King we are either not of His kingdom or in rebellion.
  12. Luk 6:43-49 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. 46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? 47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: 48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. 49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
  13. This passage leads us to the idea that it is also God’s kingdom worked into us…
  14. Php 2:12-13 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
  15. God’s kingdom gets worked out in us and through us as His kingdom gets worked into us through an abiding relationship with Him.
  16. And finishing this verse…they were to heal the sick.
  17. We, too, are to seek healing for the sick. God doesn’t always answer but certainly we should have this heart…
  18. Jas 5:13-16 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. 14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
3. Mission Method
  Luk 9:2-6 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. 3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. 4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. 5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. 6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere.
  1. This passage shows us a few vital things to apply to our own lives…
  2. First: they went following the calling from Jesus to the Mission given by Jesus under the empowerment of Jesus BY FAITH.
  3. Heb 11:6-10 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
  4. Secondly: They went as servants, ambassadors, of King Jesus! They went without expectation and without demanding their rights…why?
  5. Servants have NO RIGHTS…
  6. We continually hear in today’s culture that we deserve this or that. That my rights aren’t being respected or “I deserve better than this”. That “they” are giving me what I want or listening to what I said or… basically, we live in a culture that wants to have their cake and eat it, too!
  7. BUT, in addressing the idea that I should get, they deserve different, I…I…I…
    1. No, they don’t; No, I don’t; and No, you don’t either!
  8. 1Co 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
  9. 1Co 7:20-24 gives us the idea that we should “BLOOM” where we are planted. Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. 21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. 22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. 23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. 24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
  10. Luk 17:7-10 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? 8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? 9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. 10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
  11. Lastly: The message they gave was the gospel – literally, the “GOOD NEWS”.
  12. Is our great salvation that we didn’t have to pay for or earn good news?
  13. How many of us are quick to talk about weather, sports, world news or current events but we won’t even introduce the topic of Jesus and salvation – why? Isn’t it the best news?
  14. Our lives, that are not our own, are to be about preaching the gospel, making disciples and being a witness of Jesus to the world – we have our mission statement, we have our mission empowerment, and we have our mission method….
  15. We simply need to walk it out!
Conclusion
1. Rom 12:1-3 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

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Verses 7-17

Introduction
READ: Lam 3:21-32
1. Last week we saw Jesus send out His disciples 2x2…He sent them to preach the Kingdom of God (and we looked at the fact that this is really the Kingship of Jesus). He sent them out requiring them to live and serve by faith and not taking anything extra with them.
2. Jesus gave them authority, power, a mission and their method…all apply to us.
3. What we didn’t see last week, that we will hopefully see this week…is His Heart.
4. Read 1Cor 13:1-3.
5. If we don’t have God’s love in our hearts…we are nothing.
6. If we don’t allow God to put His love in our hearts through an intimate relationship with Him…we will never accomplish anything lasting for the Kingdom.
7. We have the opportunity to see the Lord’s Heart today and ask for it…will you listen to what the Spirit would say to the church through God’s Word?
Seeing Jesus
1. Herod Desires to See Him
  Luk 9:7-9 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead; 8 And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. 9 And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.
  1. This passage comes after last week’s message where we saw Jesus sending out His Apostles – they were going to the towns in the region and preaching the Kingdom of God – really the Kingship of Jesus!
  2. The response to this was that people for miles in all directions heard about Jesus, His miracles, His teachings and His love…
  3. Herod’s curiosity was peeked and not understanding who Jesus really is…wanted to see Him personally.
  4. This is what our lives should be accomplishing…after seeing us people should want to see Jesus themselves.
  5. I would remind you of the work of the Apostles in Acts 17:6 …these have turned the world upside down (rather – right side up!)
  6. We should be praying that our hearts would desire to turn the world upside down for Jesus…
  7. We should be praying that our lives allow people to see Jesus as such that they want to know Him, fellowship with Him and love Him…
2. Refocusing on Jesus
  Luk 9:10 And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.
  1. A couple of old sayings go along with the idea of resting after ministering:
    1. Come apart before you come apart…
    2. You can’t give out if you don’t take in…
  2. …and we see that it is a ministry of Jesus towards His ministers. Jesus said come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.
  3. Jesus recognizes the legitimate needs for those actively and regularly involved in ministry to step back and take a breath and REFOCUS.
3. Jesus’ Compassion
  1. Always Teaching
    Luk 9:11 And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.
    1. Three things Jesus does here…
      1. He receives them… Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
      2. He taught them…the Word discerns our hearts, it cleanses us and it transforms us!
      3. He healed them…physically, emotionally, spiritually…all are needed.
    2. The equivalent passage in Mar 6:34 says, “And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.”
    3. Jesus had compassion on the people…
    4. Compassion is defined as: That (human) disposition that fuels Acts of kindness and mercy. Compassion, which is a form of love, is aroused within us when we are confronted with those who suffer or are vulnerable. It brings the desire to change the situation.
    5. Jesus had compassion, He exhibited kindness and mercy towards them…seeking to love the vulnerable and suffering…why? Because they were as sheep not having a shepherd (meaning they had no spiritual leadership or direction or hope in life)…
    6. But, one thing I notice here…is Jesus’ kindness and mercy lead Him most often to teaching before anything else…why?
    7. Well, this stands in line with the theme of this gospel: Luk 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
    8. Doesn’t it make sense to give hope before help? What good is it to be perfectly healthy and end up in Hell?
    9. Our focus must be on loving people into the kingdom…building relationship with them, sharing Jesus and the hope of eternity with them and then helping them in their daily walk.
    10. The New Testament passages that direct our hearts to be like Jesus might be: Eph 4:32, 5:2 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
  2. Feeding the 5000
    Luk 9:12-17 And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place. 13 But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people. 14 For they were about five thousand men.
    1. John 6:6 tells us that Jesus told them to feed the multitude to test or examine them…really, in light of His compassion…the disciples were bound to fail but failure is an opportunity to grow!
    2. The five loaves and two fishes came from a “lad” as John 6:9 tells us – his momma probably packed him a lunch and didn’t want him to be hungry.
    3. The disciples said they couldn’t – how big was their faith?
    4. Think of the innocent faith of a young boy hearing they need food and coming and saying, “You can have my lunch!” -- The faith of a child…how we all need it!
    5. The boy brought to Jesus what he had…not what he didn’t have.
    6. God wants us to bring what we have to Him to be used for the Kingdom…whether it is time, talents or treasures…are we willing to give it to God for His glory?
    7. Maybe you say, “I can’t do anything for God or don’t have anything to give God”…that’s ok. Can you pray? Can you tell Him you have nothing but you’ll follow Him no matter where He asks and do anything He asks?
    8. God will use you willing heart better than any skill you have developed over the years – skills are easy to teach – a willing heart is hard to find!
    9. "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose" — Jim Elliot, missionary martyr who lost his life in the late 1950's trying to reach the Auca Indians of Ecuador
    10. "You can give without loving. But you cannot love without giving." — Amy Carmichael, missionary to India
    11. Luke 9:14-17 And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company. 15 And they did so, and made them all sit down. 16 Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. 17 And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.
    12. God does everything decently and in order (1Cor 14:40)…sitting down in groups would prevent the crowd from overrunning the disciples and also ensure all were fed.
    13. Notice what Jesus does…He says grace!
    14. The typical Jewish thanksgiving prayer for bread was: "Blessed are You, LORD our God, King of the universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth."
    15. And then what happened? A miracle of creation – the loaves and fishes regenerated or were created from nothing in Jesus’ hands as He broke and handed out!
    16. Jer 32:27 Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
    17. The result: 12 baskets full of leftovers…one for each disciple (I think so they wouldn’t forget the fact that there was excess…enough for leftovers J that’s God for you!
    18. Hudson Taylor (missionary to China in the early 1900’s) said: “God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply.”
    19. God’s Work…compassion towards people
    20. God’s Way…in love, loving them into the kingdom (through the Word of God)
    21. God’s Supply…the Holy Spirit, the Word, the resources, the funding and the help.
    22. Think about it….
Conclusion
1.  “God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply.”

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Verses 18-22

Introduction
READ: 2Tim 2:3-4
1. Over the last couple of weeks we have seen the mission of the church, the direction of the Lord and His heart of compassion towards the lost, the broken, the suffering and even the dead.
2. We remembered Paul’s writings in 1Cor 13 where he told us that no matter what spiritual gift we have, if we don’t have love we are NOTHING.
3. We are going to look at Jesus’ call to us to be disciples…and it is a qualified call based upon the condition of our hearts and our belief that Jesus is not just our Savior, but that our hearts desire Him to be our Lord and Master as well..
4. God desires to have control and mastery over not just our hearts but over our entire lives. He loves us and is the only One who truly knows what is best for us.
5. Our question today is: Will we follow Him or our flesh, the world and the Devil?
Who Do They Say I AM?
Luk 9:18-21 And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am? 19 They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again. 20 He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God. 21 And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;
1. Jesus was alone---praying…His disciples were with Him à What does that mean? Perhaps He had moved off a short distance just as He did in the Garden of Gethsemane…
2. He’s praying and then He turns to His disciples and asks, “Whom do people say I am?”
3. Their answer is telling – He is considered of the level of usefulness or power in the same way as the great prophets…yet this is God – the Son of God – the preeminent One of God…
4. Then Peter nails it – You are the Christ of God! >> You ARE the Messiah! The conquering King, the Savior of the World…
5. Yet, from a Hebrew perspective that would mean that Jesus would conquer the Romans, that the Jewish nation would triumph over its enemies and that peace would reign in the land…
6. Jesus told them shhh…don’t tell anyone. Why? They didn’t understand who He truly was (and is) – they didn’t fully grasp the prophetic scriptures in their entirety and context – the conquer must first become the suffering Savior.
7. Luk 9:22 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.
8. So…Jesus now introduces the idea of who He is as the sacrificial lamb…
9. The Son of man must:
  1. Suffer: Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
  2. Be Rejected: Isa 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
  3. Be Slain: Isa 53:8-9 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. 9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
  4. Be Raised: Isa 53:10-11 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

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Verses 23-27

The Cost of Discipleship
1. Luk 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
2. Denying himself means to choose others over our own selfishness.
3. To take up my cross means that I choose to die to my flesh, my selfishness, my personal wants and desires and to seek and do the Father’s will for my life.
4. Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
5. Php 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
6. But…“IF”…is the key word! If I want to follow Jesus – what has to happen?
7. I must decide that Jesus is my Lord…that Jesus is the Lord of all of my life…of my body, of my time, of my talents and of my treasures!
8. Any area that I am not willing to deny – is not in submission to Jesus and therefore He is NOT the Lord of that part of our lives.
9. The first question I must ask of myself is: “Who do I say Jesus is?”
10. Is He the Lord of all creation? Is He my Savior? Is He my Lord and Master?
11. If I say “Yes”, then the next questions are: Am I His servant? And am I in submission to His will or do I follow my own will?
12. Mat 6:21-24 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
13. Joh 12:24-26 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
14. Our heart’s desire should be that Jesus is Lord of all and that we are constantly taking inventory and submitting those areas of our lives and body and are not His…
15. Consider the following areas:
  1. 1Jn 2:15-16 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
  2. Lust of the Flesh: Food, sex, sleep, alcohol, drugs, time, leisure, smoking, even how often do we go to church?
  3. Lust of the Eyes: money, power, TV, Internet, what kind of car do we drive, what type of clothes do we buy, where we live, How much money do we tithe?
  4. Pride of Life: perfectionism, getting the next promotion or job, our appearance, our shoes, our choice of what attitudes to have? …and on and on!
16. Basically, the question boils down to: “How much of what we do is because it will bless others and please God vs. how much do we choose to do because it fits our selfishness and convenience quotient?”
17. Our lives are to be singularly focused on obeying God’s Heart’s desires…
18. Luk 9:24-27 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? 26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.
19. Jesus came to bring an abundant life – John 10:10 tells us that. This abundant life is the one focused on serving God and serving others and dying to ourselves.
20. The letter to the Romans tells us that anything not of faith is sin…and sin entangles and puts us in bondage. Think of a lie and how it causes us to remember what we said, to whom we said it and then to live up to it.
21. Obedience (like telling the truth) sets us free to live the abundant life wearing the easy yoke of Jesus and not the heavy yoke of Satan. Living our lives for ourselves on causes us self-focus, attitudes and pain.
22. Living our lives for ourselves causes other people to hurt as well. Hurt feelings, hurt hearts, watching with disappointment people self-destruct.
23. What advantage is there if we gain the whole world and lose our soul?
24. What advantage is there is we get what we want but get hurt in the process, hurt others or worse…stand before the Lord ashamed!
25. 1Jn 2:28, 3:3 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

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Verses 28-36

Introduction
READ: Psalm 23
1. Over the last couple of weeks we have seen the mission of the church, the direction of the Lord and His heart of compassion towards the lost, the broken…
2. We remembered Paul’s writings in 1Cor 13 where he told us that no matter what spiritual gift we have, if we don’t have love we are NOTHING.
3. Last week, we looked at Jesus’ call to us to be disciples…a call qualified based upon the condition of our hearts and our belief that Jesus is not just our Savior, but that our hearts desire Him to be our Lord and Master as well..
4. We remember that God desires to have control and mastery over not just our hearts but over our entire lives. He loves us and is the only One who truly knows what is best for us.
5. When we seek Him with our whole heart…the Bible teaches us that we will find God and when we do, the opportunities are endless.
6. Sometimes, we have special encounters that we wish wouldn’t end but when they do…we come away changed, blessed and sometimes even euphoric.
7. The problem then becomes…life. And it hits us in the face with the reality of our lives. We are going to look at this situation today…
On the Mountain
1. Luke 9:27 But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.
2. This is where we ended last week…as a teaser for the next passage…and context for today:
3. Luke 9:28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
4. Imagine what might have been going on in the disciple’s heads and hearts for these 8 days…they were “WITH” the Christ – the anointed One of God. (Something to ponder ourselves)
5. Luke 9:29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
6. Jesus’ countenance was altered…literally, metamorphosed – like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly.
7. Glistering means to flash out like lightening…it was so bright that it glistened white!
8. He changed from His mortal body to His immortal glory!
9. Luke 9:30-31 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: 31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
10. Moses and Elijah – representing the law and the prophets. (John 1:17 the law came by Moses…)
11. They also represent the who have died in the faith (Moses died on Mt. Nebo), and those who will be raptured (Elijah was taken up to Heaven in a chariot of fire).
12. They are talking about Jesus’ death – why was it necessary?
13. Heb 10:10b …we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
14. 1Co 15:3-4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
15. Rom 4:25 Who (Jesus) was delivered for our offences (meaning suffered and died), and was raised again for our justification.
16. 1Ti 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners;
17. Rom 10:9-11 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
18. Our salvation comes through the understanding of Jesus’ sacrifice and then putting our faith in Him and that the work HE did on the cross was sufficient.
19. Back to the mountain…
  Luke 9:32-36 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. 33 And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. 34 While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. 35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. 36 And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.
20. They were probably heavy with sleep because Jesus got up so early to meet with the Father…He gave us the example that we should seek to follow.
21. And then Peter opens his mouth and inserts his foot – he’s a great example of why we should pray through our words before speaking them.
22. Pro 12:18b the tongue of the wise brings healing.
23. Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
24. But then…in God’s own way, He silences Peter and affirms Jesus as the Son of God…the preeminent One, the Messiah…the Christ: the Savior of the world!
25. 1Jn 4:14 …we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

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Verses 37-43

The Enemy Attacks
1. So…the three disciples had a mountain top experience – they were with Jesus and saw something new…He revealed Himself to them in a new way and they were awed!
2. Mountain top experiences are exciting when we have them…but then:
3. Life hits! And most often Satan shows up and the fiery darts start flying and real life hits you in the face and maybe even accusations come up…
4. Luke 9:37-43 And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him. 38 And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child. 39 And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him. 40 And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not. 41 And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither. 42 And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father. 43 And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,
5. Isaiah 14 tells us that Satan thought he could be like the most high God, and he fell because of it.
6. He is not omniscient and therefore may not always know what God is doing. He seeks to destroy all that God loves as he hates God.
7. Remember, Peter said he is a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour and he attacks even children in awful ways!
8. Like this child, and like the disciples who hear they can’t cast the demons out – when we come down from the mountain we will often hear we are failures, we are worth nothing, God can’t use us and so on. We will often be attacked by circumstances – the toilet breaks, the kids get hurt, the spouse is angry, the dog gets sick…but, to be for-warned is to be for-armed!

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Verses 44-50

Our Flesh is Strong
Luk 9:43-45 And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered everyone at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples, 44 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. 45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.
1. In the middle of crazy…isn’t like Jesus to drop a truth bomb that no one really understands at the time? He was preparing them…
2. Sometimes, God will give us a message, a verse or passage, or a word of knowledge that is meant to prepare our hearts for something to come.
3. God knows what we can and can’t handle and loves us enough to warn us if we will be sensitive to hear His voice…
4. Luk 9:46-48 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. 47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, 48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.
5. Coming down from the mountain…if we are not careful we can become arrogant – we must discipline ourselves against our flesh which will seek to rear its ugly head.
6. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life are Satan’s three great plays. Satan fell because of his pride and we can fall because of ours, too!
7. Here, the disciples are thinking of themselves, not others, and arguing about who is the greatest. Muhammad Ali used to say he was the greatest; yet, he is now dead and being the greatest on earth will not buy his way into heaven. It’s only by the blood of Jesus!
8. James and Peter both tell us to humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord and He will lift us up:
9. Paul, in Php 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
10. And Jesus, here in v. 48 tells us that to be great in the kingdom, we must be the least here on earth. Our goal should be that of a bond slave to our Master…Jesus!
11. Luk 9:49-50 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. 50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.
12. Finally, coming down the mountain, we may find ourselves thinking we are of the elite and better than other believers, churches or denominations.
13. Jesus sets us straight…he that is NOT against Jesus is for us.
14. The problem that is not covered here, is that many worship, follow or describe a different Jesus than the one of the Bible.
15. Both grace and truth came by Jesus and many want only one side – the truth alone brings pride and legalism, grace alone leads to worshipping a god of our own creation that more closely resembles a genie in a bottle.
Conclusion
1. We recognize that “Mountain top” experiences are wonderful – and necessary to keep us energized and fueled for the kingdom.
2. We, however, walk by faith in the God of the Bible, and not by sight, feelings, emotions or man’s traditions.
3. Jesus said that He is the way and the only way, He is the truth and the only truth, and that He is the life and the only life…
4. Heb 12:1-4 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

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Verses 51-62

Introduction
READ: Hosea 6:6
1. Jesus has called us to be disciples…a call that is qualified based upon the condition of our hearts and our belief that Jesus is not just our Savior, but that our hearts desire Him to be our Lord and Master as well..
2. God desires to have control and mastery over not just our hearts but over our entire lives…and He loves us enough to give us the choice as to whether we follow Him or not.
3. When we truly love Jesus, we will want all that God wants for us – when we see His great goodness, we will desire to serve Him…
4. Jesus wants us to be “all in”. He wants our complete heart: our thoughts, our choices and our actions. Jesus wants our life’s focus to be on pleasing Him and doing His will as our FIRST PRIORITY.
5. Today, we will see an example of misdirected loyalty by the disciples and also see Jesus showing us through 3 different examples of the great privilege of serving Him…
On the Way to Jerusalem
1. The Setting
  Luk 9:51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
  1. Here, at this verse, we begin the last 6 months of Jesus’ life here on earth before the cross.
  2. The time was come – and in v. 51 we see that He “Steadfastly” set His face to go to Jerusalem…that means He “with constancy or steadiness of mind” planned to go to Jerusalem.
  3. What is implied here in this statement is His consecration and devotion to the will of the Father…being that Jesus would go to Jerusalem, die in our place for our sins and rise up from the dead to bring us the hope of eternity with Him.
  4. The application for us is: “If we have been directed by the Lord to go or do, we should let nothing hinder us or stop us from His desires”. We, too, should be setting our lives aside for the work of the Kingdom and not for our own pleasures.
2. Mercy, Not Sacrifice
  Luk 9:52-56 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. 53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? 55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of 56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
  1. The relationship and origins of the Samaritans can be found in 2Ki 17:6-18. Basically, the Samaritans were a mixed lineage stemming from the exile of the 10 northern tribes to Assyria and the surrounding areas. They had, after the exile, mixed the worship of Jehovah in with the worship of the local gods and had built their own temple on Mt. Gerizim in Samaria.
  2. There was great animosity between the “Pure” Jews and the Samaritans because they were a mixed bloodline. However, the Jews who were judgmental, were quick to forget that Judah had also entered into idolatry and had been at one time even worse in God’s eyes (Jeremiah).
  3. For us…we all EQUALLY need the blood of Jesus Christ! We have all sinned and fallen short – we all need a savior…we all need Jesus! We have no right to look down on others…
  4. Consequently, however, the Samaritans wouldn’t receive the Jews heading for Jerusalem as they looked on them as enemies.
  5. James and John – ultimately loyal to Jesus…having just seen Him in His glorified state…were angry with the Samaritans but without the Lord’s heart…
  6. Jesus addressed the wrong heart with the Pharisees in Mat 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Jim: His ultimate goal is always that people get saved!)
  7. People who are NOT saved can only do what an unregenerate heart leads them to do…and so: We are to extend mercy and not bring judgment…God desires that NONE should perish but all should come to repentance.
3. Leaving the World Behind
  The rest of the chapter deals with the believer’s priorities…and that we get the privilege of serving Jesus over ourselves, our comforts, our conveniences and our commitments. We get to put Jesus over everything! -- our comforts, our conveniences and our commitments-- Jesus told people multiple times and ways that they should count the cost of following Him.
  1. The Comforts of the World
    Luk 9:57-58 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
    1. OUR Loyalty to God is demonstrated by our choices in life…
    2. This man, we find in Mat 8:19, is a scribe (one knowledgeable in the law) and he sees Jesus and His disciples (and has probably seen and heard of the great things and teachings He has done) and goes to Him and says, “I will follow you wherever you go!”
    3. Jesus’ response is based upon the understanding that the world’s comforts are not guaranteed if we choose to follow Him… and that the things of the kingdom need to come before our own personal comforts.
    4. The sharing of God’s truth and love and salvation, and ministering comfort, hope and grace to people are the primary directives of the Kingdom.
    5. Our priorities get to be Jesus’ priorities when we follow Him… And the closer we follow Him, the more natural it will be to not think of our needs over the needs of others.
  2. The Convenience of the World
    Luk 9:59-60 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
    1. Jesus called this man in v. 59 and his response was, “OK, but I want to do something first”.
    2. In this culture…this saying was more probably meaning, when my dad dies (who isn’t sick or even thinking of dying yet) – and after I’ve received my inheritance and have my life settled, I’ll come to you.
    3. Jesus’ reply was, “NO, Go do kingdom work now, not when it is convenient”.
    4. You know…Ministry seldom comes when it’s convenient. How often do we say or think, “I’m too tired / I’m too busy / I don’t want to”.
    5. This takes us back to Jesus’ statement in v. 23-24 …If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
    6. Yet, we can embrace inconveniences as opportunities to serve our loving Savior! (not as problems)
  3. The Commitments of the World
    Luke 9:61-62 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
    1. Plowing requires a person to have a forward focus or your furrow won’t be straight –generally you pick a landmark at the end of the field and drive towards it. Here, our focus needs to be on Jesus and the Kingdom as our direction.
    2. Here the man is saying, “Hey, I want to follow you but I have commitments at home”. (He had things that would take his focus off of Jesus.)
    3. Any time Jesus asks us to do something and our first reply is “but” – there is an issue.
    4. Saying “But” betrays our hearts and means we’ll do what we are asked on our timetable and not God’s…saying “but” is saying “NO” to His Lordship.
    5. We have the opportunity, instead, to see that His service is the higher commitment.
Conclusion
1. Psa 42:7 Deep calleth unto deep…
2. Going deep requires faith. To get to the deep, it is time consuming, hard work, and sometimes at great cost.
3. The bottom line of leaving the world behind is not that we have to give up everything we have, stop everything we are doing and break all of our commitments…
4. …but that, like going into the deep, it means we are willing to walk by faith, sometimes working hard in inconvenient times, and at great personal cost.
5. The bottom line of serving Jesus is that we have a willingness to place people, ministry and the calls and responsibilities of the kingdom above all else.
6. When Jesus calls, it is our great privilege to put our comforts, our convenience, and our commitments on hold until our calling is completed.
7. These examples are the brass tacks…they are putting the rubber to the road as it applies to Jesus’ call: “…If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
8. When we think of our great salvation and that the God of the universe is pleased to have us serve Him…oh, what a great blessing and privilege it will be to stand before the King.

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Brown's Commentary on the New Testament is reproduced by permission of author. All other rights reserved.

Bibliographical Information
Brown, Jim. "Commentary on Luke 9". "Brown's Commentary on the New Testament". https://studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnc/luke-9.html. 2017.

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Luke 9