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What Does It Mean to be a Disciple of Jesus?
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Last Sunday morning, we heard Peter’s answer to Jesus when Jesus asked him life’s most important question. Peter answered with personal conviction that Jesus was the Christ from God. In other words, He was the Savior sent from God.
Before we left that text, Jesus predicted His suffering, rejection, and death. Then, I told you that if Jesus suffered and was rejected, those that follow after Him will most likely suffer and be rejected as well. This reality shouldn’t surprise us.
Today, we will see Jesus extend a formal invitation to follow Him. This is a formal invitation to be one of His disciples.
However, today’s text will not elicit a celebration from the world’s perspective. It will seem paradoxical at best, but it isn’t strange. Matthew and Mark recorded this narrative in their gospels as well.
Before we look at the specific aspects of the invitation, notice that it is an invitation for any and all to be one of His disciples. His invitation is not to a special class of disciples but to be a disciple.
This is commonly how Jesus and the biblical writers referred to His followers. See Matthew 28:19, Acts 6:1, Acts 9:1, and Acts 11:26.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
6:1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
9:1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
Now, turn your attention to verse 23. I believe this text identifies three marks of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.
- A Disciple of Jesus is marked by a conscious decision to follow Him, 9:23a, c.
23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
As we said a moment ago, this invitation is for anyone and everyone. Jesus made this invitation to all of those who around Him and listening.
Next, notice His actual words, “If anyone desires to come after Me.” This is the invitation.
To come after Him means to become His disciple. It means to follow Him and His ways. Jesus is the teacher. His followers are His students.
When you decide to study under someone, that doesn’t mean that you become a clone. For example, there are many things that Jesus did that we can’t do. We can’t heal the sick. We can’t calm the storms. We can’t multiple the supplies.
Furthermore, Jesus was single, but that doesn’t mean we are called to singleness. Jesus didn’t have any children, but that doesn’t mean we are called to childlessness.
However, if we are following Jesus, we want to live exactly how He taught. We want to live exactly how He lived.
If we will, we will be happy. We will be blessed. We won’t regret it. See Matthew 5:3-9.
Have you made a conscious decision to follow Jesus? It can’t be my decision. It can’t be your spouse’s decision. It can’t be your parents’ decision.
It has to be YOUR conscious decision. However, it is one you will NEVER regret.
- A Disciple of Jesus is marked by a consistent denial of self and fame, Luke 9:23b, 24-25.
let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?
Look at verse 23 again. Here are two words that our world won’t comprehend: deny and die.
Disciples of Jesus are called to deny yourself and take up your cross daily. This is Luke’s first use of the word cross.
What was he talking about? Death by crucifixion was the worst bar none.
The one sentenced to die would carry the cross bar through town to the location where he was then nailed to that cross bar and the upright post as well. There he hung until death.
Jesus was literally crucified. His followers are called to be figuratively crucified. We know that because it literally can only happen once, but Luke says daily.
On a daily basis, you and I called to deny self. On a daily basis, you and I are called to die to self and live according to Jesus.
Listen to what Jesus said in Matthew 10:34-38. Understand that this makes no sense to a lost world as Jesus spoke as to how our relationship with Him should compare to our relationship with others.
34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
Paul also understood this. See Galatians 2:20.
20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
So what does that look like? It means instead of you and your will and your way and your thoughts and your actions and your reactions and your attitude, it is Jesus first.
Some might say that sounds awful. Others think it is the greatest joy this life has to offer.
Scott Drew is the Men’s Basketball Coach at Baylor University. His teams’ theme for the past several years has been “Choose JOY!”
Write JOY down on your bulletin. What does Jesus start with? What does others start with? What does you start with?
A follower of Jesus chooses joy. A follower of Jesus will then receive joy.
Verse 24 says we can’t keep what the world has to offer. However, we can keep with Jesus has to offer.
Does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul? No, you can’t anything with you.
Missionary Jim Elliot is known for having written, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” You are smart to give away what you can’t take with you and choosing Christ. He can’t be taken away.
- A Disciple of Jesus is marked by a courageous declaration of allegiance to Christ, Luke 9:26-27.
26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”
Look at verse 26. Jesus spoke about those ashamed of confessing Him as Lord and Savior on earth. In turn, those will be rejected by Jesus for eternity.
Again, if you reject Jesus on earth, He will reject you in heaven. Instead make a courageous declaration this morning that are a follower of Jesus Christ!
Verse 27 foreshadows next week’s message about the transfiguration. The transfiguration demonstrated the kingdom of God.
Conclusion
This morning, I am going to close by reading a prayer from a classic Christian work called “The Valley of Vision.” The author is Arthur Bennet.
Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly…
Let me learn by paradox
that the way down is the way up,
that to be low is to be high,
that the broken heart is the healed heart,
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
that to give is to receive…
Let me find Thy light in my darkness,
Thy life in my death,
Thy joy in my sorrow,
Thy grace in my sin,
Thy riches in my poverty
Thy glory in my valley.
Will you follow Jesus today?
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
Life's Most Important Question
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
This morning, we continue in our study of Luke’s gospel, and we are going to see life’s most important question. It comes from the mouth of Jesus in 9:20.
However, this is not the first time we have heard this question. We heard a very similar question from Herod just a few weeks ago. It is found in 9:9.
9 Herod said, “John I have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things?” So he sought to see Him.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Please listen carefully. How you answer this question, life’s most important question, will determine where you spend eternity. You will either spend eternity living in heaven, or your will spend eternity dying in hell.
Exposition
In verse 18, we see that Jesus was alone praying. However, His disciples were close by.
BTW…If Jesus spent time alone in prayer, don’t you think you and I should as well? What is prayer? Prayer is simply talking to God.
The most I talk to God is first thing morning after I have let God talk to me by reading my Bible. Then I pray for about 30 minutes.
I pray for me. I pray for my family. I pray for you. Then I pray thought out the day as needs arise or the Lord brings them back to mind and heart.
- An Answer of Public Consensus, Luke 9:19
19 So they answered and said, “John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again.”
When His twelve disciples joined Him, He asked them who they crowds were saying He was. In verse 19, they answered Him.
Their answer was one of public consensus. In other words, this is what the crowds were saying.
Keep in mind, these are the same crowds who had heard Him teach, and they had seen Him heal. Therefore, their answers were not surprising.
Some said John the Baptist. Others said Elijah. Other said an older prophet who had come back to life, possibly Moses.
BTW…Do prophet still exist today? Yes, and no, they are similar to apostles.
Apostles with a capital A witnessed the resurrected Christ and wrote Scripture. They don’t exist today. However, apostles with a lowercase a are sent ones who are Christians sent to the Lost with the gospel.
Prophets like Moses and Elijah and John the Baptist spoke the very words of God. They don’t exist today.
However, prophecy is a spiritual gift, but not one that predicts the future. It is boldly proclaiming the truths of the Bible.
Essentially, Herod reported the same earlier in this chapter. See 9:7-8.
7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Him; and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, 8 and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again.
The public consensus was that Jesus was some type of prophet. Today, multiple religions say similar. This would be true of Islam.
Hinduism believes that Jesus was some type of self-realized saint. Buddhism believes that Jesus was a great moral teacher. Judaism believes that Jesus was a crazy man.
- An Answer of Personal Conviction, Luke 9:20
20 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”
After the disciples spoke about the crowds, Jesus looked directly to them, and asked life’s most important question, “But who do you say that I am?” Keep in mind, how you answer this question will determine if you spend eternity living in heaven or dying in hell.
Peter spoke for the group. He confessed that Jesus was the Christ of God.
What does that mean? In the language of the NT, Christ is word for Messiah. Jesus was the Messiah sent from God.
What does Messiah mean? It means that Jesus was and IS the savior sent from God.
Why is that significant? Sending a savior implies we need a savior, and we do.
Let’s work backward. We need a savior because we are sinners.
Consequently, our sin separates us from God because God is holy and cannot have fellowship with sin. Therefore, we need a savior.
However, our man-made saviors don’t qualify. What do I mean?
First, morality won’t save. We can’t ever be good enough.
Second, genealogy won’t save. Our family can’t ever be good enough.
Third, generosity won’t save. We can’t ever give enough.
Fourth, ingenuity won’t save. We can’t ever be smart enough.
Fifth, authenticity won’t save. We can’t ever be sincere enough.
As a matter of fact, unless you trust in Christ, regardless of your authenticity, you can simply be sincerely wrong. Jesus is the only qualified savior because He is the only sinless, perfect Son of God.
Next, it was this sinless, perfect Son of God that died on the cross for our sins and in our place. To authenticate all He said and did, Jesus didn’t stay dead. He was resurrected from the grave and now reigns in heaven.
Conclusion
Today’s text ends with verses 21 and 22. In verse 21, Jesus warned all of His disciples not to proclaim this truth yet.
Why? It wasn’t God’s time yet, and this announcement at that time might have been perceived as Jesus being a political and military savior rather than a spiritual savior.
In verse 22, Jesus predicted His death and resurrection for the first time in Luke’s gospel. He would do it two more times in 9:44 and 18:31.
BTW…If Jesus predicted He would suffer and He would be rejected and we are His followers, what should that say about us? More than likely, we will suffer, and we will be rejected.
The end of verse 22 is the gospel in brief. Jesus would die on the cross for our sins, but He would be resurrected from the grave, and invites us to be saved.
Paul said the same thing in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4.
3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: 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.
How will you answer life’s most important question today? Is Jesus your savior? If not, would you receive Him today?
If He is, what is now your job? God didn’t leave you on earth to live the good life chasing the American Dream. He left you after saving you to share the gospel again and again and again and again. Will you commit to that today?
Monday Sep 30, 2024
There's No Such Thing as Impossible with Jesus!
Monday Sep 30, 2024
Monday Sep 30, 2024
Have you ever found yourself in a seemingly impossible situation? Maybe it was with your marriage or your money or a member of your family.
Did you think it was impossible for your marriage to work or someone else’s marriage? Did you think it was impossible to ever have enough money to pay off that bill? Did you think it was impossible for a member of your family or someone’s to be saved or reconciled?
This morning, in Luke 9:10-17, we’re going to see that there’s no such thing as impossible with Jesus. This story is found in all four gospel accounts: Matthew 14, Mark 6, John 6, and here in Luke 9.
Remember, Jesus sent out the sent ones last week. He first called them apostles in 6:13.
13 And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles.
Guess what? They came back.
Verse 10 says the apostles returned. Remember that apostle means sent one. Therefore, you and I are also sent ones in the informal and general sense, and we have been sent across the street and across the hall and across the locker room with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The apostles returned and told Jesus all that they had done. Perhaps they were tired. I know I am after a mission trip or after a long day on a mission trip. Therefore, Jesus took them to a deserted place for some privacy.
However, their private place wasn’t private for long. They had been followed because people were attracted to Jesus.
BTW…If people were attracted to Jesus, in one sense, they should be attracted to Christians. However, if you’re the kind of Christian that is rude and obnoxious and people can’t stand you, that isn’t biblical Christianity that you are practicing.
Verse 11 says Jesus received them and shared the kingdom of God with them. What is the kingdom of God?
He shared the gospel with them. Then, He healed them to authenticate and affirm the gospel message.
That is what life changes does. When lives are changed, the truth of the gospel is verified.
- A Legitimate Problem, Luke 9:12
12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted place here.”
In verse 12, it seems to be near the end of the day. The twelve came to Jesus and encouraged Him to send the crowds home so that they could find a place to stay and get something to eat.
The end of verse 12 calls this place deserted. That meant no place to stay and no food to eat.
Verse 14 says this was about 5,000 men. Including women and children, this crowd could easily have been large than Rains County.
So what would you do? This was a legitimate problem.
- The Human Solution, Luke 9:13-14a
13 But He said to them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we go and buy food for all these people.” 14 For there were about five thousand men.
In verse 13, Jesus told the twelve to take care of the situation. He told them to get the crowd something to eat.
BTW…Jesus could have snapped His fingers and solved this problem. However, He didn’t.
Why? His plan is use the body of Christ to share the gospel and pray and minister to people.
However, this was problematic. They only had five loaves and two fish. John 6 says they belonged to a little boy.
Keep in mind this wasn’t Texas Toast and 30-pound channel cats. These were five biscuits and two sardines.
Perhaps they could have purchased some food. However, it still wouldn’t have been enough for this number of people.
The disciples were thinking with their minds rather than their hearts. In some cases, that is right, but not when Jesus tells you otherwise.
- Divine Intervention, Luke 9:14b-17
Then He said to His disciples, “Make them sit down in groups of fifty.” 15 And they did so, and made them all sit down. 16 Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude. 17 So they all ate and were filled, and twelve baskets of the leftover fragments were taken up by them.
What happens when Jesus gets involved with our legitimate problems after we have tried our solution? What happens the Divine intervenes?
At the end of verse 14, Jesus told the twelve what to do. They had the crowds sit down in groups of 50. We assume this was simply for organizational purposes.
Verse 16 says Jesus took the boy’s food. He took the five biscuits and two sardines, and He looked toward heaven and thanked His Heavenly Father for the food. Then, He gave and gave and gave until everyone had something to eat.
Verse 16 is the miracle. Verse 16 is where Jesus suspended natural law. Verse 16 is where the Divine intervened.
Keep in mind, this was a bite or two. Verse 17 says they ate and were full.
There were even leftovers. Why twelve baskets full? There were twelve disciples, and each on saw this miracle personally and up close.
Application and Conclusion
So what? One point of this story is to demonstrate that Jesus is the Messiah. However, that is not the main point because Jesus could have done all of this without anyone’s help.
Therefore, what is the main point? Jesus wants us to depend on Him all day and in every way, but especially when life seems impossible.
He wants us to trust and obey. Notice that the miracle is verse 16.
What happened before verse 16? Verse 15. They disciples obeyed in verse 15.
When life seems impossible with your money and your marriage and members of your family, trust and obey. See Psalm 37:5.
5 Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
Tuesday Sep 24, 2024
Sending Out the Sent Ones
Tuesday Sep 24, 2024
Tuesday Sep 24, 2024
In the last three weeks, we have been reminded again and again that Jesus Christ is Lord over all. In other words, He has complete power over all of life. He has complete authority over all of life, and that includes storms and Satan and sickness.
Therefore, if we are His followers, and we have Jesus living with us, and He is Lord over all, what does that mean for us? It means that in order to maximize efficiency, Jesus is sending us on His behalf to do His work.
Take your Bibles and find Luke 9:1. I want to share a message with you entitled, “Sending Out the Sent.”
We are going to see in today’s text that Jesus sent out the twelve disciples on His behalf to do His work. These men are also called the twelve apostles.
The word apostle means sent one or messenger. In verse 2, we see that word, “sent.” Therefore, Jesus sent out the sent ones.
- Jesus sent out the sent ones with authority, Luke 9:1.
1 Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.
So Jesus called the twelve together and gave them the power and authority that He had. Jesus had power and authority over demons and over disease, and He gave that power authority to the twelve.
Do you remember how we know that Jesus had authority over demons? In 8:27-29, Jesus removed the demons from the Gaderene Demoniac.
27 And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!” 29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.
Do you remember how we know that Jesus had authority over diseases? In 8:47-48, Jesus healed a woman who had been diseased for twelve years.
47 Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. 48 And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
Furthermore, Jairus’ daughter had died from some disease, but Jesus healed her as well by bringing her back to life. See 8:54-55.
54 But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.” 55 Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat.
Jesus sent out the sent ones with authority.
- Jesus sent out the sent ones with orders, Luke 9:2-4.
2 He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece. 4 “Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart.
Jesus sent out the sent ones with authority and with orders. What were they? They were three: what to do, what to take, and where to stay.
First, what did He order them to do? They were to preach the kingdom of God and heal the sick. In other words, they were to preach the gospel and see lives changed.
And this exactly what they did. See 9:6.
6 So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.
BTW…let’s remember what is the gospel. First, the God who is Creator is holy. That means He is without sin and perfect. Second, He created us to be in a personal relationship with Him. Third, but we sinned, and our sin separates us from God. Fourth, Jesus, God in the flesh, came to earth and lived a perfect, sinless life, and died on the cross for our sins.
In order to authenticate all that He did and said, He didn’t’ stay dead. He rose from the grave, and has invited the entire world to follow Him and be saved from their sins.
Second, as the twelve were going and doing, what were they to take? In verse 3, Jesus said don’t take anything. This order demonstrated brevity of the trip and the need for them to trust Jesus to provide.
Remember, it is a biblical truth that were God guides, He also provides. That was true then. It is true today. It is true in sharing the gospel. It is true in building a Family Life Center.
Third, where they to stay? They were to stay with locals who had also chosen to follow Jesus, and stay with them the entire time. Don’t jump from house to house.
Jesus sent out the sent ones with orders.
- Jesus sent out the sent ones with opposition, Luke 9:5.
5 And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”
Just like no fisherman has ever been perfect, not witness will ever be perfect. Jesus prepared His sent ones for rejection.
They were to shake the dust off their feet as a testimony against them. However, notice this is a one-time act that trusts God for the judgment.
So many times, we think when someone doesn’t agree with us or isn’t ready to commit that then are enemies. That it isn’t true, but even if it was, God is the judge not us.
When people reject the gospel, we don’t have to post about them on FB. We need to pray for them to repent.
In verses 7-9, Jesus and the sent ones had garnered the attention of Herod. Because of what he was hearing, he wanted to find out more.
Conclusion
So what does all of the mean for us today here at EBC? Like these twelve disciples, we also as follower of Christ, have been sent.
Furthermore, as we have been sent, we have authority to lead to share the gospel and lead people to faith in Christ. However, our message isn’t going to be authenticated by casting out demons and healing the sick.
Instead, our message is authenticated when we live changed lives because of Jesus. When we are faithful to our spouse and the hardest working employees and tell the truth at school, our message is authenticated, and that is the way it is supposed to be.
However, when our walk doesn’t match our talk, you know what else happens? We end up turning people away from the gospel. We are stumbling blocks to others when we don’t love our spouse and don’t obey our parents and are lazier workers than lost people.
But here me say this, God is not disappointed that His mission has fallen to us. We aren’t plan B. The Church is plan A in taking the gospel to the world!
Monday Sep 16, 2024
Jesus is Lord Over All Including Sickness!
Monday Sep 16, 2024
Monday Sep 16, 2024
If you have your Bibles, please take them and turn to Luke 8:40. Today, we come to the end of chapter 8, and this mini-series about Jesus being Lord over all.
When I say Jesus is Lord over all, I mean that Jesus is more powerful than. I mean that Jesus has authority over.
Last week, we saw that Jesus is Lord over all including Satan. Satan is very intelligent, but Jesus is omniscient.
Satan is very powerful, but Jesus is omnipotent. Jesus is Lord over all including Satan.
The Sunday before, we saw that Jesus is Lord over all including storms. Some storms are literal and physical. Other storms are emotional and spiritual. Regardless, Jesus is Lord over all including storms.
Today, I want to remind you that Jesus is Lord over all including sickness. Some sickness is also called disease. Some sickness leads to death. Regardless, Jesus is Lord over all including sickness.
We are actually going to look at two miracles here at the end of Luke 8. In the past, I have preached them in two different sermons, but today, I will join them together as one is sandwiched in by the other.
- Sickness that can be called, “disease,” Luke 8:43-48
43 Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, 44 came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. 45 And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” 46 But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” 47 Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. 48 And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
I want you to skip down to verse 43. As Jesus was making His way to Jairus’ house, He was surrounded by a multitude of people.
In this verse, we are introduced to a woman who had sickness or disease. Notice that it was chronic. She had it for twelve years. Most commentators believe this was some type of ongoing bleeding in her uterus.
Notice that it was also costly. She spent all her livelihood on physicians, but to no avail. Look at Mark 5:26.
26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.
Verse 44 says she came from behind Jesus and touched the border or hem or tassel of His garment. What happened? Immediately, the flow of blood stopped.
What else happened? Jesus knew it. The crowded denied it. Peter mocked it.
BTW…Jesus knew it because He is omniscient. He knows all.
We see that again in verse 46. He perceived power going from Him.
In addition to being omniscient, Jesus is also omnipotent. He is all-powerful.
In verse 47, Jesus called her out so to speak. Following her faith and her healing, Jesus called her to confess Him publicly.
BTW…Jesus does the same today. When you are saved by grace and through faith in Christ, you are called to confess Him publicly through believers’ baptism.
This woman’s healing is a picture of salvation, and we will talk more about that in a moment. However, notice what Jesus called her verse 48.
He never uses this title anywhere else but here. This woman was now a child of God the Father.
- Sickness that can lead to death, Luke 8:40-42, 49-56
40 So it was, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him. 41 And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house, 42 for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him. 49 While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher.” 50 But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” 51 When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. 52 Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping.” 53 And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.” 55 Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. 56 And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened.
Look at back 40. Remember how we left Jesus last week. The distraught herdsman or pig farmers didn’t want Jesus around.
This is a different reaction in verse 40. The multitude welcomed Him. I pray that is your response to Jesus.
Rather than wanting Him to leave because of what He may require of you, I pray that you welcome Him into every area of your life.
As we consider a sickness that lead to death, remember that death is no respecter of persons. The mortality rate of human history is 100% even for those who are good folks and even welcome Jesus into their lives.
In verse 41, we are introduced to Jairus, and he was in charge of the local synagogue. That meant he decided the order of service for the Jewish worship services. He decided who sang and who preached and who prayed.
He came to Jesus out of desperation. He fell at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house. Why?
Jairus had one daughter. She was twelve years old, and was at death’s door. She was dying. Being the father of three daughters, this story hits close to home.
He had obviously witnessed or at least heard about how Jesus had healed others. With nowhere else to turn, he invited Jesus to come to his home to save his daughter.
Skip to verse 49. As death is no respecter of persons, death also causes significant pain.
As Jesus was finishing up with the woman who touched His garment, He received notification from Jairus’ house. A messenger arrived to tell Jairus that his daughter had died. Therefore, there was no need for Jesus to come.
I can’t even imagine Jairus’ grief. Jesus was on His way, but was interrupted.
Without this interruption, would Jesus have arrived in time? We’ll never know, but this story doesn’t end here.
BTW…in God’s economy, there is no such thing as an interruption. There are only divine appointments.
Look at verse 50. Jesus did a miracle. He brought this girl, who was dead, back to life.
This miracle occurred because of Jesus’ compassion. He hated that this father was faced with the possibility of losing his only daughter. Jesus encouraged him in verse 50 not to be afraid because He was going to intervene.
Verse 50 also says that Jesus told Jairus to continue to believe. He had faith in coming to Jesus. He needed to continue to have faith that Jesus could do what he originally thought.
Remember that death causes significant pain. Jairus’ immediate family and his extended family thought any more interaction with the girl was futile.
Why? She was dead. What else could be done? Verse 52 says they wept and mourned.
However, as we said previously, the story isn’t over. When Jesus told the mourners that they didn’t need to cry any more, they laughed at Him. They didn’t think He or anyone for that matter could do anything at this point.
She was dead. Her heart had stopped. She wasn’t breathing.
However, in verses 54-55, Jesus brought her back to life. Her spirit returned, and just to make sure that no one believed this was a dream, she ate some food.
Application
Jesus is absolutely Lord over all including sickness. He can heal your disease and rescue you from death.
However, these two stories about physical sickness give us a picture of spiritual salvation. Here is what I mean:
- Sin is our spiritual disease that leads to spiritual death if we are not healed and saved.
- Every person is infected with sin and in need of healing and salvation. That is true for males and females, young and old, rich and poor. Remember, death is now respecter of persons.
- Sin hurts and causes major pain. Sin causes us to separated and isolated from one another and from God.
- However, healing and salvation is possible when we start by acknowledging the Healer. See verses 41 and 47. Both fell at Jesus’ feet. Said another way, we admit we are sinners and believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sin.
- Finally, healing and salvation is activated by our faith. See verses 48 and 50. Any person can be healed and saved today by God’s grace through our faith in Christ alone.
Monday Sep 09, 2024
Jesus is Lord Over All Including Satan!
Monday Sep 09, 2024
Monday Sep 09, 2024
Introduction
If you have your Bibles, please take them and find Luke 8:26. Today, I want to share a message with your entitled, “Jesus is Lord Over All including Satan!”
If you were here last Sunday, you saw from Luke 8:22-25 that Jesus is Lord over all including storms. That means literal storms and emotional or spiritual storms.
This is actually a three-part series here in Luke 8. Jesus is Lord over all including storms and Satan and sickness.
When we saw Lord over all, I mean that has authority over. I mean that He is more powerful than.
Jesus has authority over and is more powerful than storms. Jesus has authority over and is more powerful than Satan.
On the pages of Scripture this morning, we are going to see a man who was demon-possessed. I want you to know that I believe that Satan is real and demons are real.
I believe in the demon-possession of individuals in the first century as evidenced in the Bible. Also, I believe in the demon-possession of individuals in the twenty-first century.
However, I’m not talking about people bipolar schizophrenic or epileptic or ADD or ADHD. Demon possession is a spiritual condition. It is not a medical condition.
In today’s story, we are going to see the Divine, the Disturbed, and the Distraught. The Divine is Jesus. The Disturbed is the demon-possessed man, and the Distraught is the group of herdsman working with these pigs.
- The Divine: Jesus
Verse 26 says that Jesus and His disciples sailed to the country of the Gadarenes. They had previously been in a storm on the Sea of Galilee.
In verse 27, He was met by the demon-possessed man. As we are thinking about the Divine, who was Jesus, I want you to see that He commanded, and He was compassionate.
Jesus commanded because He was and is God. Even the demons knew that as evidenced by their pronouncement at the end of verse 28.
We also see the divinity of Jesus evidenced in the man’s posture. The first part of verse 28 says he came and bowed down to Him.
Then, we see that Jesus was divine in the demons’ plea. They knew that Jesus was in charge. They knew that Jesus was Lord over all including Satan.
In verse 31, they begged Him to let them enter the pigs. Jesus obliged.
Not only did Jesus command because He was divine, but He was compassionate toward the disturbed. Jesus loved people more than pigs. Jesus loved souls more than swine.
Jesus saw how this man was suffering, and He healed him. He saved Him eternally by delivering him personally.
- The Disturbed: The Demon-Possessed Man
When we think about this disturbed man who was demon-possessed, I want you to see that he was saved, and then he was sent.
Verse 30 tells us that this man was possessed by many demons, maybe even thousands as his name was Legion.
Notice what he like before he was saved. First, he was characterized by unusual surroundings. Look at verse 28. He wore no clothes, and he lived in a cematery.
Second, he was characterized by unusual strength. Verse 29 says he was often bound by chains and shackles. This was probably by the townspeople, but he broke them.
Third, he was characterized by unusual suffering. Mark 5:5 says, “5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.”
However, notice what had changed when Jesus saved this man. Verse 36 says he was healed or saved.
His actions changed. Verse 35 says he was sitting at Jesus’ feel.
His appearance changed. He was clothed.
He attitude changed. He was in his right mind.
Once he was saved, he was then sent. Look at verse 38.
Go to the people who know you best. Tell them what God has done. Tell them your story.
Brothers and sisters, our assignment is the same. God puts specific people in our path every day. Talk to them about God. Tell them you story of how God changed you.
- The Distraught: The Herdsman
The herdsmen are introduced in verse 34. They heard about what happened, and they saw what happened with their own eyes.
The end of verse 35 and the end of verse 37 says they were afraid and seized with great fear. In other words, they were distraught, but why?
First, I would suggest they were afraid because of what Jesus did to their pigs. Undoubtedly, because Jesus loved people more than pigs and souls more than swine, He cost them a lot of money.
Second, I would suggest they were afraid because of what Jesus might do to them. If Jesus stuck around, would their lives have to change? Would their behavior have to change? Would their relationships have to change?
That is usually how Jesus works. Therefore, they asked Him to leave. See verse 37.
Conclusion
Brothers and sisters, we can’t be like Jesus, the Divine. We shouldn’t be like the Distraught keeping areas of our lives off limits to Jesus. However, we must be like this disturbed, demon-possessed man who, after he was saved, was sent.
We must go to our family and friends. We must tell them about Jesus. We must tell our story of how Jesus found us and saved us.
Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
Sunday Aug 25, 2024
This Little Light of Mine, Will You Let It Shine?
Sunday Aug 25, 2024
Sunday Aug 25, 2024
If you have your Bibles this morning, please take them and find Luke 8:16. I want to share a message with you entitled, “This Little Light of Mine.”
Many of you are now singing in your head. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. I hope so.
The last time we were in Luke, we looked at the parable of the soils. Remember, a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.
Also, Jesus told us last time that parables have two purposes. See Luke 8:10.
10 And He said, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that ‘Seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’”
First, Jesus told parables to reveal truths about the kingdom of God to His followers who had received Him. Second, Jesus told parables to conceal truths about the kingdom of God to those that had rejected Him.
Today’s parable is in Luke 8:16. Some Bibles call it the Parable of the Lamp. Others call is the Parable of Revealed Light.
Imagine with me that you were standing in a completely dark room. You can’t see anything right in front of your face. There is zero light from anywhere else. Again, you are standing in complete darkness.
If you had a match and lit it in order to see, it would be illogical and counterproductive to cover that match with your hand. You want and need the light to shine in the darkness so that you and others can see.
That is true today, and that was true in the first century when Jesus told this earthly story that had a heavenly meaning. Continue to keep this question in mind. Am I shining my light or covering my light?
Exposition
16 “No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light.
The parable of the lamp is just one verse, verse 16. In the first century, each home had one or two oil burning lamps.
They might have looked similar to what we would call a lantern. When the sun went down, the lamp would be positioned in the middle of the room or on a wall in an attempt to illumine the entire room.
Keep in mind that the purpose of these lamps was to illumine the room. It would be illogical and counterproductive to light the lamp and then cover it with a container or put it under the bed rather than on a lampstand.
17 For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.
Consequently, when you use lamps appropriately, to light up the room, nothing is hidden. All will become evident. Everything that is secret will be known and come to light.
By the way, did you know that is true for life as well? You may have individual secrets. Your family may have family secrets. Our church may have church secrets, but one day, they will all be revealed.
One day, they will all be made known. See Ecclesiastes 12:14; Romans 2:16; and 1 Corinthians 4:5.
14 For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.
16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.
18 Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”
The key to understanding this parable is found in verse 18. So take heed or care how you hear or listen.
The meaning of this parable is clear. It is about hearing or listening and responding to God’s Word with obedience.
The lamp is God’s Word or God’s instruction for you. To cover it is disobedience, illogical, and unproductive. To put it on the lampstand is to obey, logical or appropriate, and fulfilling its purpose.
Therefore, just make sure we all understand, listen closely. God has given each of His followers a lamp or a light. Yes, that can be gospel, but it is also all of God’s Word and instruction for you.
What then do you do with it? If you hide it or cover it, that is disobeying. He gave it to shine. To hide it or cover it is illogical and unproductive in illuminating your situation.
On the other hand, to take that light and let it shine is to hear and obey. The light is to be put on the lampstand to illumine the situation. That is what is supposed to happen and is logical and fulfills the intended purpose of the light. Therefore, take care how you listen.
Now pay close attention to the rest of verse 18. For whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.
To be sure, this does not have anything to do with social classes in the United States or any other place in the world. Simply put, Jesus said regarding instruction and direction that He has given…use it or lose it.
If you as an individual follower or your family or a church doesn’t use the instruction, direction, and or guidance that God has given, He will not continue to give more instruction, direction, and or guidance.
Allow me to illustrate. If a man who owns his own business is considering a big decision. To more forward could bring in more profit eventually, but would also cost him up front. What should he do?
If he prays about it again and again and again, but yet he is not tithing on his existing income and is even being dishonest in the reporting of his current profit, it is illogical and unproductive to pray for God to direct him.
If a teenager is at the point of deciding on college and prays and asks God for guidance, but this same teenager is sexually active with his girlfriend, it is illogical and unproductive to expect God for guidance regarding college.
If a church wants to reach their community for Christ, and God gives them a vision for a tool like a family life center, but the church keeps saying again and again, “We can’t afford that,” God probably isn’t going to keep answering prayers.
Do you understand what Jesus is saying? One commentator put it like this, “Truth received brings more light. Truth refused brings the night.”
19 Then His mother and brothers came to Him, and could not approach Him because of the crowd. 20 And it was told Him by some, who said, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see You.”
The last part of today’s text may seem out of place. However, it is simply another illustration of the importance of obeying the instruction and direction that God gives you.
By the way, what is the primary means of God giving instruction and guidance today? It is right here. When you say no to what this books says, you are saying no to God and discarding the light you have been given.
Evidently, Jesus was in a private room with His disciples. His mother and brothers had arrived and wanted to speak to Him.
By the way, this little experience tells us much about Jesus’ family. More than likely, Joseph had passed at this point. That is speculation, but he is never mentioned again alive beyond Luke 2.
We also see that Joseph and Mary evidently had other children after Jesus. These are Jesus’ half-brothers. In other words, the idea that Mary had perpetual virginity is not true. The Bible witness just does not support that belief.
Jesus’ mother and brothers wanted to see Him, but couldn’t get through the crowd. Therefore, they sent word to Jesus.
21 But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.”
Notice Jesus’ response in verse 21. He didn’t reject His biological family, but He did redefine His family. For Jesus, His family is those that hear the word of God and do it.
In other words, a right relationship with Jesus is dependent on your obedience. You cannot be right relationship with God while simultaneously disobeying God’s Word.
Jesus’ brother, James, learned this truth. Maybe he was even here in Luke 8. See James 1:22-25.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
Conclusion
So what are you doing with the instruction or direction or guidance that God has already given to you? Are you hiding your light?
- Do you need to apologize?
- Do you need to get baptized?
- Do you need to change your attitude?
- Do you need to confess a sin?
- Do you need to forgive a sin?
- Do you need to honor your parents?
- Do you need to join the church?
- Do you need to repent of your immorality?
- Do you need to start tithing?
- Do you need to witness to your neighbor, coworker, or classmate?
Don’t hide your light! It is illogical and counterproductive. Let your light shine!
Monday Aug 19, 2024
Top 10 Questions about Baptism
Monday Aug 19, 2024
Monday Aug 19, 2024
Last Sunday morning, I shared my annual sermon on the Lord’s Supper. As I was preparing to preach that sermon, I thought it might a good idea to preach a similar sermon on Baptism since we consider them as the two ordinances we practice at Emory Baptist Church.
However, if the Lord is willing, we will be back in Luke next Sunday. Our text will be Luke 8:16-17.
Like we looked at the top ten questions about the Lord’s Supper last Sunday, I want to look at the top ten questions today about Baptism, and I’m going to use the term Christian Baptism. I think it will be obvious why soon enough.
- Is Christian Baptism required for salvation?
I pray that you understand that obviously here at Emory Baptist Church, we believe the answer to this is a resounding no.
If baptism was required for salvation, how could Jesus say what He said to the thief on the cross?
Luke 23:43, 43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
If baptism was required for salvation, why would Paul say what he said to the Corinthian Church?
1 Corinthians 1:17, 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.
Therefore, and again, of course, we don’t believe that baptism is required for salvation.
As I said last week, we believe that any individual and every individual is only saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
Ephesians 2:8-9, 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
- Is Christian Baptism essential to obedience and right standing with the Lord Jesus?
Again, I think the answer to this question is obvious because of our very name. For 100 plus years, this church has chosen to identify as a Baptist church. Therefore, we think very highly of the act of baptism
So yes, we believe that every follower of Christ should be baptized. Why?
Matthew 3:13-17, 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” 15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. 16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Jesus was baptized, and this pleased God His Father. Therefore, we can conclude that every follower of Christ should be baptized as well.
Not to do so would be disobedience. Therefore, if you are waiting for some reason, wait no longer.
Your delayed obedience is disobedience. Choose obedience instead of disobedience today!
- Who should be baptized?
At Emory Baptist Church, we believe any and every individual who has trusted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior should be baptized. After all, we have chosen to have Baptist in our church name.
That includes any Catholic, any Lutheran, any Presbyterian, any Episcopalian, any Methodist or otherwise.
We believe that every Christian should be baptized.
- How should every Christian be baptized?
The New Testament pattern and example of baptism is immersion.
However, let me explain how it is redundant to say baptism by immersion.
In the New Testament, and using biblical language, there is a word for sprinkling. There is a word for pouring.
However, the word for immersion is baptize. Therefore, when we say baptize, we are NOT talking about any other method except immersion.
Allow me to illustrate. If you are lover of Dr. Pepper, you recognize your favorite soft drink by its name and the color of the can and the color of the drink.
If someone handed you a Dr. Thunder and told you to enjoy the Dr. Pepper you were just handed, you would think there’s no way.
However, the name is similar, and the color of the can is the same, and the color of the drink is the same.
At Emory Baptist Church, we don’t believe sprinkling is baptism. We believe sprinkling is sprinkling.
So what are some reasons for baptism by immersion?
First, Jesus was immersed. If we want to follow His example, that example is immersion.
Second, we believe that baptism should be the decision of the saved individual and not the decision of well-meaning family members including parents.
Third, every baptism in the New Testament is by immersion. There are no examples of sprinkling or pouring in the New Testament.
Fourth and finally, an immersed body is the best picture of the death and burial of Jesus Christ and the old self.
Only then can an individual be a picture of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and being raised to new life.
- What have church fathers said about immersion?
When I say church fathers, I’m talking about human founders of mainline denominations.
- Martin Luther (Father of the Lutheran Church), “I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed as the word (Bible) implies and the mystery signifies.” (Luther’s Essay, “The Babylonian Captivity of the Church”)
- John Calvin (Father of the Presbyterian Church), "The word 'baptize' signifies to immerse. It is certain that immersion was the practice of the ancient church." (Institutes of the Christian Religion, 4:15:19)
- John Wesley (Father of the Methodist Church), “Buried with Him, alludes to baptizing by immersion according to the custom of the first church.” (Wesley’s Explanatory Notes on the New Testament, Romans 6:4)
- When should a new believer be baptized?
Again, we look to God’s Word, and the New Testament pattern is as soon as possible.
Acts 16:14-15, 14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. 15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.
Acts 16:33, 33 And he (Paul) took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.
Therefore, if you haven’t been baptized this morning, you are in one of three situations.
First, you may not have ever believed in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior because you have never been convicted that you are lost without Him. If that is true of you, I invite you to be saved today and baptized ASAP.
Second, you may know that you are lost and you may know how to be saved but you haven’t acted on it. Gamble with your eternity no more! Be saved today and baptized ASAP.
Third, you may be saved and not baptized. Remember, your delayed obedience is disobedience. Make that commitment today and be baptized ASAP.
- Do I become a member of EBC once I am baptized?
Remember, we believe that baptism is a church ordinance. Therefore, yes, you become a member of Emory Baptist Church if we baptize you.
However, I do want to be fair and mention one exception. The Ethiopian Eunuch was baptized by Phillip in Acts 8, and there doesn’t seem to be a local church involved.
However, this is the exception and not the rule.
- What if I was baptized as a child or youth but wasn't saved until later?
That is a great question, and one that deserves an honest answer.
At Emory Baptist Church, not only do we want to be faithful to the New Testament example of immersion, but we also want to be faithful to the New Testament sequence of events.
The New Testament pattern is always believing first and baptism second. Therefore, if you have not been baptized since you were saved, we would invite you be baptized after salvation in what we often call believer's baptism.
- What if I was sprinkled as an infant?
Again, that is a great question, and one that deserves an honest answer.
Since our final authority is God’s Word, we look again to the New Testament. The New Testament pattern is immersion after salvation.
That’s why in order to join EBC, an individual must be immersed after salvation.
That’s also why salvation and baptized by immersion is implied when we take the Lord’s Supper.
- When does EBC baptize?
EBC baptizes at the beginning of our Sunday AM and Sunday PM worship services.
However, we will baptize at the most convenient time for person being baptized.
Monday Aug 05, 2024