Emory Baptist Church

Who is Asking for a Snake or Scorpion?

Please take your Bibles and find Luke 11:11. I want to share a message with you entitled, “Who is Asking for a Snake or Scorpion?”

 

This is rhetorical question, and a reference to today’s text in Luke 11.  Generally speaking, the answer is no one.

 

So far this year, we have been talking about priorities for the child of God and the follower of Christ.  I have challenged you to make your first priority daily bible reading.

 

I have challenged you to make you second priority regular praying in our daily lives.  In order to better understand what that might look like, we saw the Jesus’ pattern of prayer also known as the Lord’s Prayer.

 

Jesus prayed regularly and during significant and stressful times in His life.  He prayed alone and with others.  He prayed for those around Him and for Himself. 

 

Last Sunday, we were challenged to keep on keeping on in our prayers and with praying.  God wants us to persistently ask, seek, and knock like a desperate beggar.

 

Today, I want to show you what God promises when we pray.  In short, because of who He is, He will give us what we need when we come to Him in prayer.

 

 

Exposition

In the NKJV of verses 11-12, Jesus asked 3 rhetorical questions, and the answer to all 3 is No.  You probably have a footnote telling you why or why not this first question is included in your version.

 

Regardless, normal earthly fathers are going to give their children what they ask for.  Said another way, normal earthly fathers are NOT going to give their children things that harm them like snakes and scorpions.

 

BTW…I know there are some in the room this morning that had sorry earthly fathers.  I hate that, and I am sorry for you.  However, please know that God in heaven, the God of the Bible, wants to be your good and perfect heavenly Father if He isn’t already.  

 

In verse 13, Jesus then makes His point from the rhetorical questions.  If sinful and evil earthly fathers know to give their children what they need when they ask, our heavenly Father will absolutely give us what we need, and our greatest need is salvation by being born again through the Holy Spirit. 

 

So, allow me explain this a little more.

 

 

1. Our Heavenly Father will give us what we need when pray to Him because of His character.

 

How do I know this?  The Bible tells me so.

 

Romans 8:32, 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

 

Again, we have a rhetorical question.  If God gave His own Son to us, don’ you think He will also answer our prayers according to our needs?

 

BTW…I recently read these answers to pray, and I want to share them with you.

 

First, sometimes God answers our prayers directly.  That means He gives us exactly what we asked for.

 

Second, sometimes God answers our prayers differently.  He still answered us, but not exactly what we prayed.

 

Third, there are times when God delays His answer to our prayers.  In other words, His answer is wait.

 

Finally, sometimes God’s answer is no.  He denies our request or petition for some good reason. 

 

However, because the Bible is true, we can know that because of His character, He knows our needs and will give us what we need without hesitation or reservation.  He is our good, good Father.

 

James 1:17, 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

 

Therefore, brothers and sisters, even when we don’t understand, I ask you and challenge you to trust Him.  He is perfect, and His plan for us perfect.

 

 

 

2. The second best prayer we can ever daily and throughout the day is to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

 

Christians don’t have to be pray for the Holy Spirit because of Pentecost.  If we are saved, we have Him.

 

Let that sink in.  If we are saved, we have the third person of the Holy Trinity within us all the time.

 

However, like an old bicycle tire, we are prone to leak, and we have to pray to be filled with the Spirit regularly.  See Ephesians 5:18.

 

Ephesians 5:18, 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.

This is the explicit will of God.  Therefore, when we have the third person of the Holy Trinity within us, and we are filled with Him or following His lead, what does that mean?

 

First, it means we will pray in Jesus’ name and according to God’s will.  Why does that matter?

 

John 14:13-14, 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

 

John 15:16, 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

 

John 16:23-24, 23 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

 

1 John 5:14-15, 14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

 

It matters because the Bible says God will answer our prayers when we pray in Jesus’ name and according to God’s will.  How do we do that?  We do this when we are filled with the Holy Spirit and not our own flesh.

 

Second, being filled with the Holy Spirit means we will be obedient to the Lord Jesus.  Why does matter? 

 

John 15:7, 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

 

Not only does the Bible say when we pray in Jesus’ name and according to God’s will that He will answer our prayers, it also says when we are obedient to His desire for our lives that He will answer our prayers.

 

To abide is synonymous with obey.  His words are His commands or the Bible. When we obey His commands or abide in Him, our heavenly Father will answer our prayers.

 

 

Conclusion

So, if praying to be filled with the Spirit is the second best prayer you can pray, what is the first?  The absolute best prayer you can pray is the prayer of salvation that says, “Father, please forgive me and save me.”

 

Admit that you are sinner and ask for forgiveness.  Then, because Jesus died on the cross for your sins and was raised on the third day, ask Jesus to come into your life to be your Lord and Savior.

 

You can pray that prayer today and be saved.  If you do or will, we want to know. 

 

We've Got to Keep On Keeping On!

This morning, if you have your Bibles, please take them and find Luke 11:5.  I want to share with you a message entitled, “We’ve Got to Keep On Keeping On!”

 

Today, we are continuing to talk about the subject of regular and personal prayer in the life of a follower of Christ.  We introduced this subject last Sunday morning looking at Jesus’ pattern in prayer.

 

However, I want to go back even further to the first Sunday of the year.  I challenged to you make a commitment to daily Bible reading, and so many of you have started. 

 

Praise the Lord, and you can start even today!  I challenged you to make this your number one priority as a follower of Christ in 2025. 

 

Then, last week, I challenged to make regular prayer your second priority, and we looked at Jesus’ pattern in prayer.  He prayed regularly and for big decisions or crises events.  Jesus prayed alone and with others, and Jesus prayed for Himself and others. 

 

Here is the main idea that I want us to see and understand this morning.  God wants His children to persist in their prayers and persist in praying. 

 

Look at verse 9.  Here, we find that word “persistence.” 

 

The NIV uses the “shameless audacity.”  The KJV uses the word importunity.

 

The word “persistence” means to endure or persevere.  Teenagers today might use the word “grit.” 

 

It means to continue an act until the desired effect is realized.  It means to keep on keeping on.

 

Here in Luke 11:5-10, I want us to see the explanation of persistence in praying, an illustration of persistence in praying, and the application of persistence in praying.

 

 

1. The Explanation of Persistence in Praying, Luke 11:8

8 I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.

 

Beginning in verse 5, Jesus made a point using a parable.  A parable is an earthly story with heavenly or spiritual meaning.

 

The point of the parable is verse 8.  Jesus commended man’s persistence or his shameless audacity. 

 

In this context, shameless would be synonymous with bold, and used in a positive way.  Again, my main point this morning, and the main point of this text is to commend and advocate for followers of Christ persisting in their prayers or persisting in praying. 

 

 

2. An Illustration of Persistence in Praying, Luke 11:5-7

5 And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? 8 I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.

 

Verses 5-8 contain a parable.  A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly or spiritual meaning. 

 

Here’s the story.  A man has an unexpected friend drop by at midnight traveling through town. 

 

Why was the friend traveling at night?  It was probably to avoid the hot temperatures in the Middle East during the day.

 

This man knows that it is incumbent upon him to be a good host.  However, he doesn’t have any bread for the friend to eat.

 

What does he do?  He goes to a neighbor and asks for three loaves of bread.  Remember, it is midnight. 

 

It’s also important to know the neighbor probably had a one room house.  That meant everyone, parents and children, slept in the one room. 

 

When the neighbor hears the knocking or the calling, he goes to the door and essentially says, “Go away!  It’s too late.”

 

Why was this his response?  To open the door would mean burning a lantern and unbolting the lock.  He was surely to have wakened his children and his wife.  For those parents in the room, you know the advice of never wake a sleeping baby.

 

However, what does verse 8 say.  It says that if the man is persistent in his request, the neighbor will oblige. 

 

Can you imagine the scene?  It is midnight.  It is dark.  People are asleep.  It is quiet.

 

Then knocking starts and won’t stop.  Then yelling starts and won’t stop.

 

Finally, both stop.  Why?  Because the neighbor is tired of all the racket. 

 

BTW…in studying parables, there is always the danger of pressing the parable too far.  For example, God, our heavenly Father, is NOT a grouchy old man.

 

 

3. The Application for Persistence in Praying, 11:9-10

9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

 

One of the great things about today’s text is that Jesus doesn’t leave us wondering about what it means.  He is crystal clear.

 

In verse 9, we find three words that are significant.  They are ask, seek, and knock.

 

In the language of the NT, they what are called “present imperatives.”  That means they are commands for continuous action. 

 

Consequently, don’t just ask once.  Keep asking.  Don’t just seek once.  Keep seeking.  Don’t just know once.  Keep knocking. 

 

The progression in the words is also significant.  Ask is verbal.  Seek is adding actions to your words.  Knock is adding persistence to your words and actions.

 

As a result, look at verse 10.  When you keep asking, you will receive.  When you keep seeking, you will find.  When you keep knocking, the door will be opened.

 

The point is NOT that we can manipulate God with our amount of prayers.  The point is also NOT that the person who prays the most gets the most desired prayer requests. 

 

The point is that God wants us to pray and pray more and keep praying.  We may not know if God has ordained the end.

 

However, we definitely know that He has ordained the means.  Now, let us be found faithful.

 

Keep praying for your marriage to flourish.  Keep praying for your loved one to be saved.  Keep praying for your friend to be healed. 

 

However, there is one pray that you only need to pray once.  That is the prayer for Jesus to come into your heart and forgive you of your sins and save you today.

A Close Second

Last Sunday, I began my message verbalizing my gratitude for the providence of God as He planned our last sermon of 2024 to be about the Good Samaritan and meeting our neighbors’ needs and the first sermon of 2025 about Mary and Martha and prioritizing daily bible reading.

 

Again, I am grateful for God’s providence in planning our second sermon of the new year to be about prayer.  As a matter of fact, our next three sermons will be about prayer. 

 

Today, we will look at Jesus’ pattern of prayer.  Next week will be about our persistence in prayer.  The final Sunday of January will be about God’s products from prayer.

 

I have entitled this sermon, “A Close Second.”  As I said last week, I believe that every Christian’s number one priority for the new year should be daily bible reading.  That is God talking to us.

 

A close second priority of every Christian in the new year is praying regularly.  That is us talking to God.

 

Therefore, I do think it is best for us to listen more than we talk.  Perhaps that is why we have only one mouth but two ears.

 

 

Exposition

In verse 1, Jesus was praying.  Obviously, His disciples heard Him and or saw Him and asked Him to teach them to pray.

 

Beginning in verse 2 and through verse 4, we find Jesus’ pattern for pray.  This is commonly called, “The Lord’s Prayer.”  Many of you probably have it committed to memory.

However, you probably memorized the version in Matthew 6.  It is found there as well as part of the Sermon on the Mount.  Here, Jesus used it in response to a request. 

 

Please understand that Jesus is not advocating a magical formula.  What Jesus is doing is teaching us to depend on God for life’s needs.  In verses 2-4, you will find six requests.

 

After we get the great privilege of addressing the Creator of the universe as Father, our first request is that His name be hallowed.  That means revered and respected.

 

This prayer is that you and I would not do ANYTHING to drag God’s name through the mud.  It applies to what we say, think, and do.

 

Second, there is the request for God’s kingdom to come.  This is a prayer for Jesus to come and come quickly.

 

Third, there is the request for God’s will to be done.  Consequently, if God’s kingdom comes and God’s will is done, my kingdom has to be destroyed, and my will must fall by the wayside. 

 

BTW…How is God’s will done in heaven?  It is done perfectly and without sin.  This request is for me and you to live lives in obedience to God’s will.

 

Fourth, there is the request for daily bread.  This is a request for general but daily provisions.  It certainly includes but not limited to food.

 

Fifth, there is the request for forgiveness of sin.  Notice also the standard for our forgiveness. 

 

When we forgive others, that is proof or evidence that God has forgiven us.  When we don’t, well…

 

Sixth, there is the request for God to deliver us from temptation and the evil one.  We are to pray for God to lead us into safe places where obedience thrives.

 

Again, this not a magical formula.  However, it can be used as a model prayer for our prayers.

 

 

Jesus’ Prayer Life

When we think about Jesus’ prayer life, we should remember that HE prayed regularly like here in 11:1.  You and should pray throughout the day even during the mundane experiences of life.

 

However, Jesus also prayed before or during major or significant events.

 

When He was baptized:

3:21 When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened.

 

When He chose the Twelve:

6:12 Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

 

When He was in the Garden of Gethsemane:

22:40 When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”  41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” 43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

 

When He was on the cross:

23:46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’” Having said this, He breathed His last.

 

Second, Jesus prayed when He was alone, and when other were present.

 

5:16 So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.

 

9:18 And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”

 

9:28 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray.

 

Third, Jesus prayed for others, and Jesus prayed for Himself.

 

22:32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

 

17:1 Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.

 

 

Application

When it comes to your daily prayer time, I advocate the ACTS method of praying.  A stands for adoration or praising God.  C stands for confession of sin.  T stands for thanksgiving, and S stands for supplication or petition or requests.

 

All of these except for thanksgiving are explicit in the Lord’s prayer, and I believe that thanksgiving is implied.  I don’t know that you can adore or praise God without being thankful.

 

If you listen closely when I pray on Sunday mornings, I use this model as an example for you.  I adore all three person of the Trinity.  I confess that we are sinners in need of forgiveness.  I thank the Lord for our nation and our freedom and our military and first responders and facilities and abundant life.  I then pray for us and our neighbors and end to our wars and for the Holy Spirit to meet us here.

 

I challenge you to make regular prayer part of your daily life.  It can easily be accomplished with the notes section on your phone and a daily alarm as a reminder.

 

If Jesus prayed, and He did, His followers should pray as well.  Listening to God is priority number one.  Talking to God is a close second.

 

Priority Number One

If you have your Bibles this morning, please take them and find Luke 10:38.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “Priority Number One.”

 

I am so thankful for the providence of God.  In God’s providence, we ended 2024 looking at the story of the Good Samaritan and were reminded that our neighbors are all around us and in need. 

 

Consequently, Jesus expects His followers to meet those needs.  It doesn’t matter what our neighbor looks like or what language our neighbor speaks or how our neighbor votes or what our neighbor did in the past. 

 

We now begin 2025, and we’re still in Luke 10.  Like the story of the Good Samaritan, this story in Luke 10:38-42 is unique to Luke. 

 

For the follower of Christ, serving others should be a top priority.  However, reading and knowing God’s Word should be Priority Number One!

 

 

Exposition

In verse 38, Jesus and His disciples were on their way to Jerusalem, and they came to a certain village.  Because of this family of siblings, we know from John’s gospel that this village was Bethany.

 

In Bethany, a certain woman named Martha welcomed Jesus into her house.  This sibling group included Martha, Mary, and their brother, Lazarus. 

 

The text says that this house was Martha’s although it seems they all lived there.  Martha was also probably a widow since we never hear or see anything about a husband. 

 

The name Martha means mistress which is another name for hostess.  She was the hostess and in charge of the meals and accommodations for this Jesus and His disciples.  Let’s call her Meticulous Martha. 

 

In verse 39, we meet Martha’s sister, Mary.  Notice what she was doing.  She was sitting at Jesus’ feet hearing and listening to His word.  We can call her Mesmerized Mary.

 

BTW…In the first century, rabbis didn’t take women as their students, but that wasn’t true with Jesus.  Therefore, you can know that Jesus wants to make disciples of men and women and boys and girls and young and old and black and white and rich and poor and Republican and Democrat.

 

Verse 40 makes a very sharp contrast between Meticulous Martha and Mesmerized Mary.  Martha was distracted with much serving.  As I said earlier, she had food to prepare and accommodations to ready. 

 

When you have time to read your Bible, do you get easily distracted with kids, the laundry, the cleaning, the yard, Facebook, your hobbies?  Meticulous Martha got distracted with things that needed to be done.

 

She was so distracted and insulted by the lack of Mary’s help that she rebuked the Lord.  In not so many words, she said, “Lord, Don’t you care that I’m doing all this work and Mary isn’t helping a lick?  As a matter of fact, tell her to get in the kitchen and help me.”

 

Jesus never condemned Martha and her hospitality.  However, He did commend Mary and her listening at Jesus’ feet.

 

Look at verse 41.  Jesus said Martha’s name twice in His commendation. 

 

In verse 42, He said but one thing is need.  It’s as if He said, you’re preparing so many dishes, but just one dish is needed or necessary. 

 

What dish was that?  Mary had chosen it.  It was the bread of life.

 

John 6:35, 35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

 

Matthew 4:4, 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”

 

 

Main Message

Here is the main message.  In 2025, make daily Bible reading your number one priority!

 

“No spiritual discipline is more important than the intake of God’s word.  Nothing can substitute for it.  There is simply no healthy Christian life apart from a diet of the milk and meat of Scripture.  The reasons for this are obvious.  In the Bible, God tell us about Himself, and especially about Jesus Christ, the incarnation of God.  The Bible unfolds the Law of God to us and shows us how we’ve all broken it.  There we learn how Christ died as a sinless, willing substitute for breakers of God’s Law and how we must repent and believe in Him to be right with God.  In the Bible, we learn the ways and will of the Lord.  We find in Scripture how to live in a way that is pleasing to God as well as best and most fulfilling for ourselves.  None of this eternally essential information can be found anywhere else except the Bible.  Therefore, if we would know God and be godly, we must know the word of God…intimately.”  Don Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

 

Furthermore, in addition to what some human says about God’s Word, listen to what God’s Word says about God’s Word.  See Psalm 119.

 

 

Application

I would suggest to you one of three avenues for application.  First, consider our monthly newsletter or member directory and handbook.

 

Second, consider YouVersion and one of their many plans.

 

Third, consider a daily Bible. 

 

Regardless, make daily Bible reading your number one priority in 2025!

Salvation is Greater Than Service!

If you have your bibles this morning, please take them and find Luke 10:17.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “Salvation is Greater than Service!”

 

Remember the beginning of chapter 10 from last week.  Jesus sent out 70 disciples to minister in His name.  He sent them out as laborers into the harvest, but this wasn’t an agricultural harvest.  This was a spiritual harvest.

 

They were to go but not take any provisions.  Jesus would provide for all of their needs.

 

They were to look for other like-minded individuals and families who were ready to receive Jesus as the promised Messiah.  They were also to heal the sick.

 

However, they would certainly encounter opposition.   They were then to trust God for the judgment of those individuals, families, and cities.

 

Today, we are going to see the 70 returning.  What was their reaction?  How did they feel?

 

 

1. A Picture of Joy, Luke 10:17-20

17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”  18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” 

 

Verse 17 says they returned with joy!  Why? 

 

They had power of demons.  How so?  They had healed the sick.  They had cast out demons.  They saw the lost saved.

 

In response, Jesus said in verse 18, “I saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven.”  What did He mean? 

 

In this context, I think He meant that every time a prayer is answered, Satan’s kingdom falls.  Every time a saint is obedient, Satan’s kingdom falls.  Every time a lost person is saved, Satan’s kingdom falls.

 

BTW…Satan is real.  Jesus thought he was.  Satan is also a fallen angel.  That happened before time began and seems to be alluded to in Isaiah 14.  Finally, the bible teaches us that Satan was defeated with the death and resurrection of Christ.  Satan is being defeated every time an individual says yes to Jesus and no to the devil, and Satan will be defeated once and for all when Jesus Christ casts him into the lake of fire for eternity. 

 

The reason that the ministry of the 70 had any success at all was because Jesus gave them authority of the enemy’s power according to verse 19. However, please don’t take verse 19 as your license to handle snakes.

 

And even though, they rejoiced over ministry and we can rejoice over ministry today, there is something greater than ministry.  We’ll come back to that in just a moment.

 

 

2. A Praying Trinity, Luke 10:21-22

21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 22 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”

 

In verse 21, notice that the 70 are not the only who rejoiced.  Jesus rejoiced over the ministry as well, and He rejoices over you as well when you serve Him by serving others.

 

Verses 21 and 22 are a prayer.  Jesus the Son prayed to God the Father through the Holy Spirit, and He thanked God for these saints. 

 

God revealed the truths of salvation to these saints and to anyone who will humble himself or herself like a child.  We’ve already seen that in Luke 9:48.

 

48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.”

 

Paul also understood that salvation is not because of our influence or ingenuity.  It is because of God’s grace and mercy.  See 1 Corinthians 1:26-29.

 

26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.

 

Brothers and sisters, don’t ever forget that you and I can’t impress a holy God.  When we come to him, it is with empty hands.

 

In verse 22, we are reminded of the deity of Christ, and God is sovereign and in control of all things.  Notice that Jesus is God, and God is Jesus.

 

BTW…this is proof positive that all religions aren’t the same.  Ask a Jew is they believe that Jesus is God.  Ask a Muslim if they believe that Jesus is God.

 

 

3. A Private Message, Luke 10:23-24

23 Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; 24 for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.”

 

After Jesus prayed, He had a private message for His disciples in verses 23-24.  He reminded them of their privilege. 

 

Prophets and kings had longed to see what they had seen.  What had they seen? 

 

They saw the Kingdom of God.  They saw the promised Messiah.  They saw God in the flesh.  They saw Jesus Christ!

 

 

Conclusion

So what is the point of today’s sermon?  Go back to verse 20.

 

20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” 

 

Ministry or serving others is good, but salvation is greater!  It is good to serve others, and we should rejoice in our service.  Rejoice when you invite someone to church.  Rejoice when T. E. L. goes caroling.  Rejoice when our budget is met and when more money is given to the FLC.

 

However, rejoice more when in your salvation and when lost people are saved.  Why?  Ministry or service is earthly.  Salvation is eternal. 

 

Is you name written in heaven because you have been saved?  If not, would answer God’s call to be saved this morning? 

 

How do you do that?  Admit that you are sinner.  Believe that Jesus died on the cross in your place.  Confess Him as your only Lord and Savior. 

Ready or Not, Here I Come!

What Will Following Jesus Cost You?

If you have your Bibles, please take them and find Luke 9:56.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “What Will Following Jesus Cost You?” 

 

I also could have just as easily entitled this message, “The Road to Hell is Paved with What?”  I’m sure you know the answer to that question.

 

Today’s text is about following Jesus as Lord and Savior. Notice that word, follow, in verses 57, 59, and 61.

 

57 Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.” 

 

59 Then He said to another, “Follow Me.”  But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 

 

61 And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.”

 

We are going to see three different individuals as they are considering the invitation to follow Jesus.  That same invitation will be extended to you this morning, but please understand that following Jesus will mean a radical commitment and may cost you significantly. 

 

1. Following Jesus may cost you financially, Luke 9:56b-58.

56 And they went to another village.  57 Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.”  58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

 

The end of verse 56 says that Jesus and His disciples went on to another village.  If you remember from last Sunday, they went to a Samaritan village, but were not welcomed. 

 

On their journey, a man came up to Jesus and said he was willing to follow Him wherever.  In other words, this man pledged his complete commitment to Christ.

 

However, in one sense, Jesus said, “Are you sure?”  In reality, Jesus said He didn’t have a home.  Animals had homes like foxes and birds, but Jesus did not.

 

What did He mean?  He meant that following Jesus may cost you comforts and specifically financially. 

 

What might that look like?  I am going to share with you some facts.  I am not soliciting pity or trying to make you feel sorry for me and my family.  Again, I’m just sharing some facts.

 

My family and I have been members of EBC since January 2015.  In 10 years, we have given over $165,000 to EBC in tithes and offerings.  That is an average of $16,500 per year.

 

Also, please understand that we have not given this much because I am the pastor.  We have given this much because we are followers of Jesus that believe that the Bible says we are to give 10% of our gross income to the Lord through our local church. 

 

Furthermore, most of you know, I have two daughters in college…at the same time.  They have an apartment.  They share a car.  My wife and I share a car.

 

Do you think we could have used that money elsewhere?  You better believe it. Do we regret giving it?  Absolutely not!

 

Following Jesus may cost you financially!

 

2. Following Jesus may cost you your family, Luke 9:59-60.

59 Then He said to another, “Follow Me.”  But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”  60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”

 

With our second individual, Jesus initiated the conversation with invitation to follow Him.  However, it was met with another priority. 

 

What was the priority?  It was family, and possibly even money. 

 

This man wanted to wait until he had buried his father.  However, keep in mind that his father hadn’t died yet. 

 

His father was elderly and dying, but still alive.  This man wanted to bury his dad FIRST and then follow Jesus.  He may have also been wanting to wait on his inheritance.

 

Jesus told him to let the dead bury the dead.  In other words, let the spiritually dead take care of the physically dead. 

 

Said another way, “You don’t give your attention to death.”  Instead, you have the gift of life.  Preach it to the world.

 

Jesus wasn’t saying don’t go to funerals or don’t take care of dying parents.  He was saying make sure sharing the gospel is your number one priority. 

 

In my own personal experience, there have been times when I had to choose Jesus and His bride over my extended family, and there are occasions when that is necessary. See Luke 14:26.

 

26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.

 

Following Jesus may cost you your family!

 

 

3. Following Jesus may cost you your friends, Luke 9:61-62.

61 And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” 62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

 

In verse 61, we find our last of three individuals.  Like the first and different from the second, this man initiated his own conversation with Jesus.

 

He said he would follow Jesus, but he had some other things to do before.  Certainly, he wanted to say good bye to his family and possibly to his friends as well.  Verse 61 just says those at his house.

 

Jesus said you need to quit thinking about the past and give your attention to the future.  Otherwise, you’re going to plow crookedly. 

 

In Matthew 12:46-50, Jesus even redefined relationships.  That includes family and friends.

 

46 While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. 47 Then one said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.”  48 But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” 49 And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”

 

Paul understand what Jesus was saying.  See Philippians 3:13-14.

 

13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

 

Following Jesus my cost you your friends!

 

 

Conclusion

If you here this morning, and you aren’t a follower to Jesus, I invite you to say yes.  If you wondering whether it is worthy in light of what it might cost you, remember Mark 10:29-30.

 

29 So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, 30 who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.

 

On the authority of God’s word, and affirmed by my own personal experience, HE IS WORTH IT!

 

Is Your Face Set?

Please take your Bibles and find Luke 9:51. I want to share a message with you entitled, “Is Your Face Set?”

 

If you are a guest, we are studying the gospel of Luke verse-by-verse and chapter-by-chapter.  That means we have been in Luke for some time, and still have some time to go.

 

“Is your face set” sounds like a funny question, and not really how we talk in 2024.  However, it is the language that Luke uses here in Luke 9.

 

Notice this language as we read today’s story.  Specifically notice verses 52 and 53.

 

 

Exposition

Verse 51 begins with a time marker.  What we are about to read happened after the transfiguration and the conversation about positions of greatness in the kingdom of God.  It is also good to know that this material unique to Luke.

 

Luke continues that the time had come for Jesus to be received up.  The NIV says go to heaven.  The NASB says for His ascension.

 

Luke is describing a sequence of events with a few words.  In reality, he is describing the gospel. 

 

So let’s not only describe it, but let’s also define.  It begins with a holy God creating man and women, and we were sinless and in perfect fellowship with Him. 

However, Adam and Eve sinned.  They then passed along their guilty and their sin nature to us.  Consequently, we have sinned.

 

Next, our sin separates us from God because He is holy and can’t commune with sin.  Therefore, we are in need of a savior.

 

Morality can’t save.  Ingenuity can’t save.  Generosity can’t save.  Sincerity can’t save. 

 

The only qualified savior is a man, but He was also God.  I’m talking about Jesus Christ, God’s only son, who lived a sinless and perfect life.

 

Then He died on the cross and in our place and paid our sin debt.  He provided the opportunity for anyone and everyone to be back in perfect fellowship with God.

 

However, you must believe.  You must confess your sin and need for a savior and put your faith in trust in Jesus.

 

How can you know that what I have just told you is true?  It is the story of the Bible, and Jesus didn’t stay dead.  He was resurrected never to die again to validate and prove all that He said is true.

 

Then in Acts, that Luke also wrote, after His death and after His resurrection, He ascended to heaven.  Where did all of this happen?  It happened in Jerusalem. 

 

So when Luke says that His time had come to be received up and that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, all of what I just said is what Luke was talking about.  Jesus understand God’s will, and He knew that was the best place for Him, and was at peace with it.

 

Do you understand God’s will for your life? Aare you at peace with it? 

 

What is God’s revealed will for you?  The Bible tells us.

 

1 Timothy 2:3-4, 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

 

Ephesians 5:17-18, 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:3, 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality;

 

1 Peter 2:13-15, 13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.

 

1 Peter 4:15-19, 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.  17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”  19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

 

God’s will includes more for you, but not less.  Are you good with this? 

 

Are you at peace with God’s will? Is your face set?

 

There was a time in my life when I wasn’t.  I was in college, and I knew that God wanted me to be a vocational minister of some kind.  However, I thought I had to take a vow of poverty.

 

Needless to say, I was very materialistic, and had my mind set on riches.  I told God that I would wait for Him to change His mind.

 

In the meantime, I was miserable.  There was no peace in my life.  I was restless.

 

Finally, after two years of telling God no, I surrendered to Him and His will.  I finally had peace.  My face was set.  What about you?

 

Jesus knew God’s plan, and He was good with it.  His face was set, and so, He headed to Jerusalem.

 

Our text says He was going through Samaria.  This would have been hostile territory.  Therefore, He sent some of the disciples ahead to arrange meals and lodging.  

 

Not surprisingly, verse 53 says the Samaritans didn’t want Him or His disciples in their village.  Again, Samaritans considered Jews as their enemies and vice versa.  Therefore, this should surprise us.

 

However, it does remind us of this.  Jesus came to be Savior of the world, not just Jews or just westerners or just Americans or just Republicans.  He came to be the savior of all.

 

When John and James found the sentiment of the Samaritans, they were mad.  They wanted to nuke them.  No wonder Jesus called James and John the sons of thunder in Mark 5:17.

 

Undoubtedly, they were thinking of what Elijah did in 2 Kings 1.  He called down fire twice on those opposing God’s work including King Ahaziah. 

 

Jesus didn’t appreciate their desire, and He rebuked them.  That rebuke is found in verse 56.

 

However, some of you don’t have verse 56.  Don’t be alarmed.  While verse 56 is not in the oldest Biblical manuscript, it is enough for the NKJV editors to include it. 

 

Furthermore, Jesus sentiment here is found elsewhere.  See Luke 19:10 and John 12:47.

 

First and foremost, Jesus came to save.  He came to save you.

 

Luke 19:10, 10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

 

However, if you reject His invitation to be saved, you will have to answer to God for your sin, and you will have no hope of heaven without Jesus. 

Jesus' Recipe for Greatness

If you have your Bible this morning, please take it and find Luke 9:46.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “Jesus’ Recipe for Greatness.”

 

Generally speaking, we as a culture and individuals in it desire greatness.  That is true of employees, employers, students, school districts, players, teams, political candidates, and political parties.  However, we all have different plans or recipes in achieving or attaining greatness.

 

Jesus had His own recipe.  It is found here in Luke 9, and it is profoundly different than any other plan or recipe. 

 

For Jesus, in order to go up, you must down.  I’ll explain more as we go.

 

 

1. An Argument about Greatness, Luke 9:46

46 Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest.

 

In our first verse, the disciples were talking, and a dispute or argument broke out.  It centered on which of them would be the greatest. 

 

It seems that they were under the impression that Jesus would be some type of military or political king who would overthrow the Roman government, and put the Jews, the people of God, into positions of power.  However, Jesus had previously told them otherwise, but they didn’t understand Him.

 

In the recent weeks, we saw Jesus predict His own suffering, rejection, and death.  See 9:21-22 and 9:44-45.

 

21 And He strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”

 

44 “Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.”

 

Jesus prophesied twice about this reality, and a third time is coming in 18:33.  However, don’t forget 9:45.

 

45 But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying.

 

 

1. An Analogy of who is Great, 9:47-48

47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him, 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.”

 

Look at verse 47.  Luke says that Jesus perceived what they thinking and talking about.

 

BTW…Why was Jesus able to do this?  He was able to do this because He was and is God. 

 

He is omniscient.  That means He is all-knowing.  He knows right now what every person in the room is thinking. 

 

Jesus then took a child and set him next to Him.  This child was probably between 5 and 10 years old. 

 

Keep in mind that in this culture, children were the smallest and most powerless individuals.  They were barely seen and not to be heard.

 

Why did Jesus do this?  He was teaching a lesson on who is great. 

 

Look at what Jesus said in verse 48.  If you receive this child, then you in turn are receiving Jesus, and in turn are receiving God the Father.  You can think of receiving also as accepting.

 

The disciples were more than likely shocked.  Jesus just blew their minds. 

 

BTW…While not the main point of the text, these verse remind us that we should value children.  We should value every child in the womb, and we should value every child in this room. 

 

Therefore, don’t get all bent out of shape with children who haven’t learned to sit still and remain quite during the sermon.  Love them like Jesus did, and as always, we can use more nursery volunteers.

 

Furthermore, if we value every child in the womb, let’s make sure we are providing for them outside of the womb through foster and adoptive care if needed.  Today is Orphan Sunday, and we’ll see a video at the end of the service regarding a ministry opportunity for those the Lord is calling.

 

The reason we value every child and every human is because God does as we are all created in the image of God.  That includes republicans and democrats.  That includes citizens and immigrants and even illegal immigrants. 

 

Jesus’ main point is at the end of verse 48.  He who is least will be great. 

 

Again, their minds are blown.  Jesus didn’t assign greatness to the smartest or biggest or wealthiest.  His recipe for greatness was to go down. 

 

 

• An Answer regarding those not in our Group, Luke 9:49-50

49 Now John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.”  50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side.”

 

Hearing all this, John spoke up and answered in response to what Jesus had said.  What he recounted is not in the gospels.

 

Someone outside of the Twelve Disciples was casting out demons in Jesus’ name.  Consequently, the Twelve told him not to do that anymore.

 

Why?  He wasn’t in in their group. 

 

What did Jesus say?  Look at verse 50.  Don’t forbid him because he who is not against us is on our side.

 

In other words, Jesus told them God’s work goes on outside of their group.  Therefore, we are on the same team.

 

 

Illustration

So what does all of this mean?  Jesus’ recipe for greatness is found through humility that leads to submission. 

 

Jesus didn’t just say this.  He modeled this.  See Philippians 2:5-11.

 

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

The King of the Universe, the Son of God, was born in a borrowed manager.  That same King of the Universe, the Son of God, was buried in a borrowed grave.

 

Jesus embodied humility that lead to submission to God’s plan.  God then exalted Him to greatness. 

 

 

Application

If you want to be great, humble yourself and submit according to God’s will.  Peter eventually got it. See 1 Peter 2:9-25.

 

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.  11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.  13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.  18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

 

Husbands and wives, submit.  Parents and children, submit.  Republicans and Democrats, submit.  Employers and employees, submit. 

 

Don’t think your submitting is dependent on someone else submitting.  Your submitting is dependent on whether you want to be obedient to God.

 

If you want to be great in this world, do exactly what the words say.  Go down and let God lift you up.

No Elephants Here

If you have your Bible this morning, please take it and find Luke 9:37.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “No Elephants Here.”

 

For some reason, elephants have a reputation for having a good memory.  You may have heard someone say, “That person has a memory like an elephant.”  Evidently, this reputation has been substantiated by studies of their behavior in the wild.

 

The reason I say that there are no elephants here is because like elephants have a reputation for good memories, the people of God have a reputation for bad memories.  I know this because God is regularly calling on the people of God in the OT to remember.

 

Consider only the book of Deuteronomy:

 

 

 

Deuteronomy 5:15

And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.

 

Deuteronomy 7:18

you shall not be afraid of them, but you shall remember well what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt:

 

Deuteronomy 8:2

And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.

 

Deuteronomy 8:18

“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

 

Deuteronomy 9:7

“Remember! Do not forget how you provoked the Lord your God to wrath in the wilderness. From the day that you departed from the land of Egypt until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against the Lord.

 

Deuteronomy 9:27

Remember Your servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; do not look on the stubbornness of this people, or on their wickedness or their sin,

 

Deuteronomy 15:15

You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this thing today.

 

Deuteronomy 16:3

You shall eat no leavened bread with it; seven days you shall eat unleavened bread with it, that is, the bread of affliction (for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste), that you may remember the day in which you came out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life.

 

Deuteronomy 16:12

And you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and you shall be careful to observe these statutes.

 

Deuteronomy 24:9

Remember what the Lord your God did to Miriam on the way when you came out of Egypt!

 

Deuteronomy 24:18

But you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you from there; therefore I command you to do this thing.

 

Deuteronomy 24:22

And you shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this thing.

 

So we see that we don’t remember, but why don’t we remember?  Consider Revelation 12:10.

 

10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.

 

The people of God struggle to remember.  We are going to see that was true of the Twelve Disciples as well in today’s story.  At the end of my message, I’m going to challenge you to remember. 

 

 

1. A Situation that is Dark and Desperate, Luke 9:37-40

37 Now it happened on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, that a great multitude met Him. 38 Suddenly a man from the multitude cried out, saying, “Teacher, I implore You, look on my son, for he is my only child. 39 And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out; it convulses him so that he foams at the mouth; and it departs from him with great difficulty, bruising him. 40 So I implored Your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.”

 

Verse 37 happened the day after the Transfiguration.  Maybe that was at night.  If so, it would have been all the cooler.

 

However, the next day, they came down from the mountain.  Notice that they were met but a great multitude of people including a man with a demon-possessed son.

 

BTW…while mountain-top experiences are wonderful, they are not the majority of life.  You and I have to figure out how to survive and even thrive when we aren’t on the mountain top.

 

To validate the wonderful nature of mountain-top experiences, Peter chronicled for us in 2 Peter 1:16-18.

 

16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

 

I hope the truth that the majority of life is not lived on the mountain top is not discouraging.  God still works gloriously in the valleys.  See 9:43.

 

43 And they were all amazed at the majesty of God. 

 

This situation is dark and desperate because of this man’s only son.  The demon would take control and convulse him and make him foam at the mouth.  Those convulsions caused great physical pain and left bruising. 

 

This father asked the Twelve to cast out the demon, but they couldn’t.  Why not?

 

Didn’t they cast out some demons earlier in this chapter?  See Luke 9:1.

 

1 Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.

 

I would suggest much of our pain and difficulties in the valleys of life are because we fail to remember what God taught us on the mountain top.

 

 

2. A Resolution from God Almighty, Luke 9:41-43a

41 Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” 42 And as he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him. Then Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the child, and gave him back to his father.  43 And they were all amazed at the majesty of God. 

 

When Jesus was presented with the situation or problem with the father’s only son, He provided the solution.

 

However, He rebuked the disciples first.  He rebuked their lack of faith. 

 

Why didn’t they believe?  Again, I would suggest they had bad memories.  They had forgotten what they had seen and been told.  Consequently, Jesus had to heal the boy instead.

 

Verse 42 says Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the child, and gave him back to his father. Then notice verse 43.

 

They were all amazed at Jesus?  No, they were amazed at the majesty of God.  Jesus was God Almighty.  Jesus was the omnipotent God.

 

 

3. A Prediction about Jesus’ Death, Luke 9:43b-45

But while everyone marveled at all the things which Jesus did, He said to His disciples, 44 “Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying.

 

Now for the second time in Luke’s gospel, Jesus predicted His own death.  The first was in 9:21-22.  The third time will be 18:33.

 

Even though this was not the first time they had heard this, they were having trouble comprehending it.  Look at 9:45.

 

 

Conclusion

So let’s go back to where we started. The People of God are not good remembers. 

 

We need to be constantly reminded to offset our accuser.  Therefore, remember in the valley what we have seen and heard on the mountain top.  Jesus is more powerful than demons, more powerful than difficulties, and more powerful than death.