Emory Baptist Church

Jesus is the Light of the World!

Please take your Bibles and find John 8:12. It can be found on p. 1,232 of our pew Bibles. I want to share a message with you entitled, “Jesus is the Light of the World!”

 

Thank you to moms and dads for bringing your children to Illumination Station VBS, and thank you boys and girls for coming to Illumination Station VBS, and thank you volunteers for decorating and working Illumination Station VBS. Without y’all, VBS is not possible.

 

Today, I want to tell moms and dads about our VBS memory verse. It is John 8:12, but I want to give you some context within John’s gospel.

 

In the first eleven verses of John 8, Jesus was in the temple court close to the treasury when He did not condemn but forgave the woman caught in adultery and told her to her to sin no more. Today, He is still in the temple court according to verse 20.

 

Also, this was the end of the Feast of the Tabernacles. Bible commentators tell us that during that festival, four gigantic menorahs or candelabras were used to light the entire city of Jerusalem. However, at the end of the festival, they were extinguished.

 

That is the backdrop for Jesus’ bold claim in John 8:12. It was the second time that Jesus made an “I am” statement in John’s gospel.

 

His first statement was, “I am the bread of life.” That was in John 6:35.

 

 

1. Jesus Claimed to be the Light, John 8:12.

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. 

 

Notice that Jesus did not say He was a light. He said He was the definitive light of the world.

 

With this statement, He was claiming to be God as light is symbolic of God throughout the Scriptures.  See Acts 9:3-5; 1 John 1:5.

 

Acts 9:3-5, 3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”  5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”  Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

 

1 John 1:5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

 

 

2. Jesus was Confirmed as the Light.

 

First, Jesus confirmed His own claim. Of course, the Pharisees objected to His claim.

 

13 The Pharisees therefore said to Him, “You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true.”  14 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going.

 

However, Jesus clearly knew that He was God. He clearly knew He came from God, and He clearly knew that He was returning to God after He completed His mission.

 

Second, God the Father confirmed His claim. We see this at the end of verse sixteen and verses 18-19.

 

16 And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me…18 I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.” 19 Then they said to Him, “Where is Your Father?”  Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.” 

 

The Pharisees judged Jesus according to the flesh or what they saw. He did not measure up to their physical visions of what a Messiah should be.

 

He was not political leader. He was not a military power. He was not an earthly king.

 

However, Jesus did not come to judge anyone but to save, and the Father bears witness of such. When asked about His Father, Jesus claimed to be One with the Father at the end of verse nineteen.

 

Third, the Old Testament Scriptures confirmed His claim. Look at verses 17-18.

 

17 It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.”

 

Invoking the Pharisees’ standard, Jesus’ claim would even now hold up in a court of law since two witnesses were needed. See Deuteronomy 19:15.

 

15 “One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.

 

Listen to these OT scriptures. See Psalm 27:1, 36:9.

 

Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?

 

Psalm 36:9 For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.

 

And of course, many of us remember God in the OT demonstrating Himself as a flame at night. He guided the nation of Israel, the people of God through the wilderness.

 

The gigantic menorahs I spoke of earlier were supposed to remind these orthodox Jews of that experience during the Feast of the Tabernacles. With them in sight, Jesus claimed to be the light.

 

 

Applications

When we think about applications for this text, the invitation is clear, and that is for you to come to the Light of the world. If you do, here is what happens.

 

First, Jesus will dispel the darkness of unbelief. Because Jesus is the light of the world, if you come to Him, you will be saved because He is the light of life in 8:12.

 

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.

 

Second, if you come to Him, He will be your light, so you won’t walk in darkness anymore. Are you walking in darkness not knowing where you are going as it relates to your marriage, your money, and or your kids?

 

Third, when you come to Jesus, we become the light as well. He is not saying we become God, but God shines through us to others.

 

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

 

Will you come to the light today? Jesus is the light of the world.

 

When we do not come to the light, its dangerous. I know from FBC Camden.

Prayer 101

Please take your Bibles and find Luke 22:39. I want to share a message with you entitled, “Prayer 101.”

 

If you have ever taken college classes, the title of the class usually includes a name and a number.  Depending on that school’s numbering system, the higher numbers indicate upper-level classes while the lower numbers indicate classes for underclassmen.

 

Therefore, a 101 number would mean a class for freshmen. Today, I want you to see some basics regarding prayer in the life of a Christian.

 

You will find that word prayer on five different occasions in today’s text: 40, 41, 44, 45, and 46. In today’s text, I want to show you an invitation to pray, a demonstration of prayer, and the temptation with prayer.

 

As we have said in recent weeks, we are in Passion Week.  We are very late into Thursday night and may even into the earlies hours of Friday morning.

 

Jesus has already gathered the Twelve in an upper room in Jerusalem.  They took the Passover Meal together, and Jesus began the Lord’s Supper.

 

Last week, we saw that Jesus knows the future.  He made predictions regarding Judas, Peter, and our future conflicts.

 

 

1. An Invitation to Pray, Luke 22:39-40

39 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. 40 When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

 

In verse 39, Jesus and the Twelve left the upper room, and headed to the Mount of Olives. Judas would have left them at this time. 

 

Obviously, he knew where they were going.  Verse 39 says this was a place that Jesus normally took them.

 

Even though Luke doesn’t name it specifically, we know from the other gospel writers that this was the Garden of Gethsemane and could have been owned by a wealthy friend of Jesus.

 

Verse 40 contains the invitation.  Jesus told them to pray that they may not enter temptation.  In other words, pray that you don’t succumb to temptation.

 

I would suggest to you that His invitation for them is also an invitation for us.  When you are facing temptation, pray.

 

Also, here is a little help for you to recognize your times of weakness, your times of vulnerability.  Satan is not an idiot.  Actually, he is very intelligent and knows us well.

 

Consider the acronym H. A. L. T.  We are most vulnerable to falling to temptation when we are hungry, angry, lonely, or tired.

 

Is that true of you? I know I can certainly identify with that.

 

Therefore, when you are tempted, H. A. L. T.  Then P. U. S. H.

 

 

2. A Demonstration of Prayer, Luke 22:41-44

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.

 

In these four verses, Jesus modeled for us what prayer can look like.  I want to see His intimacy, His intentions, and His intensity.

 

In verse 41, notice Jesus’ intimacy as He withdrew and got alone.  I would suggest the same.  That may be outside or your car or anywhere you can and God can be alone together.

 

Notice also in verse 42 what Jesus called God.  God was His heavenly Father.  Jesus was talking to His daddy.

 

His intentions are seen with His posture and His actual prayer.  He intended to surrender or submit. 

 

Most men would have stood looking up.  Jesus knelt looking down.

 

In His actual prayer, we see a lot of Jesus’ humanity.  Like any normal human, Jesus didn’t want what He knew was about to happen.

 

He didn’t want to be beaten.  He didn’t want to be scourged. He didn’t want to have what we might think of as railroad spikes nailed into His wrists and ankles.

 

However, Jesus’ intention was to do His Father’s will.  He surrendered and submitted. 

 

BTW…In our culture today and even church, submission is seen as a dirty word.  However, Jesus models for us the subordination of equals in one of His darkest hours. 

 

What is the subordination of equals?  Two individuals can be equal in value and worth and yet submit to one or the other.

 

Jesus and the Father are equal in that they are both fully God and part of the Holy Trinity.  However, Jesus submitted to the Father’s will.

 

Husbands and wives are equal in value and worth as human beings both created in the image of God.  However, it is God’s plan for wives to submit to their husbands as the husband sacrificially leads his family.

 

Because this was one of Jesus’ darkest hours, He needed assistance.  In verse 43, an angel appeared to strengthen Him.

 

I don’t have any reason to believe that angels don’t assist us.  I am not saying we all have a guardian angel, but assisting Believers is one of their ministries.

 

The third aspect of Jesus’ demonstration of prayer with intimacy and intentions is His intensity. Verse 44 says He was in agony.

 

Why was He in agony?  He was about to bear the sin of the world on the cross. Let that sink in.  Jesus became my sin and our sin.

 

Consequently, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood. The medical condition is hematidrosis.

 

Did Jesus sweat blood?  Maybe, and Dr. Luke is the only one who reported.  However, technically, he said His sweat became like drops of blood. 

 

Therefore, we don’t know for sure.  What we do know is that Jesus prayed with intensity.

 

 

3. The Temptation with Prayer, Luke 22:45-46

45 When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. 46 Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.”

 

After Jesus prayed, He returned to His disciples.  What did He find?

 

They were sleeping from sorrow.  Jesus told them what was going to happen to Him.  He also told them what would happen with Judas and Peter. 

 

Were they hurt?  Were they sorrowful? 

 

Absolutely.  Consider the time of day or night, they were also probably physically tired, but Jesus encouraged and invited them again to pray.

 

I bet a temptation you face with prayer is falling asleep.  I have had many church members through the years admit to such.

 

I would encourage you to pray in the mornings after your coffee or after your shower. Not only is the temptation to fall asleep less, but you also set the tone for your day.

 

 

Conclusion

First, if you are facing temptation today, commit prayer above all else.  Pray for strength, pray for victory.

 

Second, if you have never been saved, prayer can be the means to your salvation.  You can pray to receive Christ today. 

 

That would mean admitting you are a sinner.  Next, believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins.  Call on Him to save you today, and He will!

Jesus Knows the Future!

Introduction

Please take your Bibles and turn to Luke 22:21. I want to share a message with you entitled, “Jesus Knows the Future.”

 

I just want to remind you that we are on Thursday night of Passion Week.  Jesus and His disciples are in an upper room in Jerusalem.

 

Jesus has served the Passover Meal.  Jesus also began what we know today as the Lord’s Supper.

 

 

1. Jesus Predicted Judas’ Betrayal, Luke 22:21-23.

21 But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table. 22 And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” 23 Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing.

 

In verse twenty-one, Jesus had finished the Lord’s Supper and said that His betrayer was still at the table with his hand on the table. John 13 clearly identifies Judas.

 

John 13:18-27, 18 “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’ 19 Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He. 20 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” 21 When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” 22 Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke. 23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. 25 Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”

 

Back in verse twenty-two, we see in this one single verse the mystery of divine sovereignty and human responsibility coexisting as friends. Jesus said that the Son of Man being betrayed had been determined. Who was it determined by? God determined it.

 

However, in that very same verse, Jesus pronounced woe on the man who does the betraying. Why? Because that man is acting of his own accord.

 

Whether it is the daily events of life or the act of salvation, the Calvinist has said it is all God. At the same time, the Arminianist has said that man is control.

 

Both believe that their position and their conviction is right and mutually exclusive of all others. I say, “Don’t listen to either.”

 

This verse, and others just like it in both Old and New Testaments, remind us that divine sovereignty and human responsibility can coexist even when our finite minds cannot understand it.

 

Bro. Richard, are you a Calvinist? I am not. Are you an Arminianist? I am not.

 

What are you? I am a Baptist. I believe and affirm what the Bible says even when I cannot comprehend it.

 

 

2. Jesus Predicted Peter’s Denial, Luke 22:31-34.

31 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” 33 But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” 34 Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”

 

Beginning in verse thirty-one, Jesus had an extremely hard conversation with Peter. Satan had inquired about him.

 

BTW…Satan cannot do anything to us without God’s permission. He asked permission to afflict Job, and he asked permission to afflict Peter.

 

Also, if Jesus says yes, know that Jesus is praying for you, and has prepared you for the affliction. Specifically, Jesus prayed for Peter that his faith would not fail.

 

When Peter proclaimed his bold allegiance to Jesus, Jesus broke his heart. He predicted what would happen later this night and into the earliest hours of Friday morning.

 

 

3. Jesus Predicted Future Conflict, Luke 22:

35 And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?” So they said, “Nothing.” 36 Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. 37 For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For the things concerning Me have an end.” 38 So they said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”

 

In verse thirty-five, Jesus reminded His disciples about past ministry. He sent them out without tools or supplies.

 

Were they ever in need. They answered that they were not.

 

However, verse thirty-six marks a change, “But now.”  Things would be different.

 

Jesus told them to take their money bag and knapsack and even acquire a sword. However, considering verse thirty-eight and later in this chapter and the rest of this third gospel, I do not think He was speaking literally.

 

Jesus warned His disciples that He was going to be grouped with the lawbreakers. If He was, they would be too.

 

Get ready for future conflict. However, it will be more spiritual than physical.

 

 

Conclusions

First, as it relates to Judas, we are responsible for our actions. God’s plan was for Jesus to be betrayed, and Judas will be held accountable for actions.

 

You will be held spiritually accountable for your actions. I will be held spiritually accountable for my actions. Act accordingly.

 

Second, as it relates to Peter, no one is beyond temptation. However, temptation is not sin, but how will you respond to temptation when it comes?

 

Judas gave into temptation and rejected Christ. Peter denied Jesus on this night, but he recovered later. Be encouraged.

 

Third, Jesus gave us all we need for the future conflict that is more spiritual than physical. According to Ephesians 6, we have the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.

 

Finally, if you want to be great in the kingdom of God, serve rather than being served. That is the point of 22:24-30.

 

24 Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. 25 And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ 26 But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. 27 For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves. 28 “But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. 29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, 30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

 

The kingdom of God is counterintuitive to the ways of the world. If you want to go up, then go down and serve one another.

 

As a result, your time to be in authority will come later. That will come in my earthly kingdom after I return judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Remember the Lord's Sacrifice and Those That Came After Him!

If you have your Bibles this morning, please take them and turn to Luke 22:7.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “Remember the Lord’s Sacrifice and Those That Came After Him!” 

 

We have now made it to Thursday morning of Passion Week in our study of Luke’s Gospel.  On Sunday, Jesus entered Jesus on a donkey colt.  On Monday, He cleared and cleansed the temple.  On Tuesday, He spent most of the day in the temple teaching and answering questions. On Wednesday, Judas made plans to betray Jesus giving the chief priests and scribes the insider they longed for.

 

 

1. The Preparation for the Passover Meal, Luke 22:7-13

7 Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. 8 And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.” 9 So they said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare?”

10 And He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters. 11 Then you shall say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” ’ 12 Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready.”

13 So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.

 

Again, in verse 7, we have arrived at Thursday.  As I said two weeks ago, the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Passover had morphed into one.

 

The Passover would come first as it began at sundown on Thursday night.  It would end at sundown on Friday. 

 

The Feast of Unleavened Bread would follow and was multiple days in duration. It was like our Independence Day followed by Thanksgiving.

 

Jesus’ closest disciples were Peter and John.  In verse 8, He instructed them to go into Jerusalem to prepare for the Passover Meal. 

 

When they asked where, Jesus gave them some very specific instructions.  According to John’s Gospel, they were most likely staying in Bethany. 

 

Jesus told them to into Jerusalem, and they would find a man carrying a pitcher of water.  This may seem benign, but would have been highly unusual, and he would have stuck out like a sore thumb even from the thousands of people in Jerusalem at this time.

 

BTW…God primarily speaks to us through His word, the Bible.  He also speaks to us through godly counsel.  He also speaks through circumstances or events, and He even speaks to us through unusual or strange circumstances or events like this one.

 

When they saw this unique situation, they were to follow this man into the house where they were to prepare for the Passover Meal.  In light of verses 11-12, it seems that Jesus had prearranged this meeting and location.

 

Peter and John found it exactly as they had been told.  They would be in an upper room in Jerusalem on Thursday night for the Passover Meal.

 

This is will be somewhat lengthy, but I really think we need to understand again what were talking about when we talk about the Passover.  Turn to Exodus 12:1-51.

 

BTW…The Passover is only for Jews and not foreigners. The Lord’s Supper is only for Christians and not non-Christians

 

Also, you must be circumcised to eat it.  Related, you should be baptized to take the Lord’s Supper.

 

 

1. The Anticipation of the God’s Plan, Luke 22:14-18

14 When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. 15 Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”  17 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 

 

Notice how verse 14 begins.  When the hour had come means a definitive hour and a specific plan.

 

Going back to the previous section, I said that I thought Jesus had made arrangements in advance with the homeowner and his upper room.  However, He had not made the disciples aware.  Why?

 

Judas was going to betray Jesus, but not on his time.  It was going to be according to God’s plan.  Jesus made these secret arrangements to keep Judas from betraying Him prematurely. 

 

BTW…God is in charge of every detail of your life.  He is in charge of event in your schedule. Nothing happens without His approval or permission.  For me, that is comforting.

 

When the Passover Meal began, Jesus voiced His knowledge that He would soon suffer according to God’s plan.  However, He also knew that it was God’s plan for His kingdom to be fulfilled at the end of verse 16.

 

He then took the cup for the Passover Meal and affirmed God’s plan again.  Verse 18 says that Jesus wouldn’t share this meal again until the kingdom of God would come.  We believe this to be Jesus’ second coming after the tribulation and before Jesus’ earthly reign.

 

 

• The Origination of Communion, Luke 22:19-20

19 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.

 

Acts 2:42 calls it the breaking of bread.  Those churches of the liturgical persuasion use the name Eucharist, a word that we often translate as thanksgiving, from 1 Corinthians 11. 

 

Most Baptists call it the Lord’s Supper from 1 Corinthians 11:20. The KJV of 1 Corinthians 10:16 calls it Communion.

 

Jesus went beyond the Passover Meal and originated or began the Lord’s Supper or Communion here on Thursday night before His betrayal.

 

He took the unleavened bread and held it up and said, “This is my body.”  Obviously, He wasn’t speaking literally.  The bread symbolized His body. 

 

In the same way, He took the cup full of wine, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood.”  The wine symbolized His blood. 

 

This new covenant would be one where the Perfect Lamb was sacrificed once and for all.  He offers remission or forgiveness of sins: past, present, and future for all who believe.

 

Jesus concluded the supper by saying He wouldn’t take this meal again until His Second Coming and His Father’s Kingdom.  Then they sang a hymn and left. 

 

 

Conclusions

He is the big idea of today’s sermon.  It is found in two words in verse 19 and two words in verse 20.

 

Everything that Jesus did, He did FOR YOU.  He came for you.  He lived for you.  He died for you.  He was raised for you.

 

We remember today those men and women who sacrificed their lives in our armed forces for you.  Long before them, Jesus sacrificed His life for you!  Will you receive Him today?

Start at the End...Don't End Where You Started!

Wednesday's Plan for Murder

If you have your Bibles this morning, please take them and find Luke 22:1.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “Wednesday’s Plan for Murder.”

 

While I am so thankful for my mom and my daughters’ mother, I don’t have special Mother’s Day Sermon for you ladies.  Instead, we are continuing our study of Luke’s Gospel.

 

We have now moved to Wednesday of Passion Week.  Jesus entered Jerusalem on Sunday.  He cleared the temple on Monday.  He taught in the temple on Tuesday, and we now move to Wednesday.

 

 

1. Exposition: 22:1-2

1 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover. 2 And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people.

 

In verse 1, Luke gives us a time marker and some history.  He speaks of two events or celebrations that had morphed into one.

 

The Passover would start on Thursday night at sundown and go to Friday at sundown.  Some estimate that over two million Jews would have been in Jerusalem for this annual pilgrimage feast. 

 

The Feast of Unleavened Bread would happen the very next day.  Because they happened immediately one after the other, by this time, they were seen and referenced as one. 

 

The Feast of the Passover was celebrated by the Jews in Jerusalem remembering when the Lord passed over the houses of the nation of Israel protecting them from the death angel in Exodus 12.  The Feast of Unleavened Bread celebrated Israel’s exodus from Egypt in the same chapter.

 

For us, this might be like celebrating Independence Day on July 4 and then Thanksgiving on July 5.  They celebrated freedom with Passover, and thanked the Lord for it during Feast of Unleavened Bread.

 

Verse 2 says the chief priests and scribes sought to kill Jesus.  Why?

 

He had challenged them, and asserted His authority over theirs.  He had exposed their hypocrisy and deceit. 

 

However, they knew of His growing popularity with the multitudes.  Therefore, it seems as if they had resigned themselves to waiting multiple days until after Jerusalem cleared out.

 

There plans might be different if they had an insider.  If they had someone who knew where Jesus stayed, maybe their plans could be carried out sooner.

 

 

2. Exposition: 22:3

3 Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve.

 

Verse 3 says that Satan or the Devil entered Judas.  Iscariot most like was a geographical reference to Judas’ home.

 

The end of verse 3 is terrifying.  How could the Devil possess one of Jesus’ twelve disciples?

 

I would suggest to you that Judas is not an example of a disciple falling away.  I believe he is an example of a person being constantly exposed to the gospel but never being saved. 

 

Judas betrayed Jesus and the Twelve.  Judas never embraced Jesus the Savior. 

 

He was being led by the devil and ultimately was led to death.  We know that Judas took his own life, and because Satan lived in his heart, he died and is spending an eternity in hell separated from Christ. 

 

I’m not saying he went to hell because he committed suicide. I am saying he went to hell because he rejected Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.

 

 

3. Exposition: 22:4-6

4 So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude.

 

The chief priests and scribes needed an insider to move more quickly, and Judas was their man.  Verses 4 and 5 seem to indicate that Judas initiated his desire to be their man. 

 

Verse 4 says he conferred with them.  Verse 5 says they agreed to his plan.

 

What would it cost them?  Judas sold his soul for 30 pieces of silver according to Matthew’s Gospel.

 

Judas knew where Jesus often took the other disciples.  Therefore, Judas promised to lead the chief priests and scribes and captains to Him. 

 

 

 

Applications

First, the Perfect Lamb of God in the New Testament was foreshadowed in the Passover lamb of God in the Old. 

 

Jesus Christ is the perfect lamb of God who died on the cross in our place.  If you put your faith and trust in Him as Savior, you will be saved.

 

The Passover foreshadowed this reality in Exodus 12.  When the blood of a Passover lamb was applied to the doorpost of the Israelite’s home, the death angel knew to  pass over that home and that family and move to the next as he took the life of every first-born Egyptian.

 

Second, being numbered with the disciples on earth doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be numbered with the disciples in heaven.

 

Judas walked with Jesus, and he talked with Jesus.  He ate with Jesus, and he drank with Jesus. He slept with Jesus, and he traveled with Jesus. He ministered with Jesus, and he saw the supernatural done by Jesus.

 

However, he never received Jesus into his heart as Lord and Savior, and therefore, was never saved.  I am thankful if you are numbered with the disciples on earth, but what about in heaven?

 

Finally, if we allow him, the devil will always tempt us deceive and destroy, especially using money.  Money is not evil  Money is neutral.

 

However, money won’t satisfy ultimately.  Judas was paid up for a day.  Judas is in hell for eternity. 

 

Money won’t fix your marriage ultimately.  Money won’t make your kids better ultimately.  Money won’t buy your happiness ultimately. 

 

But Jesus can, and Jesus will if you let Him.

The End is Coming!

If you have your Bibles this morning, please take them and find Luke 21:5.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “The End is Coming!”

 

Generally speaking, people are very interested in the future.  We want to know to know the future for our lives personally.  We want to know the future of EBC.  We want to know the future of our country and economy and favorite teams.    

 

We also want to know the future as it relates to the Bible, and that often means specific details.  In Luke 21, Jesus talks about the end of time, and the fact that it is coming. 

 

However, if you are looking for a detailed timeline, you will probably be disappointed in what I have to say because our text is full of apocalyptic language that is highly symbolic and by nature can have multiple meanings.  Some preachers would spend weeks and maybe even months in Luke 21, but because it is hard to be definitive in explaining what Jesus said, I would just be speculating. 

 

The story of Luke 21 is also found in Mark 13 Matthew 24.  It is often called the “Olivet Discourse” because Jesus spoke to His disciples from and around the Mount of Olives. 

 

It is still Tuesday of Passion of Week.  Jesus has spent most the day in the temple teaching the crowds and teaching His disciples.

 

 

1. Expectations of the Future, Luke 21:5-28

5 Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, 6 “These things which you see—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.”

7 So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?” 8 And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them. 9 But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.” 10 Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. 13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. 14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost. 19 By your patience possess your souls. 20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. 22 For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

 

In verse 5, Jesus and His disciples were admiring the temple because of the beautiful stones and donations or gold sculptures.  It seems that Jesus responded to one of them with verse 6. 

 

5 Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, 6 “These things which you see—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.”

 

The temple was not finished at this time.  Its construction began in 20 BC by Herod the Great.  It wasn’t finished until about 64 AD.  This conversation between Jesus and His disciples took place around 30 AD.  Therefore, even though it wasn’t finished, construction had been going on for 50 years.

 

Jesus’ response was prophetic in nature.  He predicted that the temple where they were currently standing would be destroyed. 

 

5 Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, 6 “These things which you see—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.”

 

Did that happen? Certainly, it happened approximately 40 years later as the Romans burned the temple and destroyed Jerusalem in AD 70.  However, this first prophecy would simply be a foreshadowing of the temple destroyed again during the great tribulation.

 

This temple’s destruction is just one of seven signs of the times or expectation for the future.  Again, the first that Jesus mentioned is the destruction of the temple, but He wasn’t necessarily speaking in chronological order.

 

In verse 7, Jesus was asked to explain more about these signs, and so He did. 

 

7 So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?”

 

Remember, He has already named one…the destruction of the temple that would happen in the Great Tribulation. 

 

1. Temple’s Destruction (21:6)
2. False Messiahs (21:8) - Many will come in Jesus’ name claiming to be the Savior, and they will convince many to follow them instead of Jesus.
3. National Warfare (21:9-10) - There will be wars and commotions. Jesus said these things must happen, but the end won’t be immediate. 
4. Natural Disasters (21:11) - There will be natural disasters including earthquakes and famines and pestilences.
5. Christian Persecution (21:12-15) - There will be physical persecution for being a known follower of Christ, and your persecution will be a witness to those who are persecuting you. Be encouraged that when you stand for Christ, the HS will never leave you or forsake you and give you the words to say in that very moment.  Also, in order for this to happen, the issue of Jesus being your Lord and Savior must be a settled issue in your heart and mind. 
6. Family Division (21:16-19) - There will be divisions and strife within families over following Christ, and even family putting family members to death over Jesus should not surprise us.

 

Verses 18-19 give us some good news in otherwise words of despair. No hair of our head shall be lost.

 

18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost. 19 By your patience possess your souls.

 

We are promised what certainly is spiritual security because of our relationship with Christ.  However, if these signs are happening during the Great Tribulation, Jesus could be speaking about physical security as there will some Christians in the Tribulation period who are alive when Jesus returns.

 

Beginning in verse 20, Jesus comes back to events in Jerusalem and destruction. Jesus warned the Christ-followers to run and hide.  This time will be the worst time ever for Christians.

 

20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.

 

Luke calls this the times of the Gentiles in verse 24, and it is unique with him.  It seems to refer to the time that Gentiles will dominate Israel and Jerusalem.

 

24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

 

In verse 25, Jesus began describing the 7^th sign.  It is the Second Coming of Christ.

 

25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

 

There will be signs in the heavens.  There will signs on earth.  There will be signs in the oceans, and it will be extraordinary. 

 

In verse 27-28, then those alive will see Jesus returning on clouds.  When those who are alive see this, salvation has come.

 

27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

 

 

End of the Age Timeline

Now, I want to back track just a little and give you what I believe will be the big events of the end of the age.  Not all of these are mentioned here, but I believe all of these are biblical.

 

First, since coming of the Holy Spirit, we have been living in the church age.  This has been true for 2,000 years. 

 

I believe the next big event will be the rapture of the church.  It will be sudden and without warning and could happen today.  That is the taking of all born-again Christians to be immediately with the Lord and for eternity. 

 

The next big event is the tribulation period.  I believe the book of Daniel describes it as two 3.5 year periods.  The second 3.5 years is the Great Tribulation. 

 

At the end of the two 3.5 year periods, I believe Jesus will return as described in 21:27.  His second coming will kick off His 1,000 earthly reign.  After it, eternity will begin. 

 

 

2. The Illustration from the Fig Tree, Luke 21:29-33

29 Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

 

Part of Jesus’ explanation about the end coming is a parable about the fig tree.  Even though many have tried to make this more complicated than necessary, this is actually a very easy parable to read, understand, and apply. 

 

Remember that a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning, and fig trees were very common in the first century.  Jesus’ audience would have been familiar with fig trees and their growth patterns. 

 

When the branches put forth leaves, summer was near.  That is easy.  Fig trees bloomed at the end of spring and the beginning of summer.  Their bloom was the sign that summer was near.

 

According to verse 31, these things will be the signs that the Second Coming Christ is near. 

31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.

 

What were “these things?”  The things that Jesus was speaking of began back in verse 6. 

 

All of these things are scripted by the hand of God and recorded in the Scriptures.  It will follow a predetermined script, and in verse 33, Jesus said, you can count on this script or prediction or prophecy coming true. 

 

33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

 

Before we finish today’s text, let’s look at verse 32 for a moment.  What generation is Jesus speaking about here?  He said that this generation would not pass away until all these things take place. 

 

32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place.

 

I think this generation can have two meanings.  Remember that this entire conversation started about the temple.  I believe that Jesus was saying that this first generation would not pass until they saw the destruction of the temple.  That happened just 40 years, and Jesus was right.

 

At the same time, I think that Jesus is also talking about the last generation, the generation that sees the beginning of the tribulation period.  Jesus is saying they will also see His second coming. 

 

 

3. A Summation for the Followers of Christ, Luke 21:34-38

34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” 37 And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet. 38 Then early in the morning all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him.

 

So what do we do?  Be careful. Watch, and pray.

 

First, in verses 34-35, be careful that you aren’t caught off guard.  Don’t be guilty of living like the world and getting surprised. 

 

Second, we are to watch in verse 36.  Watch for the signs.  He didn’t say worry about the signs, but watch.

 

Third, pray.  Pray that you are honoring Christ with all of your life, and pray for the Lord Jesus to come quickly, and pray for those who are lost to recognize their lostness and Jesus as their only hope.

 

In verses 37-38, it seems the end of Tuesday has come.  Next time, we’ll move to Wednesday.

 

37 And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet. 38 Then early in the morning all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him.

An Audience of One

If you have your Bibles, please take them and find Luke 20:45.  I want to share with you a message entitled, “An Audience of One.”  I’ll come back to this idea in just a moment.

 

We are still in Passion Week.  It is Tuesday, and Thursday’s Passover is coming.  Therefore, remember that Jerusalem is full of first-century Jews.

 

Jesus has spent a lot of time in the temple on Tuesday.  He was answering questions, and He was asking questions. Today, we will see Him teaching His disciples.

 

Here are the two instructions. Forsake the hypocrisy of the scribes.  Follow the humility of the widow.

 

Thinking about an audience of one, why do you do what you do?  Why do you do what you do as a husband, as a wife, as a child, as an employee, as a student?

 

Why do you do what you do?  Is it for the applause of men or is it for an audience of One?  Is it for the approval of God, you heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, His Son?

 

 

 

1. Forsake the Hypocrisy of the Scribes, Luke 20:45-47.

 

 

45 Then, in the hearing of all the people, He said to His disciples, 46 “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, 47 who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”

 

In verses 45-47, Jesus warned and condemned the scribes’ hypocritical behavior.  He listed five hypocritical acts.

 

First, they liked to walk around in long robes.  These were white robes designating a devout and noted scholar.

 

Second, they liked prestigious greetings in the market places.  These included Rabbi and Father.

 

Third, they liked the best seats in the synagogues.  These were situated at the front of the temple, and facing the congregation.

 

They liked places of honor at banquets.  These spots were located next to the host so as to receive preferential treatment.

                                                             

Fourth, verse 47 speaks to their most atrocious behavior.  The scribes received no monetary pay for their temple services.  However, they were often designated estate planners by the husbands of these widows and embezzled their wealth.

 

Fifth, and as it relates to number four, for show, they pray long prayers over these women that encouraged them to serve God by supporting the temple or the scribe’s holy work.  The longer they prayed, the more they would get paid! 

 

Notice the end of verse 47.  Jesus pronounced greater condemnation for their hypocrisy!

 

BTW…Is all sin really the same?  It is in the sense that all sin and every sin violates the holiness of God and demonstrates our need for a Savior.

 

However, a white lie is not the same as sexual abuse,  And here, Jesus said some sin will receive greater condemnation.  That implies that all sins are NOT equal.

 

2. Follow the Humility of the Widow, Luke 21:1-4.

1 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2 and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. 3 So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; 4 for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”

 

In verse 21:1, we see that Jesus was still in the temple.  The treasury was located in the court of women.  It was the furthest point in the temple that women could go. 

 

It was here that there were 13 trumpet-shaped collection receptacles for individuals to give their offerings.  Almost half of them were labeled “free-will offerings,” which is where this money was most like being deposited. 

 

It seems as if Jesus was people watching.  He watched probably thousands of individuals drop their money into these collection pieces during this Passover season. 

 

Verse 1 simply says that as He was watching people that He saw the rich putting their gits into the treasury.  This isn’t a positive or a negative.  It simply a fact. 

 

However, in verse 42, He also saw a particular poor widow.  She put in two mites. 

 

She came to give at the treasury without any flare or any pomp or any grandeur.  I believe she may even have had her head down as she dropped in her two small copper coins.

 

A mite was a small copper coin.  In our terms, it was equivalent to an 1/8 of a cent so she gave ¼ of a penny.   

 

Notice how Jesus described what the widow gave in verse 3.  He said she put in “more than” all. 

 

In verse 4, He went further with His explanation.  Commenting on the wealthy or the rich, they put in out of their abundance.  However, this poor widow put in all the livelihood she had. 

 

Let that sink in.  She put in the last penny to her name.  In other words, she wouldn’t be able to buy any more food until she earned more money.

 

Jesus’ explanation is this: when it comes to money or financial giving, the quality of the giving or your attitude in giving is worth more than the quantity in giving or your action of giving.  The Lord sees your heart and your hand, and don’t forget that He can do a lot with your little. 

 

 

Applications

So here is the first takeaway from today’s text.  Are you living for the approval of men or an audience of One? 

 

For our teenagers, what’s most important?  Do you long for likes and clicks or is well done sufficient?

 

Second, Jesus doesn’t want your leftovers.  He wants your livelihood.  This is true with your money, your energy, and your time. 

 

If you wait until all bills are paid before you write the tithe check, you’ll never have enough.  Is Sunday morning church a Saturday night decision for you?

 

Third, for those who have never answered the call to salvation, this story foreshadows Jesus giving His all for you in the same way this widow gave her all.  Jesus died on the cross in your place and for your sins.  Today, will you answer His call to put your faith and trust in Him as Lord and Savior?

Who Is Jesus?

I want you to take your Bibles and find Luke 20:41.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “Who Is Jesus?”

 

In short, Jesus is fully man and fully God.  However, this truth is separates Christianity from other faith traditions.

 

It is still Tuesday.  It is still Passion Week, and Jesus is still dialoging in the temple with those who are opposed to Him.

 

He answered a question about authority form the chief priest, scribes, and elders.  He answered another question from the chief priests and scribes about paying taxes.  Last week, we see Jesus answer a question from the Sadducees about marriage, but it was really about life after death.

 

From the beginning of the New Testament and even today, many struggle to properly identify who Jesus was and is.  At one point, some Pharisees said that Jesus was the ruler of the demons.  See Matthew 12:24.

 

In Matthew 12:24, 24 Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”

 

As I said a moment ago, what you believe about Jesus determines your place inside Christianity or outside Christianity.  Traditionally, cults and other religions separate themselves from Christianity because of what they believe about Jesus.

 

For example, Mormons believe that Jesus is not an eternal being but a created being, and the older brother of Lucifer.  Consequently, they are not Trinitarian and are not Christian. 

 

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus is not God.  Before He lived on earth, He was Michael the Archangel. Consequently, they are not Trinitarian and are not Christian.

 

For Muslim, Jesus was not God, but another prophet like Mohummed.  For Buddhists, Jesus was an enlightened teacher. For Jews, Jesus was a crazy man.

 

As a matter of fact, I will never forget a college mission trip with my church group to the University of Wisconsen. We met some Jewish students who told us they thought Jesus was a crazy man.  That was their words.

 

Like Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses, these major world religions are not Christian.  So again, who is Jesus?

 

He is fully man and fully God.  Today’s text will demonstrate.

 

 

1. Jesus Asked a Question, Matthew 22:41-42a.

41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?” 

 

Luke doesn’t include the first part of today’s story.  Therefore, turn over to Matthew 22:41.

 

In our own study of Luke’s Gospel, we have seen Jesus spending a lot of Tuesday in the temple answer questions.  Now in Matthew 22:41, Jesus decided to ask His own.

 

Verse 42 states the questions.  He asked of the Pharisees who were gathered around, “What do you think of the Christ?  Whose Son is He?”

 

This sounds odd, but Jesus wasn’t asking about Himself.  The word “Christ” in verse 42 means “anointed one” or “Messiah.”  He was asking what they thought about the Messiah.   Specifically, whose son was the Messiah?

 

 

2. The Pharisees Answered Correctly, Matthew 22:42b.

42 They said to Him, “The Son of David.”

 

They said that the Messiah came through the lineage of David.  They answered correctly that the Messiah would biologically be from David’s line.

 

We also know that to be true from other texts.  See Ruth 4:18-22 and Matthew 1:5-6 and Matthew 1:16.

 

Ruth 4:18-22, 18 Now this is the genealogy of Perez: Perez begot Hezron; 19 Hezron begot Ram, and Ram begot Amminadab; 20 Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon; 21 Salmon begot Boaz, and Boaz begot Obed; 22 Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David.

 

Matthew 1:5-6, 5 Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, 6 and Jesse begot David the king.

 

Matthew 1:16, 16 And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.

 

Again, the Pharisees answered correctly.  Jesus was David’s son.  Consequently, that means He was and is fully man. 

 

 

3. However, Their Assessment was Not Complete, Luke 20:41-44.

41 And He said to them, “How can they say that the Christ is the Son of David? 42 Now David himself said in the Book of Psalms: ‘The Lord said to my Lord,

“Sit at My right hand, 43 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’  44 Therefore David calls Him ‘Lord’; how is He then his Son?” 

 

Even though the Pharisees answered Jesus’ question correctly, they did not answer Jesus’ question completely.  Now, let’s give our attention to Luke 20.

 

In verse 41, Jesus asked another question wanting to know how they could say the Messiah was David’s son in light of Psalm 110:1.  What did Psalm 110 say?

 

Look at verse 42.  God told the Messiah to sit at my right hand until He makes His enemies His footstool.  Then David called the Messiah Lord.

 

What God was saying was the He would make the Promised Messiah the King.  He would make Him equal with God in rank and authority, and His victories would be many. 

 

Remember what we said previously. The Messiah would be from biological line of David.  However, why would David call his Son Lord?  That makes no sense. 

 

David is king.  A king would never call his son Lord.  What is going on here? 

 

The Messiah came from David’s line so He would be David’s son.  The Messiah would also be David’s Lord since He was God’s son too.

 

Jesus came from David.  However, Jesus was also David’s Lord.

 

Jesus is fully man and fully God.  Jesus is the Messiah!

 

 

Conclusion

I want you to see two more texts, and we’ll be done.  See John 3:36 and Romans 10:13.

 

36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

 

If you have never trusted in Christ as Lord and Savior, call on Him to save you.

 

13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

 

Paul was quoting from Joel 2:32.  Therefore, salvation has always been through the Messiah, Jesus the Christ!

 

Who is Jesus?  He is fully man and fully God, and the only Savior of the world.

Will I Know My Spouse in Heaven?

If you have your Bibles, please take them and find Luke 20:27.  I want to share a message with you this morning entitled, “Will I Know My Spouse in Heaven?”

 

That is a question that I have been asked often by those who are close to dying or thinking about heaven or have just experienced the death of a spouse. 

 

In short, yes, you will know your spouse or spouses in heaven if he/she/they were followers of Christ.  However, you won’t be married to them.  Follow along as I explain.

 

We are continuing our study in Luke’s Gospel, and we looking at the last week of Jesus’ life on earth before His crucifixion.  This is called Passion Week or Holy Week. 

 

On Sunday, He rode into Jerusalem on donkey colt. On Monday, He came back into Jerusalem and cleansed the temple. 

 

On Tuesday, He came back into Jerusalem and spent a lot of the day teaching in the temple and answering certain questions.  That includes all of Luke 20 and Luke 21.

 

In Luke 20:1-2, He answered a question about authority.  This was from the chief priests and scribes and elders.

 

1 Now it happened on one of those days, as He taught the people in the temple and preached the gospel, that the chief priests and the scribes, together with the elders, confronted Him 2 and spoke to Him, saying, “Tell us, by what authority are You doing these things? Or who is he who gave You this authority?”

 

In Luke 20:19-22, He answered a question about paying taxes.  This question was also from the chief priest and scribes. 

 

19 And the chief priests and the scribes that very hour sought to lay hands on Him, but they feared the people—for they knew He had spoken this parable against them.  20 So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the governor.  21 Then they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You say and teach rightly, and You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth: 22 Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

 

Today, Jesus will answer another question.  This time, it comes from the Sadducees.

 

 

1. The Liberal Aristocrats, Luke 20:27

27 Then some of the Sadducees, who deny that there is a resurrection, came to Him and asked Him…

 

An aristocrat is a person considered to be superior through education, ability, or wealth.  The Sadducees were considered to be aristocrats.  One commentator I read this week called them the urban, wealthy, and sophisticated class of Jerusalem. 

 

They wielded great political and religious influence as part of the Jewish religious leadership of the day.  However, they had their own unique attributes. 

 

They were conservative in that they didn’t believe in the oral law or traditions of the Pharisees.  They only held to the Torah or the first five books of the Old Testament.

 

However, they were liberal in that they didn’t believe in the supernatural which included a resurrection or angels or spirits.  We know that from verse 27 and also from Acts 23:8.

 

Acts 23:8, 8 For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.

 

Because of their beliefs, and because they were pro-Rome, they were at odds with the Pharisees again and again.  However, remember that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. 

 

Therefore, like the Pharisees in this instance, they attempted to trap Jesus with His words and discredit His ministry.  They attempted such with a hypothetical scenario in verses 28-33.

 

BTW…Did Jesus believe in a life after physical death?  Did Jesus believe in a resurrection?  See Luke 9:22, 14:14, 18:33.

 

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.”

 

14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

 

33 They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”

 

 

2. A Ludicrous Argument, Luke 20:28-33

28 saying: “Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man’s brother dies, having a wife, and he dies without children, his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers. And the first took a wife, and died without children. 30 And the second took her as wife, and he died childless. 31 Then the third took her, and in like manner the seven also; and they left no children, and died. 32 Last of all the woman died also. 33 Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife does she become? For all seven had her as wife.”

Beginning in verse 28, the Sadducees posed the proverbial straw man scenario to Jesus in an effort to prove their belief or argument against resurrection.  There example is based loosely on Deuteronomy 25, which is why they attributed it Moses.

 

The story included a married couple who didn’t have children for whatever reason.  Then, tragedy strikes, and the husband dies leaving the wife alone and without anyone to care for her.

 

The custom of the day and part of the Old Testament Law was what was known as levirate marriage.  This term comes from the Latin word “levirate” which means husband’s brother, and the Sadducees correctly referenced Moses commendation of it from Deuteronomy 25:5-6.

 

Deuteronomy 25:5-6, 5 “If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the widow of the dead man shall not be married to a stranger outside the family; her husband’s brother shall go in to her, take her as his wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her. 6 And it shall be that the firstborn son which she bears will succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel.

 

We see this practice in the book of Ruth, and its purpose was to provide for this family’s future, and protect the widow.  The Sadducees could have asked their question of Jesus using just two husbands in an example.  However, in attempt to show their disdain for the resurrection and its absurdity, they used seven husbands. 

 

This was a ludicrous argument, and in their minds, Jesus only had two options in answering.  If He answered that the wife belonged to all of them, He would be condoning adultery.  If He answered otherwise, in their minds, He would be teaching that there was no such thing as the resurrection. 

 

 

3. Life Afterward, Luke 20:34-40

34 Jesus answered and said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; 36 nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. 37 But even Moses showed in the burning bush passage that the dead are raised, when he called the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ 38 For He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live to Him.”  39 Then some of the scribes answered and said, “Teacher, You have spoken well.” 40 But after that they dared not question Him anymore.

 

As He did with others, He challenged the Sadducees’ understanding of Scripture.  They should have known better, but they didn’t.

 

Beginning in verse 34, Jesus pointed out two of their errors in thinking.  First, Jesus said there would be no marriage(s) in heaven. 

 

Why?  One of the main purposes of marriage is reproduction.  However, in heaven, there is no need for reproduction because life in heaven is eternal life.  Therefore, you will know you spouse and children and others in heaven, but the only marriage in heaven will be between Christ and His Bride, the Church.

 

In verse 36, Jesus said that in heaven, we will be EQUAL to angels.  Notice He didn’t say we will be angels.  He said we will be EQUAL to angels.  How so? 

 

Like angels, we will have glorified bodies.  Like angels, we will not reproduce.  Like angels, we will live eternally, and like angels, we will be fully and completely dedicated to our relationship with God. 

 

In verse 37, Jesus specifically addressed the resurrection of the dead.  Again, Jesus challenged their knowledge of Scripture with a verse from Exodus 3:6.  The Sadducees should have known this since they only believed and were supposed to be experts in the Torah or first five books of the OT.

 

Exodus 3:6, 6 I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”

 

In verse 38, Jesus added that God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.  What was so special about what He said? 

 

Exodus 3 is about 500 years after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob died.  Yet, God said, “I AM the God of…”  He used present tense and not past tense to say that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were still alive in heaven because of the resurrection of the dead. 

 

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:8 that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.  Therefore, once these OT Patriarchs died or any believer dies, he or she is immediately transferred to heaven and in God’s presence.

 

Conclusions/Applications (5)

So what does all this mean? 

 

First, like the Sadducees, we will make mistakes and errors in judgement when we don’t know the Scriptures.  If you don’t know what the Bible says about marriage, you will make unnecessary mistakes in yours. If you don’t know what the Bible says about parenting, you will make unnecessary mistakes with your children.  If you don’t know what the Bible says about money.  You will make unnecessary mistakes managing yours.  Read your Bible.  Be in Sunday School and Church.  Don’t neglect the opportunities the Lord gives you so readily. 

 

Second, there everyone will have eternity either in heaven or in hell.  Your destination depends on whether you answer God’s call to salvation in Christ.

 

Everybody is born once and dies once.  Some are born twice and die once.  Those are followers of Christ.

 

They are born physically and born again spiritually.  Then, they only die physically.

 

However, if you don’t call on Jesus to save you, you will be born once and die twice.  You are born physically, but you will die physically and spiritually.  However, you will die for ever in hell.

 

I beg you and plead with you today to be saved.  Put your faith and trust in Christ.  Call on Jesus to save you!