Emory Baptist Church

Finding Joy in the Lost and Found

Count the Cost!

Please take your Bible and find Luke 14:25.  I want to share with you a message entitled, “Count the Cost.”

 

In Luke 14, we have been looking at what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.  That word means a learner or student.

 

It is not a special class of Christians or a more mature group of Christians.  It is used in the NT synonymously with Christian, and it is found three times in today’s text: 26, 27, and 33.

 

What have we seen and heard in the recent Sundays?  First, a disciple of Jesus does the right thing even in the face of criticism.  Jesus did that when He healed the man with dropsy on the Sabbath at the home of a Pharisee.

 

Second, a disciple of Jesus demonstrates humility when we consider others more important than ourselves.  Jesus told us that whoever humbles himself will be exalted, and whomever exalts himself with be humbled. That is true on earth and in heaven.

 

Third, a disciple of Jesus decides that the only way to heaven is through a saving relationship with Jesus.  That happens when we RSVP for the supper in heaven.

 

Today, we are concluding Luke 14.  If you are going to be disciple of Jesus, you must count the cost of following Him, and followers of Jesus will devote everything of their lives and in their lives to Him.

 

Again, notice the phrase “My disciple” in today’s text: 26, 27, and 33.  Also, notice the phrase “count the cost” in verse 28.

 

Let’s stand for the reading of God’s word.  Follow along in your Bible or on the screens behind me.

 

 

Exposition

We begin in verse 25.  Great multitudes went with Jesus.  It is really important to remember where Jesus was headed.

 

He was on His way to Jerusalem.  See Luke 13:22.

 

22 And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.

 

Why is this so important to remember?  What was going to happen in Jerusalem? 

 

Jesus was going to die on the cross.  He headed to death without fear and following God’s plan.

 

First, if you are going to be a follower of Jesus, it will cost your family.  Look at verse 26.  He said if anyone comes to Him and doesn’t hate family, he can’t be my disciple. 

 

For those of you who don’t know, let me be clear.  Jesus is not telling us we have to disobey explicit Bible commands to follow Him.

 

The 5^th commandment in Exodus 21 and then repeated in Ephesians 6:1 are crystal clear.

 

12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

 

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

 

This word and idea for hate is different than ours.  It means to love less by comparison.  If you are follower of Jesus, you are to love your parents less than you love Jesus.

 

The Bible uses this language in a similar way elsewhere.  See Malachi 1:2-3.

 

2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord.  “Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’ Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?”  Says the Lord.  “Yet Jacob I have loved; 3 But Esau I have hated, And laid waste his mountains and his heritage For the jackals of the wilderness.”

 

For followers of Jesus, your loyalty has to be to Jesus first.  Family comes second. 

 

We have even seen this idea earlier in Luke. See Luke 12:51-53.

 

51 Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. 52 For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. 53 Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

Second, if you are going to be a follower of Jesus, it will cost you personally and maybe even painfully.  Look at verse 27.

 

Jesus said you must bear your cross.  What did He mean?

 

The cross was the vilest means of execution.  It would be akin to our electric chair or firing squad. 

 

Rome made their criminals sentenced to die by crucifixion carry the cross beam through town.  Why?  It was a deterrent to crime, but it was also meant to demonstrate guilt of the criminal.

 

For followers of Jesus, the cross was a means to death.  Jesus was going to die. 

 

Therefore, you and I would have to die…not physically but to ourselves and being the one in control.  Now, Jesus would be in control.

 

Third, if you are going to be a follower of Jesus, it will cost you entirely.  Look at verse 33.

 

Followers of Jesus must forsake all, and the implication is every part of your life.  When I baptized Dilan, he wasn’t holding his wallet out of the water.  He wasn’t holding his wedding ring out of the water.

 

If you’re going to be a follower of Jesus, you must not hold anything back.  That includes your marriage and your job and your kids and your checkbook and your hobbies and your language and your recreation.

 

 

Illustration

To illustrate Jesus’ point of counting the cost, He told two parables. They are in verses 28-32.

 

The first is the parable of the tower.  The point is simply this.  If you are going to be build a tower and finish building a tower, you better make sure you know what all is involved money wise so that you don’t run out of money and look like an idiot.

 

The second parable is about having to go to war.  If you only have 10,000 troops to fight 20,000 troops, you probably should consider making peace.

 

The point of this parable is not that we can negotiate with Jesus.  The point is that Jesus requires total surrender of His followers.

 

 

Conclusion

Our text concludes with an invitation to hear and act in verse 34.  It also concludes with a reminder about salt.

 

In the first century, salt was used to season, to preserve, and to fertilize. However, if it has become contaminated by another element such as gypsum, the effectiveness of the salt has significantly decreased.

 

Jesus said it would have lost its flavor.  Consequently, it was no good for the land or even pile of waste.  It just needed to be thrown out.

 

In other words, if you claim to be a follower of Jesus, your life ought to look like it.  Otherwise, of what use are you?  Will you be thrown out?

 

 

Have You RSVP'd for the Supper?

Please take your Bibles and turn to Luke 14:15. I want to share a message with you entitled, “Have You RSVP’d for the Supper?”

 

We are still with Jesus on the Sabbath and in the house of a Pharisee.  Remember that Jesus was the guest preacher at the local synagogue and had been invited to lunch after worship.

 

However, Jesus wasn’t invited because they wanted to get to know Him better.  He was invited for them to trap Him.

 

Also invited was a man who was retaining fluid and he was swollen all over.  This was due to a diseased heart or diseased kidney or diseased liver.

 

Because it was the right thing to do, Jesus healed him even on the Sabbath.  However, this did not sit well with the Pharisees because it violated their interpretation and application of the OT Law.

 

Last week, Jesus made a point about a humility and generosity by telling a parable.  His point was that followers of Christ not only do the right thing in the face of criticism, but they also demonstrate humility by considering the needs of others more important than their own.

 

Today, we are going to see and hear Jesus tell another parable.  He used these earthly stories with spiritual meanings to reveal mysteries, conceal realities, and fulfill prophecies depending on the makeup of His audience.

 

You’ve probably received an RSVP in the mail.  They typically are related to an invitation to an event.

 

RSVP is actually French and means respond if you please or please respond.  For Texans, you might get away with respond soon very pronto.

 

In other words, the host wants to know if you’re coming.  They want to know either way so that they can plan accordingly for space and or food.

 

What supper are we talking about?  It is the one here in Luke 14.  Jesus calls it a great supper as He tells another parable.

 

 

Exposition

Again, we are at a Pharisee’s house, and it seems to be the midday meal.  Jesus had someone sitting next to Him who seems to be one of His followers.

 

How do we know?  Look what he said.  Blessed or happy is the he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.

 

We haven’t seen that term in a while, but it is what chapter 13 is all about.  In this instance, it most likely is a reference to heaven.  In other words, he was saying that being saved and having a home in heaven is the decision that will make you the happiest in life.

 

In response to this man’s declaration, Jesus told the parable of the great supper.  It begins in verse 16.

A certain man was hosting a great supper and invited a lot of people.  On the actual day of the event, he sent another invitation saying, “Y’all come.” 

 

This was common practice to send two invitations.  The first would be akin to our save the date invitations.  Those are then followed up with a more formal invitation. 

 

When this man’s second invitation went out, all those who were invited made up excuses as to why they couldn’t come.  Jesus shared with us three.

 

First, his excuse was that he had to look at a piece of property he already purchased.  Why couldn’t that wait?  Wouldn’t it still be there?  Did he buy it sight unseen?

 

Second, his excuse was similar.  Could the testing not wait?  Could the oxen not be tested later?

 

Third, his excuse was that he need to stay home with his newly married wife.  More than likely, no first-century Jewish male would have said this.

 

All of these excuses were flimsy.  They were ridiculous.

 

Because the host was insulted, he told his servant to invite others.  These folks would be thankful because they were they outcasts of society.  They probably hadn’t been to a supper like this before.

 

However, there was still more room and more food for more people.  The servant was then directed to go outside of the city and invite more. 

 

In verse 24, Jesus made a shocking statement to the man from verse 15.  He indicated that the supper would be His and none of those initially invited would now be welcome.

 

 

Identification

Now, let’s try to identify some of the characters and objects in the parable.  First, the certain man hosting the great supper is God the Father.

 

The great supper is heaven and eternal life.  The first invitation was the OT prophets.  The second invitation delivered by the man’s servant was Jesus Christ. 

 

The initial invitation went to the nation of Israel and specifically their leaders such as these Pharisees.  The poor, maimed, lame, and blind were probably also Jews but the lower segment of society.

 

Those outside the city on the highways and hedges were the Gentiles.  That is us.

 

 

Invitation

The point of this parable is that God is inviting us to be saved and an eternity at His great supper in heaven.  We can accept by the invitation by accepting His Son, Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior.  However, if you don’t accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, you are rejecting His invitation to be saved.

 

I don’t want to take this for granted, but a follower of Jesus does the right thing, demonstrates humility, and decides to receive the invitation to heaven.  It doesn’t happen automatically.  It has to be a conscious decision.

 

However, just like this parable, there will be those who reject. They will even make similar, ridiculous excuses.  Here are the most prevalent.

 

First, I’m too bad.  You don’t know what I’ve done. God can’t forgive me.

 

False.  God can and will if you confess and repent.  Jesus Christ died on the cross for murderers, adulterers, liars, thieves, and self-righteous religious hypocrites.  He did on the cross for you. 

 

Second, I’m too good or I don’t need to be saved.  False.

 

You may be relatively good compared to your neighbor.  However, you’re not perfect, and perfection is the standard.

 

You can’t be saved by authenticity, generosity, genealogy, ingenuity, or morality.  You can only be saved through Jesus Christ and inviting Him to be your Lord and Savior.

 

Third, your beliefs are no good.  Look at all of the hypocrites.

 

If men are your standard, you will never be satisfied.  If Jesus is your standard, you’ll never be disappointed.

 

Today, my invitation is for every man and every woman.  It is for every boy and every girl.  Listen to Psalm 34:8.

 

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

 

Will you come to Him today and taste and see?  RSVP now.

Descending into Greatness

Please take your Bibles and find Luke 14:7. I want to share a message with you entitled, “Descending into Greatness.” 

 

That sermon title ought to surprise you and cause you to think twice.  In our country and in your culture, you don’t go down to be great.  You go up.

 

If you want to be great, you go up at work in sales and in revenue.  If you want to be great in school, you go up in GPA and test scores.  If you want to be great in sports, you go up in wins and points per game.

 

However, Jesus said if you want to go up to greatness in the kingdom of heaven, you have to go down.  Jesus advocated descending into greatness.

 

I wish I was smart enough to come up with that title on my own.  However, Bill Hybels wrote the book in 1993.

 

In our verse by verse and chapter by study of Luke’s gospel, we have come to 14:7.  In reality, it is a continuation from last Sunday.  Today’s text is the same story on the same day in the same house with many of the same characters.

 

Jesus told a parable.  A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly or spiritual meaning.

 

Jesus used parables to reveal mysteries to those who had received Him.  He used parables to conceal realities from those who had rejected Him, and He used parables to fulfill prophecies for both.

 

Remember from last week that it is the Sabbath.  Jesus was the guest preacher at the synagogue, and was customarily invited to a local house for lunch after the morning worship.

 

The local house belonged to some Pharisees who were Jewish religious leaders.  However, they had not invited Him to get to know Him better or show hospitality.

 

They invited Him to trap Him.  Not only did they invite Jesus, but they had also invited a man whose body was significant swollen. He was retaining fluid in his arms and legs and abdomen from an illness with his heart or liver or kidneys.

 

The Pharisees wanted to see if Jesus would heal this man, and He did.  It was that healing that put Jesus more at odds with Him.  However, it wasn’t because He had dishonored or broken Sabbath law.  He had just gone against their man-made convictions or unbiblical applications.

 

Today’s text continues on the same day and at the same house and with the same people. We will see an observation, an illustration, and an application.

 

 

1. An Observation of a Problem, Luke 14:7

7 So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them.

 

Jesus is the He of verse 7, and I have already told you what a parable is and why Jesus used them.  The parable to follow was addressed to those who were invited.

 

Who was that?  Go back to 14:3.

 

3 And Jesus, answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

 

Those in attendance for lunch included Jesus, the man who sick, lawyers, and Pharisees.  Again, the Pharisees were Jewish religious leaders and experts in the Old Testament Law.

 

What was the problem that Jesus observed?  They were scurrying to get the best places to sit at lunch.

 

In this day, that would have been those places seated closest to the guest of honor.  In our day, it would be the places closest to the food or at the front.

 

 

2. An Illustration with a Parable, Luke 14:8-10

8 “When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; 9 and he who invited you and him come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you.

 

In this instance, Jesus used this parable to reveal mysteries.  He told this parable to make a point.

 

The parable begins in verse 8 and is at wedding feast.  The instruction is not to sit at the best places so that someone better doesn’t come and need you to move.  That would be humiliating.

 

Instead, choose the worst place to sit.  If you do that, then you might be asked to move up to a better place.  If this happens, you won’t be humiliated.  You will be honored as those around you think highly of you.

 

 

3. An Application for the People/Us, Luke 14:11-14

11 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” 12 Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. 13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. 14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

 

What was Jesus’ point?  Look at verse 11. 

 

Whoever exalts himself with be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.  In the language of the NT, this verse is in the theological passive.

 

In other words, if you promote yourself, God will humble you.  If you humble yourself, God will lift you up.  Even though the word God is not present, God is implied.

 

Jesus then goes one step further and not only promotes humility but also generosity. Look at verse 12-14.

 

Again, He spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees. When you have a dinner, don’t only invite those who will simply return the favor like your friends and family and neighbors.

 

Instead, invite those who have no means at all to repay.  Invite the outcasts of society and culture.  Invite the poor and crippled and lame and blind.

 

In return, you will be blessed.  This act will also demonstrate your salvation, and you will be rewarded in heaven.

 

 

Conclusion

So last week, we saw that a disciple of Jesus does the right thing even in the face of criticism.  Today, a disciple of Jesus will demonstrate humility by considering others more important than him or herself.

 

Turn to Philippians 2:5.

 

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.

 

What mind are we talking about?  See Philippians 2:3-4.

 

3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

 

How did Jesus model this for us?  See Philippians 2:6-11.

 

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.

 

In other words, Jesus demonstrated humility by considering our needs more important than His needs.  Specifically, He died on the cross because we needed a Savior.

 

What might this look like our lives?  First, think about home.  What would happen if spouses thought each other’s needs were more important than your own and acted in the same manner?  Marriage would be saved and thrive.

 

What would happen if children thought their parents’ needs were more important than their own?  It might mean rest and recovery for parents to better serve their children.

 

What would happen at school and work if students demonstrated humility by thinking the needs of others’ needs were more important than your own or your coworkers were more important than you?  I would suggest learning and production would increase. 

 

What would happen if church members demonstrated humility by thinking others’ needs were more important than your own?  I know what would happen.  Our prayer room ministry schedule would be full, we would have more nursery volunteers than we need, and we might not have to borrow funds to build a FLC.

 

If you want to be great brothers and sister, go down.  Jesus will lift you up.

Do the Right Thing...

Please take your Bibles and find Luke 14:1. I want to share a message with entitled, “Do the Right Thing.”

 

However, I want to continue that thought.  Do the right thing in the face of criticism.  Disciples of Jesus should do the right thing even when others will find fault.

 

After we read today’s text, you might think, “This sounds really familiar,” and you’re right.  We had a similar story back in Luke 13:10-17.

 

If Luke 13 was about the kingdom of God, Luke 14 is about being a disciple of Jesus.  What is a disciple? A disciple is a dedicated student of a certain follower.  In this case, we are talking about Jesus.

 

Lastly, before reading the text, I need to remind about the Sabbath.  The Sabbath was the seventh day of the week that God intended for rest, and it goes all the way back to Genesis 2.

 

2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.

 

Keep in mind that God didn’t rest because He needed it.  He rested as an example for us.  He knew that we would need it.

 

Consequently, resting and worship is so important, it is one of the ten commandments.  See Exodus 20:8-11.

 

8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

 

Evidently, the Sabbath was a regular subject of controversy as this is now the fourth instance we encounter it in Luke.  See Luke 6:1, 6:6, and 13:10-11.

 

1 Now it happened on the second Sabbath after the first that He went through the grainfields. And His disciples plucked the heads of grain and ate them, rubbing them in their hands.

 

6 Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered.

 

10 Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up.

 

Therefore, the Sabbath was important.  It was important to keep it, and to understand what we should do and shouldn’t do on it.

 

BTW…The Sabbath is still important.  Brothers and sisters, you need a day of rest.  It doesn’t matter who you are or how old you are.  You need 24 hours of rest from your normal work, job, or vocation. 

 

God created you that way.  To do otherwise would be you thinking that you know better than God. 

 

In today’s text, I am going to make three observations with you.  You will see an invitation to fail, an illustration of good, and the incrimination of self.

 

 

1. An Invitation to Fail, Luke 14:1-3

1 Now it happened, as He went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees to eat bread on the Sabbath, that they watched Him closely. 2 And behold, there was a certain man before Him who had dropsy. 3 And Jesus, answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

 

Verse 1 opens on a Sabbath.  As I said previously, this story is all about the Sabbath.  You find it three times in verse 1, verse 3, and verse 5.

 

More than likely, worship had already taken place in the synagogue, and Jesus was probably the guest teacher for that day.  As it was customary, the guest teacher was then invited to local house for lunch.

 

This house belonged to a ruler of the Pharisees.  They were Jewish religious leaders who were known for their knowledge of the Old Testament Law and for their man-made traditions.

 

Notice the end of verse 1.  They watched Him closely.

 

Why?  They were setting a trap for Jesus.  They invited Him to lunch to watch Him fail.

 

One of the reasons why this seems to be true is because of who else we see at lunch.  Verse 2 says there was a man with dropsy.

 

This was a physical condition of retaining fluid.  His arms and legs and abdomen were all swollen as they retained water. 

 

The NIV says swelling of his body.  The NASB says edema.

 

Regardless, he had a physical condition that was seen as punishment for his sins.  He would be considered unclean and a very unlikely guest at this lunch unless he was being used for bait in the invitation to fail.

 

Verse 3 says Jesus spoke to the Jewish religious leaders about the man.  He asked if it was lawful to heal him on the Sabbath?

 

Keep in mind that He was referring to the Old Testament Law.  He was not referring to man-made tradition.

 

Nowhere did the OT prohibit healing on the Sabbath.  However, the Pharisees had man-made traditions that said otherwise. 

 

If they said no, they would have been considered inhumane.  If they said yes, they would have been violating their own conviction and discrediting their character and authority.

 

So what happened?  Look at verse 4.

 

 

2. An Illustration of Good, Luke 14:4

4 But they kept silent. And He took him and healed him, and let him go.

 

When the Pharisees kept silent, Jesus did good.  He took the man who was swollen with fluid retention, and healed him, and sent him on his way.

 

Did Jesus heal his diseased liver or kidney or heart that was causing him to retain fluid?  Or, did He just cause the fluid to disappear?

 

We don’t know for sure, and I don’t think it matters.  Jesus healed Him because it was the right thing to do, and He did it.

 

 

3. The Incrimination of Self, Luke 14:4-6

4 But they kept silent. And He took him and healed him, and let him go. 5 Then He answered them, saying, “Which of you, having a donkey or an ox that has fallen into a pit, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?” 6 And they could not answer Him regarding these things.

 

In His dialogue with the Pharisees, He asked two questions of them.  The first was in verse 3 about whether it was lawful to heal this man on the Sabbath. 

 

The second is here verse 5.  If your animal fell into a pit on the Sabbath, would you get him out?

 

This was a rhetorical question.  The implied answer was yes.

 

For the Pharisees, their answer to both questions was the same.  They were silent.

 

Consequently, they incriminated themselves.  What were they guilty of?

 

I think there are multiple answers to that question.  However, in this specific instance, they were guilty of not doing good.

 

Applications/Conclusion

So what do we learn and apply from today’s text.  Let me give you three.

 

First, the Sabbath is important. It is from God. It is for us.  Take time to rest.

 

Second, this man’s physical healing is a picture of our spiritual healing. Jesus still heals today.  Call on Him.

 

Jesus still saves today.  Notice that Jesus initiated healing this man.  Jesus is calling you today to be saved.  Will you answer?

 

Third, if you are a disciple of Jesus, you ought to be committed to doing the right thing even in the face of criticism.  Do the right thing even when it is hard.  Do the right thing even when no one else is doing it at home in your marriage, at work with your boss and coworkers, at school with your teachers and classmates and teammates, and wherever God takes you.

Reviewing the Kingdom

If you have your Bibles, please take them and find Luke 13:31. I want to share a message with you entitled, “Reviewing the Kingdom.”

 

In the recent weeks, we have found ourselves in Luke 13. I know you’ll remember that Luke 13 is all about the kingdom of God.

 

We have talked about entrance into the kingdom.  We have talked about opposition to the kingdom.  We have talked about growth of the kingdom. 

 

Last Sunday, Bro. Ronnie preached from Luke 13:22-30.  In verse 22, the path of the kingdom included Jerusalem.  That is where Christ was headed, and that is where He would be crucified for my sin and your sin.

 

Verses 23 and following speak of to the plan for entrance into the kingdom.  It is not about semantics or saying the right words.  It is not even about service and doing the right things.

 

In verse 28, they will come from all directions into the kingdom.  They will come not because of semantics or service but because they have surrendered unto the Lordship of Jesus Christ in their lives.  In other words, King Jesus is on the throne of each heart in the kingdom.

 

However, if you reject King Jesus and you are intent on self sitting on the throne of your heart, there will be punishment for missing the kingdom.  That punishment is described in verse 28.  There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth in hell.

 

Today, we come to the end of Luke 13.  Some things will be new.  Some things will be review. 

 

 

1. When it comes to the kingdom of God, there will always be opposition, Luke 13:31.

31 On that very day some Pharisees came, saying to Him, “Get out and depart from here, for Herod wants to kill You.”

 

On that very day?  About which day are we speaking?  It was that same day that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, and He was teaching in the cities and the village.

 

In this stance, the opposition was Herod.  This was Herod Antipas and the same Herod who had John the Baptist beheaded.

 

Both the Pharisees and Herod were opposed to Jesus.  However, the Pharisees just wanted Jesus out of this place.  Herod wanted to end His life.

 

If you attempt to live your life for the kingdom of God, there will always be opposition. It may come from normal enemies. It may come from surprise enemies.

 

Regardless, Jesus didn’t let opposition to the kingdom keep Him from wanting to do God’s will.  He pressed on.

 

 

2. When it comes to the kingdom of God, surrender is the answer, Luke 13:32-33.

32 And He said to them, “Go, tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.’ 33 Nevertheless I must journey today, tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.

 

Jesus had word for Herod. Actually, there is the only time and only person that Jesus demonstrated animosity. Fox wasn’t a term to describe Herod’s sly or cunningness. 

 

It was used to say that Herod was not significant.  Herod wasn’t going to get in Jesus’ way.  He was moving forward to Jerusalem, and Herod couldn’t stop Him. 

 

In spite of opposition, Jesus was going to continue to minister and He was going to continue to follow God’s plan.  That included dying and being resurrected.

 

Verse 33 says that Jesus MUST keeping moving forward.  Why?  Jerusalem was God’s place for the kingdom. 

 

Jesus was going to die.  That would happen in Jerusalem.  Jesus was going to be raised.  That would happen in Jerusalem. 

 

BTW…Some people say Jesus never spoke about dying and being resurrected.  Really?  He sure did here in Luke 13:32-33.

 

He prophesied such.  He fulfilled such.

 

Brothers and sisters, Can I remind you that God’s plan and God’s kingdom is always perfect and worth it and what is best for you even if it is hard, and even if it hurts.  Jesus followed God’s plan and kingdom to the point of death, and it was perfect and right.

 

 

3. When it comes to the kingdom of God, Jesus invites you join Him, Luke 13:34-35.

34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing! 35 See! Your house is left to you desolate; and assuredly, I say to you, you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

 

In verse 34, we see Jesus’ love and compassion for people, but specifically Jerusalem and the nation of Israel.  However, don’t misunderstand Israel’s guilt.

 

They were guilty as charged for rejecting Jesus and God’s plan and God’s kingdom.  However, Jesus still loved them.

 

In a very unique instance, Jesus verbalized maternal instincts. He called Himself a hen, but Jerusalem wasn’t willing to surrender.

 

BTW…What we see here in Luke 13:34 as well as Psalm 122:6 is why I pray for Israel to recognize Jesus as their promised Messiah.  No person will enter the kingdom because of their ethnicity.  Every Jew must confess Jesus as Lord and Savior in order to be saved, and many will.  I pray for it sooner rather than later.

 

122:6, Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you.”

 

Verse 35 speaks to Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  We’ll get there in Luke 19.

 

So what about you?  What about you and the kingdom of God?

 

 

Conclusion

Like Israel, you and I are guilty as sinners.  We don’t deserve any part in the kingdom of God. 

 

However, Jesus wants you in His kingdom.  Would you receive Him as your Lord and Savior today?

 

 

Carefully Consider Your Kingdom Connection

Parables of Kingdom Growth

If you have your Bibles this morning, and I trust that you do, please take them and find Luke 13:18.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “Parables of Kingdom Growth.”

 

We are studying Luke’s Gospel verse by verse and chapter by chapter. Today is also Back in the Game Sunday, and today’s text in Luke fits perfectly for this time and this Sunday in the life of our church.

 

Luke 13 is all about the kingdom of God.  We will even see that wording in today’s verses 18 and 20.

 

So far, we have talked about entrance into the kingdom of God.  It happens by or through repentance.

 

We have also talked about opposition to the kingdom of God.  The ruler of the synagogue filled that role last Sunday, and Jesus called him a hypocrite.

 

Next Sunday, we will look at the triumph of the kingdom of God.  Said another way, we will see the ultimate victory of the kingdom of God.

 

However, today’s parables, and there are two, speak to the growth of the kingdom of God.  This was encouraging word to these disciples because they had just heard Jesus confront opposition to the kingdom of God, and perhaps, they were worried.

 

When we talk about parables, we need a working definition.  A parable is an earthly story or a familiar story that had a double meaning.  It had the normal, earthly meaning, but it also had a spiritual or heavenly meaning.

 

Also, from past studies, please remember Jesus’ purposes in using parables. He used these stories to conceal realities from those who were opposed to Him or didn’t want to understand.

 

He also used parables to reveal mysteries like He did in today’s text.  He did this for His disciples and those who received Him and wanted to know and understand more.

 

Third, Jesus used parables to fulfill prophecies.  That could also be said about today’s parables about kingdom growth.  Jesus was predicting the future through these two earthly stories.

 

 

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

In other instances, Jesus has used the mustard seed to teach us about our faith.  See Matthew 17:20.

 

20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

 

In another instance, Jesus used the mustard seed to teach us about our forgiveness.  See Luke 17:3-6.

 

3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”  5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”  6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

 

In Luke 13, Jesus used a mustard seed to teach about the kingdom’s future.  Remember, He had just talked about opposition to the kingdom.  Therefore, I believe these parables speak positively and are meant to encourage us.

 

In verse 19, the kingdom of God was compared to a tiny, black mustard seed.  It was the smallest seed known to this audience.

 

In the parable, a man took this seed and put in his garden, and surprise!  Picture in your mind a fleck of pepper.

 

The tiniest of seeds grew into such a large tree, that birds of the air could nest in its branches. This tree would have been between 10-15 feet tall.

 

In other words, the kingdom of God may start off in seemingly small fashion.  However, take heart.  It will grow in enormous capacity. 

 

We see this reality illustrated in Jesus’ life.  See Isaiah 53:1-2.

 

1 Who has believed our report?

And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,

And as a root out of dry ground.

He has no form or comeliness;

And when we see Him,

There is no beauty that we should desire Him.

 

But do you remember how Jesus will return?  See Revelation 19:11-16.

 

11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

 

KING OF KINGS AND

LORD OF LORDS.

 

This first parable was agrarian in nature.  The primary audience was probably men, and it speaks of the kingdom’s future, external growth even through it started small.

 

Apply this parable to ministry opportunities here at EBC.  You might think of them as small or insignificant.  However, don’t underestimate the kingdom of God growing enormously from small acts or humble beginnings.

 

This is true for being part of our Celebration Choir.  It is true for praying in our Prayer Room.  It is true for sewing quilts or Backpack Buddies or handing out candy at our Fall Festival.

 

The kingdom of God WILL grow mightily.  Will you commit to small acts or planting seeds of ministry?

 

 

The Parable of the Leaven

Your Bible may say yeast.  However, look at verses 20 and 21.

 

Again, Jesus asked what the kingdom of God was like.  Keep in mind that in other instances, leaven is used to represent evil.  That is not true here.

 

This parable is not about agriculture but cooking.  It doesn’t involve men but women.  It doesn’t focus on the external that you can see.  It focuses on the internal that you can’t see.

 

In this parable, a woman takes a pinch of leaven because that is all that is needed.  She then kneads it into 60 pounds of flour, and that small amount leavened the entire batch.

 

Think of about this parable as it relates to discipleship.  When you allow the kingdom of God or the Gospel to affect just a little of your life, because of the nature of the kingdom and the gospel, it will begin to infect all of your life.

 

Follow Jesus in your marriage, and then Jesus will infect your parenting.  Follow Jesus in your parenting, and then Jesus will infect how you handle money.  Follow Jesus in how your handle money, and Jesus will infect how you live your life at work and school and how you recreate.

 

The kingdom of God and the Gospel, though small and working internally, can affect and infect every area of our lives and our church and our community and our county.  Our job is get the gospel inside of us.

 

You will get the Gospel in a Sunday School Small Group and our study of Luke.  You will get the Gospel in our Sunday night study of 2 Samuel. You will get the Gospel in Wednesday Worship and Grief Share and Celebrate Recovery and WOM and TEL and our reading groups.

 

When you get it, it will affect and infect every part of your life.  Will you get as much as you can?

 

 

Conclusion

Our invitation today is twofold.  First, will accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior admitting you are lost and in need of Savior?  He is the only qualified Savior period.

 

Second, will you get back in your game taking in the Gospel through discipleship and sowing the seeds of ministry?  My challenge for you today is for you to do that in our church and in our community and in our county.

The Scandal of a Sabbath Healing

Take your Bibles this morning and find Luke 13:10. I want to share message with you entitled, “The Scandal of a Sabbath Healing.”

 

Last Sunday, we resumed our study of Luke’s Gospel, and we started back in Luke 13.  This chapter is all about the kingdom God. 

 

Remember, that wording is used in our text for next Sunday.  See 13:18 and 13:20.

 

18 Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?

 

20 And again He said, “To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?

 

In the first nine verses, Jesus spoke about entrance into the kingdom of God.  How do you enter?  You must repent or perish.

 

Today, we are talking about opposition to the kingdom of God.  The rest of the chapter speaks to the growth of the kingdom of God and the triumph of the kingdom of God.

 

In our text, I want to make three observations with you.  They are a demonstration by the Healer, indignation about the healing, and the humiliation of the hypocrites.

 

 

1. A Demonstration by the Healer, Luke 13:10-13

10 Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. 12 But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” 13 And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. 

 

In verse 10, we see Jesus was teaching the synagogue.  It was the Sabbath. 

 

That means it was Saturday, and we know what the 4^th Commandment is.  See Exodus 20:8-11.

 

8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

 

Verse 11 introduces another main character.  This woman shuffled into Jesus’ sight hunched over because a demon had afflicted her with a physical condition for 18 years.  The end of the verse says she was bent over and could not straighten up.

 

Her three strikes were she was a woman.  Second, it was thought that she was suffering for her sin.  Third, she had endured this for 18 years.

 

BTW…It seems that this woman may have been like Job.  God may have been testing her faith.  She wasn’t demon possessed at this time, but Satan had definitely caused her sickness.  God may be testing your faith as well.

 

But Jesus saw her, and called out to her in verse 12.  He spoke her healing, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” 

 

The language of the NT indicates she was healed and would be healed permanently.  That mirrors our salvation.  When God saves, He saves us for eternity. 

 

Then, in verse 13, laid His hands on her.  She was then made straight.  Her back was no longer bent over or double.

 

BTW…Long before this woman saw Jesus, He saw her.  Before she spoke to Him, He spoke to her.  Long before you chose Jesus, Jesus chose you.  Long before you wanted to be saved, Jesus wanted to save you.

 

Immediately, she was healed.  Then, she glorified God who healed her and for her healing.  

 

BTW…When Jesus answers our prayer, we should praise Him and glorify Him with our words and lives.

 

 

1. Indignation about the Healing, Luke 13:14

14 But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore, come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.” 

 

The ruler of the synagogue saw what happened, and it greatly displeased him.  That is what indignation means.

 

However, keep in mind that healing on the Sabbath is nowhere prohibited.  Jesus spoke, and Jesus touched. 

 

Instead of speaking to Jesus, he spoke to the crowd, and insinuated that work had been done, and Jesus was guilty.

 

 

• The Humiliation of the Hypocrites, Luke 13:5-17

15 The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? 16 So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” 17 And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.

 

In verse 15, Jesus responded. He not only spoke to the ruler, but to the people as well.

 

He called them hypocrites.  Why?

 

He asked a rhetorical question at the end of verse 15 regarding treatment of their animals.  If their animals were thirsty on the Sabbath, would they lead them to water to drink?  The answer is an implied yes.

 

Guess what?  If that is true of animals, it should be true for human beings.  This woman was a faithful Jew, but Satan had attacked her for 18 years.  However, she was more important than animals.

 

BTW…So are you.  I get it that we love our pets, and they become family.  However, they are not as important or more important and valued as humans are.  God loves those He created in His image more than animals. 

 

In verse 16, should this woman be loosed the same way these animals should be?  Yes, of course.

 

Consequently, Jesus opponents were put to shame.  They were humiliated.  However, there were others who rejoiced at what He had done.

 

 

Applications

So what do we take away?

 

First, there will always be opponents of the kingdom of God.  Make sure that is not you.  Will call on the name of the Lord to save you today?

 

Second, Jesus wants ultimately heal you spiritually.  However, I believe He also desires to heal you physically.  Will you all on Him to heal your sickness and disease and condition today?

 

Finally, when you question God or God’s people, make sure your standard and final authority is God’s word, the Bible.  In other words, recognize your preferences for what they are.  They are just preferences.

 

Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

If you have your Bibles, please take them and find Luke 13:1.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?”

 

Back in May, we took a break from our study of Luke’s Gospel.  Today, we are returning, and we are returning with an age old question.

 

Haven’t we asked this question in our own lives?  Haven’t we asked that question about our own family and friends?  Haven’t we asked that question about ourselves?

 

We look at different persons and wonder why they got that cancer diagnoses.  We look at different parents and ask why their kid was in that accident. We even look at different places and ask they had that storm.

 

In 2005, I know for a fact that people said Hurricane Katrina was God’s judgement on New Orleans.  Really?

 

Then was Hurricane Harvey God’s judgement on Houston?  Was last month’s flooding God’s judgement on the Hill Country?

 

In Luke 12, Jesus was talking about end time events and our needs to be at peace.  We need to be at peace with God and at peace with one another.

 

Luke 13 is all about God’s Kingdom.  Notice that wording in verses 18 and 20.

 

18 Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?

 

20 And again He said, “To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?

 

In 13:1, there were some present with Jesus at that season or during that time who told Him an incident involving Pilate and some Galileans.

 

Considering Jesus’ answer starting in verse 2, it seems that their question is our question for the day.  Why do bad things happen to good people?

 

 

1. The Tragedy at the Temple, Luke 13:1-3

1 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

 

This is an extra biblical event.  That means the only record of it is here from Dr. Luke.  However, it does seem consistent with Pilate’s character.

 

Some Galileans had come to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices.  While they were participating in a religious activity, Pilate had his soldiers execute them.

 

Can you even imagine?  This would be akin to a mass shooting at a church to synagogue or mosque today.

 

Notice what Jesus asked at the end of verse 2.  Did this happen because God’s was punishing them?  Did this happen because they were worse sinners than the other Galileans?

 

 

2. The Tragedy from the Tower, Luke 13:4-5

4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

 

In verse 4, Jesus spoke of a second tragedy. This one involved a tower.

 

18 Jerusalemites were killed when a tower in Siloam fell on them.  Siloam was a part or section of Jerusalem.

 

The end of verse 4 askes the same question that Jesus asked regarding the temple.  Were these 18 worse sinners than other Jerusalemites who didn’t die?

 

 

3. The Tragedy of the Tree, Luke 13:6-9

6 He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ 8 But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9 And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’”

 

In verses 6-9, Jesus told a parable.  A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning, and this parable involved a tree.

 

In the Bible, the fig tree often symbolizes Israel and the people of God.  The certain man in verse 6 is God the Father.  The keeper of the vineyard in verse 7 is Jesus Christ the Son.

 

The certain man who planted the fig tree for the sole purpose of growing figs came to the tree for three straight years expecting fruit.  However, for three straight years, he found nothing.

 

He wanted to cut it down, but the keeper of the vineyard talked him into being patient and waiting one more year.  In that time, the vineyard keeper would tend it and fertilize it.  Then, if there was no fruit, it would be cut down.

 

 

Application

So what is the answer to our question?  Before I go any further, it is important to recognize the question as flawed.

 

As Bill Beasley used to say, no one is good.  He was right, and that is exactly what the Bible says.  No one is good.

 

1 Kings 8:46, 46 “When they sin against You (for there is no one who does not sin), and You become angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, and they take them captive to the land of the enemy, far or near.

 

Psalm 14:1, 1The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”  They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good.

 

Psalm 143:2, 2 Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For in Your sight no one living is righteous.

 

Romans 3:23, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

 

Romans 6:23, 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

However, what did Jesus say specifically in this text?  He gave three answers.

 

First, we live in a fallen world, and bad people experience good, and good people experience bad.  When He asked rhetorical questions about the people murdered in the temple and the people killed by the tower, in both instances, He said, “I tell you no.”

 

We can’t always blame individuals for the tragedies of life.  See Matthew 5:45.

 

45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

 

Second, instead of worrying about others and comparing yourself and your experiences to others, repent and bear fruit today! 

 

To the “some” who told Jesus about the Galileans in verse 1, Jesus told them the same thing twice. See verse 3 and verse 5.

 

Repent or you will perish.  Repent means to turn from something and go in the complete opposite direction, and the implication is urgency.  Do it now!

 

As it relates to salvation, repent.  Turn from your lie that you can save yourself and turn to Christ alone who can save.

 

As it relates to sanctification or becoming more like Jesus, repent.  Turn from your sin of coveting or disobedience or immorality or lying or pride and turn to Jesus and His way.

 

In the parable of the fig tree, bearing fruit is equivalent to repenting.  God saved you to bear fruit.  If you aren’t bearing fruit, has God saved you?

 

Apart from the rapture, every single person will die and be judged. Either you will be judged for your sins or Jesus will be judged for your sins.  See Hebrews 9:27.

 

27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.

 

Third, repent today, and God is patient not wanting anyone to be judged for their own sins.  See 2 Peter 3:9.

 

9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

 

God’s desire is for you to repent today.  Turn to Jesus today.

 

 

Conclusion

Why do bad things happen to good people?  The truth is that it is hard to know, but rather than getting stuck there, will you turn from your sin and self and turn to Jesus today?