BiblicalMastery Buddy's bible blog

Lesson 56

Real Authority

Luke 20:1-20

Most of us probably have a love hate relationship with the idea of authority. Everyone of us live under some type of it whether it is the government or the place we work. I guess because of my nature where I question so many things I have had my run in with those over me. This has been especially true when they have exhibited a lack of true leadership skills. I have a great respect for those I consider great leaders. If I could back in history it would have been interesting to work for George Washington for instance. His character qualities are something that I should strive to emulate. That is one of the primary reasons that I read biographies of those who lived at the beginning of the founding of this country.

There is another type of authority that comes into play. It has to do more with the truthfulness of the words that one says or writes. The best in man still reflects the truths of those who have gone before them. There are certain writers that I admire and read because I believe they are men of integrity and have thoroughly researched what they are presenting. They have lived out the words that they put on paper in their own lives. One point needs to be made even of the most prolific writer or speaker. Everything they present has been learned because of the knowledge or wisdom imparted to them by those who came before them. When I think of my own writing I know that there is probably not an original idea in my head that someone else along the way has not previously expressed. I am thankful to be able draw on their experiences and learning to develop my thoughts. The fact a person has been willing to dedicate his or her life to master a particular field of study humbles me. The work they have done allows me to benefit from their accumulated knowledge.

Many of you have heard me say that author so and so said or in a book I just read the author presented a particular defense of his own point of view. To keep learning I read those authorities that stretch my thinking who make me a stronger person. There has been only one person who did not have to depend on what others thought to teach the truth.

The church is certainly not exempt from the kind of abuse of power that we see in the Pharisees and Sadducees. For centuries the catholic church held its people in complete domination as one corrupt Pope after another used his power for personal gain. In recent years both the Catholic church and protestant churches have seen the moral failings of those in positions of authority. Man is fallible and needs to truly put himself under the authority and leadership of Jesus Christ. Any other path is a prescription for failure. George Barna did a survey a number of years ago that discovered that well under 50 percent of pastors believed the had the gift of leadership. Yet we put these men into that very position because they have been trained in some Bible Institution. We expect them to succeed in a position for which they may be ill equipped to handle. Today we will begin to see how men who had received the best training still did not know the truth they were suppose to be teaching.

Luke 20:1-2

It is interesting that the lawyers (Scribes), the Sadducees and other religious leaders did not see the procession into Jerusalem as grounds to get rid of Jesus. They needed evidence that would incriminate Him as a law breaker which would allow them to destroy Him. Their next tactic was to get Him to blaspheme the name of God by claiming to be His Son. To accomplish this they sent to Him a contingent of religious leaders

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to trap with His own words. They asked Him who gave Him authority to march into Jerusalem, overturn the money tables and teach the things He continued to teach. Their question came from their point of reference. They had been trained in the best of the Rabbinic tradition and He would have had a minimal education at best. His very teaching confounded them because like most today they could only quote what someone who was an authority had to say on the subject being discussed. Jesus did not need to depend on others because He was speaking under the authority of God.

1. Why did the religious leaders not see the ride into Jerusalem as grounds to bring charges against Jesus? (The journey was a picture of the Messiah coming but Jesus did not verbally make that claim.)

2. Why did the Pharisees in particular raise the question of Jesus’ qualifications? (They would not dare to teach other than what had been taught by the ancient Rabbi’s who they saw as authorities.)

3. What was different about the teaching of Jesus?

4. What are we to do to be well grounded in any subject? (Study as much as possible of what is written by those who are genuinely knowledgeable into a particular subject.)

5. What are the subjects that interest you the most?

6. Who do you consider authorities in that particular area? Why?

Luke 20:3-4

Knowing the motive behind the question Jesus did not answer their question. To have done so would have set up a confrontation that would have ended His life before the time set by the Father. As He had said many times before His hour had not yet come. Instead of answering them He posed a question to them which would determine His response. He asked them to explain where John the Baptist had gotten his authority since he also had not attended the Rabbinic schools. He wanted to know whether the baptism that he had performed was it divinely ordained or did John do it on his own.

1. Why did Jesus not answer their question directly?

2. What was the motive behind it?

3. Why did Jesus ask them about the ministry of John?

4. In what ways were Jesus and John the Baptist alike? (Their work was ordained by God and not man. Neither had the proper credentials to do what they were doing. In the eyes of the religious leaders they were disqualified because of their lack of education.)

5. Why did Jesus speak specifically of the baptisms performed by John? (That was his primary ministry to call people to repentance and point them to Jesus.)

6. What does Jesus method of dealing with those men tell us about the way we should respond when asked about our faith? (Sometimes we need to discern what the inquirer means by his or her question.)

Luke 20:5-7

The question presented a dilemma for the men. There was only one correct answer of course but they had to confer with each other about their decision. In their minds neither of the answers would have gotten them off the hook with the people or God. The two choices were:

• It was from heaven. To say that would beg the question why then had they rejected John’s call to repentance?

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• It was from man. Because the people believed that John had been sent by God they would stoned the religious leaders for misrepresenting him.

In order to protect themselves they pleaded ignorance. In other words they had no opinion one way or the other. It would be equivalent today of “taking the fifth amendment” to hide one’s guilt.

1. What quandary did this present for the religious leaders?

2. Why could they not bring themselves to answer the question truthfully?

3. What may have been some situations in which you have found yourselves in the same dilemma?

4. Why did the men answer as they did? (They were afraid of the people either way.)

5. When have you answered as they did?

6. How did you feel afterwards?

7. Did you do anything to correct your error? What? (Probably by asking these last three questions may have caused some of us to remember a time we would prefer to forget.)

Luke 20:8

Because they would not answer the simple question, Jesus felt no obligation to fall into the trap they had set for Him. Surely if they did not recognize John for who he was, they would not have accepted any explanation that Jesus might present to reveal Himself. He had already done enough in the three years of His ministry to convince anyone of His identity if had just chosen to be open to receive the gospel. They did not know John and as Jesus had told them before they did not know Him or His Father. See John 5:33-47

1. Why did Jesus feel no obligation to answer them?

2. What should have been the evidence that Jesus was who He said He was? (See John 5:33)

3. How did the religious leaders miss it?

4. Before you became a follower of Christ how did you ignore the evidence that was available to you?

5. What does it take to receive Christ and His good news?

Luke 20:9-15a

Immediately in Luke’s gospel Jesus launches into a parable which clearly pointed out the history of the Jewish people, especially the religious leaders of that day. God is represented in the man who planted a vineyard which symbolizes Israel. The vine-growers who were given the privilege of leading of His chosen people in the world. That list would have included men like Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon and the kings of Israel. Some of those men were righteous while others worship idols and led the people astray. The long period of time would encompass the time from Israel becoming His people until the time of Christ. Since God was the owner of the vineyard He rightfully would have expected His people to love and honor Him. Rather than producing the fruit of that relationship they turned their backs on Him in complete disobedience.

God sent His prophets to bring the people back to Him. They would not listen to the words from God and mistreated and killed the messengers from God. Finally, He had one more person to send. If anyone was to be respected and accepted as the messenger of God it surely would be the son. The vine-growers however decided to kill him thinking that by eliminating him the vineyard would be theirs to keep. The son in this parable was Jesus who the religious leaders and many in land rejected.

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The men did exactly as they had planned. They threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. This is the picture of the crucifixion. Jesus was crucified outside of the city.

1. In what ways is this parable a picture of the breath of Jewish history?

2. Who were the different characters in the narrative?

3. If the parable was written today how do you think it would be written?

4. Why did the vine-growers want the vineyard to themselves?

5. Who are some of the vine-growers today?

6. In what ways are they still trying to crucify Jesus?

7. What can anyone do about it?

Luke 20:15b-16a

Jesus then asked a direct question to all who were standing there. He wanted to know what God would do with the religious leaders and the nation of Israel because of their deeds. The question was a rhetorical one. Obviously, there was but one choice the people would face the wrath of God. They would be destroyed and the vineyard itself would come under the rule of others. He also pointed to the new vineyard the church when speaking of it being given to others.

1. What does the question Jesus asked say about God’s response to a people who totally reject Him?

2. Why could He rightfully carry out the judgment? (They were judging themselves as we have seen by their history.)

3. What can we in the United States expect if we continue down the path we are traveling?

4. What can turn it around?

5. In what ways do you think it might be too late? (Snowballs do not generally get smaller when going downhill. We are fulfilling prophecy found in the New Testament especially as written in 2 Timothy and 2 Peter.)

Luke 20:16b

How could Jesus make such a statement. Surely God would not do anything to His chosen people. After all had He not spoken the covenant back in the days of Abraham and Moses. Once again Jesus turned to the word of God to answer them. He took the words from Psalm 118:22 and applied it to the Sanhedrin and Himself. He was the cornerstone which they had rejected. Without a perfect cornerstone the whole building would be out of line. The religious leaders did not believe that they needed anyone to tell them what to do. They therefore were casting aside the very One who could give them life. The first thing they had done was to trip over Him. He could not be avoided and kept getting in their way. Jesus then spoke of their final judgment and destruction. It was about forty years from that time that the city of Jerusalem was completely destroyed and the religious life of the Jews was forever changed.

1. Why did the Jews believe that nothing was going to happen to them?

2. In what ways do we have that same attitude today?

3. Why did Jesus use Psalm 118 to describe the situation? (It would point the importance of that stone by which everything was measured but was considered unfit according to the standards of the people.)

4. What was the clear picture to He painted for the people? (Judgment was to come.)

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Luke 20:19-20

The parable angered the religious leaders because they had understood that it had been about them. They wanted to arrest Him at that time but they were afraid of the people as they had been in their response to John’s authority. Their primary tactic was to send some of their associates to spy on Him. They were to try and catch him saying something that could use against Him. They had given up on seeking to trap Him in breaking some point of the law of the Jews. At that point they were attempting to formulate a case against Him that would get Him in trouble with the Roman government.

1. Why did the religious leaders want to arrest Jesus? (They understood that it was a clear representation of them put out where all the world could observe.)

2. Why were they afraid of the people? (Above all else they were self-preservationists. They were not about to do anything that would put themselves in a bad light and cause themselves injury.)

3. Why did they send others to attempt to trap Jesus? (Jesus knew them and their methods.)

4. Why had they given up on executed Him themselves? (They could find no fault with Him in regards to the Law of Moses?

5. Why were they so determined to get rid of Jesus? (He had called into question their authority and destroyed their credibility was the teachers of truth.)

• Remember there are two types of authority The one has to do with ruling over another. We may not have any choice because it happens in all organizations. The second has to do with someone who has great knowledge of a particular subject. This is the area where we are to take great care in choosing whom we decide to believe.

• Look at the testimonies of those who know an individual before deciding to follow them.

• Spend considerable time searching the Bible to determine if the teaching you hear is is correct.

• Use your mind in searching for the truth before committing yourself to Christ. Salvation is simple but not easy.

• Do not be deceived by those who declare themselves as experts. Remember that the old characterization of one is a drip under pressure. His assertions need to be tested to validate them.

As an example of the way a church should view authority can be found in the process that was used by our church to select the Elders that now compose the Elder Team. The church began by rewriting the by-laws to set in motion the change that allowed for a Elder led church. A number of sessions were held laying out the qualifications of the men who would be selected for that position. The church leaned heavily on the teaching of Paul in both 2 Timothy 3 and Titus plus Acts 6. The church then presented names to the deacons and the Pastor Search Committee. Each man was asked to fill out a detailed questionaire and was then interviewed by the above mentioned two groups. After the interviews five men were presented to the church for approval. The six elder was added when the Teaching Elder was called to the church.

I went through this process to show the diligence of the church to make sure that the men selected were in their minds were qualified to have authority to lead the church. Since that time the church still has the power to hold these men accountable. As important is the standard to which the men hold themselves and each other. We need to be ever diligent to make sure that our leaders always hold to the standards set by Christ.

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Lesson 55

The Road Less Travelled

Luke 19:28-48

One of my interests over the years is looking at myself and others to see how we carry out the purpose of God. A number of years ago I wrote a paper which I titled “Will, Process and Purpose.” In it I looked at how the will of God relates to actually doing what He called us to do. Wrong or right I took John 6:40 which reads, “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day,” as the foundation upon which we carry out the purpose for our lives. What I have discovered is the purpose may be completely different from what we expected. Most of us think that it is what we have to do in the moment that makes a difference in our lives and others. This may not be true at all.

Many of us remember the shooting at Columbine High School. One name stands out against the backdrop of that horrible event. The life of Cassie Bernall was taken that day, but it lived on because of her story. Her faith in the face of danger has encouraged countless others over the years when facing struggles of their own. Just within the last month a sixteen year young lady died of heart disease. Her father wrote a glowing testimony to her faith and how she had touched so many lives. As hard to think about sometimes the purpose of God brings death so that others may have life. Fortunately, most of us have not been called to make that supreme sacrifice, but that very fact does not mean that we are free from God’s calling on our lives.

I titled this lesson “The Road Less Travelled” because quite often we drift through life never putting forth the effort to discover why God gave us spiritual gifts, heart, passions, abilities, a particular personality and experiences. Jesus in John 12:27 as much as He shrunk back from the horror of what He was about to face said, “Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.” Jesus knew that He had come to earth to die for the sin of mankind. It is incumbent on me to find out and put into practice my place in His working out history to His glory.

There are few churches that reach everyone. Some are suited for young families, singles, baby boomers, or older members. One of the importances of discovering the vision for the church is to determine the group or groups which fit into the resources available to you. There was a book written a number of years ago by Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger titled “Simple Church.” One of the warnings in that book was to not to attempt to do too many things but do a few things well. Many churches have yet to determine the purpose for which God has placed them in a strategic place and time for the furtherance of His kingdom. Sadly, those churches because they are made up of individuals who do not understand God’s call on their lives cannot give direction to the church. The Bible gives us a clearcut message and a command to share it with the world. Quite often we fail to even carry out this task and wonder why we do not grow spiritually or numerically. Jesus went to Jerusalem for the church knowing it would cost Him His life. What sacrifice are we willing to make to purposely carry that good news to the world?

Luke 19:28-29a

Jesus was about to enter Jerusalem headed for a collision course with the religious leaders and ultimately the power of Rome under Pontius Pilate. He had finished His teachings with those who

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were following Him. Now ahead there lay before Him a climatic end to His earthly life. It was to begin with a ride into Jerusalem that would proclaim to the world the fact that He was indeed the Messiah of the world. He would so by riding in on a donkey. Mount Olivet just north and east of Bethany and Bethphage would be where His trip into the city would begin. The town of Bethany would become His home base for the next few days. Bethany was about two miles outside the city and was the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. It was from the vicinity of Mt. Olivet that He sent His disciples into Bethany to get the donkey upon which He would ride into Jerusalem.

1. Why did He feel free to make this journey? (He had finished teaching the crowds all that He was ready to share at that point in time.)

2. What did it mean for Jesus to continue on to Jerusalem?

3. What has been an event in your life that called for a decision that could bring hurt to yourself or someone you loved?

4. How did you handle it?

5. What kind of statement was Jesus about to make?

Luke 19:29b-32

Jesus then sent two of His disciples into the village of Bethany. His instruction was to locate a donkey colt which had never been ridden and bring it to Him. He told them where to find it and what to do if they were questioned about the reason for taking it away. Their answer was to be “ The Lord has need of it.” When they arrived they found everything as Jesus had said it would be. Some writers believe that this whole event had been set up by Jesus ahead of time. It may be true but Jesus had not been in that area for some time so how could it had been preplanned? It must be noted that to ride into a city on a donkey would signify the coming of a king not on a horse which would indicate war or conquest but as a king of peace and love. He was saying by His actions that He was the king although of a kingdom that the people did not understand.

1. Why did Jesus not go into Bethany Himself to retrieve the donkey colt? (It would delay His trip because the people would want Him to teach and heal them.)

2. How did He know that they would find the animal right where He said it would be? (Either as the Son of God He just knew or He had preplanned the event.)

3. Which do you believe is more accurate?

4. What do you think of the statement, “The Lord has need of it?”

5. What claim would He be making by riding into the city on a donkey?

6. What would this do to the thinking of the disciples? (It would fuel the flame of the conquering king.)

Luke 19:33-34

When they entered the village they found the situation just as Jesus had described. They proceeded to follow His instructions to the letter. Sure enough as would be expected the owners questioned them about what they were attempting to do. They gave the answer that Jesus had given them. The owners then allowed them to take the donkey back to Jesus.

1. How would you react if total strangers came up to you and wanted to borrow something from you?

2. What did the answer the disciples gave satisfy them?

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3. What were they expecting to happen at any time?

4. What in essence were the men doing? (They were making a sacrifice of the colt because they had no assurance that they would ever get it back again unless they followed the entourage to Jerusalem.)

Luke 19:35-38

As Jesus began His journey the people treated Him as a king. They not only put coats on the donkey so He would be more comfortable but laid their coats on the road to make travel smoother. Jesus crested the mount and began His descent toward Jerusalem. It was at that point that the people began to understand that something special was taking place and joined in with those surrounding Jesus as He travelled. They began praising Him, crying out with joy, shouting “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.” which came from Psalm 118:26. Other accounts tell of the people going out along the roadside to cut down palm branches to lay in His path. All of this had been prophesied several hundred years earlier by the prophet Zechariah. (See Zechariah 9:9) Jesus accepted the adulation knowing that He was king, but also realizing how soon the praise could turn into jeers. John 2:24-25 tells what may have been going through the mind of Jesus during that short period of time. John wrote, “But Jesus, on His part was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.” Jesus alone knew what lay ahead for Him.

1. Who did the people think Jesus was at that moment?

2. Why did Jesus allow the people to praise Him?

3. What may have been the thoughts of Jesus as He viewed the whole scene?

4. Why did I use the verses from John 2?

5. What does it say about us? (We really do not know ourselves as well as we think we do.)

6. What may have been the occasion when cheers turned to jeers?

7. What does it show about man?

Luke 19:39

Not everyone was filled with joy at the scene playing out before them. Among the throng of people were some Pharisees. No doubt they were to spy on Jesus. When the heard the praise that was been heaped on their enemy, Jesus, they demanded that He get control of the crowd and quiet them down. What they really wanted was for Jesus to admit that the crowd had no reason to bless and praise Him. Jesus responded with a stinging retort. If the people did not recognize Him all of creation would be singing His praises. It was His moment to bring the people together to acknowledge Him as king even if at that time they did not understand the full meaning of that kingdom.

1. Why were the Pharisees among the crowd?

2. Why did they demand that Jesus stop the worship of the crowd?

3. When have been times when people have tried to rain on your parade because of your excitement and passion about your faith?

4. What was Jesus implying? (He could not or would not stop the praise of the people for what God was doing.)

5. What did He mean by speaking of the rocks crying out? (Man is not the only one who benefits from the work of God. Paul talks in Romans 8 about the release of all creation from the ravages and curse of sin.)

6. When confronted with the things of God who you are more like, the crowd or Pharisees? Why?

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Luke 19:41-42

Even though Jesus had anticipated that day the reality of what was to come for the nation of Israel and Jerusalem in particular broke His heart. He began to weep when He thought how different the history of the Jews might be if they had not rejected the One who bring peace to their lives. There would be no second chance to receive what Jesus offered the first time He lived on earth. They will have to wait to end of time before understanding that Jesus indeed was the Messiah.

1. Why did the reality of what was going to take place for the Jews impact Jesus so hard? (It could all have been prevented?

2. Why would the whole nation suffer? (For the most part they had rejected Jesus.)

3. What are some things that would cause you to weep because of decisions made?

4. What would have changed their future?

Luke 19:43-44

Jesus then became a prophet as He spoke of the future of the nation who had refused to hear His message. He spelled out what would occur in within forty years after His death. The nation would face destruction at the hands of the Romans. Their enemy would:

• Build barricades

• Surround them and hem them in

• Level to the ground the city

• Destroy the city so that not one stone would remain upon another.

All these things would occur because they had not recognized that God had come to earth and lived among them. This was especially devastating because the One who could have provided them the peace and salvation was there among them.

1. What prophecies did Jesus share with those around Him?

2. How was what He said going to affect many within the hearing of those words that day? (Many would still be alive less than forty years later.)

3. What do you believe about prophecy?

4. Which of them bother you the most? Why?

5. What had He offered them that they had missed?

6. What will happen if we ignore so great a salvation?

Luke 19:45-46

The first act of Jesus upon coming into Jerusalem was to drive out those who worth providing sacrifices for a price. This practice in itself was not wrong because the Levitical law spoke of those who lived to far from the city chosen by God to sell the animals in their hometown and go to the place where the tabernacle was and purchase what was needed to give an offering to God. What disturbed Jesus was the way it was being handled. Those providing sacrifices were charging exorbitant prices and refusing to accept the animals that had been brought along by the worshippers as fit for sacrifice.

Jesus quoted Scripture as His authority to cleanse the Temple. The quote is found in Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11.

1. Why did Jesus cleanse the temple?

2. How do we sometimes change something begun as a needed service into a selfish endeavor?

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3. How did the sellers corrupt the system?

4. What care are we to take to be sure that we do not corrupt any thing God calls the church to do?

5. How are we to approach God’s church? (With integrity)

Luke 19:47-48

What He did on the first day was followed by His continuing teaching in the Temple. More than ever the religious leaders were looking for the opportunity to kill Jesus. The problem for the scribes and other leaders was that Jesus was more popular than ever. The people were “hanging on every word He said.”

1. What does it show about Jesus that He returned to the Temple every day to teach? (Nothing was going to happen outside of God’s timing.)

2. Why did the religious leaders desire to kill Jesus?

3. Why did they not carry out their desires?

4. After prophesying about the destruction of the Temple what would He still have to teach? (The same good news. Although the city would be destroyed there would still be many who would become His followers?

5. If those people could not get enough of Jesus’ teaching what does it say about the way we should view all Scripture?

• Be willing to take the road less travelled if it means to compromise your faith.

• Always make sure that the praise you give to God is genuine and not because everyone else may be doing.

• Remember to always speak the word of truth no matter the circumstances.

• Be prepared to meet opposition of Christianity with knowledge from God’s word.

• Remember that popularity is fleeting but the relationship with Christ gives real meaning to life.

We have to think about the climate of our church. What are we really like? What is the culture that is prevalent among us? What are the ministries that we consider priorities? To be effective we have to consider whether our focus is our God and how to fight the tendency to be just a place where we come to have a good time with our friends. Thankfully, Our church is one which trying to understand what it truly means to please God. It is a fact that the church that transforms life is the one which takes the gospel seriously. To do so takes dedicated people who are willing to go against the current direction of society and walk the road less travelled. It is so easy to allow the world to infiltrate the church. Followers of Christ are to be those who permeate the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Christ began is road in Bethlehem and it ended up at Calvary.  He gave His all so that we could have life.  In the first couple of paragraphs I mentioned that Jesus told those around Him that the purpose for which He had come.  He did all that the Father ask Him to do.  Should we not consider what Paul said as a rallied cry of the way to do church.  “For to me, to live is Christ.”  Phil. 1:21 .  Are we to do less with the calling God has issued to every single one of the followers of Christ.

Lesson 54

Responsible Gift Use

Luke 19: 11-27

One of the passages of Scripture that has been an inspiration to me is found in 1 Corinthians 9:16-17. There Paul wrote, “For if I preach (in my case teach) the gospel, I have nothing to boast of , for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach (teach) the gospel. For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.” To me the key idea is that Paul was called and gifted to do the ministry God had planned for him, and he had no choice but to carry out that plan. Otherwise he would been disobedient because he had refused to use his gifts.

For many years this has been my desire. From all indications God has given me the gift to teach which includes putting down on paper what others may use. Because He has given me this drive, I continue to study and read so that the gift will not atrophy. None of the above has been said to draw attention to me because I do not have the ability to do the things I do without being equipped and led by God.

One of the reason that churches often fail or do impact a community is that so few of its members have a desire to know how God has gifted them and then to put those gifts into use for God’s kingdom. In business as well many churches there is what called the Pareto rule. It says that in most organizations twenty percent of the people do eighty percent of the work. No wonder that many ministries suffer from the lack of volunteers. It is always a struggle to fill positions in the area of preschool and children’s ministry. Paul would have never accepted those statistics. He expected everyone to minister according to his abilities. Today Jesus addresses this issue head on using money as a metaphor for gifts.

Luke 19:11

The recent events that had taken place prompted Him to share the parable concerning the proper use of money. He must have thought of:

• The ruler who rejected His call

• The attitudes of the disciples as they could not believe that someone rich would not be saved.

• The way that His disciples tried to keep Bartimaeus away from Him.

• The episode with Zaccheus and the promises made by him to make things right with those he had taxed.

• The continuing misunderstanding of all, including His disciples, of the reason He was heading towards Jerusalem. It was definitely not to set up the earthly kingdom they were expecting.

Luke 19:12-13

The nobleman spoken about in the parable obviously was Jesus. The trip pointed to the ascension and resurrection and preparation for the second coming. The distant land is heaven into which Jesus went and is now. The ten men were representative of those who have been a part His kingdom’s work since the day He left. Those are the people who are waiting for His return. He gave to each one gifts to use until His return. This parable is a variation of ones found in the other synoptic gospels. In each case a distribution of gifts were made. The words of Jesus in this case spoke of an equal amount being provided to each man before the nobleman left on his journey. This would seem to imply that every person who is a follower of Christ receives at least one spiritual gift. The others wrote that Jesus had

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varied the amounts given. The point is that each man is given a gift he is to use and invest wisely in the work of the kingdom.

1. How do we know that Jesus was referring to Himself in this parable? (The narrative follows what has happened and will happen in the future.)

2. Who are the ten men of the parable?

3. How does this telling of the parable differ from the others? (Different amounts were given to each man.)

4. What is clear if you and I are one of the ten men? (God expects us to use all that He has given us wisely.)

5. Why did He in this case make the giving of gifts equal? (It indicates that all believers start on a level playing field.)

6. In what ways do the other parable of this type present a more realistic picture? (Every man is gifted in different ways.)

Luke 19:14

In the time of Jesus and every century since there have been men who do not look forward to His return. They would prefer to live their lives according to their own terms. Many like the Jews are looking forward to the coming Messiah, but sadly rejected Him at His first coming and continue to do so.

1. To who was Jesus referring when he spoke of those citizens who hated Him?

2. Why did they not want Him to return?

3. How do men even today show they have that same mindset?

4. What is the problem with that kind of thinking? (The fact is that He is going to return.)

Luke 19:15-19

Jesus only mentions three of the slaves as representative of all of the others. Each received more responsibly as a reward according to the way he used the gift given to him. The first man had invested his mina and it had increased from one to ten. Jesus then put him in charge of ten cities. The second man likewise had done well and had taken the one mina and now returned five to his master. He too was rewarded with the responsibly of five cities.

1. How is this picture of our use of the gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit?

2. What was different about each man?

3. What was the same? (Each performed according to his ability.)

4. Why were each of them put in charge of cities? (They had proven themselves.)

5. Why did Jesus give one ten cities and one five cities? (He wanted them to succeed therefore He gave responsibility according to their abilities.)

6. Why does God give different gifts to those who belong to His church? (So all of the ministries necessary to a healthy environment are present.)

Luke 19:20-21

There was one more man who had been given a mina. When he came forward, unlike the other two men, he brought what he had been given wrapped up for safe keeping. He admitted that the whole time that the nobleman had been gone he had done nothing but hide the mina so it could be returned. It

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would have better for him to have tried to use it and fail than to become before the nobleman with a lame reason for his actions. He told the master that he was afraid of what might happen to him if he brought nothing back to show for his efforts. To him the master was a demanding man who expected results. Rather than doing something he did nothing at all.

1. In what way was this third man the same as the others at the outset of the parable?

2. Which is worse in the eyes of God to fail at something or not to try at all?

3. What happens in our failures if we trust in Christ? (He uses our failures to show how He can bring about successes.)

4. What does his actions show of his character? (He was unwilling to risk anything for his master.)

5. In what ways are we sometimes like this third man?

6. What did the master demand of this third man that he had not demanded of the others?

Luke 19:22-23

The man should have listened to what he was saying. By his words he showed his disloyalty to the master by not trying to do everything that would have pleased him. In the same way that it was said God hardened Pharaoh’s heart which meant He agreed with the words of the king the nobleman told his slave that his own words condemned him. Sadly for the man the advice of the nobleman about the mina came too late. He told the slave that the one thing he could have done was at least put the mina someplace where it could have earned interest. The man was so worried about preserving himself that he was paralyzed by that fear to do anything of a positive nature. Because he had violated the trust of the nobleman he was not worthy to even remain in his house but was cast out. This is a picture of those who take what the Lord has given them and refused to show the commitment it takes to be His follower. He basically walks through life with without investing the time and energy it takes to be a worker in God’s kingdom.

1. How did the man judge himself?

2. How do we bring judgment on ourselves?

3. What happens when we choose to be disobedient?

4. When has there been a time when you were paralyzed by the fear of failure?

5. Upon whom does the responsibility fall of being excluded from God’s kingdom?

6. Why would God allow us to be excluded from His kingdom? (We choose our future by our acceptance or rejection of His Son.)

7. What are some of the ways do we show that we are rejecting the claims of Christ on our lives?

Luke 19:24

Then the nobleman did a strange thing. He told those who were there to take the mina from the man and give it to the one who already had ten minas. The men could not understand his reasoning. They said to him, “Master, he has ten minas already.”

1. What do you think of the actions of the nobleman?

2. How would you have handled the situation?

3. Why did the nobleman take what was his and give it to the slaves?

4. In what ways is this what Christ has done for us?

5. Why can the world not understand what Christ has done for His people?

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Luke 18:26

Jesus then stated one of the principles of the kingdom. He told the people, those who have a great deal will be given more. Those who have little will have it taken away from them. The meaning for each person is simple if one uses the gifts, abilities and resources that God gives him then they will become stronger and better able to serve Him greater ways. This clearly relates to the exercise of one’s body and mind. As one works his capacity to accomplish more increases.

Conversely, to not use what God has given will cause one to lose the ability to accomplish the tasks given to him. As muscles atrophy from lack of use so can man’s spirit dry up until he is of no value to God. In other words the old saying is true, if you snooze you lose.

1. Why are people who achieve much given more responsibility?

2. What some of the things you can lose if you do not use them?

3. What examples can you give that shows how you grow in your faith?

4. What gift has God given you?

5. How are you using it to serve the Lord?

Luke 18:27

Because Jesus was speaking a parable about those things could be an everyday occurrence, He included the way one who had power and authority might handle those citizens who hated him and rejected his rule over them. He had shown his compassion in dealing with the slaves but now a different matter was before him. Those men who hated him faced the consequences of their actions. They were probably counting on him not returning. Death was the final judgment of those men. The same can be said for those who refuse to follow Jesus. They will face the ultimate judgment brought on by their own actions. The death they will experience is no made up tale but real and for eternity.

There is a contrast in this parable. The slaves who were faithful to the master were rewarded for their efforts. Everyone else fit into the same category. They were unfaithful and disobedient which led to judgment. Man today will face one of the two alternatives spoken about in the parable, either life eternal in heaven or in hell.

1. How do individuals show their hatred for Jesus?

2. In what ways do we show our disobedience of Jesus although we might even be church members?

3. Why was Jesus so strong in His language describing the ultimate judgment of the men?

4. Who actually brings judgment on men? (They themselves by their actions.)

5. What does your future hold?

• Seek to discover your spiritual gift or gifts.

• Look for opportunities to grow the gift that you have been given.

• Live your life as if Christ could return any moment.

• Work in such a way that others will be drawn to Jesus.

• Pray for strength when the going seems difficult and depend on the strength that is available through Christ.

The Lord has given the church all of the resources it needs to carry out the ministry to which He has

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called them to accomplish. We need to be careful that we do not squander them. What the church has to offer is more important than any thing the world has to offer. The good news we have can only be shared if we are prepared to do so. It is the responsibility of the church to help followers of Christ to grow in active and vital workers in God’s kingdom. Sadly in the church there are those who take for granted christianity and do nothing to show that they truly believe. They are content to attend sparingly and never attempt to serve in any way. Jesus in the parable spoke of those were apathetic about the gift they had been presented. Although a person can never lose his or her salvation each of us will be held accountable for what we do. We must work the work of Him who called us as long as it is day.

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Lesson 53

All Little People In a Tree

Luke 19:1-10

As a young person I like playing sports. I probably realized that other than in my mind I did not have the talents and abilities to be a great athlete. Having said that one thing about sports I always dreaded was the inevitable choosing of sides. For all of non stars I did not ever want to be chosen last. Even worse than that would be one of the last two and someone would say you go to that team and the other person would just be put on the opposite side. If this begins to occur in other venues of life where you are the fill-in to make a team of whatever complete one begins to wonder about his or her worth.

Probably many of us have experienced those types of situations. I am not alone in feeling slighted by the unfeeling captains of the team. Thankfully there is one person in this world who thought me of some worth. That person is my wife who chose to marry me, love me and give me encouragement. There is someone who loves me even more than she does. It does not make any difference whether I have be selected for any earthly position He still died for me and has accepted me as part of His eternal family. I would exchange that security for anything else the world has to offer.

There are probably people who you know or who may even be sitting in the church on any given Sunday who have experienced the same kind of rejection and discouragement in their pursuit of just wanting to be recognize as of value. All of us have hurts and needs that can only be healed by Christ’s followers who gently do all in their power to make sure that a person does not turn from Christ because we chose not consider them important enough for Jesus to love and forgive. Any time we do acknowledge the presence of a person we are saying we do not want you to be a part of our fellowship. There are more men like Zaccheus in the world than we realize who may appear to be little in our eyes but God uses a different yardstick to measure them.

Luke 19:1-3

Luke recounts the story of Zaccheus. Not a lot is known about other than his occupation as a tax-collector, his wealth and his stature. There is another facet that made what was going to happen even more exciting. For whatever reason as Jesus passed through the city the man decided he wanted to see Him. It could have been just out of curiosity or the Holy Spirit was working his life as He had been in Bartemaeus. The problem he had was two fold. He was very short even in comparison with height of the people of Jesus day which would made it impossible to see over the heads of others. His other dilemma came as a result of his profession.

The tax-collectors of that day were despised because of their relationship with Romans and the fact that many of them were unscrupulous individuals who had no problem taking advantage of their position to become wealthy. One other aspect of Zaccheus’s life made what Jesus did for him even more impressive. He very possibly not only small in stature but also a little man inside. His choice of profession could have conceivably been a cover up for his ithe insecurity he felt. It gave him a chance to lord it over of his detractors. To them he would have appeared as cold and arrogant. Therefore as Zaccheus tried to position himself to see Jesus the crowd would have refused to let him through and may have even taken the opportunity to take a few jabs at him.

1. What do we know about Zaccheus?

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2. Why was he so hated by the people?

3. Why did he want to see Jesus? (Two possibilities might be curiosity and the Holy Spirit led him to that place that day.)

4. When has been a time in your life about wanted to see Jesus in God’s word?

5. What happened to that passion?

Luke 19:4

Zaccheus was not to be deterred. Because the crowd would not allow him to get to the front he changed his tactic. He raced ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree which would give the vantage point he needed to see Jesus as he passed by. It was no way that Zaccheus could have anticipated what happened next.

1. What do you think of the actions of Zaccheus?

2. Why would the crowd allow him to get close enough to see Jesus?

3. Has there ever been a time when you have been a hindrance to someone coming to Jesus? Explain

4. In what ways do you show the kind of passion to be in the presence of Jesus that Zaccheus did?

Luke 19:5-6

When Jesus arrived where Zaccheus was in the tree, He did as He had done for Bartemaeus. He stopped and acknowledged the presence of the little man and commanded him to come down quickly. Then came the words that Zaccheus probably had trouble believing. The man Jesus wanted to go and spend time in his home.

Zaccheus did not hesitate to obey the command of Jesus. Immediately he came down and took Jesus into home.

1. Why did Jesus stop? (It could have been that anyone who had gone to such effort to see Him deserved and audience.)

2. How could Jesus had known his name? (Some in the crowd may have pointed him out. Better yet the Holy Spirit pointed him out.)

3. What was your feelings when you first that call of the Holy Spirit to follow Jesus?

4. How were some the things that happened to you when you came to Christ?

5. In what way is what Zaccheus did for Jesus a picture of the relationship we are to have with Him.

Luke 19:7

As usual there were the detractors of Jesus present. They began to grumble once again Jesus was spending time with a sinner. In their minds Zaccheus would have been the worse kind of sinner because of his affiliation with the hated Romans.

1. Who may have been among the critics of the actions of Jesus?

2. Why would Jesus risk the grumblings that came to his ears?

3. What would keep you from associated with someone like Zaccheus?

4. Why would Zaccheus be the worse possible person that Jesus have chosen to visit?

5. How would have responded?

6. What does that say about you?

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Luke 19:8

How different was Zaccheus’ response when Jesus called and came to spend time with him. He made two specific promises. He was going to:

• Give half of possessions to the poor.

• Repay anyone who he had defrauded four fold.

Looking back at the rich young ruler, what a contrast is seen in the actions of Zaccheus as compared to the other man. The young ruler refused to give up anything to follow Jesus. Here Zaccheus was willing to give until he had nothing for the opportunity to follow Jesus.

1. How were the actions of Zaccheus and the ruler different?

2. What did Zaccheus mean by his words? (He was willing to give all for the sake of Jesus.)

3. What are you willing to give up for Jesus?

4. What are the things that you have trouble releasing?

Luke 19:9-10

Jesus did not respond to the promises of Zaccheus. He spoke of the transformation of his heart that had caused him to be willing to give up everything. Without a change of heart he would only be doing what the rich ruler was trying to do, earn his way into heaven. Jesus saw that there was a difference in the life of Zaccheus. A change that had not been there before. Even though the people would have written him off Jesus saw him as a child of Abraham in need of salvation. That should have been a clear message to those who grumbling that if God could save the worse of sinners then they too needed to come to Christ for His grace. If that message was not clear Jesus emphasized why He had come. He came to save to find those who were lost and provide a new life for every man.

1. Why did Jesus not respond directly to the words of Zaccheus? (The money was not the issue but the heart.)

2. What did Jesus see in Zaccheus that made Him speak of salvation and not good deeds?

3. What made Zaccheus different than the rich ruler? (The obvious change of heart.)

4. What does this say about every person? (Everyone stands in the need of Jesus?

5. What was He saying about those standing around grumbling?

6. What is the important message in the last words of Jesus to all standing there?

7. In what ways are you thankful for Jesus coming to seek and to save?

• It is important to remember that you are never to lose your passion for being with Jesus.

• Remember that Jesus does not look at the exterior but at the heart of man.

• You are never to be an obstacle to those seeking to come to Jesus or block their way.

• You must understand that only when your heart is transformed that you will find salvation.

• All of the things of this world will pass away only that which is eternal will last.

• Be willing to stop what you are doing to meet the needs of others.

The church is no place for grumblers. We must remember what Christ has done for each of us to let it show to others who are in search for the truth. Zaccheus should be our example because he was not willing to give up on his quest until he had seen Jesus. The church is for those who are willing to hear what Christ can do in their lives. One last point needs to be made. It is not we who seek Christ but He is the one who is pursuit and chooses to be part of His kingdom.

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Lesson 52

Where Are We Headed?

Luke 18:31-43

The unexpected can hit us at any time. This past Sunday We had our family over so my mother could see her new great grandson. It was a special time for us to see her hold the new baby. Little did we know at that time that less than twenty four hours later she would have a stroke. It really hit hard to have to make decisions that could affect if she had the possibility of recovering and at same time knowing that decision could cause her death. Someone said that it is much easier to decide if it is someone else’s family or friend. It is much more difficult when it hits so close to home. Even now my family is starting to grieve at the possible loss of one we all love so dear.

Not on the same level of course but real just the same is the loss to a church of a loved and respected leader. We have all read accounts of a congregation be shocked to hear the pastor announce from the pulpit that he is leaving to take another position at another church. The church then goes through the turmoil of dealing with their loss. There are immediate questions that arise about the future of the church. Sadly, like death few churches prepare for the inevitable that is going to occur. At some point there is going to be a change in leadership through resignations, death or illnesses that no longer allow the leader to serve. As Jesus expressed to His disciples.

Luke 18:31

The previous episode with the ruler and Jesus’ proclamation concerning the rich had left the disciples confused at best. They had determined their future based on the idea that Jesus was going usher in a new kingdom in which they would be the one’s in power with Him. That new status would have certainly brought with it financial security. Jesus could not allow that fallacy to continue so he pulled them away from the crowds and once again told them were lay ahead for Him.

His beginning words may have led them to believe that everything was going according to their plans. He said that He was going up to Jerusalem. From that point they were not on the same page. Jesus said that all the prophesies about Him were about to be fulfilled. The question in the minds of the disciples probably tended to drift to those that spoke of the Davidic kingdom coming. Jesus of course would have been referring to those that dealt with His death and what that it meant for all mankind.

1. Why did Jesus pull the disciples aside from the crowd? (As was seen when Jesus fed the five thousand men they were getting caught in the ground swell to make Him king. See John 6:14-15)

2. Why would the disciples have been confused about the teachings of Jesus? (He seemed to be undercutting their plans to be a part of His coming kingdom on earth.)

3. What had they hoped their position might be in that kingdom?

4. What might have been their thoughts when Jesus spoke about going up to Jerusalem?

5. What prophesies could they envision Him fulfilling?

6. To which of the prophesies what Jesus referring?

7. What would you have thougtht if you had these words of Jesus?

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Luke 18:32-33a

Jesus began to make clear to them that the journey would not end well for Him. The prophesies of which He had spoken were like those found in Psalm 22, Isaiah 53 and Zacariah 11:12-13; 12:10. His words indicated that even though the Jews were his greatest enemies it would be the Roman authorities that would actually carry out the execution. Psalm 22 speaks of the type of death Jesus would experience hundreds of years before the Romans instituted the practice. The Jews were not allowed to put anyone to death legally except for blasphemy. All of the things Jesus then mentioned was part of what the Romans did to carry out there brand of justice. The guilty one was humiliated and worn down by mocking, beating, being spit on, scourged. To add to all that he was then required to carry the cross beam of the cross out to the spot where he would then be nailed to the cross.

1. How different were the prophesies to which Jesus alluded were different than those in the minds of the disciples?

2. What kind of picture did the Scriptures about paint about the near future of Jesus?

3. How do we know the crucifixion of Jesus was according to prophecy? (Psalm 22 is a clear picture of what happened to the one facing that sentence of death.)

4. How do you handle those things that you consider humiliating to either you or those you know?

Luke 18:33b

After sharing the devastating news of the horror death He was about to face He then gave them what should have been encouraging words. Death on the cross was not final. Jesus then told them that on the third day He would be resurrected.

1. What may have happened if Jesus had completed his words with those of hope?

2. What did it mean for Him to be resurrected?

3. If in deed the resurrection was also a fulfilment of prophecy to what Scripture references can we turn? (Psalm 16, Isaiah 9:6-7, 61:2b which deals with the return of Jesus to rule.)

4. In what way is these words important to you?

Luke 18:34

Luke wrote about the reaction of the disciples. He said that:

• They did not understand any of the words of prophecy.

• The meaning of this statement was hidden from them.

• They did not comprehend the things that were said.

Sometimes there are statements made that are too extraordinary to understand. The disciples had followed Jesus because they believed Him to be the Messiah. He was now undermining the what they had believed Him to be. As they had said they had given up everything for Him They wanted to know what discipleship meant for them. His response was totally unexpected. They did not hear that it would end in hope of a new covenant of grace for all who would believe.

1. Why did the disciples not get what Jesus was saying? (It did not fit in with their plans.)

2. Why do we sometimes not believe words of truth? (They are so incredible that they are hard to accept.

3. Why do we have to hear somethings over and over before we believe them?

4. Why are we not receptive to the truths found in the Scriptures?

Luke 18:35

After speaking the words Jesus continued on His journey towards Jerusalem. Although not said the disciples continued to follow Him along with a large group of people. He approached the city of Jericho which had played a significant role in the Old Testament in the book of Joshua. See Joshua 6 B and 1 Kings 16:34. Since it was only about fifteen miles from the city it had become somewhat of a resort and bedroom community for those who worked in Jerusalem. According to John Phillips, Many of the priests and publican lived there.

The road leading into a popular town would be an ideal spot for beggars. There by the roadside sat a blind beggar. Although Luke does not name the man, Mark indicated that his name was Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46) which meant the son of Timaeus.

1. What are we told about Jericho in the Old Testament?

2. Why was it important in the history of Israel? (First major victory in Canaan.)

3. Why did Joshua put a curse on the city? (Because it represented all that was evil.)

4. Why did Jesus travel that way to Jerusalem? (It was on the main road to Jerusalem.)

5. What other reason can be given? (He was to meet a man named Bartimaeus who needed His help.)

6. In what ways are you on the lookout in your dailey travel for opportunities to minister to others?

Luke 18:36-38

The noise of the crowd would have of course peaked the blind man’s interest. He may at first had thought of it as a real opportunity to receive many alms that day. When that did not happen he began to ask what was going on. The people informed him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing right by where he was. His objective then became to attract the attention of Jesus with hopes of being healed. He began to cry out not for healing but for God’s mercy to be poured out on him. It is interesting to note that he called Jesus the Messiah who was to come from the descendents of David. How he knew that information is not told but there are two possibilities. The first that he had heard about Jesus from many who had witnessed first hand the many works He had done. Secondly, It might have been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that the hope for his salvation was right before him.

1. How would you have reacted if you had been in the place of Bartimaeus?

2. What could been his first reaction? (It was an opportunity to receive a great deal of money.)

3. When that did not happen what did he want to know?

4. How did he equate the name Jesus of Nazareth with Jesus, the Son of David?

5. What was he truly seeking? (Mercy)

6. When have there times when you were so desparate that the only cry of your heart was for God’s mercy?

Luke 18:39

It is possible that those who had hindered the children from coming to Jesus were sternly warning Bartimaeus not to bother Jesus. Since Luke said it was those who were leading the crowd he may have been referring to the disciples. It is amazing how there are those who take it upon themselves to determine what others should do. It is hard to say whether they wanted to protect Him or just did not

want the march toward Jerusalem be delayed. It certainly showed and insensitivity to the hurts and needs of the Bartimaeus’ of the world.

Bartimaeus would not be detered but cried out even more strongly. He knew that this was one and only chance to get to Jesus. The words were the same but probably with more of desparation knowing that Jesus could just ignore him and continue down the road. Like all men he wanted to receive the mercy that can only be received from God.

1. What would indicate that the ones who warned Bartimaeus may have been the disciples?

2. What did they try to keep him away from Jesus?

3. What instances can you name when some has tried to decide for you what you should or should not be doing?

4. What obstacles have people put in your way to keep you from coming to Jesus?

5. What does it show about their character?

6. Why did Bartimaeus continue to cry out?

7. What was his greatest fear?

Luke 18:40-41

Jesus was on the way to face the inevitable consequences of His criticism of the religious leaders with His disciples who still did not understand His determination. In the other gospels they were still dealing with the whole concept of who was going to be the most important leader. In the midst of all of that He stopped. It is hard to imagine with so much on His mind that He would stop. One might not even blame Him for continuing on but He stopped. For all of us life situations keep hitting us in the face with no time allowed to comprehend what lies behind much less what is in front of us. Jesus stopped out of concern for one insignificant blind beggar sitting beside the road.

After stopping, Jesus commanded those who had been so fervent in their efforts to keep the beggar quiet to bring Bartimaeus to Him. As the man came close he was asked the reason he wanted to see Him. It may have appear that it would be obvious what he needed but Jesus wanted to hear if the man the faith to be healed. The man exlaimed, “Lord I want to receive my sight!” His one desire was to be able to see again.

1. Why did the man continue to cry out to Jesus?

2. What are the things about which you are passionate?

3. In what ways is your passion directed toward the things of God?

4. From the verses what gives you the confidence that Jesus has time for you?

5. In what ways can you be barrier to someone coming to Christ?

6. Why did Jesus stop?

7. How is His act of stopping an example for us?

Luke 18:42-43a

Jesus granted his request. More importantly He said that it was the faith of the man that had brought about his healing. Because he was not satisfied with the life of a blind beggar he jumped to his feet at the mention of the One who could provide spiritual and physical sight. His faith brought him to Jesus and as He does with every man He honors that faith which cries to Him. Luke wrote that the man immediately receive his sight.

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Mark paints a power picture that the other gospels leave out. After the healing Jesus told Bartimaeus to Go. To him that could mean only one thing. The place he wanted to be was with Jesus, so he followed Him on the road to Jerusalem and with each step he glorified God.

1. What would being healed mean to Bartimaeus? (He would no longer be a blind beggar.)

2. How did he respond to the call of Jesus?

3. Why did Jesus say that it was faith that brought healing to man?

4. How did faith play out in the mans’s life?

5. How have you responded to the call of Jesus on your life?

6. What difference has it made in you?

7. Who best represents who you are the nine lepers who continued on their to see the priest or the one Samaritan and Bartimaeus?

Luke 18:43b

The whole crowd even those who had discouraged Bartimaeus began to praise God right along with Him. Although not mentioned this probably only reinforced the idea of Jesus being the long awaited Messiah.

1. What changed the attitude of the crowd? (The healing a the praise issuing from the lips of Bartimaeus.)

2. What was the reason they began to praise God? (The healing was evidence to them that Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah.)

3. What are some of the reasons you find yourself praising God?

• As you approach the time of the events of crucifixion and resurrection read again the accounts in all four gospels to focus on what Christ has done for you.

• When people put obstacles in your path do not listen to them or allow them to turn you from Christ.

• Know that your spiritual healing comes by faith alone. When you believe Jesus gives you the grace of salvation.

• Never stop following Jesus.

Unlike the disciples we in the church are to understand what Jesus went through to provide salvation for each of us. He cares enough that He would stop the march of history to provide for our deepest needs. If He will do that for us we need to be sure that we do not erect any obstacles that might keep someone from knowing Him. There are all kinds of barriers to be eliminated. One might be our attitudes towards guests and whether we accept them into the fellowship. Another would be to make sure that the teaching and preaching is true to Scripture. Most of all Jesus wants us to be like Him as we walk through our daily activities. Is there a person who needs a kind word, a smile, or having a hand extended to them in His name. We should receive with open arms the blind and hurting of the world. Who knows that when you least expect it a person will begin to follow Jesus because there was nothing we have done which cause him to walk away.

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Lesson 51

Gaining Heaven

Luke 18:18-30

Probably one the greatest struggles I have is the idea of being good.  Although I may not say it there are times when I put too much focus on me and not on God.  I have learned and understand that salvation has nothing to do with how well I excel in my own mind but what God did for me on the cross that I cannot do for myself.  Thankfully, I have God’s word as a continual reminder of the fact that I am the created one not the creator and the only good that I do is through the Holy Spirit working in me. Christ softens in me what would otherwise be hardness of heart.  I know that I am capable on my human side to do things that might be hurtful to others.  He tempers those tendencies in me because He is more important to me than what I desire. Those things that I desire are often at odds with what He wants to do in my life.  I am so thankful for the grace of His Son.

In today’s world all we have to do is look around to see those churches and parachurch organizations that have twisted the Scripture into a doctrine of man, placing him at the center of all they hope to accomplish and not God.  For example what is known as the prosperity gospel churches teach that man gets because of what he does with his time and money.  Surely, if one contributes his time and personal possessions to God, He will bless them with ever greater wealth.  Salvation seems to be tied to the purse strings.  The one thing that is lacking in their ideology is the truth that God cannot be manipulated. There are many righteous individuals who suffer persecution, poverty and physical illnesses.  They receive blessings much greater than this world can offer because they have given themselves to the Father first and foremost.

Luke 18:18

All three of the synoptic gospels begin this narrative in a different way. In Luke he began his conversation immediately with a question.  In none of the gospels is he called a rich young ruler.  He is just called a ruler in Matthew and Luke and in Mark a man.  Because he was called a ruler, he obviously held some position of authority. His question shows that he had probably seen Jesus speaking and ministering to the people.  He began by addressing Him as a Good Teacher which also may be rendered Master. As he continues he wants to find out from Jesus what he would have to do to gain or inherit eternal life.  From what is said it would appear that the man thought that salvation was something to be achieved by his efforts.

1. Why did the ruler approach Jesus?
2. What do you think drew him to Jesus?
3. In his mind what did he mean by calling Jesus Good Teacher? (He had heard His teaching and saw His compassion for the people.)
4. What did he say that indicated he did not understand how a person came to have salvation? (He thought it was by his own efforts)

Luke 18:19

Jesus did not answer his question immediately by dealt with the man’s understanding of who Jesus was.  He wanted to see if the man could accept the fact that He was God before he could deal with the issue of eternal life.  The man may have seen Jesus as some kind of philosopher or prophet but not the Son of God.  It should have been obvious to the ruler that Jesus was more than a mere man, but did he have faith enough to trust Jesus after the response he was about to receive. Jesus in no way denied His on deity by the way He spoke to the man.  He knew who He was and why He had come to provide for mankind the eternal life that the ruler was seeking. 

1. Why was it important for the man to accept the true identity of Jesus? (Without doing so what was to happen was just the opinion of a seemingly good man and would have been of little value to the ruler.)
2. Why would it appear that Jesus was denying the fact that He was God?
3. In what way did His answer affirm His deity? (His compassion and goodness was greater than that of sinful man.)
4. If Jesus was not God what would His words have meant to the man? (It would have just been one man’s opinion.)
5. How would you response to the question Jesus asked?
6. What difference does it make to you whether Jesus is God?

Luke 18:20

The man wanted to be able to work for his salvation.  Jesus laid out for him what was at the very center of the Jewish religion.  He began with five of the Ten Commandments. Each of them dealt with man’s relationship to man.  It would have been obvious to the man that if he could not keep those then there was no chance for eternal life.  John would later write, “The one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.” (1 John 4:20)

1. Why did Jesus list some of the Ten Commandments as His answer?  (For a works based salvation he would have to be able to keep them.)
2. Why did Jesus select the ones that He did? (They were about horizontal relationships.)
3. How does the verse in 1 John fit in with what Jesus was saying?
4. How do you approach your own walk with the Lord?
5. Is it by grace or by works of the law?
6. What examples might you give for your answer?

Luke 18:21

About this time the ruler was probably feeling pretty good about himself.  Like the Pharisee at the beginning of this chapter he believed that he had kept the commandments mentioned since he was just a youth.

1. If Jesus had been speaking to you what progress have you made in your Christian life?
2. What did the answer from the man show about him? (He was not honest with himself.)
3. How did he fool himself in thinking that he had kept all of those commandments?
4. How do we fool ourselves in thinking more highly of ourselves than we should?
5. What does this kind of attitude lead to in our daily lives? (It would be hypocritical to think that we are perfect and others would see it in our words and actions.)

Luke 18:22

Jesus had kept the most important thing to say to the ruler for last.  If you really want to earn your way then sell everything you own and give the proceeds to the poor.  That command would indicate very quickly what the man considered as having the most value in his life. To refuse would indicate that he could not keep the first four commandments dealing with his relationship with God.  The first two had to do with putting God first in one’s life and the second condemned idols taking the place of God.  Jesus told him that by even keeping the other commandments he still was missing out on the rewards of eternal life because things were getting in the way. He could start a new life by following Jesus.  His willingness to become a disciple could only begin when all the other barriers to that kind of life were removed. The writer of Hebrews wrote,” Lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:2)

1. What was the most important thing that Jesus said to him? (Follow Me to gain what your are seeking.)
2. What was it he lacked?
3. What are some of the things that get in the way of your relationship with God?
4. What is lacking in your life?
5. How have you responded to the command of Jesus to follow Him?
6. How can we make sure that stuff does not bog us down?
7. How does the writer of Hebrews speak to the place where you are in your spiritual life?

Luke 18:23

The man decided that what Jesus had commanded him to do was too costly. Luke wrote, the reason that he turned Jesus down was he was extremely rich.  Jesus saw through the man that he had been used to buying whatever he wanted and had now been faced with the fact what he thought he wanted could not be purchased with his entire wealth.  One has to wonder if he had really been able to keep the other commandments if his wealth was more important to him than eternal life. From this narrative it is to be understood that as much as God loves man, He will allow him to walk away and reject His offer of eternal life.

1. Why did the ruler turn down the command of Jesus?
2. What did it show about the true character of the man?
3. What are some possible reasons that man turns his back on Jesus in today’s world?
4. What does this show about the person who rejects Jesus?
5. What are your thoughts about the Scripture that says, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?
6. What are you doing to keep that from happening to you?
7. How would you respond to someone who says that God sends people to hell? (God sends no one. It is the choice of each person where they spend eternity?
8. What lesson can be learned from the words of Jesus as we witness to people? (It is not we they are rejecting but Him.)

Luke 18:24-25

Jesus had one more word for the ruler. He said, “How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!  Then He followed that statement with a picture of the difficulty of a rich man getting into heaven.  There was a small gate in the wall of Jerusalem that was only big enough for a man to walk through.  It would be extremely hard for a camel to make it through because of its size and the fact it would have to crawl on its knees to make it through at all.

1. Why would Jesus say what he did to the ruler? (He had just turned down the greatest opportunity he had ever had.)
2. Why was it difficult for the rich man to enter God’s kingdom?
3. What attitude is Jesus condemning? (Not wealth but the greed and selfishness that may go with it.  He was in no way speaking of those who use their possessions to glorify and serve God.)
4. Why did he use the example of the camel? (The people would understand how difficult it really was.)

Luke 18:26-27

Those who had witnessed what had just occurred were shocked at the words of Jesus.  It was the belief of the Jews that those who had wealth had received it because of their righteousness.  Jesus was saying to them what you possess has nothing to do with your relationship to the Father.

His final words included the ruler and all those who heard what He had to say.  The truth is that what is impossible for man to achieve on his own is not impossible for God to give as a free gift to all who believe.  No amount of works, positions in society or accumulation can provide only what God can do through His Son.

1. Why was the crowd surprised and shocked when Jesus told them how hard it was for a rich man to be saved?
2. In what ways do we get caught up in the same trap? (We look on those who have power or possession as someone special.)
3. In regard to salvation why it impossible for man to achieve it?
4. What did Jesus mean by saying that only in God is salvation possible? (It must be received as a gift from the true giver of life. See John 14:6.)
5. What have you done in your own life to receive what is impossible for man?

Luke 18:28

The disciples were just as surprised to hear the words of Jesus as were all of the others.  Even at that late day they still had thoughts of an earthly kingdom where Jesus was to be king and they would rule with Him. They were basically saying what is going to be the outcome of following you.  Where is the return on our investment of time and energy and lost revenue by leaving behind our jobs and family?

1. Why were the disciples as surprised by His words? (They had the Jewish mindset of wealth.)
2. What were their expectations? (To rule with the Messiah/King.)
3. What the given up to follow Jesus?
4. How did the question show what was important to them?
5. What had they failed to see in the work of Jesus? (It was not about this world.)

Luke 18:29-30

Jesus said very clearly those things that you held dear have no meaning in the kingdom of God.  They will be a burden that keeps you from focusing on what is of real value.  To give up all for Jesus has its own reward of peace and joy now that the world cannot provide.  He concludes that in the time to come the greatest gift that anyone can receive is eternal life.

1. What was to be the focus of the lives of the disciples?
2. What did that commitment hold for them? (Peace and joy and the knowledge that they were obeying their Master.)
3. What could they expect in the future? (Eternal life.)
4. On what or who are you focused in your daily walk?
5. What is the guarantee that you have that you will receive the reward of eternal life that is only available to those who follow Christ?

    

• Whenever you have doubts do not hesitate to bring them before the Lord.
• Understand that God is the giver of grace and it nothing we can obtain on our own.
• Take a personal inventory to see if there is anything in your life that stands between you and God.
• Do not let the circumstances of life cause you to reject what God wants to do for you.
• Remember That God has a reward for all of you who remain faithful.  It is eternal life to be spend with Him.
• Do not be overly impressed with the wealthy for they may be like the ruler in the lesson today who refused to use his money for the good of others.
• Use your possessions no matter how meager to glorify God.

The church was established for those who wanted to have a personal relationship with the Father. That means we come to make the great discovery that God loves us.  Hopefully, it is the one place that we can expect to hear the truth about our sin nature and the solution to that problem.  The ruler came to Jesus seeking to have salvation on his own terms.  We are to approach Him ready to do all that He asks of us. 

Our effectiveness in His service will depend on how much we are willing to submit to His will for us.  Many go through their entire lives living on the fringes of the church because they have never been able to shed the baggage of this world and give their all to Him.

The second opportunity the church presents is to help us deal with the doubts that we have.  Many wrestle with those doubts and insecurities their entire lives.  It is not necessary to live that way.  As God reveals Himself through His word and others we can come to the realization that He is the life that we were missing and truth that we have sought.  He wants also to show us the way to eternal life that the ruler missed out on in the lesson.  Our final reward was promised in the last verse.  We will obtain eternal life by His gift of His Son.  Be willing to come to the author of truth.

Lesson 50

Victory in Prayer
Luke 18:1-17

Many years ago I first heard of the term aggressive-patience. The idea itself seemed to be a dichotomy. How could being aggressive fit in with patience. The more I thought about it the more it made sense to me. It carried with it the concept if you keep saying something long enough that eventually someone will begin claim it as their own idea. In his book “Outliers” Malcomn Gladwell talks about the overnight successes ten years in the making. According to him it takes about ten years for someone to become successful in their endeavors. He used people like Bill Gates who worked at learning about programming all during his teenage years. When the opportunity presented itself he became what so many people call overnight successes.

There are areas in my own life that have been example of aggressive-patience. For years I felt that the group in which I worked was in the wrong place in the organization. After my retirement they put the people with whom I had worked under a vp in the president’s office. There they could support the whole organization without the hindrances place on them under the finance division.

One of the dangers of change is the lack of aggressive-patience. Whenever a new minister comes to a church he may see things that in his mind may need to be fixed. The older the congregation the more difficult it is to accept change of any kind. It has been said, it is much more difficult and takes more time to turn around an ocean liner than it does a row boat. Someone wrote that for changes to be effective it takes about seven years. In our paced society we are not usually inclined to wait that long. Most of us want the latest and greatest and we want it now. The problem is that the one place that does not go along with that concept is the church. We love to hold on to our traditions and programs.

Sadly in most denominations the normal tenure of pastors and teaching elders is shorter than three years. For youth and children’s ministers it is even shorter. What happens then is that a church is left with half-baked ideas that need a longer period of time to come to fruition. Statistics tell us that the greatest period of growth and health for church comes during the seven to fourteenth year of the leadership of a pastor or teaching elder. He and the whole church needs to practice aggressive-patience. The whole idea of vision is to keep promoting it until it becomes the idea of the whole congregation and then to reap the benefits of all working together.

Luke 18:1

One important aspect of prayer is to not give up until an answer comes. There have been many stories of parents who have prayed for the salvation of their children for years before they were actually saved. Jesus told His disciples to never lose heart. He was telling them not to become discouraged when God did not respond according to their timetable.

1. Why did Jesus tell His disciples to never lose hope when praying? (We cannot know the timeing of God’s answer.)

2. Why do people often stop praying for someone or something?

3. What is the danger in doing so?

4. When has there been a time when you received an answer to prayer only because you prayed until it came?

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Luke 18:2-5

Jesus then told a parable about a widow who needed protection from an opponent. The judge to whom she brought her case was a man who did not care about anyone nor did he fear God. She won the case because she was persistent. He finally agreed to give her protection because she had worn him down with her constant pleas. From the Greek it appears that what is actually meant by her wearing down was his fear that she might give him a literal black eye. It is obvious that his decision was subjective and emotional and not based on the facts or the merits of the case but was subjective

The widow represents all of those who face the adversary, the devil and his continual opposition to man. It is interesting that it appears that she must face him alone before a judge who has no interest in helping her. Job sought an advocate (Job 16:19). After the resurrection John wrote that “We have an advocate with the Father.” (1 John 2:1) What a difference the work on the cross made for mankind in his relationship to the Father.

1. Why did the woman continue to plea her case? (Because she felt it was justified.)

2. Why did the judge continue to listen to her? (She was not going to stop until the situation was rectified.)

3. How do we often face a situation like this? (When someone says no the first time we give up.)

4. When should we be as persistent as the woman? (When we seek to have God’s will done in our life or a situation needs to be rectified.)

5. Why did the judge finally give in to her?

6. On what occasions have you been determined not to take no for an answer?

Luke 18:6

It was important that the disciples understood what Jesus was trying to teach them about prayer. It really is a task for the strong in spirit. The point He was trying to get across was found in the words of the judge that basically said that he listened to the women because she would not relent in her efforts. Her persistence brought about a resolution of her dilemma.

1. Why was the words of the judge important? (It showed the reason for his judgment in her favor.)

2. What does it take for God to listen to you in prayer? (To come before Him in sincerity and humility believing He will answer our prayers.)

3. How does her example reflect your own prayer life?

4. How does it affect your belief in God’s ability to answer prayers?

Luke 18:7-8a

It must be understood that this parable is not about comparisons but contrasts. If mere men will listen and give judgment grudgingly based on human emotions in the favor of those who present their case, then it can be expected that God who loves His people will heed the call from a desperate heart. Those who cry out day and night will be heard and will find relief. Luke said God will not delay in responding to a request from one of His children. Although to man it may seem long coming the answer comes in God’s perfect timing.

1. In what ways is God like the godless judge? (Both give an answer to our pleas.)

2. In what ways is He different? (He does not hear our request begrudgingly but with a loving heart and decide on them in a capricious way.)

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3. What did Jesus mean by the words crying out to God day and night? (Prayer takes time and must be from the heart broken before God.)

4. What did Jesus mean by saying that God would not delay long? (God answers in His perfect timing.)

5. If that is true why do answers to prayer seem so long coming? (Because we want immediate results.)

Luke 18:8b

The question Jesus asked His disciples was a rhetorical one. There was no doubt that when He returned He would find those who had remained faithful in spite of the persecution and opposition they as well as those alive today face. There are examples all over the world of men/women and children remaining faithful to Christ to the death. There is a book out right now that speaks to this very question. It is “The Insanity of God” which tells the stories of those in places like Russia and China who refuse to be defeated by the devil. The writer’s of the New Testament were so sure that there would be Followers of Christ that they spoke a great deal of what happens at the end of time. Without faith there would be no rapture of believers or the images of heaven painted by Paul in Corinthians and John in “The Revelation.”

1. How do we know that this was a rhetorical question?

2. What evidences do we have today that He will find Followers of Christ when He returns?

3. What evidences do the Scriptures provide for us that He will find believers? (Paul’s writings about the rapture and John’s picture of heaven.)

4. How does John 14:1-6 speak to question Jesus asked?

Luke 18:9

Although this parable does not appear, at the offset, to be about prayer it does give a picture of the attitude one must have to come before God. He begins by speaking directly to the pharisaic mindset. This would include the pharisees and those who thought like them. His words were a warning to the disciples to watch out for those who thought highly of themselves an held everyone else in contempt. Today words like self-centered, proud, arrogant, and elitist might be used to describe them.

1. Why did Jesus find it necessary to speak about the attitudes of those like the Pharisees?

2. What barrier does this kind of mindset erect between them and God? (There is no room in the heart of the proud for God.)

3. What terms might we use to describe such men today?

4. In what ways is this a struggle that each of us face?

Luke 18:10-12

There were two men who found themselves in the temple at the same time. The first one that Jesus described was the Pharisee. It is very revealing of the man’s character that he was praying to himself. Although Jesus called it a prayer is was more an example of telling God what the Pharisee thought of himself. Like many today he was building himself up by comparing himself with those he regarded as the worse of sinners, including “swindlers, unjust, adulterers” and of course the tax collector who was there at the same time. He went on to inform God that not only was he not like others but his actions indicated how righteous he was. He fasted twice a week and tithed.

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1. What was the content of the Pharisee’s prayer?

2. What was he really doing?

3. How much are your prayers like or not like that of the Pharisees?

4. What did his proclamation show about his concern for others?

5. If he was genuine in his faith what should he have been doing? (Praying for others rather than holding them in contempt.)

6. How often do you pray for the spiritual welfare of others?

Luke 18:13

Without further comment about the Pharisee at that moment, Jesus then turned His attention to the tax collector. Rather than being at the center of the temple the publican stood off to one side by himself as if he was almost ashamed of even being in the place of worship. His words were much different from those of the Pharisee and showed a humble heart broken by his sin. He cried out to God with every thing that was in him seeking God’s mercy upon his life. Unlike the Pharisee, he readily admitted that he was a sinner and the only relief he could get from his condition had to come from God.

1. In what ways was the tax collector different from the Pharisee? (He admitted to be sinful while the Pharisee was self-righteous in all aspects of his life?

2. How did his prayer differ from that of the Pharisee?

3. What can we tell about his heart from what Jesus shared in this parable?

4. How does what he prayed compare with the words of David in Psalm 51?

5. When you pray which are you more like the tax collector or the Pharisee?

6. Do you proclaim your righteousness or throw yourselves on the mercy of God?

Luke 18:14

Jesus then rendered a judgment on the actions of the two men beginning with the tax collector. He said that he went home forgiven of his sin. The word He was justified which in a way would indicate that the slate of that man’s sinful life was wiped clean. Isaiah spoke to the nature of God’s forgiveness when he wrote, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they will be as white as snow.” (Isaiah 1:18) There would be no evidence that the man had ever sinned because he repented of those things that kept him apart from God.

On the other hand the man who had proclaimed to God how righteous he was returned home with the guilt of sin remaining upon his life. The attitude that man is to have before God is summed up in the next statement by Jesus.

• To exalt oneself will lead to his downfall, being humbled.

• The one who approaches God with total humility will be lifted up and receive the praise of His Father.

1. What does it take to be completely forgiven of your sins?

2. What does it take for a person to be assured of eternal life? (More about this in next week’s lesson.)

3. How different was the judgment rendered to each man?

4. What does it mean to be justified before God?

5. How does Isaiah 1:18 speak to the life the tax collector possessed?

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6. Why was the Pharisee not justified? (He had confessed or repented of any of his actions or attitudes.)

7. How do you think God views your prayers?

8. Why does it sometimes seems that He does not answer them?

Luke 18:15-17

In this incident can be seen both the attitudes of the Pharisees in the actions of the disciples resulting in condemnation of that behavior. They may have been trying to protect Jesus from the crowds or felt He

should be spending time with them or only adults. The words of Jesus also pictured the heart

of the tax collector. He was humble, vulnerable and disliked by others because of his occupation.

Jesus would have no part in their actions. He commanded them to bring the children to Him for they were examples of those who were “poor in spirit.” The kingdom would belong to the downtrodden, those who did not add anything to society, dependent on others, weak and vulnerable. All of this added up to a humility expressed by the tax collector and children alike.

Finally, He struck at the heart of the prideful who looked in contempt on those they considered as less worthy than themselves. Those who were not willing to humble themselves before God would find there was no place in God’s kingdom.

1. Why did the disciples try to keep the children from Jesus? (To protect Him from being overwhelmed or wanted all the time for themselves.)

2. Why did Jesus condemn such actions and attitudes?

3. How close was what they did to what the Pharisees did in the parable? (Discounted the value of the children.

4. What was the general attitude towards children? (Not valuable to society.)

5. Who in the words of Jesus is going to be a part of God’s kingdom?

6. What is your attitude towards those who are babes in the faith?

• In your prayer life come before God in all humility.

• Do not tout your attributes before God as if you are doing Him a favor by even talking to Him.

• Understand that you are to pray until you and God are of the same mindset.

• Wait patiently for answers while at the same time to not stop praying until you understand the answer God is giving you.

• Give thanks when He answers your prayers. Quite often we go on our way once we have received an answer and never praise Him for what He has done.

One of the reasons that quite often exciting things do not happen in our midst is because we try to do them without the affirmation of God that only comes through fervent prayer. God wants to do so much in our lives yet we shortchange ourselves and disappoint Him when we go our own way. Jesus never made an important decision without prayer. He spent a night praying for His disciples before selecting the twelve who would be closest too Him. Even on the night before He went to the cross Jesus spent time before His Father. Let us be a church that perseveres in prayer like the widow. Our time before God should be with the same heart attitude as the tax-collector. We need to always be aware that we are to be like the children who are totally dependent on Him. If we do all of these things we will be a part of God’s kingdom both in this world and the next.

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Lesson 49

Is the End Near?

Luke 17:22-37

Prophecy is fascinating. It also can become addictive. Many years ago I got caught up in reading about the end times, especially through the writings of Hal Lindsey and others. At that time they had the whole rest of history mapped out in easy to understand steps. They very carefully explained the role modern weapons played in the end time events. While I still have an interest in knowing what the Bible has to say, I have come to the point where I can accept the words out of the mouth of Jesus in Matthew 25:36 where He speaks of the fact that the only being in the whole universe who knows when it will all come to a climax is God the Father. Jesus emphasized this in the Acts 1 when He told the disciples not to worry about what was to come but to get on with the task of sharing the gospel once they had received power from the Holy Spirit.

What in a way brought me back to reality was a radio broadcast that I heard. In that message the announcer was explaining how the Pope was going to fulfill prophecy by the things he was planning to do. The only problem with what program presented was that the pope had been dead about six weeks when that particular installment was aired. Having said all of this I do believe that there signs all around us pointing to the possibility that the time is very short until the return of Christ.

Even though Christ may not return in our life time, it is important for the Church to always be prepared as if this is the last day. Because people are dying without Jesus Christ every moment there needs to be a sense of urgency in the sharing of the gospel. Sadly, we often act as the people to whom Peter was writing who said that nothing is changed over all these years so what is the rush. If Jesus has not returned in all this time many have the attitude that He is not coming at all. This is dangerous position for the church to take. We are called to be watchmen warning people of the impending disaster.

Luke 17:20-21

The passage in Luke 17 beginning in verse 20 is a panorama is the rest of history from the time of Christ to His return. His discourse begins in response to a question put to Him by the Pharisees. They had no interest in the coming kingdom but trying to demean Jesus. What they actually meant was, why should we believe that you are the coming Messiah when all you have is a lowly group of followers who would not be able to defeat if the smallest force of the Roman army. His response was to indicate that those who were hostile towards Him as they were would never have the experience of having the kingdom of God within them. They had rejected the opportunity to know Him or His Father by their total disregard for His teachings.

The second point He made went against all they believed the Messiah would be. They were expecting a king who come and sit on the throne of David and release them from the oppression they felt under the rule of the Romans. Jesus indicated that the kingdom that He was setting up was to be a spiritual one in which God was to rule in the hearts of men.

1. What were the Pharisees seeking with their question? (To destroy Jesus’ credibility with the people.)

2. Why would the question be valid one concerning the coming kingdom? (It did not appear that Jesus had much of an army.)

3. What kind of kingdom did they expect? (A descendant of David restoring the kingdom.)

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4. What had Jesus done to give an indication He might be the Messiah? (He had done just the opposite of what they expected.)

5. What kind of kingdom was Jesus talking about? (The reign of God in the hearts of the people.)

6. How had the Pharisees missed the working of God in their hearts?

Luke 17:22

The Pharisees were not alone in thinking that Jesus was about to establish an earthly kingdom. In Acts 1:6 they asked Him, “Lord is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel? Jesus had to remind them once again it was not for them to know when the final events were going to occur. They were to wait for empowering of the Holy Spirit and then they were to preach the gospel in all places. Acts 1:7-8. As He had told them in John, He was going away.

In His absence they were going to face difficult times in their lifetime. There would be times when they would long for the days of having Him leading, teaching and protecting them from the perils to come. He indicated to them that physically He would no longer be their for them.

1. What did the disciples expect to happen?

2. Why was it important for Jesus to once again as He had done in John 13:33 share that He was not going to be with them much longer? (It would destroy in notion that He was about to set up an earthly kingdom?

3. How does this verse in Luke compare with what was said in Acts 1:7-8?

4. What would make the disciples long for the days when Jesus had walked with them on this earth?

Luke 17:23-24

Jesus told the disciples that between the time of His departure and His return there would be false messiahs deceiving many people. The disciples were warned they would come and to follow them. They of all people should have been able to spot those teaching false doctrine. Unlike the false teachers, Jesus will return when least expected. In the same way that the lightning is seen over a wide area everyone will know when He returns.

1. What was the warning Jesus gave to His disciples?

2. What do false messiahs try to do?

3. What makes a man or woman a false prophet?

4. What will show the prophet for who He is? (Jesus proclamation concerning His own return.)

5. How can you be careful that you do not be deceived by false prophets? (By knowing the teachings of Jesus.)

Luke 17:25

Jesus then returned to the present. Once again He spoke of suffering at the hands of His enemies and the rejection He would experience by those who had followed Him around and had benefited from His ministry. They would turn their backs on Him and be part of the crowd that demanded His death.

1. Why did Jesus again speak of His suffering and rejection? (To keep the disciples focused on the events that were about to take place right before their eyes. After all was over they would remember that Jesus had told them everything that would occur.)

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2. How could those who seemed to receive what Jesus said and watched Him heal many people turn against Him?

3. Why is the generation in which we are living rejecting Jesus?

4. If they art not on what are they turning their backs and why? (It is more about the church rather than Jesus.)

Luke 17:26-27

It is interesting that Jesus used two different examples to show what was happening at the time God brought judgment on them. The first described conditions existing during the one hundred twenty years that God waited on the people to repent before He brought the flood on them. He did not talk about how evil they were but the fact that they were living a life wrapped up in their own interests.

There is no indication that they worshipped God during that whole time. Because they were totally living a godless life they did not heed the warning that Noah gave them of impending doom. When disaster came upon them it was sudden and unexpected in the same way that there will be many who will be caught by surprise by the coming of Christ.

1. Why did Jesus use the time of Noah as an example of His own return? (The same conditions will be in existence when He returns.)

2. What was wrong with what was taking place in during the time of Noah? (On the surface nothing. These practices on their own are not evil. The problem was all of their activities were done excluding God.)

3. In what ways do we go about our lives excluding God?

4. What can we expect by living that way?

Luke 17:28-29

The second example of judgment came during the time of Lot to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. In Luke only Sodom was mentioned because it was the home of Lot. Although the narrative found in Genesis 18 and 19 is familiar Ezekiel provided some of the underlying reasons that Sodom was destroyed which fit in with the words of Jesus. He said, “Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom; she and her daughter had arrogance, abundant food and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy. Thus they were haughty and committed abominations before Me.” (Ezekiel 16:49-50)

Because of their sins, the day Lot left God brought judgment upon them in the form of fire and brim-stone.

1. How much was the climate in which Lot found himself like that of Noah’s day?

2. What was the normal day of a Sodomite like? (See Ezekiel 16:49-50)

3. What was similar in the way that God dealt with both of them? (It was sudden.)

4. In what way were the people without excuse? (Both had been warned of the impending doom.)

5. In what ways has God warned us of those who continue to reject Him?

6. Why was both Noah and Sodom spared? (They were righteous men.)

Luke 17:30-32

Jesus said that His coming would be just like what happened to the people described above. When Jesus comes man is not to think about the things of this life. He needs to be ready for the arrival of Christ. At that time everything else is meaningless. Jesus gave the example of Lot’s wife who was unable to turn loose of the way of life found in Sodom and paid for that attraction to the past that she paid for it with her life.

3

1. Why had Jesus told the stories? (His return would be just as sudden.)

2. Why did He talk of not going to retrieve things?

3. Who did not follow the advice given by Jesus?

4. What was the consequences of her actions?

5. What do you think you would do if given warning that you had a short time to remain on this earth?

Luke 17:33

If this life is more important than one’s relationship with Father then eventually he will face judgment and loss of eternal life. Conversely, those who only live to please God will have eternal life. Paul said best in Galatians 2:20 when he wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I live , but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

1. In what ways do we live that would show others that this world is more important to me than the next?

2. What does it mean to lose your life to gain it?

3. How do you interpret Gal. 2:20?

4. How does it parallel what Jesus said in Luke 17:33?

5. What are you willing to give up to gain eternal life?

Luke 17:34-36

Jesus presents three scenarios showing what will happen at the end of time that reinforce what He had just said. When He returns there will be:

• Two in bed one will be taken the other left behind.

• Two women grinding and one will be taken the other left.

• Two men in the field one will be taken

The term used for what has just been said is the “Rapture” It is the point when all followers will be taken off the earth to meet Jesus when He appears the first time. The second will be when He begins His thousand year reign on the earth.

1. What picture is painted by the three incidences?

2. What is the term now used to described that event?

3. What does the word rapture mean?

4. What are you doing to guarantee that you will be part of the “Being taken away?”

5. Why is important to understand what going to happen at the end of time?

Luke 17:37

The disciples wanted to know where all of this was going to occur. They were probably as they would later want to know when. Jesus responded by quoting a proverb which meant that when everything was ready then the events would come to fruition.

4

1. Why were the disciples concerned? (They still believed that the kingdom would come into being in their lifetime.)

2. How did Jesus answer them?

3. What did He mean by using the proverb? (When everything was accomplished then the events described would occur.

4. What is to be our concern? (Living a life for Christ and not worrying what is God’s perview.)

• Remember that “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs are the kingdom of God.” (Mt. 5:3)

• Study Galatians 2:20 to see if it fits who you are.

• Be careful not to get caught up in prophecies contrary to what the Bible says.

• Be on guard so that no matter when the day of the rapture you will not be left behind.

Many today live as if there will be judgment day ahead. They continue going about working, marrying etc. ignoring God. It is the responsibility of the church to teach the Scriptures so people will have a clear understanding of the relationship they need to have with God. If we become true followers of Christ we will not have to worry about what the future may hold for us. We can be assured that if the Lord were to return this night that we would be received into our eternal home with Him.

The Bible is full of warnings of what is to come. It is also full of promises of the hope that God has for all of us. Let us heed the warnings as real. This should give us a sense of urgency to reach out to those who are lost.

Lesson 48

Power of Faith

Luke 17:1-11

There is a story that for all practical purposes has been proven to be untrue. It does however paints a picture of real faith and how a person recognizes and deals with the stumbling blocks in his life.  The story goes that there was a professor at USC who was an atheist.  Every year for over twenty years he would begin the year proclaiming that by the end of the semester he would destroy the faith of any Christian in his class. His main tact came at the end of the semester when he would ask if anyone still believed in God.  No one ever stood up.  

In one of his philosophy classes there was a young man who took the required course.  For the whole semester he prayed every morning that when the time came he would remain true to his faith.  As was his practice the professor asked the question.  To his surprise the young man rose up from the back of the room.  The professor then called him a fool and said that there was as much a chance of there being a God as it was for him to drop a piece of chalk to floor and God keeping it from being broken.  As he dropped the chalk it accidentally caught the cuff of his shirt then got caught in the pleats in his pants sliding down his pants leg and rolled off his shoe intact.  The professor fled from the room.  This opened the opportunity for the young man to share his faith with his classmates.  Although just a story it does show the power of faith. 

There is always a danger that we in the church could easily have the attributes of the professor in the story.  I do not mean that we are so blatant in our opposition of the God of the Scriptures.  The problem is our willingness to water down God’s word and compromise with the world.  When we teach anything contrary to the Bible we possibly mislead others and may even be guilty of driving people away from the church.  We should be like the young man who stood by his faith even in the face of ridicule and persecution he expected to experience. As was true with him each day of our lives should have prayer as integral part of it.  The tools are in our hands what are we going to do with them?

Luke 17:1-2

Jesus made it clear that there would always be those who would make it difficult for others to believe the message of the gospel.  The Pharisees had proven to be stumbling blocks to the Jews having any hope of salvation with all their oral traditions and self-serving interpretations of the Law.  

There was destiny for those individuals.  It would have been better for them to have been cast into the sea and died before they misled one single person. 

1. Why is so important to understand God’s word? (So we will never cause anyone to stumble.)
2. What does it take for one to be judged as someone who causes others to stumble?
3. What have you done in your life that may have caused someone to stumble?
4. In what ways did the religious leaders reflect the characteristics of one who causes others to stumble?
5. What can you do to make sure that you do not cause anyone to stumble?

Luke 17:3-4

Everyone sins.  Jesus knew that no man is perfect.  Paul wrote, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23).  It was not a case of if a man sinned but when.  Why was it so important to have a brother around to get him or her back on track?  Jesus used a pretty powerful word in describing how to deal with one’s sins.  He told His disciples to rebuke the person who had committed a rebellious act towards God.  To rebuke is to reprimand someone for his actions.  Notice it was sin in general not one done against the person reprimanding his brother in Christ.  It is the person who repents when confronted who is to be forgiven seven times a day.  

1. What is the one thing that we know about sin? (Everyone sins.)
2. How do we know this fact? (Romans 3:23)
3. What is our responsibility when a brother sins?
4. What gives us the right? (We are to point the person back to God’s word.)
5. Why did Jesus say that we are to forgive seven times a day? (We are not picture as the one to judge another.)

Luke 17:5-6

It is interesting that Luke called the men apostles in verse 5.  These were the men who would eventually be sent out in the name Christ.  At this point they were not acting like men who would be responsible for the future sharing of the gospel with the world. They came to Jesus asking that their faith be increased.  Rather than answering them He told them a short parable.  Their faith did not have to great they just had to have it even if as small as a mustard seed.  God use the smallest amount of faith to accomplish those things that would glorify Him.  The point was not to use what faith they had for frivolous acts.  

1. Why did Luke call the men apostles at this point in the ministry of Jesus? (This is what they were to become.)
2. Why did they believe that they would need more faith? (They saw the task ahead of them as overwhelming.  To accomplish what Jesus was doing was more than they thought they could do.)
3. Why did He use the example of the mustard seed? (It is not how much faith one has but what God can do with what we have.)
4. What was the point Jesus was making? (Not to use our faith unwisely but for the glory of God.)
5. How can we show that we trust God?

Luke 17:7-10

Following up on the apostles’ request, He told another story about how they could grow.  A slave had the responsibility of taking care of his master’s needs.  He was not to provide for himself before he finished the tasks to which he had been assigned.  To grow in one’s faith use the gifts and abilities God has given to carry out the tasks that God has called one to carry out.  By serving a person grows. Faith like other aspects of one’s life will either be strengthened by constant use or atrophy by neglecting them.  Man’s only responsibility is to do the work of God with gladness.

1. Why did Jesus follow the story of the mustard seed with the one about the slave? (We are not  to concentrate on growing our faith but in serving.)
2. When do we realize that we trust God more? (Looking back on the experiences through which He has brought us.)
3. How are you using the gifts and abilities God has given you?
4. What is the danger of not using them?
5. What happens to a slave who is no longer able to carry out the responsibilities assigned to him?

Luke 17:11-19

Jesus was continuing in His journey toward Jerusalem.  On His way He entered a village between Samaria and Galilee.  The first people to greet him were ten lepers who cried out to Him to a have mercy on them. Although they did not ask for healing, Jesus understood their need.  From a distance He gave one command. They were to go and present themselves to the priest as one’s who had been cleansed from leprosy.  It took faith to believe that something was about to change in their lives.  They had yet been cured but began to do as Jesus commanded.  In the act of going they were healed.  

Out of the ten only one of them turned around and came back to Jesus glorifying God for what just occurred.  The others continued on their way.  They were doing what the Law demanded. The one who returned to give thanks turned out to be a Samaritan.  While the other nine had their religious tradition to follow, the one who returned only had Jesus.  Jesus wondered at the actions of the other nine.  Why had the other not returned?  The other nine men received physical healing but did not give God the glory.  They were headed back into their old way of following a dead religion.  The Samaritan received much more.  His faith brought about a healing of both body and spirit.  His one act of coming back to Jesus was enough to set him completely free.

1. Why was Jesus willing to stop and honor the request of the ten lepers?
2. What did the disease do? (Broke down cultural barriers?
3. What did the men request of Jesus?
4. What was the true need of each man?
5. What were the nine men concerned about? (Being clean in the eyes of the religious leaders so they could once again be accepted into the Jewish society.)
6. Why did the Samaritan return to Jesus? (He was not bound by the Law being an outsider.)
7. What did he show that the others were missing? (Real thanksgiving for what he had received?
8. What did he gain that the others missed? (Healing of both body and spirit?
9. For what are you most thankful in your life?
10. How is all of chapter 17 so far a picture of faith and its power?

     

• Look at Matthew 10:19 for encouragement to stand up for your faith when facing opposition.
• Take inventory of your own life to see if any way you have been or are a stumbling block to others.
• Follow Jesus’ instruction of reprimanding those who sin.
• Take care that when rebuking someone that you base it on God’s word.
• Concentrate on Serving God and not trying to increase your faith.  The more you understand what God is doing for you and through you will cause your trust to grow.
• Like Jesus take time to take care of the needs of others even when it means you have to stop what you were previously doing.
• Understand it is imperative to give Christ all the glory for the mercy he has shown to us.
• Remember before Christ we are all equal.

This lesson is full of a variety of teachings that are important in the life of the church. One way to protect ourselves from be a stumbling block is to spend time each date learning the truth from God’s word.  This kind of dedication will provide us with the tools to disciple others in a Christ-like way.  We are to be on the alert to keep our fellow believers from falling going down and errant path.  Those who are mature in the faith are to correct them when they stray.  Of course this is to be done with all humility realizing that each of us is a sinner saved by grace.

Finally the healing of the ten lepers shows the dangers of getter caught up in religious traditions.  We are all the recipients of God’s grace. It is He before whom we are to fall down in worship.    

Lesson 47

Not Seen or Heard

Luke 16:19-31

One of the things of which I am sometimes guilty is becoming so engrossed in what I am doing that I do not see someone that might walk right past me.  There is an experiment that I have seen that illustrates our ability to shut people out of our lives.  A group of people are brought together and begin to have a conversation.  While they are talking someone in a gorilla costume will walk right through the group and never be notice.  When asked if any of them saw the gorilla they all stated that they had not seen it.  Some months ago my wife went to the funeral home to pay our respects to the family of a neighbor who had passed away.  We walked in and went to the front of the room, looked at some pictures turned around and left.  There was not a single person who even cast a look in our direction.  I can only imagine how others have felt in my presence when I have done the same thing.  

It is possible for a person to come into the church and feel like the gorilla in the room.  No one even makes the effort to greet them.  They come and go without an acknowledgment that they have been present.  There have probably been many people searching for a church home who have stated they would never go back to whatever church they had attended on Sunday because they believed that it was the most unfriendly place they had ever been. Jesus always made it His business to notice people.  The number of times He stopped as He was traveling from place showed His compassion and interest in people.  People come to church for a number of different reasons.  One of those is fellowship with others.  They want to be part of a community of people who truly care for others.  Our lesson is about the lack of concern for others and the result of a self-centered life.

Luke 16:19

Jesus continues sharing with His disciples by sharing another parable which speaks to the attitudes of those among whom they will carry on His ministry.  As He had done before He gives a character sketch of the main actors in the drama.  He begins with a rich man of whom it was written that He:

• Dressed continually in the finest clothes money could buy. It was the clothing worn by the priests.
• Did not deny himself of anything which would make him happy.  Notice that his self-indulgence went on seven days a week, which meant that he did not observe the Sabbath day which was a day of rest for all Jews. 

1. How did Jesus describe the rich man?
2. What was the problem with the way he lived?
3. Who was Jesus describing?
4. When does having any kind of possession become a sin?
5. What are the indications that this man was not a godly man?

Luke 16:20-21

In stark contrast to the wealthy man in the previous verse, Jesus describes a man who was the poorest of the poorest.  His name was Lazarus which was the Latin equivalent of Eleazar.  Eleazar was used a number of times in the Old Testament and means God is my help.  Lazarus was in a place just outside the gate of the rich man’s house.  The man called by some Dives would have passed by him many times but completely ignored his presence there.  

At that point in life all Lazarus desired was to be able to eat of the scraps left over from the sumptuous meals of the rich man.  Those leftovers would have consisted of pieces of bread that had been used as napkins to wipe off a person’s face and hands.  There were no knives, forks or napkins in those days even in the wealthiest homes. 

Added to the man’s economic woes he was covered with sores, which the dogs licked.  He was too weak to even chase them away.

1. Why would the rich man have ignored Lazarus?
2. How did Jesus contrast the rich man to Lazarus?
3. In what way would it seem that Lazarus was misnamed?
4. What would appear to be the man’s future?
5. What would indicate his desperate state in life?
6. How many people do we ignore as we go about our daily tasks?
7. What are some indications that we truly do not care for them?

Luke 16:22

Both men died.  Their destinations were totally different.  The poor man who had suffered much in his lifetime was escorted by angels into heaven.  Jesus continues to contrast the two men even in death. The physical body was probably without fanfare thrown on the garbage heap having no one to claim it. 

It is said of the wealthy man that he was buried. There was probably a nice funeral possession carrying him to his final resting place.  He could have been in all likelihood been placed in a tomb carved out of rock with a stone to place over its opening to keep animals and thieves out of the grave.

1. In what ways were the two men alike? (Like all people they died.)
2. What was different about what happened after their death? (Lazarus went to heaven and the rich man was buried.)
3. What was the reason Lazarus went to heaven? (We are not told anything of Lazarus’s spiritual condition. We have to be careful not equate poverty as a guarantee of entrance, any more than wealth determining whether he goes to heaven or hell.)
4. What is it important to understand about what took place here? (Our future is determined by our relationship with God and subsequently with other people.

Luke 16:23

The grave was not the end of the man who had been rich.  He found himself in hell be tormented.   Like Lazarus, there is no indication that he was not a man who probably thought of himself as good because of the wealth he possessed.  Jesus does not go into a lot of detail about the reason the man found himself in hell.  The only sin that he seems to have committed was not loving his fellow man enough to at least give him something to eat and providing a means by which his sores would be healed. 

Another point that proves that one has a consciousness beyond this world is the fact that the man could actually see into heaven and recognized the man he had ignored all those years with the founder of the Hebrew nation. This seems to indicate an increased awareness in the afterlife.

1. What was the man’s sin that condemned to hell? (Not loving his fellow man who he could see and thus rejecting God.)
2. How many sins condemn us to eternal punishment?
3. What does this verse tell us of what takes place after death?
4. Based on this verse what do you tell people who said that when you die that is the end of a person?
5. What assurances does this give you?
6. How was the man able to recognize Lazarus after having ignored him for years?

Luke 16:24

The man in his torment began to beg for the very thing he had denied Lazarus as he lay at the man’s gate.  He cried out for mercy.  When he was in torment he wanted God to show favor toward him.  The second thing he sought was relief from the agony he was experiencing as a result of the life he had lived.  The request made by the man would strike at the heart of the religious mindset of the Pharisees.  It was the poor man Lazarus who was to be the bearer of the relief that the man sought.  Abraham was not asked to leave his place in paradise but Lazarus who had been the beggar at his gate.  What a role reversal.  The man who had everything needed a drop of water that he would denied being provided for Lazarus.   

1. What does mercy mean?
2. When can one expect to receive it?
3. When is it too late?
4. In what ways was the man like so many today? (He could live as he pleased not believing that God will judge anyone and send them to hell.)
5. What did mercy mean to the man? (Relief from the fruits of the lifestyle he had lived.)
6. How were roles reversed? (The self-righteous wealthy man who was a metaphor for the Pharisees needed what the Lazarus’s of the world have to offer, a true relationship with the Father.)

Luke 16:25-26

It was Abraham who responded to the man’s request. He reminded the man of his previous life.  He had possessed much in the way of material wealth.  Lazarus who in his lifetime had nothing of any value was now be comforted in heaven.  The man who had much and used it selfishly was suffering the consequences of his lifestyle and was living in torment.  

He went on to say that there was a great divide that could not be crossed either way. It would indicate that all decisions are final and have to be made in this lifetime. There is not anyway to reverse the results of a life lived without God.

1. Why was Abraham the one to respond? (The request had been directed to him.)
2. Why did Abraham remind the man of his past life? (The man would understand exactly why he was in hell.)
3. What was Lazarus experiencing that can also be in our future?
4. What example does the life of Lazarus provide for us? (Material possession are not important.  It is our relationship to Christ.)
5. What is the one thing that the man did not request? (To go where Abraham and Lazarus were.  He evidently was aware that he did not deserve to be there.)

Luke 16:27-29

Having failed in his plea to be relieved from his misery, he for the first time thinks about others. It is almost a prayer from his lips as he begs Abraham to send Lazarus to his five brothers so they will not wind up in hell like him. Abraham then tells him that the brothers had Moses and the Prophets to show them how to live.  If they wanted to avoid the brother’s fate they needed to heed what the Scripture had said to them.

1. Why did the man want Lazarus to go to his brother’s?
2. What did the brothers have available to them?
3. What does Abraham’s words say to us?
4. Why did Abraham refuse the man’s request? (It was impossible.  They need to heed the worth they already had.  Also man does not return to earth after death.)
5. How will we find ourselves in the same state as the man and his brothers?
6. Why is God’s word so important to us?

Luke 16:30-31

The man tried one last time.  He thought someone returning from the dead would change the minds of the brother’s.  Jesus using the parable spoke directly to the religious leaders.  They had the Law and the Prophets and had turn their backs on the teaching from them.  They had turned from God to a religion based on their own tradition.  He was also telling them that they were turning their back on the One who had come in God’s name.  The words were prophetic for within a short time He would return from the dead and they would not accept the fact.

1. Why did the man think that a man returning from the dead would have any more affect than God’s word?
2. How have the stories that are heard today about those who have died and come back to life affected the general population?
3. To whom was Jesus speaking through this parable?
4. What does it say to us who have not seen the resurrected Savior?  We have to depend God’s word and the work of the Holy Spirit to lead us to faith in Christ.
5. How important is it for our growth to spend time in God’s word? 

• Understand that the blessings God pours out on you whatever they be are to be used for His glory and not just for your own pleasure.
• Do not ignore those less fortunate than you.  Jesus had some strong words for those who do so in Matthew 25:41-46.
• Never take for granted that you will have time to make your life right.  As seen in the parable both Lazarus and the rich man died at about the same time and faced the judgment due to each of them.
• Continue to look to God’s word to reinforce what you believe.  From Genesis to Revelation you have the revealing of God’s Son, Jesus.
• As you study the Scriptures be completely aware that life does not end at physical death and that all of us will spend eternity either in heaven or hell.

The church today is in a battle for its very soul.  There are many who do not believe that there is coming a day of judgment for the church.  Peter wrote of the impending event in 1 Peter 4:17 where he states, “For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”  God has high expectations for His people.  First we are to love Him with our total being and then to love people like Lazarus as we love ourselves.  This is the mission of the church and we must not fail to carry it out.  The prosperity gospel promotes the mindset of Dives.  Being poor in spirit helps us to understand that we are all failures in the sight of God without His mercy through Jesus Christ.  Let us take care that we wait too long before coming to faith in Him and find ourselves on the outside of His kingdom looking in to the place we can no longer reach.  Today is the day of Salvation.  Today is the time to serve Him with all that He has given us.