BiblicalMastery Buddy's bible blog

Lesson 7

A Testing Time

Luke 3:21 – 4:14

As proof that baptism does not save a person is indicative of the life long struggle that each of us have with the temptation to sin.  I would like to think from the point in time of my baptism that my walk would have been easier, but it is not true.  Thankfully salvation is based on the grace of God and not how I act every day. Each day I face the challenges of this world just as Jesus did in the desert.  The difference is that I have all too often given in to the temptations to lie, become angry, prideful and a host of others.  There is no reason to air any dirty laundry in this context because God has allowed me to put whatever I have done behind me.  Thankfully God now continues to forgive me when I do fail Him.  He is also teaching through His word to live in a more trusting relationship with Him depending on the Holy Spirit to keep me from falling.

The church cannot get caught up in the challenges that face Jesus in the desert.  Although the temptations the devil proposed to Him were of greater intensity, the essence of each of them is prevalent among us.  I will just mention one that seems to exist in every church.  It is to brag about our size.  We often inflate the number of people on the role forgetting that sadly those who are active are actually a fraction of those who call themselves members.  We also may brag about the programs that we offer.  Either of these may cause us to give false impressions of what is taking place within the body.  Let us be true to what is accurate so that we may be good witnesses for Jesus in the world.  

Two major events in the life of Jesus would thrust Him into the world.  The first was His baptism by John.  The second involved His time in the desert in which He faced the temptations of the devil.

Luke 3:21-22

Luke wrote that all the people were baptized.  This would not mean of course everyone in Judea, but those who were present with him who saw a need to repent.  It is doubtful that the religious leaders would have submitted to such a ritual. 

At that point Jesus came to be baptized by John.  No one knows why He felt the need to receive the baptism of forgiveness since He was perfect and did not need to repent of any sin.  There are all kinds of answers but the best explanation seems to be that it was a symbol of His identification with those He had come to save.  In Matthew John is reluctant to baptize Jesus and has to be persuaded to go through with the act. (See Matthew 3:13-15)  Although not mentioned in the other gospels Jesus is once again found praying.  Here again Luke does not go into detail about the actual content of the prayer. 

As He came up out of the water, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him.  The dove that came on Him was not for His benefit but those who were observing what was taking place.  In John, the apostle wrote that the dove was a sign to John the Baptist.  By it He was able to recognize that Jesus was the coming Messiah. (See John 1:29-34)

The final thing that happened at the baptism was the voice that was heard from heaven.  God the Father announced His approval of His Son. The Father was not just referring to the baptism but to life that Jesus had lived up to that point and the task ahead of Him.

1. What did Luke mean when he wrote that all men came to be baptized? (He was referring to all who were present who were willing to confess and repent.)
2. Why did Jesus submit Himself to be baptized?
3. Why did God send a dove to show that the Spirit had come upon Him? (A sign for John the Baptist that Jesus was indeed the One to come.)
4. Why did God speak to Jesus aloud?
5. Why were the words important to Jesus? (Affirmation of who He was and what He was about to accomplish.)

Luke 3:23

Thirty years old seem to be an important age in the life of the Jewish world.  Besides Jesus others began their careers at that age.  The priests would have begun their work at the age of thirty.  David became king of Israel at that age.  So Jesus began His ministry at the point when He could relinquish the responsibilities of his family into the hands of His half brothers. 

Luke also indicated that to the outside world in which Jesus lived, Joseph was considered his father.  Evidently Joseph had adopted Jesus as his own son. 

1. Why did Luke, specifically mentioned the age of Jesus?
2. What would Jesus have been doing prior to that age? (Taking care of His family since Joseph had probably died sometime previous to that time.)
3. Why would most of the people think of Jesus as the son of Joseph and Mary?
4. What did His parents understand?
5. What other important person began his career at the age of thirty?
6. What should have happened in a man’s life by the time he reaches that age?

Luke 3:24-37

While Matthew begins the genealogy of Jesus at Abraham, Luke begins with Jesus and works all the way back to Adam. Matthew’s primary goal was to show Him as the rightful heir of the throne of David.  Luke on the other hand saw as the fulfillment of what the first Adam was intended to be. He was the second Adam (Man) who was to re-establish man to the position that he had lost when Adam fell in the Garden of Eden. (See Romans 5:12-14; 1 Cor. 15:21-22)

The genealogy that Matthew provided is believed to be through the line of Joseph from David.  Luke provides the line of Jesus through Mary.  This is one of the ways that the variances in the two genealogies. 

Luke did not neglect the importance of any member of the lineage of Jesus, but in every case showed that He was the total fulfillment of all of God’s promises. 

• Beginning with Genesis 3:15 Jesus was to be from the lineage of a woman, thus eliminating the possibility of the sinful nature being passed from man to man. 
• From Abraham He would have been a member of the chosen people of God.
• God told Abraham that through his seed all the world would be blessed.  Jesus was the provider of that blessing. (Gen. 12:3; 22:18)
• Through David He would be the rightful king of God’s chosen people.

 

1. Why did Matthew begin his genealogy with Abraham? (He was writing primarily to a Jewish audience, therefore he emphasized the fact that Jesus came through the chosen people of God.)
2. Why did Luke trace the lineage of Jesus all the way back to Adam? (He was to be savior of all people.  He was the second Adam who reconciled man to God by being what God intended for the first Adam who fell.)
3. What important people, in God’s economy, did Luke include?
4. What did each contribute to the fulfillment of the prophecies about Jesus?
5. Why would you consider each important?

Luke 4:1-2

Following His baptism Jesus left the Jordan River.  He had been in the presence of His Father and received His blessing.  Luke wrote that because of what had just occurred that Jesus was full of the Spirit and ready to embark on the journey ahead of Him led by the Holy Spirit. 

Before beginning His actual ministry the Holy Spirit led Him into the wilderness where He faced the temptations of the devil for forty days. His time with the devil was more than the three temptations upon which so much emphasis is given.  Leading up to those three the devil was attempting to wear Him down spiritually.  For all of the forty days He fasted, having nothing to eat.

1. Why does Luke emphasize the fact that Jesus was filled with the Spirit?
2. What does that mean?
3. What did it mean for Him to receive the affirmation of His Father? (He would not face any situation alone.)
4. When are the times that you feel closest to the Lord?
5. What do you feel you can accomplish when that happens?
6. Why was it important for Jesus to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit?
7. Why is it important for us to do the same?
8. What was the devil attempting to do by constantly harassing Jesus during the forty days? (Wear Him down mentally and spiritually.)
9. Why did Luke mention that He ate nothing for forty days? (A person becomes vulnerable to compromising with the devil after so many days without nourishment.)

Luke 4:3-4

Knowing that Jesus was physically weak, the devil tempted Him to use His power for His own personal benefit. He began two of the temptations with the statement, “If you are the Son of God, “ use Your powers to ___________. (See Matthew 4:3 & 6) Jesus used Scripture to refute the devil in all three of the challenges placed before him.  Luke shortened what Jesus said which is found in Deuteronomy 8:3.  Matthew adds to the words “Man shall not live on bread alone,” he included but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”  Later in John’s gospel Jesus told His disciples that, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” (John 4:32) He then continues that, “My food is to do the will of the one who sent Me and to accomplish His work.” (John 4:34)  In both places He was making the point that material possessions that were so important to the devil did not control His life.

1. Why did the devil frame each temptation with the words “If You are the Son of God?”
2. Why did the devil begin with tempting Jesus to turn the stones into bread?
3. How did Jesus respond?
4. What does His response tells about how we should view material things?
5. How should we use them?
6. What was the source of His strength to refuse to submit to the devils invitation?

Luke 4:5-8

Jesus was led up onto a mountain top and shown all the kingdoms of the world.  This was probably a vision put before Jesus for this would be impossible physically.  In a way the devil was right in his statement he was in control of the kingdoms of the Cosmos (the world systems).  From the time of the fall the worldly societies have been dominated by him.  They belong to him only because God has allowed it. In the desert, however, the devil was about to have the power taken away from him, unless he could get Jesus to submit to him and worship him. 

Jesus was not about to have any part in what the devil was doing.  He refused to worship the devil.  His answer was once again taken from Scripture. Notice, Jesus did not argue with the devil or condemn him but used God’s word to speak to the heart of the issue.  Here He quoted from the second giving of the Law in Deuteronomy.  He said, “You shall worship the Lord Your God and Serve Him only. (Deuteronomy 6:13; 10:20)  Of course these were first spoken by God on Mt. Sinai when He told the people, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:3)

1. In what ways was the statement of the devil correct?
2. In what ways was he making incorrect statements? (He only has as much power as God allows. God is ultimately in control of everything.)
3. How did Jesus answer him in that situation?
4. Why did Jesus use Scripture to answer the devil?
5. Why did He not argue with him?
6. How do you respond when others question your faith?
7. What is it that you worship?
8. In what ways is God through Jesus the focal point of your life?
9. What do you think of the verse that says “What profits a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?” 
10. What is the devil out to do in your life?

Luke 4:9-12

The devil’s last attempt to discredit Jesus at that time took place in Jerusalem.  Jesus was transported to the city and carried to the pinnacle of the Temple.  Because Jesus had used Scripture to counteract the attempts of the devil, he decided to switch tactics and quote Scripture himself. The problem, as always, was the devil twisted what was written in the Bible for his own purpose.  In this case he turned the words in Psalm 91:11-12 as a test of whether God truly loved and would protect His Son.  He took that small section completely out of context.  The verses are actually talking about the fact that God would keep a person who trusted Him secure in that relationship.

What the devil was asking Jesus to do was to promote Himself by jumping from the temple. It would be a way of jump starting His ministry by a spectacular act.  He would become an overnight sensation, but the whole purpose of His coming would be defeated.  He did not come to perform tricks to entertain crowds.  Those types of people are soon forgotten if they do not continue to perform greater and greater stunts. See John 6 to see how Jesus spoke to those looking for a handout.

Jesus responded by letting the devil know what he was trying to do.  He told him first of all to get lost. (Matthew 4:10)  Then He told him that the one who truly wants to be in God’s hands is the one who does not need to test God to see if He really cares.

1. What was the devil attempting to do in this last temptation?
2. Why is it important for us to understand God’s word?  (The devil and his followers will try to twist the meaning to mislead people.)
3. In what ways has the devil tempted you to promote yourself?
4. How did Jesus handle this last temptation?
5. By whose authority can we tell the devil to get lost?

Luke 4:13

Luke wrote that the devil left Jesus for a time in the future when he would once again do battle.  Jesus had defeated the devil and he knew it.  He left the battle with his tail between his legs to use and old saying.

1. What did Luke mean by indicating that the devil would look for another opportunity to face Jesus?
2. Did he ever really leave Jesus alone?
3. Who were some of the people that the devil used to give Jesus trouble throughout His ministry?
4. Who are the people who cause you the most problems as you try to follow Jesus?
5. How can we keep them from gaining victory over us?

 

• Constantly be in God’s word as the sword to ward off the devil.
• Whenever something does not match up with His word, go to Him in prayer for a clear direction.
• Remember if the devil tempted the perfect man just think how much more vulnerable you are to his trickery.  We must be on guard against him at all times.
• Remember the temptation that goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden is the one dealing with pride.  If our relationship with God is right there should be no room for it in our lives.

If a church is truly alive for Christ we can be sure of one thing, the devil will make every attempt to destroy it.  The basic temptations that Jesus faced of possessions, position and power are still prevalent in our lives today.  We have to remember, as simple as it sounds, that the church is made up of those who if not careful will bring those attitudes into the body. 

We need to be ready to answer our own temptations with God’s words.  What Jesus said to the devil is still valid today and worth repeating.

• Man does not live for material gain, but on the guidance from God through His word and the teaching of the Holy Spirit.
• Let nothing get in the way of our worship of God. He will not allow us to remove Him from His throne in our lives.
• We are not to do those things that bring honor and prestige to our lives, but all things are to be done to glorify Him in every way.

If we continue to have this kind of heart then God will make us into a great church that reflects His name in our community.  Our thoughts should always be to say to the devil, “get lost” you have no place in our midst.  We belong to Christ and Christ belongs to God the Father.

Additional Notes:

M-Responds to the call of God as shown to him from His Word. Understands that the call is to carry out the purpose that God has for his life.  The call is individual. The will of God is also for the individual, even though it may very well affect many others. (Luke 3:3-6, 16)

 M-John the Baptist was motivated by the fact that he was fulfilling in his life what God had called him to be and do. (Luke 3:3-6)

GC-A follower of Christ is to share what he has. (Luke 3:11; 6:30)

GC-Honest (Luke 3:13)

GC-Content with what we have (Luke 3:14)

GC-Does not make false accusations (Luke 3:14)

RT-When we understand the reality of baptism, man can only take part in the outward sign of the decision by being immersed in the water.  It is God who changes the heart of man and brings about a baptism that takes place internally through the work of the Holy Spirit. This change of heart brings about a new attitude and altered behavior as he strives to serve Christ. (Luke 3:16)

GC-Exhorts others with the teaching and preaching of the gospel (Luke 3:18)

RT-Satan actually did have the limited authority he claimed on this earth as men had sold their souls to him. He has allowed men to have access to that authority.  It is the authority to use and abuse, but not one that he can keep.  Jesus later would say “All authority is given to Me.” (Mt. 28:18) Matthew wrote further about Him, “He was teaching as one having authority.” (Mt. 7:29)  Man may worship Satan but Jesus never needed to or would submit to him.  This world is Satan’s playground and his pride will be his undoing along with all of his followers.

RT-In the desert Jesus refused to turn the rocks into bread to satisfy His own need for food. However, there would come a day in the not to distant future when He would take a small amount of bread and increase and increase it by enough to feed 5, 000.  It was to be an act of compassion for the people and not for himself. (Luke 4:3-4; 9:12-17)

M-Man’s foundation for life should be to be in God’s Word, not just physical feeding. Doing what God wants and not trying to sway Him to follow man’s misguided actions is the way he does not try to tempt God.  His time should be spent in worship based on his love for God not on what the world has to offer.  If man will have this kind of heart attitude, Satan will not be able to find a place in the life of such a man. (Luke 4:4-12)

 GC-Never does foolish things, just to prove God’s ability to protect one from the consequences of his or her actions (Luke 4:9-12)

GC-Resist the temptations of the devil in God’s name and he will flee from you (Luke 4:13)

RT-Every empire that has received its power and instructions from Satan has and will fail. Jesus’ kingdom which is based on obedience to His Father is never ending.  Through Him the final victory over sin is assured. (Luke 4:5:8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson 6

The Forerunner Has Come

Luke 3:1-18

There are two subjects that have interested me over the years.  I have been fascinated by the whole idea of motivation.  The other has been Christian History.  To me these two are related in many ways.  Because of the great suffering and struggles that so many Christians have endured from the first century on, one has to wonder why men and women were motivated to follow Christ knowing what might happen to them.  Of course I have come to the conclusion that Christ is more important than life itself.

Some of the men whom I have admired include:

• Polycarp an early Christian who was burned at the stake for his faith.  He had an opportunity to renounce his faith to save himself but refused to do so, choosing death instead.
• William Tyndale an early translator of the Bible into English was strangled to death because his version was not authorized by the Church.  It is interesting that the King James Version was based on much of the work by Tyndale.
• John and Charles Wesley were not permitted to preach in the churches in England but drew great crowds in the open air.
• John Bunyan spent thirteen years of his life in prison for his preaching.
• John Weatherford was jailed in Chesterfield County because he was not recognized by the Anglican Church.  Patrick Henry actually defended him in court.
• Jonathan Edwards, one of the men instrumental in the Great Awakening in the 1700’s was dismissed from the church where he was Pastor because he proclaimed that church membership did not equate to salvation.  One must be saved by the grace of Christ.

There are so many others who were driven by their commitment to Christ.  They were willing to suffer whatever man could do to them for His sake. It is easy to read about the dedication of these men and women but I have to decide if their example resonates in my life that I would be willing to follow in their footsteps.  Only time and situations will provide the complete answer.  I hope and pray that I am up to any challenge that may come my way.

Today we see a proliferation of books available criticizing Christianity and touting the Humanistic philosophy.  Writers like Richard Dawkins and other atheists not only promote their ideas but try in every way to keep others from believing in Christ.

The church has the responsibility to preach and teach the gospel.  We see all around us groups that are popular because they tell people what they want to hear. In reality what most of us are searching for is the truth.  Individuals who do not compromise can expect to be ridiculed by those opposed to God’s word being proclaimed to all people. Like John the Baptist understood his role, we too are called to prepare the hearts of the people for the coming of the Messiah who will transform their lives.  Who knows if the next great preacher may be sitting in a Bible Study or the worship service today.  Hopefully they will hear from our lips the true message of the gospel. John spoke to the hearts of his people with a message of repentance ours is one of salvation through grace.

When we last spoke of John he was but an infant.  Today we will see what became of that child.

Luke 3:1-2

Once again Luke, the historian, gives the setting and timing of the coming of John into prominence.  He wrote about those in power in the day when John began to preach.  He spoke of

• Tiberius Caesar who was in the fifteenth year of his rule as Caesar.  The year would be either 24 AD or 30 AD depending once again on the calendar used.
• Pontius Pilate who would be in power until 36 AD until he was recalled by Rome.
• Four puppet kings who were descendants of Herod the Great are mentioned, Herod Antipas who was king over Galilee; Philip, king over Iturea and Trachonitis and Lysanias, king over Abilene.
• Annas and Caiaphas who were considered high priests.  Caiaphas was actually the high priest but his father Annas was really the power behind the position.  These men were of the party of the Sadducees and were appointed by the Romans.

John the Baptist did not choose the timing for his appearance on the pages of history.  God called him while he was living in the desert. (See Luke 1:80)  He had chosen a monastic lifestyle as opposed to the living as a priest.

1. Why did Luke give the names of the men in power at the time of John the Baptist?  (It was important for believers to understand the political environment into which he came with his message)
2. What did each of these men represent? (Political and religious power)
3. How did John know that the time was right for him to appear on the scene?
4. Where had he been all those years?
5. What kind of lifestyle had he rejected? (The formal priesthood of his father)

Luke 3:3

Even as he began his ministry he did not go into any of the main cities of Galilee or Judea but remained in the area around the Jordan River. The Apostle John states that it was in Bethany beyond the Jordan which would have put John the Baptist’s ministry east of the Jordan. (See John 1:28)  This would be another example of his separation from the traditions of the religious leaders of that day.  His message was about a baptism of repentance.  The Jews did not believe that it was necessary for them to be baptized because they were the chosen people who were assured of salvation because of their status.  Baptism was for proselytes, people who were not Jews but chose to become one, who came into the faith.  John saw no distinction between Jew and Gentile.  In his mind each person needed to genuinely repent of their sins and be baptized.

1. Why did John the Baptist remain outside the main cities like Jerusalem when he began his ministry?
2. In what ways did he break with tradition?
3. What did he preach that was different than what the people had been used to hearing?
4. Why did John believe there was no distinction between Jew and Gentile?

Luke 3:4-6

Luke saw John the Baptist as the fulfillment of the prophecy found in Isaiah 40:3-5.  His role was to be one to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah and the mind of Isaiah the true king of Israel.  The picture that is painted here is the preparation of the landscape to make sure the arrival of the king would be without any problems. Whatever debris or holes found along the road, that would slow the progress of the king, must be cleared. Although Luke does not indicate that the words were spoken by John the Apostle John does. (See John 1:23)

1. What did Luke believe about John the Baptist?
2. What does Isaiah say about the role that John was to play?
3. What picture does the verses in Isaiah paint for us?
4. Why did the Apostle John indicate that John the Baptist spoke these words and Luke did not?  (In John, John the Baptist was answering questions from those sent from Jerusalem and wanted to downplay his position.)        
5. What are some the obstacles we face that must be cleared from our lives before the Messiah can come?

Luke 3:7

Although Luke referred to everyone who came to John the Baptist as “a brood of vipers,” Matthew reserved this condemnation for the Pharisees and Sadducees who showed up to be baptized. (See Matthew 3:7)  The religious leaders showed up out of curiosity and animosity.  They were angry because John was including them in with those who needed forgiveness. 

The question John then asked could mean two things.  When speaking of the religious leaders he may have been speaking of the poisonous influence they had with the people.  If he spoke of everyone, they all were all fleeing from the judgment they were to face because of their sin.  The question was really a rhetorical one.  He knew they had all heard about the message he was preaching.

1. Why did Luke speak of all the people while Matthew referred only to the religious leaders when speaking of being offspring of vipers?
2. Why did the Sadducees and Pharisees come out to John?
3. Why would he speak more harshly to the religious leaders?
4. What are the actions of snakes when face with the flame of judgment?
5. Why would he as the question about the warning? (They had all heard what he was preaching.)

Luke 3:8

John stated that there should be an obvious change in the way one lives as a result of his or her repentance.  They could not count on the fact that they were descendants of Abraham to keep them from the judgment to come.  To point out their desperate situation he pointed that God could produce all the descendants He desired out of the rocks that were scattered on the ground.  The self-importance they felt meant nothing to God.

1. What should be the result of one who has repented of their sins?
2. Why could they not count on being descendants of Abraham?
3. What satirical remark did John make primarily to the religious leaders?
4. How often does pride get in the way of what God wants to do in your life?

Luke 3:9

The Day of Judgment was on the horizon.  All who did not repent and bear fruit as evidence of a changed life would face the consequences of their sin. The judgment would not come by way of John.  He was there to prepare the way for Jesus.  It would be as a result of the acceptance or rejection of Him.

1. What did John mean by the “axe”?
2. What part did John play in the judgment?
3. Who would bring the judgment?
4. How did John know that it was coming?

Luke 3:10-14

Three different groups came to John for answers to life’s situations.  They wanted to know how to live in a way that they were bearing the fruit he talked about.  Notice there is nothing about salvation in any of the commands from John. The people wanted to know what to do.  He said to

• The crowd- They should share clothing and food with those who had nothing.
• Tax Collectors – They were to be honest in their dealings with the people.
• Soldiers – Do not oppress the people or take money from them or make false accusations. They were to be satisfied with what they were being paid.

 

1. Why were the people seeking clarity in the teachings of John?
2. What did the diversity of the people who came to John show about his preaching?
3. What was the common factor?
4.  Why could the message to them not be considered the gospel? (It was more of the works oriented mindset so prevalent in the Jewish religion and other religions today. It has even spilled over into some groups who call themselves Christian, but teach a doctrine of receiving want you desire based on what you do.)
5. What did the teaching of John achieve? (Focusing on others instead of self, which was different from that of the religious leaders of the day who did everything to draw attention to themselves.)

Luke 3:15-18

It is understandable, that for someone like John to come on the scene after four hundred years of silence on God’s part, people would begin to wonder who he was.  There were those who speculated that he might even be long awaited the Messiah. John very quickly dispelled those thoughts.  He explained the difference between what he was doing as the forerunner and what the Christ to come would do.  The preparation work he was to do was all about repentance and baptism with water and no more. 

He spoke of the One to come in the following way. In the mind of John He was:

• To be mightier than John to the extent that he was not fit to even untie the Messiah’s sandals.
• To baptize not with water but with the Holy Spirit and fire. This occurred at Pentecost.
• The One who has the power and authority to bring judgment on those who rejected Him and salvation to those who accepted Him as their Savior.

With encouraging words he spoke of the good news of the one to come.  John knew his role and he was never deterred from fulfilling it even when receiving praise from completing the task.

1. Why was there speculation that John might be the Messiah?  (He came on the scene as a spokesman for God after four hundred years of silence.)
2. How often do we get caught up in the words of a charismatic speaker or politician etc. and believe that they can accomplish great things? Name some individuals who have impacted your life. 
3. What was your reaction when you found out they could not deliver.
4. How was John different from most self-proclaimed experts?
5. To whom did he point?
6. What did he say about the true Messiah who was to come?
7. Why were these final words good news?

Luke 3:19

The political correctness police operated even in those days.  John made the fatal mistake of criticizing Herod Antipas for his act of immorality. Herod had stolen the wife of Philip, his brother, and took her as his own wife. Luke indicates that Herod had also committed other evil acts.  Eventually, to shut John up he had him arrested and put into a dungeon cell.

1. How much like what occurs today were the actions of Herod?
2. What was it that got John into trouble?
3. Why was Herod offended by what John was saying? (He knew John was right but did not want to deal with the guilt of what he had done.)
4. How did he think throwing John into prison was going to help the situation?  (One thing he would not have the ongoing reminders from John for what he had done.)

 

• Take care that people mislead you with false promises and ideas.
• Look out for others and help them in their time of need.
• Exam yourself to see if there is any pride or other sin operating in your life for which you need to be forgiven.
• Ask for forgiveness if there is a need.
• Always be of the mindset to point others to Jesus and not yourself.

We probably do not think about it very much but God has allowed us to be here at this particular time and place.  The location of a church like ours and the people in it are not where we are by accident.  We did not choose the place or time but brought us together for a purpose.  The privilege we have is to share the good news using all of our gifts and abilities in the community in which the church is located. 

We have to realize that it is His work we are about and it cannot be done without the empowering of the Holy Spirit. It is the work to glorify God and be His presence among the people to which He has called us to serve.  John’s advice to those who came to him fits our role perfectly.  First we are to point people to Jesus. Secondly, we are to serve unselfishly in meeting the needs of others.  Nothing that is done is to be for our own glory but always that the name of Jesus is front and center in all of our ministries.

Additional Notes:

M-Responds to the call of God as shown to him from His Word. Understands that the call is to carry out the purpose that God has for his life.  The call is individual. The will of God is also for the individual, even though it may very well affect many others. (Luke 3:3-6, 16)

 M-John the Baptist was motivated by the fact that he was fulfilling in his life what God had called him to be and do. (Luke 3:3-6)

GC-A follower of Christ is to share what he has. (Luke 3:11; 6:30)

GC-Honest (Luke 3:13)

GC-Content with what we have (Luke 3:14)

GC-Does not make false accusations (Luke 3:14)

RT-When we understand the reality of baptism, man can only take part in the outward sign of the decision by being immersed in the water.  It is God who changes the heart of man and brings about a baptism that takes place internally through the work of the Holy Spirit. This change of heart brings about a new attitude and altered behavior as he strives to serve Christ. (Luke 3:16)

GC-Exhorts others with the teaching and preaching of the gospel (Luke 3:18)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson 5

Into Manhood

Luke 2:41-52

Ever since I was a young person, I have had a sense of need to be in Church. There have been times when it was not possible to attend somewhere, because of circumstances beyond my control.  Two of my favorite Scriptures that speak to the importance of being in God’s house are found in Psalm 84:10 and Hebrews 10:24-25. The Psalmist tells us that, “A day in Your (God’s) courts is better than a thousand outside.  I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness” (the world). Over in Hebrews we are told, “Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembly together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.  To me it means that I am to give top priority to being in the place where I can find joy, fellowship and understanding of God’s purpose for my life.  It saddens me to see the lackadaisical attitude that so many of us take toward gathering together and hearing God’s word.

Jesus gave the church the command, “Go, (As you are going) therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and he Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” (Matt, 28:19-20) The advice Paul gave to Timothy truly applies to the whole church.  We are to know that, “That all Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16)

We must understand that none of the above will take place without committed followers of Christ.  It is so important that we who have been in the church for a while set the example for those who come after us.  The church will not prevail against the gates of hell with men and women of deep convictions.  Jesus set the example for us as we shall see in today’s lesson.

Luke 2:41-42

It had been the practice of Jesus’ parents to go up to the Feast of the Passover every year. The words of Luke again showed that Joseph and Mary were devout believers who kept the Law of Moses. Jesus would follow in the tradition of His people.

 There were two other feasts that all the men of Israel were required to attend.  They were the Feast of Weeks celebrated beginning the fiftieth day after Passover for one week.  This corresponds to the Feast of Pentecost in the book of Acts. (Acts 2:1)  The other was held at the end of the harvest season in the fall as was named the Feast of Booths.  For each of these feasts sacrifices and offerings had to be made.  The only place that animals could be sacrificed was at the Temple.

Just as a refresher the Feast of the Passover had been established in the time of Moses. On the last night the Israelites were in Egypt, they put the blood of a lamb on around the door of their houses.  When the angel of death saw the blood he passed over those houses leaving the first born son alive.  Of course the Egyptians had not received that command and the first born in every family, including the animals, died.  Pharaoh then ordered Moses and all of the Israelites to leave. Since they had to leave in haste they did not have time to have bread rise and so they ate unleavened bread.  The Feast of the unleavened bread was then celebrated for the week following the Passover.

Evidently Jesus had not attended the feast with his parents before or been to Jerusalem since He was an infant.  When He turned twelve He made his first trip to Jerusalem.  At that age a young boy entered into manhood and would begin taking on the responsibilities of learning a trade.  Even the rabbis in the time of Christ would have a trade, for example Paul was a tentmaker. Although every Jewish boy learned the Old Testament early in his life, between the ages of ten and fifteen he would also be taught the Mishna or oral traditions of his people. When he reached the age of fifteen he would continue his education under the guidance of the rabbis in the synagogue school. Some of the brightest students might even be selected to become rabbis.  Today young Jewish boys participate in the ceremony of Bar-Mitzvah at the age of twelve.  Bar-Mitzvah means son of the law.  This would have been the same for Jesus as a Son of the law which He came to fulfill.

1. Why did Joseph and Mary go up to Jerusalem every year?
2. What would have been other occasions for them to go?
3. What does this tell us about their faith?
4. What happened on the night of the Passover?
5. Why had Jesus not gone up to Jerusalem before this time? (He was not yet considered a man which would take place when He was twelve?
6. What does the word Bar-Mitzvah mean? 
7. How did they apply to Jesus?  (He was born under the Law that He might fulfill the requirements of the Law.)

Luke 2:43-44

When the seven days of the feast were completed, the Mary and Joseph set out for the trip home.  They did not realize that Jesus had stayed behind in Jerusalem. Until the first day was coming to a close did they did not have any reason to worry.  Since the men and women travelled separately during the day each may have thought that Jesus was with the other parent or with all the other young people His age.  At the end of the day they began looking for Him. 

1. How long did the feast last?
2. Why would they have missed Jesus?
3. Why were they not together? (The women travelled slower and set out first.)
4. What has been your reaction if you have ever lost someone in a store or other places?
5. Why would they have not worried about His absence during the day?  (He would have been with people returning to Nazareth who He would know.)

Luke 2:45-47

Not finding Him among the caravan of relatives and acquaintances they travelled back to Jerusalem.  They would probably have waited until the following morning to make the trip because of the danger along the way. (See the story of the Good Samaritan. Luke 10:30-37) It took a day to get back to the city.  On the third day they found Him sitting among the teachers in Temple listening and asking questions. Those who heard Him were amazed at the wisdom of such a young man.  Since this is the only time that this incident was written about there is no way to know exactly what Jesus wanted to know.

1. Why did it take them so long to find Jesus? (Travel time and the size of the city.)
2. Why did they not think to go to the Temple as soon as they arrived?
3. What kind of questions do you think Jesus was asking?
4. Why did Luke not tell us what the discussion was all about? (His eyewitnesses were not privy to the conversation.  Mary and Joseph were not there to hear what was being said.)
5. Why would the teachers have been amazed? (Possibly they did not expect someone so young to have such wisdom.)

Luke 2:48

When Mary and Joseph found Him in the Temple they were also astonished.  No one would have expected to find a twelve year old having dialogue, if it may be said, on an equal basis with the learned men of His day.  Like all parents their reaction would of course be one of relief but also exasperation that they had been put through such an ordeal. Notice they had forgotten over the years all that had happened.  They got so use to Him being the perfect child and in a way just took it for granted that was what He was meant to be.

1. Why were Mary and Joseph just as astonished as the teachers? (They had forgotten in the moment the events that had occurred years earlier.
2.  What was amazing about the things that Jesus was saying to the teachers?
3. In what ways do we reach a point that we take people for granted?

Luke 2:49

The response of Jesus had two parts to it.  First, He seemed surprised that they would have to look for Him. As far as He was concerned it should have been obvious that He would be in the Temple. His answer would clear up the matter of who His true father was.  Although Joseph was the man who had raised Him and was considered by all to be His father, both Mary and Joseph should have remembered that Jesus was the Son of His Father in heaven.

Somewhere along the way, Jesus began to understand His purpose for being on earth. He was to serve Him and ultimately bring salvation to all mankind.  Simeon had made it clear to Mary what eventually would happen to her Son.  The words clearly stated that He believed that He must be in His Father’s house. It was the place where God had told Solomon His presence would be.  Naturally, Jesus would feel at home in the presence of His Father. 

In no way should it be seen that Jesus was discourteous and disrespectful to Mary and Joseph. It was not in His nature to be condescending.  He was only stating facts to them.

1. Why would Jesus say He had to be about His Father’s business? (He understood the special relationship with God and the call upon His life even at the age of twelve.)
2. Why did He address Mary and Joseph as He did? (He knew who His true Father was.)
3. Why was it important for Him to be in His Father’s house? (It was the place where God’s presence was believed to be on the earth.)
4. What did Mary and Joseph learn that day? (That in a way Jesus was no longer their little boy but had become a man with a purpose that they could not understand or of which they could have any part.)
5. Why is it important for us to be in God’s house?

Luke 2:50-51

After the events in the Temple, Jesus returned back to Nazareth with Mary and Joseph.  He continued to show respect for them.  Like all other children he obeyed them and submitted to their authority in His life for the next eighteen years.

1. How did Jesus treat Mary and Joseph after His trip to Jerusalem?
2. In what ways did He behave as all other children?
3. What does this say about Him? (He continued to live a sinless life)

Luke 2:52

Luke spoke of the life Jesus lived for the next eighteen years. Although he had displayed a great deal of wisdom in the midst of the teachers, the years that followed only added to that wisdom.  If, as it is believed, Joseph died before Jesus was grown, He would, as the first born, been called on to take over the responsibility of providing for the family.  He would have learned a great deal about people and hard work during that time.

Secondly, it said that He grew in stature.  Although He was declared a man at the feast of the Passover, over the years He grew physically into manhood.  The type of work He did would have made Him strong in body.

Finally, from what has been written and understood about His character and the way He treated people He would have been liked by one and all.  He was not at the point where He would confront the religious leaders and others that would cause men to turn against Him and ultimately send Him to the cross. More importantly, His understanding of His Father would also have increased because of the wisdom He was gaining.  God would have been laying out for Jesus piece by piece His future plans for His Son.

1. What need did the Son of God have to grow in wisdom?
2. What would have been some of the things that would have brought above the wisdom of which Luke wrote? (Facing life’s situations and learning from them will produce wisdom.)
3. What are some of the events in your life that have helped you to become wiser?
4. What qualities would Jesus have possessed that cause people to like Him when He was young?
5. What qualities do you possess that helps others to like you?
6. What can you do about any lack of those qualities?

 

• You can learn to live a better quality Christian life from the example of Jesus and His family as they took their faith seriously.
• To grow spiritually it is important to be in God’s word daily as evidenced by the knowledge Jesus had.
• Making a commitment to being presence in God’s house where Worshipping, learning, finding encouragement and fellowship are primary ingredients in transforming your life to become more Christ-like.
• Goals for you are to grow in wisdom and in favor with God and man.

Inconsistency permeates our whole society today.  Young people see that our actions do not match up with what we say we believe. On the one hand, the church maintains that God’s word is our guideline for living. Survey after survey, however tell a different story.  Their findings show that for the most part Americans are biblical illiterates. We cry out that young people are leaving the church in droves but our own attendance, for many, is sporadic with even committed attendees at the church about half to two thirds of the Sundays in the year.  The picture that we get from the early life of Jesus was the importance that God played not only in His life but also that of His parents.  He wanted answers to important questions and the place to find them were with God’s people. Hopefully, Christ’s example will once again create a fervor in us to follow His example.

 

 

Lesson 4

A Childhood in the Likeness of God

Luke 2:21-40

As strange as it may seem some of my fondnest memories of growing up are related to the church.  Two events stand out for me.  The first was my baptism at the age of nine.  My cousin and I went forward on the same Sunday.  Although I did not understand everything that it meant, I did know for certain that I belonged to Jesus.  I am not sure at that moment a whole lot changed in my life.  Even though I was saved the process of working out what salvation meant for me is still going on.  I can very well relate to Paul’s words in Philippians when he said, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” Phil. (2:13) Whereas Jesus was perfect before His circumcision and dedication, I certainly am not.  His grace therefore is of upmost importance in my life.

The second event was my confirmation into the Episcopal Church.  Here again I was too young to understand the full implication of what that ceremony meant.  As I write this lesson it has dawned on me that it was really the beginning of service to Christ.  He had drawn me to Himself at the time of baptism and then He was allowing me to begin a life of service even in the simplest ways.  It was during that time that He began to indicate to me the love of teaching and learning.  It would be many years before either of these would come to fruition but in those early days of my faith God was already at work.

Southern Baptist churches only have two ordinances that are to be practiced.  Neither are binding on the person as was the rituals that we shall look at today.  We perform baptism as a witness to what has already occurred in a person’s life.  The act of submerging a person under the water does not save him or her.  Only the turning over of one’s life to Jesus will bring about salvation.  The second also does not have anything to do with eternal, but is a visual reminder of the work that Christ did on the cross.  He gave us the command to eat the bread and drink the juice as so that we would remember the giving of His body and the shedding of His blood for us. 

Luke 2:21

According to Jewish tradition, which dated back to the covenant given to Abraham, every male child was to be circumcised on the eight day of his life. (See Genesis 17:10-12)  This was also codified into the Levitical law in Leviticus 12:3. This operation would identify the child as a member of the Jewish nation therefore one of the chosen people of God.

Jesus parents brought Jesus to have the act performed on Him.  It was also on that date that the child received his official name.  He was given the name they had received from the angel, Gabriel.  He was to be called Jesus for He would be the one to bring salvation into the world. (See Matt. 1:21)

Jesus was to be identified with His people.  He would also live His life under the law.  Of course He did not need the law or the rituals to remind Him of man’s sinful nature, because He was sinless throughout His entire life. In order to totally fulfill the law He was not only born under it but lived His whole life in perfect obedience to it.

1. Why was it important for a boy born into a Jewish family to be circumcised?
2. Where did the practice start?
3. Why was it necessary for Jesus to be circumcised?
4. In what ways did it show His identification with the people He was sent to save?

Luke 2:22-24

The second ceremony was a combination of purification of the mother after giving birth and the dedication of the first born son to the Lord.  The Old Testament in the same chapter of Leviticus spelled out what was to be done by the mother. (Lev. 12:1-8).  The dedication of the son is shared in Exodus 13:2, 12 and Numbers 3:13; 8:17. It would have occurred when the child was forty days old.  

The offering Mary made would have been two turtledoves or pigeons indicating that she could not afford to bring a lamb for sacrifice. Jesus was born into a family of humble means.  One of the pigeons would have been offered as a sin offering for cleansing. The other was given as a burnt offering representing restoration of her ability to once again worship in the temple.  The fact that Mary brought the birds would tell us that she was in need of the forgiveness of sin and the salvation that would come through her Son.

1. Why was the second ceremony delayed?
2. What did the dedication of the son mean?
3. What did the idea of the child being holy to the Lord mean?
4. Why was it necessary for Mary to bring sacrifices to the temple?
5. What indicated that Joseph and Mary were poor?
6. Why did God make provisions for the poor as He did?
7. What do the offerings tell us about the need that Mary had in her life?

Luke 2:25-32

While they were there a man named Simeon approached them.  He was described as righteous and devout.  He was also one of those who was looking for the coming Messiah who would provide them comfort in their distress but also free them from the oppression of the Roman Government under which they lived. 

The Holy Spirit revealed to him that the child in the arms of His parents was the one for whom he was waiting. He had been told that he would not die until he had seen the hope of Israel. When he approached Joseph and Mary he took the baby into his arms and “blessed God.”  His words expressed his innermost feelings at seeing the promised Messiah. He said,

• He could die in peace having seen the Child.
• The Child he held was to provide the salvation of the Lord for not only the Jews but the Gentiles as well.

 

1. What attributes describe Simeon’s life?
2. How did he know which child to approach?
3. What would have been different about Jesus?
4. Why did God allow Simeon to live long enough to see Jesus?
5. What did he believe the Child would bring to the world?
6. How could he know what to say about Jesus?
7. Why were his words important?

Luke 2:33-35

His parents were amazed at the words spoken by Simeon.  Although by this time, how could anything surprise them?  Even with the miraculous birth and events surrounding it they still could not totally grasp the totality of what it all meant.  This would be true of anyone facing similar situations.

Simeon then turned his focus to Mary and Joseph and then spoke directly to Mary. She was told some things that would be in the future of her Son.  Speaking only to Mary may be an indication, that all of the prophecies concerning Jesus would occur after the death of Joseph. Simeon said that He was:

• Chosen by God to bring about the fall and rise of the people of Israel.  All who would come to Him would have to fall and be broken before they could receive the salvation that He was to bring.
• There would those who would reject Him completely.
• Events would occur that would cut her deeply.
• He would completely expose the of sin man by His life and death and resurrection.

 

1. Why would the words of Simeon amaze the parents of Jesus?
2. Why did he speak words directly to Mary?
3. What do the things told to Mary say about what the life of Jesus would mean?
4. Why did he speak of the fall and then the rise of the people of Israel?
5. What does the sword signify?
6. What did Simeon understand would be the result of Jesus’ life?

Luke 2:36-38

There was one more person there that day, who had an understanding of all she heard.  The Bible does not say that she actually approached the family.  She may have just overheard what was taking place.  Her name was Anna. She is described as a prophetess who had been married for seven years. After that period of time her husband died.  From that point on until she was eighty-four, she spent all her time in the temple fasting and praying.  When she heard the words of Simeon she began giving thanks to God and telling everyone of the redemption of Israel that was being played out in their life time. Once again it would have taken the Holy Spirit giving her understanding to be able to speak as she did.

1. How would you describe Anna?
2. Why did she spend her time in the temple?
3. In what ways was she like Simeon?
4. Why do we not see this type of dedication to the Lord, today?
5. What was it in the words of Simeon that would have caused her to begin sharing the good news with those around her?

Luke 2-39-40

Luke wrote that the family returned to Nazareth after those events. He probably left the trip into Egypt out of his gospel because it did fit into what he was trying to say. (See Matthew 2 for the events that occurred in the first few years of Jesus’ life.)  Luke’s purpose in what he included in his gospel was to tell about what Jesus did.  The description of those early years is lacking in detail. One can only surmise the influence His earthly parents had in shaping a character that was already perfect.  The things he learned from them certainly influenced His later ministry.  Luke  said that Jesus,

• Grew- This would have been physically
• Became strong –  Anyone involved in the work of a carpenter in those days would grow strong
• Increased in wisdom – He was growing spiritually and in His understanding of man.
• Had the grace of God upon Him – Paul wrote in Colossians, “For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him.” (Col. 1:19)  In the next chapter he said, “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form.” (Col. 2:9)  God left nothing to chance but poured out on His Son all that He needed to perfectly serve Him.

 

1. What are the attributes Luke used to describe Jesus’ childhood?
2. In what ways would this speak to the desires of your heart for your children or those you know who have children.
3. What does it mean for Jesus to be increasing in wisdom?
4. In what ways was Jesus equipped to face the challenges ahead of Him even as a child?
5. Why do people lack some of these characteristics in their lives even after they are grown?
6. What did James say is the main reason we lack wisdom? See James 1:5

• In the verses being studied we are confronted with five righteous people.  Each one was in need of the grace that only Jesus would be able to provide.  Through Him and Him only would they receive forgiveness from sin and the salvation.  We have to remember our righteousness will not gain salvation for us anymore than it would for them.  We too need forgiveness and salvation in order to become righteous.
• Remember without Christ no one will obtain salvation.  Each of them lived under the law.  Jesus came to fulfill the law that we might have grace free from the law.
• Remember that it is not traditions or rituals that save us but the promised One.
• Understand that Jesus is the fulfillment of all prophecy in the Old and New Testament.
• Part of loving God is to use your mind.  Ponder the things given to us in God’s Word and hide them in your heart.
• Pray that you will continue grow in wisdom.
• Pray with thanksgiving for the grace of God that has been poured out upon you.

Simeon and Anna should be an example for each of us in the church.  They sought the coming of the Lord to provide comfort and restoration for the people.  We should be those who are comforted and consoled by the Holy Spirit. He is at work among God’s people to restore the lost and forgotten into the relationship that Jesus came to bring.

How do we become aware of what God is trying to do?  It comes from being sensitive to the Holy Spirit.  Only as we focus on His word and meditate will He speak to us in the way that Simeon and the others heard Him.  If we truly continue to seek Him in this way, the Church will be the shining example that this world needs to see.

The last thing to remember is that the church is all about Him.  None of the people mentioned in the text today pointed to themselves as any one of value, but to Jesus as the only hope for the world.  Let us do the same.

Additional notes:

GC-Is righteous and devout and is looking for the redemption and restoration of all people.       (Luke 2:25)

RT-Aspects of worship

1. Come in the Spirit
2. Blesses God
3. Seeing salvation in actions of those who are God’s possession.
4. Fastings and prayers (Luke 2:26-38)

M-Moved by directions from the Holy Spirit (Luke 2:49)-This should be our attitude as we come to worship.  We are to come in the Spirit to God’s holy place. (Luke 2:27)

RT-Simeon with anticipation saw the future when God’s salvation would be at work in the hearts of men. (Luke 2:30)

GC-As one grows he increases in wisdom and is filled with God’s grace. (Luke 2:40; 2:52)