BiblicalMastery Buddy's bible blog

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.

5

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.