BiblicalMastery Buddy's bible blog

Lesson 13

God’s Standards

Luke 6:12-26

It is so easy to look at oneself and think I am doing well spiritually.  Just in the last few days I received a wakeup call during a Life Action Summit meeting.  The speaker gave everyone a questionnaire. Everyone was asked to answer several questions about where we thought we were our spiritual walk.  Each question could only be answered yes or no.  Although I failed it miserably, it was no consolation that everyone with whom I spoke had also done so.

I told my wife that anyone who went through it with no problems should look at it to see if there is an issue with pride.  What I learned was even though I might have thought that I was doing ok, it is God who has set the standards and He is the one who judges me. 

I am so thankful that God’s grace does not depend on my trying to measure up to what He has deemed as an example of one He would call perfect.  I am a work in progress that will never be finished this side of heaven.

There is so much talk today about what constitutes a healthy church.  Even those that are seeing lives transformed by the preaching and teaching of the word still will have their weaknesses.  The best we can do is to try to follow God’s leading for the body called the church.  Rick Warren many years ago wrote the “The Purpose Driven Church.”  In it he called for the church to be balanced in the five purposes derived from the Great Commission and Great Commandment found in Matthew.  They are Worship, Discipleship, Ministry, Fellowship and Evangelism.  Very few churches reach the level in which there is not more emphasis given to one or the other of these purposes.

What God is looking for in a church is the willingness of His people to submit to His purpose.  We are to serve Him completely and leave the results to Him.  Jesus is still looking for disciples today who desire to follow and serve Him as we walk throughout our world.

Luke 6:12

Although not mentioned here specifically, Jesus had already started the selection process.  He had called Simon, Andrew, James, John and Levi by this time.  John talks about some of the others not mentioned before now in Luke.  They had already travelled with Him and seen Him heal individuals.  Just as important they had experienced firsthand the opposition from the religious leaders that would eventually result in the death of Jesus.  Those were the same men who oppose everything that the apostles would do after the resurrection of Jesus.  Jesus wanted the twelve to know what they could expect before they committed to following Him.

Before Jesus made the final cut and selected His closest associates, the disciples, He went away from the crowd and spent a night in prayer.  The choosing of the twelve was very important to Him and the Father.  They were to be the men to whom he was going to entrust the future of the movement that would be called Christianity.  He could leave nothing to chance.  Talking it over with His Father helped clarify who the men were to be.

1. Why did Jesus spend time with all of the men before deciding who would be part of the twelve who would receive most of His attention?
2. From what they had already experienced what could each of the men expect to happen in the future?
3. Why was it important for Jesus to spend a night in prayer before deciding on the men to be His disciples?
4. How often do you pray through a matter before making a decision?
5. What is usually the result when you either pray or do not pray about a particular situation?

Luke 6:13-16

After having spent the night in communication with the Father, Jesus came back to the group waiting for Him.  From the larger body of disciples He called out certain men who would be His closest companions.  Five of the men would have probably known each other coming from the same village of Bethsaida.  They were Simon, Andrew, James, John, Phillip.  Bartholomew, possibly also known as Nathaniel, was a friend of Phillip.  Eleven of the disciples were from Galilee.  The one lone exception was Judas Iscariot who was from Judah.

Jesus chose a very diverse group of men to be with Him.  There were fishermen, a tax collector and others about who little is known.  Two of the men were nationalists or zealots who were on the fore front of opposition to the Roman rule in their country.

Not only did the men have different careers but varying personalities.  Peter was bold, while Andrew his brother was the one who was always bringing others to Jesus.  James and John were quick tempered and ambitious.  Thomas was one who always needed to see evidence before making a decision.   He also showed a tendency to be brave in difficult circumstances.

These are the twelve Jesus chose to be with Him at all times to hear and learn what it would take for them become His disciples. Later after His resurrection they would be given the command to evangelize the world.

1. Why did Jesus just choose twelve men to travel with Him? (A group any larger would be unwieldy for one thing.)
2. Why did He choose such a diverse group of men? (It would take all different types to help grow the kingdom of Christ.)
3. Why is it important for a church to have people with different spiritual gifts, passions, abilities, personalities and experiences?
4. Why did Jesus deliberately choose a man who would eventually betray Him? (No one is beyond hope.)
5. What would Jesus have to do to transform that ragtag group of men in the twelve apostles we see in the book of Acts?
6. What work does Jesus have to do in our lives to turn us into a church that will impact the community in which God has placed us?

Luke 6:17-19

Coming down from the mountainside, Jesus once again was confronted with a throng of people waiting to not only hear Him but to receive healing.  It would be quite a scene greeting the new disciples with the people crowding in on Jesus hoping to touch Him.  This would be the first lesson for them to learn.  If they did not already know it, it would become apparent that they would have to share Jesus with the crowds that needed what only He could offer.  There would be plenty of time for them to be with Him in private sessions. Luke said power was flowing from Him and all were healed.

1. What awaited Jesus as He and the disciples came down from the mountain?
2. What would your reaction be to such a scene?
3. How did Jesus react to the scene before Him?
4. Although Luke said they came to hear them what would it take to be able to get the attention of the people? (In this case He would have to take care of their physical needs in order to calm them.)
5. What is the difference between the crowd that Jesus met and a mob? (Mobs are unruly the crowd around Jesus respected Him and did not get out of hand.)
6. What is the lessons can we learn about sharing Jesus with others from His example?

Luke 6:20

After taking care of the crowd He turned His attention to the disciples.  There was time to deal with every situation in a timely and orderly manner.  Jesus was never in a hurry, but used His time to the greatest benefit of each person. He began His role as rabbi to His disciples.

1. At what point was Jesus able to turn His attention to His disciples?
2. What role did He assume at that point?
3. What right did He have in assuming the role of rabbi? (He had selected the men who would follow Him for the rest of their lives?
4. What lesson can we learn from this verse?  (Jesus handles everything in an orderly manner. 
5. What would be our response to like circumstances? (We may want a leader to stop what he is doing to give us His full attention.)

Luke 6:21-22

If the disciples expected to hear the same old concepts that all the other rabbis taught they were in for a real shock.  The teaching was to be a radical departure from the dried and staid ideas they had heard so many times before.  Jesus began with attitudes He expected His disciples to possess.  Both in Matthew and Luke they are called the beatitudes.  Luke listed only four here as compared with the listed in Matthew 5.  The format is also different.  Many believe that these in Luke were not part of the Sermon on the Mount but were taught at a different time.  I have been a believer that Jesus spoke about the same subjects many times during the final three years on earth.  If this is true the words He used would be according to the circumstances in which He found Himself.

The one common idea is that those who have the attitude expressed in each one the beatitudes. Both in Matthew and in Luke those who follow the teaching of Jesus would have happiness, joy, peace and blessedness in his life.  It should also be understood that poverty, hunger and hatred, by themselves have nothing to do with the blessedness.  It is the way that a person approaches every aspect in life. The four are:

• Blessed are the poor. They will have the kingdom of God. Matthew speaks of poverty of spirit.  Luke does not go beyond the fact that a person is poor.  It is the acceptance that not all will have wealth and that should never be a hindrance to our relationship with God.
• Blessed are those who hunger.  This too is a temporary condition.  One day each follower of Christ will sit at the banquet table of Christ.  God will provide for all of the needs in a way He sees fit.
• Blessed are those who weep.  Laughter will follow. Each person experiences deep hurts.  Christ will help each to walk through them and bring joy to life.  Here again this too is a temporary situation.
• Probably the one that most would give a person the most trouble is the idea that there will be people who will lash out at followers of Christ. The result will be a day in the future when a person can leap for joy.  Although things may not go well on the earth, all is in preparation for that future time in eternity with Christ.

It is important for the disciples to understand that the things Jesus just shared with them were not anything new. He told them that the prophets that had gone before them had been treated the same way by their Jewish ancestors.

1. What is the one factor in all of these are we to understand? (Even in difficult situations Jesus can still provide joy and peace.)
2. Of all of these beatitudes which do you find the most difficult to accept?
3. Which do you think you could handle?
4. Why did Jesus begin His teaching with such harsh realities?

Luke 6:24-26

Jesus moved from those who were blessed, even in difficult situations,  to those experiencing all of the comforts of life.  He pronounced instead of a blessing a woe.  The word woe is a difficult one to translate.  It carries with both a denunciation and also a deep sorrow.  Those who are receiving the condemnation of Jesus do so not because of the fact that they have possessions but their attitudes towards those who do not.  As with the blessing they are neutral or amoral.  There is no righteousness or unrighteous found in any of them.  There are four different groups upon whom Jesus issues woes.

• Rich- It is not the wealth itself but the arrogance of those who have it that bring the judgment of Jesus.  Those individuals look in distain upon the poor but do nothing to alleviate the situation.  There are a number of Scriptures that show the attitude of the rich towards the poor.  Two of those instances are found in James chapter 2 and in the church of Laodicea in Revelation 3. Like poverty, this condition is temporary and wealth is fleeting. Sadly these individuals are getting their reward now and now storing up treasure in heaven where it really counts.  They do everything for today.
• Well-fed- Selfish individuals are the ones who enjoy all the pleasures of this world without any regard for the next.  They live for themselves and lack nothing.  The day will come in the future when all their indulgences will be a thing of the past.  Those who hunger now will eat at the banquet table of Christ while those live only for themselves will have nothing.
• Laughter- Moses turned down the pleasures of this world for the rewards that were to be his as He was faithful to God.  Those who live a life just to have a good time will one day come to the reality of how empty that life has been.  With that realization of a life wasted on the frivolous will come deep mourning and weeping.  The Old Testament speaks of joy turned into mourning because of the actions of the people.
• Popularity- The true prophet was usually rejected and persecuted.  Those who spoke the words the people wanted to hear were well received.  Jesus called those individuals false prophets.  Things have not changed for there are many false prophets in churches today preaching not God’s word but ones filled with promises of prosperity, health and a happy life.  Jesus’ woes on those men and women have not changed.  Sadly, many people are being mis-lead by the promises made by them.

 

1. What are some examples that show righteous use of wealth?
2. Why did Jesus denounce the wealthy of His day?
3. What is wrong with being well fed?  (Nothing if food is not hoarded and only used for one’s on benefit.  We are a nation of overeaters.)
4. What is wrong with being popular?
5. To what was Jesus referring when talking about false prophets?
6. Why are they more popular than those who truly speak the word of God?
7.  What are some examples of false prophets today?
8. How do they misuse the Scriptures?

• Spend as much time as needed before making important decisions.
• Wait until God gives you an answer to your prayers before proceeding to act.
• Praise God for the diversity He has brought to the church.
• Understand that the same things that God has given you can be a blessing or a woe (a sorrowful denunciation) of the way you use His gifts to you.
• Be careful of pride or arrogance in your life when relating to others.
• Always seek God’s treasure stored up in heaven and not those things that are temporary.

Many in the church world are calling for a radical departure from the way we have thought and done things over the last thirty to forty years.  Although we may not agree with them in everything they say, it is a wakeup call to churches that have become lethargic in the teaching and sharing of God’s word. We need teaching and preaching that will literally turn our lives upside down.  Paul was accused of teaching the very same thing we about read in Acts 17:6.  The charge was that, “These men who have upset the world have come here also.” 

This can only happen when we become passionate about two things.  The first is to study and meditate on His word until we make it our own.  Based on the first, we are to become true followers of Christ who are willing to share the radical gospel with those who do not know Jesus.  The time to start is now.