{"id":281,"date":"2013-08-28T20:10:32","date_gmt":"2013-08-29T01:10:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/?p=281"},"modified":"2013-08-28T20:11:49","modified_gmt":"2013-08-29T01:11:49","slug":"the-true-nature-of-man","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/?p=281","title":{"rendered":"Man Who Are You?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p align=\"center\">Lesson 26<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\">Man Who Are You?<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\">Luke 9:46-62<\/p>\n<p>Like most of you throughout my career I have had my share of performance evaluations.\u00a0 Of all the things I had to do they were the part of my job I disliked the most.\u00a0 It was the practice at the International Mission Board where I worked for twenty six years to start the process by having each person evaluate himself. \u00a0I never liked to do that.\u00a0 It seemed to me that one either built him or herself up or he or she put themselves down. There never ever seemed to be a middle ground. There was one part of the review that I always joked about.\u00a0 It read something like, \u201cConfused and barely able to function.\u201d\u00a0 I want to know who in his right mind would put that down as to how well he had done in his position during the year. Although, I tried to be honest I can assure you that I was not about to put myself in that category.<\/p>\n<p>I sometimes wonder what my performance review looks like in the light of God\u2019s standards.\u00a0 How do I stack up in His eyes? I know that my failures would definitely keep me out of the excellent category.\u00a0 Many times I have told others that I do not have to worry about having a big ego for just as sure as I do something well today I am going to mess up tomorrow.\u00a0 Thankfully, He has already taken care of my job evaluation.\u00a0 He did that on the cross.\u00a0 My responsibility has become to love Him and in that loving to serve Him out of thanksgiving.<\/p>\n<p>When we consider the qualities that make a church what it is what are they?\u00a0 All too often we determine how we are doing by:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The number of people that show up on a Sunday morning.<\/li>\n<li>The size of our budget<\/li>\n<li>The number of programs we have going<\/li>\n<li>The number of activities taking place in the building.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>What we forget God is not looking at those things, even though all of them may be good, to evaluate us.\u00a0 He desires not busyness but transformed lives.\u00a0 The things mentioned above may cause us to be puffed up and proud, neither of which mean anything in the grand scheme of eternity.\u00a0 If we are not about the business of making disciples and seeing lives transformed God may look at us and say that the church is confused and barely able to function.\u00a0 We must learn to get our priorities straight.\u00a0 After all, the church is about people not organizational stuff.<\/p>\n<p>Today we could set down with a check list and see how the people involved were doing.\u00a0 In light of all that we have seen in the last two weeks, the question becomes why did the disciples and others still did not get why Jesus came.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0Luke 9:46<\/p>\n<p>It is amazing that even after the disciples should have understood how weak they were without Jesus they would be having the conversation seen in this verse.\u00a0 What were their short-comings?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Inability to provide food for the five thousand even when Jesus had commanded them to do so.<\/li>\n<li>They were commanded to act as waiters and distribute the bread and fish from the hand of Jesus.<\/li>\n<li>Peter\u2019s desire to stay on the mountain so they would not have to deal with everyday issues.<\/li>\n<li>Peter wanted to keep Jesus from fulfilling the purpose for which He had come.<\/li>\n<li>Failure on the part of the other disciples to bring healing to the demon possessed boy.<\/li>\n<li>The disciples were bewildered by the talk of Jesus about His impending death.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>They seemed to have completely forgotten how dependent they were on Jesus.\u00a0 Now they were not carrying on a discussion but an argument about who was the greatest among them.\u00a0 From a totally human perspective Peter, James and John may have had the greater amount of evidence for their point of view because they were the inner circle that Jesus always chose to be with Him for the important events.\u00a0 They did not comprehend that it was an honor and not a privilege that they had been given.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>In what ways did the disciples show that they were insufficient without Jesus?<\/li>\n<li>Why were they having the discussion at all?\u00a0 (They still did not understand that Jesus was not going to establish an earthly kingdom)<\/li>\n<li>Why would Peter, James and John think they had an inside track to be the greatest among them?<\/li>\n<li>What had Jesus done for the three? (Given them the honor of being close to Him?<\/li>\n<li>What would this mean that He would require of them? (He who is given much more will be required of him.)<\/li>\n<li>What is the problem when we compare ourselves to others?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Luke 9:47-48<\/p>\n<p>Jesus knew that their argument was truly reflective of what was in their hearts.\u00a0 Each had already elevated himself above the others. To help them understand their true positions in this world He took a small child and placed him next to Him in the place of honor. In that society a child had no standing whatever. They were the weak, helpless and dependent members of the community. Each of them expected that place to be reserved for them.\u00a0 Jesus always had a way of turning standard convention on its head. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Having stood the child next to Him, He then spoke to the disciples.\u00a0 He used two parallel thoughts to describe how the disciples were to view themselves and others.\u00a0 To be a part of His kingdom work they had:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>To receive the hopeless, helpless and dependent in order to truly have a relationship with Jesus.<\/li>\n<li>To secondly understand that having that connection to the Son was to become God\u2019s children.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The one who understand that he was to serve rather than be served would be considered great in the kingdom of God. The least is always the greatest in the mind of Christ.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Why did Jesus not speak directly to them at first? (They had not heard other things He had said.\u00a0 They still did not understand what to be a part of His kingdom meant.)<\/li>\n<li>Why did Jesus have a small child stand next to Him? (Sometimes a picture takes the place of many words spoken by not heeded.)<\/li>\n<li>Why use a small child to emphasize His point? (To show that it is those who are helpless within themselves are those who are willing to hear and respond to Him.)<\/li>\n<li>What are the two relationships that are important in every person\u2019s life?<\/li>\n<li>Why must we come to Jesus as a child? (Under any other circumstances it would be on our own terms.\u00a0 We must realize that we truly are helpless without Him.)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Luke 9:49-50<\/p>\n<p>John had taken it upon himself to discourage those who were ministering to others who were not part of their little group.\u00a0 It was almost like he believed that the disciples had a license determining who or who could not carry on the teaching and healing ministry.\u00a0 Jesus would have no part in that kind of thinking.\u00a0 John was informed that everyone who is willing to serve Jesus was an ally and not an enemy.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>What kind of attitude was John exhibiting?<\/li>\n<li>In what ways do we do the same thing today? (We belong to the right church that does things correctly.)<\/li>\n<li>What does Jesus think of such an attitude?<\/li>\n<li>How can we make sure that we do not have that kind of mindset? (Do what God calls us to do.)<\/li>\n<li>In what ways do we often discourage others?<\/li>\n<li>Why do you think we have so many denominations and splinter groups today?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Luke 9:51<\/p>\n<p>All of the above occurred in Capernaum.\u00a0 Now it was time for Jesus to head toward Jerusalem.\u00a0 Luke wrote that He was determined to go.\u00a0 Other translations speak of His setting His face. It is interesting that Luke did not refer to all that was to take place during what is called \u201cPassion Week\u201d but spoke of His ascension.\u00a0\u00a0 It would be the culminating event of His time on earth.\u00a0 Of course the ascension was proof of all of the things that took place before it.\u00a0 It would not have happened if Jesus had not risen from the dead.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>His focus was now on His impending trial, execution, burial and resurrection.\u00a0 His plans were to go directly through Samaria instead of the detour on the eastern side of the Jordan River.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>What shows the determination of Jesus to face what was ahead of Him?<\/li>\n<li>Why did Luke leave out the events of \u201cPassion Week\u201d and speak of Jesus\u2019 ascension?<\/li>\n<li>What do we know of His plans?<\/li>\n<li>Why did He feel it was necessary to go through Samaria? (Shortest route to Jerusalem?<\/li>\n<li>When have been incidences in your own life when you knew that God was calling to you to do something and you determined that with His help that nothing was going to stop you?<\/li>\n<li>How do we know when an action to be taken is actually from God and just not something we want to do?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Luke 9:51-53<\/p>\n<p>As mentioned above Jesus had decided to travel through Samaria.\u00a0 He sent some of His disciples ahead of Him to make arrangements for lodging.\u00a0 When the Samarians understood that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem they refused to provide housing for Him.\u00a0 This was their way of discouraging those on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem from going through their territory.\u00a0 There is not time to go into all the history of why the Jews and Samarians hated each other.\u00a0 Suffice it to say that the animosity towards each other played a part in their inhospitable treatment of Jesus.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Why did Jesus decide to go through Samaria?<\/li>\n<li>What opportunities did they miss by refusing Him lodging? (They may have heard the good news of the kingdom and received healing to body and spirit)<\/li>\n<li>Why did they refuse to provide housing for Him? (He was on His way to Jerusalem and the fact that He was a hated Jew.)<\/li>\n<li>What are the barriers that we erect to separate us from people?<\/li>\n<li>How do we truly make people feel when they come into the church?<\/li>\n<li>How do we treat our neighbors?<\/li>\n<li>In what ways might they see us as arrogant?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Luke 9:54<\/p>\n<p>Once again John along with his brother lived up to the name given to them.\u00a0 They indeed acted like the \u201cSons of Thunder\u201d or in the Greek Boanerges.\u00a0 They asked Jesus if He wanted them to bring about revenge on the people for the way they had treated Him.\u00a0 Their judgment was to call down fire from heaven to destroy them.\u00a0 In their words is seen the hatred for others who were not Jews boiling up to the surface.\u00a0 It was a true indication of the deep bias they held towards those who did not agree with them or who were different.\u00a0 People like the children and Samaritans were expendable because they had no value in society according to what the Jews believed about them.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>What was the obvious reason James and John wanted to bring down the wrath of God on the people?<\/li>\n<li>How did their words reflect the name given to them by Jesus?<\/li>\n<li>What was the true and underlying reason they believed it was okay to bring judgment on the Samaritans?<\/li>\n<li>Why would James and John believe those people were expendable?<\/li>\n<li>Who are those we believe are expendable and of no use to society?<\/li>\n<li>How do we think we have the right to make that kind of judgment call?<\/li>\n<li>How does our attitude toward others reflect on the testimony of the church?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>\u00a0Luke 9:55-56<\/p>\n<p>It is apparent that Jesus turned from His journey to be face to face with James and John.\u00a0 Looking them squarely in the eyes He indicated that their heart was not right.\u00a0 To be filled with the kind of hatred that would allow them to destroy others was in total opposition to what Jesus had been teaching them.\u00a0 He clearly stated that His purpose was always to save mankind not to hate and destroy others.\u00a0 Instead of forcing the issue they went toward Jerusalem by another route.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>How did Jesus respond to the two men? (He turned towards them.)<\/li>\n<li>What did Jesus think of the attitude of the heart that they obviously possessed?<\/li>\n<li>For what purpose did Jesus come to earth?<\/li>\n<li>How are we to respond to the words He spoke to disciples?<\/li>\n<li>Which attitude do you have, that of man with all of its prejudices and biases or the one Jesus always live out during His time on earth?<\/li>\n<li>How can we change not only our lives but others also?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Luke 9:57-62<\/p>\n<p>Jesus met three different men on His journey.\u00a0 Their response to Him showed the shallowness of their desire to follow Him.\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Man number one actually asked Jesus if he could become one of His followers.\u00a0 Evidently, Jesus saw through the man\u2019s request.\u00a0 He may have wanted to follow Him because of the popularity of Jesus at that point.\u00a0 Jesus pointedly let him know that to follow Him meant he would have to give away everything because Jesus had nothing of material value not even a roof over His head.<\/li>\n<li>The second man was approached by Jesus.\u00a0 He stated he wanted to follow Jesus but he would do so after he had taken care of his family.\u00a0 It was a delay tactic because most commentators believe that his parents were not actually dead or even close to death. Jesus plainly told him that the decision to follow Him was not something to be put off.\u00a0 If the man was going to follow it had to be now.\u00a0 Those at home who refused to come after Him would take care of the needs of his parents when the time came to do so.<\/li>\n<li>The last man came to Jesus and indicated that he would follow Him.\u00a0 He too came up with an excuse which was nothing more than a delaying tactic.\u00a0 He wanted to go back and tell everyone that he was going.\u00a0 The following remark showed that the man lacked the commitment to actually follow through on his decision.\u00a0 Jesus\u2019 words are for every man and woman who has ever made a decision.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>He told the man that, \u201cNo one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is not fit for the kingdom of God.\u201d It is clear that He was calling the man to complete and total commitment.\u00a0 It is easy to say that one believes in Jesus.\u00a0 It is the evidence of living for Him that shows if one is fit for the kingdom.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Based on the response of Jesus what do you think was man\u2019s motive for wanting to follow Jesus? (He wanted to be part of a popular movement.)<\/li>\n<li>What was be implied by Jesus\u2019 words? (If the man expected a worldly kingdom he would be greatly disappointed.)<\/li>\n<li>In what ways were the excuses of the last two men similar? (They wanted to put off having to make a commitment.)<\/li>\n<li>How were they different? (The family of the second man was no where near the point of death.\u00a0 His decision was basically saying I do not plan to follow You at all.\u00a0 The last man at least only wanted to take his time in making the decision.)<\/li>\n<li>What was Jesus looking for in the three men? (An immediate decision that signified a long term commitment.\u00a0 The disciples had made such a choice.)<\/li>\n<li>What are the excuses that we use to keep from making a decision to follow and serve Jesus?<\/li>\n<li>What did Jesus mean by His statement about putting the hand to the plow?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Pray for true humility.<\/li>\n<li>Understand that true humility is emptying of oneself and acknowledging as creator and Lord of your life.<\/li>\n<li>Do not be like James and John who considered themselves as having the right to judge and inflict justice on others.<\/li>\n<li>Have the heart of a child who is completely dependent on Jesus.<\/li>\n<li>Do not make excuses to keep from serving Christ. Remember He has gifted you to serve.<\/li>\n<li>Decide to make a lifelong commitment to follow Christ.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Let us take to heart the things that Jesus shared with His disciples and those who might potentially follow Him. \u00a0Our hearts are to be like that like a child. \u00a0They are helpless as we are with Christ. \u00a0We are not to be in competition with other churches and believers. We are all here to do one thing to make Christ known to the world. Finally, He is calling out to all of us giving us the opportunity to be a part of His kingdom. We are never to make excuses that the task of sharing the good news is too big for us. \u00a0Remember with God nothing is impossible.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lesson 26 Man Who Are You? Luke 9:46-62 Like most of you throughout my career I have had my share of performance evaluations.\u00a0 Of all the things I had to do they were the part of my job I disliked the most.\u00a0 It was the practice at the International Mission Board where I worked for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-281","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-luke"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/281","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=281"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/281\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":284,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/281\/revisions\/284"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=281"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=281"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=281"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}