Showing posts with label Luke 12. Show all posts

Division over Jesus

Is conflict always avoidable? Is conflict always a sign of failure? Can good come from conflict? Let’s see how conflict is part of the Gospel message in Luke 12:49-56.

Fire & Division

Luke 12:49-51 “I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning! 50 I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished. 51 Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other!

Jesus came to set the world ablaze with the fire of division. Peace on earth is in the hearts of men as a gift of the Holy Spirit, but not yet between all people. He will bring about world peace at His return. Until then, loving Jesus will bring conflict.

Literally, Jesus brought division. He endured suffering, analogous to a baptism, because of that division. That division was analogous to fire. Morally, if we have no church conflict, we should ask if we really follow Jesus. Prophetically, we should not be shocked by the division that comes with following Christ.

Naïve Christians are shocked by it. Older Christians try to avoid it. But, division is unavoidable. We should not be shocked. Christianity sometimes causes family problems. Like fire purifies metals, conflict can purify us. A Christian who has survived many battles is more mature than one who has been overprotected.

Families Split

Luke 12:52-53 From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against—or two in favor and three against. 53 ‘Father will be divided against son and son against father; mother against daughter and daughter against mother; and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’”

The description of family division is two-fold. Some say two against three and three pairs against one pair. Who is the cause of these family splits? Jesus takes the blame. His message can divide families. Jesus takes the blame for family division over Him. Some believe and others do not.

Literally, Jesus predicts family conflict over Him. Analogously, the whole world will divide into two camps, those for and against Christ. Morally, the family unity of Malachi 4:6 only applies to those who follow Jesus? Prophetically, this foreshadows the great division that will take place in eternity between heaven and hell.

A naturalist once slit a cocoon open. The butterfly emerged weak and unable to fly. If we pamper our children, they can grow up weak. Nations often become great after generations of struggle, then their descendants begin to live in luxury and the whole civilization declines. Struggle makes us strong.

The Times

Luke 12:54-56 Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said, “When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, ‘Here comes a shower.’ And you are right. 55 When the south wind blows, you say, ‘Today will be a scorcher.’ And it is. 56 You fools! You know how to interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the present times.

The people cannot interpret the times. They don’t see the nearness of the kingdom of heaven. In that part of the world, a cloud rising from the west, the Mediterranean, could indicate rain. Morning wind from the south, from the desert, would indicate a hot day. Yet, they could not or pretended not to see the signs of the kingdom.

Literally, Jesus calls the crowd hypocrites. By analogy, would many of them divide themselves from the faithful? Morally, does the strong word hypocrite seem to place the blame on them for unwillingness to discern the signs of the times? Prophetically, does Jesus call those who refuse to acknowledge Him, culpable?

In times of church or family conflict, let's realize it may indicate the Gospel's success. Good can come from conflict. Jesus predicted that we would have divisions among us because of Him. When conflict comes, let’s patiently look to God to see us victoriously through.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Serving Jesus

What good thing ought the church to be known for, but sometimes neglects? Let’s learn something that is a high priority for God, in Luke 12:32-48.

Part 1

Luke 12:32 “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.

Jesus said to his disciples, “Fear not little flock,” literally meaning don’t be “struck with fear, to be seized with alarm”. [1] The phrase “little flock” specifically refers to the small group of disciples whom Jesus was addressing (vs 22). That flock grew very large over time, to 3,000 on Pentecost and to millions more as the Gospel spread.

[1] THAYER'S GREEK LEXICON, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2006, 2011 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. BibleSoft.com

Literally, do we worry too much about things? Do we live in a culture of fear? Are we Christians called to fear religion, or faith? Morally, does Jesus encourage us to sell what we don’t need and give to the poor? By analogy, is hoarding the opposite of faith? Prophetically, why fear, when God will give us his kingdom!

Luke 12:33 “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it.

Jesus told those who would become the top leaders of the church, “Sell your possessions.” He did not so instruct every wealthy Christian. Some wealthy people supported Jesus and his disciples. The apostles were to get rid of excess possessions. Contrary to the lifestyles of some televangelists and bishops, Jesus implied that church leaders should not be greedy for wealth.

What false prophets preach smooth things (Isaiah 30:10)? Does God condemn religious worship that neglects the poor (Isaiah 1:10-20)? Did Jesus teach us to deny ourselves and take up our cross (Matthew 16:24-26)? Is our religious activity worthless (Isaiah 1:10-20) if we are not involved in true religion (James 1:27), meaning “give to those in need?”

Luke 12:34 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Where is our heart? The answer lies in where our treasure is. Though specifically addressed to the disciples, the principle is the same for all of us. The context is not about what we put in the offering plate, though that could be included as well. The specific context is giving to the needy, revealing a heart with kingdom values.

Historically, aren’t our hearts our innermost thoughts? Morally, does a materialistic heart, set on a false health-and-wealth gospel, miss the point? Allegorically, do our personal and national budgets reveal our collective and individual generosity or mean-spiritedness? Symbolically, does our money reveal whether our minds are on temporary or eternal things? How much do we give to needy causes?

Luke 12:35-37 “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. 37 The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat!

“Be dressed for service.” What service? We recall what Jesus said in the Parable of the Sheep and Goats, that when we help the needy, we are serving Him. A deeper meaning here is Jesus’ Second Coming along with his coming in the form of the needy.

Literally, did Jesus encourage us to be dressed, ready to serve Him? Morally, did he teach the Christian value of readiness to serve? Allegorically, do we let Him in, in the form of the poor? Prophetically, did he reveal that our service to the needy is readiness for His coming?

Luke 12:38-40 He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready. “Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”

“He will reward,” says Jesus. The investment that we make in God’s kingdom, in the church, in the poor, will be rewarded. The reward may not be in this life, but certainly in the next. An investment in God’s kingdom, including its work in the church and among the weak is an investment like no other, with a heavenly guarantee.

Literally, does Jesus encourage us to give to the poor? Morally, is the strong helping the weak a kingdom value? Allegorically, do we see Jesus in the needy, because he became poor for us? Are we on his side? Prophetically, do we picture God’s future kingdom now, a reign that loves and values all human life, by helping the needy?

Part 2

This next part is not included in the Revised Common Lectionary, but is in Catholic readings and is also important.

Luke 12:41-46 Peter asked, “Lord, is that illustration just for us or for everyone?” 42 And the Lord replied, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. 43 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 44 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. 45 But what if the servant thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? 46 The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful.

This lesson is for those who care for other people in church, whether in leadership or not. Shouldn’t we all be doing so? Moderns may not like the threat, and that’s probably why this passage is not in the lectionary because we are soft and find ancient expressions too shocking.

Luke 12:47-48 “And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. 48 But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.

Abusive servants cut in pieces; unprepared servants severely punished; and unknowing servants punished more lightly. This is the stuff that universalism overlooks and modernism ignores. Yet, we cannot claim to preach the whole Gospel when we ignore such dire warnings, and only preach smooth and pleasant things (Isaiah 30:10).

Contrary to popular opinion, helping the needy is not a liberal agenda pursued by those denying the moral standards of Christianity. It is conservative, orthodox Christian morality. It is how God’s kingdom operates, putting self-sacrifice ahead of self-centeredness. Let's be known as a people who serve the poor and needy.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Letting Personal Injustice Go

Let’s not spend our lives complaining about financial injustices. There is a better choice. What did Jesus say to a victim of financial injustice in Luke 12:13-21?

What Life is Not

Luke 12:13 Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.”

Wise parents will divide an inheritance so that their legacy is siblings that were treated fairly. Favoritism and greed divide families. Rabbis and pastors may be asked about family injustices. A wise pastor will follow Jesus’ example and not meddle, even if he feels that an injustice was done.

Luke 12:14-15 Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” 15 Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

Jesus’ advice was to avoid covetousness, greed, or “lusting for a greater number of temporal things that go beyond what God determines is eternally best”. [1] If someone has swindled us, walk away and forget it. Abundant possessions do not define a great life. Being satisfied is a great life.

[1] THAYER'S GREEK LEXICON, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2006, 2011 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. BibleSoft.com

Life is full of injustices. Let’s not waste time making ourselves miserable, haggling over money, and not living. Was Jesus telling the young man to let it go, and not let others’ greed also make us greedy? Getting justice in every financial transaction is not what makes a good life.

Rich towards God

Luke 12:16-19 Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ 18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

Even an honest gathering of wealth for a self-centered retirement cannot stop death, nor God’s judgment on our self-indulgence. Rather than narcissistic living, let’s think about the judgment? It is foolish to deem laying up treasures for self, while not thinking of the poor, is the pinnacle of financial responsibility (Psalm 49).
Luke 12:20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’

The wicked praise the greedy (Psalm 10:1-4), greed ambushes the greedy first (Proverbs 1:18-19), destroys families (Proverbs 15:27), causes poverty (Proverbs 28:22; Proverbs 30:14), destroys nations (Proverbs 29:4; Isaiah 56:10-11), is idolatry (Ephesians 5:5), brings dishonest gain, sheds innocent blood, oppresses and extorts (Jeremiah 22:15-17). The greedy take; the righteous give (Proverbs 15:27).

Luke 12:21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

Scientific research shows that selfish species die.[2] Thriving species communicate and cooperate. Greed isolates us from our clans. Covetousness is therefore self-destructive behavior. Greed estranges us, isolates us from support, and destroys trust. Even in nature, insects and sheep know instinctively that to survive they must share and cooperate.

[2] Hogenboom, Melissa. "Selfish Traits Not Favoured by Evolution, Study Shows." BBC News. N.p., 2 Aug. 2013. Web. 31 July 2016.

In a church climate that encourages us to speak up about injustices, Jesus gives us one example when not to speak, but to just let it go. How does that fare for other injustices in the world? Must we always speak up, or is there a time to just let it go?

The greedy hurt themselves and their families. Don’t covet what they have taken! Walk away! Let it go! Be satisfied! Live a better life! Live selflessly and in so doing be rich towards God!

The Son of Man is Coming

Are we ready to open the door for Jesus upon His return? Let’s look at the parable of the waiting servants in Luke 12:35-48.

Ready

Luke 12:35 “Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit.” As a household servant would have had the lamps lit for the owner’s return, so do many of us leave an outside light on for someone we are expecting home soon. If they’ve been gone a long time, we may be dressed appropriately to help them. So must be ready for the Parousia or Second Coming of Christ.

Luke 12:36 “Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks.” The picture here is one of expectant waiting for the household boss coming from a wedding celebration and opening the door at his first knock. Live in joyful expectation of His coming, ready to meet Him.

Luke 12:37 “Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them.” Rather than be served, our selfless and loving Master, Jesus will gladly serve us. Footwashing was not an empty gesture, but the way Jesus lives.

Luke 12:38 “Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.” Romans divided the night into four watches. The Jews into three watches. The second Jewish watch was from 10:00 pm-2:00 am and the third from 2:00-6:00 am. An earlier or later coming of Christ makes no difference to those who are ready.

Luke 12:39 “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into.” A second metaphor of waiting for Christ is the unexpected thief in the night. But, we can be ready for the thief. Even in ancient times families took turns on night watch as we saw.

Luke 12:40 “You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.” How do we get ready? How do we watch? We stay on the alert. We don’t let the thief steal our faith. We pray. We guard our hearts. We watch our mouths. We guard against heresies. We draw near to God faithfully obedient to His commandments of love.

Faithful

Luke 12:42 “… Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time?” Jesus instructs every faithful steward but it reminds us of other admonitions, “Tend My lambs” (John 21:15) and “shepherd the church of God” (Acts 20:28). The spiritual diet given in due season is very important to God.

Luke 12:43-44 “Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.” What should a preacher preach, meat in due season, or worldly fluff that tickles the ears? Should he preach the Bible or the philosophy of those who care more for the world’s opinions? Faithful preaching has eternal rewards.

Luke 12:45 “But if that slave says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk”. Too much alcohol is not for Christians. We would be tempted to let down our guards and become abusive. It’s not time to slacken in our responsibilities to God and the Church.

Luke 12:46 “the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers.” If we neglect the worship of God, we will not be ready for Christ’s return. Our punishment will be ugly. This is Jesus talking, not an Old Testament prophet.

Luke 12:47-48a “And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes, but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few.” Contrary to the popular notion that ignorance of the law is not excuse, with God it is. The level of culpability depends on knowledge.

Luke 12:48b “From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.” Just as national leaders have a grave responsibility to tell the truth and show forth good character, so do Church leaders. Those who have been given a greater knowledge of God’s Holy Word are thus held more accountable for how they live.

Conclusion

The problem with being in the Church for decades is the temptation to slacken off. Our problem in western countries like America and Europe is that we no longer believe the Bible without changing it to suit the world. Yet, now more than ever before, we need to be reading our Bibles daily, pray more than ever and be about our Father’s business. Jesus is coming soon. Are we ready to open the door?

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

The Thanksgiving List

Intro

Is there one thing that we can do in under and hour that gives a longer lasting and better quality lift for positive mental health than any drug? What about writing a list of things that we are thankful for?

Purpose

Let’s be thankful to God for each and every day, because we never know what tomorrow may bring.

Plan

Let’s look at Luke 12:15-21 and a man who planned a life of ease but forgot God.

Luke 12:15 Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

16 Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ 18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ 21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

Thankful for Today

If tomorrow was our last day, how would our prayers change? How thankful would we be for our lives? What would be on a list of the good things a spouse or even former divorced spouse did for us? What good things did our parents do? What things are we thankful for in our children? As we pass through this life, we also meet many people. Some relationships are just a moment, and others are lifelong. Are we thankful for the benefits that each relationship brings to us? Material things are not forever. A house, car, land, vacation property, and other things are only temporary possessions. Are we thankful for God allowing us temporary use of these things of his?

Thankful for Good Government

The Bible often describes government leaders in negative terms as shepherds who fail completely, leading the people astray, and as selfish while others starve (Jeremiah 10:21; Jeremiah 50:6; Ezekiel 34:8). But human government has also done a lot of good for each one of us. Are we thankful for the good the government does? Government provides roads, schools, satellites, stadiums, defense, retirement, water treatment, sewage, trash disposal, research, ports, communications, mail, energy, disease control, health, consumer protection, clean air and water, work safety, weather services, unemployment, helps the poor, sick, elderly, provides police, scholarships, soil conservation, libraries, building codes, etc. Perfect human government is impossible, but God supports good government and so should we (Romans 13:1-7).

Thankful for God

Are we thankful that God is gentle, loving, kind, compassionate, faithful, forgiving, good, just, life itself, inhabits eternity, is unchanging, holy, righteous, just, truthful, immanent, transcendent, and 3 in One?

Are we thankful that Jesus is the Lord, God of the Hebrew Scriptures, God with us, the angels are his angels, he judges the world, he is both human and divine, born of a virgin, and died for our sins?

Are we thankful that the Holy Spirit teaches, guides us into all truth, reveals Jesus, convicts of sin, seals believers, is a person, is God, Comforter and the “Spirit of Christ”?

Are we thankful that the holy Angels are God's servants, ministering spirits serving the heirs of salvation, rejoicing in the salvation of believers, serving, protecting, encouraging and relaying God’s will to us?

Are we thankful that humans were created in the likeness of God with a similar but limited ability to reason, ruling over the earth, created to have a relationship with God?

Are we thankful that sins ranging from simply missing the mark to abject moral evil can be forgiven in Christ Jesus?

Are we thankful that God is revealed in the Bible, in creation, in Jesus Christ and other special ways?

Are we thankful that salvation from God means being saved from sickness and calamity today as well as for eternity, and that salvation is open to all people of the world?

Are we thankful that Jesus established his church as an assembly of Christians, as the body of Christ, a family, a vine and branches, the pillar and ground of the truth, a living temple that grows, a holy temple in which God dwells, a holy nation, a royal priesthood, living stones around the cornerstone, with the salt and light of good deeds? Are we thankful that church gatherings are places to be strengthened in faith, to be spiritually fed, a place for prophecy or inspired preaching, a place for collections for the saints, to learn of God’s wisdom, to get spiritually cleansed, to sing God’s praises, and a place to be healed?

Are we thankful that when we all die and there comes an end of all material things, Jesus will come again, there is a resurrection, and a judgment where our eternal state will be finalized?

Are we thankful for this message and believe that it is so important that it must be taken into all the world?

Outro

Let us be thankful and put God first in all our plans today, because we never know what tomorrow may bring.

Conflict

Intro

Is conflict always avoidable? Is conflict always a sign of failure? Can good come from conflict?

Goal

I want us to learn that conflict is a part of the complete Gospel message.

Sermon Plan

We will discuss Luke 12:49-56, a world on fire, family conflict and interpreting the times.

Luke 12:49 “I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning! 50 I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished. 51 Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other! 52 From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against—or two in favor and three against.

53 ‘Father will be divided against son and son against father; mother against daughter and daughter against mother; and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’”

54 Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said, “When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, ‘Here comes a shower.’ And you are right. 55 When the south wind blows, you say, ‘Today will be a scorcher.’ And it is. 56 You fools! You know how to interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the present times.

The World on Fire (vs 49-51)

Exegesis

Jesus came to set the world ablaze. The context is specifically about the fire of division. Peace on earth is in the hearts of men as a gift of the Holy Spirit, but not between all people now. That peace comes with his Second Coming. In the meantime, there will be division between people. Conflict is part of Jesus’ divine plan.

Hermeneutic

Literally, Jesus brought division. Analogously, Jesus suffering is another symbolic baptism among many non-literal baptisms in the Bible. He brought the fire of division. Morally, if we have no church conflict, we should ask if ours is the genuine Christianity of Christ. Prophetically, we should not be shocked by the division that comes within churches and between Christians and non-Christians.

Application

Naïve Christians are shocked by it. Older Christians try to avoid it. But, where human beings are division is unavoidable. We cannot always run and hide from it. So, we should not be shocked when conflict comes around, and be prepared for it when it does. When Jesus preached about his bringing division, he was on his way to Jerusalem to be crucified. We must also remember that although in our country converting to Christianity sometimes causes family problems, in Muslim, Hindu and many other societies it almost always does. Conflict can be good for us. Like fire purifies metals, conflict can purify us. A Christian who has seen many battles is more mature than one who has been mollycoddled.

Family Conflict (vs 52-53)

Exegesis

The description of family division is two-fold. There are two against three and three pairs of one against one. Who is the cause of these family splits? Christ himself takes the blame. He has come to divide people against each other. It is Jesus who divides families, in this context, not some other cause. Is this because some believe and others do not?

Hermeneutic

Literally, Jesus predicts family conflict because of him. By analogy, the whole world will divide into two camps, for and against Christ. Morally, this contradicts Malachi 4:6. Does Malachi only apply to those who follow Jesus, but not to those who refuse him? Prophetically, this foreshadows the great division that will take place in eternity between heaven and hell.

Application

While some conflict is unavoidable and possibly even necessary not all conflict is. For instance, the conflict between conservatives and liberals is often an argument over two sides of the same coin. Conservatives are concerned with loving God through righteous living. Liberals are concerned with loving our neighbor in action. Conservatives are concerned with telling the good news; liberals are concerned with being the good news. We need to live moral lives AND help the poor. We need to both announce the good news AND be the good news to those in need. Both conservatives and liberals have weaknesses. Perhaps a better term is orthodox, because Jesus seems sometimes liberal and other times conservative, yet always teaches the orthodox truth.

Comment

A naturalist once picked up a cocoon and feeling sorry for the butterfly about to emerge he pulled out his pocket knife and slit the cocoon open. The butterfly emerged weak and unable to muster the strength to fly. So it is with our children. If we pamper them too much, they will grow up weak and unable to survive life’s struggles and trials. Many nations became great because people had to struggle and build a land from a rough and hostile environment. Now we live in luxury with grocery shelves filled with food and our civilization is in decline. We are soft and spoiled. Is that why Jesus allows his church to go through conflict, to make us strong?

Interpret the Times (vs 54-56)

Exegesis

The people cannot interpret the times. They don’t see the nearness of the kingdom of heaven. In that part of the world, a cloud rising from the west, the Mediterranean, could indicate rain. Morning wind from the south, from the desert, would indicate a hot day. Yet, they could not or pretended not to see the signs of the kingdom.

Hermeneutic

Literally, Jesus calls the crowd hypocrites. By analogy, would it be many of them who will divide themselves from the faithful? Morally, does the strong word hypocrite seem to place the blame on them for unwillingness to discern signs of the times? Prophetically, is Jesus saying that those who refuse to acknowledge the kingdom of God in their midst, are culpable?

Outro/Take Home

Division is not always avoidable. It is not always a sign of failure. Sometimes it can even be a sign of success. Good can come from conflict. Jesus predicted that we would have divisions among us because of him. Whose side will we be on?

Give to Those in Need

Intro

What good thing ought the church to be known for?

Goal

Let’s learn something that is a high priority for God, helping the needy.

Plan

Let’s discuss Luke 12:32-40 and how giving to the needy prepares for God’s kingdom.

Luke 12:32 “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.

33 “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. 34 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

35 “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. 37 The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! 38 He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.

39 “Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”

Are We Afraid? (vs 32)

Exegesis

Jesus said to his disciples, “Fear not little flock,” literally meaning don’t be “struck with fear, to be seized with alarm”. [1] The phrase “little flock” specifically refers to the small group of disciples whom Jesus was addressing (vs 22). That flock grew very large over time, to 3,000 on Pentecost and to millions more as the Gospel spread.

Hermeneutic

Literally, do we worry too much about things? Do we live in a culture of fear? Are we Christians called to fear religion, or to faith? Morally, does Jesus encourage us to sell what we don’t need and give to the poor? By analogy, is hoarding the opposite of faith? Prophetically, why fear, when God will give us his kingdom!

Do We Give to The Needy? (vs 33)

Exegesis

“Sell your possessions,” Jesus told those who would become the first bishops of the church. He did not so instruct every wealthy Christian. Some wealthy people supported Jesus and his disciples. The apostles were to get rid of excess possessions. Contrary to the lifestyles of some televangelists and bishops, Jesus implied that church leaders should not be greedy for wealth.

Hermeneutic

What false prophets preach smooth things (Isaiah 30:10)? Does God condemn religious worship that neglects the poor (Isaiah 1:10-20)? Did Jesus teach us to deny ourselves and take up our cross (Matthew 16:24-26)? Is our religious activity worthless (Isaiah 1:10-20) if we are not involved in true religion (James 1:27), meaning “give to those in need?”

Where is Our Treasure? (vs 34)

Exegesis

Where is our heart? The answer lies in where our treasure is. Though specifically addressed to the disciples, the principle is the same for all of us. The context is not about what we put in the offering plate, though that could be included as well. The specific context is giving to the needy, revealing a heart with kingdom values.

Hermeneutic

Historically, aren’t our hearts our innermost thoughts? Morally, does a materialistic heart set on a false health and wealth gospel miss the point? Allegorically, do our personal and national budgets reveal our collective and individual generosity or mean-spiritedness? Symbolically, does our money reveal whether our minds are on temporary or eternal things? How much do we give to needy causes?

Are Our Loins Girded? (vs 35-37)

Exegesis

“Be dressed for service.” The context changes from the needy to readiness to let Jesus in at his return. We recall what Jesus said in the Parable of the Sheep and Goats, that when we help the needy, we are serving him. A deeper meaning here is Jesus’ Second Coming along with his coming in the form of the needy.

Hermeneutic

Literally, did Jesus encourage us to be dressed and ready for his coming? Morally, did he teach the Christian value of readiness? Allegorically, are we ready to let him in, even if he comes into our lives in the form of a poor street beggar? Prophetically, did he reveal his coming and how service to the needy aids our readiness?

Are We Investing in Eternity? (vs 38-40)

Exegesis

“He will reward,” says Jesus. The investment that we make in God’s kingdom, in the church, in the poor, will be rewarded. The reward may not be in this life, but certainly in the next. An investment in God’s kingdom, including its work in the church and among the poor is an investment like no other, with a heavenly guarantee.

Hermeneutic

Literally, does Jesus encourage us to give to the poor? Morally, is the strong helping the weak a kingdom value? Allegorically, do we see Jesus in the needy, because he became poor for us? Are we on his side? Prophetically, do we picture God’s future kingdom now, a reign that loves and values all human life, by helping the weak?

Outro/Take Home

Helping the needy foreshadows God’s future kingdom and lets everyone see a window into it now. It is an eternal kingdom value. Let’s put self-sacrifice ahead of self-centeredness. Let's be known as the people who love the poor and needy.

Surviving Injustice

Intro

Can we survive injustice in an unjust world?

Purpose

Let’s examine what can we do when we are the victims of injustices that will not be fixed in this life.

Plan

We will examine the story of an unjust inheritance in Luke 12:13-21 and Jesus’ advice to the victim.

Greed

Wicked people praise greed (Psalm 10:1-4). Greedy people ambush their own lives (Proverbs 1:18-19), destroying their families (Proverbs 15:27). They take, but the righteous give (Proverbs 15:27). Greedy get rich quick schemes cause poverty (Proverbs 28:22). Greedy leaders destroy nations (Proverbs 29:4), look to their own gain like greedy dogs (Isaiah 56:10-11), out for dishonest gain, shedding innocent blood, oppressing and extorting (Jeremiah 22:15-17). Greedy people feast on the suffering poor (Proverbs 30:14). Religious leaders are not immune to greed and wickedness (Luke 11:37-41). Don't let the cheater’s greed ruin our lives as it has theirs (Luke 12:13-21). Greed is idolatry and cannot enter God’s kingdom (Ephesians 5:5).

Greed Destroys Capitalism

Jesus condemned greed not free-market capitalism. In its broadest sense capital includes even the shirt on our backs. Jesus condemned evil forms of capitalism, based upon greed. Venice is a case study in point. Once an affluent, free-market economy, wealthy oligarchs destroyed it by excluding the middle and poor classes from opportunity. World economies face similar self-destruction as monopolies dominate and small businesses are squeezed out. The end result is people working as poorly paid serfs to those who live in excess. There may be little difference between the greedy American CEO and the Chinese Communist party plutocrat. Greed is bad for free-market capitalism. Business monopolies can destroy a free-market. Middle classes shrink and poor people die. Greed destroys capitalism.

Surviving Injustice

An unjust inheritance. A sibling felt cheated. Wise parents are fair and create a legacy of family unity. Unwise parents create family trouble (Proverbs 15:27). Favoritism and greed over inheritance drive families apart. Life is filled with injustices in and outside the family. We can waste our lives in bitterness over wrongdoings, trying to right every grievance, and don’t leave time for living. It seems that Jesus was telling the young man to just let it go and get on with living a good life. Perhaps pursuing justice for ourselves is not always worthwhile. We don’t need to fret if others are greedy and we miss out, because a good life does not consist in an abundance of things. There is coming a day when God will set everything right (Psalm 98:9).

Being Satisfied

Have you ever prayed for God to set things right but it seems like that he said no or perhaps did not even answer? A brother received a larger portion of an inheritance. Was he manipulative? Did he not defend his younger brother against unjust parents playing favorites? Jesus’ advice was to avoid covetousness. The Greek word for covetousness is also often translated by the word greed, and means “lusting for a greater number of temporal things that go beyond what God determines is eternally best”. [1] If someone has swindled us out of worldly goods, let us realize that an abundance of possessions does not define a great life. Being satisfied with what God provides is a great life.

Selfish Species Die

Recent scientific research has shown that selfish species die. [2] For a species to thrive, individuals must learn to communicate and cooperate. Like the brother who took the largest portion of the family inheritance, greed isolates us from our tribes. Community and family members withdraw their support and mutual trust is gone. Rather than living a shared life, with mutual support and protection, the greedy brother is isolated and unprotected. Covetousness is therefore self-destructive behavior. Greed estranges those who would have been there in our hour of need. It isolate us from our support mechanism. Greed destroys the world, our nation, our families and us. Even in nature, insects and sheep know instinctively that to survive they must share and cooperate.

[2] Hogenboom, Melissa. "Selfish Traits Not Favoured by Evolution, Study Shows." BBC News. N.p., 2 Aug. 2013. Web. 31 July 2016.

Greed: How Much is Too Much?

In the case of an unjust inheritance, Jesus defined greed as a desire for an abundance of things, way beyond basic necessities, storing up for selfish purposes without being rich towards God. Elsewhere, Jesus taught that if we have two coats, give one to the poor and he encouraged one rich young man to sell everything and give it to the poor. Yet others of his followers were quite wealthy. It’s not the amount that we own, but our attitude towards it. Wealth deceives us. The more we have the more we think we need and the more covetous we can become. At what level would you divest yourself of wealth and find ways to give most of it away?

Good Coveting

Covet simply means desire. Desire is only wrong when we lust after what is not ours. The 10th Commandment deals with lust. Coveting what does not belong to us leads to lies, murder, theft, adultery, etc. Jesus addressed the folly of covetousness in the story of the unjust inheritance and the parable of the greedy farmer. A brother was unjustly treated in a family inheritance. We don’t need to lust after what others have rightly or wrongly gotten. It is also the case with the farmer and his barnyard retirement plan. Let us not trust in selfish preparations but in God. Covet the best gifts (spiritual) and pursue the real purpose of life, to love (1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13).

Outro

Not every injustice will be fixed in this life. Jesus tells us that those who treat us unjustly only hurt themselves and their families. He encourages us that being satisfied with our lot in life and creates a far better life than all the ill gotten gains of unjust people.