Disciples Without Understanding - Part 1 Series

Introduction: Discipleship

Joke:

A preacher was preaching in an unfamiliar church one Sunday morning. As he stood in the pulpit to begin the service, he tapped the microphone to make sure that it was on. He heard nothing, even though, it was working fine. So he leaned closer to the microphone and said,

“There is something wrong with this thing.”

The congregation, being well trained church people immediately responded, “And also with you.”

That’s a joke, but… There is something wrong with all of us – and that is why we are all here this morning…

There is something wrong with us – that we could never fix on our own. All of us are in need of a Savior.

Coming off of Resurrection Sunday. What is different this Sunday from last Sunday?

Do you still celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of Our Lord this week? Or is that just a once-a-year occurrence for you? The early church came together every week to encourage one another and to sing praises to our Lord.

They knew the sacrifice that Christ had made – they witnessed the power of the Resurrection in their own lives. The newly minted Apostles had learned at the feet of Jesus – and He had told them to make new disciples.

So that is what they did. The sermon this morning is entitled Disciples without Understanding – and our text is from Luke 9:43-62

As you turn there – here’s the Background of text:

Jesus is coming to the conclusion of His ministry in Galilee. He and the disciples have been hard at work spreading the good news of the coming kingdom. It is almost time for Jesus to set out to Jerusalem – but before the Master teacher has a few lessons that His closest followers need to learn. You and I need to learn these same lessons today.

Jesus had commanded the disciples to go and preach – to heal the sick, to cast out demons –

Just before our text – a father and his young son come to Jesus. The disciples have been unable to expel the demon. In His reply – Jesus seems quite harsh with the man – and then He casts out the demon.

If you were to compare Matthew and Mark’s accounts with the way Luke handles this text – you will notice a different chronology. At the very beginning of the Gospel of Luke – Luke tells us in Luke 1:3 (SLIDE)

it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus;

In today’s text – Luke does not follow in consecutive order

– through the Inspiration of the Holy Spirit –

Luke instead gives his account in theological order. – In other words – he is making a point about a truth of God – and he doesn’t want you to miss the point!

SLIDEs

Luke 9:43–45 (NASB95)

43 And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.

But while everyone was marveling at all that He was doing, He said to His disciples,

44 “Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.”

45 But they did not understand this statement, and it was concealed from them so that they would not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this statement.

Proposition

When we don’t understand who Jesus is or what He has done – we can’t follow Him properly.

To be a disciple we must first learn who Jesus is – and then we can follow.

Transition Statement: If we misunderstand who Jesus is or what He did for us – we cannot and will not follow Him as we should.

What does it mean to be a disciple?

Verses 43 to 45 show the contradiction inherent in every believer’s life who does not understand who Jesus is, what He set out to accomplish, and the work that He did while He was here.

When we hear or think of the word “disciple” we often think of a follower. In a sense that is true –disciples follow their master. The sense of the word you may be missing is that disciples are learners. Disciples sit at the feet of their master learning everything they can from him.

Do you see in verse 45 where the 12 went wrong?

Disciples are learners. You can claim to be a follower of Christ – but if you won’t learn who He is – you are not following Christ.

The disciples did not understand what Jesus was saying. And they were afraid to ask.

Pride often prevents us from asking questions. We are afraid to look foolish.