The Reward Of A Disciple (Luke, Part 5) Series

The reward of a disciple (Luke, Part 5)

Luke 9:18-36

Dismiss for Children’s Church

Introduction / Recap

- The study of Luke is an interesting one for believers to dive into

-- We can see Luke’s interest in people (it’s genuine, re: career as a physician)

-- We also get to experience how Jesus interacts with society; He goes to them!

- Last week, we unpacked the calling of the first disciples

-- It is important to see: their calling was NO different than ours

-- We are also called to go, to make disciples, to share what we have know

- We saw that our challenge was to get out of the pew and do something

-- For example: forming a prayer team to pray for our services (option to plug in)

-- Another example: begin committed to unite as believers with one cause

-- To be devoted to being “A simple church simply about Jesus”

- TR: Believe today is probably one of the meatiest messages of this series

-- All of these are relevant to us because they lead us to one conclusion

-- As Christians we are following Jesus, or we are choosing to do our own thing

- Read Luke 9:18-36 / Pray

Point 1 – Peter’s declaration must also be ours!

- We begin by exploring the most critical question asked

-- APP: It really is the one that defines where we ALL stand in our faith

--Talked to men yesterday about this: if He’s Lord, commitment will show

-- We must choose to be invested in sharing the gospel with others

- However, before we get there want you to see what’s happening

-- In v18, we learn that Jesus is doing something He often does -- praying

-- He prays for many reasons, but honestly, I believe this is preparation

- We mentioned last week that the Galilean ministry was about to end

-- RE: Jesus is not setting His sights on Jerusalem

-- And here we are seeing a lesson in how to get ready by praying

- Let me give you some critical facts about prayer:

• We should pray before momentous events (re: death/resurrection)

• We must pray for others; so, they would be prepared (re: disciples)

• We also pray for strength to withstand what is coming (re: cross)

- Jesus, in His obedience to God, is doing all three at once!

-- Why? Because He knows what He is sent to do – knows what’s ahead

- It’s in this moment, while He is seeking God’s wisdom for clarity

-- The question of questions comes upon Him to inquire about

-- Jesus asks, “Who do people say that I am?”

- The people believed Jesus was a great man (v18-19):

• John the Baptist (that He was the forerunner from Malachi 4:5, “Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the LORD arrives.”)

• Elijah (the Jews expect Elijah to return before the Messiah (Malachi 4:5))

• One of the other old prophets (Deuteronomy 18:15, “Moses continued, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.”)

- Look, this is not new – even today people believe Jesus was a “good man”

-- But the Messiah? The Son of God? Our Redeemer? Society denies Him still

- After listening to the responses, take note in how personal Jesus makes this

-- This is the question that even today, determines your eternity (read v20)

- Peter, without apology, speaks clearly: “You are the Christ” (Messiah)

-- He proclaims that Jesus is the fulfillment of all the prophecies

-- That there are none other to come (Mal 4:5, Deut 18:15) … He has come!

-- IMP: If you get nothing else today – we must leave with this settled

- For the disciples, they have not grasped the full meaning of Jesus, yet

-- Their idea of a Messiah comes within the boundaries of an Earthly domain

-- They pictured a conqueror who would vanquish all of their enemies

- They were not focused on the spiritual world; they didn’t know whole truth

-- So, the charge to tell no one is in this (v21) … keep it quiet for now

-- Why? B/C they had not yet rcv’d the Holy Spirit – post-ascension

-- They knew who Jesus said He was; but couldn’t fully grasp full meaning

- Fact: God’s plan for salvation was THROUGH suffering of His Messiah

-- Jesus’ not going to destroy Rome (earthly enemy), but sin (spiritual enemy)

-- The command (v22) given to Jesus was “must suffer”; GR: Dei (God’s plan)

-- This was always planned; and it must be fulfilled only in God’s way