Harvest Message: Don’t Be A Fool!

Reading: Luke chapter 12 verses 13-21

SERMON OUTLINE:

2 Happenings To Note:

(1). An Inappropriate Interruption (vs 13):

(2). An Unexpected Answer (vs 14):

3 Principles To Note:

(1). In planning for himself, he forgot his neighbour (vs 17-19).

(2). In considering his goods, he forgot the giver (vs 18-19).

(3). In providing for his body, he forgot his soul (vs 20).

SERMON BODY:

Ill:

• Lee Mack is an English comedian, actor, podcaster and presenter.

• He is very funny and known for his quick wit,

• He stars in comedy panel show, ‘Would I Lie to You?’

• When he appeared on Radio 4’s ‘Desert Island Discs’ show,

• He was told that he would be given a Bible to take with him to his island,

• Lee Mack said he would definitely want to take it. And he added,

“If aliens landed on planet Earth and asked what life all is about, I’d say,

‘Well, there’s a book that purports to have all the answers.’”

• He then admitted that he hadn’t actually read it!

• I wonder if that rings any bells?

• Incredibly, each year over 100 million copies of the Bible are sold each year,

• Meaning that it remains the world’s bestselling book.

• But for many the least read book as well!

• TRANSITION: “Having all the answers”

• I love the fact that whenever Jesus was asked a question,

• Or his opponents tried to trick him,

• Jesus always had the right answer!

• And not only was his reply correct, in fact spot on,

• His answer was like a boomerang,

• It flew back at the questioner challenging or calling for a response!

• Todays, reading is a case in point!

• In answering a question Jesus told a story, that like a bee sting has a sting in the tail!

• A parable – an everyday story with a deeper spiritual meaning.

The parable is about a man who has plenty.

• In fact, more than plenty.

• Everything in his garden is rosy! He is enjoying what we call ‘the good life!’

• Need to pause here:

• Because some of you are thinking; ‘lucky old him.”

• You may feel that this story does not apply to you this morning.

• After all, you may have a pile of bills that need paying.

• You may have a big mortgage & a monthly wage that is in desperate need of an increase!

Ill:

• The average wage in the UK is 25,780

• Which will put you in the richest 10.4% of the global population.

• Source:

• https://howrichami.givingwhatwecan.org/how-rich-am-i

e.g.

• If you have had an education and know how to read,

• Then you are more blessed that over two billion people in the world.

• That cannot read anything at all.

e.g.

• If you woke up this morning with more health than illness,

• You are more blessed than the million people who won’t survive the week.

e.g.

• If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back,

• A roof over your head and a place to sleep,

• You are richer than 75% of this world.

e.g.

• And if you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment,

• Arrest, torture, or death,

• You are more blessed than almost three billion people in the world.

• TRANSITION:

• This parable very much applies to you and me because we are actually very rich.

• We live in a country, with one of the highest living standards in the entire world.

• The life we enjoy is far above and beyond most of the world can hope for.

• Which is why many migrants will pass through other European countries,

• In the hope of settling here in the UK.

(1). AN INAPROPRIATE INTERUPTION (vs 13):

“Someone in the crowd said to him,

"Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."

• The context for this incident is Jesus teaching his disciples,

• Many people in the crowd were listening (eavesdropping) into what Jesus said.

• Suddenly Jesus is interrupted by a man.

• Who is not at all interested in learning about what Jesus was teaching,

• He had his own agenda,

• And at the first opportunity he gets, he brings it to the attention of Jesus.

• He blurts out his question:

"Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."

Now it was not uncommon for people in Israel.

• To take their unsettled disputes to a respected rabbi and ask for his help on the issue.

• And that is what this man is doing.

• It would appear that he was the younger brother.

• And by law he was due a third of the inheritance.