Headed To Jerusalem

Sermon for 7/16/2006

Luke 9:51-62

Introduction:

David Ogden (The New Reformation) tells the story of Oliver Wendell Holmes. "Holmes once boarded a train, but was unable to find the ticket. After watching Holmes fumble through his pocket in growing dismay, the conductor politely said, ’It’s all right Mr. Holmes, I am sure you have your ticket somewhere.’ Looking the conductor straight in the eye, Holmes replied, ’Young man that is not my problem at all. I don’t care about giving my ticket to the railroad. I just want to find out where in the blazes I’m going.’

WBTU:

A. Vs. 51

1. Jesus resolutely, steadfastly, intently, determined to go, fixed his face.

2. Right after Simon Peter’s good confession called Jesus the Christ of God. (Luke 9:22 NIV) And he said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."

4. To preach, teach, heal and perform miracles was not the main mission of Jesus.

B. We, in a sense, are traveling with Jesus to Jerusalem:

1. (Rev 21:1 NIV) Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.(Rev 21:2 NIV) I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband

2. How do we get there? Much the same way that Jesus got there. (Luke 9:23 NIV) Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

3. How do we deny ourselves? First, we must surrender ourselves to Jesus Christ for salvation. Must believe, must repent, must confess, and must be baptized. Christ has provided a way for us to get to the New Jerusalem. Get started on the right path.

4. Does not end there. We must deny ourselves and take up his cross (a symbol of death) daily and follow him. We are able to live for Christ and travel with Christ down this journey through the Holy Spirit. (Rom 12:1 NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship (reasonable service). Surrender every day to Christ!

Thesis: We are going to look at our Scriptures and several words that begin with the letter “F” to show what we have to get over and give up following Christ on this journey.

For instances:

1. Get over the Fouls (Foul behavior) vs. 52-56

A. Sometimes these fouls come from those not on this journey with Christ.

2. The Samaritans were half breeds and they also had a hybrid religion. Took a little bit of pagan idolatry and little bit of the Jewish faith and made their own religion.

3. A few years before this Jesus and his company are going from Jerusalem back to Galilee and they go through the land of the Samaritans. AT a town called Sycar Jesus talks with a Samaritan woman at a well. That woman goes back into the town and many Samaritans come to hear Jesus. They were so impressed that they had Jesus stay with them for two days.

5. It took preparations for Jesus and his disciples as they traveled. People had to go ahead, buy the food, and get places for them to stay as Jesus would move with His company. They went into this village of the Samaritans to make preparations probably thinking they would get hospitality as before. But they did not receive Jesus, because He was heading towards Jerusalem. Because the time of the Passover was approaching, they no doubt figured He was going to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. The Samaritans believed that the Passover should be celebrated on Mount Gerizim, there in Samaria and not in Jerusalem. They felt Mount Gerizim was the place where God should be worshipped. Because of this animosity, hatred that existed between the Jew and the Samaritan, they just would not allow him in that village.

6. Jesus tells us that on this journey to heaven, there will be persecution. People will not accept us or our message and they might treat us poorly. (John 15:20 NIV) Remember the words I spoke to you: ’No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.

7. (2 Tim 3:12 NIV) In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

9. What is his disciples’ reaction to this mistreatment? Is it one of grace and mercy? Not from James and John. Earlier Jesus called James and John the Sons of Thunder. They want to call down fire from heaven and consume this village.