ROBBED Of The KING-I—Luke 19:41-48
Attention:
Bob in supermarket/Elderly lady with a sweet, graceful, grandmotherly air about her, following him around staring at him.
"Pardon me young man," she said, "I’m sorry if my staring at you has made you feel uncomfortable.
It’s just that you look so much like my son, who just died recently."
"I’m very sorry," replied Bob, "is there anything I can do for you?"
"Well, Yes, I was wondering" she said, "As I’m leaving, can you say ’Good bye, Mother!’ It would make me feel so much better."
"Of Course I will," answered Bob.
As the old woman was leaving, he called out, "Goodbye, Mother!"
As he stepped up to the checkout counter, he saw that his total was $257.87.
"How can that be?" he asked, "I only purchased a few things!"
"Your mother said that you would pay for her," said the clerk.
Bob’s lack of discernment brought him a great deal of grief.
Likewise we can be robbed of something & someone of much grander importance....We can be robbed of our King!
Need:
Spiritual ignorance can be intentional(volitional) or can be unintentional(passive), but either way Spiritual ignorance is detrimental.
Jesus wept over Jerusalem’s lack of discernment in the midst of her visitation.
Our Savior is grieved over a lack of discernment in spiritual matters.
Why is God grieved over the spiritual ignorance of His people?
5 faults of spiritual ignorance.
1—Spiritual ignorance Robs us of...
JOY(:41)
Explanation:(:41) Grief
:41—“And when He approached, He saw the city & wept over it,”
Jesus approaches the city of Jerusalem upon the donkey’s colt & was “near the descent of the Mount of Olives”(:37).
Upon His drawing near(the descent) Jesus audibly breaks into tears. He does this as He now sees Jerusalem before Him.
He weeps because of that which He knows will befall His intent for her.
Weeping is for those who have experienced a close, personal loss. He considers the people who will spend eternity in hell as a result of the misguided leadership & theology of the powerful few.
“Drew near/Come near/Approached”—eggizw—1) To bring near, to join one thing to another; 2) To draw or come near to, to approach. Strong—To make near, i.e. (reflexively) approach:-- approach, be at hand, come (draw) near, be (come, draw) nigh.
“Wept”—klaiw—1) To mourn, weep, lament—1a) Weeping as the sign of pain & grief for the thing signified (i.e. for the pain & grief), 1b) Of those who mourn for the dead; 2) To weep for, mourn for, bewail, one. To weep audibly, cry as a child. Strong— To sob, i.e. Wail aloud (whereas dakruw is rather to cry silently):-- Bewail, weep.
Argumentation:
Mal. 1:6-8—“A son honors his father, & a servant his master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My respect?’ says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests who despise My name. But you say, ‘How have we despised Thy name?’ “You are presenting defiled food upon My altar. But you say, ‘How have we defiled Thee?’ In that you say, ‘The table of the LORD is to be despised.’” But when you present the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you present the lame & sick, is it not evil? Why not offer it to your governor? Would he be pleased with you? Or would he receive you kindly?” says the LORD of hosts.”
Mal. 3:8-11—“Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed Thee?’ In tithes & offerings. “You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, & test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, & pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. “Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it may not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes,” says the LORD of hosts.”
Jn. 15:10-11—“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments, & abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, & that your joy may be made full.”
3Jn. 1:3-4—“For I[John] was very glad when brethren came & bore witness to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.”
Isa. 62:1-5—“For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not keep quiet, Until her righteousness goes forth like brightness, And her salvation like a torch that is burning. And the nations will see your righteousness, And all kings your glory; And you will be called by a new name, Which the mouth of the LORD will designate. You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, And a royal diadem in the hand of your God. It will no longer be said to you, “Forsaken,” Nor to your land will it any longer be said, “Desolate”; But you will be called, “My delight is in her,” And your land, “Married”; For the LORD delights in you, And to Him your land will be married. For as a young man marries a virgin, So your sons will marry you; And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So your God will rejoice over you.”
If your ‘land’ is truly ‘married’ to Jesus, then God’s delight will be in you & your works.
Lk. 15:7—“I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”
Illustration:
Communistic governments/Actively & cruelly suppress religious sentiments/Effectively robbing the people of spiritual truth/Cannot know the joy of God’s Love...of Loving others...of Serving the Lord...of Empowerment...of Purpose...of Direction/Robbed of JOY
People prone to horrible addictive tendencies/The joy of the Lord gives them a huge edge in removing the physical addiction & power to keep from it afterward/JOY
Gift/Disappointed/Expectations dashed
Christmas/Clothes—Socks—Shirts/Disappointed/Robbed both myself & parents of Joy/Robbed of JOY
Application:
?You Robbed God of His JOY?
?Are you Robbed of your King?
2—Spiritual ignorance Robs us of...
OPPORTUNITY(:42)
Explanation:(:42)
:42—“saying, “If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes.”
“Known”—Perceived/Understood/Grasped
Knowledge makes one responsible & Wisdom is expected.
The reason for Jesus’ sorrow is the general ignorance of the city regarding “this” particular time of personal revelation. They possess an overall ignorance of that which will afford them true “peace.”
The very “things” of peace are “hidden from” the “eyes” of those who are seeking & desire such peace. It is implied here that peace is sought, yet there is no concept of how to find it or truly possess it.. Rather the lives/lifestyle of Jerusalem—& what it stand for spiritually— is built around a limited(human/fleshly) concept of how to attain & possess it. How ironic it is to seek for something(peace) earnestly while disregarding the very obvious means to it. God has sent the means of peace & He stands in their midst.
Sadly this is nothing new....
Deut. 5:29—“‘Oh, that they[Israel] had such a heart in them that they would fear Me & always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them & with their children forever!”
Jesus told Nicodemus that the kingdom of God is hidden from the eyes of those who are not born again.
Jn. 3:3—“Jesus answered & said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.””
“Known”(See :44)—ginwskw—1) To learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of perceive, feel—1a) To become known; 2) To know, understand, perceive, have knowledge of—2a) To understand, 2b) To know; 3) Jewish idiom for sexual intercourse between a man & a woman; 4) To become acquainted with, to know. Ginwskw is a knowledge grounded on personal experience. Strong—To "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications & with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed):-- Allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand.
“Day”(See :47—“Daily”)—hmera—Strong—feminine (with wra implied) of a derivative of hmai(to sit; akin to the base of edraiov) meaning tame, i.e. gentle; Day, i.e. (literally) The time space between dawn & dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the Jews as inclusive of the parts of both extremes); figuratively, A period (always defined more or less clearly by the context):-- Age, + alway, (mid-)day (by day, [-ly]), + for ever, judgment, (day) time, while, years.
“Peace”—eirhnh—1) A state of national tranquility—1a) exemption from the rage & havoc of war; 2) Peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord; 3) Security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace & harmony make & keep things safe & prosperous); 4) Of the Messiah’s peace—4a) The way that leads to peace (salvation); 5) Of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, & so fearing nothing from God & content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is; 6) The blessed state of devout & upright men after death. Strong—probably from a primary verb eirw(to join); Peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, Prosperity:-- One, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.
“Hidden”—kruptw—1) To hide, conceal, to be hid; 2) Escape notice; 3) metaph. To conceal (that it may not become known). Strong—a primary verb; To conceal (properly, by covering):-- Hide (self), keep secret, secret[-ly].
Argumentation:
Mat. 21:18-19—“Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it & found nothing on it but leaves, & said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away.”
Rom 7:8—“But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead.”
Sin takes opportunity against us...should we not then take any opportunity against sin?
Gal. 6:10—“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Php. 4:8-19—“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue & if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. The things which you learned & received & heard & saw in me, these do, & the God of peace will be with you. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, & I know how to abound. Everywhere & in all things I have learned both to be full & to be hungry, both to abound & to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving & receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once & again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed I have all & abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
2Cor. 11:7-9—“Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you. And when I was present with you, & in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, & so I will keep myself.”
Illustration:
While we have a job, we should save our money, little-by-little/OPPORTUNITY
A child who pitches a fit/On the way to Dollar Store/FIRST—Mom has to go by the bank to deposit some cash in savings & checking/2nd—Then the Post Office to mail a bill first/Only THEN can she take Junior to the Dollar Store/Junior can’t stand the wait & won’t!/He pitches a fit & will not calm down./Mom won’t take him due to his unruly behavior/Junior Robbed himself of OPPORTUNITY
Application:
?You Robbed yourself of OPPORTUNITY?
?Are you Robbed of your King?
3—Spiritual ignorance Robs us of...
PEACE(:42)
Explanation:(:42)
:42—“saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.”
The reason for Jesus’ sorrow is the general ignorance of the city regarding “this” particular time of personal revelation. They possess an overall ignorance of that which will afford them true “peace.”
The very “things” of peace are “hidden from” the “eyes” of those who are seeking & desire such peace. It is implied here that peace is sought, yet there is no concept of how to find it or truly possess it.. Rather the lives/lifestyle of Jerusalem—& what it stand for spiritually— is built around a limited(human/fleshly) concept of how to attain & possess it. How ironic it is to seek for something(peace) earnestly while disregarding the very obvious means to it. God has sent the means of peace & He stands in their midst.
“Known”(See :44)—ginwskw—1) To learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of perceive, feel—1a) To become known; 2) To know, understand, perceive, have knowledge of—2a) To understand, 2b) To know; 3) Jewish idiom for sexual intercourse between a man & a woman; 4) To become acquainted with, to know. Ginwskw is a knowledge grounded on personal experience. Strong—To "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications & with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed):-- Allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand.
“Day”(See :47)—hmera—Strong—feminine (with wra implied) of a derivative of hmai(to sit; akin to the base of edraiov) meaning tame, i.e. gentle; Day, i.e. (literally) The time space between dawn & dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the Jews as inclusive of the parts of both extremes); figuratively, A period (always defined more or less clearly by the context):-- Age, + alway, (mid-)day (by day, [-ly]), + for ever, judgment, (day) time, while, years.
“Peace”—eirhnh—1) A state of national tranquility—1a) Exemption from the rage & havoc of war; 2) Peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord; 3) Security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace & harmony make & keep things safe & prosperous); 4) Of the Messiah’s peace—4a) The way that leads to peace (salvation); 5) Of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, & so fearing nothing from God & content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is; 6) The blessed state of devout & upright men after death. Strong—probably from a primary verb eirw(to join); Peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, Prosperity:-- One, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.
Argumentation:
Jn. 10:10—“The thief comes only to steal, & kill, & destroy; I came that they might have life, & might have it abundantly.”
Mat. 11:28-29—““Come to Me, all who are weary & heavy-laden, & I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you, & learn from Me, for I am gentle & humble in heart; & YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.”
Rom. 5:1—“Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”
Php. 4:6-7—“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer & supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; & the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts & minds through Christ Jesus.”
Col. 3:14-15 “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; & be thankful.”
Jn. 14:26-27—““But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My[Jesus’] name, He will teach you all things, & bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Illustration:
For the lost people of Laredo, TX. & Nuevo Laredo, MX., there is no peace/Their lives consist of dependence on drug money & intimidation by the cruel hand of drug cartels/Their choices made in ignorance have Robbed them of PEACE/Thru Chuy & Maria Avila(NAMB Missionaries), they can know Jesus—Thru Him they can know true lasting PEACE
Stolen article/Never free to openly use it/
Application:
?You Robbed yourself of PEACE?
?Are you Robbed of your King?
CONCLUSION:
Action:
7 Faults of Spiritual ignorance are
Spiritual ignorance Robs us of....
1. JOY(:41)
2. OPPORTUNITY(:42)
3. PEACE(:42)
Presented 04/10/2011am to:
Needmore Baptist Church
1620 Mt. Vernon Rd.
Woodleaf, NC 27054
