Introduction:
In today’s continuation of our series “ Red Letter’s” we will pay special attention to:
1. The Necessity of Discernment
2. Having the Right Perception of Jesus
3. The Encouragement from Jesus to Keep Our Spirits Right &
4. The Cost of Discipleship
I. Luke 9:37-42: Discernment is necessary when dealing with sickness
A. Some sickness is genetically and medically based.
B. Other sickness is spiritually based and can be a demon.
C. It takes faith to help people get free!
1. Jesus was getting weary with their faithless approach.
2. He was also getting weary with what He called a “perverse generation.”
3. Look at Verse 50. The disciples tried to tattle-tale on someone who was doing what Jesus was trying to get them to do!
a) Jesus told them, “Let him be! He who is not against us is for us!”
b) What wisdom!
II. Luke 9:44: Jesus once again reminds the disciples that He would eventually have to die a redemptive death.
A. The disciples perception of Jesus was wrong. They thought the Messiah would come and take over, deliver the Jews from the Romans and right all of the world’s wrongs.
1. Jesus came to: Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
B. How many times have we had the wrong perception of Jesus?
1. Our culture treats Him like a fairytale in a storybook somewhere.
2. His power is denied and even preached against in pulpits the world over. (No miracles for today etc)
3. Some versions of the Gospel treat Him like their personal ATM machine…
C. How can we have the right perception of Jesus?
1. Answer - Through a personal relationship with Him.
III. Luke 9:51-56: Jesus encouraged the disciples to keep their spirits right.
A. The Samaritans did not welcome Jesus’ entourage into their city simply because they were headed to Jerusalem. There was a lot of animosity between these two groups.
1. The Samaritans did not like the Jews because they viewed them as mean-spirited racist who were arrogant from the word go.
2. The Jews had a hatred towards anyone who wasn’t a Jew. They referred to the Samaritan’s as unclean dogs.
B. Jesus wanted to rest in their city and the Samaritans said no. The disciples reacted they way they were taught to react to Samaritans. They wanted to call fire down from heaven to consume them.
1. There was not a lot of love there!
2. Jesus called them out for their BAD SPIRIT!
a) Pay attention to your spirit!
b) You can’t minister effectively to anyone with a bad spirit! Especially if that spirit is towards them!
C. Luke 9:56: Jesus taught them that He was coming to save people not destroy people!
1. Real Christians do not allow themselves to get embroiled in the fleshly activities of trying to destroy people. Only hypocrites and worldly people do that…
2. Breathe & Leave - Jesus simply went to another city!
a) Share the experience on American Airlines last Thursday with the luggage…
IV. Luke 9:57-62: Following Jesus will cost something
A. Your salvation has already been paid for by Jesus but to follow Him it will cost you something.
1. Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
B. Jesus shared that there would be times when one would be uncomfortable while following Jesus.
1. Luke 9:58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
C. We covered this in an earlier message.
1. Make God THE PRIORITY in your life!
Closing:
• Jesus asks us to be totally devoted to Him.
• Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
