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.
• But his older brother would not give it to him.
• And hence the problem!
• On first reading of the verse, you can’t help but feel sorry for this fellow.
• But when you read it more carefully.
• You soon discover that the man was spiritually poor.
• As well as materially poor.
Note:
(a).
• The man was speaking when he should have been listening.
• He interrupted Jesus with a question.
• That had nothing at all to do with what Jesus had been talking about.
(b).
• His desire was more for material things i.e., money.
• Rather than for spiritual things i.e., which Jesus has been talking about.
(c).
• He was implying the word to others (“tell my brother”).
• And not to himself.
Jesus could quite easily have settled this dispute:
• With his wisdom and skill, this question was ‘a piece of cake’.
• But notice he refused to do so.
• Instead of answering the man’s question.
• Jesus uses it to teach him and the crowd about another subject.
(2). An UNEXPECTED ANSWER (vs 14):
“Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?"
• When Jesus looked at the man:
• He saw behind the façade of his words.
• He saw that the problem wasn’t the fair division of the inheritance,
• But rather one of ‘greed’.
• The dispute between the brothers.
• Was only the symptom of a far greater problem – ‘greed’.
• Jesus knew that no settlement would be satisfactory,
• Until both the brothers had a change of heart.
Quote:
• J.D. Rockefeller was the wealthiest American of his time.
• He was once asked, “How much money does it take to satisfy a man?”
• His wise reply was, “Just a little bit more than he has!”
Jesus knew that no decision he gave would satisfy the brothers:
• Because Jesus saw at the heart of this man was ‘Greed”,
• And greed will always want more and more and more and more and more!
Ill:
• Imagine a shipwrecked sailor on a life raft in the middle of the ocean.
• His terrible thirst impels him to drink the salt water,
• But the salt water only makes him thirstier.
• This causes him to drink even more, which makes him thirstier still.
• He consumes more and more of the salty water.
• Until paradoxically, he becomes dehydrated and dies.
• I think this is a good illustration.
• Of a greedy person.
• Never satisfied, focused on the wrong things.
• And in the end those wrong things eventually kill him spiritually.
• Verse 15: Jesus says that a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.
• And yet Greed tries to convince us of just the opposite.
Note:
• I don’t believe for one minute that Jesus had a problem with a man having possessions.
• Or even being wealthy.
• Jesus was concerned with Man’s ATTITUDE to his money & possessions.
• Then the money & possessions; themselves!
• The Bible does not say; “Money is the root for all kinds of evil”.
• It does however say; “The LOVE of money is a root for all kinds of evil”.
• It is our attitude and stewardship of these things that is important.
• And not the objects themselves.
3 PRINCIPLES TO NOTE FROM THIS PARABLE:
(1). In planning for himself, he forgot his neighbour (vs 18-19).
Ill:
• A well-known charity called on a well-known rich person.
• Who had a reputation for being a miser, being tight with his money.
• "Sir," said the fund-raiser, "our records show that despite your wealth,
• You've never once given to our campaigns."
The rich miser replied:
• "Do your records show that I have an elderly mother.
• Who was left penniless when my father died?"
• "Do your records show that I have a brother.
• Who is so disabled that he is unable to work?
• Do your records show I have a widowed sister.
• With small children who can barely make ends meet?"
• The embarrassed charity volunteer replied.
• "No, no sir, our records don't show those things."
• "Well," said the miser.
• "I don't give to any of them, so why should I give anything to you?"
• TRANSITION: although just a joke,
• Some people live with the attitude, I earnt it, so it is all mine!
• Note: In this short parable there are 11 personal pronouns in just two verses.
• It is all “Myself”, or “My” or “Me” or “I”
17 He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'
18"Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." '
Ill:
• Somebody said of Edith (apologies to anyone called Edith):
• Edith lived in a little world,
• Bounded on the north, south, east and west by Edith.
• TRANSITION:
• This man in the parable, is only interested in storing up his wealth.
• He has no desire to use it or share it.
• His man has one priority is himself, he has not thought for anyone else!
Ill:
• One day a certain old, rich man of a miserable disposition visited a rabbi,
• The rabbi took the rich man by the hand and led him to a window.
• “Look out there,” he said.
• The rich man looked into the street.
• “Now what do you see?” asked the rabbi
• “I see men, women, and children,” answered the rich man.
• Again, the rabbi took him by the hand and this time led him to a mirror.
• “Now what do you see?”
• “Now I see myself,” the rich man replied.
• Then the rabbi said,
• “Behold, in the window there is glass, and in the mirror, there is glass.
• But the glass of the mirror is covered with a little silver,
• And no sooner is the silver added than you cease to see others,
• But you see only yourself.”
• That may not be true for many wealthy people,
• But it certainly was in this man’s case!
(2). In considering his goods, he forgot the giver (vs 19-20).
• As the rich farmer in the story looked at all his harvest.
• That is all he saw!
Question: Where was God in this picture?
• After all it was God caused the miracle of life – the seed to germinate.
• It was God who sent the sunshine and the rain.
• It was God that had blessed him with a good crop free of blight and disease,
• It was God who had blessed him with such an abundance that ‘his barns overflowed.
Quote:
• Someone put it this way:
• "Not only count your blessings but consider their source as well."
Jesus shows to us a man:
• Who was ignoring the source of all his blessing.
• He was leaving God out of the picture:
• Jesus shows us a man who was saying to himself.
“Look what I have done! Look what my fields have yielded.
Look at me and my wonderful problem”.
• This foolish farmer is totally self-contained,
• He is totally independent of God:
Notice:
• What Jesus calls him (vs 20) “Fool”.
• He is the only man in the gospels that Jesus ever called a ‘Fool’.
• I wonder if Jesus had in mind Psalm 14 verse 1:
• “The fool says in his heart, no God!” (literally: “No to God!”)
• The man certainly lived on that principle.
• And therefore ‘Fool’ would be a fitting description for him.
This farmer in the parable could have been wise:
(a).
• He could have used some of his bumper harvest to help others.
• But instead, he selfishly affirmed himself.
(b).
• He could have enjoyed the happiness (the blessing) of giving.
• But instead, he is consumed by an attitude of conserving.
(c).
• He could have drawn closer to God through his wealth.
• But instead, it actually robbed him and made him a spiritual pauper!
• He really was a fool in every sense of the word.
• Foolish in attitude, foolish in actions and he would reap a foolish end to his life.
(3). In providing for his body, he forgot his soul (vs 20).
• Verses 18-20 are just sad and pathetic verses:
• Quote: The Message:
“Then he told them this story:
"The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop. He talked to himself: 'What can I do? My barn isn't big enough for this harvest.'
Then he said, 'Here's what I'll do: I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll gather in all my grain and goods, and I'll say to myself, Self, you've done well! You've got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life!'
20"Just then God showed up and said, 'Fool! Tonight, you die. And your barn full of goods—who gets it?' “
ILL:
• He brushed his teeth twice a day and with a nationally advertised toothpaste.
• The doctors examined him twice a year.
• He wore his waterproofs when it rained.
• He slept with the windows open to get fresh air.
• He stuck to a diet with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits.
• He gave up his tonsils and traded in several worn-out glands.
• He golfed but never more than 18 holes at a time.
• (After all he didn't want to overdo it. Moderation in all things)
• He got at least 8 hours of sleep every night.
• He never smoked, drank, nor lost his temper.
• He did his "daily dozen" daily (meaning his exercises).
• He was all set to live to be a hundred years old.
• The local newspaper said:
• His funeral will be held Wednesday.
• He is survived by 18 specialists, four health institutes,
• Six gymnasiums and numerous manufacturers of health foods and antiseptics.
• He made just one mistake…
• HE FORGOT GOD!
That man was like so many other people in our world:
• Thought only about the body,
• Forgetting all about the fact that he had a soul & that some day he was going to die.
Ill:
• What a contrast with the Queen Elizabeth II
• One BBC commentator in his commentary of the Queens funeral stated,
• “Today was all about the Queen!”
• He could not have seen more wrong!
• Queen Elizabeth made sure the focus was on Jesus!
• e.g., That was seen in the words she spoke,
• She concluded her Christmas broadcast In 2014.
• She said, "For me the life of Jesus Christ is an inspiration and an anchor in my life."
• e.g., That was seen in the hymns she chose,
• “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling.”
“Finish, then, thy new creation.
true and spotless let us be.
Let us see thy great salvation
perfectly restored in thee.
Changed from glory into glory,
till in heav’n we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love and praise.”
• She believed that she was to stand before a higher monarch.
• The King of Kings & Lord of Lords!
• e.g., And it was seen in the Bible readings she chose to be read.
• John chapter 14 verses 1-9a
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
• TRANSITION: What a contrast with Queen Elisabeth II,
• And this rich but foolish farmer.
Note: The tragedy in the parable is not that the man died:
• Because that is going to happen to everyone at sometime or other.
• The tragedy is that the man was unprepared for death!
• The one certainty in life that we will all experience,
• Yet, this man was not ready for it!
• Like so many other people he had conveniently pushed it to one side!”
And finally…. the punchline (verse 21):
"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself
but is not rich toward God."
I started my sermon by reminding you:
• That the poorest person in this room.
• Is actually richer than the majority of people in the world!
• God doesn’t just give you resources for your own enjoyment,
• But to make a difference in the world around you.
• God never blesses us just to sit on what we have.
• He blesses us so we can bless others.
Ill:
Here are some ways we can be a blessing to others by extending His love and grace to them:
• SPEAKING uplifting and encouraging words that “benefit those who listen”
• (Ephesians chapter 4 verse 29)
• LIVING authentically and honestly
• (Ephesians 4:14-15; Col. 3:9; 1 Jn. 3:18)
• BEING kind and compassionate
• (Ephesians 4:32)
• BEING hospitable, making people feel warmth and welcome
• (Ephesians 12:13)
• SHARING of our resources to meet needs (financial and otherwise)
• (Romans chapter 12:13; Hebrews 13:16)
• ANSWERING kindly to those who speak wrongly to or about us
• (1 Corinthians chapter 4 verses 12-13; 1 Peter chapter 3 verse 9)
• DOING good to those who have done wrong to us
• (Luke chapter 6 verses 27-28; 1 Peter chapter 3 verse 9)
• FORGIVING those who have wronged us
• (Ephesians chapter 4 verse 32)
• PRAYING with gratitude for people and letting them know you’re praying for them
• (2 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 11; Ephesians chapter 1 verse 16; Colossians chapter 1 verse3; 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 verse2)
YOUTUBE VIDEO:
https://youtu.be/MWhMcB_X-lg
SERMON AUDIO:
https://surf.pxwave.com/wl/?id=xlKmAEonw7x3CDBYZAmGJN86UQ8AAbmU
