Introduction: Discipleship
Joke:
A preacher was preaching in an unfamiliar church one Sunday morning. As he stood in the pulpit to begin the service, he tapped the microphone to make sure that it was on. He heard nothing, even though, it was working fine. So he leaned closer to the microphone and said,
“There is something wrong with this thing.”
The congregation, being well trained church people immediately responded, “And also with you.”
That’s a joke, but… There is something wrong with all of us – and that is why we are all here this morning…
There is something wrong with us – that we could never fix on our own. All of us are in need of a Savior.
Coming off of Resurrection Sunday. What is different this Sunday from last Sunday?
Do you still celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of Our Lord this week? Or is that just a once-a-year occurrence for you? The early church came together every week to encourage one another and to sing praises to our Lord.
They knew the sacrifice that Christ had made – they witnessed the power of the Resurrection in their own lives. The newly minted Apostles had learned at the feet of Jesus – and He had told them to make new disciples.
So that is what they did. The sermon this morning is entitled Disciples without Understanding – and our text is from Luke 9:43-62
As you turn there – here’s the Background of text:
Jesus is coming to the conclusion of His ministry in Galilee. He and the disciples have been hard at work spreading the good news of the coming kingdom. It is almost time for Jesus to set out to Jerusalem – but before the Master teacher has a few lessons that His closest followers need to learn. You and I need to learn these same lessons today.
Jesus had commanded the disciples to go and preach – to heal the sick, to cast out demons –
Just before our text – a father and his young son come to Jesus. The disciples have been unable to expel the demon. In His reply – Jesus seems quite harsh with the man – and then He casts out the demon.
If you were to compare Matthew and Mark’s accounts with the way Luke handles this text – you will notice a different chronology. At the very beginning of the Gospel of Luke – Luke tells us in Luke 1:3 (SLIDE)
it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus;
In today’s text – Luke does not follow in consecutive order
– through the Inspiration of the Holy Spirit –
Luke instead gives his account in theological order. – In other words – he is making a point about a truth of God – and he doesn’t want you to miss the point!
SLIDEs
Luke 9:43–45 (NASB95)
43 And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.
But while everyone was marveling at all that He was doing, He said to His disciples,
44 “Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.”
45 But they did not understand this statement, and it was concealed from them so that they would not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this statement.
Proposition
When we don’t understand who Jesus is or what He has done – we can’t follow Him properly.
To be a disciple we must first learn who Jesus is – and then we can follow.
Transition Statement: If we misunderstand who Jesus is or what He did for us – we cannot and will not follow Him as we should.
What does it mean to be a disciple?
Verses 43 to 45 show the contradiction inherent in every believer’s life who does not understand who Jesus is, what He set out to accomplish, and the work that He did while He was here.
When we hear or think of the word “disciple” we often think of a follower. In a sense that is true –disciples follow their master. The sense of the word you may be missing is that disciples are learners. Disciples sit at the feet of their master learning everything they can from him.
Do you see in verse 45 where the 12 went wrong?
Disciples are learners. You can claim to be a follower of Christ – but if you won’t learn who He is – you are not following Christ.
The disciples did not understand what Jesus was saying. And they were afraid to ask.
Pride often prevents us from asking questions. We are afraid to look foolish.
We want to think we have this Christian life all figured out. But if you have misunderstand what Jesus says – you will never learn to be the disciple you are meant to be.
God’s word is inspired so that it corrects, rebukes, encourages, and exhorts us to become better followers.
You can’t be a disciple of Christ without learning who He is – and then following Him. Discipleship requires learning and it requires following. If you take away either learning about or following Christ – you are not a disciple of Christ.
The rest of chapter 9 is based on that simple truth.
To be a disciple of Christ you must learn about Christ – and you must Follow what He says.
In the rest of the chapter, Luke is going to give us 6 examples of what happens when disciples do not understand Jesus. Three will be from the 12 closest disciples to Jesus and the three others were from everyday people who also wanted to be disciples.
All 6 of these occasions have practical guidance on how you and I can be better disciples. We will look at the problem, how Jesus addressed it, and how the problem pops up today – and how we can address it.
The first three deal with the disciple’s pride. We will look at the next three next week.
In verse 46 we see pride that leads to comparison with others. we get this question who is the greatest?
A Department of Agriculture representative stopped at a farm and talked with the old farmer; “I need to inspect your farm.”
The old farmer said, “You better not go in that field.”
The Agriculture representative said in a “wise” tone, “I have the authority of the U. S. Government with me. See this card, I am allowed to go wherever I wish on agricultural land.”
So the old farmer went about his farm chores.
Later, the farmer heard loud screams and saw the Department of Agriculture man running for the fence; close behind was the farmer’s prize bull. The bull was madder than a nest full of hornets, and the bull was gaining at every step.
“Help,” the rep shouted to the farmer, “what should I do?” he screamed helplessly.
The old farmer, hooking his thumbs in his overalls, called out: “Show him your card!”
I like this QUOTE: No man ever choked to death swallowing his own pride. - The Bible Friend
Introduce problem – when we misunderstand the cross. We overvalue ourselves and undervalue others…. We begin comparing ourselves with one another. This is precisely what the disciples did.
Look at Luke 9:46 (SLIDE)
Text: Luke 9:46 (NASB95)
46 An argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest.
Problem: This problem has its root – in a lack of understanding. Earlier in the chapter – Jesus had asked the disciples who people think He is…
some say Elijah, some say John the Baptist, others say some prophet.
He then asked – who do you say I am?
Peter rightly answered – Jesus is the Christ – the Messiah, the Anointed One of God.
But the 12 did not understand that would mean that Jesus was to suffer and die on a cross. Their vision of the Messiah had no room for the cross. The Messiah was to be the greatest King to ever sit on David’s throne forever.
Each of the 12 men were right there on the ground floor of this new kingdom – and surely, they would be given positions of great authority.
So, they argued and bickered amongst themselves.
Look at how Jesus corrects this situation with His word in verses 47 and 48. SLIDE
But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and stood him by His side,
and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.”
Explanation: The disciples were expecting Jesus to give them some great work of service to do. Instead, He flipped their thinking. Ministering in the kingdom is not about doing some great work for great people so that you will have a great name and a legacy. Ministering for Christ is about serving those who have no earthly status. Ministering for Christ is about ministering to the world’s forgotten, the forsaken, and the rejected.
Application: I’m going to pick on preachers for just a second – but how many preachers have been called to bigger churches by their own ego?
If a preacher moves to feed his own ego, God wasn’t in that move – He wanted you to serve where He planted you.
Every Sunday – God’s word is faithfully proclaimed across the globe by small church preachers the world has never heard of.
Here’s the direct application for small churches today: How faithful are you to the Word of God? Are you small because you refuse to do the work God has called you to?
Maybe you don’t know how.
If anyone lacks wisdom – let him ask God who gives generously -without finding fault and it will be given to him. (James 1:5)
Plenty of small churches have kicked out preachers and new members because – that’s not “how we do things here.”
That’s the next problem we run into in our text. Disciples without understanding hinder the work of God.
We stop others in their work for God
Here’s how the problem shows up Luke 9:49. Jesus had just finished explaining that to be great in the Kingdom – requires works of service…
The young disciple John misunderstood the assignment.
Luke 9:49 (NASB95)
49 John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow along with us.”
Remembers just a few short verses ago – the disciples were unable to cast out a demon… now John is bragging to Jesus about stopping someone else from doing it. Talk about irony!
In our pride We stop others in their work for God.
Solution: Luke 9:50 (NASB95)
50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you.”
Illustration
THE BALLOON POP GAME Davon Huss, sermoncentral.com
Robert Roberts writes about a fourth grade class in which the teacher introduced a game called “balloon stomp.” A balloon was tied to every child’s leg, and the object of the game was to pop everyone else’s balloon while protecting one’s own. The last person with an intact balloon would win.
The fourth graders in Roberts’ story entered into the spirit of the game with vigor. Balloons were relentlessly targeted and destroyed. A few of the children clung to the sidelines like wallflowers at a middle school dance, but their balloons were doomed just the same. The entire battle was over in a matter of seconds, leaving only one balloon inflated. Its owner was, of course, the most disliked kid in the class. It’s hard to really win at a game like balloon stomp. In order to complete your mission, you have to be pushy, rude and offensive.
Roberts goes on to write that a second class was introduced to the same game. Only this time it was a class of mentally handicapped children. They were given the same explanation as the first class, and the signal to begin was given. But the game proceeded very differently. Perhaps the instructions were given too quickly for children with learning disabilities to grasp them. The one idea that got through was that the balloons were supposed to be popped. So it was the balloons, not the other players that were viewed as enemies. Instead of fighting each other, they began helping each other pop balloons. One little girl knelt down and held her balloon carefully in place, like a holder for a field goal kicker. A little boy stomped it flat. Then he knelt down and held his balloon for her. It went on like this for several minutes until all the balloons were vanquished, and everybody cheered. Everybody won.
Who got the game right, and who got the game wrong? In our world, we tend to think of another person’s success as one less opportunity for us to succeed. There can only be one top dog, one top banana, one big kahuna. If we ever find ourselves in that enviable position, we will fight like mad to maintain our hold on it. A lot of companies fail to enjoy prolonged success because the people in charge have this “balloon stomp” mentality. In the church, the rules change. Jesus Christ gets top billing. We’re just here to serve his purposes, and we do that most effectively by elevating others and humbling ourselves.
Application: The question we need to ask today – am I being a blessing in God’s work – or am I being a hindrance?
Am I advancing the Kingdom of God?
– or have I put my foot down and said not here, not today?
What does this text not mean?
This text is not an excuse or an allowance for denominationalism. God’s word has one right meaning. There is one true Church. We must seek to rightly align ourselves with God’s word.
When we are in error – we must move to what the word of God says.
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5 NLT
We must set aside our pride and misunderstanding to be disciples of Christ – if not we will play the comparison game, we will stop others in the work of God, and next:
We assume God’s position of Judgement.
Here’s the problem – all true followers of Christ will face opposition. It is an aspect of being like Christ. Jesus said “If the world hates you, keep in mind it hated me first,” and “all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved.” John 15, and Matthew 10.
How should Christ’s disciples handle rejection and persecution?
Luke 9:51–54 (NASB95)
51 When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem;
52 and He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him.
53 But they did not receive Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem.
54 When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”
Explanation: We assume God’s position of Judgement
James & John – the sons of thunder – wanted to bring God’s judgment and wrath down on those who were rejecting their Master. If you know your Old Testament history – they wanted God to do what He had done for Elijah. Elijah had called down fire that consumed two companies of men sent by the king to take Elijah prisoner. In 2 Kings 1, the third captain asked that his life and the lives of his men be spared… He asked for Grace.
James and John – had missed the important part of the story. Yes God is a consuming fire – but He is also a God of grace.
We all need a gentle reminder of God’s grace.
In Luke 9 – the Twelve had been sent out – they were told that some villages would reject them… do you remember what they were to do when that occurred?
James and John certainly didn’t remember – so they did not show any grace.
Look at Luke 9:5 SLIDE
Luke 9:5 (NASB95)
5 “And as for those who do not receive you, as you go out from that city, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”
Do not miss this – a good disciple of Christ – knows how to rightly apply Scripture to a situation. A Good disciple learns how to show God’s grace to others.
It is an awfully presumptuous step to go from shaking your feet off to calling fire down on your enemies.
John ignored the word of Christ – and sought to add to it. He wanted to sit in the seat of judgment.
Let’s look at how Jesus corrects this misunderstanding.
Solution: SLIDE
Luke 9:55–56 (NASB95)
55 But He turned and rebuked them, [and said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of;
56 for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”] And they went on to another village.
Explanation: If you are following along in an NIV – your verses 55 and 56 are different from what I just read to you.
There’s a manuscript issue here. The phrase in red on this slide is found in some manuscripts – and not in others.
An unbelieving skeptic has stated that there are around 400,000 manuscript errors in the existing manuscripts of the New Testament. That number is thrown around – to make you think the Bible is full of errors and that it cannot be trusted. (see transcript: are errors in the Bible – truelife.org)
That sounds like a crazy high number – and it is – until you realize that the overwhelming majority would equate to typos in a research paper. Copyists writing by hand can be forgiven for turning an o into an a.
There are perhaps a few dozen more serious issues… but here’s the thing that unbelieving skeptic won’t tell you.
Every single teaching of these more significant manuscript issues is picked up somewhere else in New Testament Scripture. Every… Single… One.
That is no different here. I think the newer translations are in error here when they do not include the full text of verses 55 and 56… which was told to John by Jesus.
You all know the most quoted verse in the book of John – John 3:16… but look what follows it in verse 17 (SLIDE)
“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
Here’s the point – even if you take away verses 55 and 56 – Jesus still explains why He came into the world.
Application: Jesus didn’t come to destroy anyone’s life… Our lives were already wrecked by sin. We already stood condemned with no good name for our own. Our deeds already caused our spiritual death.
Christ came so that we would no longer stand condemned – but that we would be restored.
To become a follower of Christ – we need to understand His sacrifice – that was greater than all our sin. He took our guilt and shame.
We are made right – and we bear a new name – the name of Christian. – one belonging to Christ.
If He did not come to judge the world the first time He came – why do we feel as if we should judge the world now?
So what does the Christian do with those who will not listen?
We warn them of the wrath to come – and we shake the dust off our feet when they won’t listen.
When Christ comes again – it will be in judgment. The world already stands condemned. It is our job to warn others so that they can flee the wrath to come.
How do we witness to our neighbor, to our family, to our friends, to everyone we meet?
***CLOSING SLIDE
James 1:5 (CSB)
5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.
Review
Disciples do the things that Christ did. They learn from their mistakes. They grow in knowledge. Day by day and year by year they learn to follow Christ more closely.
They meditate on the wonderful works of God – and love Him more deeply.
End Part 1
