- Some life hacks, according to people online (I haven’t tried these):
- "For chores that I don't like to do (like washing a big pile of dishes), I set a timer for four minutes and tell myself I will do it for four minutes, and after the time goes off, I can stop if I want to. Just giving myself an out makes it seem less cumbersome. Sometimes I quit after four minutes and pick it up again later, but I just keep going. Getting started is the hardest part."
- "When looking at recipes online, click the print link. This cuts out the unnecessary backstory and random musings. You can also save the recipe as a PDF to your computer or even just the link to the printable version."
- "If you put something down temporarily, say, 'I've put the screwdriver by the microwave' or whatever. This engages many more areas of the brain (particularly the language centers), which creates a richer memory, making it less likely you'll forget where you put it."
- Life hacks are really popular on the internet.
DIFFERENT THAN THE OTHER PARABLES: This point of this parable reads more like a life hack than a moral imperative.
- Luke 14:7-11.
- This parable reads differently than most of Jesus’ parables in at least a couple ways.
- First, it reads more like a life hack than a moral imperative.
- Many of Jesus’ parables have a moral point. Often it’s something that seems counter-intuitive and requires you to believe that there is a hidden Kingdom of God that is worth living for.
- This parable has a moral point: be humble. But the way it is presented is most unusual. It reads like a life hack. The wording is strange: Jesus doesn’t say, “Do this because it’s the right thing to do” but “You should do this because it will help you avoid being socially embarrassed and could lead to you being socially elevated.” It almost comes across as transactional.
- Now, there’s nothing wrong with Jesus saying it that way. It’s just unusual.
- Just so we’re all on the same page, let me talk about “life hack” for a minute. The internet is awash with these today. Podcasting is too. It’s usually an expert in some field (dating, personal growth, health, etc.) and they will share some insight that they have gained from their years of research and expertise. It’s a practical tip that will help you live a better life. It’s a “hack” to help you live a fuller life. And, again, there’s nothing wrong with that.
In this situation, it just stands out because it’s unlike most of Jesus’ other parables.
- Second, many of the parables require some behind-the-scenes information to understand.
- An obvious example is the parable of the four soils. The disciples literally come to Jesus after the crowds have left and basically ask, “What in the world was the point of that story?” They had no guess as to what it meant without Jesus giving them the notes.
- Many of the parables are about the nature of the Kingdom of God. When you understand them in context and with the interpretive key, they open up nicely. But as a pastor for thirty years I can tell you that many people new to the Bible who don’t have that interpretive key read those parables and have some wild guesses about what they mean. It’s not necessarily their fault. Jesus Himself said the nature of a parable was in part to hide God’s wisdom from certain people. (Note: it’s not those seeking God’s truth but those who aren’t interested in submitting to Christ’s path.)
- Again, this parable is different. Its meaning is self-evident. There’s no interpretive key needed. Whether you’re a follower of Christ or not, you can understand it. Whether you grasp the nature of the Kingdom of God or not, you can understand it.
- The only part that might be a struggle for some would be that last verse (v. 11). That demands a little Kingdom insight.
- Given the unusual nature of this parable in multiple ways, it provides a nice opportunity to discuss an important aspect of Jesus’ teaching. This is true of all of His teaching but the unusual nature of this parable provides a nice moment to discuss it.
ONE THING THIS PARABLE POINTS US TO: Jesus is smart and His insights work.
- Luke 14:7-11.
- There is a widespread thought that religion and religious commandments are largely irrelevant to real life, beyond the most generic “be nice” pablum. There is a related thought that religious thought is impractical. It sounds good in a Sunday morning sermon, but it’s not a way you’d actually live your life.
- Both are false.
- Let’s take each half of the sermon outline point in turn.
- First, Jesus is smart.
- We all know that Jesus is the Son of God. We know that He healed the sick. We know that He died for our sins. We know that He rose from the dead.
- We also know that He taught. Amazingly, though, many people regard Him as a great teacher while simultaneously refusing to seriously consider what He taught. It makes no sense and yet it is prevalent.
Perhaps the most amazing part of that is that many who live that way also claim to be Christians.
- Yes, there are many people professing faith who have little or no interest in actually learning and following Jesus’ teaching. They consider Jesus their Savior but they are definitely not living as though He is their Lord and they need to obey Him.
- Part of the issue is control. They want to call the shots in their life.
- Part of the issue is worldliness. They want to continue to enjoy the things of this world and they’re scared pursuing Christ would be a hindrance in that.
- But a big part of the issue is the point I’m making here: they do not regard Jesus as smart.
- Now, they would never say it that way, of course. That would sound blasphemous. But the practical implication of their actions is unmistakable. They think that their ideas about how to run their lives are superior to Jesus’ ideas.
- In truth, of course, Jesus is smart.
- He is the Son of God. He knows more than we do. Further, He has insights into the hidden world of the Kingdom of God that we are blind to in our natural states.
- If you are a golfer and Scottie Scheffler - the #1 golfer in the world - offered to start coaching you, would you agree to it? Of course you would. How much more he knows than you! How much insight he could give to you!
- If you’re a high school football player and Tom Brady - the greatest quarterback in NFL history - offered to look at your technique and help you to get better, would you say, “No, thanks”? You’d enthusiastically welcome the offer. He’s got so much knowledge to share with you!
- In a fit of unbelievable stupidity, many people - including many Christians - look at the teaching that Jesus left for us and respond, “I’m just going to do what I want to do.”
- Jesus is smart about life. Listen to Him!
- Second, His insights work.
- What Jesus shares will make your life immeasurably better. It will focus your heart on more meaningful things. It will help you live for what matters. It will direct you in hidden paths that lead to a fruitful life. It will help you to overcome your sinful tendencies. It will lead you to abundant life and eternal life.
- People get confused on this point because Jesus’ words sound so different than the conventional wisdom that we hear all the time. Jesus’ words, when you actually read them and seriously consider them, are wildly different than business as usual.
- Given that, it’s easy to dismiss His words as profoundly impractical or naively unaware of the realities of the world. They’re not. Jesus knows the way of the world and the way things work. What He shares has taken all of that into consideration.
- The fault here does not lie with Him. It lies with us. Yes, His insights are a far cry from what we’re used to. But that's because Jesus has insight into the human soul and into the world that we simply do not have.
- In sum, following Jesus’ teaching is not the prerogative of the well-intentioned but impractical but rather is a wise life choice.
- You ignore His wisdom at your life’s peril.
A CLARIFICATION: It’s not true because it works; it works because it’s true.
- John 8:31-32.
- I want to get to three practical examples of the points I’ve just made, but before I do that I want to pause for a moment to make a small point to clarify an important piece of what I just said.
- The point of clarification is this: Jesus’ teaching is not true because it works. Rather, it works because it’s true. This might seem a bit obscure, but give me a minute to unpack this idea.
- To go back to the “life hacks” concept, many people today are just looking for anything that works. They don’t care about the source of it. They don't consider the larger life implications. They often don’t ponder the morality of it. They are unconcerned about how it fits into a larger worthwhile life. They are just looking for something that works.
- That, of course, is a very short-term approach. It’s a little bit like a young mother who gives into her child’s screams for a candy bar while they are in the checkout lane. Yes, you’ve quieted the child in that moment and so you got a short-term win, but it will prove to be a long-term loss. Why? Because you just taught the child that screaming in that moment will get him what he wants. That's a lesson that's going to haunt you again and again and again.
- What Jesus offers us is not just “life hacks” that we should do because they work. Jesus is offering us so much more than that.
- Looking at the famous words in John 8:31-32 are helpful.
- First, consider the famous words of v. 32: “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” Many people read those words and think they are a nice but ultimately meaningless inspirational phrase. Something that sounds good in a speech and might get an “Amen” but doesn’t really teach us anything.
- That is not at all true. These words are eminently practical.
- If so, then what do they mean?
- We begin by understanding that Jesus wants us to “know the truth.” This is something He is offering us. Many people complain, “I only wish I knew what God wanted me to do!” That's usually an idle complaint. God has revealed His will to us. He has revealed it in the life of Jesus. He has revealed it in the Bible. He has revealed it through the Holy Spirit. God’s will is not something that God wants us to be clueless about. He wants us to know His will.
- In fact, if you look at v. 31, you find that it’s not just an option but it’s actually a defining characteristic of a Christian. That verse tells that one of the defining characteristics of a disciple of Jesus is that we hold to His teaching. “Hold” doesn’t merely denote that we are aware of them or that we agree that they are the list of doctrines that we believe in. No, it means that we know, pursue, and follow His teaching.
- God has revealed His truth and we are to know it.
- What happens to us when we live that out? That is the second point here: that truth will set us free.
- Again, this is easy to minimize as a trite slogan. It’s not. It’s a practical insight into what God wants to do in our lives.
- When we know the truth of God through the teaching of Jesus and we incorporate it into our lives, the result will be that we will be set free.
- Set free from what?
- Set free from sin.
- Set free from burdens.
- Set free from meaninglessness.
- Set free from mistakes.
- Set free from the world’s vain plans.
- You get the idea.
- Jesus’ wisdom leads to a better life. Jesus’ wisdom leads to a full soul. Jesus’ wisdom leads to meaningful relationships. Jesus’ wisdom leads to emotional health. Jesus’ wisdom leads to right priorities.
- Jesus’ wisdom set us free from so many of the problems and burdens of the world.
- This is not something that is well understood. How do I know? Because there aren’t nearly enough people who are eagerly seeking to follow Jesus.
- So many people will blithely agree that He was a great teacher and then steadfastly avoid following any of that same teaching. Not much of a great teacher if you ignore His teaching!
- When this truth is properly understood, we will seek to absorb as much of Jesus’ teaching as we can, eager to live lives where we are set free. And we understand that His words are a glorious gift, not a burdensome annoyance.
- Finally, to return to the point I made a moment ago, inviting Jesus’ teaching into our lives is not like a “life hack,” where we are getting short-term gains but at uncertain long-term costs.
- Jesus’ teaching both works and is what’s best for us long-term (both in this life and eternally).
- This is why the point in your sermon outline is important. I am not saying that Jesus’ teaching is worth following merely because it works. No, what we have here is much better and greater than that. It works because it’s true.
- Now, let’s return to the gospel of Luke and I want to give three examples of this sermon’s main point that Jesus is smart and His insights work.
- The reason I’m doing this is that I think it’s helpful to see at a practical level how this plays out in real-life situations.
- Given the nature of what we’ve been talking about, I could literally do this from any of Jesus’ teaching, given the nature of that teaching. I’ve chosen three examples that I think are particularly interesting.
SOME OTHER EXAMPLES:
1. Luke 6:29 and Dr. King.
- This verse provides a terrific jumping off point for giving examples of the practical worth of Jesus’ teaching. Why? Because it is undoubtedly one of the things Jesus said that is the most easily and fervently dismissed.
- Most people read this verse and find it (a) horrible advice, (b) terribly impractical, and (c) empowering to the evil in the world.
- People will look at this and just think that Jesus was so good that He didn’t understand the realities of this world. He was naive. Poor guy.
- Let’s take Jesus seriously for a minute. Let’s consider that He really meant it. Let’s further consider that maybe He knew what He was talking about.
- Let me give a practical example: Dr. Martin Luther King.
- During the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. King put forward a philosophy of nonviolence. Here is a key quote: “We shall match your capacity to inflict suffering by our capacity to endure suffering. We will meet your physical force with soul force. Do to us what you will and we will still love you.... But be assured that we'll wear you down by our capacity to suffer, and one day we will win our freedom. We will not only win freedom for ourselves; we will appeal to your heart and conscience that we will win you in the process, and our victory will be a double victory.” - “A Christmas Sermon for Peace,” Dec 24, 1967
- Historically, it’s worth noting that his approach was not the only one being proposed. The most famous alternative was probably Malcolm X’s “by any means necessary.” That, of course, included violence. Dr. King’s approach specifically prohibited violence.
- Was Dr. King naive to embrace Jesus’ teaching?
- The famous outcome takes us to the Edmund Pettis Bridge in Selma, Alabama on March 7th, 1965. That is, “Bloody Sunday.” Peaceful Civil Rights protesters were attacked and those stark images spurred the national call for equal rights for black Americans.
- Now, there is a lot of history there worth pondering but I just want to focus on two small points that are relevant here.
- One, did Dr. King try to faithfully follow the teachings of Jesus in this verse? Yes.
- Two, did Jesus’ teaching work? Again, yes.
- The point to be made here is that Jesus is smart and His insights work.
2. Luke 9:24 and “trust your heart.”
- One of the default, largely unquestioned truths of American culture is that you should trust your heart when it comes to big decisions and the direction of your life. It’s so deeply woven into our books, movies, and popular culture as to be a given. Of course you should trust your heart - after all, what else would you do?
- Well, Jesus has a different strategy in Luke 9:24.
- He speaks here of saving your life and losing your life. Here again we get a similar response to the teaching we just discussed in Luke 6:29. Yes, this sounds mysterious and wise but it’s no way to actually live your life. Indeed, most would say that they don't even know the point that Jesus is trying to make here. It just sounds like spiritual mumbo-gumbo.
- It’s not, though. It’s practical guidance for living a life of value.
- How so? Let me unpack what the teaching means and then we discuss the specific point that relates to this sermon.
- Let’s handle the second half first: whoever loses his life will save it. What’s that mean? It means when you give yourself over to following Christ and living for Him and His teaching, you’re going to find that it is a point of access to the deepest, most meaningful life you can live. Specifically, you lose your life means that you give up doing what you want to do and pursuing things your way. You are losing the life you were going to live under control and direction of self. But in so doing you are saving a real, deeper life. You have opened yourself up to the life of Jesus in your life. This is a better option.
- So, in losing your self directed life you will save a deeper, more meaningful life given by Jesus.
- That leads us to the first half: who saves his life will lose it. This is the same idea in the opposite direction. If you cling to your self directed life and want to be the boss of your own direction (i.e. save your life) you will get to the end of your life only to realize that you missed out on the deeper opportunity and you lived for things that ultimately had no lasting value. You held on to the things you wanted (saved your life) but in so doing you lost the opportunity for an abundant life in Christ (lost your life).
- Let me tie that to “trust your heart.”
- “Trust your heart” is a manifestation of this “save your life” idea. “Trust your heart” tells you to do what you want to do. Do what you think is best. Listen to the wisdom you have.
- Conversely, following Jesus’ path means often encountering teaching from Him that initially seems uncomfortable or even foolish to us. But we have committed ourselves to allegiance to Christ and His wisdom, so we pursue it anyway. We are trusting that He knows better than we do. That may feel like we are losing our lives, but in the process of doing that we will find that we have lost nothing of value and gained much of permanence. We have found real, abundant life.
- To be direct: we did not trust our heart - we trusted Jesus.
- When there were moments when our heart pointed us in one direction and the teaching of Jesus pointed us in another, we deliberately followed Jesus, believing that was the path to a fuller life.
- Now, to apply to this to the larger point in our sermon.
- Many would consider this foolish. Why would anyone not follow what their heart was telling them to do? (The answer is that our heart is imperfect in its understanding and impacted by our emotional turbulence.)
- We believe that Jesus is smart and that His insights work. I trust Him more than I trust myself. That is about as counter-cultural a statement as we can make and yet it is the clear teaching of Christ. So we pursue it.
3. Luke 12:15 and the American Dream.
- The last example I want to share has to do with money.
- I have stated numerous times before that it is indisputable that money is the God of America. It’s what everything we do revolves around. It’s what we prize above all else. It’s how we evaluate who has lived a worthwhile life. It determines who we elevate to be worthy of emulation.
- But then we come to Jesus’ words in Luke 12:15. Watch out for greed, He says. Why? Because a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. In other words, having a lot of stuff doesn’t make a meaningful life.
- This is a radical statement. If Jesus is right, it means that our culture is constantly lying to us. It means that many of the core things we stand for as a nation are of fleeting value. It means that Jesus’ Kingdom and the American Dream are pointing in opposite directions.
- This creates a moment of decision.
- Let’s again go back to the main point of this sermon: that Jesus is smart and that His insights work. This is a moment when we have to pick a direction. Will we live for what our culture tells us matters most or will we recognize the transient of money and wealth?
- Jesus is not arguing that we should be homeless or that we should starve to death. But He is warning us that a life based on material possessions will ultimately not satisfy.
- This again creates a moment of decision. We cannot live for God and money. We have to pick a side. We have to pick a God, in effect. Will we trust what Jesus says or will we trust what everyone around us says?
