Sermon for 7/16/2006
Luke 9:51-62
Introduction:
David Ogden (The New Reformation) tells the story of Oliver Wendell Holmes. "Holmes once boarded a train, but was unable to find the ticket. After watching Holmes fumble through his pocket in growing dismay, the conductor politely said, ’It’s all right Mr. Holmes, I am sure you have your ticket somewhere.’ Looking the conductor straight in the eye, Holmes replied, ’Young man that is not my problem at all. I don’t care about giving my ticket to the railroad. I just want to find out where in the blazes I’m going.’
WBTU:
A. Vs. 51
1. Jesus resolutely, steadfastly, intently, determined to go, fixed his face.
2. Right after Simon Peter’s good confession called Jesus the Christ of God. (Luke 9:22 NIV) And he said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."
4. To preach, teach, heal and perform miracles was not the main mission of Jesus.
B. We, in a sense, are traveling with Jesus to Jerusalem:
1. (Rev 21:1 NIV) Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.(Rev 21:2 NIV) I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband
2. How do we get there? Much the same way that Jesus got there. (Luke 9:23 NIV) Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
3. How do we deny ourselves? First, we must surrender ourselves to Jesus Christ for salvation. Must believe, must repent, must confess, and must be baptized. Christ has provided a way for us to get to the New Jerusalem. Get started on the right path.
4. Does not end there. We must deny ourselves and take up his cross (a symbol of death) daily and follow him. We are able to live for Christ and travel with Christ down this journey through the Holy Spirit. (Rom 12:1 NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship (reasonable service). Surrender every day to Christ!
Thesis: We are going to look at our Scriptures and several words that begin with the letter “F” to show what we have to get over and give up following Christ on this journey.
For instances:
1. Get over the Fouls (Foul behavior) vs. 52-56
A. Sometimes these fouls come from those not on this journey with Christ.
2. The Samaritans were half breeds and they also had a hybrid religion. Took a little bit of pagan idolatry and little bit of the Jewish faith and made their own religion.
3. A few years before this Jesus and his company are going from Jerusalem back to Galilee and they go through the land of the Samaritans. AT a town called Sycar Jesus talks with a Samaritan woman at a well. That woman goes back into the town and many Samaritans come to hear Jesus. They were so impressed that they had Jesus stay with them for two days.
5. It took preparations for Jesus and his disciples as they traveled. People had to go ahead, buy the food, and get places for them to stay as Jesus would move with His company. They went into this village of the Samaritans to make preparations probably thinking they would get hospitality as before. But they did not receive Jesus, because He was heading towards Jerusalem. Because the time of the Passover was approaching, they no doubt figured He was going to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. The Samaritans believed that the Passover should be celebrated on Mount Gerizim, there in Samaria and not in Jerusalem. They felt Mount Gerizim was the place where God should be worshipped. Because of this animosity, hatred that existed between the Jew and the Samaritan, they just would not allow him in that village.
6. Jesus tells us that on this journey to heaven, there will be persecution. People will not accept us or our message and they might treat us poorly. (John 15:20 NIV) Remember the words I spoke to you: ’No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.
7. (2 Tim 3:12 NIV) In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
9. What is his disciples’ reaction to this mistreatment? Is it one of grace and mercy? Not from James and John. Earlier Jesus called James and John the Sons of Thunder. They want to call down fire from heaven and consume this village.
10. I could just imagine Jesus reaction to this: Oh, what a good idea James and John! Let’s do that! That would be so cool! Not!
11. This idea goes completely against Jesus Christ and the message of the New Testament. Don’t stoop down to their level! Don’t fight fire with fire!
B. In the King James Jesus says: You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.
D. Sometimes we receive fouls from those who are on this journey of faith. Sometimes Christians go back to their old ways. Sometimes we hurt each other not intentionally. (Col 3:13 NIV) Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
E. In basketball, there are many fouls. I have given fouls and received fouls. Sometimes I don’t mean to foul and other times I intentionally foul. The funny thing about this is that it doesn’t ruin the game. The referee takes care of these fouls and the play resumes. It is a shame that many in the Christian life don’t take that view. Let’s just trust the referee, God, to take care of the foul situation and let get back into the game.
F. (Rom 12:17 NIV) Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. (Rom 12:18 NIV) If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Rom 12:19 NIV) Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.(Rom 12:20 NIV) On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."(Rom 12:21 NIV) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
G. What did Jesus do when he was fouled? He went on! Vs. 56
2. Give up the farm. Vs. 57-58
A. Jesus, on this journey, had no permanent place to lay his head.
B. Jesus is telling this man that when he follows Christ, he might not have much. He will not have a big house or an overabundance of food or clothing.
C. (Luke 12:29 NIV) And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.(Luke 12:30 NIV) For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.(Luke 12:31 NIV) But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.(Luke 12:32 NIV) "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.(Luke 12:33 NIV) Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. (Luke 12:34 NIV) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
D. Louise Webb- There is a difference between a house and a home.
E. (John 14:23 NIV) Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
F. No home is complete without Christ. Without Christ we just have a house!
G. I’ve got a mansion just over the hilltop, in that bright land where we’ll never grow old. And someday yonder we will never more wonder, but walk on streets that are purest gold.
3. Fire insurance. Vs. 59-60
A. Why do we have fire insurance? If there is a fire, the house will be replaced. What happens if there never is a fire?
B. This man is concerned about his security. We all need security. This man’s father probably was not dead. Jesus is not saying that we cannot go to our parent’s funerals.
C. This man may have been the oldest in his family. The firstborn had the rights over the estate in that culture. If he leaves, his parent’s estate may be given to someone else. He is concerned about his financial future.
D. Jesus is not saying that we need to be foolish with money! He says a lot about this in other places! Not against saving money! Not against getting insurance! What is he saying?
E. Let’s picture a tightrope walker. They have a net under them so if they do fall they will not be injured. They have a safety net.
F. It is the same way in our lives. We are walking along and we worry if this or that happens. If we fall, have troubles and trials, who or what is going to catch us. Many put their trust in riches. Far better to put our trust in the Lord!
G. (Prov 11:28 NIV) Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.
H. (Psa 37:3 NIV) Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. (Psa 37:4 NIV) Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
I. When we trust in God, He will catch us when we fall.
J. (Luke 12:16 NIV) And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. (Luke 12:17 NIV) He thought to himself, ’What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’(Luke 12:18 NIV) "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.(Luke 12:19 NIV) And I’ll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry."’(Luke 12:20 NIV) "But God said to him, ’You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’(Luke 12:21 NIV) "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."
4. Give up Family, friends vs. 61
A. This man wanted to go back for a time and be with family and friends.
B. Give up was literally true in the New Testament world. Many times Jewish families would have funerals if a family member became a Christian. Similar things still happen in the Muslim countries.
C. I will but first…
1. "I will follow You, Lord, but first let me see if my parents approve."
2. "I will follow You, Lord, but first let me go to a few more parties. And as soon as I get that out of my system, I will settle down."
3. "I will follow You, Lord, but first let me get married. As soon as I establish a home, I will follow you."
4. "We will follow You, Lord, but first let us raise our children. They are so small now, and it is difficult to carry them along while following You."
5. "We will follow You, Lord, but first let us get our children through high school. We have to work six days a week to pay the bills, and the children are so busy with school activities that there just is not time to follow You."
6. "I would like to follow You now, Lord, but I must first see if my husband will come, too. I do not want to follow You alone."
7. "I will follow You, Lord, but first let me retire. Then I will have time to follow you."
8. "I would like to follow You, Lord, but it is too late now. I have not done it all these years, and You cannot teach an old dog new tricks."
So what?
A. Vs. 62- If one was plowing a field in that day, they kept the rows straight by focusing on an object in front of them, off in the distance. If one started to plow, and kept looking behind them, they would never make straight rows and do a good job plowing. In our Christian life, we keep our eyes on Jesus in front of us, and never take them off Him.
B. In our day, a modern illustration of this would be the highway. We have to keep our eyes on the road or we might end up in the ditch.
C. We have to get over and give up some things to follow Christ. What do we have to do? Focus.
D. (Heb 12:2 NIV) Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
