March 15, 2020

The Spirit of the Gospel

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Luke 9:46-56
Service Type:

Introduction

  • Reading Luke 9:43-56
  • v43 - states "they were all amazed at the majesty of God"
    • Examples of the majesty of God
    • We marvel as God works in unbelievers
  • Common themes:
    • The weakness and sinfulness of the disciples
      • Not understanding - v22, 44
      • Disputing and arguing over who is the greatest - v46
      • Forbidding others to cast out demons - v49
      • Wanting to call fire down on the city – v54-56
    • Failure, sin, the limitations of the disciples
      • Looking at ourselves - examples
    • Yet the Lord did not give up on them
      • He chose them to be His ambassadors
      • He kept teaching and guiding them
  • Overview:
    • What does the gospel say about greatness? (v46-48)
    • What does the gospel say about a spirit of generosity? (v49-50)
    • What does the gospel say about grace to undeserving sinners? (v51-56)

What does the gospel say about greatness? (v46-48)

  • Isn't this petty?
    • Do we ever get caught up in rivalry and comparison?
  • Why did this arise?
    • We are not told
    • Is it because Peter, James and John were seen as being special?
    • Is it because Peter, James and John had an air of superiority?
    • Is it because the other disciples had failed to cast out the demon?
  • Jesus uses a visual aid of a child
    • In most cultures children are often over looked and under rated
      • They are not seen as important, make mistakes, are inexperienced and have a lot to learn
    • The disciples need to come down low
      • They were concerned with position
      • Jesus says it is about being humble and coming low
    • Whoever welcomes a child welcomes Jesus
      • Whoever welcomes the lowly welcomes Jesus
    • To enter the kingdom of heaven, the disciples need to become like little children
  • Greatness in the eyes of God:
    • Those who are humble
    • Those who are last
    • Those who associate with the lowly of the world
    • Those who recognise they are sinners and trust in grace alone
  • Not greatness as the world thinks - examples
    • Not about you but about others
    • Not about your 'value' conferred by status or association
    • Not about pride
  • Consider your heart:
    • How are we when we are over looked?
    • We are to be servants like Jesus Christ

What does the gospel say about a spirit of generosity? (v49-50)

  • Is v49 a self-confession or a bold proclamation?
  • Jesus reveals their actions were wrong and unwarranted
    • Because they were part of a different group - what they had done was wrong
    • Their minds affected by prejudice
  • The gospel is undeserved grace to all people - saved by grace alone
    • To ban someone because they are not part of your group is wrong
    • However, we must agree on the fundamentals of the gospel
    • We must not act on the basis of prejudice
    • We must not act on the basis of human pride
    • We must not allow sectarianism
      • Example of Jews and Gentiles
  • The gospel speaks of:
    • One body of Christ - the universal Church of God
    • It demands a generous spirit as God is a generous God

What does the gospel say about grace to undeserving sinners? (v51-56)

  • v51 - Jesus sets His face to go to the cross
    • Explanation of events
    • They did not want 'to shake the dust of their feet' but wanted to call down fire
    • They wanted judgment
    • They were remembering an incident involving Elijah
  • Jesus was clear about His teaching
    • John 3:17, 12:47
    • He has come into the world to seek and save the lost
    • Have you believed in Jesus Christ?
  • Jesus is offering grace and love to undeserving sinners
    • Will you accept?

Closing Remarks