Luke (Page 2)
“Woe to the Unrepentant” (Luke 10:13-16)
Woe to the Unrepentant (Luke 10:13-16) Jesus has transitioned from his Galilean ministry to begin his journey toward Jerusalem (9:51). He has sent out seventy-two “others” to enter into the surrounding towns before he gets there and offer them a message of peace (10:5). However, he warned them that some will reject their offer (10:10-12). Our text this afternoon could have easily been added on to the end of last week’s sermon. Its primary purpose is to illustrate the warning…
“Evangelism Explosion” (Luke 10:1-12)
Evangelism Explosion (Luke 10:1-12) Introduction We have just finished the story of three individuals who were reluctant to follow Jesus. Each of them offered their best excuse for not being available at that time. Here, we see a group of 72 disciples who immediately respond in obedience. Luke is the only gospel witness to record this episode. It seems perfectly suited to balance the previous section. Evangelism exists because worship does not. Evangelism is needed because unbelief is rampant. Jesus…
“The Priority of Following Jesus” (Luke 9:57-62)
The Priority of Following Jesus (Luke 9:57-62) A few months ago we were at Costco looking at Traeger smokers. Our BBQ is on its last leg and we’ve heard good things about Traegers. After talking to the salesman, we were on the verge of leaving with one. But we decided to grab some lunch at the food court and think it over. Personally, I had every intention of going back and buying it, but after calling some folks we began…
“Responding to Rejection” (Luke 9:51-56)
Responding to Rejection (Luke 9:51-56) Jesus is now leaving Galilee and heading towards Jerusalem. We will see three different characters/groups (Jesus, Samaritan Village, James & John) with three different purposes. I think the goal is to evaluate whether our own mission/purposes are aligned with Christ’s kingdom purposes. We so easily focus on our own agenda to the neglect of Christ’s mission. This will also be the theme of the passage that follows. It also complements our text this morning. Take…
“Eliminating Our Enemies” (Luke 9:49-50)
Eliminating Our Enemies (Luke 9:49-50) Luke is assuring his Christian readers with an orderly account of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. In this final conversation of Jesus’s Galilean ministry, the disciples are being humbled. They were arguing about which of them would be the greatest in heaven, and Jesus brought a child to his side as an example. Instead of taking up their cross to follow Jesus they were far more concerned with securing positions of honor. We…
“Who Is the Greatest?” (Luke 9:46-48)
Who Is the Greatest? (Luke 9:46-48) We have come to the final accounts of Jesus’s Galilean ministry. Chapter nine has focused on the question: Who is Jesus? The answer is that “He’s the glorious and majestic Messiah.” Peter could say this, but then prove his ignorance about what this actually meant with regard to Christ’s ministry. The irony of this passage is that it follows after the display of the majesty of Christ in his authority (casting out a demon)…
“The Majesty of God” (Luke 9:37-45)
The Majesty of God The Majesty of God Brad Mills / General Luke / Healing; Demon Possession / Luke 9:37–45 Most of us instinctively think humility is a sign of weakness. There is an assumption among leaders that they need to avoid showing any gaps in their armor. They have to be guarded at all times. To show any vulnerability is to throw in the white towel. But, in reality, there is a direct connection between our willingness to…
“The Transfiguration of Jesus” (Luke 9:28-36)
The Transfiguration of Jesus The Transfiguration of Jesus Brad Mills / General Transfiguration / Luke 9:28–36 Herod was confused by Jesus, intrigued by his popularity and yet, only interested in learning more about Christ to ensure his own position and authority were not being threatened. The feeding of the 5,000 puts the question of Jesus’s identity before the crowd. In Caesarea Philippi Jesus asked his disciples who the crowds thought he was. They were perpetuating various theories—which Herod had…
“Take Up Your Cross” (Luke 9:21-27)
Take Up Your Cross Brad Mills / General Luke / Crucifixion; Discipleship / Luke 9:21–27 Luke continues his orderly account of the ministry of Jesus providing his readers with a certainty about the truth of the apostles’ teaching. This purpose heightens the need to be clear and honest about the challenges they would face living in a culture that was oftentimes hostile towards Christianity. Jesus never minimized the cost of discipleship in order to win more followers. He was…
“Who is Jesus?” (Luke 9:18-20)
Who Is Jesus? Brad Mills / General Luke / Confession / Luke 9:18–20 In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis makes the argument that Jesus could not merely be a “good moral teacher” as many often claim. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be…