If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.
And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples. – Luke 14:26-27, 33.
INTRODUCTION
WARNINGS AND ENCOURAGEMENTS
Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.
What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.
“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.
But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.
Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
“I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God.
But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God.
And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
“When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” – Luke 12:1-12.
The Parable of the Rich Fool
Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.
”And He told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.
’“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain.
And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
“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?’“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” – Luke 12:1-21
Do Not Worry
Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.
For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?“Consider how the wild flowers grow.
They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.
For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. – Luke 12:22-34.
Watchfulness
“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.
It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.
It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.
You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.”
Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?”The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of His servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time?
It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all His possessions.
But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk.
The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.
“The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows.
But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. – Luke 12:35-48
Not Peace but Division
“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth?
No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three.
They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” – Luke 12:49-53.
Interpreting the Times
He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. 56 Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?
“Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled on the way, or your adversary may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.” – Luke 12:54-59.
- SIN AGAINST GOD
Attitudes and relationships determine guilt more than specific acts and theological expertise. God does not relate to His people in a legalistic manner, expecting us to know and follow an enormous number of religious rules.
God expects us to let Him change our hearts and revolutionize our attitudes. When love for God, justice, and concern for other people rule our hearts, we will follow the necessary rules.
Hypocrisy and contempt for other people are sins that constantly tempt religious people. Such attitudes lead to wrong interpretations of Scripture that lead other people to sin. The ultimate results is that hypocrisy and false interpretations lead people to reject Jesus, the only way to salvation.
- HOLY SPIRIT
Jesus promised His disciples that when they went on trial for their faith the Spirit would give them prophetic gifts to enable them to testify faithfully and to defend themselves effectively.
Paul referred to the Spirit as a ‘seal’ who guarantees that Christians will be kept to the end. The Spirit helps Christians guard what has been entrusted to us.
This protective work of the Spirit was especially important to Christians experiencing persecution. It is important for us to know the Spirit will defend us, will assist us to be witnesses, and will seal us safe until the end.
- CHRISTIAN ETHICS
Placing material things over personal relationships has disastrous results. One can become consumed by the ‘bigger is better’ syndrome. Greed gradually gains control.
All energy is expended on material security so that a vision of wealth guides character formation. Life is too short to be centered on the material.
God offers so many possibilities for us to that it is foolish to spend all our physical and emotional energies on satisfying ego needs to have more than others.
Serving God silences our greed and leads to satisfaction with what He supplies. Concern for the need of others replaces worry over personal desires.
- STEWRADSHIP
How we live expresses our Christian faith. Personal lifestyle is made up of attitudes and values, activities, conduct patterns, goals and specific uses of material possessions.
The world insists that the good life consists of accumulating possessions and indulging in luxuries.
Christ showed that life is fulfilling only when we seek to extend His Kingdom by loving, serving and giving to others. Jesus’s teachings and His lifestyle denounced getting wealth as the aim of life.
He reminded His followers that owning material riches is temporary; spiritual riches are eternal. Money and possessions are to be used in spiritual service.
- HUMANITY
The present is not permanent. People make plans for the future based on present achievements. Such plans should not be totally self-centered.
We need to remember God controls the future. Our plans must include God, His will, and His work on earth. Our largest building project is His kingdom.
- CREATION
Understanding the doctrine of creation does more than add to our intellectual knowledge. It helps us set priorities in life. God created a world that rewards faith.
God takes care of the nonhuman realm without His creatures having to experience intense anxiety or excessive striving. He will provide for our needs if we will trust Him. Our Creator wants the best for us.
We should participate in His plan for the world by showing this kind of joy in helping others. We demonstrate by our loyalties the kind of world we believe God has made.
- GOD’S KINGDOM
The Kingdom of God is the greatest gift one can receive and the highest priority in life. God desires that all people receive His gracious gift – the Kingdom.
Nothing compares with the joy, fulfillment, and significance of serving Christ. We must be ready to surrender everything that has worth to us so we may be part of God’s Kingdom.
- FAMILY
Family relationships are given a high priority in the Bible, but the ultimate loyalty of every believer is to Jesus Christ as Lord. Each Christian must choose the cross.
Ultimate loyalty can be given only to Christ – not to husband, wife, children or parents. Obviously, Christian commitment includes faithful service to family, but Christ must be supreme.
- JESUS CHRIST
Jesus was aware of an intimate relationship with His Heavenly Father. Final judgement will depend on Jesus’s word to the Father concerning each person. Total allegiance to Him and total commitment to His way of life are the criteria for judgement.
Culled from the Disciple’s Study Bible.
Remain Blessed!
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