In The Footsteps Of The Master: The Life and Times of Jesus Christ The Cost of Discipleship September 18,

Warning Against Hypocrisy Luke 12:1-3 – 1 Under these circumstances, after so many thousands of people had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, He began saying to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. 3 Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops.” 2

An Unruly Crowd Jesus has attracted a crowd –A rather unruly one it would seem, since they are stomping all over each other –And one of significant size He’s been instructing His disciples – and chastising the Pharisees – and the crowd has likely gathered around them Some of this discourse has been directed at the disciples, while some has been directed at the crowd 3

Yeast vs. Hypocrisy How does yeast work? –C 6 H 12 O 6 → 2(CH 3 CH 2 OH) + 2(CO 2 ) + Heat –“Hidden” at first –Spreads quickly –Affects the whole lump –Changes the condition Why would Jesus use this as an analogy to the Pharisees? “Hypocrisy” is a poor translation –Greek term actually implies godlessness 4

Hidden Things How often do things said and done in private make their way into the light? 5

God Knows Luke 12:4-7 – 4 “I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.” 6

For Discussion Who is to be feared most: those who kill the body or those who kill the soul? –Why? What is the connection between sparrows & hair and the previous discussion? God knows every sparrow and every hair, but that doesn’t keep the sparrows from being sacrificed or the hair from falling out But nothing happens outside of God’s awareness 7

Faithfulness vs. Judgment Luke 14:8-10 – 8 “And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God; 9 but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him.” 8

For Discussion The passage here contrasts two judgment scenes –Whatever transpires in the earthly setting will be mirrored in the heavenly setting –Quid pro quo How did we get to this point from birds and hair? Jesus is preparing his followers for the persecutions to come –And encouraging them to remain faithful 9

The Spirit Will Prompt You Luke 14:8-12 – 11” When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” 10

For Discussion Jesus has definitely moved into a discussion of certain persecution for the faith Give some examples of where the Spirit helped disciples of Jesus in these predicted situations –Peter –Stephen –Paul 11

An Interruption Luke 12:13-16a – 13 Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” 14 But He said to him, “Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” 16 And He told them a parable, saying, 12

For Discussion Jesus is interrupted by a man who wants Him to intervene in a dispute about inheritance –Probably a younger son, since the firstborn had greater rights Why would Jesus spring from this discussion to a discussion about greed? The man is possibly seeking –Money –Land –Status 13

Parable of the Rich Fool Luke 12:16b-21 –“The land of a rich man was very productive. 17 And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ 18 Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 ‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’ 21 So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” 14

For Discussion What are the failures of this rich man? –Obviously a bumper crop –Rather than using his excess to help others, he chooses to keep everything for himself –Not only that, but he embarks on a major building project to do it –And then he will spend a life of ease while others toil What becomes of his wealth when his life is over? What is his real failure? 15

Do Not Worry Luke 12:22-26 – 22 And He said to His disciples, “For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! 25 And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life’s span? 26 If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters?” 16

For Discussion This follows on the heels of Jesus teaching His disciples to pray each daily for that day’s bread He teaches them not to worry about daily concerns He uses a common Jewish literary method of arguing “from the lesser to the greater” –If God cares for a carrion-eating bird, will He not care for you – His personal creation? –One instance of “greater to the lesser” 17

For Discussion How many believe that God can meet every need? How many really depend on Him to do so? –If not, why not? How about this: –We are afraid (or all too certain) that God will give us what we need, rather than everything that we want 18

Consider the Lilies Luke 12:27-29 – 27 “Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying.” 19

For Discussion Jesus uses verystrong language in telling His disciples not to worry about clothing, food or drink How well do you do in this area? How is: –Your 401(k) doing? –Your other investments? –Your insurance coverage? How should a believer look at such things? 20

Seek First the Kingdom Luke 12:30-34 – 30 “For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. 31 But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32 Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” 21

For Discussion Jesus encourages His disciples to look beyond the desires and concerns of this world and instead maintain focus on the next How does seeking the Kingdom first help with all of life's other issues? 22

23 Next Week Luke 12:35-59