Reputations & Vital Responsibilities
When we encounter slander and opposition for standing up for Christ, we should redouble our resolve to please God by being faithful to our call to evangelize without compromise.
Series: Luke
Verse by Verse
October 21, 2012
• Luke 1-24
Verse by verse exposition of the book of Luke
Sorrow & Profound Celebrations
Luke 5:33-35
We will experience a variety of sorrows on earth while we await Christ’s return, but our pain is mitigated by our anticipation, and the many foretastes of the kingdom which God supplies.
Obsolete & Eternal Covenants
Luke 5:36-39
Christ’s first coming made the OT ceremonial laws obsolete and inaugurated a new arrangement of paired-downed godly practices that should be participated in with love and sincerity.
Traditions & Authentic Rules
Luke 6:1-11
Christ’s dispute with the Pharisees regarding what constituted proper OT ceremonial obedience is a model for us as we consider our obedience to the moral rules of the NT.
Apostasy & Stumbling Saints
Luke 6:12-16
Christ can use us greatly as we learn to trust him, making sure our faith genuine, and exercising it ambitiously whenever fears regarding our past, present, or future tempt us to retreat.
Learning from the Lord of Life
Luke 6:17-19
The Creator and Sustainer of life has inscribed his will in the Bible which should be diligently pursued as the source of truth, direction, and counsel for our lives.
When the Checkbook is Empty
Luke 6:20, 24
God has called us to love, trust, and pursue him not earthly wealth; in doing so we will find what real life is intended to be whether we have a little or a lot.
When You’re Not Satisfied
Luke 6:21a, 25a
We must discern that there is no true or lasting satisfaction in any temptation to sin, knowing that every feeling of deprivation in doing what is right is always an investment that God rewards.
When Life Really Hurts
Luke 6:21b, 25b
Though the next life will be characterized by happiness and joy, for now, because of sin in our world and in our lives Christians will have plenty of grief and a lot for which to mourn.
When You’re Ridiculed for Christ
Luke 6:22-23, 26
We must allow the benefits of standing with Christ and his people to overshadow the painful relational consequences that will inevitably come from doing so.
Dealing with Mean & Demanding People
Luke 6:27-31
We need to consider the relative unimportance of our pain and loss associated with standing for Christ, and focus instead on the conversion of our opponents.
Exceptional Love with Exceptional Motives
Luke 6:31-36
Jesus calls us to decide to sacrificially love others (as God himself does) without thought of what we might get or not get in return.
Godly Perspectives in a Godless World
Luke 6:37-38
God rewards us as we mercifully relate to others, mindful of his kindness and mercy toward us – that may not preclude all forms of judgment, but it does rule out the petty and hypocritical kind.
Seeing My Growth for the Good of Others
Luke 6:39-40
Not only must we choose our Christian leaders and spiritual mentors wisely, but we all have to accept the responsibility to lead in the spiritual growth of others with our words and by our example.
The Practical Value of Integrity
Luke 6:41-42
As we consider Christ’s hatred of hypocrisy, we should at the same time consider the explicit and implicit benefits that are derived from living a Christlike life of integrity.
The Importance of Admitting the Obvious
Luke 6:43-45
A saving encounter with Christ changes one’s heart from “evil” to “good” and the evidence of a changed life will necessarily flow from that miraculous work of God.
Understanding Obedience as Christ Does
Luke 6:46-49
Obedience to the word of God is a fundamental duty of the Christian life – one that is forsaken at great personal cost, and one that is ultimately rewarded with lasting benefits.
Anticipating the Defeat of Disease
Luke 7:1-10
Christ at his first coming displayed his credentials as the King of the coming Kingdom by healing some people of their illnesses, in part to remind us that he will one day vanquish all disease.
Awaiting the Defeat of Death
Luke 7:11-16
Jesus shows that he has power over death, not as a representative of God, but as the Lord of life – an ultimate role that requires our allegiance and submission as his disciples.
Making Sure We Don't Miss the King
Luke 7:17-23
Difficulties in life can tempt us to doubt Christ’s power, concern and sovereignty, but we must trust him, remembering the proof of his credentials which reassure us of his coming kingdom.
Learning to Listen to the King's Prophets
Luke 7:24-28
We may at times respond with negativity to the accurate preaching of the truth, but God has called all Christians as his messengers to be faithful to God’s message regardless of the response.
Excuses that Interfere with Our Preparation
Luke 7:29-35
We often make excuses attempting to rebuff the conviction that comes with God’s truth, but we must learn to concede his good purpose for us and respond with humble obedience.
The Hallmark of the Spiritually Prepared
Luke 7:36-50
To be prepared for the arrival of Christ’s kingdom we must be sure that we have grappled with the gravity of our sin and are trusting exclusively in Christ for our forgiveness.
Teaming Up to Prepare Our Generation
Luke 8:1-3
Our personal dissimilarities and diversity actually work in favor of our mission when we pull together as a church to evangelize and disciple our generation in preparation for Christ’s return.
Christ on Hearing God
Luke 8:4-10
Understanding and applying God’s truth are gifts from God to underserving people, yet even those graced with the gift of perception must work hard to carefully understand and apply the truth.
A Grueling Spiritual Battle
Luke 8:11-12
Knowing we have a spiritual enemy who seeks to obscure, twist, and deprioritize the truth of the Bible we must continue to boldly present it, obey it, and pray for God to let it be heard.
Deafening Trials
Luke 8:13
We need a wholehearted reliance on all the promises of Christ, knowing that past experiences won’t be enough when trials come to test our faith.
The Chronic Noise of the World
Luke 8:14
Those with real saving faith will, by God’s grace, be occupied with growing in their relationship with Christ without becoming preoccupied with the futile things this world has to offer.
The Hard Work of Fruitful Hearing
Luke 8:15
The right and saving response to Christ is dependent on the transformative work of God in our hearts, and results in an enduring resolve for doctrinal and behavioral fidelity to the truth.
Why We Amplify the Truth
Luke 8:16-18
Our careful learning and obedient response to truth has a lasting & profound impact, and should remind us of our stewardship to become thoughtful evangelists & caring teachers of truth.