Video teaching coming soon
There is no online teaching for this study yet, but the written notes and any available study resources are still below.
These are the original teaching notes from this passage.
Review…
- The Gospel of Luke…
- The focus of Luke is on the humanity of Jesus – showing Him as the perfect flawless man…
- Key Verse – Luke 19:10 – “The Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost.”
- Luke 6:1- 7:17 – Choosing the discuples / The Sermon on the Mount / Making Disciples…
- Luke 7:18-8:56 – Preparing the disciples through example…
- Luke 9:1-17 – Sending out the Disciples…
- Sending out the 12 – to heal & preach / taking nothing with them / Making disciples…
- The feeding of the 5000 – not about what we have – but who we give what we have to!
- Luke 9:18-36 – Sending out the Disciples…
- At Caesarea Philippi Jesus asks His disciples – ‘Who do men say I Am?’
- The real question – ‘Who do you say I am?’ – Peter answered – the Christ!
- Peter knew who Jesus was (by the Holy Spirit) – but not why He had come…
- From then on Jesus plainly told the disciples about the cross & resurrection…
- Jesus was headed for the cross – to follow Jesus – means taking up our own cross…
- Jesus took Peter, James, & John up to the top of Mt. Hermon and was transformed…
- Jesus the Light of the world – calls us to be transformed and be a light as well
Pointing others to Jesus… vs. 37-42 (3 things)
- 1st – We are not the solution… vs. 37-40
- Upon returning the next day from the top of Mt. Hermon…
- A great multitude had gathered together – but there was one man who cried out…
- An evil spirit would regularly seize his ‘only son’ – causing convulsions…
- It took great effort to get the spirit to leave – leaving bruises on the boy…
- The Father first brought him to the disciples – but they were unable to help the boy…
- We know that they disciples had the power (in Jesus name) to cast out demons…
- Luke 10:17 – “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”
- So why could they do nothing to help this boy…
- The problem was they thought they were the answer…
- Rather than bring the boy to Jesus – they tried to fix the problem themselves…
- Notice it is not the disciples – but the Father – who brought the boy to Jesus…
- Our first response when we see a problem – is to try and be the solution…
- But we are not the solution that people need…
- And if we try and step in and try and help – on our own – not much happens…
- 2nd – The only asnwer… vs. 41-42
- Jesus answers – “O faithless & perverse generation, how longs shall I be with you…”
- Faithless – not that they did not have faith – but their faith was misplaced…
- Perverse – (Perfect/Passive/Participle) to distort or twist…
- The idea was that their faith was twisted – they trusted in themselves!
- Our problem is never a lack of faith – it was where our faith is placed
- I have seen extraordinary faith in ‘faith healers’ – but they have not power to heal…
- I have seen stubborn faith in money – but money disappears as quick as it comes…
- We all have faith – lots of it – our problem is we don’t always put our faith in Jesus
- Far too often we put our faith in our own abilities – or the abilities of others…
- And when they or we fail – then we blame God for not taking care of us…
- Yet we were not looking to God – we were looking to ourselves or others
- ‘How long will I be with you – how long will I hold you up…’
- The Lord had been with them so long and still they missed the simple answer…
- ‘Bring your son here.’ (Imperative)
- As He was coming over the demon violently threw the son to the ground convulsing…
- Jesus rebuked the demon – and the boy was cured that very hour…
- The only solution – that had always been the right answer – was Jesus!
- The moment we have faith in the right answer – Jesus – there is hope…
- No matter what problem we are facing – health, financial, relational…
- If we have faith in anyone (or thing) else than Jesus we will be disappointed…
- Only when we take our problem to the ONLY answer do we find the cure!
- 3rd – Billboard for Jesus – Mark 9:28-29
- The disciples came and asked Jesus privately…
- They had their pride a wounded – and they did not want to make it public…
- They asked, ‘Why could (dunamis – to have power) we not…’
- They were not trusting in Jesus – they were trusting in themselves…
- Worse than that – they were teaching others to look to the wrong answer…
- If people come to us looking for answers and help – it’s easy to be the answer…
- If someone needs food/money/or counsel – we try to be Jesus…
- And men would much rather look to someone they can touch and see…
- Therefore they are much more inclined to trust in a man than God
- The problem is we are limited – and can’t always help those who look to us
- Maybe we can help them once – but when they come back – again and again…
- We have limited abilities and resources – only God has limitless!
- It is only when we point others to Jesus we really give them the answer
- He has no limitations – all the abilities – all the resources – all the power!
- He is the only answer that we need to give to those who are in need!
- Our opportunity – responsibility – it to be a billboard that says, ‘this way to Jesus’!
- Who is the greatest… vs. 43-50 (3 things)
- 1st – Looking towards the cross… vs. 43-45
- While the crowds marveled at the power of God – what Jesus had done for the boy…
- Jesus turned to the disciples and told them to listen carefully – pay attention…
- ‘He would be betrayed into the hands of men’ – speaking of His death and resurrection
- They disciples were upset by what Jesus was telling them – Matthew 17:23
- Yet truth was hidden from them – they just could not grasp it – Luke 9:45
- They did not understand – ignorant (Imperfect) – and were afraid to ask…
- For the 2nd time Jesus told them about the cross – but they missed it for 2 reasons…
- 1st reason – the Disciples were expecting Jesus to set up His Kingdom here on earth…
- If you’re looking for a conquering King – talk of betrayal and death don’t make sense
- Yet Jesus had not come to conquer nations – He had come to conquer sin!
- Often we miss God’s work in our lives – cause we are looking for something else
- Looking for God to provide a job – we miss the friend He brings to hear about Jesus
- Or looking for God to heal – we miss the grace He wants to give in the suffering
- II Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is enough, My strength made perfect in weakness.”
- Rather than coming to God with expectations – we need to come with an open heart
- 2nd reason – the disciples were ignorant because they were too prideful to stop and ask
- When we do not understand what God is doing in our lives – we should stop and ask
- When your children don’t understand something – you want them to come to you
- God isn’t disappointed when we ask questions – He loves to give His kids answers
- 2nd – The greatest in the kingdom… vs. 46-50
- An argument came up among the disciples…
- Because they were still expecting Jesus to set Himself up as King of the whole world…
- They all expected to be rulers / important people in Jesus’ new Kingdom…
- What they were arguing is which one of them would be the ‘Greatest’ in that Kingdom
- Rather than it being all about Jesus – they were still focusing on themselves…
- We cannot look at two things at once – we cannot serve Jesus and ourselves…
- If we are focusing on ourselves – then we are not looking to Jesus…
- If we are not looking to Jesus – it makes it very challenging to follow Jesus
- Jesus knew what they were arguing about – knowing what was in their hearts…
- So Jesus sat down – and taught the disciples about who is the ‘Greatest’…
- I would love to have seen the surprise on the disciples face – how did Jesus know
- Often I think we get the idea we can hide our conversation and actions from Jesus
- He knows – there is nothing we say, do, or even think that God is not aware of
- Have you ever been at a Bible Study – and it feels like the teaching is just for you
- You wonder does the pastor know – who told him what I am going through…
- Jesus knows – and He has a way of sitting us down so we can hear the truth…
- Jesus picked up a little child into His arms…
- Jesus uses the child to show the disciples an example of true ‘Greatness’…
- A little child has no ambition – they have no grand designs for power or authority
- They are content with roof over their head, food on the table, and a loving family
- If we desire to be the ‘Greatest’ in God’s Kingdom – we need to be like kids!
- Not in the sense that we are immature – but simple in trust and faith…
- Little kids never question if there is going to be food – or clothes…
- They have perfect trust in their parents to take care of their needs
- They also do not seek to be the greatest – they are content to just be kids!
- We also should have that simple faith in our Father to take care of our needs…
- Not seeking the world’s ‘Greatness’ – but be simple and content to be God’s kids!
- Whoever receives one of these little children – in My name – receive Me…
- And the one who receives Jesus – also receives the Father who sent Jesus
- The little children’s Jesus is talking about – are those who believe in Him…
- Galatians 3:26 – “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”
- Anyone who receive His kids (little children) – also receive Jesus
- When we take the time to encourage and bless others…
- When we point others to Jesus – we are in truth ministering to and blessing Jesus!
- The least will be the greatest…
- In the world – those who are ‘the Greatest’ – have all the authority – often abuse it
- Greatness in the world is like a pyramid – with the most powerful on top
- It is the picture of the boss – ‘the Greatest’ holds absolute control over others
- In stark contrast the world – Jesus says – to be ‘the Greatest’ be the least of all!
- To be ‘Greatest’ in God’s Kingdom – you must be a servant (deacon)
- Deacon – ministering to the practical needs of others (Acts 6 – Steven, Phillip)
- We don’t relate a servant with ‘Greatness’ – we still have the World’s perspective
- Greatness to us is riches / power / influence / having others who serve us
- Not the person who empties the trash / cleans / he is just a servant!
- We would call that person ‘nothing special’ – but God calls them the ‘Greatest’
- The question is do we want to be ‘Great’ in the world’s eyes or God’s
- The Greatest of all – is Jesus Christ…
- Mark 10:45 – “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
- He had every right to be served – He was God almighty!
- But instead He came to serve – and to give His life as a ransom for many…
- Jesus gave us the example of Godly greatness – to give you life for others!
- 3rd – Missing the point… vs. 49-50
- John answered (Jesus did not ask a question) – perhaps trying to change the subject…
- How many times when we have been reproved – and tried to change the topic…
- Dad or mom is scolding us for something we did – ‘what’s for dinner?’
- John had seen someone casting out demons in Jesus’ name…
- But they forbid him because he was not one of THE ‘disciples’…
- I love the patience Jesus has – He takes the time to answer John’s interruption…
- Do not forbid him…
- The one who does a work in Jesus name – cannot also speak evil of Him…
- Whoever is not against us – is also on our side…
- People in the world love to divide – they have their groups / barkada…
- In the world it is all about who is your family / town / county…
- Men have fight and kill each other just because they are rival sports teams…
- When we divide in the church – over denomination – we are acting like the world…
- But it should not be the same in the church – we are to be united by love!
- John 13:35 – “All will know you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
- The church of God is not a building – it is not a particular denomination…
- There is only one church of God – we are all part of the Body of Christ…
- No matter what name – no matter what our traditions – we are all part of God’s church!