I LOVED these chapters…I’ve actually been away from home and I left my Bible in my car before I got on the plane like a dummy and so I wasn’t in the Word for two days…maybe a pastor isn’t supposed to admit that, but I will…anyway, I stopped by my parents for a quick visit and so I have a Bible now and man did I miss it, so I’m sure these chapters would be good no matter what, but they fill extra good having not read for a couple days. And yes I know there is a Bible on my phone or computer…but when it comes to the Bible I just struggle reading unless it is the actual pages in hand.
Okay so to our text–
In Luke 5 & 6 there are two mentions of Jesus taking time to pray, one in Luke chapter 5 and one in Luke chapter 6,
“So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.” -Luke 5:16
and
“Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” -Luke 6:12
I mention these because in context they show us times we should definitely spend much time in prayer…well the Bible tells us to pray without ceasing, but these are definite times…
Luke 5 = Jesus is doing all kinds of ministry, He is serving everyone. He withdraws to pray for recovery. Even the greatest servants of our God must withdraw to live to serve another day.
Luke 6 = Jesus is about to make a very important decision in His ministry. When faced with a big decision we must spend much time in prayer, otherwise we can’t trust that decision!
Another point I want to mention from these chapters is to address one of my absolute LEAST favorite texts…is someone allowed to have a least favorite text?
“Judge not, and you shall not be judged.” -Luke 6:37a
This is not my lease favorite text because I want to judge everyone. It is my least favorite because it seems to be a favorite “pet” text of so many, and it is a favorite because it is used by preachers and millions of others SO WRONG! If it was understood properly it would not nearly be as popular, but I would like it a lot more 🙂
Here is how most read this…
“Jesus said, ‘Judge not,’ so you can’t say if I should or shouldn’t eat this entire batch of brownies.” (Or put in whatever particular action critique you want to).
That is why this text is popular because it is an immediate in your face text that someone can vomit up the moment his or her actions are criticized, called sin, etc..
But that is not what the text is talking about…
In the full text it reads,
“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” -Luke 6:37
All three of those statements are related…
They are all related to “ETERNAL” consequences not ones immediate actions. We can make “judgement” on the actions of another.
How do I know? The very next section of scripture…
“And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite!” -Luke 6:41, 42a
Of course that doesn’t really prove my point, in fact it sounds like it proves the exact opposite…
Oh and by the way this “plank” in the eye text is also a “pet” text of people to say, “don’t judge my actions”
But they need to read the rest of it and we’ll see that the Bible is surely not addressing the outward “actions” of others in verse 37 nor is the plank in the eye, it is not saying never look at the outward actions of another and judge them…
“41 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye.” -Luke 6:41, 42
I highlighted the point often left out so we wouldn’t miss it.
Notice the “First” “Then” transition of the text.
We are to judge our own actions first, this means don’t be in denial of our own issues. Address them so we “CAN SEE CLEARLY” in other words, “JUDGE” the actions of our brothers, not to condemn, remember the text above, “judge not, condemn not” but to help them remove the “speck” so they can grow.
It sounds to me like the Bible is saying I am to judge my own actions and make sure I am walking according to the will of Jesus and then I will be better able to help others reform their actions and walk according to the will of Jesus.
Which in our modern society people would say is being “judgmental” but really it is just being a Christian!
What say you? Do you agree or disagree?
Next Reading: Galatians 1-3 (and I do know I have some past readings to make-up…Don’t judge me 😉 )
One text in this reading struck me,
“Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles (by the way I like the ESV translation of super-apostles, made me think of famous television evangelists). 6 Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things.” -2 Corinthians 11:5 & 6
Today for whatever reason this verse struck a nerve…a good nerve…a needed nerve, but still a nerve in me. In ministry there is the temptation to compare ones skills against another, the minister that has never done it…I don’t believe…even the best and most successful do, check out this testimony, this moment with Dwight Nelson and Mark Finley,
So it is a struggle. But verse 6…
“Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things.”
Paul tells us what brings ultimate success, i.e. glory to God. It is the message we share. Not being the best skilled. Paul said I am a plain speaker, but I am not inferior because of the message. The message is everything. The message being the Gospel, Good News of Jesus Christ…His life, His death, His resurrection!
Can I apply this to those not in professional ministry. Every person that sits in the pew has the access to the same Holy Spirit, the same Bible that I do or any other preacher does. They can know this same message, each person to the same degree as myself or Dwight Nelson or Mark Finley can understand the Gospel. If you have that knowledge and are willing to share that message you will be successful in your witness to your neighbor, your family member, the stranger you sit next to on the metro. To the thousands you may one day preach in front of. Have that message. Jesus loves you, He died for you, He wants to live through you and make you holy, and He’s coming back for you. That message not the skill changes the world.
Next Reading: Exodus 29-32
I am okay if you disagree with this sermon, but this is my view on the value of Adventist education! I apologize for the video quality, if you would like to help us rectify this with better cameras and equipment you can give HERE
05-14-2016 Chad Stuart: Protecting Lambs Until They’re Sheep from Spencerville Church on Vimeo.
You and I would never be tempted to turn a stone to bread. Why? Because the devil knows it is outside our power to do so. You and I would never be tempted to bow down and worship satan in order to receive a kingdom (thought maybe in other areas). Why? Because we know that it would not be in our power to just suddenly be given a kingdom. You and I would never be tempted to throw ourselves off a tall building in order to prove that angels could catch us? Why? Because we know it is not within our power to call down angels to protect us in our presumptuous acts…well maybe we don’t know this one as well.
But my point is this, Jesus was tempted as we read at the beginning of Luke chapter 4 in the areas in which He had POWER to act and actually have the temptation become reality.
Our temptations thought different in actual outward action are no different in manner, in as much as most of us are only tempted to the degree we are able to achieve the sin.
Luke helps us to understand this in John chapter 3,
“And the crowds were questioning him, saying, “Then what shall we do?” 11 And he would answer and say to them, “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise.” 12 And some tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than what you have been ordered to.” 14 Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, “And what about us, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages.” -Luke 3:10-14
The issues John the baptist addresses with these people are directly related to the areas in which they have power to act or not act as the case may be. If a person has two tunics they then possess the power to either share with one who has none or to hoard selfishly for themselves. That decision is within their power and this therefore is an area where satan would tempt them. Tax collectors they had the power to rob from the people. The soldiers likewise. So these are the areas they would be tempted.
Let me give another example a modern example. Someone that has a temper is likely NOT going to be tempted be verbally or physically abusive to their employer, because they do not possess the power to ultimately control the situation. That individual will hold their tongue and watch their words in the company of their boss. This same person though may go home and berate his or her children or his or her spouse. Why? Because we are tempted in the areas we are most likely able to be in the position of power or control.
Most right thinking individuals are not tempted to pursue an illicit relationship with their favorite actor or actress. But many right thinking individuals are tempted to lust over their favorite actor or actress. Why? Because they know one is not realistic but the other they can control.
Where are you most secure? Where are you most comfortable? Where do you have the power?
This is likely the area you will be most tempted!
Next Reading: 2 Corinthians 11-13
The storyline which runs from Jeremiah 37 through Jeremiah 39 is all set-up by these verses…
Now Zedekiah the son of Josiah whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had made king in the land of Judah, reigned as king in place of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim. 2 But neither he nor his servants nor the people of the land listened to the words of the Lord which He spoke through Jeremiah the prophet. 3 Yet King Zedekiah sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, to Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “Please pray to the Lord our God on our behalf.” -Jeremiah 37:1-3
King Zekekiah didn’t “listen” to the words of the Lord, “YET” he still asked Jeremiah and others, “Please pray to the Lord our God on our behalf.”
The story continues several times God gave messages to the King through Jeremiah, each time hearing but never truly listening. The king in fact wanted to hear these messages, he kept asking for Jeremiah to be brought to him, “Do you have another message?” But the King though hearing failed to truly listen (do as God instructed).
The spiritual lesson for us is easy and clear, but I will point it out just in case. Just like King Zekekiah many talk to the Lord every day. They pray. They ask God to bless them to guide them. They ask God for answers. But their lives are such that even when God does answer (which He always does) they may hear but they don’t really listen (do what He instructs).
It would be like this, every day a person wakes-up and prays, “God please give me enough energy for this day. Please give me strength and make me productive.” They come to the end of the day and they don’t have energy, they didn’t have strength, they weren’t productive. Then the next day they pray the same prayer, but again they fill like their prayer isn’t answered. They start to question, “Why isn’t God answering my prayer?” But then we look at another part of their day, it turns out that each and every night this individual stays up to the wee hours of the morning playing video games, watching TV, working late. Here is God’s answer to that person,
“It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” -Psalm 127:2
God did answer in the scriptures He told us to make sure we get enough sleep. Yes there are times this is impossible, but for most it is just bad late night habits. This is obviously an over simplification of what happened in Jeremiah’s day, but the principal is the same.
In this case the answer is get more sleep. If someone read their Bible or even if they listened to the Holy Spirit they would know that, yet they keep praying each day for more energy never getting it. All the while God has answered their prayer, “get more sleep” they just didn’t truly listen.
You see real listening is to also “do.”
King Zedekiah kept hearing from the Lord, but hearing is useless unless we do then what the Lord calls us to do.
One more example. If a person has no money, but they have the ability to work. Yet every day they ask God, “please provide for me, please send me some money.” Yet everyday they are still broke…is God not answering? No. More than likely they just aren’t listening,
“If a man will not work, he shall not eat” -2 Thessalonians 3:10
There are truly some that can’t work, but many can, yet they don’t. What do they do, they pray, “God please answer my prayer I need money, I need food for my table.” God’s already answered…”I provide through the opportunity to work.” Again hearing is not enough we must actually “listen” which means to do that which the Lord has instructed us!
Next Reading: Luke 3 & 4
One idea caught my attention in these Psalms and it appears at the very beginning of Psalm 57 and again at the very end of Psalm 59.
It is the idea of God as our refuge. Almost daily I speak with people who are going through distress…distress may be too mild of a term as to what is going on in many lives. I don’t believe the Bible guarantees immediate or even eventual delivery from that distress as long as our residence is in this sinful world. But what the Bible does guarantee and what I do believe is absolute truth in that distress as long as it lasts the Lord will be our refuge and through it all the constant in this refuge will be His “steadfast love.”
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,
for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
till the storms of destruction pass by.
2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
3 He will send from heaven and save me;
he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah
God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness! -Psalm 57:1-3For you have been to me a fortress
and a refuge in the day of my distress.
17 O my Strength, I will sing praises to you,
for you, O God, are my fortress,
the God who shows me steadfast love. -Psalm 59:16b, 17
Next Reading: Jeremiah 37-41 (Remember I already did Job 39 & 40 with a previous day)