Pastor Rene's Bible studies
The Gospel of Luke-- Chap 11
Greater revelation
Luke 10:21-24
At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise
you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things
from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father,
for this was your good pleasure.
22 "All things
have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except
the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those
to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."
23 Then he
turned to his disciples and said privately, "Blessed are the eyes that
see what you see.
24 For I
tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did
not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it." (NIV)
The Revelation and understanding of the Kingdom of God
is for "Babes". "The one to whom the Son wills to reveal him".
Wise: Those who consider themselves wise
enough to question the teachings of Scriptures by their own superior knowledge,
as the basis of accepting or rejecting God's words.
V.23--Blessed are the eyes which see the things
you see
V.24--even prophets would have desired to see and
have not received this kind of Revelation (more than revelation-it is seeing
it-understanding it.).
1 Peter
1:10-12 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace
that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care,
11 trying
to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in
them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories
that would follow.
12 It was
revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they
spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached
the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long
to look into these things. (NIV)
Luke 10:25-19:27 This long section-
Reveals many principles and teachings of "Living in the Kingdom
of God" with the purpose that we will understand (grasp) and practice these
principles.
(Luke 10: 25-37) The good Samaritan
-
Jesus seize every opportunity to teach the principles of the Kingdom-
(this is what discipleship is about)- to apply the principles of the
Kingdom to daily life, to be put in practice.
How? In simple conversation, by answering questions etc…
-
Here: this "Expert in the Law" tested Jesus with a question.
How Jesus applied his question to practical living?
V. 26-28--The greatest commandment
V. 29-37--the teaching will get more practical-something you can
apply-practice in daily life…
"Who is my neighbor?"
-
He had compassion--How did he apply?
-
He did not avoid him-went to him.
-
He bandaged his wounds.
-
He poured an oil and wine (comforter).
-
He carried him along-on his own animal.
-
He brought him to a place-(of security, help, healing).
-
He took care of him.
"Go and do likewise".
Luke 10: 38-42, Mary and Martha. Balancing devotion and duty.
See also (11:1-13, 11: 33-36) --How can you understand better the
principles of the Kingdom?
V.39-Mary sat at Jesus' feet and heard his words.
V.40-Martha was distracted, worried, with much serving. (stress,
frustration - "Do you not care that my sister is not helping me?"
-
to be driven about mentally, to be distracted
-
to be over-occupied, too busy, about a thing
V.41-you are worried and troubled about many things… Jesus
did not put down Martha's concern for hopitality.
-
3309 merimnao {mer-im-nah'-o}
to be anxious, to be troubled with cares, (divided mind).
-
5182 turbazo {toor-bad'-zo}
disturb, trouble, 2) to be troubled in mind, disquieted
-
He was concerned with her distraction, her worries, and troubles about
many things that caused her to underemphasize the most important
thing that she needed that was: to "Hear the word".
-
(Any activity too important -that causes us not to fing time to hear
the word-is too important for any reason).
Luke 11: 1-13--Prayer:
As you can see, it's a pretty long section. The Lord's model prayer-already
is a revelation that helps us to understand God's Kingdom… "your kingdom
come…"
-
Your will be done here, now, on earth (in our daily life).
-
Our petitions should not be limitted to bread…
-
Forgiveness is to be requested in specific situations not general…
-
Through our prayers--Daily, earthly situations, scenes of needs must
be penetrated by God's "will here as in heaven". Otherwise weakness of
flesh or hell's work will prevail.
God's power alone can bring heaven's rules and change things…
V.5-13--persistence:
-
indicates a sense of urgency and boldness.
-
(it soes not mean to force God against his will)-but it is about our
attitude: earnest prayer, sincere from our heart.
-
Verb tense- indicates a continuous asking, seeking, knocking.
V.11-13--Jesus encourages us to pray by reminding us of the nature
of the One we are praying to. We can expect our father to bless us
with the best gift-Holy Spirit. (Spiritual blessings are related
to our relationship to him and our knowledge of him.)
Luke 11: 14-36--kingdom of God and of darkness.
This section makes distinctions between the kingdom of God and kingdom
of darkness.
-
V.14--He was casting out demons….
-
A group marveled-could this be the son of God?(Matt 12: 23)
-
V.15 - (See Matt12:24) The pharisees said: "he casts out demons by the
ruler of demons." Others-asked for a sign, proofs- Are you the Messiah?
Are you the ruler of demons?
-
Jesus' answer - V. 29-32--Jesus is greater.
-
Jesus answers V.17,18- A kingdom devided against himself cannot stand.
-
V.20-If I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the Kingdom
of God has come upon you. V.22-Jesus is the stronger man-He who is not
with me is against me.
V.24-26--Applications.
-
The peril of an empty life… If a person is not being filled by the Holy
Spirit, by the things of God, he is like a vaccuum open to the worse demons
activity.
-
(comp: Matt12:45) Those who refuse to acknowledge Jesus as the messiah
have nothing left but emply religious ceremonies. Making them open to satan's
deceptions.
Blessed those who hear the word and obey it. - V.27-28
-
It may have been a privilege to gave a close human relationship with
Jesus(Not so) but it's much better to have a spiritual relationship manifested
by interest to God''s word and willingness to obey it, apply it.(His own
family did not believe in Him.)
V.33-36--contrast between light, darkness
In relation to who Jesus was…
The unbelief of the Jews was not due to lack of "signs" or evidence,
but to their own willful blindness.
Light does little good to one with diseased eyes - (Jesus is the
Light).
In Greek: (darkness)-skotos-"to cover".
Darkness comes from error, ignorance, willful blindness.
Darkness is an evil system absolutely opposed to the light.
Conclusion
Luke 11: 24-26--"Occupy thyself till I come". Fill your heart,
mind, with God, Love, good reading, Prayer, sitting down at Jesus' feet.
Call: Are we willing to accept the evidence of God's Word about
who Jesus is? Or do we wish to remain in darkness.
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