BOOK OF LUKE

THE SALVATION THAT GOD PREPARED BEFORE ALL THE PEOPLE

LUKE 2:25-32

Simeon was a man in Jerusalem who was righteous and devout and who was looking for “the consolation of Israel,” the Lord Jesus Christ. He was a godly man “and the Holy Ghost was upon him.” Luke 2:26 says, “And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” So he waited patiently for the Lord’s coming.

When he saw Jesus as a baby he recognized Him and said in verses 30-32, “For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”

I. WHEN THE FULLNESS OF THE TIME WAS COME

A. God sent forth His Son, Galatians 4:4, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”

1. Made of a woman, the God-Man, Isaiah 9:6-7, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”

a. Born of a virgin, Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

b. The mighty God in human flesh, Hebrews 10:5, 10, “Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

2. Made under the Law, to redeem…

a. Those under the Law, the Jews, Galatians 3:13, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:”

b. His people, Luke 1:68, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,”

c. The Gentiles, Titus 2:14, “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

B. God sent forth His Son to be a Propitiation [removal of wrath] for our sins, Romans 3:25-26, Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”

1. Through Faith in His Blood, v. 25; Romans 5:9, “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”

2. To become the justifier of him which believes in Jesus, v. 26; Romans 4:5, “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

II. GOD SENT FORTH HIS SON TO MAKE PEACE

A. Through the blood of His Cross, Colossians 1:19-20, “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

B. To reconcile to Himself all things…

1. Those alienated from Him being enemies, Romans 5:9-10, “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”

2. He has made us alive unto God, Ephesians 2:1-2, 12, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:”

a. We were dead in sins, Ephesians 2:5-6, “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”

b. To us God was a Stranger, Jeremiah 14:8, “O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?”

c. Now He has raised us from the dead by faith in Christ, 1 Peter 1:3, 21, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.”

CONCLUSION

Simeon saw the Salvation of the Lord in Jesus Christ. God had showed it to him and the entire world openly. Yet man cannot see it for the blindness of his sin. The Gospel has been preached here and abroad and continues to be until this day. O that men might open their eyes to see and their ears to hear the truth before it is too late.

THE POWER OF GOD TO FORGIVE SIN

LUKE 5:17-26

Introduction:

There is seen in these verses two types of the power of God. God’s power to heal (???????); this is the Lord spiritual power.

Then we see God’s power to forgive sin (???????) which is God’s authority and right to do it. The religious leaders began to reason among themselves saying, “Who can forgive sins, but God alone?”

I. THE FAITH THAT MANIFEST GOD’S POWER

A. Jesus sees the faith of the men that carried the man with palsy.

1. The faith of those that brought the man, v, 19, “And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.”

2. The faith of the man himself, vs. 24-25, “But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. 25And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.”

B. The Roman Centurion’s servant, Luke 7:9, “When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”

C. A blind man near Jericho is healed, Luke 18:42, “And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.”

D. The woman with an issue of blood, Luke 8:48, “And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.”

II. THE POWER OF GOD ITSELF

A. The Power to Heal Physical Disease, Jairus, daughter is healed, Luke 8:50, 52-55,

1. Believe, v. 50“But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.”

2. Trust the Lord even under difficult circumstances, vs. 52-55, “And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. 53And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. 54And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. 55And her spirit came again and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.”

B. The Power of God over the Elements; Jesus calms the storm on the Sea of Galilee, Luke 8:25 “And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.”

C. The Power of God over the Souls of men

1. God forgives sin on Gospel Terms.

a. God honored the faith of the men who brought the sick man to Jesus, v. 20, “And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.”

b. God honored the faith of the sick man, vs. 24b-25, “(he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. 25And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.”

2. The people were amazed at the power of God and glorified the Lord, v. 26, “And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.”

3. They were “filled with fear,” Luke 7:16, “And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.”

CONCLUSION

God had healed a man by His infinite power to do whatever He chooses to do. That is His DINAMITE power (???????).

God had saved a man by His AUTHORITATIVE power (???????). God had the authority and right to save whomever He chooses to save, Matthew 11:27, “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.”

THE PLACE CALLED CALVARY

The Place of a Skull

Luke 23:32-33, “And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. 33And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

Introduction:

The time had come. Judas had betrayed Him and He had been brought before the High Priest where He was tried. He was found guilty of being the “Son of God” and therefore, condemned for blaspheme. He was take to Pilate who had authority to crucify Jesus. Pilate sent Him to Herod who could get no satisfaction and returned Him to Pilate.

Pilate wanted to release him for he declared that he had “have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:” (Luke 23:14). However, willing to appease the Jews who cried for His crucification, “gave sentence that it should be as they required.” (Luke 23:24).

Now we come to Calvary or Golgatha as the other gospels call it.

I. JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED ON CALVARY, THE PLACE OF A SKULL.

A. Jesus receives His crown on the way to Calvary, Mark 15:16-18, “And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band. 17And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, 18And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!”

B. His hands and feet were nailed to the cross, Psalms 22:16, “For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.”

C. Being crucified was a painful and the most horrible form of death, and to a Jew it would acquire greater horror from the curse in Deuteronomy 21:23, “His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.”

D. Being crucified Jesus fulfilled prophecy, Galatians 3:13, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:”

II. HE WAS CRUCIFIED BETWEEN TWO THIEVES.

A. He was crucified in midst between the two thieves as if he had been the worst.

1. One saw nothing in Jesus Christ, v. 39, “And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.”

2. The other saw a Savior in Jesus Christ, vs. 40-42, “But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.”

B. Thus fulfilling the Scriptures, Isaiah 53:12, “Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”

III. HE WAS CRUCIFIED THAT WE MIGHT LIVE.

A. The Rulers stood among the people deriding Him, v. 35, And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.”

1. The people joined in the mockery.

2. Even the soldiers mocked Him, v. 36, “And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,”

B. They challenged Him to save Himself FROM the cross when He was saving others BY the cross, Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

1. Through the blood of His cross He reconciled man to God, Colossians 1:20, “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”

2. On that cross Jesus slew the enmity between God and man, Ephesians 2:16, “And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:”

CONCLUSION

On the cross the Jews thought they had conquered Jesus, but He had conquered sin, death and Hell. By His death man can have life eternal through faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior. Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” John 7:37, “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.”

THE MAN WHO WENT AWAY WITH JESUS

LUKE 18:35-43

Introduction:

There are many today have gone away FROM Jesus, but few that have gone away WITH Jesus. Here a blind man by the name of Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was passing by and determined to get the Lord’s attention that his need might be met.

I. THE BLIND MAN GOT IN THE WAY OF JESUS.

A. There were actually two blind men, Matthew 20:30, “And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.”

B. Bartimaeus was more vocal than the other was. He persisted, Mark 10:48, “And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.”

1. Bartimaeus had heard of Jesus of Nazareth, Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

2. He called him the Son of David, knowing the prophecy regarding the Messiah and the throne of David, Luke 1:32, “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:”

C. Bartimaeus responded to what he had heard about Jesus.

1. He saw his own need of the Lord in his life. Matthew 9:12, “But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.”

2. He saw in Jesus the cure for his blindness. Isaiah 42:6-7, “I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; 7To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.”

3. He wasn’t going to let Him pass by without knowing Him personally, so he cried out. Luke 18:38-39, “And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 39And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.”

II. THE BLIND MEN GOT INTO THE MIND OF JESUS.

A. Bartimaeus got the attention of the Lord, v. 40a, And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him:”

B. When the blind men were near, Jesus asked a question: Matthew 20:32, “And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?”

1. If Jesus asked you that, what would you ask for?

2. Bartimaeus asked for his sight, v. 41, “Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.”

3. The Lord responded to his need, v. 42, “And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.”

a. God restored his sight to look upon the most magnificent face the world has every seen, the Lord Jesus Christ.

b. Bartimaeus saw the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the valleys, Song of Solomon, 2:1, “I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.”

c. He looked into the face of his King, the Son of David, v. 38, “And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.”

III. BARTEMAEUS WENT AWAY WITH JESUS.

A. This blind man now had his sight and his Savior, v. 42, “And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.”

B. Bartimaeus followed Jesus, v. 43, “And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.”

1. The recipient of God’s Grace followed the Lord in praise of what He had done for him. John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”

2. The people glorified God in what they saw happen in the life of the believer. Psalm 86:12, I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.”

CONCULSION

Some of those that Jesus healed did not return to follow Him as in the case of the 10 lepers that were healed. Only one returned to give glory to God. Luke 17:15-18, “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18-There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.”

I hope your life is not like those 9 men. God expects to be honored by those He saves.

THE FLESHLY AMBITION TO BE FREE OF GOD

LUKE 15:11-24

Introduction:

“The great folly of sinners, and that which ruins them, is being content in their life-time to receive their good things. Our first parents ruined themselves and all their race, by a foolish ambition to be independent, and this is at the bottom of the sinner’s persisting in their sin.” —Matthew Henry.

I. TO BE FREE FROM GOD…

A. Is a departure from the Truth, Luke 15:12-13, “And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country.”

B. Alienates man from God,

1. It is a state of waste, vs. 13-14a, “and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land;”

2. It is a state of want, v. 14b, “and he began to be in want.”

3. It is a state of slavery, vs. 15-16, “And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.”

a. There is constant discouragement. To feed swine was the lowest, most humiliating thing a Jew could do to earn a living.

b. No one cared enough to give relief, v. 16, “and no man gave unto him.”

1) No one is really interested in helping the drunk; the harlot, etc. except God.

2) No one is interested in the wayward Christian except the LORD.

II. DEPENDENCE ON GOD BRINGS MAN BACK TO THE TRUTH.

A. He comes to HIMSELF, v. 17, “And when he came to himself,”

1. The TURNING POINT in his life.

a. His eyes are OPENED to his situation, v. 15, “And he sent him into his fields to feed swine.”

b. He was standing knee-deep in the MIRE of the world.

c. He was eating the SLOP of sin, v. 16, “And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.”

2. God CONVINCES him of his sin,

a. Guilty, subject to the judgment of God, Romans 3:19, 23, “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

b. All have sinned, Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

B. He REALIZES that the lowest servant of the Father IS HAPPIER than he is.

1. He REPENTS of his sin, a change of mind, 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

2. He HUMBLY GOES TO the Father, Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

C. He IS RECEIVED by the Father.

1. His father SEES him a far off and REJOICES.

a. He was DEAD, but NOW IS ALIVE, v. 24 “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.” Ephesians 2:1, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;”

b. He was LOST, but now is FOUND, Colossians 2:13, “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;”

2. He is CLOTHED with A ROBE, Isaiah 61:10, “for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”

3. He is RECEIVED INTO the family… v. 23, “And they began to be merry.”

a. …NOT as a slave, v. 22, “Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:”

b. …As a MEMBER of the family although he had come humbly, willing to be a servant, v. 18, “I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

CONCLUSION

c. The Father is ALWAYS READY TO RECEIVE THE SINNER WHO comes TRUSTING Jesus Christ as their SAVIOR regardless of their situation.

d. THE LORD IS ALSO READY TO RECEIVE THE BELIEVER WHO HAS FALLEN INTO SIN, KNOWING THAT…“all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23.