BOOK OF LUKE

FAITH THAT IS SEEN
LUKE 5:17-20

I. WHAT IS FAITH?

WHY MANY PROFESSED CHRISTIANS WILL GO TO HELL

LUKE 6:46-49

Key verse: v. 46, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”

Introduction:

Millions of people call themselves “Christians” in this world today. According to Webster’s dictionary, a “Christian” is “a person professing belief in Jesus as the Christ, or in the religion based on the teachings of Jesus.”

The Scriptures declares that a “Christian” is a “born again believer in Jesus Christ.” One that follow the example and teachings of Jesus and accepts the Scriptures the only rule for Christian living.

The Bible speaks of those who are religious and claim to do things in Jesus name, but in reality He does not know them. Consider the following message.

I. FOLLOWING THE LORD’S EXAMPLE

A. He is our Lord and Master, John 13:13, “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.”

1. He has saved us from our sins by faith in Jesus Christ, Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”

2. We have a home in heaven, Philippians 3:20, “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:”

B. He has given us an example to follow, John 13:15-17, “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”

1. An example of humility, Philippians 2:5-8, Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

2. An example of obedience, Matthew 26:39, “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. 42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.”

II. OUTWARD EXPRESSION IS NOT OBEDIENCE

A. Why don’t you do what I say? Luke 6:46, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”

B. God cannot be deceived by outward appearance or acts, Galatians 6:7, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

1. He knows our heart, Jeremiah 17:9-10, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”

2. He knows our thoughts, Genesis 6:5, “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

III. WHERE IS THE FATHER’S HONOR?

A. God the Father challenges those who profess to know Him, Malachi 1:6, “A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?”

1. Where is my honor, son? Exodus 20:12, “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”

2. Where is my honor, servant? 1 Timothy 6:1, “Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.”

3. Where is my honor, priest? Jeremiah 5:30-31, “A wonderful [astonishment and filthiness] and horrible thing is committed in the land; 31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?”

B. The Lord declares that these have NO FEAR of God, Romans 3:13-18, “Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known: 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

IV. DEPART FROM ME, I NEVER KNEW YOU

B. Not everyone who calls Jesus “the Lord” will enter into the Kingdom of God, Matthew 7:21, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”

C. Some will claim to have done great works in the Lord’s name, Matthew 7:22, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?”

D. They will make a last plea, Luke 13:25-27, “When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: 26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. 27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.”

CONCLUSION

The most terrible words to hear in this world are, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” Many will hear those words who have not repented from their sins and trusted Jesus Christ as their Savior.

WHO IS THIS MAN THAT FORGIVES SINS

LUKE 7:36-50

Key verses: vv. 47-49, “Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?”

Introduction:

The Lord was speaking to a Pharisee whose name was Simon, (v. 10), who had invited Him to eat with him (v. 36). We know nothing of this man, but some think perhaps that the Lord had healed him of some disease and he was showing Him his gratitude by inviting Jesus to eat with him. They reclined at a table and began to eat

In vv. 37-38 we see “a woman in the city, which was a sinner” who had heard that Jesus was there came and “brought an alabaster box of ointment 38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.”

I. THE WOMAN WAS RECOGNIZED AS A SINNER

A. Doubt in the mind of the Pharisee, v. 39; John 7:12, “And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.”

B. He saw himself as being different, Isaiah 65:5, “Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.”

1. Simon was a religious zealot or Separatist, Matthew 23:23, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”

2. He was self-righteous, Matthew 23:25, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.”

B. What manner of woman was she?

1. She was a sinner, v. 39; Luke 18:13, “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.”

a. Peter considered himself as a sinner, Luke 5:8, “When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”

b. The Apostle Paul was a sinner, 1 Timothy 1:15, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”

2. She was in need of a Savior, Acts 5:31, “Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”

a. She was called to repentance, Matthew 9:13, “But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

b. She sought forgiveness of her sins, Acts 13:38, “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:”

3. She knew her Savior and loved him.

a. She washed his feet with her tears, v. 44; Judges 19:21, “So he brought him into his house, and gave provender unto the asses: and they washed their feet, and did eat and drink.”

b. She had kissed the Lord’s feet, v. 45; Exodus 18:7, “And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent.”

The kiss was a token of affection or a common mode of salutation, and Simon had even neglected this mark or welcoming him to his house. It was often used among men as a sign of salutation.

C. Jesus came to seek and to save sinners, Luke 19:10, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

II. WHO IS THIS MAN THAT FORGIVES SINS?

A. A very pertinent question. Who could He be but God? Luke 5:21, “And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?”

1. Instead of believing on the Lord, they thought he blasphemed, Mark 2:7, “Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?”

2. They had seen the miracles that He did, but still did not believe, Romans 3:3, “For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?”

B. “Who is this that forgiveth sins ALSO?” Mark 6:3, “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.”

See comment:

“Who (i.e., Jesus)[was] not content to transgress the traditions of the elders, by ADMITTING A SINFUL WOMAN TO TOUCH HIM, but assumes that to himself which is peculiar to God, TO FORGIVE SIN: this they said, not as wondering at him, what manner of person he must be, that with such authority pronounced the forgiveness of sin, as Grotius thinks; BUT RATHER AS OFFENDED WITH HIM, and FILLED WITH INDIGNATION AGAINST HIM, and so censuring and REPROACHING HIM for wickedness and blasphemy.” —John Gill’s Expositor.

1. Peter preached Jesus as the Son of God who came to forgive sins, Acts 13:38, “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:”

2. Paul preach that Jesus came to open our eyes of the blind to the truth, Acts 26:18, “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”

3. In Him is redemption through His blood, Colossians 1:14, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”

CONCLUSION

WHO IS THIS MAN THAT FORGIVES SINS? He is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and the Savior of those who will trust Him as Savior. In v. 50 “And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”

WHERE ARE THE DEAD?

LUKE 16:19-31

Key vs:22-23, “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.”

Introduction:

This passage of the Word of God is not a parable!! It is the account of something that really happened and Jesus Christ is relating it to His hearers.

Also it does not teach that the poor go to Heaven and the rich go to Hell. That has nothing to do with the destiny of a person. A person goes to Hell because he has not trusted Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour, John 3:18, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Now where are the dead? Let look at our text in the Word of God:

I. THE SITUATION OF THESE TWO MEN, vs. 19-21.

A. The Rich Man, v. 19, “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:”

1. Well dressed.

2. Fared well every day.

3. He had no worries.

B. The Beggar (a poor man) was called Lazarus, vs. 20-21, “And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.”

1. His clothes were ragged without doubt.

2. His health was bad.

3. He ate the crumbs from the rich man’s table.

4. The dogs even licked his sores.

II. THE DEATH OF THESE MEN, vs. 22-26.

A. The death of Lazarus, the poor man, v. 22, “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;”

1. Lazarus was “carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom,” that is, to Heaven.

a. He was in the presence of Abraham, the father of the Hebrew people, the Israelites.

b. Abraham was in Heaven, Romans 4:3 says, “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” And Lazarus was there with him.

c. Lazarus did not go by way of Purgatory because it never exited then nor does it exits today.

2. Lazarus was a believer in Jesus Christ for the Bible says in John 3:18, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

B. The death of the Rich Man, vs. 22-26, “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.”

1. The rich man was buried, and without doubt it was a big fancy funeral, v. 22.

2. He opened his eyes in Hell, vs. 23-26.

a. He was in torment in the flames of Hell, vs. 23-24b.

b. He saw Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom there in Heaven, the paradise of God, v. 23.

3. He begged for mercy of Abraham, v. 24.

a. Just a little water.

b. Only a little to refresh his tongue.

4. The petition was denied, vs. 25-26.

a. “Remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things.”

b. The great gulf between Hell and Heaven that could not be spanned, v. 26.

(a) Purgatory does not exist because salvation is of this life.

(b) It is not possible to get out of Hell or any place of punishment for Hell is forever.

III. THE FINAL REQUEST OF THE RICH MAN, vs. 27-31.

A. I have five brothers that will come to this place, vs. 27-28.

B. Raise Lazarus “that he may testify unto them…,” v. 27.

1. “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.” v. 29.

2. If they will not believe the Word of God, “neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” vs. 30-31.

CONCLUSION:

Where are the dead? Believers like Larazus are in Heaven. Unbelievers, those without Christ as their Saviour, are in Hell with that rich man.

You do not need anything else other than the Word of God to show you the way to Heaven.

TWO DEBTORS

LUKE 7:36-50

Introduction:

The Pharisee here is called Simon. He had invited the Lord to his house to eat with him. There were three sects at the time: the Essenes, the Sadducees, and the Pharisees. I’ll not take time to describe the first two, but concentrate on the Pharisees.

The Pharisees were undisputed enemies of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the time of our Lord they were the popular party (John 7:48, “Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?”). They were extremely accurate and minute in all matters appertaining to the Law of Moses (Matthew 9:14; 23:15; Luke 11:39; 18:12, “I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.”). There was much that was sound in their creed, yet their system of religion was a form and nothing more. Their morals were a very lax as noted in Matthew 15:4, 8, “For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 8This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.”

This Pharisees’ invitation to the Lord was made hoping to obtain material for judgment, v. 39.

I. THE TWO DEBTORS

A. The Woman, vs. 37-38;

1. A sinner in deep humiliation for sin, v. 38a, “And stood at his feet behind him weeping.”

a. She was sorry for her sin, Psalm 38:18, “For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.”

b. She had a broken spirit, Psalm 51:17, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”

2. She had no peace, Romans 3:17, “And the way of peace have they not known:”

a. She traveled on a crooked path, Isaiah 59:8, “The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.

b. Her way was the broad way, Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

B. The Pharisee

1. Religious, “yet their system of religion was a form and nothing more.” —Eaton’s Bible Dict.

2. Looking for evidence against the Lord, v. 39, “Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.”

II. THE THINGS DONE AND LEFT UNDONE

A. The Pharisee

1. Washing of the feet, “Thou didst not so much as order a basin of water to be brought, to wash my feet in, when I came in, wearied and dirtied with my walk, which would have been some refreshment to me;” v. 44.

2. A Kiss “was a usual expression of a hearty and affectionate welcome to a friend.” v. 45.

3. Anointing of the head with oil, 46a, “My head with oil thou didst not anoint:”

B. The Woman

1. She stood behind the Lord weeping.

2. Washing His feet with her tears, v. 44, “And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.”

3. Wiping His feet with her long hair, v. 44.

4. Kissing His feet, v.45, “Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.”

5. Anointing His feet with an ointment, v. 46, “My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.”

III. THE RESULTS OF THE DEBTORS FORGIVENESS

A. The Woman

1. Her many sins are forgiven, vs. 47-48; Matthew 9:22, “And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.”

2. She loved much, v. 47a, “Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much:”

a. She loved in deed, 1 John 3:18, “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”

b. Her love abounded more than the Pharisee’s, Philippians 1:9, “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;”

B. The Pharisee

1. He was the lesser sinner as men judge sin, v. 41, “There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.”

2. His forgiveness was small in comparison to woman’s forgiveness, v. 42a, “And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both.”

3. His love was therefore less, v. 47b, “but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.”

CONCLUSION

Both of these people were forgiven, however, the woman knew that her forgiveness was great for her sins were great. Her love for the Lord was greater because of her forgiveness.

How about you has the Lord forgiven your sins or are you still without peace toward God?