BOOK OF LUKE

THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE LIFE OF CHRIST
LUKE 4:18

Introduction:

Although Jesus was God during His earthly life and ministry, He still recognized His dependence upon the ministry of the Holy Spirit. This was particularly necessary in view of His humiliation in the Incarnation. So intimate was the relationship between Christ and the Holy Spirit that in the New Testament, He is viewed as endued with the power of the Holy Spirit.

I. THE NEW TESTAMENT RECOGNIZES THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN CHRIST’S…

A. Incarnation, Hebrews 10:5, “Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:”

B. Birth, Matthew 1:18, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.”

C. Growth, Luke 2:40, 52, “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”

D. Baptism, Luke 3:21, 22, “Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, 22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.”

E. Temptation, Luke 4:1, “And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,”

F. Ministry, Luke 4:18, 19, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”

G. Miracles, Matthew 12:28, “But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.”

H. Death, Hebrews 9:14, “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

I. Resurrection, Romans 8:11, “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”

J. Glorification, John 16:14, “He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”

II. THE APPLICATION OF THE NEED OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

A. The Lord recognized His need to have an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit, Luke 3:22, “And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

B. This in turn emphasizes the Christian’s need to be filled with the Holy Spirit, Ephesians 5:18, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”

1. The Holy Spirit’s work in the world, John 16:8, “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:”

2. The Holy Spirit’s work in the Believer,

a. He indwells the believer, John 14:17, “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”

b. He guides the believer, John 16:13, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

c. He comforts the believer, John 15:26, “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:”

THE GRACE OF GRATITUDE

LUKE 17:11-19

Introduction:

The Lord Jesus was nearing the end of His ministry upon this earth. He was in Galilee and determined to go to Jerusalem, Luke 9:51, “And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem.”

The nearest way from Galilee to Jerusalem was through Samaria. In a certain town there ten lepers met him, v. 13, “And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” Jesus sent them to the priest to show themselves and as they went they were healed (v.14).

One of the men saw that he was cleansed and returned to show his gratitude (vv. 15-16).

I. THE RARENESS OF CHRISTIAN GRATITUDE

v. 17, “And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?”

A. Leprosy was thought to be a mark put upon men by God because of their sin:

1. God sent it upon Miriam, for her contempt of Moses, Numbers 12:10, “And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.”

2. David curseth Joab’s house with it, 2 Samuel 3:29, “Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father’s house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.”

3. Gehazi suffereth by it, for his lying and going after Naaman for a bribe, 2 Kings 5:27, “The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.”

4. King Uzziah, for usurping the priest’s office, 2 Kings 15:5, “And the LORD smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house. And Jotham the king’s son was over the house, judging the people of the land.”

B. Only one of the ten men the Lord healed returned to show his gratitude, 1 Chronicles 16:29, “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.”

1. This man, a Samaritan, was sensible of the power of God and grateful for his mercies, Psalms 100:4, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”

2. The nine lepers cried to Christ for mercy, but mercy with respect to their afflictions, Romans 1:21, “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”

II. THE REALITY OF CHRISTIAN GRATITUDE

v. 15, “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,”

A. The Samaritan’s first thought was to thank the Lord for being healed, Psalms 30:11, “Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; 12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.”

B. Our first duty as sinners saved by God’s grace is to be thankful to Him, Psalms 26:7, “That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.”

1. In order to glorify our God, 2 Corinthians 4:15, “For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.”

2. Our prayer life should be filled with thanksgiving, Philippians 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

II. THE REWARD OF CHRISTIAN GRATITUDE

vv. 18-19, “There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”

A. The Lord healed many that never said thank you, but those that thanked the Lord were those that received Him as Savior, Luke 7:50, “And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”

B. He declares what God had done for his soul, Psalms 66:16, “Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.”

C. They boast of what God has done, Psalms 34:2, “My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.”

D. His gratitude demonstrated by telling the good news, Mark 1:45, “But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.”

CONCLUSION

Have we boasted about our Lord recently; about how He saved our souls from sin; about how we were condemned to hell before we trusted Him as our Savior? It is time that we did.

THE FRAGRANCE OF WORSHIP
TEXT LUKE 7:36 – 50

Introduction: Our Lord had just completed a discourse on John the Baptist, comparing John’s ministry with that of His own. One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to supper, whether to try to trick the Lord or for some other reason, we do not know. The Lord accepted the invitation. As they were eating, a woman came in weeping.

I. Real Worship Must Begin With A Relationship To Christ

A. She Came To Jesus (v.37)

1. She came to where Jesus was. (v.37)

2. She came as she was, “a sinner”

3. If we are going to worship the Lord, we must come as we are and begin a relationship with God through Christ Jesus.

4. “Just As I Am” – Just As I Am without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee, Oh Lamb of God, I come, I come.” (p.244)

5. The world comes to what are called “worship services” but they have no understanding of what real worship is. Real worship must by its very nature involve God and a relationship to Him.

B. She Came Seeking Forgiveness

1. Jesus gave the illustration of the two debtors.

2. Jesus acknowledged her sinfulness. (v.37,39,47)

3. Jesus forgave her and saved her soul. (v.48-50)

II. Real Worship Requires Reverence Of Christ

A. This Woman Came Humbly (v. 37-38)

1. Worshipping the One Who had forgiven her, she did the part of a maidservant, washing His feet.

2.This job was reserved for the lowest servant, yet she felt herself fortunate to serve her Lord.

3.She exemplified the honor and love that she felt for Christ, whereas the Pharisee did not honor Him.

4. There was a notable absence of pride.

B. She Came With A Repentant Heart

1. The scriptures say that she came weeping. There was a heart-felt sorrow at her sins.

2. This woman knew that she was unworthy of God’s mercy, yet she came to the One who could save her. (Luke 19:10) ”For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

3. She came to seek forgiveness and cleansing of God’s Son. (1 John 1:9) “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

III. Real Worship Requisitions Our Resources For The Kingdom of Christ

A. She Brought Her Best

1. She came with her best to worship her Saviour.

2. Alabaster ointment was highly prized and costly. It was worth about a year and a half’s wages. This was probably her dowry.

3. She came behind the Lord humbly bringing her best in service.

4. Her tears washed His feet and her hair toweled them dry. She gave of what she had for worship, while the Pharisee gave nothing.

5. Many times we fail to see that Christ Jesus

Deserves our all, our best. He gave His all to

Redeem us. ( 1 Corinthians 6:20)

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

6. We are to worship God with the very best that we have and are. He will not accept anything else.

7. When Mary anointed Christ’s feet and head, the pungent odor of the ointment permeated His clothes. (John 12:3) “Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

B. She Reached Out To Others

1. This woman’s act of worship reached out to others.

2. The fragrance of her worship of her Saviour permeated His clothes, even to the point of the crucifixion.

3. His clothes at the cross still bore the fragrance of her worship. What a witness !!

4. We also must reach out to others through our influence and resources. God spared not His own Son for us, how can we do anything less.

5. Her testimony of faith and worship is remembered down though the ages.

(Mark 14:9) “Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her. “

Conclusion: I would hope that the walk and worship of our lives would be remembered as well. God desires our worship but He desires proper worship. True worship for it to be acceptable worship must Begin with a Relationship With Christ; Requires Reverence Of Christ; and Requisitions Our Resources For The Kingdom of Christ.

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.

FAITHFUL BELIEVERS

LUKE 2:36-38; REVELATION 2:1-11

Introduction:

Anna was a widow of about 84 years of age. She was a “prophetess” (a teacher). She served the Lord by fasting, prayer, and testimony. She was a faithful believer in Jesus Christ. She was there when Simeon blessed Jesus, the “consolation of Israel.”

Anna serves as a good example of a faithful Christian. There are two types of believers. There is the Ephesian type of believer and the Smyrna type of believer. After hearing this message ask yourself, which type do you consider yourself?

I. ANNA, THE EXAMPLE OF THE FAITHFUL BELIEVER. Luke 2:36-38,

A. Anna, despite her age, was always in the house of God.

B. She fasted and was a “prayer warrior.”

C. She witnessed to everyone about her Savior, Luke 2:38, “And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”

D. She was a teacher (prophetess), Titus 2:3-4, “The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,”

II. THE EPHESIAN TYPE OF BELIEVER. Revelation 2:1-7.

A. Ephesus, “a famous church planted by the apostle Paul (Acts 19), and afterwards watered and governed by John, who had his residence very much there.”

B. The Lord knows:

1. Thy works (your business; undertakings; acts; deeds), v. 2

2. Thy labor (trouble; weariness).

3. Thy patience (steadfastness; constancy; endurance; perseverance).

C. But you FELL.

1. “Thou hast left thy first love,” v. 4.

2. Remember:

a. Where you fell from, v. 5.

b. Repent and do the first works.

D. Labor for His name sake again, v. 3, “And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.”

III. THE SMYRNA TYPE OF BELIEVER. Revelation 2:8-11.

A. Smyrna, “a city of great trade and wealth, perhaps the only city of all the seven that is still known by the same name, now however no longer distinguished for its Christian church being overrun by Mahomedism.” Matthew Henry

B. I know:

1. Thy works (deeds; labor; accomplishments).

2. Thy tribulation (affliction; trouble; persecution; pressure).

3. Thy poverty (destitute of riches and abundance).

C. “But thou art rich,” v. 9.

1. The Lord notes that they lack many of the material things that other churches had.

2. However, they had great wealth in spiritual things. They were abundantly supplied in the grace of God.

D. I Know also:

1. The blasphemy of the Jews, v. 9b, “and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.”

2. That the Jews were not the only covenant people of God. The Christians had been grafted in while the Jew had been rejected, Romans 11:20-21, “Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.”

3. The things that you will suffer for my name’s sake, v. 10, “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

CONCLUSION

While the Ephesian church was faithful to guard the doctrines of the Word of God, they left off winning people to Jesus Christ and became cold and stagnant.

On the other hand the Church at Smyrna, which also guard the doctrines of the Word of God, grew in the Grace of God spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and reaching those about them even in difficult times.

Persecution has always been a purifying element in the Lord’s churches. Perhaps that is what we need to separate the believers from the professors.