in the footsteps of the master: the life and times of jesus christ the cost of discipleship...

In The Footsteps Of The Master:The Life and Times of Jesus Christ

The Cost of Discipleship

September 18, 2011

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Warning Against Hypocrisy• Luke 12:1-3

– 1Under these circumstances, after so many thousands of people had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, He began saying to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. 3Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops.”


An Unruly Crowd• Jesus has attracted a crowd

– A rather unruly one it would seem, since they are stomping all over each other

– And one of significant size• He’s been instructing His disciples – and

chastising the Pharisees – and the crowd has likely gathered around them

• Some of this discourse has been directed at the disciples, while some has been directed at the crowd


Yeast vs. Hypocrisy• How does yeast work?

– C6H12O6 → 2(CH3CH2OH) + 2(CO2) + Heat

– “Hidden” at first– Spreads quickly– Affects the whole lump– Changes the condition

• Why would Jesus use this as an analogy to the Pharisees?

• “Hypocrisy” is a poor translation– Greek term actually implies godlessness


Hidden Things• How often do things said and done in

private make their way into the light?


God Knows• Luke 12:4-7

– 4“I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. 5But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! 6Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. 7Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.”


For Discussion• Who is to be feared most: those who kill

the body or those who kill the soul?– Why?

• What is the connection between sparrows & hair and the previous discussion?

• God knows every sparrow and every hair, but that doesn’t keep the sparrows from being sacrificed or the hair from falling out

• But nothing happens outside of God’s awareness


Faithfulness vs. Judgment• Luke 14:8-10

– 8“And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God; 9but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him.”


For Discussion• The passage here contrasts two judgment

scenes– Whatever transpires in the earthly setting will

be mirrored in the heavenly setting– Quid pro quo

• How did we get to this point from birds and hair?

• Jesus is preparing his followers for the persecutions to come– And encouraging them to remain faithful


The Spirit Will Prompt You• Luke 14:8-12

– 11”When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; 12for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”


For Discussion• Jesus has definitely moved into a

discussion of certain persecution for the faith

• Give some examples of where the Spirit helped disciples of Jesus in these predicted situations– Peter– Stephen– Paul


An Interruption• Luke 12:13-16a

– 13Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” 14But He said to him, “Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” 16And He told them a parable, saying,


For Discussion• Jesus is interrupted by a man who wants

Him to intervene in a dispute about inheritance– Probably a younger son, since the firstborn had

greater rights• Why would Jesus spring from this

discussion to a discussion about greed?• The man is possibly seeking

– Money– Land– Status


Parable of the Rich Fool• Luke 12:16b-21

– “The land of a rich man was very productive. 17And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ 18Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.”’ 20But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’ 21So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”


For Discussion• What are the failures of this rich man?

– Obviously a bumper crop– Rather than using his excess to help others,

he chooses to keep everything for himself– Not only that, but he embarks on a major

building project to do it– And then he will spend a life of ease while

others toil• What becomes of his wealth when his life

is over?• What is his real failure?


Do Not Worry• Luke 12:22-26

– 22And He said to His disciples, “For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. 23For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! 25And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life’s span? 26If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters?”


For Discussion• This follows on the heels of Jesus

teaching His disciples to pray each daily for that day’s bread

• He teaches them not to worry about daily concerns

• He uses a common Jewish literary method of arguing “from the lesser to the greater”– If God cares for a carrion-eating bird, will He

not care for you – His personal creation?– One instance of “greater to the lesser”


For Discussion• How many believe that God can meet

every need?• How many really depend on Him to do so?

– If not, why not?• How about this:

– We are afraid (or all too certain) that God will give us what we need, rather than everything that we want


Consider the Lilies• Luke 12:27-29

– 27“Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 28But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith! 29And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying.”


For Discussion• Jesus uses verystrong language in telling

His disciples not to worry about clothing, food or drink

• How well do you do in this area?• How is:

– Your 401(k) doing?– Your other investments?– Your insurance coverage?

• How should a believer look at such things?


Seek First the Kingdom• Luke 12:30-34

– 30“For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. 31But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”


For Discussion• Jesus encourages His disciples to look

beyond the desires and concerns of this world and instead maintain focus on the next

• How does seeking the Kingdom first help with all of life's other issues?


Next Week• Luke 12:35-59

in the footsteps of the master: the life and times of jesus christ the cost of discipleship...

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