2016 Gospel of Luke #36: Marks of Faithfulness
This is an exposition of Luke 9:37-50. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, November 6, 2016.
Intro:
It was exhilarating. They had never experienced anything like it. They had seen and heard some pretty amazing things over the last two years but nothing to compare to this. The Lord Jesus was gloriously transformed from the inside out. They had never seen such brilliance. Then to see and hear Moses and Elijah – there were simply no words to describe it. Peter didn’t know what to say so he spoke up! “It’s good we were here Lord. Why don’t we build three tents. One for each of you?” Who could blame him for wanting to extend this time? But as he spoke the cloud of God’s glory descended and then they heard the voice of God, “This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him!” They were thrilled, frightened and overwhelmed. Their goosebumps had goosebumps. As they started back down the mountain they couldn’t stop talking. “What did it all mean?” They were talking about His exodus? An exodus that is about to be accomplished in Jerusalem. “What does this mean for our future?” “I can’t wait to tell the others what we saw.” As they reach the foothills they are confronted with absolute chaos. A large crowd has gathered. There is a heated argument involving some of the apostles with some Scribes and Pharisees. There is a distraught father weeping. As our Lord approaches the father throws himself at Jesus’ feet and pleads, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child.” So much for the wonder and grandeur of the mountain top. Welcome to the real world.
Text: Luke 9:37-50
We live in a sin-cursed world. This is not the world God created. This is the world God created marred by rebellion. Through the temptation of the serpent Adam rebelled. He openly, flagrantly defied God’s clear command because it seemed to suit his own wants and desire. As a result man was separated from God and given over to corruption. That corruption not only separates us from God but it alienates us from one another. All of creation has been affected by sin. The story of redemption is the story of God, in love and grace, restoring what was lost. This restoration is made possible by the coming of the Lord Jesus. He is Immanuel, God with us. He is God become flesh so that he could give his life in payment for our rebellion. This is the Gospel, it is the message Luke wanted his friend, Theophlisus to understand and embrace. In Luke 9 of Luke’s Gospel we come to a turning point in the life and ministry of Jesus. He is turning from the crowds and focusing more intently on the 12 as he moves into the final year of his earthly life and ministry. In our text Luke paints a vivid picture contrasting wonder and glory of the mountain top experience with the pain and heartache of the world below. As the story unfolds we find the Lord Jesus bringing peace to chaos and confusion. We find Him correcting warped and distorted views about the nature of the Kingdom of God. Through it all we are reminded that:
Thesis: Mountain tops are glorious but the true test of faithfulness is found in the pain and heartache of everyday trials, petty jealousies and misguided zeal.
Thank God for those “mountain top” experiences but that is not where we live. Most often we live in the valleys, the hard and difficult spaces. There we find the true tests of faithfulness. It’s not hard to be faithful to God when dramatically confronted with his glory. It’s not hard to sing his praise when engulfed by the glory cloud but it is tough to sing when confronted with your own powerlessness in the face of the demonic. It’s hard to testify when you’re consumed with your own importance or trying to protect your brand. As our text unfolds there are some signs, or indicators of genuine faithfulness. These are the markers we must keep before us if we are to walk the path of faithfulness.
I want to point out 4 demands of faithfulness.
- Faithfulness demands that we trust God to do what only He can do. (9:37-43a)
- Faithfulness demands we keep our eyes fixed on the great work or the ultimate mission of our Lord. (9:43b-45)
- Faithfulness demands we seek God’s glory not our own prominence. (9:46-48)
- Faithfulness demands we focus on our own assignment rather than trying to police others. (9:49-50)
Conclusion:
May we be found faithful.
Faithfully trusting God to do what only he can do.
Faithfully fixing our eyes on God’s great work, the work of redemption.
Faithfully seeking God’s glory rather than our own prominence.
Faithfully focus on our own assignment rather than policing others.