Authentic Biblical Faith: 2016 Gospel of Luke #45
This is an exposition of Luke 11:37-54. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, January 29, 2017.
Intro:
Have you ever gotten one of those phone calls or letters congratulating you on being chosen? “You have been selected, one out of thousands, to receive this unbelievable offer.” That’s your first clue. It’s too good to be true. “We are so confident of our service that we invite you to a brief, informal, no obligation presentation and guarantee that you will receive one of the following. A pair of his and hers sport watches, a big screen home theater system or your own island in the Caribbean!” Guess which one you’re going to get! “All we ask is that you hear what we have to say.” If you’ve ever fallen for that, then you’ve discovered that their service wasn’t exactly what they implied it was and that their “fabulous gift” was a joke. No one likes to be misled. Inherently we despise those who misrepresent themselves. No one seeks the label of “hypocrite.”
A hypocrite is one who “plays the part.” An actor. One who pretends to be something they are not. Through the years I have had plenty of folks say to me, “I not going to church anywhere. The church is full of hypocrites.” To that I usually want to respond, “So come on we’ve always got room for one more!” I’ve got several things I would like to say in such circumstances but thankfully better judgement prevails. Unfortunately too many folks have been hurt or disappointed by some “professed” believer. Too many times pastors and other church leaders have scandalized the church through immorality or unethical behavior. But most folks are “put off” by the inconsistency they note in family members, friends and coworkers who fail to practice what they preach.
I’m convinced this is, in many respects, more a danger today then at any point in the history of the church. In a culture in which faith has become increasingly private. Where religion and spirituality are at the disposal of private whim, faith and religion becomes what I decide to make it and who are you to tell me otherwise? In such an environment one is free to make God in their own image. By the way I’m not talking about New Agers or eastern mysticism or nature religion, I’m talking about those who claim the Christian label. It is often subtle but can be revealed in phrases such as “my Bible tells me” or “my God says this or does that.” Is my faith personal? Yes. Is it a private matter? No. I believe within a community, the church. I believe in a body of truth, the faith. I have a divine revelation, the Word of God. That Book is not open to my own personal interpretations or twists. What I think this or that means is not the issue what God has said is the issue. How I respond to His revelation is the issue. My obedience to His revelation is paramount. These issues form the backdrop for our text this morning.
Text: Luke 11:37-54
Background on the Gospel of Luke.
Time, purpose, focus
The immediate context:
- Teaching on prayer
- Giving of the Holy Spirit
- Exorcism
- Demands for a “sign”
“When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to his home for a meal.” One wonders about this invitation. What was the Pharisee’s motivation? Was it simply a matter of the prestige of having such a controversial figure to be a guest in his home? Was it because the teaching and ministry of Jesus had piqued his interest? Was it another attempt on the part of the Pharisees to “entrap” our Lord? I suspect it was the latter but it is clear to me in the text, the Lord had an agenda for this meeting as well!
Thesis: In a world that is long on tolerance and short on truth, believers must consistently stand for authentic biblical faith.
Tolerance is the new watchword. If you are to be politically correct you must be tolerant of others. Just because someone holds a different worldview than you hold does not make them evil. Rather than silence them or show them the error of their ways you should seek to learn from them and grow as a person. You see truth is relative. Ethics are situational.
I take exception with such a philosophy. Now hear me out. I did not say, “I believe in intolerance.” I do not advocate that we “lock up” all those folks who don’t believe what we believe. I do not believe that we should force others to “accept” our beliefs. I will be “tolerant” and understanding with those who disagree with me but I will not, I cannot say it is okay to believe a lie! The Scripture and the love of God compel me to defend the truth. To plead with others to embrace the truth. To warn those who stand outside the truth of the judgement that is to come.
The Lord Jesus has some strong things to say in our text. There are some harsh words here. And these words are not spoken to the “pagans” but to the extremely “religious.” One other thing we should note. He is not speaking to a bunch of liberals. He is addressing a group of fundamentalists.
There are two things I want us to note in our text.
- Biblical faith will not tolerate shallow, hypocritical religion. (11:37-44)
11:42 is a warning against a precise but passionless faith.
11:43 is a warning against a proud and arrogant faith.
11:44 is a warning against purely hypocritical faith. - A biblical faith will not tolerate lip service to the authority of Scripture without heart-felt obedience to the Scripture. (11:44-54)
11:46 – is a warning against legalistic and unloving faith.
11:47-51 – is a warning against two-faced faith.
11:52 – is a warning against an obstructive faith.
Conclusion:We are called to authentic biblical faith.One that embraces the truth and is transformed from the inside out.
One that is genuinely committed to the Word of God and governed by the Word of God.