This week in our Luke series, we are focussing on Luke 12:4-12, where the theme is on how we are to deal with the pressure to hide or compromise our faith. Today, we see that those who know God’s greatness and love will openly share their faith.
‘“I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God.”’ (Luke 12:8-9)
‘“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.”’ (Matthew 10:32-33)
Lesson: We will publicly acknowledge our faith if we are filled with a vision of the greatness and love of God.
You can listen to this devotional at:
As we’ve seen this week, it’s vital that we remember the original context and audience. This, firstly, is said to the religious leaders. They believe that they are right with God. However, Jesus wants them to know that if they fail to receive Him - ‘publicly acknowledge’ Him - they will go to hell in judgement.
This is also a stern warning to those at the time who are rejecting Jesus because they fear the religious leaders; Jesus is warning them that if they fear man and so reject Him, they, likewise, will go to hell in judgement. This may sound harsh, but if it’s true, then it’s an important message even if it is a hard message.
This is a warning to many in our day. Like the original hearers, if anyone, because of self-righteousness or fear, refuses to follow and acknowledge Christ, they will be judged by God. To refuse the Saviour is to refuse salvation.
Finally, what does this say to us if we are Christians? We are warned that those who deny Christ will be denied by Him before angels and the Father - They will be condemned! We are being warned about avoiding persecution by denying our faith. This teaches us that a true Christian will not be ashamed of their faith in Christ. This is not to say that, like Peter’s denial, we don’t mess up, but this is teaching that true Christians, those born again of the Spirit, will openly confess Christ as a life-style. Christians will be open about what they believe. Faith in Christ and shame about Him cannot coexist! However, all of us can be tempted to hide our light and, of course, there is forgiveness for this.
Jesus builds this strong command and warning upon the promises of God’s love and presence as we’ve seen previously. Those who know that God is both majestic and loving will have the confidence to be open about their faith.
Response
Are we allowing fear or pride to stop us becoming Christians?
Are we allowing fear or pride to stop us from being open about our faith in Christ? Have we allowed the devil’s lies to make us embarrassed about Jesus? Notice how Peter links worship to sharing our faith:
‘But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.’ (1 Peter 3:15)
We will publicly acknowledge our faith if we are filled with a vision of the greatness and love of God.
COMMUNITY GROUP NOTES AND STUDY
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
Please ensure that everyone is aware of our week of prayer next week (3rd-9th June) and how to get the Zoom Link.
2. Icebreaker
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
Our message from our series in Luke on Sunday was based upon Jesus’ teaching from Luke 12:4-12. Here, Jesus is teaching Christians on how to deal with fear, and the pressure to keep silent about our faith. There is a lot in this short text and you may not have enough time to cover it all. However, our devotionals this week go into more details so please use these so as to think more deeply about these challenging words.
Please read Luke 12:4-12, and discuss:
What would you say is the main message and application of Luke 12:4-12?
Did God speak to you about anything specifically from Sunday’s message?
How do verses 4-7 teach us to overcome fear of people?
Verses 8-10a, warns us against allowing fear to keep us from sharing our faith. Do you allow fear to stop you from sharing the gospel?
Continuing from the last question, if we have failed to ‘publicly acknowledge’ Jesus, what is the promise for us who have, in being ashamed, ‘sinned against The Son of Man’?
In verses 8-10, Jesus compares sinning against ‘The Son of Man’ (Jesus) and The Holy Spirit. What is the sin against the Spirit and how can you help someone who is worried if they’ve committed it?
In verses 11-12, What is the promise and how does believing this help us to overcome fear of sharing the gospel?
SIV - Do we have any stories of how we have ‘Served, Invested, and inVited’ recently?
SIV - Spend some time together talking and praying about who and how you are seeking to bring your community to Jesus.
Let’s pray together that, this week, we will have opportunities to SIV; and pray for anything else that's come out of our time in God’s Word.
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