This week in our series in Luke, we are reflecting on Luke 12:35-57. Today we see that Jesus expects us to obey according the the gifts and revelation that we have.
‘“The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”’ (Luke 12:47-48)
Lesson: We are to do what we know to be Jesus’ will. To know what’s right but fail to do it is a very serious thing!
To listen to this video, follow the link below:
It is obviously true that if someone knows something to be wrong and does it anyway, or the person who knows something to be right and fails to do it has done more wrong than the person who is ignorant of what is wrong or right. If you’re given a command and fail to carry it through, you are more guilty than a person who has not heard the command.
Here, firstly, Jesus has the religious leaders of his day in mind. They have the law. They have the promises. They are rejecting their Messiah and so will come into judgement for this.
Secondly, Jesus has the Apostles in mind. This is linked to to Peter’s earlier question: ‘Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?”’ (Luke 12:41). Jesus is warning the apostles - including Judas - that they must be faithful to what He has taught them and to their calling.
Thirdly, this can be applied to all Christians. All of us are to be faithful to what we know. The truth we have learned is to be obeyed. There will be sanctions and rewards for our obedience.
Response
We are to do what we know to be Jesus’ will. To know what’s right but fail to do it is a very serious thing! As James tells us:
‘If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.’ (James 4:17)
As Mark Twain wrote:
‘It ain't those parts of the Bible that I can't understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand.’
Let’s not speculate as to the things that we may not be doing. Let’s not condemn ourselves because we feel that we must, in some way unknown, be failing. Rather, let’s simply try to do what we do know to be right and ask for forgiveness when we fail. Our ‘master’ - Christ - expects us to obey Him to the measure of our gifts and understanding - ‘“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”’
Let’s not accuse Christ of asking too much of us. Let’s not intimate that our disobedience is Jesus’ fault for asking too much of us! You must seek to do what you know to be Jesus’ will and, when we fail, ask for forgiveness, repent, and keep seeking to obey.
COMMUNITY GROUP NOTES AND STUDY
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
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 on Sunday was entitled, Living in light of Jesus love and His return. In this section, we see how Jesus’ love for us caused Him to suffer ‘be baptised’ to save us; We are also challenged to respond and ask if our love for Christ leads to costly loyalty whilst we with for His coming?
Please read Luke 12:35-57, and discuss:
Note - We only covered verses 49-53 on Sunday, so do use the devotionals which will help us to reflect on the rest of the section.
What would you say is the main message and application of Luke 12:35-57?
Did God speak to you about anything specifically from Sunday’s message?
Read 12:35-48: How does Jesus want us to live in the light of His coming?
Read 12:49-53:
What can be the cost of living for Christ and are we prepared for this?
What does it mean for Jesus to be ‘baptised’ for us?
SIV - How does our preparedness to suffer make us more effective in helping to bring people to Jesus?
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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