1st-Century Social Distancing and the Faith that Saves

Luke 17:11-19

Sermon Notes

1) Jerusalem, 11

2) Distance, 12

3) Mercy, 13

4) Priests?, 14

5) Glorifying God, 15

6) The Samaritan, 16

7) The Nine, 17

8) The One, 18

9) Faith, 19

Reflection questions:

1. Why does Luke mention Jerusalem in v.11? Is it merely a geographical detail? See Luke 9:21-22; 43-44; 51, 53.

2. Why is gospel of God’s grace to Gentiles and foreigners (see Lk 17:16-18) good news to you? If you are Jewish – Is there any advantage to being Jewish? Does that advantage (if there is one) mean that you need God’s grace less? – See Romans 3:1-4, 9-20.

3. Does faith save you? Does God save you? See Ephesians 2:1-9.

Forgiveness and Faith for the Impossible

Luke 17:1-10

Sermon Notes:

Despite the inevitable mess of our sin, Jesus Christ enables forgiveness and increases faith.

1) Jesus' Exhortations on Temptation and Forgiveness

2) Plea for Faith

3) Jesus' Response to the Plea

Small Group / Discussion questions:

1. Who in your life might you need to seek forgiveness from for putting stumbling blocks in their way because of your own sin?

2. How would you quantify your own degree of faith? Is it a mustard seed, or do you still feel far off? How does our sin also affect how we feel about our faith?

3. How does pride or self-dependency get in the way of God-dependency? How do Jesus' words that crush pride function to increase faith?

The Rich Man and Lazarus

Luke 16:19-31

Sermon Notes

1) The Great Disparity in This Life, 19-21

2) The Great Chasm in The Life to Come, 22-26

3) The Great Prophet Who Came Back to Life, 27-31

Reflection questions:

1. What was Asaph jealous of in Psalm 73? (See especially vv.1-3) What had Asaph forgotten? See vv. 16-17, 23-24.

2. When it says that Lazarus is carried to Abraham’s side (or bosom), is that comforting, confusing, or something else to you? Before you answer, read Hebrews 11:8-10, 13-16 about Abraham’s faith and his future.

3. Why did Jesus say it was so important to listen to Moses and the Prophets? See John 5:46-47; Luke 24:25-27, 44-45. (Also, for more regarding miraculous signs, see 1 Cor. 1:22-25)

The Laws (and Loopholes?) of the Kingdom

Luke 16:14-18

Sermon Notes

1) The Kingdom of God is Not about Loopholes and Looking Good, 14-15

2) The Kingdom of God is about Violent Force, 16

3) The Kingdom of God is about Law and Order, 17-18

Reflection Questions:

1) How can trying to do the right thing become a bad thing? What role do your motives play in this? What role do the opinions of others play in this? Read vv. 14-15 and also see Philippians 3:1-10.

2) How did people seem to force their way into the Kingdom? See Luke 5:17-26; 7:36-50; 8:43-48. Did they really force their way in? See John 6:37, 44. See I John 4:19.

3) Jesus probably mentioned the laws about divorce (Luke 16:18) because it was one law that the Pharisees had trouble keeping. What is one of God’s laws that you try to rewrite or ignore to avoid admitting that you fall short of it? What would be a better approach? See Philippians 3:7-9.

The Shrewd Manager

Luke 16:1-13

Sermon Notes

1) The Dishonest Manager Who Used Money Shrewdly, 1-9

2) God’s People Should Use Money to Make Everlasting Friends, 1-9

3) God’s People Should Use Money to Receive Something Greater, 10-12

4) God’s People Should Use Money, so that Money Doesn’t Use Them, 13

Reflection questions:

1) Are there things we can learn from people who are unrighteous, dishonest, or dishonorable? Why? Has God given them some gifts, as well? See Matthew 5:45 and Matthew 10:16.

2) What does it look like to make friends who can receive you into eternal dwellings (v9)? Compare to Matthew 6:19-21.

3) Thomas Chalmers once preached a sermon titled, “The Expulsive Power of a New Affection.” What do you think he meant? What was the expulsive power he was talking about? Compare Luke 16:13 and 2 Corinthians 5:14-15.

Two Lost Sons

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Sermon Notes

1) The Prodigal Son, 1-3, 11-19

2) The Prodigal Father, 11-12, 17-24

3) The Other Lost Son, 1-3, 11, 25-32

Reflection questions:

1. How did the prodigal son (the younger brother) want his father’s things more than he wanted his father? How can God’s people be guilty of the same thing? See Psalm 73; Phil 4:10-13.

2. Read. vv. 13-14. Why was the younger son in need? Was it his fault? Was it all (including the famine) his fault? Are our bad circumstances always our fault alone? Prov. 5:3-4; John 9:1-3.

3. Why is the older brother so angry? How does he see the younger brother, and how does he see himself? (Cf. Luke 15:1-3) a.Consider this quote: “The proud and the self-righteous always feel that they are not treated as well as they deserve.” (Leon Morris, Tyndale NT Commentary: Luke, 261.)

4. Which brother was worse? Which was least deserving, more deserving? Before you answer, consider this quote: “I am both of those kinds of sinners, and maybe you are too. I am the selfish son who wants to go off and sin; I am also the stingy brother who prides himself on doing my duty. But there is grace for me in the Father’s love.” (Phil Ryken, Luke: Reformed Expository Commentary, 2:165)

Joy at the Lost and Found

Luke 15:1-10

Sermon Notes

1. Grumbling, 1-2

2. Searching, 3-4, 8

3. Rescuing, 5-6, 9

4. Repenting, 7, 10

5. Rejoicing, 5-7, 9-10

Reflection questions:

1. Why did the Pharisees grumble about tax collectors and sinners so much? See Luke 15:1-2, as well Luke 5:27-32; 7:36-50, especially vv. 37, 39; 19:1-10. Still not sure? See Luke 18:9-14.

2. What kind of shepherd did Israel expect? See Psalm 23; Ps 80:1, 3. What kind of shepherds did they sometimes have? See Jeremiah 23:2; Ezekiel 34:4, 6. How was God going to fix it? See Ezekiel 34:11-12; Isaiah 40:11.

3. How did Jesus want the Pharisees (and us) to respond to the lost sheep and the lost coin that were found? See Luke 15:6, 9.

Jesus Calls for Division

Luke 14:25-35

Sermon Notes:

1. Only one thing can be “Ultimate” in our life (v. 25-26, 33)

2. There is a cost to following Jesus (v. 27)

3. There’s no middle ground, a decision must be made (v. 28-30 & v. 31-32)

4. Our usefulness is on the line (v. 34-35)

Reflection Questions:

1. What are some things that are really important to you?

2. How would you prioritize those things? Which ones, or which one, do you feel is the "most" important?

3. How might it be true that only one thing in your life can be the "ultimate" thing?

4. What are some things that it costs you to follow Jesus? What must you give up to truly follow him? What are you doing for selfish reasons that you might have to stop reaching for?

5. Are you willing to go to him today and give those things up? Are you willing to share that with someone else so they can help hold you accountable?

6. How might God use you more? What might he be calling you to do to be a more engaged, more devoted follower of him? How can you be salt to those around you today, tomorrow?

Lessons in Dinner Party Etiquette with Jesus

Luke 14:7-24

Sermon Notes

1) Humility shows that you trust God to exalt you, 7-11

2) True Generosity shows that you trust God to reward you, 12-14

3) Excuses show that you don’t trust the Goodness of God’s invitation, 15-24

Reflection questions:

1. Read Luke 14:11. Now see Luke 18:14; Matthew 18:4; 23:12; 1 Peter 5:6. Why do you think humility is so important? What is humility a sign of? How does a humble man see himself? How does he see Christ? Also see Matthew 5:3-7; Ephesians 4:32; Phil 3:8-9.

2. What is true generosity? What clue does Jesus give in Luke 14:14. How are we able to show true generosity? (See 2 Cor. 8:9)

3. Consider the three excuses makers in Luke 14:18-20. Compare and contrast them to what Hebrews 11:24-26 says about Moses.

Full of Pity and Pitiful

Luke 14:1-6

Sermon Notes

6 points for 6 verses:

1) Surveillance

2) Surprise

3) Response

4) Sending

5) Son

6) Silence

Questions for Reflection:

1. J.C. Ryle says of verse 1: “He that desires to serve Christ must make up his mind to be ‘watched’ and observed, no less than his Master. He must never forget that the eyes of the world are upon him” (Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke, 2:111). How should we handle as Christians this scrutiny? See 1 Tim. 1:12-17 and Matthew 5:14-16.

2. Read Luke 14:5. Is Jesus saying that the Pharisees and scribes are wrong to care for their son or their ox on the Sabbath day? Why is He saying this to them? Also see Luke 13:15- 16; is Jesus saying the actions in v.15 are wrong? Why does He say this?

3. Read Phil. 3:2-10. What are some things you do (consciously or unconsciously) to have “confidence in the flesh” or confidence in your own goodness? What did Paul ultimately realize about those good things and what mattered more? (See vv.8-9)