Jesus is Lord Fellowship WWI

 

Welcome to our Fellowship Hall.

Feel free to post a message.

Jesus is Lord Fellowship WWI
Start a New Topic 
Author
Comment
Preview for the book of Luke Chapter 12

LUKE CHAPTER12 PREVIEW


Luke 12 - Attitudes For Followers of Jesus

A. Attitudes for those facing persecution

1. (1-3) Beware of hypocrisy
a. Hypocrisy is like leaven in the sense that it just takes a little bit of it to affect a great mass. A little bit of hypocrisy can be like a little bit of strychnine!
b. Some think that the only way to avoid being a hypocrite is to never aspire to a higher standard. But this is dangerous both for ourselves and for society; we should aspire to a high standard, yet be honest about our difficulty in fulfilling that standard

c. The art of being a hypocrite depends on concealment, but one day all will be revealed. We can only be hypocrites before men, but never before God. He sees through the actor's mask we put on

i. In 1985, a nationally known evangelist and preacher wrote a book condemning sin in America, especially sexual sin and pornography. Just a short time later, he was tearfully confessing years of involvement in these very sins, and promised repentance - but was arrested for similar crimes again a few years down the road. His hypocrisy may have surprised many people, but not God. He knew all along.
2. (4-5) Do not fear persecution
a. True believers will always be despised by hypocrites, so these words concerning persecution fit in well. In addition, when Jesus spoke to these disciples of His about martyrdom and persecution, He knew that all of them - except John - would die for Him
b. All your persecutors can do is kill you, and God has ultimate power over the life and death of the believer. Therefore, we shouldn't fear our persecutors, but have a healthy respect of God that makes us more concerned with obeying Him than any man

c. There are literally millions of examples of people standing strong for Jesus through persecution; but following is the particular story of an Englishman named Rowland Taylor

i. In a book first printed in 1890, John Ryle describes the death of Rowland Taylor, who was executed in England because he believed that priests could marry and that the bread and wine of communion did not become the actual, literal, body and blood of Jesus.
ii. On the last day of January, 1555, Taylor appeared with two others before the Bishop of Winchester, and they were charged with heresy and dividing the church. When they refused to change their minds, they were condemned to death. When condemned, they replied back to the Bishop, "We know that God, the righteous Judge, will require our blood at your hands, and the proudest of all of you shall repent this receiving again of Antichrist, and of the tyranny you now show against the flock of Christ."

iii. On February 4, Taylor was kicked out of the priesthood, and that night, his wife and son were permitted to eat dinner with him. After dinner they left, with much affection and tears. The next day, he was led out to Hadleigh to be executed, so that he would be burned to death in the city where he pastored and in front of his congregation.

iv. When the left the London jail on the morning of February 5, it was still dark. Taylor's wife suspected that he might be taken that morning, so she was waiting with her two daughters outside the jail. When she called out to him, the sheriff allowed her to come with her daughters for one last meeting with her husband. Rowland Taylor took his little daughter Mary up in his arms, while Elizabeth knelt with him and said the Lord's Prayer. They prayed together, then kissed and hugged, and Taylor said to his wife: "Farewell, my dear wife: be of good comfort, for I am quiet in my conscience. God shall raise up a father for my children." He kissed his daughter Mary and said, "God bless you, and make you His servant;" and, kissing Elizabeth, he said, "God bless you. I pray you all stand strong and steadfast to Christ and His Word." As he was led away, his wife called out, "God be with you, dear Rowland: I will, with God's grace, meet you at Hadleigh."

v. The journey from London to Hadleigh took several days, and all along on the trip, Rowland Taylor was joyful and merry, as if he were going to a banquet or a party. But on February 9, 1555, they came into Hadleigh. When they were still two miles from town, Taylor lept off his horse and started on foot - but he was walking fast, almost like you would if you were dancing. The sheriff asked him how he was feeling, and he said, "Well, God be praised, good master sheriff, never better; for now I know I am almost at home . . . even at my Father's house. . . . O good Lord, I thank You! I shall yet once before I die, see my flock whom You, Lord, know I have most heartily loved and most truly taught. Good Lord, bless them, and keep them steadfast in Thy Word and truth."

vi. When they came into Hadleigh, they put a hood over his head and came over a bridge, and at the foot of the bridge was a poor man with five children, who cried out, "O dear father and good shepherd, Dr. Taylor, God help you, as you have many a time helped me and my poor children." The streets of the city were crowded on both sides with people who wanted to see him; when they saw him being led to death, they cried and wept with all their strength. People cried out, "Ah, good Lord, there goes our good shepherd from us, that so faithfully has taught us, so fatherly has cared for us, and so godly has governed us. O merciful God! What shall we poor scattered lambs do? What shall come of this most wicked world? God Lord, strengthen him and comfort him." Taylor would answer back, "I have preached to you God's Word and truth, and am come this day to seal it with my blood."

vii. When they came to the town square, he could hear a great multitude and asked where they were. When they told him they were at the place he would be executed, he said "Thank God, I am even at home," and he took the hood from his head. When the people saw his face, there was an outpouring of emotion. They wept and cried out, "God save you, good Dr. Taylor! Jesus Christ strengthen you; the Holy Spirit comfort you," and many other such things. Taylor wanted to speak to the people one last time, but as soon has he opened his mouth, a guard put a spear right up to his open mouth, and made him stop.

viii. He started giving away his clothes - first his boots, then his coat and jacket, till all he had left was his pants and shirt. He then cried out with a loud voice, "Good people, I have taught you nothing but God's Holy Word, and those lessons that I have taken out of God's blessed Book, the Holy Bible; and I am come here today to seal it with my blood." But then one of the guards clubbed him over the head and said, "Is that keeping your promise of silence, you heretic?" So, seeing he could not speak, he knelt down to pray. A poor woman came to kneel beside him and pray, and the guards tried to push her away but she would not go.

ix. When he had prayed, he came to the stake he would be tied to and he kissed it, stepped into a barrel, and stood with his hands folded in prayer and his eyes towards heaven as they tied him to the stake. After some agonizing delays, they finally lit the fire, and Rowland Taylor prayed out loud: "Merciful Father of heaven, for Jesus Christ my Saviour's sake, receive my soul into Your hands." Then he stood perfectly still as the fires arose around him, without crying or moving, until a guard clubbed him on the head and his brains fell out, and his dead corpse fell into the fire. A marker was left that simply said, 1555: Dr. Taylor, in defending that which was good, at this place left his blood.

3. (6-7) Realize your great value to God
a. Those who are persecuted are tempted to give in to the feeling that they are worthless and uncared for - they aren't!
b. If God remembers the sparrows, He isn't going to forget you - so don't lose heart. As Rowland Taylor shared in some final words to his family:

i. Before he left London to be executed, Rowland Taylor wrote his final thoughts in a book and presented them to his son: "I say to my wife and to my children, the Lord gave you unto me, and the Lord has taken me from you and you from me: blessed be the name of the Lord! I believe that they are blessed which die in the Lord. God cares for sparrows, and for the hairs of our heads. I have ever found Him more faithful and favourable than is any father or husband. Trust, therefore, in Him by means of our dear Savior Christ's merits. Believe, love, fear, and obey Him: pray to Him, for He has promised to help. Count me not dead, for I shall certainly live and never die. I go before, and you shall follow after to our long home."
c. They say that a red-head has about 90,000 hairs; a dark-haired person has about 120,000 hairs, and a blonde has about 145,000. But God knows exactly how many hairs you have - and if He knows that about you, He knows all the important things also!
4. (8-10) The importance of a good confession
a. Thousands upon thousands of Christians through the ages have met the challenge of publicly confessing Christ, no matter the cost
i. In the early church, the "confessors" had special honor, they were those who had endured suffering for Jesus, yet had been spared death
ii. You yourself may often be "put on trial" before the world; it is essential that we are able to confess Jesus at that time

b. There are all sorts of ways that we can confess Jesus; it is important to be able to do it if ever put on trial, but it is also important to do it through our godly lives every day. Just by living for Jesus, we are confessing His name!
c. A word against the Son of Man probably refers to a moment of weakness (especially in public testimony), which can be forgiven; blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is a settled rejection of God's truth, which will not be forgiven

i. This idea of the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit has been troubling to many; there are many who feel totally defeated and hopeless before God, convinced that they have comitted this unpardonable sin
ii. We must recognize the terrible danger of the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, and our need to avoid this sin at all cost - yet, at the same time, guarding our hearts against the unwarrented accusation of this sin

iii. What is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit? We understand this by first understanding what the ministry of the Holy Spirit is all about - Jesus said, and when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:8); and that He will testify of Me (John 15:26)

iv. Therefore, when we persistently reject the work the Holy Spirit wants to do in us, when we have a continued, settled rejection of what He wants to tell us about Jesus, then we have blasphemed the Holy Spirit

v. The blasphemy of the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven - not because it is a sin "too big" for God to forgive, but because it is an attutide of heart that cares nothing for God's forgiveness. It never has forgiveness because it never wants forgiveness God's way

vi. The way to not blaspheme the Holy Spirit is to receive Jesus Christ today! To stop rejecting His work of bringing you to Jesus!

5. (11-12) Don't worry about what to say - the Holy Spirit will help you
a. Few of us have had the need to trust God because we have been hauled before magistrates and authorities for the sake of Jesus; yet all have our own arenas where we need to trust God to give a bold witness
b. This is an exhortation to trust in God, not your eloquence; it is not an excuse for poor preparation in teaching or preaching

c. Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will help when you are "put on trial"; He will give you the right words to say

B. Attitudes in regard to material possessions
1. (13-15) The overall principle regarding material things
a. Jesus has just been teaching on the importance of standing for Jesus, and on our exceedingly great value to God. Yet, in the midst of this teaching, a man interrupts Jesus to ask that He take his side in a financial dispute
i. According to the law of the day, the elder brother would receive two-thirds of the inheritance and the younger brother would receive one-third. But this man isn't asking Jesus to listen to both sides and make a righteous judgment; he is asking Jesus to take sides with him against his brother
ii. Obviously, Jesus' words about the need for full commitment and God's care for us didn't penetrate this man's heart!

b. It isn't that Jesus is unconcerned about justice; but that He is all too aware that this man's covetousness will do him more harm than not having his share of the inheritance!
i. We may fight and fight for what is ours by right; and in the end, having it may do us worse than letting it go and letting God take care of the situation
ii. Here is where the deceptive nature of the heart is such a challenge; we will often mask something like courteousness with the claim that we are on a righteous crusade

c. To be kept from greed, there is one overall principle we must be persuaded of: one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses. Apart from this, we live in covetousness, and covetousness is idolatry (Colossians 3:5)
2. (15-21) The parable of the rich fool
a. "Actually beware scarcely does justice to the force of phylassesthe, which is rather 'guard yourselves'" (Morris) The idea is that this man - and all of us - are under attack from covetousness, and we must protect ourselves from it
b. There is little doubt that everybody but God thought a great deal of this man; but in fact (and for eternity), this man is a fool. It isn't only sin to give material things too high a place in your life, it is stupid also.

c. See the heart of the rich fool: my crops . . . my barns . . . my goods . . . my soul; everything is him, and nothing is God. In the end, it was proved that nothing was his - even his own soul was subject to God. He didn't have any crops, any barns, any goods, and his soul was dead

d. Whose will those things be which you have provided? They will not belong to God, because the man never surrendered those things to God; they will not belong to the rich fool, because he can't take it with him. Perhaps they only belong to the Devil!

i. "Poorer than the poorest beggar he had to leave this world." (Geldenhuys)
e. The man's problem was not in that he had treasure on earth; but that he was not rich toward God
i. How do we become rich toward God? First, by sacrificial giving to those in need (Luke 12:33, 18:22; 1 Timothy 6:17-19); also, by trusting in Jesus for every necessary thing (Revelation 3:17-18)
ii. We can't obscure the fact that earthly riches often keep us from going after heavenly riches as we should; Paul wrote: But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. (1 Timothy 6:9). Most of us are afraid of poverty; we should be afraid of wealth!

iii. John Wesley's words of wisdom and his example: he said that you should earn as much as you can, save as much as you can, and give as much as you can; he himself lived on 28 British pounds a year and gave the rest away, even when his salary went from 30 to 60 to 90 to 120 pounds over his lifetime

3. (22-28) A warning against worry
a. Greed and worry are closely connected; greed can never get enough, worry is afraid it will never have enough - neither have their eyes on Jesus
b. Do not worry is a loving command; we often fail to appreciate what damage worry does in our lives

i. Research clearly shows that stress deteriorates our immune systems; people under constant or high stress show lower T-cell counts, essential for immune response. Stress has a definite affect on fertility. Prolonged stress has been shown to affect the brain, making a person less able to respond to future stress. And stress also is related to sudden heart failure.
ii. 20% of Americans say they feel stressed out every day, and 60% say they feel stressed out once a week. Only 10% say they never feel stressed.

c. However, this isn't just "don't worry, be happy" or "hakuna matata"; we don't worry because we close our eyes, but because we know God is greater than all our needs
d. Worry is completely counter-productive - the stress it brings in our life does nothing but destroy. But trusting in God makes sense; if He takes such good care of the birds, the flowers, and the grass, won't He take care of His children?

i. Jesus may be saying, "worry can't make you live longer" or He may be saying, "worry can't make you any taller" Both are true; and if it is futile to worry about small things that are out of our control, it is even more futile to worry about big things that are even further out of our control
ii. We can't add one cubit to our height by worrying, but a Japanese teen-ager who wanted to be a summo wrestler had 6 inches of silicone implanted under his scalp so he could meet the 5' 8" height requirement for summo wrestlers

iii. Instead, Jesus wants us to have a child-like faith in Him. Children don't worry about paying the bills, or such things. They live lives of simple trust in their parents. You can't accomplish little things by worry; what makes you think you might accomplish great things by worry?

e. God cares for the flowers, but that means that every day for the flowers is not sun and sweetness - if every day was sunny, and there was never clouds and rain, the flowers would die quickly
4. (29-34) God's intention is that your attention be on His kingdom and His treasure, not the kingdom and treasure of this world
a. Jesus' good news is simple: you don't have to hold on to the things of this world with a death grip; Jesus let go of everything heaven itself held and was happy with a simple trust in God!
b. God wants us to be more focused on Him than on these necessities of daily life; when we seek Him first, all the other things are added unto us

i. We have sometimes thought that the only way to really seek the kingdom of God is to put away every other pursuit and go to some monastery or desert cave. But we can seek God in what we do every day; you can seek God at your job if you work unto the Lord and His glory
c. The correlation between where your heart is and where your treasure is isn't a suggestion; it is a simple fact. If you regard your material possessions as your treasure, then your heart is set here on this earth
C. Attitudes in regard to Jesus' return
1. (35-40) Be ready and waiting for your Master's return
a. If Christians are to not be greedy or worried, they are to put their focus on the return of Jesus - this is something worth putting our lives into. "These words of the Saviour are closely linked up with the previous warnings not to be worldly minded but heavenly minded." (Geldenhuys)
b. The idea behind verse 35 is well expressed in the NIV: Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning

i. The idea behind waist be girded is clear enough; but what did Jesus mean with the idea of lamps burning? You can be ready to work all day long, but if you don't have the proper equipment (such as illumination), your readiness doesn't matter at all
ii. We are also reminded that Your word is a lamp to my feet and light to my path (Psalm 119:105); you may have an inner willingness to serve God (your waist is girded) but not have the illumination you need to serve Him well (the light of God's word burning brightly)

c. We all know the embarrassment of being called on when unprepared; Jesus is telling us to be prepared for His coming - which is the most important thing you could ever be ready for!
i. A thief never announces his coming; he comes at a time when you would not expect him. The way to be on guard against a thief is to live in constant readiness; the way to be ready for Jesus' return is to live in constant readiness
d. The ready servants will be served by their Master and blessed; there is rich reward in living a life ready and expectant for Jesus to return
2. (41-48) Be good stewards in your Master's absence
a. Jesus answers Peter, saying that this is addressed to every one, that all are to be faithful and wise stewards (managers)
i. In this sense, we are all in the Jesus Management Training school; He is teaching us all how to be good, godly stewards for Him
ii. All who are servants of Jesus must be ready for His return; but those who are ministers among His servants must all the more be ready. "Ignorance of the Divine shall not wholly excuse the sinner, he shall be beaten, but his stripes shall be few, his ****ation shall be gentle compared with a minister's, that knows his Master's will but does it not; teaches it to others, but does it not himself. . . . God looks upon wicked, loose, and scandalous and mischievous ministers as the greatest transgressors, and he will deal with them as such." (Poole)

b. A poor steward lives without the expectation of his master's return; he mistreats other stewards; and he wastes his time and resources on unprofitable things
i. The servant who says, "he hasn't come soon, so he isn't coming at all" has made a fatal mistake
c. Verse 47 shows that we are not only responsible for keeping from evil, but we must also do what we know God's will to be
3. (49-53) Jesus brings purifying fire and division
a. The purifying power Jesus spoke of - the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives - could only come after He had accomplished His work on the cross
i. The fact that Jesus speaks of His suffering as a baptism is instructive; He wasn't "sprinkled" with suffering, He was immersed in agony. In the same way, we are to baptized into Christ and baptized with the Holy Spirit, immersed and overflowing
ii. Jesus was distressed until His work on the cross was accomplished; why? Not because He relished the agony of the cross, but because He knew all the good that would come of it - as a woman in the late stages of pregnancy looks forward to giving birth

b. The fire of Jesus may be at work in your life right now; burning away the pride and impurities that keep you from being a faithful steward
c. This may be the price one has to pay for being a faithful steward; when you follow Jesus faithfully, there may very well be division for His sake

4. (54-56) The urgency to discern the times
a. Jesus rebuked the people of His day because they did not discern this time; if they had been more insightful about the truth of prophecy regarding the first coming of Jesus. Would Jesus rebuke Christians in this day for the same lack of insight? Are we aware of just how completely the stage is set for the end?
b. The stage is set for a rebuilt temple, necessary to fulfill the prophecies of the abomination of desolation (Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)

i. Israel is a nation again, and efforts to rebuild the temple are for real. The main Jewish group leading the charge to rebuild the temple is an organization called Faithful of the Temple Mount, who say they will continue their efforts to re-establish the Jewish temple on the Mount. One leader in the group said, "We shall continue our struggle until the Israeli flag is flying from the Dome of the Rock." In Israel, there are students being trained for the priesthood, learning how to conduct animal sacrifices in the rebuilt temple.
c. The stage is set for the sort of world-dominating confederation of nations, heir to the Roman Empire to arise (Daniel 2:36-45; Revelation 13:1-8; 17:10-14)
i. The European Community is for real, and key governments which oppose more unity aren't doing well - negotiations continue on trying to establish one European currency. If you go to Europe, it isn't strange to see more European Community flags than national flags in some places
d. The stage is set for a political and economic "superman" to arise, the sort of single political leader who will lead this world-dominating confederation of nations (2 Thessalonians 2:3-12; Revelation 13:4-7)
i. The world wants - and needs - a superman badly, and is ready to fall in love with a human personality like never before. In much of Europe, there is a longing for another totalitarian leader who will lead nations to glory again
ii. Our own American personality cults are frightening enough (why should it be news if someone get married for the eighth time?); but that nations of hundreds of millions of people can be induced to worship a person - like Lenin, Stalin, or Mao -- show us just how strong a personality cult can be when the government gets behind it wholeheartedly

e. The stage is set for the kind of false religion the Bible says will characterize the very last days (2 Thessalonians 2:4, 9-12; Revelation 13:11-15; 17:1-6)
i. Society is becoming more spiritual, yet less Christian every day; there is a deceptive fixation on signs and wonders as proof of the truth, as well as the church's willingness to imi

Re: Preview for the book of Luke Chapter 12

i. Society is becoming more spiritual, yet less Christian every day; there is a deceptive fixation on signs and wonders as proof of the truth, as well as the church's willingness to imitate the world leaves churchgoers open for deception as well
ii. Efforts to make a one-world religion gain steam all the time, under the idea of "open-mindedness"; the Michigan Episcopal Diocese refused to vote upon the resolution "Jesus is the Christ, the only name given under heaven by which we may be saved." The resolution was rejected as being "flawed," "divisive," and "demeaning."

f. The stage is set for the kind of economic system predicted for the very last days (Revelation 13:15-17); the technology is available, and the need is present
5. (57-59) Knowing the times, get right with God now
a. If you know what time it is, you know that now is the time to get right with God, before you come before the Judge. If you wait until you stand before His throne, it's too late!
b. So, make every effort to settle out of court! How do we settle out of court with God? By accepting God's offer to settle our account at Calvary, before the day of judgment

i. Of course, this passage also has relevance to common sense regarding how Christians should regard the courts - if there is a dispute with someone, we are to do all that we possibly can to avoid going to court
c. If we believe Jesus is coming soon, what should our response be? We must get our account settled with God now, through Jesus' work on the cross; we must live ready and waiting for Jesus' return
i. And, ask yourself a question: why is He waiting at all? Because His mercy says, "I want more to come to Me before I return in judgment." Aren't many of us glad that Jesus didn't come one, two, or five years ago?


Sign up sheet:

Last Name: __________________ First Name: _____________________

DOB: ____/____/______

Last Name of Spouse: ____________ First Name of Spouse: _____________

Spouse’s DOB: ____/____/______

Address: ____________________________________________________________

City: ______________________ State: ______ Zip: _____________________

Phone Number: ________________________ Cell Phone: __________________

Email Address: ______________________________________________________

Wedding Anniversary Date: ____/____/______

Those dependents that are living with you:

First Name: ______________________ Last Name: _______________________

DOB: ____/____/______ [__] Male [__] Female

First Name: ______________________ Last Name: _______________________

DOB: ____/____/______ [__] Male [__] Female

First Name: ______________________ Last Name: _______________________

DOB: ____/____/______ Male [__] Female

First Name: ______________________ Last Name: _______________________
DOB: ____/____/______ Male [__] Female



We are a Life Changing Ministry, a Going ministry and a growing Ministry and Praying Ministry, this is a Growing Ministry, a Ministry that Brings Results!
Please send Us Your Prayer Requests Your Celebration of Praises, any letters or other to
JESUS IS LORD FELLOWSHIP WWI USA HQ
DR. DIANA BREVAN
PO BOX 2752
INVERNESS FLORIDA 34451
You Also are welcome to write to us to
Dr. Diana Brevan:
Pastora Diana Brevan Headquartersjilfwwi@yahoo.com
Deacon Matthew Helmich: Matt76021@yahoo.com
Rosemary Gutierrez rosemayv1197@gmail.com

WWW.Jesusislordfellowshipwwi.bravehost.com No Membership required. Everyone is welcome every moment of your day and night to visit us to click on the Icon Fellowship Hall and Receive Your Word of the day as you scroll for your day and your weekly message and Word of God. Please as you visit regular click on the guestbook and sign the guest book so we will know that you came to visit us and how you enjoyed your stay. God bless you and remember Jesus Is Lord!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jesusislordfellowship/ Membership is required to join the yahoo groups to enter our on line Fellowship Building to receive your daily and weekly Word.
JesusIsLordFellowshipBibleStudies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Membership is required to join the yahoo groups to enter our on line Fellowship Building.
Now stand in agreement and Let’s Praise Him Church Lets Praise Him! No Matter who you are what background you hold You are welcome to Worship with us and receive as well the Word in all of our Websites everyone that has breath is welcome to receive our weekly Bible Studies Everyone that has breath is welcome to Raise their hands and Touch the Hem of the Lords Garment in Prayer as we two or more gathered standing in agreement together!
To Join to our World Wide Prayer Warriors Websites: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/upperroomofprayer
Prayer Room World Wide Warriors on Facebook Site
https://www.facebook.com/groups/519140074816300/
Dr Diana Brevan Founder/President/Senior Pastora