Luke VI: Do Not Be Anxious
8.30.09
many people do not understand how to read the gospels
they believe that Jesus’ words in the gospels are directly to us
but there is a big difference between the situation Jesus was speaking to
and the situation we are in
let me explain some of the significant differences:
the teaching in the gospels
is before Jesus’ death and resurrection
before the apostles had explained that death and resurrection
Jesus is with them in the flesh
before the giving of the Spirit to the church
Jesus’ teaching is directed at the Jews and Jews only
Jesus speaks to Jews under the law (which we are not) and many of the discussions involve the law
Jesus directed much of his preaching against the Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes and Priests of that day who were about to be judged by God in 40 years (70 AD)
even Jesus instructions to his disciples must be examined carefully and thought about carefully to understand how we should respond today
the gospel Jesus and his disciples proclaimed in Galilee was complete for that moment in history
but incomplete for us
Whenever you are reading the gospels and Jesus’ teaching
you can’t take his words as directed right at you a Gentile 21st century Christian
living in the kingdom of God
in the age of the Spirit
after Jesus has died and been raised
and Jerusalem and Israel has been judged and destroyed in the year 70 AD
FIRST you must ask what did these words mean in Jesus’ context?
then and only then can you ask
SECOND what do these words mean for us now in this day?
you can only get to the second if you have answered the first
Luke 12:22-31
FIRST, what do these words mean in Jesus’ context?
notice he is speaking to his disciples
they were poor working class men who had quit their jobs
to travel around as itinerant preachers
how did they live?
how did they feed their families?
it is in this context that Jesus says
the ravens do not sow or reap
and the lilies do not labor or spin
Jesus says to them if you are seeking the kingdom, preaching the kingdom, you will be taken care of by God
God knows you need to eat and you need clothes and shelter
but providing for yourself is not what you are to spend your time doing
do what I have called you to do and your needs will be met
Our context
now we ask what does this mean for us?
does it mean we should all become missionaries and evangelists and preachers
and quit our jobs
and let God provide for us?
No– not unless you have been called to that work by God
I have heard some say that this means God will never let any Christian be in need
we can see in history that this is not the case
I have heard some say that if someone becomes a Christian and has a good morality and work ethic he will work hard and God will make him successful
this has nothing to do with what Jesus is talking about: people who do not work
hard working Christian people get laid off and lose their jobs
depression or famine hit Christians too
is God promising to shield us from all financial trouble? no
God is sovereign
God is in charge
ultimately everything comes from him
he will provide what he wills to provide
leave it in his hands
trust in him,
some may become poor,
but ultimately when Christ returns we will all be taken care of
12:32
Jesus’ context:
we say that here
his ultimate promise to the disciples is the kingdom will be theirs
when the kingdom comes they will be saved from all the hunger and poverty of this life
our context
if we belong to Christ
no matter what bad befalls
God will give us the kingdom at the end
it is about salvation! not just bread
12:33
Jesus’ context
his disciples had been preaching throughout Galilee
and poor people were coming to hear the gospel
poor people were joining the movement
he was encouraging his disciples to not only preach to these people
but also provide for their needs
despite their wandering with no job
they still had some possessions back home
(for example some still had houses and boats)
when an occasion arose that poor people listened and needed help
they should sell stuff they had to raise the money, not keep their possessions for security– their security is in God
they should preach to these poor and help these poor
this is the kingdom work
they will have a bank account in heaven
and unlike earthly money it can’t be lost
that money will provide for them
our context
I had an African preacher tell me
I don’t have a heart for the poor
I have a heart to preach, I have the gift of prophecy and not the gift of mercy
out of touch with Jesus’ teaching
*assignment for your small groups
THINK about this
what does this mean for our context?
what does it mean for us as a church?
12:34
Jesus’ context: asking disciples
is your treasure in heaven because you are doing my work (preaching/ giving to poor)
and your heart with God?
or are you hoarding earthly possessions and money and your heart with that stuff?
our context
What does this mean for us?
