The Misunderstood God Mountain Life Church/Life Pack/April 26-27, 2014
The Misunderstood God Sermon Notes April 26-27, 2014 I. Prayer and Authority A. Luke s preoccupation with Jesus prayer life 1. Enjoyable 2. Constant 3. First Priority 4. His Spirit was willing and His flesh was crucified 5. Dependent B. Luke s preoccupation with Jesus authority 1. Jesus authority overflowed from His prayer life 2. Three kinds of authority a. Positional b. Relational c. Spiritual II. Authority to Heal and Forgive A. The magnificent foursome (Luke 5: 17-20) 1. Selfless 2. Great examples of friendship 3. Determined and persistent 4. Willing to risk B. Seeing their faith 1. Jesus healed people based on their own faith (Matthew 8, 9: 22) 2. Jesus healed people based on their friends faith (Luke 5: 17-20) 3. Jesus healed people regardless of faith (Matthew 8: 14-17, John 5) C. Jesus startling words for His audience 1. Authority to heal and to forgive 2. Only God can do these 3. Jesus words speak to the heart The temptation to be self-righteous and show con-tempt for others may occur when one sees a homosexual suffering from AIDS, an alcoholic, a homeless person, or other socially contemptible sinners. We should have the same mind as Paul when he said, "By the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Corinthians 15:10). Several years ago, I drove my a homeless person in Nashville, Tennessee. The woman did not look like she had taken a bath in months. Her hair was matted worse than any dog's hair that I have seen. Suddenly, the thought flashed through my mind, "Some mother gave birth to this person. She was her precious little baby. I must remember that her soul is just as precious as mine." Let us guard ourselves from viewing sinners like the Pharisees did. A Sinful Association With Sinners There is a sinful kind of association with sinners. The Scriptures command a certain kind of separation in such passages as the following: Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners (1 Corinthians 15:33). My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path (Prov. 1:10-15). Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away (Prov. 4:14-15). Don t become partners with those who reject God. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That s not partnership; that s war. Is light best friends with dark? (2 Corinthians 6:14). Jesus associated with sinners for the express purpose of saving their souls. He compared his association with sinners to that of a physician associating with the sick saying, "They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Mark 2:17). Again he said, "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). 2 19
Jesus Receives Sinners By Mike Willis One of the charges frequently made against Jesus was that he received and ate with sinners. The charge was made when he attended a feast at the house of the publican Matthew (Matt. 9:9-12; Mark 2:16-17). Some charged that he was a "friend of publicans and sinners" at the same time they said he was a winebibber and glutton (Matt. 11:19). When he went into the home of Zacchaeus, his enemies charged, "That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner" (Luke 19:7). The occasion for the three parables in Luke 15 was this: "Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them" (Luke 15:1-2). In response to this charge, Jesus gave the three parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son (the prodigal son) to show how the loving God searches for and seeks the ones who are lost. Why were the Pharisees upset by Jesus' association with sinners? What were they charging him with when they criticized him? To answer this, one must know how the Pharisees treated sinners. The Pharisees were the "separated ones" because they refused to associate with sinners. We get a glimpse of how they treated sinners from several allusions in the Gospels. When Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well, she was astounded and said, "How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? For the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans" (John 4:9). There is a sinful kind of separation from sinners of which the Pharisees were guilty and which saints must avoid. There is a separation from sinners born of self-righteousness, contempt for others, and condescension. This is what the Pharisees had. We must guard our hearts from feeling a similar superiority to the lost. Sometimes, a person feels morally superior to others as if he is what he is through human achievement through works. D. The Result 1. The man was healed 2. The man became a worshiper 3. The people marveled III.The Authority to Call and to Save A. Jesus absurd call to Levi 1. Levi s stunning response 2. Levi s abandonment B. The party in Jesus honor 1. The people who attended 2. Sinners C. The holiest of all 1. Jesus was comfortable with sinners 2. Sinners were comfortable with Jesus 3. Jesus made it a habit to be with sinners 4. Jesus came to seek and save the lost 18 3
Life Group Questions for April 26-27, 2014 Message =The Misunderstood God Ice Breaker: What is one of the most outrageous things you have ever heard someone say? Read Luke 5: 16-32. 1. What sticks out to you about this passage? 2. Throw out some words that describe the a:itude of the paralytic s friends. 3. What is the makeup of the majority of the audience si:ing and listening to Jesus? 4. Talk about the statement, Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, Young man, your sins are forgiven. 5. At every turn, Jesus finds a way to speak to people s heart. He has a way of ge:ing to the heart of ma:ers with just a few words. Have you in recent times seen yourself or an acquaintance speak to the heart of someone else? 6. The passage doesn t say how the friends of the paralytic responded to the healing. How do you think you would feel if you were one of his friends after seeing him healed? 7. What do you think about the calling of Levi? 8. Are you comfortable around sinful people? Are you able to be with them without compromising? Do you have a passion to see others know Jesus? 9. Pray for one another. IV.And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors A. Acknowledge my sin and thank God for forgiving me through Jesus sacrifice on the cross B. Forgive and release others for their sins against me 1. Acknowledge that someone sinned against me and hurt me 2. Give the memory of the violation to God 3. Cut them loose from all debt they owe me 4. Acknowledge that bitterness has NO HOLD on me 5. Lavish love on them and pray for God to bless them V. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil A. Put on the whole armor of God (Put on the Lord Jesus Christ) 1. The belt of truth (Mentally accept God s truth over lies I have been hearing) 2. Breastplate of righteousness (Thank Jesus for giving me His righteousness which enables me to boldly enter His presence) 3. Shoes of preparation (readiness) of the Gospel of peace (Take time to digest the scriptures - committing them to memory) 4. Shield of faith (Step out on God s truth for my situation) 5. Helmet of salvation (Thank God that He has saved me and remember that I am different than the world. Satan has no power over me except the power I give him by believing lies.) 6. Sword of the Spirit (Apply the Word to the lies I hear, and the situations I find myself in today.) B. Run to the Lord for protection (You are my refuge, my fortress, my God in whom I trust!) 1. I set my mind on things above, not on things of the earth 2. God has set His love upon me 3. He knows my name and will never leave me or forsake me VI.For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever A. Make your faith declarations B. Return to praise 4 This outline inspired by Henry Blackaby & Larry Lea 17
Prayer Guide I. Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Your Name A. Picture Calvary and thank God you can call Him Father by virtue of the blood of Jesus B. Hallow (lift Him above everything in your life) the names of God corresponding with the five benefits in the New Covenant and make your faith declarations Benefit Sanctify Spirit Soundness Success Security Name Jehovah-Tsidkenu Jehovah-M Kaddesh Jehovah-Shalom Jehovah-Shammah Jehovah-Rophe Jehovah-Jireh Jehovah-Nissi Jehovah-Rohi Meaning Jehovah our righteousness Jehovah who sanctifies Jehovah is peace Jehovah is there Jehovah heals Jehovah provides Jehovah my banner Jehovah my shepherd Personal Devotion Pages The following pages are designed to help you enjoy a regular time alone with God. We have divided up the curriculum to help us grow wherever we are at in our relationship with God and in our knowledge of His Kingdom. LEVELS: Since we are a Colorado church, we use skiing imagery to communicate the different levels of intensity and time involved in relating to God. BEGINNER: If you are new in your relationship with God, we encourage you to try the exercises under this symbol: INTERMEDIATE: If you have walked with God for some time and would like a little more challenge and more time involvement, try the exercises under this symbol: II. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done (God, what are you doing? How can I (others) get in on what You are doing?) A. Myself Give me awareness of how to meet others needs today I choose to take the initiative to love others B. My family (spouse, children, other family members) C. My church (pastor, other leadership, faithfulness of people, the harvest) D. My nation (city, state, and national political and spiritual leaders, the harvest) III.Give us this day our daily bread A. Believe that God desires to provide for me B. Be specific C. Be tenacious D. Talk openly about my worries and give them to Him E. Today s needs - Tomorrow will care for itself ADVANCED: These exercises are for people who have walked with God for some time and display maturity in their relationship with Him. These exercises provide a practical way to encounter God and His truth on a regular basis. There are no rules here. Please don t hurry through the process. Slow meditation and memorization seems to soak in better than cramming. Enjoy! 16 This outline inspired by Henry Blackaby & Larry Lea 5
Day One 1. Take some time to praise the Lord for who He is and enjoy thanking Him for what He has done in your life lately. 2. Slowly read Luke 5: 16-32. 3. Take a few minutes to pray for very specific needs you have in your life. Memorize Luke 5: 16. Memorize Luke 5: 10 & 16. Memorize Luke 5: 10, 16, and 30-31. Day Five Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax-collection booth. Come, be my disciple! Jesus said to him. So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him. Soon Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi s fellow tax collectors and other guests were there. ~Luke 5:27-29, NLT The calling of Levi leaves us a little stunned. If you re normal, you re probably wondering, why in the world would a tax collector leave everything and follow Jesus at the drop of a hat? The scene is meant to stun us. It helps us see the authority Jesus walked in on this earth. If your heart was even slightly open, His call would overwhelm you. We must always be willing to challenge people to follow Jesus. What happens next stuns us just as much. Levi has a banquet in Jesus honor. And the only people who come are Levi s friends - who are, in essence, the bottom feeders of society. This scene could be compared to inviting Cindy Crawford to the convention for short, fat, balding guys. It would be like having Martin Luther King as the guest of honor at the National Ku Klux Klan Convention...you get the picture. Now comes the greatest stunner of all. Levi s friends like hangin with Jesus... and He likes being around them. The most holy person who has ever lived is comfortable around sinners, prostitutes, traitors, and scammers - and they are comfortable around Him. This picture of Jesus must be incorporated into our understanding of what maturity in Christ looks like. The more I become like Him, the more comfortable I am around those who need Him. In fact, the more like Him I become, the more I am apt to pursue those who need Him. Father, make me more like the Jesus I see in these stories. 6 15
Day Five Day One 1. Take some time to praise the Lord for who He is and enjoy thanking Him for what He has done in your life lately. But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. ~Luke 5:16, NLT 2. Read John 4 today. As we read Luke s Gospel, he points us to two inseparable qualities of Jesus: prayer and authority. Luke writes matter-of-factly about Jesus amazing authority. He walked in a constant supply of miracles, casting out demons, healing sick bodies, and raising the dead. 3. Ask God to speak to you through this passage. Write in this space what He says to you. On the other had, we tend to miss Luke s emphasis on Jesus love for intimacy with His Father. Luke was enamored by Jesus continual habit of quality time with God. Hmm. I wonder if Jesus authority somehow overflowed out of His prayer life? For many of us, prayer is nothing more than a few words muttered in time of panic. For others, it s something we do just before meals. Some like to do it on the way to work. For Jesus, prayer was more than a sidebar. Luke tries his best to show us that Jesus was dependent on the Father for all things. John goes as far as to tell us that Jesus could do nothing apart from the Father s initiative. 4. Finish your Bible memorization today. I personally pray often that I would experience God s authority and power in my life to minister to others. At the same time, I wonder if I m willing to die to myself and pray as if my life, and others lives, depended upon it. Father, teach me to pray. 14 7
Day Two 1. Take some time to praise the Lord for who He is and enjoy thanking Him for what He has done in your life lately. 2. Slowly and carefully read Luke 5: 16-32. 3. Meditate on what impacts you about these stories. 4. The requests for specific needs you asked for on Day One may require persistence. Ask Him to meet those needs again today. 5. Continue memorizing and meditating on the scriptures for this week. Day Four Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, Son, your sins are forgiven. Who does this man think he is? the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to each other. This is blasphemy! Who but God can forgive sins? Luke 5:20, 21, NLT Jesus choice of words is insightful and wise. He does not simply say, be healed. He says, Son, your sins are forgiven. Jesus knows those words will be as scandalous as a naked streaker running through the ladies club. But He not only wants to heal, He also wants teach and speak to the heart of those around Him. The Master knows that His audience does not believe in Him as the Messiah or as the Son of God. He now gives them an opportunity to believe. For certainly, if Jesus can heal, then He must indubitably have the authority to forgive sins, because only God can heal or forgive. Jesus has laid down the gauntlet for these religious guys. The evidence of His healing power is about to be very evident. Therefore, He must have the ability to forgive as well. Jesus puts the decision right into their faces: What will you do with the Son of Man? Their response reveals their hearts. After Jesus healed the man, he jumped up and walked, praising God. Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe. And they praised God, saying over and over again, We have seen amazing things today (Luke 5:26, NLT). Jesus, thank You that You have all authority to heal, forgive, empower, and transform! 8 13
Day Four 1. Take some time to praise the Lord for who He is and enjoy thanking Him for what He has done in your life lately. 2. Read Luke 5: 16-32 again today. 3. Pray for people you love that you would have the courage and the opportunity to invite them to church. Also, keep praying for specific needs. 4. Continue meditating on and memorizing the scripture for this week. Day Two One day while Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of religious law were sitting nearby. (It seemed that these men showed up from every village in all Galilee and Judea, as well as from Jerusalem.) And the Lord s healing power was strongly with Jesus. ~Luke 5:17, NLT Luke sets the scene for us. Jesus stands teaching a large group of religious big shots. Specifically, Luke tells us that they were Pharisees and teachers of religious law. The scene presents us with some startling contrasts. Luke makes sure to tell us that the power of God was present for healing. Yet, these religious people did not grasp that reality. On the other hand, some average Joes wanted to get in to see if the Master would heal their paralyzed friend. They intuitively sensed that Jesus would heal their friend if they could just get him into the house. Because the religious crowd had filled the house, they couldn t get their friend in to see Jesus. The sad reality is that we see two kinds of believers in this picture. Those who sit and listen, critiquing and judging with raised eyebrows. Then, there are those focused on getting their friend to Jesus. The do-nothings actually prevent the doers from convenient access. As we will soon see, that doesn t stop the doers from pursuing Jesus. The contrast is painful and relevant. Today, we have churches full of people who sit and soak, absorbing and arguing theological nuances, but who have no value for bringing others to Jesus. Then there are those who are so touched by His beauty and goodness that they can t help but think about getting their friends to Jesus. Father, remove all self absorption from my life and touch me deeply with Your grace so that I can allow it to overflow to others. 12 9
Day Three 1. Take some time to praise the Lord for who He is and enjoy thanking Him for what He has done in your life lately. 2. Read Isaiah 53 today. 3. Bring at least three friends or loved ones to the Lord and ask Him to bring them to repentance and faith. Ask Him to show you how you can boldly love them and speak the words of Jesus into their lives. 4. Continue meditating on and memorizing the scripture for this week. Day Three Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to push through the crowd to Jesus, but they couldn t reach him. So they went up to the roof, took off some tiles, and lowered the sick man down into the crowd, still on his mat, right in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, Son, your sins are forgiven. ~Luke 5:18-20, NLT Jesus taught us to be persistent and, whenever possible, He rewarded persistence in order to show that He was honored by it. The four friends of the paralytic are guys I would like to have as friends. They were undaunted by the crowd in the house. The men could see that the great majority of the audience filling the house were religious leaders. The average Jew had no desire to offend these people. Yet, the desire to get their friend before Jesus superseded all their fears. I often play out in my own mind what happened next. I wonder who of those four guys came up with the idea to remove roof tiles and lower their friend through the space. Men in groups are not normally defined as smart or selfless. Men in groups usually say things like, watch this! And then someone gets hurt. This foursome lacked the stupidity of most men in groups, but retained the usual unabashed craziness. They all agreed upon a plan of removing tiles from the roof and lowering their friend into the house. Faith can be characterized with words like risk, persistence, and even crazy. Jesus saw the faith of the four friends and healed the paralytic. That s worth saying again with different words. Jesus often heals based on the faith of others. Sometimes, I may not be in a place to walk in faith, but the faith of my friends can lead to my healing. 10 11