Series: Things Jesus Wants Us To Know
Part 4 - Take Time Out For God (In This Life)
INTRO: Three weeks ago I started a series entitled "Things Jesus Wants Us To Know." Part 1 was, "He Is The One Sent By God For You." In that we saw that Jesus was and is identified as the only Son of God in whom we can place our trust and confidence in for salvation. Part 2 was, "Satan Can Be Defeated (Through Jesus)." Jesus wants us to know this as He set the example and gives us encouragement to fight and resist Satan. Last week I looked at Luke 5 where we used, Come And Follow Me (All The Way)."
Today I want to look into Luke 6 and we will see our need to take time out for God while we can.
Have you ever planned on doing something and it never happened? Ever buy something with a rebate and the date came and went, but your rebate form remained in your possession? Have you ever been so busy that you forget important things? Ever forget you spouse's birthday…Your own? That is called old age right? Well, maybe not, but we often fall short of what we really intend to do.
Today I want to look in Luke 6 and see what Jesus wants us to know about outr taking time out for God.
Luke 6:1 - 38
1
And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.2
And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?3
And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungered, and they which were with him;4
How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the showbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?5
And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.6
And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.7
And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.8
But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.9
Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?10
And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.11
And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.12
And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.13
And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;14
Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,15
Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,16
And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.17
And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;18
And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.19
And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.20
And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.21
Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.22
Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.23
Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.24
But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.25
Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.26
Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.27
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,28
Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.29
And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.30
Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.31
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.32
For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.33
And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.34
And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.35
But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.36
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.37
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:38
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.Jesus wants us to…
Take care of our physical bodies - 1-5
We know He wants us to…
Be strong -
Be well - 4
Be obedient to God - 4
Be His - 5
Be usable
We can see He desires for us to…
Help with the needs of others - 6-11
Physical
Financial
Emotional
Spiritual
When we look at the Lord for an example we find an attitude of Understanding, Kindness, Consideration, Compassion, Caring, and all the while showing a servant-like Humbleness.
It is also evident He wants us to know we need to…
Take time out to talk with God - 12
(I am not going to deal with it exclusively yet, but a sermon on how He wants us to view prayer is coming)
He prayed (it came to pass)
Regularly (in those days)
When in need (they wanted to kill Him)
Alone (into a mountain) cave?
A lot (all night in prayer)
With results
We also see the practice of…
Spending time learning of Him in the company of fellow believers - 13-19
Common goals
Strong caring
Worshipful conduct
Same master
New we come to a sermon of His, let us listen to what He tells us…
He wants us to…
Live for the right thing (God) - 20
Money is not the right thing to seek or stimulate our lives
There is (for those who hunger) a better day coming - 20
There is a right cause (Name) to stand for in life- 22
There is a reward to come - 23
And it is good
And it is His to give to us
There is an empty "reward" in the life that flees from us - 24,25
Riches
"Fullness"
Happiness
Fame (ours not His)
It is here that I find a key verse for us when He shares His desire for them and us as well…
But I say unto you which hear…
He spent a lot of time to tell us what we need to hear. He states it so beautifully,
He wants us to…
Live right towards others - 27-
Even our enemies and evil doers - 28
Live with love - 27
Live with patience - 28
Live with meekness - 29a
Live with generosity - 29b-30
Live with golden rule-like attitudes - 31
Live with selfless attitudes (thus actions) - 32-35
Live with mercy - 36
Live with a supportive approach and action - 37-38
So when I look at the first part of Chapter 6, what key things can we see that He is telling us? I see at least 5 things:
God gives to us His Best - 20
God's Best IS the Best! - 21
Give God our best (us, ourselves - me, myself, and I)
Give those you know to God
Give those who hate you to God
When do you need to do these?
Do them while you can.
Jesus himself said in John 9:4:
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church - 032507am