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Luke 9:1-9

Sunday Morning Bible Study

October 18, 2015

Introduction

Do people see Jesus? Is the gospel preached? Does it address the person who is: Empty, lonely, guilty, or afraid to die? Does it speak to the broken hearted? Does it build up the church? Milk – Meat – Manna Preach for a decision Is the church loved? Regular: 2900 words Communion: 2500 words Video=75wpm

Luke was a doctor and a travelling companion of the apostle Paul.

He wrote this book while Paul was in prison.

In writing his book, Luke made use of other older documents like the Gospel of Mark, as well as extensive eyewitness accounts.

Jesus’ ministry has begun, and the people have been amazed not just at the things He’s been teaching, but the things He’s been doing.

9:1-6 Mission Trip

:1 Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.

:1 called … together – sugkaleo – to call together, assemble; to call together to one’s self

:1 gave – didomi – to give; to give something to someone; to grant or permit one

:1 power – dunamis – strength, power, ability

Power is the ability to accomplish a task.

When Jesus healed the woman with the issue of blood:

(Luke 8:46 NKJV) But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.”

The same power that Jesus healed others with, He now gives to His apostles.

:1 authority – exousia – power of choice, the power of authority (influence) and of right (privilege)

Authority is the right to accomplish a task.

This was authority to command demons to come out of people.

:1 diseases – nosos – disease, sickness

:1 to cure – therapeuo – to serve, do service; to heal, cure, restore to health

:1 power and authority … demons … diseases

Matthew gives a little bit more detail.

(Matthew 10:8 NKJV) Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

:2 He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

:2 sent – apostello – to order (one) to go to a place appointed; to order one to depart, send off

This is where the word “apostle” comes from.

:2 to preach the kingdom of God

Lesson

Share Jesus

to preach – kerusso – to be a herald, to proclaim openly something which has been done

This is the same word that was used to describe what Legion did when he returned home after Jesus cast out all the demons. Jesus had told Legion…

(Luke 8:39 NKJV) “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.

It’s interesting to me that Legion was “preaching” before the apostles did.

“Preaching” isn’t just for professionals. If Jesus has done something in your life, you can tell others about it.

Matthew tells us only a little bit more about what the message was they were to share.

(Matthew 10:7 NKJV) And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

That’s it.

From time to time you will run into people who will criticize certain pastors and preachers for not “preaching the full message”.

You will see some of these fellows outside Angel Stadium during the Harvest Crusade accusing Greg Laurie of not preaching the full gospel.

I had a gal come up after a funeral where I had shared the gospel and encouraged people to turn from their sin, but felt she needed to rebuke me because I didn’t use the word “repent” (which means to turn from your sin).

Don’t misunderstand me here.

Correct doctrine is important.

I think there are things that are important to be a part of what you believe.

We are all sinners

Our sin separates us from God

Jesus is God in human flesh

Jesus died in order to pay for our sins

You must turn from your sin and believe in Jesus to be saved

But you will not see this complete list in every message recorded in the New Testament.

But to be honest, sometimes all a person needs is to hear that they need Jesus in their lives.

People need to hear you tell them what you believe.

Video: OneTimeBlind – What I Believe

:2 to heal – iaomai – to cure, heal; to make whole

:2 the sick – astheneo – to be weak, feeble, to be without strength, powerless; to be weak in means, needy, poor; to be feeble, sick

:2 and to heal the sick

Our commission isn’t just to talk to people, but to impact their lives, to bring healing.

Lesson

Validating the message

God would use miracles and ministry to the needy to validate the message they were preaching.

(Hebrews 2:4 NLT) And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.

God can use miracles or even a simple act of kindness in Jesus’ name to make our words about Jesus ring true.

On Friday I had my monthly Skype chat with Caleb Beller who is serving in Hungary.

One of the things that has happened at the Bible College in Hungary over the last two months has been the impact of the Syrian refugees travelling through Hungary.

When the situation first began to develop, Caleb and his team felt that God was opening up a door to share the gospel with these people.

They began going out each night with whatever they could scrape up – initially food, water, and warm coats. Some nights they brought hot coffee to the refugees who were trying to walk across Hungary. As help poured in from Calvary Chapels around the world, they began to provide tents, blankets, and toilets as well.

Video: BBC Migrants protest No Food, No Water

The BBC report made it look like Caleb was one of those Syrian refugees trying to enter Hungary, when he was simply an aid worker trying to help some hungry people.

Caleb said that at times he found himself being the one person to bridge the gap between the thousands in front of him looking for help, and the hundreds of Hungarian police behind him.

Some have politicized the migrant crisis and have billed it as a huge Trojan Horse, claiming that ISIS is sending young fighting men in with the fleeing migrants.

The Hungarian government was concerned that they were unable economically to take care of the flood of immigrants and so they shut off their border. Things got tense.

Video: BBC – Tear gas at Hungarian border

Caleb was there and got his first exposure to tear gas with the immigrants.

I’m not saying that isn’t possible there are ISIS fighters in the crowds, but Caleb told me that he hasn’t seen this at all. He thought he had seen maybe one or two with their Muslim prayer rugs out of all the thousands that have flowed through.

What he’s seen are families fleeing from the terror of radical Islam. He’s found many Christians who are fleeing for their lives – like this Christian from Iran who asked for prayer to find his family, and ten minutes later they were reunited.

They have seen hundreds come to Christ as they have brought help and love to these people.

These people are asking why Caleb’s group is helping them. Some shared the visions and dreams they had been having about Jesus.

They are not only giving people food and water, but they can’t give out Bibles fast enough.

The migrant crisis shifted when Hungary closed its borders, but the migrants are still coming, flowing around Hungary through its neighboring countries. There are small Calvary Chapels in those countries and they too are finding a great opportunity to share the gospel.

In America, we too have an immigrant crisis of sorts.

I know that there are all kinds of opinions in this room about what should be done with illegal immigrants.

My intent is not to make you into a Democrat or a Republican when it comes to immigration.

I’m not going to tell you they should be deported or they should become U.S. citizens.

I simply want to remind you that there is another kingdom that we belong to … God’s kingdom.

This is what will happen one day when we stand before God:

(Matthew 25:34–40 NKJV) —34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

You don’t even have to go to Hungary to do this. Come out to the monthly food outreach in our own parking lot.

Be careful that your politics don’t get in the way of reaching out in Jesus’ name.

Your actions validate your message about Jesus.

:3 And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece.

:3 take – airo – to raise up, elevate, lift up; to take upon one’s self and carry what has been raised up, to bear; to bear away what has been raised, carry off

:3 journey – hodos – properly a way; a travelled way, road; a travellers way, journey, travelling

:3 staffs – rhabdos – a staff, a walking stick, a rod with which one is beaten; a staff; as used on a journey

A staff might be used for a walking stick, but also as protection against bandits.

The disciples were to leave their guns at home.

There were Greek philosophers of the school of “Cynics” who traveled the countryside to preach their doctrine. They believed in living with very few belongings, and were critical of worldly people.

They were recognized by wearing an old cloak and carrying a staff.

Perhaps Jesus didn’t want His disciples confused with the “Cynics”.

There may be some similarities between a Christian and a Cynic, but a Cynic doesn’t have what’s at the core of Christianity – Christ.

:3 bag – pera – a wallet; a leathern sack

Some have called this a “begging bag”, something to hold out in front of people as you beg for money.

:3 money – argurion – silver; money; a silver coin, silver piece, a shekel

:3 do not have two tunics apiece

tunics – chiton – a tunic, an undergarment

It was a closely fitting under-garment, usually worn next the skin. At times, especially in working, it was the only garment worn.

“neither have two pair of underwear”

:3 Take nothing for the journey

On this first trip, they were to pack very light. They were to go depending completely on God to provide for their needs.

One of the ways God would provide would be through the people they would minister to.

(Matthew 10:9–10 NKJV) —9 Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, 10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.

Paul wrote,

(1 Timothy 5:17–18 NKJV) —17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”

Lesson

Dependence on God

If God is truly guiding you into a venture of faith, He will provide for your needs.

Pastor Chuck used to have a famous saying that went like this:

“Where God guides, God provides”

If God is guiding your steps, He will make sure you have all that you need.

Sometimes, like this particular trip for the disciples, God wants you to go even when you don’t know where your support is going to come from.

I believe sometimes God may want you to wait until you have all your support lined up.

Sometimes God will lead you to do a ministry, and He will supply your needs with a full time job on the side.

Illustration

When I was 18, I had had a sense that God was calling me into the full time ministry.

In the early eighties I went into the prayer room at Calvary Costa Mesa to ask for prayer to get into the ministry. Dave Rolph told me, “Maybe you should start a Bible Study and plant a church.” I thought to myself, “No way”. That was too scary.

We ended up at Calvary Anaheim, where I eventually became hired as an assistant pastor.

I had been an assistant pastor at Calvary Chapel of Anaheim for eight years when Deb and I began to feel that God was stirring us up to go out and plant a church.

At first we thought about finding some small town in the middle of nowhere, but at the encouragement of my pastor and the board of elders, we planted a church in the town where I grew up, Fullerton.

I was scared at the thought of planting a new church.

I liked the idea of having a steady income. Deb and I have worked our entire adult lives, whether it’s her in her accounting, or me at various secular jobs and then full time ministry.

At first I thought we should wait and not give my notice at Calvary Anaheim until I had a group of thirty families (David and his thirty mighty men) to go with me – I wanted to be sure there was some sort of income coming in to support rent and perhaps some income for me.

But I was teaching through Hebrews on Sunday nights, and I came to the passage:

(Hebrews 11:8 NKJV) By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

I was convicted by the passage and Deb and I decided that it was time to give our two-month notice at Calvary Anaheim.

The first couple we asked to go with us were Dave and Laurie. They had invited us over to their house for dinner, and when we asked if they wanted to help us plant a church in Fullerton, they said “yes”, and I had our worship leader. Dave thought it would just be the four of us meeting in our living room.

By the time we had our first service on November 20, 1994 at the Fullerton YMCA, we had about thirty families with us for our first service.

The Elders at Calvary Anaheim gave us a financial gift to help us get off the ground, and as we’ve gone forward as a church, we’ve never been in debt, and our bank balance has never gone below Anaheim’s initial gift.

For twenty-one years, God has provided.

Jesus also warned them that there would be times when sharing their message about Jesus would get them into trouble.

Yet Jesus promised His disciples that He would provide them with the words to say, even in those difficult times.

(Matthew 10:19–20 NKJV) —19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

Lesson

It doesn’t take much to serve

I think sometimes we have some ideas that if we were to serve the Lord that we would need to have fulfilled a list of 45 different things.

Sometimes our list is filled with things that are to make us comfortable.

About thirty years ago Deb and I were applying for a youth pastor job in Visalia. We had on our list of requirements that they needed to sell Wheat Thins before we moved. Silly.

God just says “Go”.

Sometimes our list includes qualifications and abilities that we think are going to be important. But God just says “Go”.

Jesus is going to teach these the guys that when God says “GO”, you can go.

God is simply looking for a willing heart.

:4 “Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart.

:4 house – oikia – a house; an inhabited edifice, a dwelling

:4 enter – eiserchomai – to go out or come in: to enter

:4 stay – meno – to remain, abide

This is the word that is often translated “abide”

:4 depart – exerchomai – to go or come forth of

:4 Whatever house you enter, stay there

I think the idea is that they were not to go bouncing from house to house.

Stay where you start.

If someone invites you to stay with them, then stay with them until you are done in that city.

(Luke 9:4 NLT) Wherever you go, stay in the same house until you leave town.

Some people like to bounce around from one house to the next, from one church to the next, looking for something better. Sometimes it’s better to find a place and stay.

:5 And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”

:5 receive – dechomai – to take with the hand; to take up, receive; to receive or grant access to, a visitor, not to refuse intercourse or friendship

:5 go out – exerchomai – to go or come forth of

:5 dust – koniortos – raised dust, flying dust; dust

:6 So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

:6 departed – exerchomai – to go or come forth of

:6 went through – dierchomai – to go through, pass through; to go different places

:6 preaching the gospel – euaggelizo – to bring good news, to announce glad tidings

:6 healing – therapeuo – to serve, do service; to heal, cure, restore to health

:6 everywhere – pantachou – everywhere

:5 shake off the very dust from your feet

shake off – apotinasso (“away from” + “to jostle”) – to shake off

This is a particularly violent gesture of disfavor.

Whenever a Jew visited a Gentile country, on their way home they would “shake off” the dust, indicating that they wanted no part of the dirty, unworthy Gentiles.

Matthew tells us that Jesus sent His disciples to preach exclusively to the Jews on this first mission trip (Mat. 10:5-6)

(Matthew 10:5–6 NKJV) —5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

If those Jews didn’t respond openly to the gospel, the disciples were to show them that they were acting like Gentiles.

:5 testimony – marturion – testimony

Lesson

Drop it and move on

Sometimes you have to let it go.

When Paul and Barnabas were on their first missionary journey, they stopped at the city of Antioch in Pisidia.

They preached first to the Jews in their synagogue, but when the Jews rejected their message, they went on to preach to the Gentiles. Even then, the Jews made things difficult…

(Acts 13:50–52 NKJV) —50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

The disciples didn’t stay angry at those jerks. They moved on with joy.

It’s not up to you to convince people of the truth of the gospel.

Your job is to speak the truth and let God work on their heart.

It’s their job to respond.

I think it’s good to have answers to sincere questions that people have, but some aren’t looking for truth, they’re looking to argue or to ridicule.

Illustration

A young woman teacher with obvious liberal tendencies explains to her class of young students that she is an atheist. She asks her class if they are atheists too. Not really knowing what atheism is but wanting to be like their teacher, their hands explode into the air like fleshy fireworks. There is, however, one exception. A girl named Lucy has not gone along with the crowd. The teacher asks her why she has decided to be different. “Because I’m not an atheist.” Then, asks the teacher, what are you? “I’m a Christian.” The teacher is a little perturbed now, her face slightly red. She asks Lucy why she is a Christian. “Well, I was brought up knowing and loving Jesus. My mom is a Christian, and my dad is a Christian, so I am a Christian.” The teacher is now angry. “That’s no reason,” she says loudly. “What if your mom was a moron, and your dad was a moron. What would you be then?” A pause, and a smile…. “Then,” says Lucy, “I’d be an atheist.”

To be honest, I hope we have better reasons than that to be a Christian.

Bill Maher seems the kind of person that would rather argue or ridicule than understand.

Video: Religulous – Ex Jew

Sometimes I think we can do more damage by arguing with some people.

Some people just don’t want to lose an argument, and your continual arguing can put them in a place where they won’t give you the satisfaction of agreeing with you because of their own pride.

Sometimes all we can do is plant seeds.

And seeds take time to grow.

We need to be sure to hear from God about this.

Be careful that it’s not your own anger or pride that makes you move on when God wants you to stay.

But sometimes you need to let it go.

There can be a place where a person simply is not open to what God wants to do in their life, you and the gospel, and you shake off whatever dirt they've splattered you with, and move on.

Let God handle it from there.

That’s not to say that the seeds you plant can’t take root and eventually bear fruit.

9:7-9 Herod, John, and Jesus

:7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Him; and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead,

:7 Herod the tetrarch … was perplexed

There are several men named Herod in the New Testament.

Herod the Great was the man with many building projects like the refurbishing of the Temple, and building the city of Caesarea. He was the man who was paranoid at the birth of Jesus and had all the infants killed.

There was another Herod during the time of Paul.

There are several men named Herod in the New Testament, this is Herod Antipas.

Herod Antipas did not like John the Baptist because John kept confronting Herod over his immoral marriage to his brother’s wife.

Herod put John in jail, and eventually had John beheaded.

Herod Antipas’ half-brother Philip had been married to a gal named Herodias while they lived in Rome. Philip was also Herodias’ uncle. When Herod Antipas visited Rome, he seduced Herodias and persuaded her to leave her husband and live with him.

John the Baptist had caused Herod a lot of grief because he had been confronting Herod over his immorality.

Sometime after Jesus had been baptized by John the Baptist, Herod threw John into prison for causing him so much grief.

We think that John’s public preaching ministry lasted about a year, and that he would spend about two years in prison before being put to death by Herod Antipas.

Matthew gives us the details of what followed.

(Matthew 14:3–12 NKJV) —3 For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. 4 Because John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. 6 But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. 7 Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. 8 So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.” 9 And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her. 10 So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. 11 And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

It sounds like the recap of a season of “Housewives of Jerusalem”.

:7 perplexed – diaporeo – to be entirely at loss, to be in perplexity

:7 had risen – egeiro – to arouse, cause to rise; to arouse from sleep, to awake; to arouse from the sleep of death, to recall the dead to life

:8 and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again.

:8 appeared – phaino – to bring forth into the light, cause to shine, shed light; shine; to become evident, to be brought forth into the light, come to view, appear; to meet the eyes, strike the sight, become clear or manifest

:8 risen again – anistemi – to cause to rise up, raise up; raise up from laying down; to raise up from the dead; to rise, stand up

:8 that Elijah had appeared

There was a prophecy that the prophet Elijah would appear again, before the coming of the Messiah (Mal. 4:5)

(Malachi 4:5 NKJV) Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

Some were suggesting that perhaps Jesus was Elijah come back.

In a way, Elijah had already appeared. The angel told John the Baptist’s father …

(Luke 1:17 NKJV) He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah…

But this is one of those prophecies that has a double fulfillment.

Jesus will come a second time, and we believe Elijah will too.

We believe Elijah is one of the two witnesses described in the book of Revelation:

(Revelation 11:3 NKJV) And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”

Some of the people were saying that perhaps Jesus was Elijah coming to prepare the people for the coming Messiah.

:8 one of the old prophets had risen again

old – archaios – that has been from the beginning, original, primal, old ancient; of men, things, times, conditions

The Jews distinguish the prophets of the Old Testament into two groups, the “former” and the “latter”. (See John Gill)

The “former” or “old” prophets are those before Elijah, including those in the books of Joshua, Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel.

The “latter” prophets are those after Elijah, including Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel.

So it could be that some of the people were wondering if Jesus was someone like Samuel or David come back to life.

Some were suggesting that Jesus might have been one of the ancient prophets before Elijah, like Samuel or David come back to life.

:9 Herod said, “John I have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things?” So he sought to see Him.

:9 beheaded – apokephalizo (“from” + “head”) – to cut off the head, behead, decapitate

:9 he sought – zeteo – to seek in order to find; to seek i.e. require, demand; to crave, demand something from someone

:9 who is this of whom I hear such things?

Herod had a curiosity about Jesus.

Herod wasn’t looking for a Savior, Herod was looking for entertainment.

After Jesus was arrested by the chief priest and put on trial, Herod got his chance to see Jesus. (Luke 23:8-12)

(Luke 23:8–12 NKJV) —8 Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. 9 Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing. 10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. 11 Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate. 12 That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other.

He asked Jesus to do a miracle, but Jesus wouldn’t do anything or even speak to Herod.

Herod got angry and sent Jesus back to Pilate to be crucified.

Lesson

Why Jesus?

Some people make the mistake of thinking the Christianity is like all other religions, that it’s all about the teachings of Jesus, just like Buddhism is about the teachings of Buddha or Islam is about the teachings of Mohammed.

Jesus’ teachings are important, but Christianity isn’t based on what Jesus says to do or don’t do.

Christianity is based on the person of Jesus Christ.

He is God taking on human flesh.

He came to this earth for one reason – to die as a sacrifice to pay for the sins of the world.

He and He alone answers the greatest need of man, to know God.

He answers that need by removing the barrier that keeps us from God, our sin.

Being a Christian isn’t just about finding a better way to live your life, it’s about finding God.

It’s about having your sins forgiven.

It’s about knowing God.

Are you here today to be entertained, or to find God?

(John 3:16 NKJV) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.