The Gospels Part 09 JESUS PRONOUNCES WOES AGAINST

Harmony of the Gospels 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Harmony of the Gospels 40. JESUS WITHDRAWS TO THE MOUNTAINS, CHOOSES THE TWELVE; THE

Harmony of the Gospels 78. TRIBUTE MONEY MIRACULOUSLY PROVIDED - CAPERNAUM MT 17. 24

Harmony of the Gospels 117. PARABLE OF THE MARRIAGE OF THE KING'S SON -

Harmony of the Gospels 150. PILATE AFTER TRYING AGAIN TO HAVE JESUS RELEASED, DELIVERS

What Scripture say is so – is so !! We are not free to

51 Lu 11. 37‑ 11. 54 ESV AT THE PHARISEE'S TABLE JESUS PRONOUNCES WOES

51 WORSHIP OF DETAILS AND NEGLECT OF THINGS THAT MATTER (Lk 11: 37 -44)

51 WORSHIP OF DETAILS AND NEGLECT OF THINGS THAT MATTER (Luke 11: 37 -

51 WORSHIP OF DETAILS AND NEGLECT OF THINGS THAT MATTER (Lk 11: 42) (42)

51 WORSHIP OF DETAILS AND NEGLECT OF THINGS THAT MATTER (Luke 11: 43 ESV)

51 WORSHIP OF DETAILS AND NEGLECT OF THINGS THAT MATTER (Luke 11: 44 ESV)

51 THE SINS OF THE LEGALISTS (Lk 11: 45 -54) [Barclay] A scribe answered,

51 THE SINS OF THE LEGALISTS (Lk 11: 45 -46) [Barclay] (45) One of

51 THE SINS OF THE LEGALISTS (Lk 11: 47 -51) [Barclay] 27 (47) Woe

51 THE SINS OF THE LEGALISTS (Lk 11: 47 -51) [Barclay] Isaiah 1: 11

51 THE SINS OF THE LEGALISTS (Lk 11: 47 -51) [Barclay] Micah 6: 6

51 THE SINS OF THE LEGALISTS (Lk 11: 51) (51) from the blood of

51 THE SINS OF THE LEGALISTS (Lk 11: 51) [Barclay] (51) from the blood

51 THE SINS OF THE LEGALISTS (Lk 11: 52) (52) Woe to you lawyers!

51 THE SINS OF THE LEGALISTS (Lk 11: 53 -54) (53) As he went

Cf: 122 -123 WARNINGS AGAINST THE EVIL EXAMPLE OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES -

52 Lu 12. 1‑ 12. 59 JESUS TEACHES HIS DISCIPLES AND THE MULTITUDES –

52 THE CREED OF COURAGE AND OF TRUST (Lk 12: 1 -12) The Jewish

52 THE CREED OF COURAGE AND OF TRUST (Lk 12: 1 -12) 48 In

52 Beware Hypocrisy, beware the leaven (Lk 12: 1) 1] In the mean time,

52 Understand what hypocrisy really is - (Lk 12: 1 -12) “. . .

52 Recognize that hypocrisy is foolish/futile - Lk 12: 2 -3 2] For there

52 Understand what causes hypocrisy - Lk 12: 4 -6 4] And I say

Ghenna Lake of Fire HELL The Underworld HADES / SHEOL Paradise: 2 chambers Abraham’s

Gehenna (G 1067) Is Not the Grave 57 1. Only certain people are in

Born Once, Die Twice; Born Twice, Die Once… 1 st birth – Physical birth

59 Death: Physical, Spiritual, Eternal Separation It addition to ‘death to the Law there

Hades Sheol Paradise 2 chambered holding place of the spirits of dead men located

52 Understand what causes hypocrisy - Lk 12: 7 7] But even the very

52 Unforgiveable Luke 12: 8 -10 8] Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall

52 Why is this unforgivable? Luke 12: 8 -10 8] Also I say unto

52 Listen, Hear Me now… Luke 12: 8 -10 65 8] Also I say

52 The Paraclete Luke 12: 11 -12 11] And when they bring you unto

52 The Comforter Luke 12: 11 -12 11] And when they bring you unto

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 13 -21) Beware covetousness

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 13 -51) Beware covetousness

Covetousness Desiring what you have no right to possess… 72

Covetousness Breeds 1. Greed and murder (Pro 1: 19; Isa 56: 11; Jer 22:

Examples of Covetousness: 1. Eve — forbidden fruit (Gen 3: 6) 2. Lot —

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 16 -19) Beware covetousness

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 16 -17) Beware covetousness

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 20) Beware covetousness –

THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 20) Beware covetousness – The

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 21) Beware covetousness –

40 Lessons from Luke 12: 1 -59 84 1. Beware of hypocrisy (Luk 12:

40 Lessons from Luke 12: 1 -59 85 21. Do not waste life to

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 22) What does it

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 21) What does it

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 23 -25) What does

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 26) What does it

Ten Things to Consider Rather than Worry 1. God (Deu 4: 39; Deu 8:

52 THE DOUBTFUL MIND (Lk 12: 27 -28) What does it mean to be

WORRY Being consumed with thoughts about future events that: 1) Have not happened… and

Twelve Forbidden Practices – All involve Worry 1. Enchantments — practice of magical arts

Twelve Forbidden Practices – All involve Worry 8. Magic — any pretended supernatural art

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 31 -32) What does

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 33 -34) What does

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 31 -34) What does

52 How Do We Win Over Worry? Be Prepared (Lk 12: 31 -38) 1)

52 Be Prepared (Lk 12: 35 -48) "Let your loins be girt and your

52 Be Prepared (Lk 12: 35 -48) 103 Peter said, "Lord are you speaking

52 How Do We Win Over Worry? The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 35

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 35) 35] Let your loins be girded

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 36) 36] And ye yourselves like unto

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 37) 37] Blessed are those servants, whom

52 Be Prepared (Lk 12: 35 -48) In the east the steward had almost

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 38) 38] And if he shall come

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 39) 39] And this know, that if

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 40) 40] Be ye therefore ready also:

52 Are You Talking to Me? (Lk 12: 41) 41] Then Peter said unto

52 Are Ypu Talking to Me ? ? (Lk 12: 41) 41] Then Peter

52 You Are Talking to Me !! (Lk 12: 41) 41] Then Peter said

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 42) 117 42] And the Lord said,

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 42) 42] And the Lord said, Who

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 43 -44) 43] Blessed is that servant,

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 45) 45] But and if that servant

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 45) 124 45] But and if that

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 46) 46] The lord of that servant

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 47) 47] And that servant, which knew

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 47) 132 47] And that servant, which

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 48) 48] But he that knew not,

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 48) 137 48] But he that knew

52 THE COMING OF THE SWORD (Lk 12: 49 -53) Jesus said, "I came

52 Fire Used Figuratively 1. Jealousy (Deu 4: 24; Eze 36: 5) 2. Man’s

52 Stay Diligent (Lk 12: 49) 49] I am come to send fire on

52 Stay Diligent – There is Work to Do (Lk 12: 50) 50] But

52 Stay Diligent – There is Work to Do (Lk 12: 50) 4. Baptismos

52 Seven Baptisms in Scripture: 146 1. John’s baptism in water (Mat_3: 1 -17;

52 Three Baptisms for Believers: 1. Into Christ or into His body at the

52 It Won’t Be Easy - There is Work to Do (Lk 12: 50)

52 …WHILE YET THERE IS TIME (Lk 12: 54 -59) Jesus said to the

52 Have Discernment (Lk 12: 54 -57) 54] And he said also to the

52 Have Diligence (Lk 12: 58 -59) 156 58] When thou goest with thine

53 Lu 13. 1‑ 13. 9 SLAUGHTER OF CERTAIN GALILEANS; PARABLE OF THE BARREN

53 Lu 13. 1‑ 5 SLAUGHTER OF CERTAIN GALILEANS – GALILEE At this time

53 Lu 13. 1‑ 3 SLAUGHTER OF CERTAIN GALILEANS – GALILEE At this time

53 Lu 13. 1‑ 3 SLAUGHTER OF CERTAIN GALILEANS 161 At this time some

53 Lu 13. 4‑ 5 THE 18 KILLED BY THE COLLAPSE OF THE TOWER

53 Why Do Christians Have Trials? 1. To glorify God 2. Discipline for known

53 Lu 13. 6 -9 GOSPEL OF ANOTHER CHANCE AND THREAT OF THE LAST

53 The Quest for Fruitfulness • God waited three years during the Lord’s earthly

53 Repentance • I did it ! • It was wrong ! • I

53 Six Woes of Isaiah 5 8] Woe unto them that join house to

53 The Quest for Fruitfulness Principles, Character not Rules Gal 5: 16 -26 (16)

53 The Quest for Fruitfulness Principles, Character not Rules Gal 5: 16 -26 (22

53 The Quest for Fruitfulness Principles, Character not Rules Gal 5: 16 -26 (24)

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The Gospels Part 09 JESUS PRONOUNCES WOES AGAINST THE PHARISEES AND OTHERS #51 to #53 SLAUGHTER OF CERTAIN GALILEAN; PARABLE OF THE BARREN FIG TREE GALILEE 1

Harmony of the Gospels 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. PREFACE TO LUKE'S GOSPEL - JERUSALEM? LU 1. 1 -1. 4 AN ANGEL APPEARS TO ZACHARIAS - JERUSALEM, IN THE TEMPLE LU 1. 5 -1. 25 THE SAME ANGEL APPEARS TO MARY - NAZARETH, GALILEE LU 1. 26 -1. 38 MARY VISITS ELIZABETH - JUTTA? LU 1. 39 -1. 56 BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST - JUTTA? LU 1. 57 -1. 80 AN ANGEL APPEARS TO JOSEPH - NAZARETH, GALILEE MT 1. 18 -1. 25 THE BIRTH OF JESUS - BETHLEHEM, JUDEA LU 2. 1 -2. 7 ANGELS APPEAR TO THE SHEPHERDS - NEAR BETHLEHEM, JUDEA LU 2. 8 -2. 20 THE CIRCUMCISION AND PRESENTATION OF JESUS AND THE PURIFICATION OF MARY - BETHLEHEM / JERUSALEM, JUDEA LU 2. 20 -2. 38 THE MAGI VISIT - JERUSALEM, JUDEA / NAZARETH, GALILEE MT 2. 1 -2. 12 THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT, HEROD'S CRUELTY AND THE RETURN TO NAZARETH, GALILEE - NAZARETH, JERUSALEM, EGYPT MT 2. 13 -2. 23 LU 2. 392. 40 AT 12, JESUS FIRST PASSOVER - JERUSALEM, JUDEA LU 2. 41 -2. 52 THE GENEALOGIES - MT 1. 1 -1. 17 LU 3. 23 -3. 38 THE MINISTRY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST - DESERT NEAR THE JORDAN RIVER MT 3. 1 -3. 12 MK 1. 1 -1. 8 LU 3. 1 -3. 18 THE BAPTISM OF JESUS - JORDAN RIVER MT 3. 13 -3. 17 MK 1. 9 -1. 11 LU 3. 21 -3. 23 THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS - DESERT NEAR THE JORDAN RIVER AND JERUSALEM -JUDEA MT 4. 1 -4. 11 MK 1. 12 -1. 13 LU 4. 1 -4. 13 PREFACE TO JOHN'S GOSPEL - JERUSALEM? JN 1. 1 -1. 18 TESTIMONY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST REGARDING JESUS - BETHABARA BEYOND THE JORDAN RIVER JN 1. 19 -1. 34 JESUS GAINS DISCIPLES - JORDAN / GALILEE? JN 1. 35 -1. 51 THE MARRIAGE AT CANA - CANA, GALILEE JN 2. 1 -2. 12 AT THE PASSOVER, JESUS DRIVES THE TRADERS OUT OF THE TEMPLE - JERUSALEM, JUDEA JN 2. 13 -2. 25 JESUS' DISCUSSION WITH NICODEMUS - NEAR OR IN JERUSALEM? JN 3. 1 -3. 21 JESUS LEAVES JERUSALEM BUT STAYS WITHIN JUDEA AND BAPTIZES OTHERS; FURTHER TESTIMONY FROM JOHN THE BAPTIST - JUDEA JN 3. 22 -3. 36 JESUS LEAVES FOR GALILEE AFTER JOHN THE BAPTIST'S IMPRISONMENT - JUDEA TO GALILEE MT 4. 12 MT 14. 3 -14. 5 MK 1. 14 MK 6. 17 -6. 20 LU 4. 14 LU 3. 19 -3. 20 JN 4. 1 -4. 3 JESUS TALK WITH THE SAMARITAN WOMAN - SYCHAR, SHECHEM, NEAPOLIS JN 4. 4 -42 JESUS TEACHES IN GALILEE – GALILEE MT 4. 12 -17 MK 1. 14 -1. 15 LU 4. 14 -4. 15 JN 4. 43 -4. 45 JESUS HEALS THE SON OF A NOBLEMAN OF CAPERNAUM - CANA, GALILEE JN 4. 46 -54 JESUS REJECTED IN NAZARETH, STAYS IN CAPERNAUM - NAZARETH / CAPERNAUM MT 4. 13 -4. 16 LU 4. 16 -4. 31 CALL OF SIMON PETER, ANDREW, JAMES AND JOHN; MIRACLE OF THE CATCH OF FISHES - BY THE SEA OF GALILEE, NEAR CAPERNAUM MT 418 -4. 22 MK 1. 16 -1. 22 LU 5. 1 -5. 11 DEMONIAC HEALED IN THE SYNAGOGUE – CAPERNAUM MK 1. 21 -1. 28 LU 4. 31 -4. 37 PETER'S MOTHER-IN-LAW AND MANY OTHERS HEALED – CAPERNAUM MT 8. 14 -17 MK 1. 29 -1. 34 LU 4. 38 -4. 41 JESUS, WITH HIS DISCIPLES, TRAVELS AROUND GALILEE OUT OF CAPERNAUM - GALILEE MT 4. 23 -4. 25 MK 1. 35 -1. 39 LU 4. 42 -4. 44 LEPER HEALED - GALILEE MT 8. 2 -8. 4 MK 1. 40 -1. 45 LU 5. 12 -5. 16 PARALYTIC HEALED - CAPERNAUM MT 9. 2 -9. 8 MK 2. 1 -12 LU 5. 17 -5. 26 CALL OF MATTHEW - ? ? ? MT 9. 9 MK 2. 13 -2. 14 LU 5. 27 -5. 28 POOL OF BETHESADA, HEALING OF THE INFIRM MAN AND JESUS TEACHINGS - JERUSALEM JN 5. 1 -5. 47 DISCIPLES PICK GRAIN ON THE SABBATH - ON THE WAY TO GALILEE MT 12. 1 -12. 8 MK 2. 23 -2. 28 LU 6. 1 -6. 5 HEALING OF THE WITHERED HAND ON THE SABBATH - CAPERNAUM, GALILEE? MT 12. 9 -12. 14 MK 3. 1 -3. 6 LU 6. 6 -6. 11 JESUS ARRIVES AT THE SEA OF TIBERIUS FOLLOWED BY THE MULTITUDES - SEA OF TIBERIUS (GALILEE) MT 12. 15 -12. 21 MK 3. 7 -3. 12 2

Harmony of the Gospels 40. JESUS WITHDRAWS TO THE MOUNTAINS, CHOOSES THE TWELVE; THE CROWDS FOLLOW HIM - NEAR CAPERNAUM, GALILEE 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 3 75. 76. 77. MT 10. 2 -10. 4 MK 3. 13 -3. 19 LU 6. 12 -6. 19 THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT - NEAR CAPERNAUM MT 5. 1 -8. 1 LU 6. 20 -6. 49 HEALING OF THE CENTURION'S SERVANT - CAPERNAUM MT 8. 5 -8. 13 LU 7. 1 -7. 10 RAISING OF THE WIDOW'S SON - NAIN, GALILEE LU 7. 11 -7. 17 JOHN THE BAPTIST (IN PRISON) SENDS DISCIPLES TO JESUS - GALILEE (CAPERNAUM? ) MT 11. 2 -11. 19 LU 7. 18 -7. 35 JESUS COMMENT ON APPEALING TO MIGHTY WORKS - CAPERNAUM MT 11. 20 -11. 30 WHILE JESUS IS EATING WITH A PHARISEE HE IS ANOINTED BY A WOMAN WHO HAD BEEN A SINNER - CAPERNAUM? LU 7. 36 -7. 50 JESUS WITH THE TWELVE TRAVEL THROUGH GALILEE A SECOND TIME – GALILEE LU 8. 1 -8. 3 HEALING OF THE DEMONIAC, SCRIBES AND PHARISEES BLASPHEME – GALILEE MT 12. 22 -37 MK 3. 19 -30 LU 11. 14 -15 LU 11. 17 -23 SCRIBES AND PHARISEES SEEK A SIGN; JESUS COMMENTS – GALILEE MT 12. 38 -12. 45 LU 11. 16 LU 11. 24 -11. 36 TRUE DISCIPLES ARE CHRIST'S NEAREST RELATIVES – GALILEE MT 12. 46 -12. 50 MK 3. 31 -3. 35 LU 8. 19 -8. 21 AT THE PHARISEE'S TABLE JESUS PRONOUNCES WOES AGAINST THE PHARISEES AND OTHERS - GALILEE LU 11. 37 -11. 54 JESUS TEACHES HIS DISCIPLES AND THE MULTITUDES – GALILEE LU 12. 1 -12. 59 SLAUGHTER OF CERTAIN GALILEAN; PARABLE OF THE BARREN FIG TREE - GALILEE LU 13. 1 -13. 9 PARABLE OF THE SOWER - SEA OF GALILEE NEAR CAPERNAUM MT 13. 1 -13. 23 MK 4. 1 -4. 25 LU 8. 4 -8. 18 PARABLE OF THE TARES; OTHER PARABLES - NEAR CAPERNAUM MT 13. 24 -13. 53 MK 4. 26 -4. 34 JESUS INSTRUCTS THE DISCIPLES TO CROSS THE LAKE; VARIOUS INCIDENTS; THE STORM IS STILLED - SEA OF GALILEE MT 8. 18 -8. 27 MK 4. 35 -4. 41 LU 8. 22 -8. 25 THE DEMONIACS OF GADARA - NEAR THE SEA OF GALILEE MT 8. 28 -9. 1 MK 5. 1 -5. 21 LU 8. 26 -8. 40 LEVI'S FEAST; TEACHING CONCERNING FASTING – CAPERNAUM MT 9. 10 -17 MK 2. 15 -2. 22 LU 5. 29 -5. 39 THE RAISING OF JAIRUS'S DAUGHTER; THE WOMAN WITH THE ISSUE OF BLOOD - CAPERNAUM MT 9. 18 -9. 26 MK 5. 22 -5. 43 LU 8. 41 -8. 56 TWO BLIND MEN HEALED AND A DUMB SPIRIT IS CAST OUT - CAPERNAUM? MT 9. 27 -9. 34 JESUS VISITS NAZARETH AGAIN AND IS REJECTED AGAIN – NAZARETH MT 13. 54 -13. 58 MK 6. 1 -6. 6 A THIRD TRIP AROUND GALILEE; THE TWELVE INSTRUCTED AND SENT OUT - GALILEE MT 9. 35 MT 10. 1 MT 10. 5 -11. 1 MK 6. 6 -6. 13 LU 9. 1 -9. 6 HEROD BELIEVES JESUS TO BE JOHN THE BAPTIST WHOM HE HAD JUST BEHEADED - GALILEE/PEREA? MT 14. 1 -14. 2 MT 14. 6 -14. 12 MK 6. 14 -6. 16 MK 6. 21 -29 LU 9. 7 -9. 9 THE TWELVE RETURN AND WITH JESUS CROSS THE SEA OF GALILEE, 5, 000 ARE FED - CAPERNAUM, N. E. COAST OF THE SEA OF GALILEE MT 14. 13 -21 MK 6. 30 -6. 44 LU 9. 10 -9. 17 JN 6. 1 -6. 14 JESUS WALKS ON THE WATER - NIGHT ON THE SEA OF GALILEE, GENESARSETH MT 14. 22 -36 MK 6. 45 -6. 56 JN 6. 15 -6. 21 JESUS INSTRUCTS THE PEOPLE IN THE SYNAGOGUE AT CAPERNAUM, MANY ARE OFFENDED AND TURN AWAY; PETER'S PROFESSION OF FAITH – CAPERNAUM JN 6. 22 -7. 1 JESUS JUSTIFIES HIS DISCIPLES FOR EATING WITH UNWASHED HANDS; PHARISAIC TRADITIONS - CAPERNAUM MT 15. 1 -15. 20 MK 7. 1 -7. 23 SYROPHOENICAN WOMAN'S DAUGHTER IS HEALED - REGION AROUND TYRE AND SIDON MT 15. 21 -15. 28 MK 7. 24 -7. 30 DEAF AND DUMB MAN HEALED WITH MANY OTHERS; 4, 000 ARE FED – THE DECAPOLIS MT 15. 29 -15. 38 MK 7. 31 -8. 9 PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES AGAIN REQUIRE A SIGN - NEAR MAGDALA MT 15. 39 -16. 4 MK 8. 10 -8. 12 DISCIPLES ARE CAUTIONED AGAINST THE "LEAVEN" OF THE PHARISEES - N. E. COAST OF THE SEA OF GALILEE MT 16. 4 -16. 12 MK 8. 13 -8. 21 A BLIND MAN IS HEALED - BETHSAIDA (JULIAS) MK 8. 22 -26 PETER AND THE REST AGAIN PROFESS FAITH IN JESUS MT 16. 13 -16. 20 MK 9. 18 -9. 21 LU 8. 27 -8. 30 JESUS FORETELLS HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION AND THE TRIALS OF HIS FOLLOWERS - REGION OF CAESAREA PHILIPPI MT 16. 21 -16. 28 MK 8. 31 -9. 1 LU 9. 22 -9. 27 THE TRANSFIGURATION; JESUS DISCUSSION WITH PETER, JAMES AND JOHN - CAESAREA PHILIPPI MT 17. 1 -17. 13 MK 9. 2 -9. 13 LU 9. 28 -9. 36 HEALING OF THE DEMONIAC BOY THE DISCIPLES COULD NOT HEAL - REGION OF CAESAREA PHILIPPI MT 17. 14 -17. 21 MK 9. 14 -9. 26 LU 9. 37 -9. 43 JESUS AGAIN FORETELLS HIS OWN DEATH AND RESURRECTION – GALILEE MT 17. 22 -17. 23 MK 9. 30 -9. 32 LU 9. 43 -9. 45

Harmony of the Gospels 78. TRIBUTE MONEY MIRACULOUSLY PROVIDED - CAPERNAUM MT 17. 24 -27 MK 9. 23 79. DISCIPLES ARGUE ABOUT WHO SHOULD BE THE GREATEST; JESUS STRESSES HUMILITY, FORBEARANCE, AND BROTHERLY LOVE - CAPERNAUM MT 18. 1 -18. 35 MK 9. 33 -9. 50 LU 9. 46 -9. 50 80. JESUS GOES UP TO THE FESTIVAL OF TABERNACLES. HIS FINAL DEPARTURE FROM GALILEE. INCIDENTS IN SAMARIA. - GALILEE / SAMARIA 4 LU 9. 51 -9. 62 JN 7. 2 -7. 10 81. SEVENTY (70) ARE INSTRUCTED AND SENT OUT - SAMARIA LU 10. 1 -10. 16 82. TEN (10) LEPERS ARE HEALED AND CLEANSED - SAMARIA? LU 17. 11 -19 83. JESUS AT THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES TEACHES IN PUBLIC - JERUSALEM JN 7. 11 -8. 1 84. THE WOMAN TAKEN IN ADULTERY IS RESCUED AND FORGIVEN - JERUSALEM JN 8. 2 -8. 11 85. PUBLIC TEACHING; JESUS REPROVES UNBELIEVING JEWS AND ESCAPES FROM THEM - JERUSALEM JN 8. 12 -8. 59 86. JESUS INSTRUCTS A LAWYER; THE GOOD SAMARITAN - NEAR JERUSALEM LU 10. 25 -10. 37 87. JESUS VISITS MARY, MARTHA AND LAZARUS IN THEIR HOME - BETHANY LU 10. 38 -42 88. THE DISCIPLES AGAIN TAUGHT HOW TO PRAY - NEAR JERUSALEM LU 11. 1 -11. 13 89. THE SEVENTY WHO WERE SENT OUT / RETURN - JERUSALEM? LU 10. 17 -10. 24 90. A MAN BORN BLIND IS HEALED ON THE SABBATH; JESUS TEACHES AGAIN - JERUSALEM JN 9. 1 -10. 21 91. JESUS IN JERUSALEM AT THE FESTIVAL OF DEDICATION; JESUS TRAVELS BEYOND JORDAN - JERUSALEM / BETHABARA BEYOND JORDAN JN 10. 22 -10. 42 92. THE RAISING OF LAZARUS - BETHANY JN 11. 1 -11. 46 93. THE COUNSEL OF CAIAPHAS AGAINST JESUS; JESUS LEAVES JERUSALEM - JERUSALEM / EPHRIAM JN 11. 47 -11. 54 94. JESUS BEYOND JORDAN IS FOLLOWED BY THE CROWDS; JESUS HEALS AN INFIRM WOMAN ON THE SABBATH - VALLEY OF JORDAN / PEREA MT 19. 1 -19. 2 MK 10. 1 LU 13. 10 -13. 21 95. JESUS JOURNEYS TOWARD JERUSALEM TEACHING ON THE WAY; HE IS WARNED AGAINST HEROD - PEREA LU 13. 22 -13. 25 96. JESUS DINES WITH A CHIEF PHARISEE ON THE SABBATH; VARIOUS INCIDENTS OCCUR - PEREA LU 14. 1 -14. 24 97. JESUS TEACHES WHAT IS REQUIRED OF TRUE DISCIPLES – PEREA LU 14. 25 -14. 35 98. PARABLE OF THE LOST SHEEP AND THE PRODIGAL SON – PEREA LU 15. 1 -15. 32 99. PARABLE OF THE UNJUST STEWARD - PEREA LU 16. 1 -16. 13 100. THE PHARISEES ARE REPROVED. THE STORY OF THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS - PEREA LU 16. 14 -16. 31 101. JESUS ENCOURAGES FORBEARANCE, FAITH AND HUMILITY - PEREA LU 17. 1 -17. 10 102. JESUS TEACHES HIS SECOND COMING WILL BE SUDDEN - PEREA LU 17. 20 -17. 37 103. PARABLES: THE WIDOW WHO WOULDN'T GIVE UP; THE PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN PRAY - PEREA LU 18. 1 -18. 14 104. PRECEPTS REGARDING DIVORCE - PEREA MT 19. 3 -19. 12 MK 10. 2 -10. 12 105. JESUS RECEIVES AND BLESSES LITTLE CHILDREN - PEREA MT 19. 13 -19 -15 MK 10. 13 -10. 16 LU 18. 15 -18. 17 106. THE RICH YOUNG MAN COMES TO JESUS. THE PARABLE OF THE LABORERS IN THE VINEYARD. - PEREA MT 19. 16 -20. 16 MK 10. 17 -10. 31 LU 18. 18 -18. 30 107. FOR THE THIRD TIME JESUS FORETELLS HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION – PEREA MT 20. 17 -20. 19 MK 10. 32 -10. 34 LU 18. 31 -18. 34 108. JAMES AND JOHN ASK TO SIT AT JESUS RIGHT AND LEFT HAND – PEREA MT 20. 20 -20. 28 MK 10. 35 -10. 45 109. THE HEALING OF TWO BLIND MEN NEAR JERICHO - NEAR JERICHO MT 20. 29 -20. 34 MK 10. 46 -10. 52 LU 18. 35 -19. 1 110. JESUS MEETS AND VISITS ZACCHEUS. THE PARABLE OF THE 10 POUNDS - JERICHO LU 19. 2 -19. 28 111. JESUS ARRIVES AT BETHANY SIX (6) DAYS BEFORE PASSOVER - BETHANY JN 11. 55 -12. 1 JN 12. 9 -12. 11 112. JESUS ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM - BETHANY TO JERUSALEM MT 21. 1 -21. 11 MT 21. 14 -21. 17 MK 11. 1 -11. 11 LU 19. 29 -19. 44 JN 12. 12 -12. 19 113. THE BARREN FIG TREE. THE CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE - BETHANY / JERUSALEM MT 21. 12 -21. 13 MT 21. 18 -21. 19 MK 11. 12 -11. 19 LU 19. 45 -19. 48 LU 21. 37 -21. 38 114. THE BARREN FIG TREE IS WITHERED AWAY - BETWEEN BETHANY AND JERUSALEM MT 21. 20 -22 MK 11. 20 -26 115. JESUS AUTHORITY IS QUESTIONED. THE PARABLE OF THE TWO SONS. - JERUSALEM MT 21. 23 -21. 32 MK 11. 27 -11. 33 LU 20. 1 -20. 8 116. PARABLE OF THE WICKED HUSBANDMAN - JERUSALEM MT 21. 33 -21. 46 MK 12. 1 -12. 12 LU 20. 9 -20. 19

Harmony of the Gospels 117. PARABLE OF THE MARRIAGE OF THE KING'S SON - JERUSALEM MT 22. 1 -22. 14 118. INSIDIOUS QUESTION OF THE PHARISEE'S AND HERODIANS. TRIBUTE TO CAESAR - JERUSALEM MT 22. 15 -22 MK 12. 13 -17 LU 20. 20 -26 119. THE INSIDIOUS QUESTION OF THE SADDUCEES. THE RESURRECTION - JERUSALEM MT 22. 23 -33 MK 12. 18 -27 LU 20. 27 -40 120. A LAWYER QUESTIONS JESUS. THE TWO GREAT COMMANDMENTS. - JERUSALEM MT 22. 34 -22. 40 MK 12. 28 -12. 34 121. HOW IS THE CHRIST ALSO THE SON OF DAVID? - JERUSALEM MT 22. 41 -22. 46 MK 12. 35 -12. 37 LU 20. 41 -20. 44 122. WARNINGS AGAINST THE EVIL EXAMPLE OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES - JERUSALEM MT 23. 1 -23. 12 MK 12. 38 -12. 39 LU 20. 45 -20. 46 123. WOES AGAINST THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES. LAMENTATION OVER JERUSALEM - JERUSALEM MT 23. 13 -23. 39 MK 12. 40 LU 20. 47 124. THE WIDOW'S MITE - JERUSALEM MK 12. 41 -12. 44 LU 21. 1 -21. 4 125. CERTAIN GREEKS DESIRE TO SEE JESUS - JERUSALEM JN 12. 20 -12. 36 126. THOUGHTS ON THE UNBELIEF OF THE JEWS - JERUSALEM JN 12. 37 -12. 50 127. JESUS LEAVING THE TEMPLE FORETELLS ITS DESTRUCTION AND THE PERSECUTION OF HIS DISCIPLES - JERUSALEM / THE MOUNT OF OLIVES MT 21. 1 -24. 14 MK 13. 1 -13. 13 LU 21. 5 -21. 19 128. THE SIGNS OF CHRIST'S COMING TO END THE DISPENSATION. THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM AND ISRAEL - THE MOUNT OF OLIVES 5 MT 24. 15 -24. 42 MK 13. 14 -13. 37 LU 21. 20 -21. 36 129. THE FUTURE DAY OF JUDGEMENT. WATCH. PARABLES: THE TEN (10) VIRGINS / THE FIVE (5) TALENTS - THE MOUNT OF OLIVES MT 24. 43 -25. 30 130. SCENES OF THE JUDGEMENT DAY - THE MOUNT OF OLIVES MT 25. 31 -25. 46 131. THE RULERS CONSPIRE. THE SUPPER AT BETHANY. JUDAS TREACHERY. - JERUSALEM / BETHANY MT 26. 1 -26. 16 MK 14. 1 -14. 11 LU 22. 1 -22. 6 JN 12. 2 -12. 8 132. PREPARATION FOR PASSOVER - JERUSALEM / BETHANY MT 26. 17 -26. 19 MK 14. 12 -14. 16 LU 22. 7 -22. 13 133. THE PASSOVER MEAL. CONTENTION AMONG THE 12 DISCIPLES - JERUSALEM MT 26. 20 MK 14. 17 LU 22. 14 -22. 18 LU 22. 24 -22. 30 134. JESUS WASHES THE DISCIPLES FEET - JERUSALEM JN 13. 1 -13. 20 135. JESUS POINTS OUT THE TRAITOR. JUDAS LEAVES. - JERUSALEM MT 26. 21 -26. 25 MK 14. 18 -14. 21 LU 22. 21 -22. 23 JN 13. 21 -13. 35 136. JESUS FORETELLS PETER'S WEAKNESS AND THE SCATTERING OF THE DISCIPLES - JERUSALEM MT 26. 31 -26. 35 MK 14. 27 -14. 31 LU 22. 31 -22. 38 JN 13. 36 -13. 38 137. THE LORD'S SUPPER (COMMUNION) - JERUSALEM MT 26. 26 -26. 29 MK 14. 22 -14. 25 LU 22. 19 -22. 20 (1 COR 11. 23 -11. 25) 138. JESUS COMFORTS HIS DISCIPLES AND PROMISES THEM THE HOLY SPIRIT - JERUSALEM JN 14. 1 -14. 31 139. CHRIST IS THE TRUE VINE. THE DISCIPLES WILL BE HATED BY THE WORLD. - JERUSALEM JN 15. 1 -15. 27 140. PERSECUTION FORETOLD. THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS CONFIRMED. PRAY IN JESUS NAME. - JERUSALEM JN 16. 1 -16. 33 141. JESUS LAST PRAYER FOR AND WITH HIS DISCIPLES - JERUSALEM JN 17. 1 -17. 26 142. IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE - MOUNT OF OLIVES MT 26. 30 MT 26. 36 -26. 46 MK 14. 26 MK 14. 32 -14. 42 LU 22. 39 -22. 46 JN 18. 1 143. JESUS IS BETRAYED AND IS ARRESTED. - GETHSEMANE ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES MT 26. 47 -26. 56 MK 14. 43 -14. 52 LU 22. 47 -22. 53 JN 18. 218. 12 144. JESUS BEFORE CAIAPHAS. PETER'S THREE DENIALS. - JERUSALEM MT 26. 57 -26. 58 MT 26. 69 -26. 75 MK 14. 53 -14. 54 MK 14. 66 -14. 72 LU 22. 54 -22. 62 JN 18. 13 -18. 18 JN 18. 25 -18. 27 145. JESUS DECLARES HIMSELF TO BE CHRIST BEFORE CAIAPHAS AND THE SANHEDREN. JESUS IS CONDEMNED AND MOCKED. - JERUSALEM MT 26. 59 -26. 68 MK 14. 55 -14. 65 LU 22. 63 -22. 71 JN 18. 19 -18. 24 146. THE SANHEDREN LEAD JESUS AWAY TO PILATE. - JERUSALEM MT 27. 1 -27. 2 MT 27. 11 -27. 14 MK 15. 1 -15. 5 LU 23. 1 -23. 5 JN 18. 2818. 38 147. JESUS BEFORE HEROD. - JERUSALEM LU 23. 6 -23. 12 148. PILATE TRIES TO HAVE JESUS RELEASED BUT THE JEWS DEMAND BARABAS BE RELEASED INSTEAD. - JERUSALEM MT 27. 15 -27. 26 MK 15. 6 -15. 15 LU 23. 13 -23. 25 JN 18. 39 -18. 40 149. PILATE DELIVERS JESUS TO THE JEWS FOR CARRYING OUT THE DEATH SENTENCE. JESUS IS SCOURGED AND MOCKED. - JERUSALEM MT 27. 26 -27. 30 MK 15. 15 -15. 19 JN 19. 1 -19. 3

Harmony of the Gospels 150. PILATE AFTER TRYING AGAIN TO HAVE JESUS RELEASED, DELIVERS HIM TO BE CRUCIFIED. - JERUSALEM JN 19. 4 -19. 16 151. JUDAS REPENTS AND HANGS HIMSELF - JERUSALEM MT 27. 3 -27. 10 ACTS 1. 18 -1. 19 152. JESUS LED AWAY TO BE CRUCIFIED - JERUSALEM MT 27. 31 -27. 34 MK 15. 20. 15. 23 LU 23. 26 -23. 33 JN 19. 16 -19. 17 153. THE CRUCIFIXION. - JERUSALEM MT 27. 35 -27. 38 MK 15. 24 -15. 28 LU 23. 33 -23. 34 LU 23. 38 JN 19. 18 -19. 24 154. THE JEWS MOCK JESUS WHILE HE IS ON THE CROSS. JESUS COMMENDS HIS MOTHER TO JOHN. - JERUSALEM MT 27. 39 -27. 44 MK 15. 29 -15. 32 LU 23. 35 -23. 37 LU 23. 39 -23. 43 JN 19. 25 -19. 27 155. DARKNESS COVERS THE EARTH. JESUS DIES. - JERUSALEM MT 27. 45 -27. 50 MK 15. 33 -15. 37 LU 23. 44 -23. 46 JN 19. 28 -19. 30 156. THE TEMPLE VEIL IS TORN AND GRAVES ARE OPENED. THE CENTURIONS OPINION. THE WOMEN AT THE SCENE OF THE CROSS - JERUSALEM MT 27. 51 -27. 56 MK 15. 38 -15. 41 LU 23. 45 LU 23. 47 -23. 49 157. JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS AND IS BURIED. – JERUSALEM MT 27. 51 -27. 56 MK 15. 42 -15. 47 LU 23. 50 -23. 56 JN 19. 31 -19. 42 158. A ROMAN GUARD IS PLACED AT THE TOMB. - JERUSALEM MT 27. 62 -27. 66 159. RESURRECTION MORNING. - JERUSALEM MT 28. 2 -28. 4 MK 16. 1 160. THE WOMEN VISIT THE TOMB. MARY MAGDALENE RETURNS. - JERUSALEM MT 28. 1 MK 16. 2 -16. 4 LU 24. 1 -24. 3 JN 20. 1 -20. 2 161. THE ANGELS DISCOVERED AT THE TOMB. – JERUSALEM MT 28. 5 -28. 7 MK 16. 5 -16. 7 LU 24. 4 -24. 8 162. THE WOMEN RETURN TO THE CITY. JESUS MEETS THEM. – JERUSALEM MT 28. 8 -28. 10 MK 16. 8 LU 24. 9 -24. 11 163. PETER AND JOHN RUSH TO THE TOMB. - JERUSALEM LU 24. 12 JN 20. 3 -20. 10 164. MARY MAGDALENE TALKS WITH JESUS AT THE TOMB. - JERUSALEM MK 16. 9 -16. 11 JN 20. 11 -20. 18 165. THE GUARD REPORTS. - JERUSALEM MT 28. 11 -28. 15 166. JESUS IS SEEN BY PETER AND BY THE TWO DISCIPLES TRAVELING TO EMMAUS - JERUSALEM/EMMAUS MK 16. 12 -16. 13 LU 24. 13 -24. 35 (1 COR 15. 5) 167. JESUS APPEARS TO THE DISCIPLES (THOMAS IS ABSENT. ) – JERUSALE MK 16. 14 -16. 18 LU 24. 36 -24. 49 JN 20. 19 -20. 23 (1 COR 15. 5) 168. JESUS APPEARS TO THE DISCIPLES (THOMAS IS PRESENT). - JERUSALEM JN 20. 24 -20. 29 169. THE APOSTLES TRAVEL TO GALILEE. JESUS APPEARS TO NINE OF THEM BY THE SEA OF TIBERIUS. - GALILEE MT 28. 16 JN 21. 1 -21. 24 170. JESUS MEETS THE APOSTLES AND ABOUT 500 OTHERS ON A MOUNTAIN IN GALILEE. - GALILEE MT 28. 16 -28 -20 (1 COR 15. 6) 171. JAMES MEETS WITH JESUS AND JESUS THEM MEETS WITH ALL THE APOSTLES. - JERUSALEM (ACTS 1. 3 -1. 8) (1 COR 15. 7) 172. THE ASCENSION. - BETHANY MK 16. 19 -16. 20 LU 24. 50 -24. 53 (ACTS 1. 9 -1. 12) 173. THE CONCLUSION TO JOHN'S GOSPEL. - JERUSALEM JN 20. 30 -21. 25 6

What Scripture say is so – is so !! We are not free to ignore it or change it. There is much detail that Scripture does not elaborate upon. -- They are left ‘vacant’ since they are not necessary to the story, point or principle that God is communicating to us. -- The ‘missing’ detail can often be useful to our understanding of the times, and customs of what Scripture says and can be ascertained using historical information and good use of logic and God directed common sense to fill in those details. We are free to do this so long as: • We do not obscure God’s message contained in what He has revealed to us in Scripture. • We do not alter, revise, or explain away what Scripture does say in order to fit our “theory” into God’s account. • We recognize that anything and everything other than what Scripture actually reveals is only a possibility no matter how ‘probable’ it seems to be. 7

51 Lu 11. 37‑ 11. 54 ESV AT THE PHARISEE'S TABLE JESUS PRONOUNCES WOES AGAINST THE PHARISEES AND OTHERS - GALILEE (37) While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table. (38) The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner. (39) And the Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. (40) You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? (41) But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you. 8

51 Lu 11. 37‑ 11. 54 ESV AT THE PHARISEE'S TABLE JESUS PRONOUNCES WOES AGAINST THE PHARISEES AND OTHERS - GALILEE (42) "But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. (43) Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. (44) Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it. “ 9

51 Lu 11. 37‑ 11. 54 ESV AT THE PHARISEE'S TABLE JESUS PRONOUNCES WOES AGAINST THE PHARISEES AND OTHERS - GALILEE 10 (45) One of the lawyers answered him, "Teacher, in saying these things you insult us also. “ (46) And he said, "Woe to you lawyers also! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. (47) Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your fathers killed. (48) So you are witnesses and you consent to the deeds of your fathers, for they killed them, and you build their tombs. (49) Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, 'I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute, ’ (50) so that the blood of all the prophets, shed from the foundation of the world, may be charged against this generation, (51) from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation.

51 Lu 11. 37‑ 11. 54 ESV AT THE PHARISEE'S TABLE JESUS PRONOUNCES WOES AGAINST THE PHARISEES AND OTHERS - GALILEE (52) Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering. “ (53) As he went away from there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press him hard and to provoke him to speak about many things, (54) lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say. 11

51 WORSHIP OF DETAILS AND NEGLECT OF THINGS THAT MATTER (Lk 11: 37 -44) [Barclay] After Jesus had spoken a Pharisee asked him to dine with him. He came in and reclined at the table. The Pharisee was surprised when he saw that he did not dip his hands in water before he ate. The Lord said to him, "You Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are full of grasping and wickedness. Fools! Did he who made the outside not make the inside also? But cleanse things that are within--and look you--all things will be pure for you. But woe to you Pharisees! because you give tithes of mint and rue and every herb and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done without omitting the others. Woe to you Pharisees! because you love the chief seats in the synagogues and greetings in the market places. Woe to you! because you are like tombs which are not seen, and the men who walk over them do not know that they are doing it. ” 12

51 WORSHIP OF DETAILS AND NEGLECT OF THINGS THAT MATTER (Luke 11: 37 - 41 ESV ) (37) While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table. (38) The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner. (39) And the Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. (40) You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? (41) But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you. As usual every littlest detail was worked out. To the Pharisee, to omit the slightest detail of this was to sin. 13 Washing hands before eating was not a matter of cleanliness but of the ceremonial law. The law laid it down that before a man ate he must wash his hands in a certain way and that he must also wash them between the courses.

51 WORSHIP OF DETAILS AND NEGLECT OF THINGS THAT MATTER (Luke 11: 37 - 41 ESV ) (37) While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table. (38) The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner. (39) And the Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. (40) You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? (41) But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you. Large stone vessels of water were specially kept for this purpose because ordinary water might be unclean; The amount of water used must be at least a quarter of a log, that is, enough to fill one and a half egg-shells. 14 • The water must be poured over the hands beginning at the tips of the fingers and running right up to the wrist. • Then the palm of each hand must be cleansed by rubbing the fist of the other into it. • Finally, water must again be poured over the hand, this time beginning at the wrist and running down to the fingertips. Jesus' points out that if they were as particular about cleansing their hearts as they were about washing their hands, they would be better men.

51 WORSHIP OF DETAILS AND NEGLECT OF THINGS THAT MATTER (Lk 11: 42) (42) "But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. This is an accusation of hypocrisy — focusing on externals and avoiding internals. Lk 12: 1 …Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There were certain dues which the meticulously orthodox would never omit to pay. • The first fruits of the soil. The first fruits of the seven kinds - wheat, barley, vines, fig-trees, pomegranates, olives and honey - were offered in the Temple 15 • There was the Terumah (<H 8641>). The first fruits were given to God, but the Terumah was a contribution to the upkeep of the priests. It was the presentation of the first fruits of every growing thing. The amount to be given was 1/50 of the total yield.

51 WORSHIP OF DETAILS AND NEGLECT OF THINGS THAT MATTER (Lk 11: 42) (42) "But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. • There was the tithe. The tithe was paid directly to the Levites, who, in turn, paid a tithe of what they received to the priests. It was one-tenth of "everything that can be used as food and is cultivated and grows out of the earth. " The meticulousness of the Pharisees in tithing is shown by the fact that even the law said it was not necessary to tithe rue. 16 No matter what their inner hearts and feelings were like, however much they neglected justice and forgot love, they never omitted the tithe. One way to demonstrate that they were clean on the inside would be their willingness to give material things to the poor. Not that the alms would accomplish it, but the alms gives evidence to their faith (cf. James 2: 14 -18).

51 WORSHIP OF DETAILS AND NEGLECT OF THINGS THAT MATTER (Luke 11: 43 ESV) (43) Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. The chief seats at the synagogue were the seats out in front facing the audience. In the congregation itself the best seats were at the front and they decreased in honor the further back they got. The advantage of these seats was that they could be seen by all! The more exaggerated the respect of the greetings the Pharisees received in the streets the better they were pleased. 17

51 WORSHIP OF DETAILS AND NEGLECT OF THINGS THAT MATTER (Luke 11: 44 ESV) (44) Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it. “ Num 19: 16 Whoever in the open field touches someone who was killed with a sword or who died naturally, or touches a human bone or a grave, shall be unclean seven days. 18 As a Jew, if you touched a dead thing that would make you ceremonially defiled. To be unclean was to be debarred from all religious worship. You couldn’t observe Passover, etc. Whether a man contacted a grave site unknowingly or not, did not matter; touching a dead thing or it’s grave made him unclean. They whitewashed tombs near holy days so that people would not accidentally stumble on the tomb and then be defiled and unable to celebrate the festivities. To call a Jew a “whitewashed tomb” was the strongest language to use against a formal Jew.

51 WORSHIP OF DETAILS AND NEGLECT OF THINGS THAT MATTER (Luke 11: 44 ESV) (44) Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it. “ Num 19: 16 Whoever in the open field touches someone who was killed with a sword or who died naturally, or touches a human bone or a grave, shall be unclean seven days. Jesus said that the Pharisees were exactly like unmarked graves. Later He would compare them to whitewashed tombs; ; ; 19 Mat 23: 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even though unawares, the man who came in contact with them was being touched for evil. Men might not suspect or recognize that the corruption was there but they were being infected with wrong ideas of God and of his demands.

51 WORSHIP OF DETAILS AND NEGLECT OF THINGS THAT MATTER (Luke 11: 44 ESV) [Barclay] (44) Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it. “ The Pharisees concentrated on externals. Their hearts might be as black as hell; they might be utterly lacking in charity and justice; but as long as they went through the correct motions at the correct time they considered themselves good in the eyes of God. A man may attend church regularly, be a diligent student of the Bible and a generous giver to the church but if in his heart there are thoughts of pride and of contempt, if he has no charity in his dealings with his fellow men in everyday life, if he is unjust to his subordinates or dishonest to his employer, he is not a true follower of Christ. No man who is a Christ follower observes the conventions of religion but forgets the realities. 20

51 WORSHIP OF DETAILS AND NEGLECT OF THINGS THAT MATTER (Luke 11: 44 ESV) [Barclay] (44) Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it. “ They concentrated on details. Compared with love and kindness, justice and generosity, the washing of hands and the giving of tithes with mathematical accuracy were unimportant details. How often church people get lost in disputes over totally unimportant details, arguing and fighting about them, forgetting the great eternal realities of the Christian life! 21

51 THE SINS OF THE LEGALISTS (Lk 11: 45 -54) [Barclay] A scribe answered, "Teacher, when you talk like that you are insulting us. " Jesus said, "Woe to you scribes too! because you bind burdens upon men that are hard to bear and yourselves do not lay a finger on the burdens. Woe to you! because you build the tombs of the prophets whom your fathers killed! So you are witnesses that you agree with the deeds of your fathers, because they killed them and you build them tombs. Because of this God in his wisdom said, 'I will send prophets and apostles to them, some of whom they will slay and persecute, so that the blood of all the prophets, shed from the foundation of the world, will be required from this generation, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zacharias who perished between the altar and the Temple. ' Yes, I tell you, it will be required from this generation. Woe to you scribes! You did not enter in yourselves and you hindered those who were trying to enter. " As Jesus went away from them, the scribes and Pharisees began to watch him intensely, and to try to provoke him to discuss on many subjects, for they were laying traps for him, to hunt for something out of his mouth which they could use as a charge against him. 22

51 THE SINS OF THE LEGALISTS (Lk 11: 45 -46) [Barclay] (45) One of the lawyers answered him, "Teacher, in saying these things you insult us also. “ (46) And he said, "Woe to you lawyers also! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. The scribes (lawyers) were the “experts” in the law; They laid upon men the thousand one burdens of the ceremonial law; but they did not keep themselves, because they were experts in evasion. It is incredible that men could ever have thought that God would have laid down such laws or that the working out of such details was a religious service and the keeping of them a matter of life and death. 23 It is little wonder that Jesus turned on the scribes, and that the scribes regarded him as an irreligious heretic. But that was scribal religion.

51 THE SINS OF THE LEGALISTS (Lk 11: 45 -46) [Barclay] (45) One of the lawyers answered him, "Teacher, in saying these things you insult us also. “ (46) And he said, "Woe to you lawyers also! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. The limit of a Sabbath day's journey was 2, 000 cubits (1, 000 yards) from a man's residence. But… If a rope was tied across the end of the street, the end of the street became his residence and he could go 1, 000 yards beyond that; If on the Friday evening before Sabbath began, he left enough food for two meals at any given point, that point technically became his residence and he could go 1, 000 yards beyond that! 24

51 THE SINS OF THE LEGALISTS (Lk 11: 45 -46) [Barclay] (45) One of the lawyers answered him, "Teacher, in saying these things you insult us also. “ (46) And he said, "Woe to you lawyers also! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. One of the forbidden works on the Sabbath was the tying of knots, sailors' or camel drivers' knots and knots in ropes. But a woman could tie the knot in her waist belt. Therefore, if a bucket of water had to be raised from a well a rope could not be knotted to it, but a woman's girdle could, and the water bucket could be raised with that! 25

51 THE SINS OF THE LEGALISTS (Lk 11: 45 -46) [Barclay] (45) One of the lawyers answered him, "Teacher, in saying these things you insult us also. “ (46) And he said, "Woe to you lawyers also! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. To carry a burden was forbidden, but the codified written law said: “… he who carries anything, whether it be in his right hand, or in his left hand, or in his bosom, or on his shoulder is guilty; but he who carries anything on the back of his hand, with his foot, or with his mouth, or with his elbow, or with his ear, or with his hair, or with his money bag turned upside down, or between his money bag and his shirt, or in the fold of his shirt or in his shoe, or in his sandal is guiltless, because he does not carry it in the usual way of carrying it out. " 26

51 THE SINS OF THE LEGALISTS (Lk 11: 47 -51) [Barclay] 27 (47) Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your fathers killed. (48) So you are witnesses and you consent to the deeds of your fathers, for they killed them, and you build their tombs. (49) Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, 'I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute, ’ (50) so that the blood of all the prophets, shed from the foundation of the world, may be charged against this generation, (51) from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation. The attitude of the scribes to the prophets was paradoxical. They professed a deep admiration for the prophets. But the only prophets they admired were dead; when they met a living one they tried to kill him. They honored the dead prophets with tombs and memorials, but they dishonored the living ones with persecution and death.

51 THE SINS OF THE LEGALISTS (Lk 11: 47 -51) [Barclay] Isaiah 1: 11 -20 KJV To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. (12) When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? (13) Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. (14) Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. (15) And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. (16) Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; (17) Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. (18) Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (19) If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: (20) But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. 28

51 THE SINS OF THE LEGALISTS (Lk 11: 47 -51) [Barclay] Micah 6: 6 -8 ESV "With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? (7) Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? " (8) He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? That was the essence of the prophetic message; and it was the very antithesis of scribal teaching. No wonder the scribes, with their external details, hated the prophets, and Jesus walked in the prophetic line. 29

51 THE SINS OF THE LEGALISTS (Lk 11: 51) (51) from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation. Abel was the first innocent victim (Gen 4: 8). He was killed because he was giving an offering of faith. A sacrificial lamb pointing to the Cross. Zechariah the priest (not the writing prophet), cf. Mt 23: 35, was the last martyr in the Old Testament (2 Chr 24: 20 -21). Remember, Chronicles was last in the Hebrew Bible. 30 Mat 23: 34 Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, 35 so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar.

51 THE SINS OF THE LEGALISTS (Lk 11: 51) [Barclay] (51) from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation. The murder of Zacharias is described in 2 Chr 24: 20 -21. (20) Then the Spirit of God clothed Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, and he stood above the people, and said to them, "Thus says God, 'Why do you break the commandments of the LORD, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, he has forsaken you. '" (21) But they conspired against him, and by command of the king they stoned him with stones in the court of the house of the LORD. (22) Thus Joash the king did not remember the kindness that Jehoiada, Zechariah's father, had shown him, but killed his son. And when he was dying, he said, "May the LORD see and avenge!" 31

51 THE SINS OF THE LEGALISTS (Lk 11: 52) (52) Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering. “ Mat 23: 13 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in. The scribes shut the people off from scripture. Their interpretation of scripture was so fantastic that it was impossible for the ordinary man to understand it. In their hands scripture became a book of riddles. In their mistaken ingenuity they refused to see its plain meaning themselves, and they would not let anyone else see it either. The scriptures had become the possession of the self proclaimed experts and interpreters of the Law and a dark mystery to the common man. 32

51 THE SINS OF THE LEGALISTS (Lk 11: 53 -54) (53) As he went away from there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press him hard and to provoke him to speak about many things, (54) lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say. 33 None of this is so very out of date. There are still those who demand from others standards which they themselves refuse to satisfy. There are still those whose religion is nothing other than legalism. There are still those who make the word of God so difficult that the seeking mind of the common man is bewildered and does not know what to believe or to whom to listen. Tit 3: 9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. Mat 23: 23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Cf: 122 -123 WARNINGS AGAINST THE EVIL EXAMPLE OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES - JERUSALEM MT 23. 1 -23. 12 MK 12. 38 -12. 39 LU 20. 45 -20. 46 WOES AGAINST THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES. LAMENTATION OVER JERUSALEM - JERUSALEM MT 23. 13 -23. 39 MK 12. 40 LU 20. 47 34 Matthew 23: 1 -39 ESV (1) Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, (2) "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, (3) so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. (4) They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. (5) They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, (6) and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues (7) and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. (8) But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. (9) And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. (10) Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. (11) The greatest among you shall be your servant. (12) Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Cf: 122 -123 WARNINGS AGAINST THE EVIL EXAMPLE OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES - JERUSALEM MT 23. 1 -23. 12 MK 12. 38 -12. 39 LU 20. 45 -20. 46 WOES AGAINST THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES. LAMENTATION OVER JERUSALEM - JERUSALEM MT 23. 13 -23. 39 MK 12. 40 LU 20. 47 35 Matthew 23: 1 -39 ESV (13) "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in. (15) Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves. (16) "Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath. ‘ (17) You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? (18) And you say, 'If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath. ‘ (19) You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? (20) So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. (21) And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it. (22) And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it.

Cf: 122 -123 WARNINGS AGAINST THE EVIL EXAMPLE OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES - JERUSALEM MT 23. 1 -23. 12 MK 12. 38 -12. 39 LU 20. 45 -20. 46 WOES AGAINST THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES. LAMENTATION OVER JERUSALEM - JERUSALEM MT 23. 13 -23. 39 MK 12. 40 LU 20. 47 36 Matthew 23: 1 -39 ESV (23) "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. (24) You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel! (25) "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. (26) You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. (27) "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. (28) So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. (29) "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous, (30) saying, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets. ‘ (31) Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.

Cf: 122 -123 WARNINGS AGAINST THE EVIL EXAMPLE OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES - JERUSALEM MT 23. 1 -23. 12 MK 12. 38 -12. 39 LU 20. 45 -20. 46 WOES AGAINST THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES. LAMENTATION OVER JERUSALEM - JERUSALEM MT 23. 13 -23. 39 MK 12. 40 LU 20. 47 Matthew 23: 1 -39 ESV (32) Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers. (33) You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? (34) Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, (35) so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. (36) Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. (37) "O Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! (38) See, your house is left to you desolate. (39) For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. '“ 37

Cf: 122 -123 WARNINGS AGAINST THE EVIL EXAMPLE OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES - JERUSALEM MT 23. 1 -23. 12 MK 12. 38 -12. 39 LU 20. 45 -20. 46 WOES AGAINST THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES. LAMENTATION OVER JERUSALEM - JERUSALEM MT 23. 13 -23. 39 MK 12. 40 LU 20. 47 MK 12. 38 -12. 40 38 And in his teaching he said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces 39 and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 40 who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation. ” 38 LU 20. 45 -20. 47 45 And in the hearing of all the people he said to his disciples, 46 "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 47 who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation. "

52 Lu 12. 1‑ 12. 59 JESUS TEACHES HIS DISCIPLES AND THE MULTITUDES – GALILEE 39 [1] In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. [2] For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. [3] Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. [4] And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. [5] But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. [6] Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? [7] But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

52 Lu 12. 1‑ 12. 59 JESUS TEACHES HIS DISCIPLES AND THE MULTITUDES – GALILEE [8] Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: [9] But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. [10] And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. [11] And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: [12] For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say. [13] And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. [14] And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? [15] And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 40

52 Lu 12. 1‑ 12. 59 JESUS TEACHES HIS DISCIPLES AND THE MULTITUDES – GALILEE 41 [16] And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: [17] And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? [18] And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. [19] And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. [20] But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? [21] So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. [22] And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. [23] The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. [24] Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? [25] And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?

52 Lu 12. 1‑ 12. 59 JESUS TEACHES HIS DISCIPLES AND THE MULTITUDES – GALILEE [26] If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? [27] Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [28] If then God so clothe grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? [29] And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. [30] For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. [31] But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. 42

52 Lu 12. 1‑ 12. 59 JESUS TEACHES HIS DISCIPLES AND THE MULTITUDES – GALILEE 43 [32] Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. [33] Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. [34] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. [35] Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; [36] And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. [37] Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. [38] And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. [39] And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. [40] Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

52 Lu 12. 1‑ 12. 59 JESUS TEACHES HIS DISCIPLES AND THE MULTITUDES – GALILEE 44 [41] Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? [42] And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? [43] Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. [44] Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. [45] But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; [46] The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. [47] And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. [48] But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

52 Lu 12. 1‑ 12. 59 JESUS TEACHES HIS DISCIPLES AND THE MULTITUDES – GALILEE [49] I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? [50] But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! [51] Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: [52] For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. [53] The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 45

52 Lu 12. 1‑ 12. 59 JESUS TEACHES HIS DISCIPLES AND THE MULTITUDES – GALILEE [54] And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. [55] And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. [56] Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? [57] Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right? [58] When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison. [59] I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite. (KJV) 46

52 THE CREED OF COURAGE AND OF TRUST (Lk 12: 1 -12) The Jewish definition of preaching – charaz (<H 2737>), means stringing pearls. This passage is a collection of pearls strung together without the close connection to each other but there are certain dominant ideas. • Beware Hypocrisy vv. 1 – 12 • Beware Covetousness vv. 13 – 21 • Beware Worry vv. 22 – 34 • Stay Diligent vv. 35 – 59 Jesus is teaching His disciples how to operate under conditions of rejection. The disciples are in great danger. They’ve left everything to follow this leader, only to find their national leadership rejecting him. This chapter is unusually relevant to each of us today. 47

52 THE CREED OF COURAGE AND OF TRUST (Lk 12: 1 -12) 48 In the meantime, when the people had been gathered together in their thousands, so that they trampled on each other, Jesus began to say first of all to his disciples, "Be on your guard against the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing covered up which will not be unveiled, and there is nothing secret which shall not be known. All, therefore, that you have spoken in the dark shall be heard in the light; and what you have spoken into someone's ear in the inner room will be proclaimed on the housetops. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and who after that are not able to do anything further. I will warn you whom you are to fear--fear him who after he has killed you has authority to cast you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for 1/2 pence ? And yet not one of them is forgotten before God. But as for you--even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows. I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, him will the Son of Man acknowledge before the angels of God; but he who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. If anyone speaks a word against the Son of Man it will be forgiven him; but he who speaks irreverently of the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. When they bring you before synagogues and rulers and those set in authority, do not worry how you will defend yourself or about what defence you will make, or about what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what you ought to say. ” [Barclay]

52 Beware Hypocrisy, beware the leaven (Lk 12: 1) 1] In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. [innumerable multitude] Greek: murias (G 3461), myriads, or tens of thousands of people until they trampled on one another. [his disciples] His disciples must have numbered many thousands from all parts of the country. Here the word is used to describe a mass of people, innumerable. However many, it was a great crowd that pushed together so that they could not move about among each other. 49

52 Beware Hypocrisy, beware the leaven (Lk 12: 1) 1] In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. “. . . beware ye the leaven”: Leaven is a common idiom in the Bible: It is always used negatively. It is a Jewish idiom for sin; leaven corrupts by puffing up (cf. 1 Co 4: 6, 18 -19; 5: 2). The origin of sin is pride. In the Old Testament at Passover the children search the whole house for the leaven (sin) to get it out. In the New Testament both Jesus and Paul use the term “leaven” several times, always negatively. Jesus compared it with leaven, something that every Jew associated with evil (Ex 12: 15 -20). Paul likewise (1 Cor. 5: 6 -8; Gal 5: 9). 50 Like leaven, hypocrisy soon infects the whole person.

52 Beware Hypocrisy, beware the leaven (Lk 12: 1) 1] In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. [Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy] This was spoken on another occasion (Mat 16: 6) [leaven of the Pharisees] Leaven means the false doctrines of the Pharisees, which were mere interpretations and traditions of men that they substituted for the Word of God (Mat 15: 1 -9; Mat 16: 612; Mat 23: 1 -33; Luk 11: 37 -52). These false doctrines are called "hypocrisy” because the Pharisees knew better than to teach such things and then pretend to believe God’s Word when in reality, they did not. 51

52 Understand what hypocrisy really is - (Lk 12: 1 -12) “. . . hypocrisy”: “Hypocrite” comes from a Greek word that came to mean “an actor; one who plays a part. ” The word hypocrite began by meaning someone who answers; and hypocrisy originally meant answering. First the words were used of the ordinary flow of question and answer in any talk or in any dialogue; Then they began to be connected with question and answer in a play. From that they went on to be connected with acting apart. The hypocrite is never genuine; he is always play-acting. The basis of hypocrisy is insincerity. God would rather have a blunt, honest sinner, than someone who puts on an act of goodness. 52

52 Recognize that hypocrisy is foolish/futile - Lk 12: 2 -3 2] For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. 3] Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. Nothing can really be hidden; it’s going to come out. God’s truth is a light which cannot be diffused or diffracted. Gal 6: 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 53 Mat 10: 26 -27 ESV "So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. (27) What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.

52 Understand what causes hypocrisy - Lk 12: 4 -6 4] And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5] But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. 6] Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? Hypocrisy = fearing of man more than you fear God. Having more concern for reputation than character. Being more concerned with pleasing men than pleasing God. The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. Proverbs 29: 25 Man's power over man is strictly limited to this life. 54 It was said of John Knox, as his body was being lowered into the grave, "Here lies one who feared God so much that he never feared the face of man. "

52 Understand what causes hypocrisy - Lk 12: 4 -6 4] And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5] But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. 6] Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? [friends] Greek: philos (G 5384), dear friend, associate Mat 11: 19; Mat 26: 50; Luk 7: 34; Joh 11: 11; Joh 15: 13 -15 55 [kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do] All man can do is kill the body. Man cannot kill the soul and spirit, which are immortal (1 Pe 3: 4). [cast into hell] Men can put into the grave after killing the body, but God alone can cast into hell (Rev 20: 11 -15; Psa 9: 17). [hell] Greek: gehenna (G 1067), the place of future and eternal torment. 12 times in the NT, always rendered "hell. " Same as "the lake of fire" found 5 times (Rev 19: 20; Rev 20: 10 -15; Rev 21: 8).

Ghenna Lake of Fire HELL The Underworld HADES / SHEOL Paradise: 2 chambers Abraham’s Bosom Luke 16 An Impassible Gulf Place of Torment The ‘holding cell’ of a group of ‘Fallen Angels’ and Demons who by their actions after the fall have been confined – NOT Hades or Sheol Acts 17: 11 1 Thes 5: 21 Tartarus, Abyss, Bottomless Pit 56

Gehenna (G 1067) Is Not the Grave 57 1. Only certain people are in danger of gehenna (Mat 5: 22; Mat 23: 15, Mat 23: 33). 2. Victory over sin is the only thing that will enable one to escape gehenna (Mat 5: 29 -30; Mat 18: 9; Rev 21: 8). 3. Both body and soul go to gehenna (Mat 10: 28; Luk 12: 5). 4. Gehenna is a place of damnation (Mat 23: 33; Mat 25: 41, Mat 25: 46; Rev 14: 9 -11; Rev 19: 20; Rev 20: 11 -15; Rev 21: 8; Isa 66: 22 -24). 5. Bodies are not put into gehenna until the judgment (Rev 20: 11 -15). 6. God only has power to put into gehenna (Luk 12: 5; Mat 10: 28). 7. Gehenna can set on fire the course of nature (Jas 3: 6). 8. Only the wicked go to gehenna (Rev 20: 11 -15; Rev 21: 8; Psa 9: 17). 9. Degrees of punishment in gehenna (Rev 20: 13; Mat 23: 14 -15). 10. People can repent and escape gehenna (Mat 3: 2 -8; Mat 23: 33). 11. Fire in gehenna — never quenched and worm does not die (Mar 9: 43 -49; Mat 25: 41, Mat 25: 46; Rev 14: 9 -11; Rev 20: 10 -15). 12. The fire, damnation, punishment, judgment, and contempt of gehenna are "eternal" (Mat 25: 41, Mat 25: 46; Mar 3: 29; Mar 9: 43 -49; Heb 6: 2; Jud 1: 7; Rev 14: 9 -11; Dan 12: 2). 13. There will be "weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth" in gehenna (Mat 8: 12; Mat 13: 42, Mat 13: 50; Mat 24: 51). 14. People will be put "alive" into gehenna (Rev 19: 20; Rev 20: 11 -15). 15. All the wicked in tartarus (2 Pe 2: 4; Jud 1: 6 -7), the abyss (Luk 8: 31; Rev 9: 1 -21; Rev 20: 3), and Sheol/Hades will be put into gehenna (Rev 20: 10 -15). 16. Gehenna is a place of eternal torment with "fire and brimstone" (Rv 14: 9 -11; 20: 10 -15). Not one of these things could be spoken of the grave.

Born Once, Die Twice; Born Twice, Die Once… 1 st birth – Physical birth Physical, mortal life – Temporary Born Spiritually dead already • Death: Greek = "thanatos“, death in a double sense. Literally: Physical and Spiritual Gk: thanatos = death from any cause • Death claims the body; Hades claims the soul. Happy Birthday to you… 1 st death – Physical death Separation of the Spirit from the Body - Temporary Death is not the cessation of life. It is separation !! 2 nd birth – Spiritual birth Eternal Life Ye must be born again… John 3 2 nd death – Eternal death Separation of the Spirit from God - Eternal Acts 17: 11 1 Thes 5: 21 58

59 Death: Physical, Spiritual, Eternal Separation It addition to ‘death to the Law there is: Physical death is the separation of the inner man from the outer man; from the body. The body only dies at this time and goes back to dust (Gen 3: 19; Jas 2: 26); the soul and spirit separate from the body. Spiritual death the cause of eventual physical and eternal death unless we are ‘born again’ Spiritual death is separation of man from God because of sin. It is the condition of all who are born physically. One can be spiritually dead and can still be alive physically (Mt 8: 22, Col 2: 14; 1 Tim 5: 6). One can be dead physically and still alive in hades, conscious in the soul and spirit or the inner man. The spirit and soul are immortal and are either dead in sins or in possession of eternal life in Christ at the time of physical death. In either case, they continue in consciousness whether in heaven or hell (1 Pet 3: 4; Lk 12: 5; Lk 16: 23) Second death: Eternal death The second death means the second and eternal separation from God in the lake of fire (Rev 2: 11; 20: 6, 14; 21: 8)

Hades Sheol Paradise 2 chambered holding place of the spirits of dead men located in the ‘lower regions’ of the earth; the deep. Prior to Jesus 1 st coming: • The unrighteous were and are held in Sheol or Hades, the lower chamber of Paradise • The ‘righteous’ were held in the upper chamber of Paradise called the ‘bosom of Abraham’. Tartarus The Abyss The Bottomless Pit Holding place of demon spirits and fallen angels who left their ‘first estate’ and who possessed or cohabited with men. Likely located in the center of the earth. At his resurrection, Jesus emptied the upper chamber of Paradise leadng ‘captivity captive’. Since Jesus resurrection: • The ‘righteous’ go immediately to be with the Lord Jesus, the Christ. • The unrighteous continue to await final judgment and sentencing to Hell Paradise – Half Occupied The Abyss – Occupied Hell - Empty THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT Paradise & The Abyss – Empty Hell - Occupied Gehenna The Lake of Fire Hell The place of Eternal Punishment located in the ‘outer darkness’ Acts 17: 11 1 Thes 5: 21 60

52 Understand what causes hypocrisy - Lk 12: 4 -6 4] And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5] But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. 6] Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? God's care is the most detailed of all. To God we are never lost in the crowd. 61 [two farthings] About 13 cents. “. . . farthing”: The word for “farthing” is assarion, a Roman copper coin worth about 1/16 of a denarius which was a day’s wage for the common man and it is used only here and in Matthew 10: 29. "Are not two sparrows sold for 1/4 pence” Here Luke says, "Are not five sparrows sold for 1/2 pence ? " If you spent ½ pence you got five sparrows. The fifth sparrow being thrown into the bargain for nothing. Not even that no value fifth sparrow is forgotten by God.

52 Understand what causes hypocrisy - Lk 12: 7 7] But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. The very hairs of our head are numbered. It has been computed that: • a blonde person has about 145, 000 hairs; • a dark-haired person, 120, 000; and • a person with red hair, 90, 000! The Jews were so impressed with the individual care of God that they said that every blade of grass had its guardian angel. None of us needs to fear man for we can each say, "God cares for me. “ 62 What about you and your life is too small and insignificant for God to care about.

52 Unforgiveable Luke 12: 8 -10 8] Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: 9] But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. 10] And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. [Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God. . . ] A number of Jesus’ own brothers who initially rejected Him (Jn 7: 5) but later came to faith in Him (Acts 1: 14) and were forgiven even though they had spoken against the Son of Man. 63 Here Jesus tells us of the unforgivable sin, which is the sin against the Holy Spirit. Matthew and Mark record that Jesus spoke about this sin immediately after the scribes and Pharisees had attributed his cures to the prince of devils instead of to God (Matt 12: 31 -32; Mk 3: 28 -29). These men could look at the very grace and power of God and call it the work of the devil.

52 Why is this unforgivable? Luke 12: 8 -10 8] Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: 9] But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. 10] And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. 64 The man that rejects the Spirit’s truth about Jesus has no other way to be reconciled to God, to have his own sin paid in full - except to pay his debt for sin himself. Rom 3: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Rom 6: 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. If a man does not even realize that he is sinning, if goodness no longer makes any appeal to him, he will not repent. God has not shut him out. By his repeated refusals of the Holy Spirit’s call to him, he has shut himself out.

52 Listen, Hear Me now… Luke 12: 8 -10 65 8] Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: 9] But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. 10] And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. God through His Spirit told his truth to men and it was by the action of the Spirit in a man's mind and heart that he could recognize and grasp God's truth. If a man refuses to use a faculty long enough, he will lose it. If we refuse to use any part of the body long enough it atrophies. We can lose the faculty of recognizing God. 2 Co 6: 1 -2 By repeatedly refusing God's word and truth about Jesus, By repeatedly taking our own way, By repeatedly shutting our eyes to God and closing our ears to God’s Spirit’s call, We can come to a stage when we do not recognize him when we see him, when to us evil becomes good and good becomes evil. That is what happened to the scribes and Pharisees. They had so blinded and deafened themselves to God that when he came they called him the devil.

52 Rewarded Loyalty Luke 12: 9 -10 9] But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. 10] And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. The reward of loyalty is no material thing. It is that in heaven Jesus will say of us, "This was my man. Well done!" 1 Co 3: 11 -23 Matt 25: 14 -30 Luke 19: 12 -27 66

52 The Paraclete Luke 12: 11 -12 11] And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: 12] For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say. In John’s Gospel the favorite title of the Holy Spirit is the Paraclete. Parakletos (<G 3875>) means someone who stands by to help. It can be used of a witness, or an advocate to plead our cause. In the day of trouble there need be no fear, for no less a person than the Holy Spirit of God stands by to help. 67 John 14: 15 -21 John 16: 7 -15 [magistrates] Officers of the civil law (Jdg 18: 7; Ezr 7: 25; Luk 12: 11, Luk 12: 58; Act 16: 20 -22, Act 16: 35 -38; Tit 3: 1). [take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say] Be not full of anxiety (Mat 6: 25).

52 The Comforter Luke 12: 11 -12 11] And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: 12] For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say. We must depend upon the Holy Spirit (vv. 11 -12) but we still need to prepare ourselves (2 Tim 2: 15). God did not judge the nation of Israel immediately. Jesus prayed for them as He hung on the cross (Lk 23: 34; cf. Acts 3: 17). The ministry of the apostles and other believers was the last opportunity for the nation, and they failed by rejecting the witness of the Spirit (Acts 7: 51). This was fulfilled during the first chapters of Acts when the message went out “to the Jew first. . . ” (Rom 1: 16; Acts 3: 26; 13: 46). 68

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 13 -21) Beware covetousness – The Rich Fool (13) Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me. " (14) But he said to him, "Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you? " (15) And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. " (16) And he told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man produced plentifully, (17) and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops? ' (18) And he said, 'I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. (19) And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry. "' (20) But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be? ' (21) So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God. ” 69

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 13 -51) Beware covetousness – The Rich Fool 13] And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. 14] And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? 15] And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. [divide the inheritance with me] Deu 21: 15 -17. It was common for people in Palestine to take their unsettled disputes to respected Rabbis; [who made me a judge or a divider over you? ] Jesus refused to be mixed up in anyone's disputes about money. Jesus took the opportunity to state what his followers' attitude to material things should be. 70 He had something to say both to those who had an abundant supply of material possessions and to those who had not.

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 13 -51) Beware covetousness – The Rich Fool 5] And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. [covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth] Covetousness is forbidden (Exo 20: 17; Mat 6: 19 -21; Rom 13: 9; Eph 5: 3; Heb 13: 5; 1 Jn 2: 15 -17). Hatred of it is one qualification of leaders, civil and religious (Exo 18: 21; 1 Ti 3: 3; Tit 1: 7; 1 Pe 5: 2). It will damn the soul (1 Co 5: 11; Eph 5: 3 -5; 1 Ti 6: 9 -11; 2 Pe 2: 3, 2 Pe 2: 14). It must be killed out entirely (Col 3: 2 -6). 71

Covetousness Desiring what you have no right to possess… 72

Covetousness Breeds 1. Greed and murder (Pro 1: 19; Isa 56: 11; Jer 22: 17) 2. Poverty and rebellion (Pro 11: 24) 3. Oppression and violence (Pro 22: 16; Jer 22: 17; Mic 2: 2) 4. Denial of God (Pro 30: 8 -9) 5. Injustice (Isa 1: 23; Mic 7: 3) 6. Backsliding (Mic 3: 11) 7. Deceptions (Mat 13: 22) 8. Defilement (Mar 7: 21 -23) 9. Temptations and lusts (1 Ti 6: 9 -11; 1 Jn 2: 15 -17) 10. A short life and a fool’s end (Jer 17: 11; Luk 12: 16 -21) 73

Examples of Covetousness: 1. Eve — forbidden fruit (Gen 3: 6) 2. Lot — lands (Gen 13: 10 -13) 3. Jacob — birthright and his father’s blessing (Ge 25: 31; 27: 6 -29) 4. Balaam — rewards (2 Pe 2: 15) 5. Achan — money (Jos 7: 21) 6. David — woman (2 Sa 11: 2 -5) 7. Ahab — vineyard (1 Ki 21: 2 -16) 8. Gehazi — gifts (2 Ki 5: 20 -27) 9. Rich fool — security (Luk 12: 17) 10. Judas — silver (Mat 26: 15 -16) 11. Pharisees — riches (Luk 16: 14) 12. Simon Magus — Holy Ghost power (Act 8: 18 -23) 13. Festus — money (Act 24: 26) 14. Demas — pleasures (2 Ti 4: 10) 74

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 16 -19) Beware covetousness – The Rich Fool 16] And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17] And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18] And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19] And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. There are perils to prosperity Proverbs 30: 7 -9 ESV Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: (8) Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, (9) lest I be full and deny you and say, "Who is the LORD? " or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God. 75

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 16 -17) Beware covetousness – The Rich Fool 16] And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17] And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? [parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully. . . ] Illustrating life does not consist of earthly possessions, [certain] The word is used by Luke in his two books (Luke and Acts) 101 times, or more than all the other writers of the entire Bible who use it 95 times. It is found only 26 times in the other gospels and only 9 times in all the epistles. Even though Luke calls this a parable, each time “certain” is used you can be certain Jesus is talking about a partiular, real person, real place or real thing and is probably not citing a parable or symbolic story. [fruits] Greek: karpos (G 2590), harvest — crops of the trees, vines, and fields. 76

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 16 -19) Beware covetousness – The Rich Fool 77 16] And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17] And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18] And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19] And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. People who are satisfied only with the things that money can buy are in great danger of losing the things that money cannot buy. Wealth can: • and, perhaps worst of all, give you a false sense of security. • choke the Word of God (Mt 13: 22); As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 16 -19) Beware covetousness – The Rich Fool Wealth can create snares and temptations not available to you otherwise (1 Tim 6: 6 -10, 17 -19) (6) But godliness with contentment is great gain, (7) for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. (8) But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. (9) But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. (10) For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 78 (17) As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. (18) They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, (19) thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 20) Beware covetousness – The Rich Fool 79 20] But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? To those who had an abundant supply of possessions Jesus spoke this parable of the Rich Fool. The problem with the farmer in Jesus’ parable was that he had a false view of both life and death. Death is not the end; that’s when lasting reality begins. . . The man never saw beyond himself. No parable is so full of the words, I, me, my and mine. Even when this man had an over abundance of goods it never entered his head to give any away. His whole attitude was the very reverse of Christianity. Instead of denying himself he aggressively affirmed himself; Instead of finding his happiness in giving, he tried to conserve it by keeping.

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 20) Beware covetousness – The Rich Fool 20] But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? John Wesley's had a rule of life to save all he could and give all he could. When he was at Oxford he had an income of 30 British pounds a year. He lived on 28 pounds and gave 2 pounds away. When his income increased to 60 pounds, 90 pounds and 120 pounds per year, he still lived on 28 pounds and gave the balance away. The Romans had a proverb which said that money was like seawater; the more a man drank the thirstier he became. 80 As long as a man's attitude is like that of the rich fool his desire will always be to get more--and that is the reverse of the Christian way which is to give all you can…

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 20) Beware covetousness – The Rich Fool 20] But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? [fool] Greek: aphron (G 878), senseless ones; without reason; foolish, stupid, acting without intelligence Luk_11: 40; Luk_12: 20; Rom_2: 20; 1 Co_15: 36; 2 Co_11: 16, 2 Co_11: 19; Eph_5: 17; 1 Pe_2: 15 Severe, but truthful. [this night thy soul shall be required of thee] God has this right and this power, and who can do anything about it if He so decrees? 81 [then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? ] This one we need to ponder. Who gets what we hoard and think is so valuable?

THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 20) Beware covetousness – The Rich Fool The point of the Jesus message: Luk 12: 21 …he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. Luk 12: 15 …Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 82

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 21) Beware covetousness – The Rich Fool 21] So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. The Rich Farmer never saw beyond this world. All his plans were made on the basis of life here. I will learn my trade - And then? I will set up in business - And then? I will make my fortune - And then? I shall grow old and retire and live on my money - And then? Then some day I will die - And then? The tragedy of the farmer is not what he left behind, but what he now faces in eternity… (cf. Mt 6: 33 -34). So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90: 12 83 How many weekends do you have left?

40 Lessons from Luke 12: 1 -59 84 1. Beware of hypocrisy (Luk 12: 1). 2. All secrets will be exposed (Luk 12: 2 -3). 3. Fear God, not man (Luk 12: 4 -5). 4. God’s providence is over all (Luk 12: 7). 5. Confess Christ (Luk 12: 8 -9). 6. Honor the Holy Spirit (Luk 12: 10). 7. Rely on the Holy Spirit (Luk 12: 12). 8. Refuse to be a busybody (Luk 12: 13 -14). 9. Beware of covetousness (Luk 12: 15). 10. Life is more than possessions (Luk 12: 15). 11. No security in possessions (Luk 12: 20). 12. Do not seek riches (Luk 12: 15 -21). 13. Do not trust in riches (Luk 12: 15 -21). 14. Life is uncertain (Luk 12: 18 -20). 15. Death is certain (Luk 12: 20). 16. Human plans for long life are foolish without God (Lu 12: 18 -21; Ps 91: 1 -16) 17. Must give account to God (Luk 12: 20 -21). 18. Use riches wisely while we control them (Luk 12: 20). 19. Make more provision for the soul than for the body (Luk 12: 18 -21). 20. Never seek riches at the expense of the soul’s welfare (Luk 12: 18 -20).

40 Lessons from Luke 12: 1 -59 85 21. Do not waste life to get rich; put important things first (Luk 12: 16 -21). 22. Laying up treasure only on earth will damn the soul (Luk 12: 21, 33 -34). 23. Never worry about necessities of life (Luk 12: 22 -30; Mat 6: 25 -34). 24. Life is more than meat (Luk 12: 23). 25. Body is more than raiment (Luk 12: 23). 26. Human beings are better than birds (Luk 12: 24). 27. Worry is sinful (Luk 12: 22, Luk 12: 25 -26). 28. God cares for man more than fine lilies (Luk 12: 27 -28). 29. Live free from doubt (Luk 12: 28 -29). 30. Seek God first and all other things will be added (Luk 12: 29 -31). 31. God knows all needs (Luk 12: 29 -31). 32. Fear not the future (Luk 12: 32). 33. God’s pleasure is to give even the kingdom to His children (Luk 12: 32). 34. Treasures in heaven are the only lasting ones (Luk 12: 33 -34). 35. Be watchful servants in view of Christ’s coming (Luk 12: 35 -38). 36. Be ready for His coming (Luk 12: 39 -40). 37. Be faithful servants in view of His coming (Luk 12: 41 -48). 38. Be reconciled to opposition from your best friends (Luk 12: 49 -53). 39. Know the times (Luk 12: 54 -57). 40. Live in peace with all people (Luk 12: 58 -59).

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 22) What does it mean to be “rich toward God” ? 22] And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. Jesus had something to say to those who had few possessions. He forbids anxious thoughts or worry. Jesus never told any man to live in a shiftless, thriftless, reckless way. He never told us not to prepare an plan. 86 Jesus did say to not be consumed by things that have not happened (and most likely never will) and over which we have no control. He did tell us to do our best and leave the rest to God.

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 21) What does it mean to be “rich toward God” ? 22] And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. “Take no thought. . . ” = “be not anxious”, literally, “be not torn apart. ” The English word “worry” comes from an old Anglo-Saxon word that means “to strangle. ” The rich farmer worried because he had too much; The disciples were probably tempted to worry because they had too little. 87 Live by faith in God knowing that faith is always tested. Every day life finds a new way for God to ask, “Do you trust Me? ”. Worry does not eliminate tomorrow’s problems. It only robs of today’s joy and peace. Worry is assuming a responsibility God did not intend for you to have. Worry is like paying interest on a debt that never comes due.

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 23 -25) What does it mean to be “rich toward God” ? 88 23] The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. 24] Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? 25] And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? Psa_147: 8 -9 deal with the providential management of the earth. God made laws to regulate all creations and these ordinances are eternal. They will always operate as intended unless tampered with by free moral agents. Just as man tampers with making rain, so Satan and spirit forces sometimes cause the elements to act contrary to their normal laws (Job_1: 6 -22; Eph_2: 2). how much more are ye better than the fowls? cubit: a standard of measure from fingertips to elbow, between 16 -22 inches; 18 inches is a common standard.

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 26) What does it mean to be “rich toward God” ? 26] If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. Psalm 39: 5 Worry is deceptive: it gives us a false view of life, of itself, and of God. Worry convinces us that life is made up of what we’re worried about; food and clothes. . . We get so concerned about the means that we forget about the end, which is to glorify God. 89

Ten Things to Consider Rather than Worry 1. God (Deu 4: 39; Deu 8: 5) 2. God’s goodness (1 Sa 12: 24) 3. God’s works (Job 37: 14; Psa 8: 3) 4. Jesus Christ (Heb 3: 1; Heb 12: 3) 5. One another (Heb 10: 24) 6. The past and future (Deu 32: 7, Deu 32: 29) 7. Their ways (Hag 1: 5 -7) 8. The ant and its ways (Pro 6: 6) 9. The lilies (Mat 6: 28) 10. The ravens (Luk 12: 24) Of all in God’s creation, man is the only creation given to worry, fear, rebellion, sin, and unbelief. 90

52 THE DOUBTFUL MIND (Lk 12: 27 -28) What does it mean to be “rich toward God” ? 91 27] Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28] If then God so clothe grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? Worry blinds us to the world around us and the way God cares for His creation. God makes the flowers beautiful and feeds the (unclean) ravens who neither sow nor reap. The lilies Jesus spoke of were the scarlet anemones. After one of the infrequent showers of summer rain, the mountain side would be scarlet with them; they bloomed one day and died. Wood was scarce in Palestine, and it was the dried grasses and wild flowers that were used to feed the oven fire. Jesus said "If God looks after the birds and the flowers, how much more will he care for you? ”

52 THE DOUBTFUL MIND (Lk 12: 27 -28) What does it mean to be “rich toward God” ? 29] And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink Let seeking of necessities be secondary. Spend first energies in seeking God and His righteousness and these things will be added (Luk 12: 31; Mat 6: 33). “. . . doubtful mind” = Greek: meteorizo (G 3349), to raise in mid-air, suspend, fluctuate, be anxious, or be carried about as meteors moved about with the currents, tossed up and down between hope and fear, to be held in suspense; as of a ship being tossed in a storm. Aka: “double minded” James 1: 5 -11 92

52 THE DOUBTFUL MIND (Lk 12: 27 -28) What does it mean to be “rich toward God” ? 30] For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. Worry is deformative: it can keep us from growing and makes us like the unsaved world. It is unchristian, a poor witness, and a sin: . . . for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Romans 14: 23 Jesus is not suggesting that we sit around and let God feed us; the birds themselves work hard to stay alive. He encourages us to trust Him and cooperate with Him in using the abilities and opportunities that He gives us (2 Thess 3: 6 -15). 93

WORRY Being consumed with thoughts about future events that: 1) Have not happened… and 2) You have no control over… Psa_110: 1 A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. Mat_22: 44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? Mar_12: 36 For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. Luk_20: 43 Till I make thine enemies thy footstool. Act_2: 35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Heb_1: 13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? 94 Heb_10: 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

Twelve Forbidden Practices – All involve Worry 1. Enchantments — practice of magical arts (Exo 7: 11, Exo 7: 22; Exo 8: 7, Exo 8: 18; Lev 19: 26; Deu 18: 10; 2 Ch 33: 6; 2 Ki 17: 17; 2 Ki 21: 6; Isa 47: 9, Isa 47: 12; Jer 27: 9; Dan 1: 20) 2. Witchcraft — practice of dealing with evil spirits (Exo 22: 18; Deu 18: 10; 1 Sa 15: 23; 2 Ch 33: 6; 2 Ki 9: 22; Mic 5: 12; Nah 3: 4; Gal 5: 19 -21) 3. Sorcery — same as witchcraft (Exo 7: 11; Isa 47: 9, Isa 47: 12; Isa 57: 3; Jer 27: 9; Dan 2: 2; Mal 3: 5; Act 8: 9 -11; Act 13: 6 -8; Rev 9: 21; Rev 18: 23; Rev 21: 8; Rev 22: 15) 4. Soothsaying — same as witchcraft (Isa 2: 6; Dan 2: 27; Dan 4: 7; Dan 5: 7, Dan 5: 11; Mic 5: 12) 5. Divination — the art of mystic insight or fortunetelling (Num 22: 7; Num 23: 23; Deu 18: 10 -14; 2 Ki 17: 17; 1 Sa 6: 2; Jer 14: 14; Jer 27: 9; Jer 29: 8; Eze 12: 24; Eze 13: 6 -7, Eze 13: 23; Eze 21: 22 -29; Eze 22: 28; Mic 3: 7; Zec 10: 2; Act 16: 16) 6. Wizardry — same as witchcraft. A wizard is a male and a witch is a female who practices witchcraft. Both were to be destroyed in Israel (Exo 22: 18; Lev 19: 31; Lev 20: 6, Lev 20: 27; Deu 18: 11; 1 Sa 28: 3, 1 Sa 28: 9; 2 Ki 21: 6; 2 Ki 23: 24; 2 Ch 33: 6; Isa 19: 3) 95 7. Necromancy — divination by means of pretended communication with the dead (Deu 18: 11; Isa 8: 19; 1 Sa 28: 1 -25; 1 Ch 10: 13)

Twelve Forbidden Practices – All involve Worry 8. Magic — any pretended supernatural art or practice (Gen 41: 8, Gen 41: 24; Exo 7: 11, Exo 7: 22; Exo 8: 7, Exo 8: 18 -19; Exo 9: 11; Dan 1: 20; Dan 2: 2, Dan 2: 10, Dan 2: 27; Dan 4: 7, Dan 4: 9; Dan 5: 11; Act 19: 19) 9. Charm — to put a spell upon (same as enchantment, Deu 18: 11; Isa 19: 3) 10. Prognostication — to foretell by indications, omens, signs, etc. (Isa 47: 13) 11. Observing times — same as prognostication (Lev 19: 26; Deu 18: 10; 2 Ki 21: 6; 2 Ch 33: 6) 96 12. Astrology and star gazing — divination by stars (Isa 47: 13; Jer 10: 2; Dan 1: 20; Dan 2: 2, Dan 2: 10; Dan 4: 7; Dan 5: 7 -15) All the above practices were and still are carried on in connection with demons, called familiar spirits. All who forsook God and God’s rest sought help from these demons were to be destroyed (Lev 19: 31; Lev 20: 6; Deu 18: 11; 1 Sa 28: 1 -25; 2 Ki 21: 6; 2 Ki 23: 24; 1 Ch 10: 13; 2 Ch 33: 6; Isa 8: 19; Isa 19: 3; Isa 29: 4. See 1 Ti 4: 1 -8; 2 Th 2: 8 -12; Mat 24: 24; Rev 13: 1 -18; Rev 16: 13 -16; Rev 19: 20).

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 31 -32) What does it mean to be “rich toward God” ? 31] But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. 32] Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. little flock True born-again Christians still make a "little flock" (Mat 7: 14, Mat 7: 21; 1 Pe 4: 18). "Seek first the kingdom of God. " We saw that God's kingdom was a state on earth in which his will was as perfectly done as it is in heaven. Jesus is saying, "Bend all your life to obeying God's will and rest content with that knowing God does not fail” 97

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 33 -34) What does it mean to be “rich toward God” ? 33] Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. 34] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. [Sell that ye have, and give alms] This refers to treasures which God forbids hoarding (Mat 6: 19; Mat 19: 21; Luk 12: 21, Luk 12: 33 -34), not ordinary homes and necessities of life other passages make men responsible to provide for their own (1 Ti 5: 8). The idea is not to hoard and covet like the example of Luk 12: 13 -21. Luke later comes back to this subject in Chapters 16 and 19. This is also what the early church did (Acts 2: 44 -45; 4: 32 -37). 98

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 33 -34) What does it mean to be “rich toward God” ? 33] Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. 34] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. [bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth] Cf: Mat 6: 19 -34 Money was kept in royal treasuries in bags, the value marked on each one which was then sealed. Private bankers also followed this plan. Money bags are mentioned in 2 Ki 5: 23; 2 Ki 12: 10; Job 14: 17; Joh 12: 6; Joh 13: 29. 99

52 THE PLACE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS IN LIFE (Lk 12: 31 -34) What does it mean to be “rich toward God” ? 100 31] But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. 32] Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33] Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. 34] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Many people give all their effort to heap up things which in their very nature cannot last. Work for the things which last forever, things which you can take with you when you leave this earth. In Palestine wealth was often in the form of costly raiment; the moths could get at the fine clothes and leave them ruined. But if a man’s garments, his character, are garments of honor and purity and goodness, nothing on earth can injure them. If a man seeks the treasures of heaven, his heart will be fixed on heaven; but if he seeks the treasures of earth, he is not rich toward God and he must some day say good-bye to all his earthly accumulations.

52 How Do We Win Over Worry? Be Prepared (Lk 12: 31 -38) 1) Realize that God knows our needs. He knows better than we do. We can trust Him to meet them (cf. Rom 8: 32). 2) Strive for the Divine viewpoint. His pleasures and our treasures must go together. If our hearts are fixed on the things of earth, we will always worry. 3) “Hang loose” of the world’s goods. It is not wrong to own things so long as the things don’t own us (Phil 4: 6 -9; Acts 2: 44 -45; 4: 34 -35). 101

52 Be Prepared (Lk 12: 35 -48) "Let your loins be girt and your lamps burning. Be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that, when he comes and knocks, they will open to him immediately. Happy are those servants whom the master will come and find awake. This is the truth that I tell you--he will gird himself; he will make them recline at table; and he will come and serve them. Happy are they if he finds them so, even if he comes in the second or third watch. Know this--that if the householder knew at what time thief would come he would have been awake and he would not have allowed his home to be broken into. So you must show yourselves ready, for the Son of Man comes at an hour you do not expect. ” 102

52 Be Prepared (Lk 12: 35 -48) 103 Peter said, "Lord are you speaking this parable to us or to everyone? " The Lord said, "Who, then, is the faithful and wise steward, whom the master will set over the administration of his house to give them their ration of food at the right time? Happy is that servant whom the master will come and find acting like this. I tell you truly that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But if that servant says in his heart, 'My master is delayed in coming, ' and if he begins to beat the men servants and the maid servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that servant will arrive on a day on which he is not expecting him and at an hour which he does not know, and he will cut him in pieces and he will place his part with the unfaithful. That servant who knew the will of his master, and who failed to have things ready, and to act in accordance with that will, will be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, even if he did things that deserved stripes, will be beaten with few stripes. To whom much is given, from him much will be required; and men will demand much from him to whom much was entrusted. ”

52 How Do We Win Over Worry? The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 35 -48) We are also called to diligence. While we are not be worried about the present, we need to watchful about the future. The best way to conquer hypocrisy, covetousness, and worry is to focus on the Lord’s return. That should be the overwhelming priority! Stay Diligent 104

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 35) 35] Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; This passage in its narrower sense it refers to Jesus’ 2 nd Coming. No man can tell the day or the hour when eternity will invade time and summons will come. There is praise for the servant who is ready. The long flowing robes of the east were a hindrance to work; and when a man prepared to work he gathered up his robes under his girdle to leave himself free for activity. [girded about] An allusion perhaps to the girding for a journey (Exo 12: 11) or ready with God’s truth (Eph 6: 14) 105 The eastern lamp was like a cotton wick floating in a bowl of oil. Always the wick had to be kept trimmed and the lamp replenished or the light would go out. [lights burning] Lamps. A symbol of watchfulness and readiness in view of expecting someone (Luk 12: 37; Mat 25: 1 -13).

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 36) 36] And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Jewish wedding analogy: The bridegroom’s servants need to be in readiness. The bridegroom would make a contract with the bride’s father. Then, he would go away to his father’s house to build additions for his new bride. He would come back in at a surprise time, to take the bride to the new house. 106

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 37) 37] Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. Here the Lord girds Himself to serve and reward His servants for faithfulness doing for the faithful what they were to do for others in absence. How would we like the Lord to find us when He returns? 107 • At peace with the Father. It will make all the difference at the last whether we feel that we are going out to a stranger or an enemy, or going to fall asleep in the arms of God. • At peace with our fellowmen. No man should let the sun go down on his anger (Eph 4: 26), he never knows when the Lord will return and if he will see another sun rise to make things right with his fellowmen.

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 37) 37] Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. How would we like the Lord to find us when He returns? • With our work completed. Life for many of us is filled with loose ends. Things are undone and things are half done; things put off and things not even attempted. Jesus said, "I have accomplished the work which thou gavest me to do" (Jn 17: 4). No man should ever lightly leave undone a task he ought to have finished, before night falls. 108

52 Be Prepared (Lk 12: 35 -48) In the east the steward had almost unlimited power. A trusted steward ran his master's house for him and administered his estate. He was himself a slave, yet he had control of all the other slaves. Jesus draws a picture of the wise and the unwise steward. The unwise steward said, I will do what I like while my master is away; he forgot that the day of reckoning must come. 109 We have a habit of dividing life into compartments. There is a part in which we remember that God is present; and There is a part in which we never think of him at all. We tend to draw a line between sacred and secular; but if we really know what Christianity means we know there is no part of life when the master is away. We are working and living forever in our great task-master's eye

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 38) 38] And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. “. . . second watch”: The second watch was from 9 P. M. to midnight, and the third watch was from midnight to 3 AM. Night Watches Before the Captivity the Jews divided the night into three watches: 1) “the beginning of the watches” (from sunset to midnight); Lam 2: 19; 2) “the middle watch” (from midnight till the cock-crowing); Judg 7: 19; 3) “the morning watch” from the cock-crowing till sunrise (Ex 14: 24; 1 Sam 11: 11). In the New Testament we read of four night watches, a division probably introduced by the Romans (Mt 14: 25; Mk 6: 48; 13: 35 Lk 12: 38). 6 pm-9 pm, 9 pm-12 am, 12 am-3 am, 3 am-6 am >> Night Watches 110 We are to expect him at any albeit unknown moment.

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 38) 38] And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. Be in readiness in view of the second coming, (Mat 24: 43). The attitude we must have toward His Return is to be alert — not to be caught by surprise (1 Thess 5: 2; Mt 24: 43; Rev 16: 15). The unwise servant said, I have plenty of time to put things right before the master comes; 111

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 39) 39] And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. [goodman] Greek: Oikodespotes (G 3617), master of the house. Used 12 times of Christ and men. There is nothing so fatal as to feel that we have plenty of time. "We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night comes when no one can work" (Jn 9: 4). The passage finishes with the warning that knowledge and privilege always bring responsibility. Failure is doubly blameworthy in the man who had every chance to do well. 112

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 40) 40] Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. These passages imply immanency: The Tribulation is a well-documented 7 -year period in the Bible. It is absolutely divided into to equal halves of: “time, times, and half a time” 42 months 1, 260 days There’s no immanency in His 2 nd Coming if we know exactly when he’s returning after the end of the Tribulation. The immanency refers to the Rapture, a day and hour we cannot an do not know, which comes as ‘a thief in the night’… 113

52 Are You Talking to Me? (Lk 12: 41) 41] Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? Disciples often sought clarification from their teachers by asking questions. Jesus told two parables (vv. 35 -40 and vv. 42 -48), They are connected by this question by Peter (v. 41). The second parable expands and explains the first. 114

52 Are Ypu Talking to Me ? ? (Lk 12: 41) 41] Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? This parable is also found in Matthew (Mat 24: 45 -51), where it is not preceded by Peter's question. 115 Peter's curiosity had been aroused. Jesus had been speaking about those who at his coming would be “ready” (Luk 12: 37), but he had implied that some would not be ready. An understandable inference would be that The Twelve and some other constant followers would be the ready ones; the rest of the people, the unready ones. Yet, from Luk 12: 22 on the Master had been directing his attention to his disciples, and not nearly as directly to the vast multitude.

52 You Are Talking to Me !! (Lk 12: 41) 41] Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? Did the Master mean that even among his disciples there would be those not ready to welcome him? To whom was Jesus telling the parable? Were all who followed Jesus to share in that strange, mighty promise; or only a few, such as Peter and his companions, who were called for a special purpose? 116 What Jesus seems to be saying is, “Never mind asking questions stemming from curiosity pure and simple. What you should do is try very hard to be a faithful and sensible managers. ”

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 42) 117 42] And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Mat 24: 45 -51 Compared with Luk 12: 42 -46 Matthew Luke servant manager has put in charge will put in charge household employees servants food allowance or food ration wicked omitted in Luke is taking his time in coming his fellow servants the men and women servants shall eat and drink with to eat and drink and get drunk drunkards with hypocrites with the unfaithful

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 42) 42] And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? [ref v 37] To illustrate what he means Jesus tells another parable, that of the faithful over against the unfaithful servant. It is a safe supposition that the master has a number of “servants” or, if one prefers, “slaves, ” and is about to leave on a journey. 118 Many well-to-do householders had a slave called a “steward, ” a sort of business manager who managed the estate. Such a high-level slave could be in charge of rations to the other servants. Upward mobility existed among household servants; Many such servants outranked free peasants in terms of real power or status, and even earned more money (which they could later use to buy their freedom).

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 42) 42] And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Before he leaves he places his most trusted underling in charge of the other employees. In this capacity this newly appointed manager not only supervises the work of the other servants but also and specifically takes care that they are well provided for. Such a slave could abuse his authority only if the master were not present. A slave who abused his masters other slaves was viewed as mistreating his master’s property 119 Doing the will of the Master and caring for those in need is certainly the task assigned to all.

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 43 -44) 43] Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 44] Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. The faithful servant is called “Blessed [Happy]…whom his master shall find so doing” because of being exalted over his master’s goods, as a reward for faithfulness. The proper attitude on the part of the one who awaits the master's return is eagerness to render active service in the interest of those entrusted to the servant. 120 This is the proper spirit in which believers should await as Savior the Lord Jesus Christ (Php 3: 20) is • not the feverish nervousness of certain Thessalonians (2 Th 2: 1 -2; 2 Th 3: 6 -12), • nor the nauseating lukewarmness of the Laodiceans (Rev 3: 14 -22), • but the active faithfulness of the Smyrnians (Rev 2: 8 -11). Serve in the capacity the Lord has given you while you look for His return.

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 43 -44) 43] Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 44] Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. In the parable, the master, upon his return, rewards his faithful servant by setting him over all his possessions, So also Jesus himself at his glorious coming will bestow on all his faithful ones a high degree of glory and honor. Luk 19: 17, 19 Jesus promises imply the assignment of certain specific tasks in the life hereafter, each task a matter of pure delight and satisfaction, and each in harmony with the individuality of the person for whom it is marked out and that servants faithfulness now in Jesus’ absence. 121

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 45) 45] But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; Having revealed what will happen to the faithful servant, Jesus goes on to reveal what will be the lot of the unfaithful servant. There are degrees or grades in retribution as there are in glory. The greater our responsibility, the greater our condemnation, if we fail. Retribution is the inevitable penalty of infidelity to trust; but it will be precisely proportioned to our knowledge of the Lord’s will and how we carried out that will and purpose to which we were assigned by the Lord. 122

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 45) 45] But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; This servant is saying something “in his heart, ” that is, to himself. What a man says to himself is often even more important than what he says openly. Mat 9: 3, Mat 9: 21; Luk 12: 17; Luk 15: 17 -19. But within the secret precincts of his own being this particular man is conversing wickedly, irresponsibly… Pro 23: 7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. 123

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 45) 124 45] But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; [in his heart] The coming of Christ must be kept in the heart as a living hope (Tit 2: 13; 1 Jn 3: 1 -3). The unfaithful servant is thinking, “It will be a long, long time before the master returns. In the meantime let me have some fun. ” 2 Pe 3: 4. But he doesn’t know when his master will return. He convinces himself he has time to spare… He is not thinking of innocent fun. Just for fun he begins to beat up the male and female slaves that have been entrusted to his care. He begins to throw his weight around. “Let those slaves cower. Let them cringe. ” Meantime he revels in eating, drinking, and getting drunk.

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 45) 45] But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; [menservants] Greek: pais (G 3816), a child, a boy or girl. This could be translated, "boys and girls, " intimating not only unfaithfulness, riot, and severity, but also unmanly cruelty which assails the weak and unprotected. [drunken] Four sins of the unfaithful servant: 1. His heart turned away from his master. 2. He began beating helpless people. 3. He became a glutton. 4. He became a drunkard (Gal 5: 19 -20; 1 Co 6: 9 -11). 125

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 45) 45] But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; Suddenly and unexpectedly the master returns! Convinced by the evidence that this servant has abused the trust placed in him and that he proven to be a thoroughly unreliable person, he issues orders that the culprit be cut to pieces (whipped). 126 There have been and there are many faithful servants, who will one day hear the welcome words, “Well done!” But are there also many of the opposite type, men filled with envy, lust to rule, selfishness? Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, (Num 16: 1 ff. ), Diotrephes, who made life difficult for the apostle John (3 Jn 1: 9), The scribes and chief priests, who brought about the death of Jesus, has not yet died out.

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 46) 46] The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers [“unfaithful”]. [lord of that servant] Who this master was we do not know, but it is a fitting illustration of Christ coming to deal with His servants (Mat 24: 45 -51). 127

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 46) 46] The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers [“unfaithful”]. The punishment of “cutting in pieces” is attested elsewhere in an earlier period in the pagan Greek East; Luke’s readers, who would view themselves as more civilized, would no doubt find this detail horrifying. Taken literally, the subsequent banishment with unbelievers could mean that he was deprived of decent burial; but in the parable it especially points to the Jewish doctrine of hell (Gehinnom) for idolaters. 128 [cut him in sunder] Cut him off and send him into outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Mat 24: 51; Mat 25: 30, Mat 25: 41, Mat 25: 46).

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 46) 46] The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers [“unfaithful”]. "portion with the unbelievers, ” understand the phrase as equivalent for scourging; to scourge the back with the rod. The expression implies that a terrible doom is reserved in the life to come for those who have so sadly misused their God given opportunities and neglected their great responsibilities. 129 What is the portion of the unbelievers (Rev 21: 8)? Does this mean that the Master is cruel? Not at all. That he is just and reasonable appears from the closing passage of this section. We reap what we sow… Gal 6: 7 -8 We earn our reward – good or bad.

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 47) 47] And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. The servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act in accordance with that will shall receive many blows of the lash. The servant who did not know and did things that call for a beating shall receive few blows. Jews according to the law could only give 40 stripes (Deu 25: 3), Often the number of lashes was reduced based on the crime and the ability of the criminal to survive the beating. Later Jews began to give 40 for each crime. 130 From every one who has been given much, much will be required; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, all the more will be demanded.

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 47) 47] And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. Verses Luk 12: 47 -48 make clear that “the master” to whom reference is made is the same as the one in the immediately preceding verses, and that in both cases he at least symbolizes Jesus Christ. Verses Luk 12: 47 -48 shed light on the reason why the punishment described in verse Luk 12: 46 (“he shall cut him to pieces”) was so severe. The servant who received this punishment knew his master's will but did not obey it 131

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 47) 132 47] And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. Among those who at the master's return are punished there is indeed a difference: some are punished severely, others lightly. This shows that not only are there degrees of glory in the new heaven and earth (1 Co 15: 41 -42), but there also degrees of suffering in hell. Responsibility varies with gifts; it is commensurate with knowledge and opportunity. The New Testament teaches this not only here but also in such passages as Mat 10: 15; Mat 11: 22, Mat 11: 24; Luk 10: 12 -14; Luk 23: 34; Act 3: 17; 1 Ti 1: 13. Even the Old Testament teaches this (Lev 26: 28; Num 15: 22 -31; Psa 19: 12 -13; Amo 3: 2). ).

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 48) 48] But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. An ignorant man will receive less punishment, like a man who committed some petty crime would be beaten by Jews with as few as four to six stripes. This is not putting a premium on ignorance. The fault in this case was being ignorant at all where there was opportunity of knowing his master’s will. In Christian lands where truth abounds in gospel light, ignorance is inexcusable (Rom 1: 13; 1 Co 14: 38). 133

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 47) 47] And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. Why should the servant who did not know his master's will be punished at all Ignorance is never absolute. Rom 1: 20 -21; Rom 2: 14 -16. Ignorance is an impediment not an excuse… Stupid is forever…Ignorance can be fixed !! 134

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 48) 48] But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. The entire passage makes clear that the talents with which God has given us must be used, the time must be “redeemed, ” the opportunities improved. No one has the right to be lazy. “I didn’t know”, is not a justifiable cause. No one has the right to live for himself alone. A person must live for others (1 Co 9: 22), and for God (1 Co 10: 31). 135

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 48) 48] But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. From this and the preceding verse we find that it is a crime to be ignorant of God’s will; because God has given to every one the means of instruction and learning. Those who have had much light, or the opportunity of receiving much, and have not improved it to their own salvation, and the good of others, shall have punishment proportioned to the light they have abused. On the other hand, those who have had little light, and few means of improvement, shall have few stripes, shall be punished only for the abuse of the knowledge they possessed. 136

52 The Call To Diligence (Lk 12: 48) 137 48] But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. These verses are easy to understand. They explain the broad principles upon which the foregoing statements, in parable and in direct teaching, are based. God will be fair. However, we are called, expected to know His will (Rom 12: 1, 2; Col 1: 9) and to grow in our knowledge of Him (2 Pet 3: 18). Rewards and punishments will be allotted in the coming world with strict justice. Greater knowledge brings greater responsibility (see Lev 26: 18; Amo 3: 1 -2). In this solemn passage it is notable that degrees or grades in punishment as well as degrees or grades in glory are spoken of distinctly.

52 THE COMING OF THE SWORD (Lk 12: 49 -53) Jesus said, "I came to cast fire upon the earth. And what do I wish? Would that it were already kindled! There is an experience through which I must pass; and now I am under tension until it is accomplished! Do you think I came to give peace in the earth? Not that, I tell you, but division! From now on in one house there will be five people divided--three against two, and two against three. They will be divided, father against son, and son against father, mother against daughter, and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against her motherin-law. " 138

52 Fire Used Figuratively 1. Jealousy (Deu 4: 24; Eze 36: 5) 2. Man’s anger (Pro 16: 27; Psa 39: 3) 3. God’s Word (Jer 5: 14; Jer 23: 29) 4. Sin (Pro 6: 27; Isa 9: 18) 5. The tongue (Jas 3: 5 -6) 6. Ministers (Psa 104: 4; Heb 1: 7) 7. Christ (Mal 3: 2) 8. Holy Spirit (Mat 3: 11; Rev 4: 5) 9. Tribulation (Psa 66: 12; 1 Pe 1: 7) 10. God’s anger (Isa 31: 9; Jer 4: 4; Jer 21: 12; Eze 36: 5) 11. Judgment (Zec 13: 9; Isa 10: 16 -17; Jer 17: 27; Jer 50: 32) 12. Persecution and division because of the gospel (Luk 12: 49) 139

52 Stay Diligent (Lk 12: 49) 49] I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? To the Jews, fire was a symbol of judgment Jesus regarded the coming of his kingdom as a time of judgment. (Jn 9: 39 -41). However much we may wish to eliminate the element of judgment from the message of Jesus it remains stubbornly and unalterably there. To those who were learning to regard Jesus as the Messiah, the anointed one of God, these words would come as a bleak shock. They regarded the Messiah as conqueror and king, and the Messianic age as a golden time. The Jews firmly believed that God would judge other nations by one standard and themselves by another; that the very fact that a man was a Jew would be enough to absolve him. 140

52 Stay Diligent – There is Work to Do (Lk 12: 50) 50] But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! [baptized] Greek: baptizo (G 907), • from bapto (G 911), to dip (Luk_16: 24; Rev_19: 13; Joh_13: 26); • to overwhelm with suffering (Mat_20: 22 -23; Luk_12: 50); • to bury into (Rom_6: 3 -7; Col_2: 12), regardless of the element used. The Greek verb baptizein (<G 907>) means to dip. In the passive it means to be submerged. Often it is used metaphorically. • For instance, it is used of a ship sunk beneath the waves. • It can be used of a man submerged in drink and therefore dead-drunk. • It can be used of a scholar submerged (or sunk, as we say) by an examiner's questions. 141 [baptism to be baptized with] Baptism of sufferings (Luk 24: 26; Act 3: 18; 1 Pe 3: 18).

52 Stay Diligent – There is Work to Do (Lk 12: 50) 50] But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! In Acts 8: 38 both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water so burial symbolism in water could take place (Rom_6: 4; Col_2: 12). They went down into the water and came up out of the water, as in other places (Mat_3: 6; Mat_3: 16; Mar_1: 10). 1. Bapto (G 911), the root word for baptize and baptism, means to dip; dip under; sink; dip in; immerse; plunge; and to cover entirely with liquid. Including the compound embapto (G 1686), it is used six times in Scripture: (1) To dip one’s finger in water (Luk_16: 24). (2) To dip bread in gravy (Mat_26: 23; Mar_14: 20; Joh_13: 26, twice) (3) Garment dipped in blood to dye it (Rev_19: 13). 142

52 Stay Diligent – There is Work to Do (Lk 12: 50) 50] But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! 143 2. Baptizo (G 907), derived from bapto (G 911), to overwhelm; make wholly wet; immerse; submerge; sink; plunge; to dip under; and to baptize. It appears 80 times in the New Testament: (1) Baptized in the river Jordan (Mat_3: 6; Mar_1: 5, Mar_1: 9) (2) Baptized with (Greek "in") water (Mt_3: 11; Mk_1: 8; Jn_1: 26, 31, 33) (3) When he was baptized, went up out of the water (Mt_3: 16; Mk_1: 10; Ac_8: 38 -39) (4) Baptized in the cloud and in the sea (2 Co_10: 2) (5) Baptize you with (Greek: "in") the Holy Ghost (Mat_3: 11; Mar_1: 8; Luk_3: 16; Joh_1: 33; Act_1: 5; Act_11: 16) (6) Twice out of 80 times it is translated "wash" with the idea of dipping or thoroughly cleansing that which washed (Mar_7: 4; Luk_11: 38). (7) It is translated "Baptist" one time (Mar_6: 14) and "baptized" once (Joh_10: 40), meaning dipper and dipped. (8) It is translated "baptize, " to dip under; literally, to dip wholly, 76 times (Mt 3: 6 -16; Mt 20: 22 -23; Mt 28: 19; Mk 1: 4 -9; Mk 10: 38 -39; Mk 16: 16; Lk 3: 7 -21; Lk 7: 29 -30; Lk 12: 50; Jn 1: 25 -33; Jn 3: 22 -26; Jn 4: 1 -2; Ac 1: 5; Ac 2: 38, Ac 2: 41; Ac 8: 12 -16, Ac 8: 36 -38; Ac 9: 18; Ac 10: 47 -48; Ac 11: 16; Ac 16: 15, Ac 16: 33; Ac 18: 8; Ac 19: 3 -5; Ac 22: 16; Ro 6: 3; 1 Co 1: 13 -17; 1 Co 10: 2; 1 Co 12: 13; 1 Co 15: 29; Ga 3: 27).

52 Stay Diligent – There is Work to Do (Lk 12: 50) 50] But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! 3. Baptisma (G 908), immersion, submersion. It is used 22 times and always translated "baptism" (Mat_3: 7; Mat_20: 22 -23; Mat_21: 25; Mar_1: 4; Mar_10: 38 -39; Mar_11: 30; Luk_3: 3; Luk_7: 29; Luk_12: 50; Luk_20: 4; Act_1: 22; Act_10: 37; Act_3: 24; Act_18: 25; Act_19: 3 -4; Rom_6: 4; Eph_4: 5; Col_2: 12; 1 Pe_3: 21). • There are seven different baptisms. • All baptisms are by burial (Rom_6: 4; Col_2: 12) which means by dipping, according to facts above. • Baptism does not remit sins. 144

52 Stay Diligent – There is Work to Do (Lk 12: 50) 4. Baptismos (G 909), a dipping in water; a baptism. It is translated baptism (Heb_6: 2); and washing (Mat_7: 4, Mat_7: 8; Heb_9: 10). These washings refer to the many ceremonial cleansings. 5. Baptistes (G 910), a baptizer; one who dips. It is translated "Baptist" 14 times (Mat_3: 1; Mat_11: 11 -12; Mat_14: 2, Mat_14: 8; Mat_16: 14; Mat_17: 13; Mar_6: 24 -25; Mar_8: 28; Luk_7: 20, Luk_7: 28, Luk_7: 33; Luk_9: 19). 145

52 Seven Baptisms in Scripture: 146 1. John’s baptism in water (Mat_3: 1 -17; Mar_1: 1 -45; Luk_3: 1 -38; Luk_7: 29 -30; Joh_1: 31 -33; Joh_3: 23 -26; Joh_10: 40; Act_1: 5; Act_11: 16; Act_19: 3) 2. Christ’s baptism in water (Joh_3: 22; Joh_4: 1 -2) 3. Baptism in suffering (Luk_12: 50) 4. Baptism in the cloud and in the sea (1 Co_10: 2) 5. Christian baptism in water (Mat_28: 19; Mar_16: 16; Act_2: 38 -41; Act_8: 12 -16, Act_8: 36 -38; Act_9: 18; Act_10: 47 -48; Act_16: 15, Act_16: 33; Act_18: 8; Act_19: 5; Act_22: 16; 1 Co_1: 13 -17; 1 Pe_3: 21) 6. Baptism into Christ and into His body (Rom_6: 3 -7; 1 Co_12: 13; Gal_3: 27; Col_2: 12) 7. Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Mat_3: 11, Mat_3: 14; Mat_20: 22 -23; Mar_1: 8; Mar_10: 38 -39; Luk_3: 16; Joh_1: 33; Joh_7: 37 -39; Act_1: 5; Act_11: 16; Act_19: 2 -3)

52 Three Baptisms for Believers: 1. Into Christ or into His body at the new birth. Called "one baptism" (Eph_4: 5), because it is the only baptism that saves the soul and brings into the body of Christ. 2. Water baptism after one is saved to symbolically demonstrate the believer recognition of Jesus and Lord and his new life in Him. 3. Spirit baptism, the enduement of power for service. It can take place before water baptism (Act_10: 44 -48) or after it (Act_1: 4 -8; Act_2: 1 -11; Act_8: 12 -21; Act_19: 1 -7). 147 The Holy Spirit is the agent to baptize into Christ and into His body (1 Co_12: 13); Christ is the agent to baptize in the Holy Spirit (Mat_3: 11; Joh_1: 31 -33); and The minister, His disciple, is the agent to baptize in water (Mat_28: 19).

52 Stay Diligent – There is Work to Do (Lk 12: 50) 50] But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! Above all it is used of a man submerged in some grim and terrible experience--someone who can say, "All the waves and billows are gone over me. " Jesus uses baptizein here to refer to His suffering and death (Ps 42: 7, Jonah 2: 3; cf. Lk 11: 29 -30). [straitened] Greek: sunecho (G 4912), pressed (Act 18: 5; Php 1: 23; Luk 22: 41 -42). 148 "I have, " he said, "a terrible experience through which I must pass; and life is full of tension until I pass through it and emerge triumphantly from it. " The cross was ever before his eyes. How different from the Jewish idea of God's King! Jesus came, not with avenging armies and flying banners, but to give his life a ransom for many.

52 It Won’t Be Easy - There is Work to Do (Lk 12: 50) 51] Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: Think not that I come to send peace on earth: I come not to send peace but a sword. Cf: Lu 4: 16 -21; Isa 61 Mat 10: 34 "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. The war, division, strife, and persecution over the gospel had already begun. [division] Christ is not the actual cause of division, but the occasion of it. Division is caused by rebellion of men against the gospel (2 Co 2: 14 -17). 149

52 It Won’t Be Easy - There is Work to Do (Lk 12: 50) 51] Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: Think not that I come to send peace on earth: I come not to send peace but a sword. Cf: Lu 4: 16 -21; Isa 61 Does this contradict what the angel said over the shepherd fields? And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2: 14 The traditional translation of Luke 2: 14 is not accurate: It is better translated: “and on earth peace to men of good will” or “on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests. ” 150 God’s peace is not given to those who have good will, but to those who are recipients of God’s good will or favor.

52 It Won’t Be Easy - There is Work to Do (Lk 12: 50) 52] For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 53] The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. There will be division (Jn 7: 12, 43; 9: 16; 10: 19). His coming would inevitably mean division and it did. One of the great reasons why the Romans hated Christianity was it tore families in two. Over and over again a man had to decide whether he loved better his family or Christ. 151 The essence of Christianity is that loyalty to Christ has to take precedence over the dearest loyalties of this earth. A man must be prepared to count all things but loss for the excellence of Jesus Christ.

52 …WHILE YET THERE IS TIME (Lk 12: 54 -59) Jesus said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, 'Rain is coming. ' And so it happens. When you feel the south wind blowing, you say, 'There will be scorching heat. ' And so it happens. Hypocrites! you can read the signs of the face of the earth and the sky. How can you not read the signs of this time? Why do you not for yourselves judge what is right? When you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, make an effort to come to an agreement with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the officer, and the officer will throw you into prison. 152 I tell you, you will not come out from there until you have paid the last farthing. “

52 Have Discernment (Lk 12: 54 -57) 54] And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. 55] And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. 56] Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? 57] Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right? 154 In Matthew 16: 2 -3, Jesus quotes a sailor’s proverb, “Red sky at morning, sailor take warning; Red sky at night, sailor’s delight. ” When the Jew's of Palestine saw the clouds forming in the west, over the Mediterranean Sea, they knew rain was on the way. (1 Ki 18: 43 -45). When the south wind blew from the desert land to the south, they knew the sirocco-like wind was coming.

52 Have Discernment (Lk 12: 54 -57) 54] And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. 55] And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. 56] Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? 57] Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right? Those who were so wise to read the signs of the sky could not, or would not, read the signs of the times. If they had, they would have seen that the kingdom of God was among them. 155 After calling their attention to two clear facts which they recognized, He then rebuked them for not being willing to accept the plain facts of the times (Mat 16: 1 -4).

52 Have Diligence (Lk 12: 58 -59) 156 58] When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison. 59] I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite. Jesus said, "When you are threatened with a law-suit, come to an agreement with your adversary before the matter comes to court, for if you do not you will have imprisonment to endure and a fine to pay. " The assumption is that the defendant has a bad case which will inevitably go against him. "Every man has a bad case in the presence of God; and if he is wise, he will make his peace with God while yet there is time. " There are some things a man cannot afford to put off; above all, making his peace with God. All will be held accountable. We all have a day of reckoning. …behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6: 2

53 Lu 13. 1‑ 13. 9 SLAUGHTER OF CERTAIN GALILEANS; PARABLE OF THE BARREN FIG TREE – GALILEE 158 [1] There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. [2] And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? [3] I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall likewise perish. [4] Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? [5] I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall likewise perish. [6] He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. [7] Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? [8] And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: [9] And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

53 Lu 13. 1‑ 5 SLAUGHTER OF CERTAIN GALILEANS – GALILEE At this time some men came and told Jesus about the Galilaeans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. "Do you think, " he answered, "that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans because this happened to them? I tell you, No! But unless you repent you will all perish in like manner. Or, as for the eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell – do you think they were debtors to God beyond all those who dwell in Jerusalem? I tell you, No! But unless you repent you will perish in the same way. " 159 Here we have references to two disasters. We have no definite information about either except for the fact that Jesus referenced them so we can only speculate the details surrounding the events…

53 Lu 13. 1‑ 3 SLAUGHTER OF CERTAIN GALILEANS – GALILEE At this time some men came and told Jesus about the Galilaeans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. "Do you think, " he answered, "that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans because this happened to them? I tell you, No! But unless you repent you will all perish in like manner. 160 Galileans always tended to get involved in political trouble because they were a highly inflammable people. Galilee was at the northern crossroads to trade routes from Europe, Asia and Egypt and as such was subjected to ‘thinking’ and ideas coming from ‘outside the Judean thought box’. In many ways, Galilee was comparable to the West Coast of the U. S. while Judea was like the U. S. southern ‘Bible Belt’. The raising of this issue to Jesus was a form of entrapment. If he spoke against Pilate, he’d give the Jewish leaders an excuse to accuse him to Roman authorities; If he ignored the issue, the people would accuse him of being pro-Roman and disloyal to the people.

53 Lu 13. 1‑ 3 SLAUGHTER OF CERTAIN GALILEANS 161 At this time some men came and told Jesus about the Galilaeans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. "Do you think, " he answered, "that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans because this happened to them? I tell you, No! But unless you repent you will all perish in like manner. It was just about this time that Pilate decided that Jerusalem needed a new and improved water supply. It was needed, but… He proposed to build it and, to finance it with certain Temple monies. The idea of spending Temple monies like that caused the Jews to rise up in arms. Almost certainly Galileans would be involved in that. When the mobs gathered, Pilate instructed his soldiers to carry cudgels rather than swords and mingle with them, wearing cloaks over their battle dress for disguise. At a given signal they were to fall on the mob and disperse them but the soldiers dealt with the mob more violently then their instructions and a considerable number of people lost their lives. We know that Pilate and Herod were at enmity, and only became reconciled after Pilate had sent Jesus to Herod for trial (Lk 23: 6 -12). It may well be that it was this very incident which provoked that enmity.

53 Lu 13. 4‑ 5 THE 18 KILLED BY THE COLLAPSE OF THE TOWER OF SILOAM – GALILEE Or, as for the eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell – do you think they were debtors to God beyond all those who dwell in Jerusalem? I tell you, No! But unless you repent you will perish in the same way. " When the tower in Siloam fell and 18 were killed we know even less. The King James Version uses the word sinners of them also; but, as the margin shows, it should be not sinners but debtors. 162 It has been suggested that they had actually taken work on Pilate's hated aqueducts. If so, any money they earned was Temple money that was due to God and should have been voluntarily handed over, because it had already been stolen from him; Popular talk may have declared that the tower had fallen on them because of the work they had consented to do.

53 Lu 13. 4‑ 5 THE 18 KILLED BY THE COLLAPSE OF THE TOWER OF SILOAM – GALILEE Or, as for the eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell – do you think they were debtors to God beyond all those who dwell in Jerusalem? I tell you, No! But unless you repent you will perish in the same way. " 164 Jesus, in both examples, went on to say that if his hearers did not repent they too would perish. Ro 3: 23 Jesus foresaw and foretold the destruction of Jerusalem, which happened in A. D. 70 (compare Lk 21: 21 -24). He knew well that if the Jews went on with their intrigues, their rebellions, their plotting, their political ambitions, they were simply going to commit national suicide; He knew that in the end Rome would step in and obliterate the nation; and that is precisely what happened. What Jesus meant was that if the Jewish nation kept on seeking an earthly kingdom and rejecting the kingdom of God they could come to only one end.

53 Why Do Christians Have Trials? 1. To glorify God 2. Discipline for known sin 3. To prevent us from falling into sin 4. To keep us from Pride 5. To build faith 6. To cause growth 7. To teach obedience and discipline 8. To equip us to comfort others 9. To prove the reality of Christ in us 10. For testimony to the angels Dan 3: 16 -18, 24 -25 Heb 12: 5 -11; James 4: 17; Rom 14: 23; 1 John 1: 9 1 Pet 4: 1 -2 1 Pet 1: 6 -7 Rom 5: 3 -5 Acts 9: 15 -16; Phil 4: 11 -13 2 Cor 1: 3 -4 2 Cor 4: 7 -11 Job 1: 8; Eph 3: 8 -11; 1 Pet 1: 12 165 — Hal Lindsey, Combat Faith

53 Lu 13. 6 -9 GOSPEL OF ANOTHER CHANCE AND THREAT OF THE LAST CHANCE – GALILEE Jesus spoke this parable, "A man had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and did not find it. He said to the keeper of the vineyard, 'Look you--for the last three years I have been coming and looking for fruit on this fig-tree, and I still am not finding any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the ground' 'Lord, ' he answered him, 'let it be this year too, until I dig round about it and manure it, and if it bears fruit in the coming year, well and good; but if not, you will cut it down. '“ If the Jewish nation kept on seeking an earthly kingdom and rejecting the kingdom of God they could come to only a destructive, deadly end. It’s a mistake to assume that troubles are necessarily a response to sin. While we cannot say that individual suffering and sin are inevitably connected, we can say that national sin and suffering are connected. The nation which chooses the wrong ways will in the end, along with all the people in it, suffer for it. 166 In this parable we find grace and yet it is closely packed with warnings.

53 Lu 13. 6 -9 GOSPEL OF ANOTHER CHANCE AND THREAT OF THE LAST CHANCE – GALILEE Jesus spoke this parable, "A man had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and did not find it. He said to the keeper of the vineyard, 'Look you--for the last three years I have been coming and looking for fruit on this fig-tree, and I still am not finding any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the ground' 'Lord, ' he answered him, 'let it be this year too, until I dig round about it and manure it, and if it bears fruit in the coming year, well and good; but if not, you will cut it down. '“ 167 The individual is not an isolated unit insulated from national actions. He is bound up within the bundle of his nation’s life and actions. Often he may object, and object violently, to the course his nation is taking; but when the consequence of that course comes, he cannot escape being involved in it. The individual is often caught up in a situation which he did not make; his suffering is often not his fault; but the nation is a unit and chooses its own policy and reaps the fruit of it. It is dangerous to attribute human suffering to human sin; but it is always safe to say that the nation which rebels against God is on the way to disaster.

53 Lu 13. 6 -9 GOSPEL OF ANOTHER CHANCE AND THREAT OF THE LAST CHANCE – GALILEE Jesus spoke this parable, "A man had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and did not find it. He said to the keeper of the vineyard, 'Look you--for the last three years I have been coming and looking for fruit on this fig-tree, and I still am not finding any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the ground' 'Lord, ' he answered him, 'let it be this year too, until I dig round about it and manure it, and if it bears fruit in the coming year, well and good; but if not, you will cut it down. '“ 168 It was not unusual to see fig-trees, thorn-trees and apple-trees in the same vineyards. The soil was so shallow and poor that trees were grown wherever there was soil to grow them; but the fig-tree, which God gave special favor, had a more than average chance; and it had not proved worthy of it. Jesus repeatedly, both directly and by implication, reminded men that they would be judged according to the opportunities they had. Never was a generation entrusted with so much as ours and, therefore, never was a generation so answerable to God.

53 Lu 13. 6 -9 GOSPEL OF ANOTHER CHANCE AND THREAT OF THE LAST CHANCE – GALILEE Jesus spoke this parable, "A man had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and did not find it. He said to the keeper of the vineyard, 'Look you--for the last three years I have been coming and looking for fruit on this fig-tree, and I still am not finding any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the ground' 'Lord, ' he answered him, 'let it be this year too, until I dig round about it and manure it, and if it bears fruit in the coming year, well and good; but if not, you will cut it down. '“ (Lev 19: 23 -25): Fruit from a newly planted tree was not to be eaten for the first 3 years. The fruit of the 4 th year belonged to the Lord. If it is not bearing good fruit by then, it is not likely going to bear good fruit ever. 169 This man came 3 additional years looking for and expecting fruit. This farmer had waited for the tree to bear fruit and the tree had been without fruit for 7 years Yet still, this fig-tree was given another chance.

53 Lu 13. 6 -9 GOSPEL OF ANOTHER CHANCE AND THREAT OF THE LAST CHANCE – GALILEE Jesus spoke this parable, "A man had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and did not find it. He said to the keeper of the vineyard, 'Look you--for the last three years I have been coming and looking for fruit on this fig-tree, and I still am not finding any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the ground' 'Lord, ' he answered him, 'let it be this year too, until I dig round about it and manure it, and if it bears fruit in the coming year, well and good; but if not, you will cut it down. '“ Uselessness invites disaster. The most searching question we can be asked is, "Of what use to the Kingdom of God were you in this Earthly realm? " Nothing which only takes out can survive. The fig-tree was drawing strength and sustenance from the soil; and in return was producing nothing and that was precisely its sin. 170 There are two kinds of people in this world -- those who take out more than they put in and those who put in more than they take out. Fulfill the obligation of putting into life at least as much as we take out. Always leave a situation better than you found it. Bear fruit…

53 Lu 13. 6 -9 GOSPEL OF ANOTHER CHANCE AND THREAT OF THE LAST CHANCE – GALILEE Jesus spoke this parable, "A man had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and did not find it. He said to the keeper of the vineyard, 'Look you--for the last three years I have been coming and looking for fruit on this fig-tree, and I still am not finding any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the ground' 'Lord, ' he answered him, 'let it be this year too, until I dig round about it and manure it, and if it bears fruit in the coming year, well and good; but if not, you will cut it down. '“ Jesus' always gave a man chance after chance. Peter and Mark and Paul would all gladly have witnessed to that. God is infinitely kind to the man who falls and rises again. 171 But Jesus also made it clear that there is a final chance. Unless you and I repent, we will perish; Death is the common denominator for everyone; only repentance can bring life as people prepare to enter the Kingdom. If we refuse chance after chance, if the Spirit of God’s appeals come to us again and again in vain, the day will finally come, not when God has shut us out, but when we by deliberate choice have shut ourselves out.

53 The Quest for Fruitfulness • God waited three years during the Lord’s earthly ministry, but the nation did not bear fruit. 38 years later, Jerusalem was destroyed and the dispersion of Israel began. BC/AD Crucifixion A. D. 32 Baptism A. D. 29 Destruction of the Temple A. D. 70 38 years 172 • It was also 38 years that Israel wandered and died in the wilderness after their failure at Kadesh-Barnea Nu 13 -14; De 2: 7, 14

53 Lu 13. 6 -9 GOSPEL OF ANOTHER CHANCE AND THREAT OF THE LAST CHANCE – GALILEE Jesus spoke this parable, "A man had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and did not find it. He said to the keeper of the vineyard, 'Look you--for the last three years I have been coming and looking for fruit on this fig-tree, and I still am not finding any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the ground' 'Lord, ' he answered him, 'let it be this year too, until I dig round about it and manure it, and if it bears fruit in the coming year, well and good; but if not, you will cut it down. '“ 173 God is gracious and long-suffering toward people (2 Pet 3: 9) God does more than enough to encourage us to repent and bear fruit (Mt 3: 710; 7: 15 -21; Lk 8: 15). God has every right to cut us down, but in His mercy He has spared us. Mt 21: 18 -19; John 15: 1 -8; Mar 13: 28 -31. We must not presume upon the kindness and longsuffering of the Lord, for the day of reckoning will finally come. If there is no visible change in the life of one who claims to trust the Messiah, like the figless fig tree, it is judged. Mat 12: 36; 1 Cor 10: 31; 1 Cor 3: 10 -17

53 Repentance • I did it ! • It was wrong ! • I regret it ! • I won’t repeat it ! All 4 or you haven’t Repented… [repent] Greek: metanoeo (G 3340), to change one’s mind for the better. Not merely to forsake sin, but to change one’s attitude toward it and his love for it. It is demanded by God as a condition of forgiveness and grace (Luk_13: 3, 13: 5; 15: 7; 24: 47; Act_2: 38; 3: 19; 17: 30; Mat_4: 17). 174

53 Six Woes of Isaiah 5 8] Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth! The first woe is directed against men of wealth who were ruthless in their acquisition of property, squeezing out the poor and the helpless from their homes and depriving them of their small lots. 175 11] Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! 18] Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope: 20] Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 21] Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! 22] Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 23] Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!

53 The Quest for Fruitfulness Principles, Character not Rules Gal 5: 16 -26 (16) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (17) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (18) But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. (19) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, (20) Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, (21) Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 176

53 The Quest for Fruitfulness Principles, Character not Rules Gal 5: 16 -26 (22 KJV [BBE/ESV/AMP]) But the fruit of the Spirit is • love, • joy, [//gladness] • peace, • longsuffering, [a quiet mind/ patience/ an even temper, forbearance] • gentleness, [kind acts/ kindness. ] • goodness, [well-doing//benevolence] • faith, [faithfulness/] • (23) Meekness, [Gentle behavior/ gentleness/humility] • temperance: [control over desires/ self-control/self-restraint, continence] against such there is no law. 177

53 The Quest for Fruitfulness Principles, Character not Rules Gal 5: 16 -26 (24) And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. (25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (26) Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. 178