Act on the Word of God in Faith

William H. Banegas February 14, 2021

Scripture: Luke 8

Theme Verse: Luke 8:25 “And He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?”

Theme: Act on the Word of God in Faith.

Context: Luke has just concluded with a reference to Jesus’ encounter with Simon the Pharisee and the woman described as a sinner. In this same encounter, Christ delivers the parable of the two debtors. The emphasis on a woman serves as a tie to the passage before us and its unique emphasis on women. As we go along, I want for you to take note of how many individual women are referenced in this passage as opposed to individual men. How does this impact our understanding of Christ’s view of women?

Transition: The chapter before us has two major divisions, the first of the concerning ...

The Ministry of the Word: We must receive the Word of God in Faith. (Luke 8:1-21)

The impact: voluntary support in proclaiming God’s Word. (Luke 8:1-3)

Notice how the passage immediately points to God’s Word by emphasizing Christ’ preaching ministry.

This then serves as a transition into highlighting several individuals.

These individuals are referenced for both how Christ has served them and they have sought to serve Christ and the disciples.

What does the passage imply was the purpose that drove these women to support Christ and the disciples?

The healing which each of these women and others received.

Notice that the close connection between Christ’s preaching ministry and His healing of these women implies a connection between the two.

What would that connection be?

The Word of God

Thus, Christ is healing by both the power and Word of God.

This is a theme that will continue in this passage.

Be on the lookout as we move along.

As the Word of God goes forth, we see the power of God on display.

How does the passage describe the efforts of the women to support Christ and the disciples?

Notice, this follows on the heels of Jesus’ parable concerning the 2 debtors.

The emphasis of the parable concerns a demonstration of gratitude.

Here, these women are meant to serve as a living illustration of gratitude to Christ.

The term rendered ‘support’ gives the impression of voluntary service.

It’s used in Luke 4 to describe the service of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law following her miraculous healing.

Hence, there’s something intentional behind this support that is rendered.

Additionally, their support is heightened by how Luke renders the reference to ‘their’ support.

This support came out of their own private means.

Luke is emphasizing for us the very personal nature of the choice that these women and others have made in supporting the ministry of Jesus and the disciples.

We’re presented with an example of gratitude when receiving the Word by faith.

The example does not necessarily prompt us to consider only how we can give materially.

Instead, we’re prompted to consider, how can we show abundant gratitude to our Lord who has given us His Word so that we might be transformed into the children of God by faith.

Transition: These women provide for us an excellent example of demonstrating the sort of gratitude that one should express when they have received God’s Word by faith. Next, Christ will illustrate various responses to His word. One of which stands out as the only right response.

Response: We must respond to God’s Word in Faith for that is the best response. (Luke 8:4-15)

Why would the sower/farmer not plow the ground first?

In this region and during this time, it was common to sow the seed first.

Then the sower/farmer would come back and plow the ground afterward following the path that was initially created.

What did the soils all have in common?

All soils received the same seed.

Hence, the seed is not deficient or ineffective.

Instead, the soils that did not bear fruit were the ones with the problem.

That’s what Jesus means when He quotes Isaiah 6:9.

Jesus is not saying that the message hardens them or that the message is ineffective.

Instead, Jesus is indicting the human heart.

Jesus is graciously offering to them an important message.

Christ invites others to understand as indicated in Luke 8:8.

Each has the chance to hear.

Each has chosen to respond to that message.

The response of others to God’s Word is a reflection of what is going on in their heart.

The point of Christ’s parable is to encourage us to receive God’s Word and bear fruit, like the good soil.

The good soil references a person who has received God’s Word in genuine faith.

Ultimately, we’re prompted to consider the examples from this passage and to inquire in our own lives, how does my life demonstrate the fruit of having received God’s Word by faith?

Yet, this passage provides concrete examples of this parable that we are prompted to compare our lives to.

As we continue studying this Gospel, I want for us to consider, how do the various encounters Jesus has with different individuals line up with the kinds of responses listed in the parable of the soils.

Transition: The correct response to God’s Word is by faith. However, this response is accompanied by action that is unmistakably clear.

The Responsibility: If we have received the Word of God by faith, we must share the Word of God in faith. (Luke 8:16-18)

If we have truly received God’s Word by faith, God’s Word is not something that we can hide or keep secret.

It’s the best message that Luke 8:18 gives us the promise that we can gain greater understanding of its truth!

Thus, Christ’s quotation of this proverb is meant to spur us to greater exposure to God’s Word to increase our understanding; an understanding that can only come by the Spirit as we act in Faith.

As we continue on, I want you to consider if there’s an example of this in our passage.

Transition: The response of faith to God’s Word will produce a proclamation of the same Word. Not only will God’s Word be proclaimed, but it will mark us as having a changed relationship with God.

The Transformation: If we have received the Word of God by faith, we are transformed into Christ’s family. (Luke 8:19-21)

What restrictions does Christ place on being part of His family?

Hear God’s Word

Doing/obeying God’s Word

Notice, the proper example of faith means that we are personally appropriating God’s Word in our lives, not merely hearing it.

Christ was not neglecting His responsibilities to His earthly family.

Instead, He was using it as an illustration to point to the difference that God’s Word makes in transforming them into the children of God.

Transition: The passage before us continues the emphasis on the Word of God but does so in demonstration of Christ’s power. Thus, the remainder of the passage underscores the authority of Christ that is behind the Word of God.

The Power of Christ: The power of Christ gives us every reason to act on the Word of God in Faith. (Luke 8:22-56)

Christ’s power over nature. (Luke 8:22-25)

The Sea of Galilee is so situated that these kinds of storms that appear suddenly happen quite frequently.

Surrounded by hills.

The Golan Heights and Mount Arbel contribute to creating winds that work in producing the fierce storms such as what is referenced in this passage.

We must focus on the Word of God over our circumstances.

What prompted the disciples to awaken Christ? - The storm

What prompted the disciples to take this voyage?

Christ asked them to.

In other words, the disciples had received the Word of God.

What had the disciples lost sight of? - the Word of God

Notice how Christ’s power over the storm evidences His deity.

The Old Testament frequently references the relationship of the Lord to a storm (Pss 65:7; 104:7; 107:29).

Thus, the only response to the disciples’ exclamation would be that Jesus is none other than the Son of God who speaks God’s Word and acts with God’s power.

Transition: so far, we’ve seen that the weather is no match for the power of Christ, therefore we must act in faith on God’s Word. Now we’ll see how another force is powerless against Christ also.

Christ’s power over demons. (Luke 8:26-39)

Notice how this passage set up this event.

At the beginning of the chapter, who is referenced as having been a victim of demon possession?

Mary Magdalene

What number is given in association with her demon possession?

7

It’s possible that this number indicates just how thoroughly the demons had overtaken Mary since this number is associated with fullness or completeness.

How many demons possessed this man?

The name legion does not necessarily mean that he was possessed of 6,000 demons.

Instead, it is meant to highlight that this man was possessed of an amount of demons that surpassed Mary’s possession.

Thus, the passage sets it up for us to consider, if Christ could cast out 7 demons, can He cast out the unnumbered but great amount of demons in this man?

Notice, it was no problem for Christ to cast out these demons!

Hence, if Christ has total control over the spiritual realm, we have every reason to believe the Word of God in faith.

What evidence of the demons’ power in this man’s life do we see in these verses?

When under the demons’ power, the man was uncontrollable by any natural means.

Hence, any effort outside of the power of God would fail to subdue the evil powers at work in this man.

What evidence from these verses do we see that the demons had no power against Christ?

The demons asked Jesus not to torment them, meaning that they recognized they had no power to keep Jesus from doing so.

The demons begged Christ twice!

The first was to avoid judgment in the abyss.

The second was to enter the swine instead.

In other words, the demons are no match for the power of Christ.

How do the people of that country respond to such a miracle?

They were frightened.

They wanted Jesus to leave.

What would prompt the people to press Jesus to leave?

More concern over their economic loss, probably.

These people testified to what Christ had done in this man.

Yet, the people still wanted Christ to leave.

In the end, it reveals that something more was going on in their hearts that prompted them to focus on something other than the miracle that had just happened.

Which of the soils might this group potentially fall into?

The third.

Since they were probably more concerned with their material loss than seeing the power of God demonstrated in healing this man.

How does this man evidence Jesus’ teaching concerning the parable of the lamp?

The man receives the Word of God.

The man begins the first Gentile mission by proclaiming what God has done for Him.

Transition: Jesus has demonstrated mastery of chaotic weather and demonic forces. Upon His return to Galilee, He will demonstrate power over some very personal aspects.

Christ’s power over health. (Luke 8:40-48)

Notice, the woman has been suffering for the length of time that Jairus’ daughter has been alive.

Her condition of ceremonial uncleanness would have likely included some varying amounts of isolation from the community life that would have been difficult to cope with (Leviticus 15:25-30).

What about this passage would indicate that she was desperate for help from Jesus?

Length of time of the condition.

None could provide her healing.

What did Jesus indicate prompted this woman’s healing?

Her faith.

Notice how Jesus responds to her.

He uses the term ‘daughter’ to address the woman.

This is a remarkable address of relationship to the woman who may have experienced some extreme isolation on account of her prolonged condition.

Christ’s power over life. (Luke 8:49-56)

Notice, the term used to reference Christ’s promise of Jairus’ daughter’s recovery is also used concerning the healing of the hemorrhaging woman and the demoniac.

The term in question is the root from which we get the term salvation.

Thus, the healing that Jesus brought to each of these individuals went far beyond physical needs and into spiritual needs.

It further points that Chris has the power to address both our physical and spiritual needs.

By implication from the passage, what prompted Christ to take only a select group with Him to witness the resurrection of this girl?

Others laughed at Christ’s word.

What were they really laughing at?

They were laughing at the Word of God.

This is likely an example of the roadside soil in which the seed is trampled under foot and accounted as worthless.

What a shame as they missed the opportunity to witness the Lord of life conquer death in one so young.

What is one way that Luke distinctly points out this girl is more than just a spirit that has returned?

Jesus commands that she be given something to eat.

Jesus wanted to make it very clear that this girl has returned to normal functioning instantaneously.

Conclusion: Based on this text today, we are prompted to consider several questions. How do we demonstrate our gratitude to the Lord for receiving His Word in Faith? What has been our response to God’s Word? What efforts have we made to share God’s Word with others that offers the hope of being made God’s child? When chaotic circumstances arise, do we turn to God’s Word or focus on circumstances?