The Promised Reward

Selective Parables: Lessons from Jesus

Message Twelve (Extension of Message Eleven)

Luke 18:28-30; Mt. 19:22-29; Mk. 10:22-30; Lk. 9:23-25.

ETS: Jesus taught that those who sacrifice for His sake will be rewarded in eternal life.

ESS: There is a reward to surrendering our lives to Christ.

OSS: [Consecrative/Evangelistic] {I want the hearers to surrender their lives to follow and serve Christ.

PQ: What is the sequence of this passage?

UW: Sequence

Intro.: Volunteerism in America has declined almost 10% in the last twenty years. [1] That does not seem like much, but if you ask any non-profit organization, the impacts have been detrimental. Why are people not volunteering? People are too busy, and they do not prioritize time for non-profit opportunities where they will not be paid in monetary gain. Essentially, people today do not want to do anything that does not seem to pay them or benefit them in some tangible way. [TS]: Jesus assured those who taught that any person who prioritized Him as much as to sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel would find a reward, both in the present life and in the life to come. [RS]: Maybe it that you haven’t served God more because you have not seen real benefit in serving; Maybe it is because you have not felt real need to give your life to Him. Today, you can be assured that when you follow Jesus, there is promised reward.

TS: Let us examine the sequence of the passage together now:

First, Peter reminded Jesus of his deliberate decision. [28]

Second, Jesus assured the audience of the reward for following Him. [29-30]

CONCLUSION:

[1] Have you deliberately determined to follow Jesus, even giving up whatever stands in your way?

Bibliography:

[1]https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2023-04-11/localize-it-volunteerism-decline-straining-local-nonprofits

Consulted Resources:

[1] Leon Morris, Luke: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 3, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988).

[2] Thomas R. Schreiner, “Luke,” in Evangelical Commentary on the Bible, vol. 3, Baker Reference Library (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1995).

[3]Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, Second Edition. (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2014).

[4] Thabiti Anyabwile, Exalting Jesus in Luke, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2018).

[5]A. Boyd Luter, “Luke,” in CSB Study Bible: Notes, ed. Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017).