Realities of Christianity

Luke 9:43-45

Theme: Following Christ

Key verse: v.23

Luke 9:23 “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

62 verses; 1,457 words

Grade level: 4.4

Outline:

Christ and the Commission. Vs. 1-6

Christ and the Confusion. Vs. 7-9

Christ and the Crowd. Vs. 10-17

Christ and the Confession. Vs. 18-22

Christ and the Cross. Vs. 23-27

Christ and the Cloud. Vs.28-36

Christ and the Child. Vs.37-42

Christ and the Confinement. Vs.43-45

Christ and the Contemplation. Vs.46-48

Christ and the Casting. Vs.49-50

Christ and the Correction. Vs.51-56

Christ and the Calling. Vs.57-62

You have seen those memes of “what people think I do vs what I do” and “what you thought marriage would be vs what marriage is”?

Those deal with fantasy vs reality.

The fantasy we have of Christianity:

We all come to church and smile and sing.

We all get every prayer answered.

We all get healed of every illness and disease.

We all hear I love you from each other.

We have riches beyond our wildest imaginations.

Here are the REALITIES of Christianity:

I. The Mighty Power of God. v.43

They knew only God could do that. v.43a

43 And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God.

“Power of God” occurs 14 times

Matthew 22:29 “Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.”

Luke 22:69 “Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.”

Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”

They saw that only Jesus did it. v.43b

But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,

1 Corinthians 1:24 “But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”

1 Corinthians 2:5 “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”

1 Peter 1:5 “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

II. The Manifest Person of God. v.44

The instruction of His message. v.44a

44 Let these sayings sink down into your ears:

It takes time to sink the message in.

It takes water to sink the message in.

The Importance of His message. v.44b

for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.

Jesus knew His destiny.

Jesus knows your destiny.

III. The Ministering Professionals of God. v.46

Their lack of understanding. v.45a

45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not:

It is a Scripture message.

(1 Corinthians 2:10-14)

It is a revealed message.

Luke 10:21 “In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.”

Their lack of faith. v.45b

and they feared to ask him of that saying.

Are you afraid to ask the Lord something?

Is it something you already know?

Conclusion:

Are you living in the fantasy or reality of Christianity?