Jesus Wants Us To Recieve

Last week we ended with the first three verses of Luke 8. If you missed last week, be sure and go back and catch up with this series. I believe it was a powerful message last week that you need to get a hold of.

Today, I want you to know that Jesus wants us to receive. Jesus has so many truths that He wants to give you and you need to receive those truths and then share them with someone else.

Before we read chapter 8, let me remind you that women were disregarded by everyone in society during Jesus time. The Romans were autocratic. It was a male dominated society. So, when I say everyone, I mean everyone. The religious leaders, the Romans, even the disciples, everyone except Jesus.

It was so bad back then that there weren’t even included in the censes figures. If a girl was the first born she and only she would get the feminine name of their father. If a second daughter was born then her name would be something like second and third would be third.

However, I think it is interesting to note that it were women that were last at the cross. It was women that were first at the tomb. And it was women that were first to proclaim resurrection. There was a special place for women in the ministry of Jesus. Men, if you want to be like Jesus then don’t ever treat a women like she is less than you.

Statistics show that it is women who outnumber men in volunteering at the church. So, look at chapter 8.

Luke 8:1–3 NIV

1 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

These women supported Jesus’s ministry financially. Why? He didn’t need it. Here is why. Jesus allowed people who had been forgiven, healed, and blessed to partner in His work.

When you give, don’t give because you feel like you have to. When you give, give because you want to because of what Jesus has done for you. Jesus saved you. Jesus healed you. Jesus set you free. That should be the reason that you give. Jesus had ministered to these women and they wanted to give back to help the ministry. It was Jesus’ ministry that helped them and set them free.

We live in a world that loves to listen to great stories. We watch television shows. We watch movies. We go to plays. All of these things have one thing in common. They are full of stories that are being acted out in front of us. Jesus was a great story teller and He told those stories through Parables.

Parable - to cast a long side a familiar truth.

Parables are stories with a human example that brings you in and has just one major point.

Luke 8:4–8 NIV

4 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

This parable is the key to unlocking other parables. In this parables there are three subjects.

1. Seed - The Word of God

The word of God is the truth of God. This is how we came to God.

1 Peter 1:23 NIV

23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

A message of truth went forth and you receive and made a decision to follow that truth.

2. Sower - The Person Who Takes the Word of God and Takes the Word of God to Someone Else

Who was the person that led you to Christ.

I find it interesting that Luke writes this here and then in Acts He makes reference to what Jesus did before he writes the rest of what continues after Jesus left.

Look at Acts 1:1

Acts 1:1 NIV

1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach

He is referencing the book of Luke. The book of Luke is the ministry of Jesus speaking the truth to those believers. The book of Acts is the disciples now continuing what Christ started. They have been left to speak the truth to new believers.

Acts 1:8 NIV

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

This is a continual process that we should never stop doing.

3. Soil - the Heart

We receive the message of truth and it take root in our heart and we in turn want to let others know about what God is doing and wants to do in them.

The disciples should be starting to understand all that Jesus is teaching them but look at what they say in verse 9.

Luke 8:9–10 NIV

9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, “ ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’

Notice that verse 10 is in quotations. That means that Jesus is quoting a verse from somewhere else. Jesus is quoting Isaiah 6.

Isaiah 6:8–9 NIV

8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” 9 He said, “Go and tell this people: “ ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’

When we listen to God’s truth it can be very dangerous. If you don’t apply what God is telling you then your heart will become calloused. Have you ever met those people that seem shallow in their walk with God. It is because they don’t hunger for the things of God. They become bored with it. How does that happen? Because they stopped wanting to know what the truth is and just want to know what makes them feel good.

So Jesus explains the parable to them.

Luke 8:11–15 NIV

11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

So, in this parable Jesus mentions four groups of people. The first group is…

1. Calloused Heart - Those Along the Path

This is the seed that gets trampled on. The seed never gets a chance to produce fruit because these people don’t want to have anything to do with the Gospel message. Just a mention of God turns them off.

2. Shallow Heart - Those on Rocky Soil

This person is the emotional hearer. However, that is their response to everything. They are on an emotional roller coaster all the time. They get saved and God is wonderful. The first adversity hits and they are crashing hard. There is nothing there to help that seed to grow.

3. Crowded Heart - Those in the Weeds

Weeds grow naturally. Every single year, before my grass grows, the weeds are the first to come up. The problem with people that their seed is surrounded by weeds is they never make a break from the world. They get enough of Jesus to make them uncomfortable in the world and they get enough of the world to make it uncomfortable around Jesus. These people are the most miserable people.

4. Fruitful Heart - Receptive - The seeds take root

If you have no root, you will have no fruit. These people are the ones who are patient. They bear fruit with patience. Did you know that only 25% of the seed sown is the real deal.

When you receive the truth take it and go tell it to someone else then you are enlightening others with what you have heard. When you share the truth you will always be receiving more. Give away what you receive.

God is in the multiplication business. The more you give the truth out, the more God will give you to receive. The more you are pouring out to others, then the more God is going to pour into you.

Then Jesus continues…

Luke 8:16–18 NIV

16 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. 17 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. 18 Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”

You have to get the truth out in the open. God wants to pour out blessings and I’m wondering who really wants to receive those blessings.

If that is you say, “I want more God.”

Luke 8:19–21 NIV

19 Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. 20 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” 21 He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”

For my western eyes, it is strange to me what Jesus says to those that tell Him that His mother and brothers are there to see Him.

Jesus kind of blows them off. He tells the crowd my mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice. In other words, those who work for God are my family. Those who do the work of the father are my family.

Real family is made up of those who hear the word of God and keep it.

Jesus wants you to receive what He is saying to you. You need to receive this message and go and tell someone else what you have receive. Verse 22.

Luke 8:22–25 NIV

22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. 24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

There is that question again. People, even the disciples, those who walked with Him everyday, still wanted to know who He is.

How well do you know Jesus? If you don’t really know Him, then you need to get to know Him. Know Him on a personal basis.

The sea of Galilee is known for its storms. The sea of Galilee is below sea level. There are mountains that surround the lake, so, it creates a vacuum effect. It was during this time that one of these sever storms came up the lake while they were in the boat.

This scares the disciples to death. They go and wake Jesus up. Jesus wakes up calms the storm like nothing was happening and then tells the disciples, “Where is your faith?”

Why did Jesus ask them that?

Well, apparently they weren’t listening to Him. When Jesus is speaking to you, be sure to listen to everything that He is saying.

Why does Jesus tell them, “where is your faith?”

1. Jesus made a promise to them and they weren’t listening.

Look at verse 22 again.

Luke 8:22 NIV

22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out.

Jesus had already promised them that they were going to make it to the other side.

When Jesus makes you a promise you need to listen to it because He always keeps His promise.

So, the disciples didn’t need to worry about drowning because Jesus promised them that they would make it to the other side.

2. Jesus was with them in the boat.

If Jesus isn’t worried, then we shouldn’t be worried. We know Jesus wasn’t worried because He was asleep.

3. Jesus is at Peace.

Jesus is at peace because He is sleeping in the boat. When you have Jesus with you, you can understand a peace that passes all understanding. When a loved one passes, if you have Jesus there is peace in the midst of that storm you are in. When you have financial troubles, if you have Jesus there is peace in the midst of that storm. When you have a sickness, if you have Jesus there is a peace in the midst of that storm. Where there is Jesus there is peace. He is the peace speaker.

Let me close today with one more final story.

Luke 8:26–30 NIV

26 They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. 27 When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” 29 For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places. 30 Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him.

Legion wasn’t the man’s name. It was the demon speaking. The demon is letting Jesus know that there were many demons inside this man. A legion in military terms is 6000 foot soldiers with calvary beside them. So, you might could say that this is an army of demons that is possessing this man. So, you can understand why this man is out of his mind. He is being tormented day and night. He is in so much torture that he has left his family and he is living outside the town. They have made him crazy and he is naked and out of his mind. Look at verse 31.

Luke 8:31 NIV

31 And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.

There are three places that scripture tells us where demons are located. There are some demons that move in the heavens that are in conflict with the angels. There are some demons on earth that move among men. That must have been who these were. And then there are demons that are incarcerated.

The word Abyss that is mentioned here is mentioned in Revelation, 7 times. It is referred to as the bottomless pit. Peter tells us about certain demons who are incarcerated. Look at 2 Peter 2:4

2 Peter 2:4 NIV

4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;

Jude also talks about incarcerated demons.

Jude 6 NIV

6 And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.

He is talking about those that are involved in Genesis 6.

Genesis 6 refers to the sons of God that did despicable things with human daughters. These demons became incarcerated by God until judgment.

Revelation talks about there being an all out spiritual war that will take place when these demons are released during the tribulation.

Also, did you notice that these demons who were in this man recognized Jesus’ superiority and authority. Jesus is going to judge them one day.

Demons do have faith.

1. They believe in the existence of God and the deity of Jesus Christ.

2. They believe in the reality of future judgment.

3. They believe in the power of prayer.

Luke 8:32–39 NIV

32 A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. 33 When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. 34 When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, 35 and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 36 Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. 37 Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left. 38 The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.

I want you to notice that there are three groups that beg Jesus at the end of this story. You have the demons begging Him to not send them into the abyss. You have the townspeople begging Him to go away because they were afraid. You have the person that was possessed begging to go with Jesus because Jesus had set him free.

I’ve already explained you about the demons and why they didn’t want to go to the abyss.

Why would the townspeople want Jesus to go away? How crazy is it that the world would rather have Jesus depart than the legion of demons. This demoniac had become a normal part of their life. They were more comfortable with the devil than they were with the power and presence of God.

Don’t get so comfortable with your sin that you forsake the presence of God. We need to desire more of God and what He has for us.

Of all the people begging Jesus that day, the demoniac was the only one who was the best. And he became the first missionary. The demoniac was the first witness to proclaim what Jesus had done for him.

The demoniac received from Jesus and then he went and did what all of us should do. Go and tell what you have heard.

Let’s Pray.