Luke 5

Encounters with Jesus Luke Chapter 5 HCC August 25th, 2024 How to Save Them? Today’s Message • Why are the Stories of Jesus important? • Four Stories in Luke Chapter 5 • Lessons for How We are to Encounter Jesus Today Today’s Message • Why are the Stories of Jesus important? • Four Stories in Luke Chapter 5 • Lessons for How We are to Encounter Jesus Today Why Focus on the Life of Jesus? • He is the incarnation of God • He is God’s revelation of His will, character, values • He represents the sum of all morality • He is the Word (“principle that governs the universe”) • He invites us to relate to Him Recap of Book of Luke • Author: Luke was a doctor, traveled with Apostle Paul • Audience: mostly Gentile audience (Theophilus) • Written between 60 ~ 85 AD • Emphasizes Jesus’ humanity in his compassion to people in need Today’s Message • Why are the Stories of Jesus important? • Four Stories in Luke Chapter 5 • Lessons for How We are to Encounter Jesus Today Story #1: Calling the Fishermen And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” And…they left everything and followed him. Story #2: Healing the Leper “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” Story #3: Healing the Paralyzed Man 20 And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 25 And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. 26 And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.” Story #4: Calling of Levi the Tax Collector 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Today’s Message • Why are the Stories of Jesus important? • Four Stories in Luke Chapter 5 • Lessons for How We are to Encounter Jesus Today Encountering Jesus today means we must: #1 Let go of our self-righteousness “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Self-Righteous Faith-Righteous • Based on own capability • Based on Jesus on the cross • Leads to excessive pride, envy of others • Leads to gratitude and contentment • Hard-hearted, defensive • Soft-hearted, humble • Focused on Self • Focused on God Encountering Jesus today means we must: #1 Let go of our self-righteousness #2 Believe what Jesus says is real Encountering Jesus today means we must: #1 Let go of our self-righteousness #2 Believe what Jesus says is real #3 Be willing to commit before “knowing” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own John 7:17 Encountering Jesus today means we must: #1 Believe what Jesus says is objectively real #2 Let go of our self-righteousness #3 Be willing to commit before “knowing” #4 Take risks in the direction of our eternal hope Encountering Jesus today means we must: #1 Let go of our self-righteousness #2 Believe what Jesus says is real #3 Be willing to commit before “knowing” #4 Take risks in the direction of our eternal hope #5 Receive joy when in His presence Appendix The Gospel says we are more sinful than we dared imagine, yet we are more loved than we dared to believe