Belief and Understanding
Notes
Transcript
Intro
One of the main things we say to our kids growing up: “You’re going to have to just trust me.” Scary ads on tv. We’ll tell Christian to cover his eyes. He’ll ask why. It will give you nightmares. How will it give me nightmares? What I need you to know, you can’t know yet.
Need: We struggle with the relationship of belief and understanding. In this text, we can see the relationship. How do we believe without understanding? How can we understand if we do believe?
Main Idea: Belief if your responsibility, and understanding is Jesus’ responsibility
Luke 9:37-45
Truth #1: Belief in Jesus falls on you (37-43)
Exp. After transfiguration, come down off of mountain with a great crowd waiting for him. Obviously, Jesus’ glory is not showing anymore. Verse 38-40. Man’s son was demon possessed. Seems to be having seizures. Vivid picture of the child. He is only child. Begged disciples, but they could not do it. Remember, Jesus gave them powers over demons earlier in this chapter. The man doesn’t ask Jesus to heal, but to look at his son. Maybe compassion would win.
Ill. I heard from so many after the hurricane about how bad it looked on tv. However, when they came and saw everything with their own eyes, it changed everything. To hear about a boy who is demon possessed breeds pity, but to see him seizing breeds compassion.
Exp. Jesus’ response is confusing. Verse 41. A few things to note:
Jesus is quoting OT. Deuteronomy, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. Rebellious people who have turned away from God.
Jesus is likely speaking to the disciples. They couldn’t heal the boy. Not because of power, but because of unbelief. He lumps the disciples with the whole generation.
Exp. Of all the people who should rid themselves of unbelief, it should be the disciples. Verse 42-43. Jesus heals the boy. He healed the boy in spite of the unbelief. This should serve as a reminder of his power.
App. How many times does God have to keep showing you who he is? Salvation, provisions, the job you desired, the finances to make it, the wonderful children, spiritual growth. God keeps fulfilling his promises, and yet we can linger in unbelief. Faithfulness through hard times.
Christ - Jesus displays himself to the disciples. Those in Christ, he has revealed himself to you. Your very salvation is dependent on his revealing himself to you. God, in flesh, is revealing himself and goes to the cross and raises for you!
App. What do we do? Live like a believer.
Remember is past provision. Look back at what he’s done. Salvation.
Reflect on his present work. He is working on you now.
Expect his future victories. Since the beginning, God has won, and he will continue to do so.
Truth #2: Understanding is given by Jesus (43-45)
Exp. Belief is our responsibility. Understanding is not. God gives the understanding. Verse 43-44. Jesus reflects on what he’s said twice already. This is third time. Jesus did not linger on the healing, but focuses on what he will do. Verse 45. They couldn’t grasp it. Because of their unbelief, Jesus chose not to reveal anymore to them. Didn’t conceal it more. It’s already concealed. Our minds cannot comprehend the grand narrative of God’s plan unless he reveals it. This occurs later in Luke 24:45-47
45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
Exp. Why? Why conceal what he tries to explain?
Ill. Trying to describe something and seeing the finished product are very different. Bethany and quilting. Strips of fabric everywhere. She would explain it to me. That piece seems too long. The finished product gives definition to the small pieces. Jesus waits to reveal the truth until the end so they can appreciate and magnify what Christ has done!
Exp. Also afraid to ask him. We shouldn’t be afraid to ask what we don’t know.
Ill. Albert and Diane. Talking about wedding. They asked questions about baptism. No shame in that! They’re getting baptized next Sunday!
Christ - Jesus brings the revelation of God’s plan at the resurrection. After that, everything changed. God opened the minds of his disciples and sends the Holy Spirit to dwell and continue to reveal his plan.
App. What do we do?
Trust in what he has revealed to us. You can never understand all of it.
Ask him for wisdom. James 1:5
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Conclusion
Let’s not strain ourselves taking on responsibility that’s not ours.
