God’s Plans and Our Plans
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Went to Montreat to be a veterinarian. Found out that I couldn’t stand the sight of blood. Running from a call to ministry, but God eventually got me in the end.
Need: We can think that our plans are the best. Most of us who plan and I have an ideal future really struggle with letting go of control of those plans. We’ve thought out the details and every what-if scenario until we have a perfect plan. But God’s plan are not always our plans. His thoughts are not our thoughts. His ways are not our ways.
Main Idea: God’s plan is greater than our plan
Jesus is still teaching in the temple daily. We will meet Sadducees. Sadduccees:
Opposed the Pharisees.
Priestly lineage, but not priestly today.
Deny resurrection.
Deny angels and demons.
Deny Scripture except Torah.
Luke 20:27-47
Truth #1: God’s eternal plan is greater than ours (27-40)
Exp. Because they didn’t believe in resurrection, they would try to prove him wrong with Scripture. Verse 28-33. They are describing a Levirate Marriage. Where a man’s lineage is restored through a close kin who marries and has children with his wife. The book of Ruth. They are taking Scripture to prove no resurrection with a crazy hypothetical. Also, the point of a Levirate marriage is not “who is the husband?” Complete misunderstanding of the concept. Jesus responds. Verse 34-36. Sons of this age = he’s talking about those on earth now. Differentiating this age and the age to come. Those considered worthy = divine passive. Only God can deem those worthy. Marriage does not exist there. Why? Verse 36. We cannot die anymore. Marriage is the avenue in which we multiply. As we multiply, previous generations die. There will be no dying, and we will not need to have children. We become like angels, eternal beings who can’t die. Sons of God, brought into his family. Sons of the resurrection = given immortal bodies. Our true husband will be Jesus.
Ill. Bethany and I compliment each other. I’m impulsive and she’s a planner. I’m disorganized and she’s organized. I dream really big and she only dreams when she sleeps. We each have areas where we compliment. That’s what marriage companionship is for. But in heaven, that lack won’t exist. We will have Jesus.
Arg. Ultimately, we see the argument isn’t about marriage in heaven, it’s about the resurrection. Verse 37-38. There are clear OT examples of resurrection in Job, Psalms, Isaiah, and Daniel, but Jesus knows Sadducees don’t adhere to those books. So, he uses Torah. Let’s look at the text:
6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
Arg. Jesus begins by talking about the nature of God. He is, in present tense, God of all of these men. Now, if he is God of all three presently, then they must all be alive. Not denying that they died but denying remained dead with no resurrection. Verse 38. Dead people don’t have gods. Alive people do. God can’t be the God of Abraham presently if Abraham is dead.
Christ - The resurrection that the Sadducees deny is essential to the Christian faith. Jesus brings us the resurrection of the new covenant. For those who place faith in him, we will be raised. He also fulfills everything we lack in this age.
App. What do we do?
Believe in the resurrection.
Don’t be swayed by those who twist Scripture.
Know that the life to come is better than this.
Truth #2: God’s salvation plan is greater than ours (41-44)
Exp. Jesus is going to continue speaking. We are not exactly sure why Jesus brings this up other than the Sadducees also distrusted God’s provision of the line of David. Verse 41-44. Notice how Jesus brings up this point, quotes Psalm 110:1, and then doesn’t even answer the question.
Ill. Would be like if I said, “Why is Barry Bonds one of the greatest hitters ever?” And then I showed that Aaron Judge’s MVP season was an average Barry year. And then said, “Yeah, how is he one of the greatest?” Jesus uses Scripture to point to a messianic prophecy that comes from David.
Arg. In Psalm 110:1, David says, “The Lord says to my Lord…” Commentators point out that Luke’s readers, the first century church, would have understood this as “My Lord (Yahweh) says to my Lord (Messiah).” David probably didn’t know how messianic this prophecy would be, but Jesus clearly uses the text to show that it is. God’s plan was to use the line of David to usher in his eternal kingdom. Ultimately, he is called the Son of David because that title was given only to kings of Judah who removed pagan worship from the nation, which Jesus was doing in the temple.
Christ - Not only does Jesus flip tables and drive out those who make a profit of temple sacrifices, but he is the only one who can restore our hearts in salvation. Jesus is the promised Messiah whom we call Lord AND he is of the line of David just as God promised. God’s plan of salvation is greater than ours because we can’t obey enough to earn his salvation.
App. What do we do?
Trust God fulfills his promises.
Surrender your heart.
Truth #3: God’s earthly plan is greater than ours (45-47)
Exp. Notice he gives a warning about the scribes. The scribes agreed with Jesus about his comments on the resurrection. Verse 39. This could have been them buttering him up like they did before, or they could agree because everything he said, they agree with. Verse 45-47. Now that he has stamped out bad theology from Sadducees, and claimed he is the Messiah, now he must do what he has to, warn of leaders who aren’t leading. This warning isn’t new. Long robes = pompous outfits. Greetings in marketplaces = treated like celebrities. Best seats in synagogue and seats of honor = Jesus told his disciples never to sit in the place of honor.
Ill. David sitting in my recliner. He acts like it’s his. Came up to me and said, “Someone is sitting in my seat.” I know he’s joking, but that’s the idea.
Arg. Scribes and Pharisees had this celebrity mindset that was leading people astray. The pompous attitude is one thing, but Verse 47. Devour widows’ houses = Believed they would cheat widows out of their homes so they could own their homes and get rich. Parable of the widow who demanded justice. Make pretense with long prayers = Prayers are all for show. Assumed that God isn’t hearing their prayers. Receiver greater condemnation. Leaders are held to higher standard. That standard is whether you lead people to Christ or to yourself. Lead people to yourself, that’s all you get. God’s earthly plan is for us to live for his glory not our own.
Christ - We see this in Jesus. Jesus is the only one who has true humility. Jesus’ prayers aren’t for pretense but are sincere. Jesus shows us how to live for God’s glory by modeling a contrasting life to those who actually don’t live for God. That’s why he is our model. He also gives us the HS to help us live this way.
App. What do we do?
Beware of those who pretend to live for God.
Live as Jesus calls us to live.
Conclusion
God’s plan is greater than ours.
