Pride and Repentance
Notes
Transcript
Intro
“Imitation is the best form of flattery.” I remember growing up that there being only 1 player I would imitate swinging: Ken Griffey Jr. Beautiful swing. Imitating nowadays has a negative meaning. If someone imitates you, typically they’re making fun of you. That doesn’t feel like flattery.
Need: In many ways, our whole lives are imitations of someone or something. Consciously or not, we live each day with some kind of construct set before us. However, we don’t always know what imitation costs us. As believers, we are called to imitate Jesus. Requires humility.
Main Idea: Imitating Jesus requires humility
In theory, we are good with that. In practice, it isn’t our favorite because of what it costs us. At the last supper. All we will see here, Jesus will go through these first.
Luke 22:24-38
Truth #1: Humility is defined by serving (24-27)
Exp. Jesus finishes the last supper with letting the disciples know that the betrayer was at the table. They discussed among themselves. Look what it turns into. Verse 24.
Ill. This is the most dude moment in the gospel. One time with baseball team, walk in while they were arguing. Angry. The question was, if you had a big knife, could you take down a grown lion. The disciples, likely began to accuse each other and that’s why this debate arose.
Exp. Now Jesus has to deal with their pride. Verse 25-26. This isn’t new in Jesus’ teaching. Don’t sit in the seat of honor. Do good without expecting return. Right after Lord’s supper, they look to themselves. Humility doesn’t look great in the world’s eyes, but in the eyes of the Lord! Youngest. Lowest. Servants. Verse 27. Jesus is clearly greater, yet he is the one who serves.
Christ - Jesus modeled the humility that he calls them to. He came to serve, not to be served. He gave his life for you. He is the Lord of the table, but he has a towel ready to wash your feet.
App. What do we do?
Stop thinking about yourself. In marriage, parenting, sports teams.
Look for ways to serve. What ways around you can you serve?
Truth #2: Humility desires God’s kingdom (28-30)
Exp. A result of human pride is a seeking of our own kingdom, but it’s not ours to pursue. Verse 28-30. Jesus affirms the disciples for staying with him knowing most will not in the coming 24 hours. Then he encourages that he will assign a kingdom to them. One in which they would sit at his table. And they would sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes. The reward for abiding with Jesus is sitting in his kingdom. Sitting at his table is honoring. OT explains this. Arguing over the greatest, but the Lord will honor them.
Ill. Like sons arguing over who will get the first cookie, but the mom will give them both cookie dough. Jesus gives them the honor they long for but not in the way they think.
Arg. They will not receive their own kingdom, but instead rule with Christ in his kingdom. It’s only about his kingdom, not their own. Important because the Jews had an ideal kingdom on earth. That’s not what Jesus was teaching.
Christ - Just as God gave the kingdom to Jesus, Jesus gives the kingdom to them. We will be seated with him in the heavenly places. The kingdom he purchased with his blood.
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
App. What do we do?
Don’t build your own kingdom. Humility doesn’t build it’s own kingdom. Pride does. It doesn’t matter who sits at your table. You should want to sit at his.
Invite others to his table.
Truth #3: Humility doesn’t act impulsively (31-34)
Exp. We come to part of the passage that is tough and encouraging. Verse 31-32. Very interesting section. He call Peter to look, but the “you” is plural. Satan demanded to have all of them. Sift you like wheat. Like he did with Judas. “Prayed for you” is singular. Talking directly to Peter. Finish verse 32. When you have turned again. Jesus knew he would repent. Woe to Judas, faithful prayer over Peter. Satan cannot stand against prayers from Jesus.
Ill. Satan’s demand is met by the prayers of Jesus. Like throwing a knife at an oak tree. The knife may cut the bark, but the tree won’t fall. Jesus knew that Peter’s faith would not fail because of repentance.
Arg. Your brothers are depending on you. Of course, Peter doesn’t hear that. Verse 33-34. Peter is ready to face the trials that Jesus said they walked with him through. Definitely ready to fight. But we know he denies him three times. However, Jesus appears to him on the other side of the resurrection and gives him three chances to repent, and he does.
Christ - Jesus gives opportunities for repentance. He comes to show us what true forgiveness looks like. He gives Peter instructions knowing that he will repent. He gives that chance to you today.
App. What do we do?
Repent daily. Unrepentance is failing faith.
Don’t say I’d never do that. We are broken. If you mix not being with God, not reading his Word, and avoiding godly community, there’s no telling where you heart can lead you.
Truth #4: Humility recognizes opposition (35-38)
Exp. At no point does Christ say life following him will be smooth. Quite the opposite. Verse 35-36. Prior he told them to go do the ministry without money or anything and God would provide. Which he did! Now, go and prepare. Scholars all agree that this is metaphorical. He never affirms taking up the sword, as he rebukes Peter for using it later. He is simply saying they should be prepared for battle. Biblically, the sword is the opposite of peace. Gird yourself for battle.
Ill. Christian on Rockin Roller Coaster. Really fast and dark. Told him to just be prepared. Nothing for him to do other than know that this was coming. Jesus is warning them of what’s to come.
1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword,
Arg. This was what they would face. Still confused. Verse 37-38. Two sword. He said, “We’re not discussing this anymore.” Not two swords is enough. Jesus fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that he must be labeled with the transgressors. Isaiah 53:12
12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.
Christ - Jesus will be the first to face the martyrdom that the disciples will face, but he will be with them and with us while we face persecution.
App. What do we do?
Prepare yourself you face opposition. 1 in 7 believers face persecution around the world. Different here, but hostility exists.
Suffer for doing good. 1 Peter 3:13-17
13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
We suffer with Christ with humility.
