Spiritually Oriented

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (Eleventh Edition) Oriented

ori•ent•ed \ˈȯr-ē-ˌen-təd\ adjective

1937: intellectually, emotionally, or functionally directed

Orienteering= a cross-country race in which each participant uses a map and compass to navigate between checkpoints along an unfamiliar course

A Compass...

You can have a compass and still be lost… setting the dial correctly gives you the correct bearing.

You then point the directional arrow in the direction you want to go...

Two things are required… look ahead and look at your compass.

These are done hand in hand… you have to have a focus point but not lose sight of where you are.

You and I face an unfamiliar course called life… God has given us a map, compass (Scripture) to proceed through this life. Jesus is speaking to the Jewish people in our text, BUT you and I can learn from His instructions to them!

As Christ progresses towards Jerusalem, He is addressing the things here and now, what the people must do now with a perspective of the Kingdom… eternal things.

Earthly Concerns

Greed: desire for temporal possessions over spiritual growth.

Situation: Lord tell my brother to share with me…

Response: Verse 15 be on guard!

Story, rich man gets more and God takes his life that night

Main point is NOT that: rich people are bad, rich people are cursed, rich people are wrong BUT...

Verse 21 who does the wealth belong to? How will you be a steward of the wealth?

WORRY...

Jesus instructs very straight forward on this topic in Luke 12:22-30 no matter who your are this is something you need to hear today and act on...

Luke 12:22–30 NASB95

And He said to His disciples, “For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. “For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. “Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! “And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life’s span? “If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters? “Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. “But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith! “And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. “For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things.

Points to ponder:

This is not a suggestion but a command

Ravens, really trash birds… but God cares for them

Lilies were a weed flower in abundance… very temporary yet even the temporary God is aware of

Worry detracts from life rather than adds to it… you want more out of life? STOP WORRYING!

GOD KNOWS…

We are looking close to the dial, the here and now, let’s look up and ahead… Verses Luke 12:31-36 help us transition from the temporal things to eternal things...

Luke 12:31–36 NASB95

“But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. “Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. “Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks.

Verses 37-48 Jesus speaks to being good stewards in this time for He will return… will you be ready? Jesus summarizes this way: “From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.”

How Will YOU Receive His Word

The message of Jesus Christ is divisive! (bumper sticker “coexist” is man’s idea) don’t be blind to it, even if the Pharisees are teaching an opposing message. Verses 49-59

Weather, you can see it and read it… you LOOK! the kingdom is hear! Read the signs you see and hear!

Judge what is right… you know how to do this you don’t need a judge to tell you this!

Do NOT allow bad things to distract from the real issue at hand…verses 13:1-9

People are trying to figure out other people’s deaths and why this occured and getting Jesus perspective...

Jesus responds… everyone dies, life is temporary, death is permanent REPENT!

Sabbath Healing… Unique to Luke and key to seeing the hearts of the people…Verses 10-17

This is an evil spirit, evil is crippling… their evil hearts of rejection is crippling them as a people

These religious leaders were hypocrites and would not see Jesus as their Messiah falsely teaching the people

If animals can receive care why not even more a daughter of Abraham what better way to show Satan's weakness to the people and praise God!

In verses 18-21 Jesus declares this kingdom, the TRUTH will spread! It may seem small and insignificant now but wait it will spread it will grow

The Narrow Door

Exclusivity is not a foreign concept to the Jews, they were God’s chosen people.

The question in verse 23 is looking for an amount and Jesus in His response personalizes it!

That door will close soon, will you go through it?

Just because they were Jews does not mean entrance

Exposure does not equate relationship and a knowing of personally

North south east west… will be at the table the feast! (your Jewish roots do not determine your seat!)

Pharisee insist Jesus leave because Herod want to kill him... Jesus remains focused and on task.

Israel is rejecting their messiah… Luke 13:34 Jesus response...

Luke 13:34 NASB95

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it!

Passover = pesah no other Hebrew word is linked to this word. Egyptian word pesh is very similar though meaning a covering of the wings for protection...

The death angel would not just skip over but God would stand guard…

The hen protecting with wings… I would have been your passover protection, now I will be your Passover Lamb

What LOVE, what PASSION, what a RESPONSE and cry out to the people!

Jesus Christ is the door to our salvation, the Lamb of God, and He is the only One who can protect you from death!

Seated at the Feast

Approach in humility… last first, first last. The Jews felt themselves higher and having greater right… leave this to God

As Jesus is sharing about seating at the feast a man states… “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!”

Making the assumption all will be there or at least all Jews!

Christ had first come to His people yet they rejected Him for temporary things:

Land and wealth

Oxen working harder

Relationships here and now

So Christ extends His invitation to the outcast!

Poor, Crippled, Blind, Lame!!! Go even further… I want my house filled!!!

Oh the powerful love of our God… inviting those who could never repay Him to enjoy His riches!

But woe to that generation who rejected Him, woe to anyone who rejects His invitation!

What an honor to be seated at His feast… where you sit at that table is to be left to God, IF YOU SIT is left to your response… how will you respond to His invitation?

Following Him...

There is a cost to following Jesus and being His disciple:

Will you give up the things of this world for Him

Is your life here and now treasured more than eternity with Him

Are wealth, work, and relationships now worth more to you than following Him

Jesus challenges those following Him count the cost, bear your cross (Death, shame, commitment)

The compass… Jesus never gives a blissful picture of following Him here on earth, one step at a time making sure we are on track even through the difficult valleys of life , but Oh the Joy of our destination pointing us to being seated with Him at the feast in His kingdom! Where is your focus?