Sermon Tone Analysis

Here in starting in v7 Luke begins to talk about preparation for the Last Supper.

And the passage moves from the preparation in vv7-13, to the meal itself in vv14-23, and moves us into Jesus’ teaching at the table (vv24-38).

In v24 a dispute breaks out among the followers of Jesus about who is going to be the greatest.

While the disciples argued about greatness, Jesus set an example of humility and servanthood ().

Jesus then makes this awesome statement of “I am among you as the One who serves.”

(in v27)

which is in the context of vv19-20, where His death for sinners is in view.

His death was the ultimate display of humble service (; ).

While the disciples argued about greatness, Jesus set an example of humility and servanthood (John 13:1–17).

His death was the ultimate display of humble service (Mark 10:45; Phil.

2:3–8).

Beeke, J. R., Barrett, M. P. V., & Bilkes, G. M. (Eds.).

(2014).

The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible (p.

1499).

Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books.

Then in v31 our text begins with a prediction.

Let’s read it together.

(read vv31-34)

which is in the context of vv19-20, where His death for sinners is in view.

There are three key words that I want to draw your attention to in this passage.

The SATAN, SECRET, STRENGTH.

1.

The PROBLEM with Satan, in the prediction.

"“Simon, Simon, look out.

Satan has asked to sift you like wheat.”

()

Satan has asked to have you.

The Devil was close to Christ’s flock, though they did not see him.

He was plotting their downfall, but they were unaware of it.

The wolf does not crave the blood of the lamb more than the Devil desires the destruction of all of our souls tonight.

“Satan has asked to sift you”

There is something very awful in this expression.

It shows us that the devil is often “desiring” to

accomplish our ruin, and

striving to accomplish it,

striving to accomplish it,

while we know nothing of his doings, because he is invisible.

A. The Desire of Satan “Satan has asked”

A. The Desire of Satan “Satan has asked”

There is something very awful in this expression.

Ryle, J. C. (1997).

Luke ().

Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

It shows us that the devil is often “desiring” to

A. The Desire of Satan “Satan has asked”

accomplish our ruin, and

striving to accomplish it,

while we know nothing of his doings, because he is invisible.

B. The Design of Satan “to sift you like wheat.”

This expression signifies that Satan desired to shake, toss to and fro, and harass the apostle,

just as wheat is shaken to and fro when it is dressed and winnowed,

to separate the grain from the chaff.

It aptly describes the effect of temptation on a believer.

Whatever Satan’s intention may be, the result of temptation is to bring out the chaff, or weakness of a believer.

The personality, activity, and power of the Devil are not thought about enough by Christians.

The Devil brought sin into the world at the beginning by tempting Eve.

He is called by our Lord a murderer, the prince of this world, and a liar.

Jesus made clear his intention to drive Satan out of people’s lives and to destroy his sovereignty (; , ; ).

He liberated a woman “whom Satan (had) kept bound for eighteen long years” ().

Paul spoke of his being sent to turn people “from the power of Satan to God” (), and

that the works of the “lawless one (were) in accordance with the work of Satan,” in doing sham miracles, signs, and wonders ().

Christ will come, he wrote, to overthrow that agent of Satan.

While the activity of Satan is carried out in “the world” (i.e., among those who do not acknowledge Christ as Lord),

he also works against the followers of Christ.

He influenced Peter’s thinking about Jesus to the extent that Jesus said to his disciple, “Get behind me, Satan!” ().

He asked for all the disciples in order to severely test them ().

He “entered” Judas Iscariot (), and “filled the heart” of Ananias ().

Believers can be tempted by Satan due to a lack of self-control in sexual matters (),

and he can even masquerade as “an angel of light” to accomplish his purposes ().

He tormented Paul by means of “a thorn in (his) flesh” ().

Some people even turn away from their faith to follow Satan ().

Satan opposes the proclamation of the gospel, snatching away the seed (the word) that was sown in people’s hearts (; ).

Jesus made clear his intention to drive Satan out of people’s lives and to destroy his sovereignty (Matt.

12:26; Mark 3:23, 26; Luke 11:18).

He liberated a woman “whom Satan (had) kept bound for eighteen long years” (Luke 13:16).

Paul spoke of his being sent to turn people “from the power of Satan to God” (Acts 26:18), and that the works of the “lawless one (were) in accordance with the work of Satan,” in doing sham miracles, signs, and wonders (2 Thess.

2:9).

Christ will come, he wrote, to overthrow that agent of Satan.

While the activity of Satan is carried out in “the world” (i.e., among those who do not acknowledge Christ as Lord), he also works against the followers of Christ.

He influenced Peter’s thinking about Jesus to the extent that Jesus said to his disciple, “Get behind me, Satan!” (Matt.

16:23).

He asked for all the disciples in order to severely test them (Luke 22:31).

He “entered” Judas Iscariot (Luke 22:3), and “filled the heart” of Ananias (Acts 5:3).

Believers can be tempted by Satan due to a lack of self-control in sexual matters (1 Cor.

7:5), and he can even masquerade as “an angel of light” to accomplish his purposes (2 Cor.

11:14).

He tormented Paul by means of “a thorn in (his) flesh” (2 Cor.

12:7).

Some people even turn away from their faith to follow Satan (1 Tim.

5:15).

Satan opposes the proclamation of the gospel, snatching away the seed (the word) that was sown in people’s hearts (Mark 4:15; Luke 8:12).

Dunnett, W. M. (1996).

Satan.

In Evangelical dictionary of biblical theology (electronic ed., pp.

714–715).

Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

He’s a PROBLEM.

2. The PRAYING is the Secret in the prediction.

"But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail...”” ()

Jesus has prayed for you (v32)

A. The Report of the prayer, “I have prayed for you”

We don’t need to hesitate to regard this as an example of our Lord’s exercise of His office as an intercessor for His people.

What He did for Peter, when Peter knew nothing of his danger,

He is daily and hourly doing for all who believe on His name.

Pray for those who lead you.

Young people, pray for your moms and dads and pastor’s and their families.

Ryle, J. C. (1879).

Expository Thoughts on Luke (Vol.

2, p. 415).

New York: Robert Carter & Brothers.