Trusting the Son and the Spirit

 Luke 12:8-12

Introduction:     The theme of Luke 12 is trusting God and keeping your focus on Him.  In the text for today Jesus talks about learning how to trust the Son and the Spirit.  Without learning how to trust God for all things we cannot have happy, contented lives in our Christianity.  We can be saved, but we will never have “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, [to] guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

I. Trusting Jesus

         A. Acknowledge / confess Jesus  vs. 8

                 1. To recognize and act on the reality of something

                 2. Confess Jesus’ identity with its implications for one’s life      Ash

                 3. Requires trust to make that kind of confession

                          a. To rely or depend on; have confidence in

                          b. If we can depend on Jesus to forgive our sins, we can depend                    on God to keep His promises   Romans 8:32

                          c. Jesus is not only Savior, he is also Lord

         B. Denying Jesus   vs. 9

                 1. aparneomai -  deny; disown, renounce; refuse

                 2. Deny - To disclaim connection with; to refuse to accept as true

                 3. Examples     

                          a. Peter  Luke 22:54-62

                          b. Refusing to accept a part of Jesus, like his resurrection or his                     promises

                          c. Wanting salvation, but not wanting to obey

                 4. Means the same thing as not trusting Jesus

II. Trusting Holy Spirit

         A. Jesus makes both a negative and positive statement about Himself              and the Spirit

         B. Blaspheming against the Holy Spirit    vs. 10

                 1. This passage is difficult and I encourage you to study it on your                 own for your own conclusion

                 2. Study it & come to some conclusions from Luke before you use                  Matthew & Mark (they seem to be in a different context)

                 3. One could reject Jesus during his personal ministry and still                       accept him by accepting Spirit inspired preaching.  But reject                     the latter and there would be no further overture from God                          regarding the manner of revelation.  Ash

                 4. We must understand this, not of the uttering of any form of                        words, but of the set of the life.  This blasphemy is so serious                     because it concerns the whole man, not a few words spoken on                                       any one occasion.     Morris

                 5. It is to reject the work of the Spirit   John 16:7-11

                 6. Anyone who is concerned about this sin is not guilty because they              still care; when one stops caring about doing what is right, then                 fear this sin

         C. Holy Spirit will help you know what to say when you are                           defending the faith   vs. 11-12

                 1. John 16:13-14

                 2. The promise is God’s Spirit will actually work through your                       words and actions and thoughts

                          a. Romans 8:9-13

                          b. I Corinthians 2:12-13           

                          c. Galatians 5:22-23

Conclusion:   Trusting God means trusting the Father, Son, and Spirit.  To deny Jesus or blaspheme the Spirit is the opposite of trust.  To deny Jesus means to blaspheme the Spirit.  To confess Jesus means to cooperate with the Spirit as he leads you to say & do the right thing.

Wichita, KS.  Central.  June 13, 1999.  PM.