38Th Sermon in Seriesseries on the Book of Lukenovember 16, 2014

38th Sermon in SeriesSeries on the Book of LukeNovember 16, 2014

“Eventually Everything Comes to Light!”

Luke 8:16-21

SERMON-BASED STUDY GUIDE

Introduction

**The recent revelations from the speeches of the man who was the author of the ObamaCare Legislation are nothing short of ridiculous. The arrogant condescension that drips from the comments of this man’s words is striking. What an illustration of biblical truth about the proud and the certainty of their fall. But it also illustrates our passage in the book of Luke today. It makes Jesus’ words spoken so long ago as up-to-date as the Breaking News on the FoxNews Website. Note the title PTK gave this message today and take a few minutes to discuss the things that have recently “come to light” concerning the corruption of people in high places. It isn’t an enjoyable subject at all, but it is profoundly illustrative of Jesus’ sobering and prophetic words.

**The little “proverb” about the lamp on the lampstand was apparently used often by the Lord. It occurs in different contexts and with slightly different emphasis. For example it is used in Matthew 5:14-16 to emphasize the importance of giving a witness to the truth. Discuss the difference in these two uses of the illustration/proverb of the lamp.

**Throughout the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus, The Christ in His first coming to the earth, He was associated with LIGHT. PTK made reference to a couple of passages and listed several more on the sermon outline sheet. Take time to look up all these passages and to read them in your group discussion. It is quite significant how often this ‘association’ is made. “God is LIGHT and in Him is no darkness at all.” Remember the “SHEKINAH GLORY” of the OT era. Remember the Cloud by day and the Pillar of Fire by night that stood over the Tabernacle for the entire 40 years that the Children of Israel wandered in the wilderness of Sinai? There are many other places where the Glory of YHWH’s Presence is reflected in the Shekinah Glory which is most often a BRIGHT LIGHT (but not always). JESUS ALSO REFLECTS THE SHEKINAH GLORY OF GOD! Take some time to dig into this and study its significance. There is an appendix in the book “Footsteps of the Messiah’ by Arnold Fruchtenbaum that will provide you with an excellent summary study of the Shekinah Glory passages in the Bible. If you need a copy of the book, contact either Pastor Terry or Pastor Jon for access to this material. You will be edified and encouraged by the study – so will your group.

1. The Proverb – A Lighted Lamp Placed On A Lampstand – Lk. 8:16

-Light Illuminates

-Jesus is the “Dayspring from on High” (Bright Morning Star – Luke 1:78-79)

-Jesus said: “I Am the Light of the World” (John 8:12, 9:5 – cf. also Jn. 1:7-10, 14 & 1 Jn. 1:5-7)

-NOTE: Isaiah 9:2, Mt. 4:16, Acts 26:18, 2 Cor. 4:6, Eph. 5:14

**This is quite the sobering section of Scripture. It is not frightening if you are living your life with the sense of always being open before God and not trying to hide anything. BUT if you are sort of living a kind of ‘double-life existence’ then this will be pretty uncomfortable and unsettling to study. In fact, the degree of ‘unsettledness’ we experience by the study of Luke 8:17 may be a good indicator of how much we need to realize the truth of it. So, be courageous and give time, meditation and time for discussion to this simple, straightforward statement by our Lord Jesus, The Christ.

2. The Point – The Truth Will Eventually Come To LIght – Lk. 8:17

-GUARANTEED!!

-The Light EXPOSES – There will be NOTHING Hidden!

-Every human being is accountable for every word and deed done in this lifetime

**This may be one of the more ‘controversial’ doctrines of the Bible for many Christians. The Doctrine of Rewards has traditionally not been taught in churches or by pastors. Many have deemed it a promotion of selfish motives rather than sound doctrine. In fact, many have said quite strongly that it should not be taught because any doctrine of rewards in the wrong motivation for serving Christ. It sounds quite reasonable when you hear many pastors and other Christians say things like that. However, as one reads the Bible – in both the OT and the NT – one is constantly confronted with the fact that GOD clearly teaches that there will be rewards for those who love Him and faithfully serve Him and there will be negative consequences that will come to those who do not. It is fair to say that this is a consistent theme that runs throughout God’s Word. So, we must not think ourselves more spiritual than God and reject the idea. We must study the passages where this idea is taught and try to understand what God says about rewards. This passage is one place where the doctrine of rewards is taught. Take time to discuss it and feel free to ‘wander’ into other passages (there are many) where this doctrine is developed further.

3. The Proper Response – Reward & Relationship – Lk. 8:18-21

-Resounding Call - Exhortation to “TAKE HEED HOW YOU HEAR”

-Reward – for those who DO TAKE HEED – BUT – Judgment for those who do not

-Relationship Result of Hearing and Doing the Word of God!

TIMELESS TRUTH:

There will be a PAYDAY, SOME DAY! We must ALL give an account of how we have lived our lives here on this earth to Jesus, The Christ, Himself. Every day of life here and now is a day of INVESTMENT in that time of accounting with Jesus. Make sure you are wisely investing by obedience and conformity to the Word of God.

**For Christians the time for this accountability is an event called the Judgment Seat of Christ or The Bema Seat. It is an ‘evaluative judgment’ in which the Lord Jesus Christ Himself will evaluate the life of each person (Christian) and determine the degree of reward each one will receive. It is described in several passages – 1 Cor. 3:10-15 and 2 Cor. 5:10-11 are just two of them. Study them. Discuss them. Take time to think about that time. How will it go for you? How do you feel thinking about it? Does it frighten you? Is there anything you really need to address in your life immediately that comes to mind as you think about the Bema Seat?

LIVING LESSON:

Regularly EXAMINE your life and EVALUATE your degree of conformity and obedience to the Word of God. Ask searching questions of yourself such as “What is my agenda for my life – as opposed to God’s agenda for my life?” or “What hinders me from greater investment of my time, treasure and talent in obeying God’s Word?” Do a STERN APPRAISAL of your life – remember, Jesus will do just that one day!