Luke 8:1-15
Who Will Accept Christ
We continue our study through the book of Luke. Luke, a Gentile,
bring news of the Jewish Savior to a Gentile world. In our last
study, the Lord acknowledge that some were rejecting Him.
Jesus said…
Luke 7:32 …We have piped unto you, and ye have
not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have
not wept.
Jesus warned…
Luke 7:30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected
the counsel of God against themselves….
In \\#7:36-50\\, Jesus indicated that those who were rejecting Him
did not see themselves as sinners and so did not love very much.
While we did not study that section, the basic truth is that many
cannot see themselves or their condition as it really exists.
In tonight’s study, Jesus will reveal why that is so.
I. \\#8:1-3\\ Christ’s Secret Servants - In our country, we have a
secretive organization that renders various services to our high
ranking officials. Jesus is the highest of all and here, we find
He had those who rendered service to Him in relative secrecy.
A. \\#1\\ Notice that Jesus was on the move.
1. Time is running out for Jesus to reach others so He
travelled and took the Twelve with Him.
2. \\#2\\ Yet, there were some faithful women too.
a. Mary Magdalene, out of whom Jesus cast out seven
devils.
b. Joanna, wife to one of Herod’s stewards.
c. And others, all of whom helped Jesus and the
disciples financially.
(1) That is something we do not often think about but
Jesus had to have money to eat while on earth.
(2) Remember the rules of engagement in this last
battle between Satan and the Spirit-filled Man.
i. Jesus cannot use His power to help Himself.
ii. Jesus must fight and defeat the devil just
as any other Spirit-filled man must, in the
power of the Holy Spirit.
d. These women did not travel with Jesus all of the time,
but here they did.
e. They will be mentioned again by Luke.
Lu 24:10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and
Mary the mother of James, and other women that
were with them, which told these things unto the
apostles.
B. Women have always been the pillar of God’s work!3
1. These ladies both ministered to our Lord and provided
for Him.
2. Ladies, you may not be called to do the preaching but
that does not diminish your importance, your opportunity,
or your reward.
3. Let us not be those who spend so much time complaining
about what they cannot do that they miss what they can
do.
II. \\#9-10\\ Christ’s Secret to Illumination
A. By this time, Jesus was speaking much in parables.
B. The disciples want to know why.
1. \\#9-10\\ The answer was (and is) that not everyone is
intended to understand the Word of God.
a. I know that statement makes God sound like He desires
some to remain lost, but no.
(1) God desires all to come to Him. Some simply are
not interested.
(2) They won’t believe and they won’t investigate.
(3) Some of these make up the crowd that rail against
God.
(a) I call these the God haters.
(b) Their numbers have grown much of late.
(4) But not all of them are God haters. Some just
don’t believe or care.
b. Any heart that will believe, will know the truth.
Joh 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall
know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or
whether I speak of myself.
(1) At the least honest inquire, is the work that God
requires before He will even reveal the truth to
a person.
(2) Unconcern, doubt, a closed mind, or hate will not
get as much as an audience from God.
c. God’s Word, His will and ways are for His people to
know, and He will teach them Himself.
2. So while God has given His Word to all, He has not
illuminated all.
a. This is why some read the Word but do not understand
it.
b. Understanding the Bible requires having the Spirit of
God to turn on your light of understanding.
1Cor 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a
mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God
ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew:
for had they known it, they would not have
crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor
ear heard, neither have entered into the heart
of man, the things which God hath prepared for
them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his
Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things,
yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man,
save the spirit of man which is in him? even so
the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit
of God.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things
of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness
unto him: neither can he know them, because they
are spiritually discerned.
III. \\#4-15\\ Christ Summary of People.
A. \\#5, 12\\ Some don’t care.
1. Some hear but do not care enough to even consider the
gospel.
2. Again, these are not necessarily God haters. They just
don’t believe enough to even care about the God.
3. These do not understand because they do not want to
understand.
4. If a person does not care about God, God will not care for
them.
5. Without question, these people are lost.
Luke 6:12 … then cometh the devil, and taketh
away the word out of their hearts, lest they
should believe and be saved.
6. These people need someone to pray for them and to share
the gospel with them—repeatedly—that they might find it
within themselves to care.
B. \\#6, 13\\ Some are superfical.
1. Some hear and are somewhat interested but their desire is
only superficial.
2. These are curious but not determined.
3. They do not mind being partakers as long as it does not
cost them anything - any time, any money, any effort.
4. Why do I call these superficial followers?
a. Because the text says that when persecution arises,
they wither away.
b. Anyone who studies the Bible knows that persecution
and sacrifice in this world is just the price
Christians pay.
c. The Bible tells us that there are no exceptions.
2Ti 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in
Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution
Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness
and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Mt 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If
any man will come after me, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross, and follow me.
d. There are dozens of this passages throughout the
Bible.
e. When these times come—and they will—then the wheat
shall be separated from the chaff.
C. \\#7, 14\\ Some are side tracked.
1. Some hear, believe, but get side tracked.
2. The world chokes the fruit, the life, and the effect of
the gospel.
3. Specifically, the Scripture says that "the care and riches
and pleasures of this life" choke it out.
a. Just because you are saved does not mean that you
really understand God or His Word.
b. The world can kills our walk with the Lord and hinder
our ability to understand Scripture.
D. \\#8, 15\\ A few surrender.
1. But then some will hear, will want the seed, will be
saved, and will pay the price to grow!
2. The proof that has happened is that they bring forth fruit
over the long haul (with patience).
3. Fruit being a changed life and others to Christ.
E. Let me sum up the things that will keep interested people from
either accepting or living for Christ.
1. \\#12\\ The devil will.
2. \\#13\\ Lack of character will.
3. \\#14\\ Worldly distractions and pleasure will.
The question for the hour is "Has anything stopped you?" Being at
church on Wednesday doesn’t mean that you are growing in Christ.
According to Jesus, only bringing forth fruit over time does that.
In fact, it doesn’t even prove you are saved. Where are you today?
You need to find out.
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