November 10, 2013
Morning Service

Luke 11:27-36

 

As we continue our study in the Gospel according to Luke, we will remember that, Dr. Luke, who also wrote the book of Acts, was a native of Antioch of Syria.  He was a gentile, and there is no record concerning his conversion to Christianity.  He hooked up with Paul at Troas, according to Acts 16.  He was not eye witness to the Lord’s ministry, but assured us in the opening chapter of Luke, that he understood everything very clearly.

 

One of the things we discussed last Wednesday was how Jesus was accused of casting out demons, by the prince of demons.  Jesus went on to tell them that a house divided will not stand. 

·         Luk 11:17-18  But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.  (18)  If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.

This idea, and truism is why the Apostle Paul in his writings encourages the churches to be in unity.

·         1Co 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus said this when they accused Him of casting out demons by the prince of demons;

·         Mat 12:31-32  Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.  (32)  And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

Jesus is telling these accusers that by saying what they did about His healing, they were blaspheming the Holy Ghost. 

 

The Lord has told His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer, and die, and will resurrect, but they have not grasp this yet.  However, we can see how He is pointing out to these religious leaders all their faults, it is going to upset them, and it will rush His death on Calvary.

 

Then because of what has just happened it brings us to where we are this morning, and what Jesus has to say concerning His generation.

 

Luk 11:27-36  And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.  (28)  But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. 

·         In our men’s meeting yesterday morning we discussed:  Pro 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  (6)  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

·         I hope that in studying this gospel of Luke that you are getting one of the same things that I am, and that is God must come first in our lives, in everything we do.  “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”

·         Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. 

 

(29)  And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.  (30)  For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation. 

 

 

Again, in Matthews gospel he tells us what the sign was;

Mat 12:39-40  But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:  (40)  For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

·         When you see this you better take heed! 

·         Not only will this be a sign to this generation, but to the many that will follow.  Even us.

 

Now back to Luke;

(31)  The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. 

·         Jesus didn’t toot His own horn very often but when He did it sure made sence.  Some of these poor people that were following the Lord had probably left everything just to hear what He had to say. 

·         They liked hearing Him speak of His Father’s kingdom, and how there were many mansions in it.  How there would be no more sickness, sorrow, pain, and trouble from the flesh.  They were just like us, that long for this day to come.  We must learn to follow wherever He leads us.

·         In Rev. when the 5^th seal is opened; Rev 6:9-11  And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:  (10)  And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?  (11)  And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

·         How long indeed!  Throughout all the generations since He was resurrected there have been times that His followers thought, this is the time of His return.  But not yet.

·         Solomon, declared to be one of the wisest men that ever lived, and Jesus says, “and behold, a greater than Solomon is here.”   YOU DON’T GET ANY GREATER THAN “I AM”.

(32)  The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. 

·         Take time this week to read the book of Jonas.  Fascinating story. 

·         Jesus is telling these people that when Jonah told the people of Nineve that God was going to destroy it in 40 days, and the King heard about it, they all repented, and God spared the city. 

·         BUT A GREATER THAN JONAS IS HERE.

 

It is scripture like this that should awaken every person that hears it.  Paul said, “we must all appear at the judgment seat of Christ.”  For the Christian, a time of rewards, and for those who chose not to serve Him, judgment, and their part in the lake of fire. 

 

Father move in mighty way to convict us all to strive for a closer walk with you.