LUKE 13
9 Outlines
Luke 13:1-9
LEARNING FROM DISASTER
In Luke 13, two types of disasters are mentioned, the natural
and the unnatural. It is here that we
see that the Jewish people had the idea that those punished during natural and
unnatural disasters were all being punished for some reason. Jesus, however has
another lesson for people to learn as they look at natural and unnatural
disasters.
MAN’S PREMISE – Vss. 1,2,4
Vs. 1 – What we have here is an unnatural disaster.
Pontius Pilate was known for his brutality as the Roman
Governor.
Evidently Pilate thought that certain Galileans were guilty of
some sort of insurrection. He ordered
them killed.
They were quietly offering sacrifices, perhaps at Passover, and
were killed in the process. Men’s blood and animals’ blood were shed at the
same time.
Vs. 2 - The common thought was that these men were guilty of some
sort of terrible crime, and that’s why they were murdered.That
would be like saying every person killed on 9-11 was guilty of some sort
special sin towards God. Jesus is saying this is just not so.
Bad things happen to good people.
Bad things happen to nice people.
It is not always because God is judging a specific individual
because of sin.
It is because sin, in general, is in the world.
As long as sin reigns, people will die of both natural and
unnatural causes.
Consider Job.
What kinds of Calamities happened to Him?
Why did these calamities happen?
What did Job’s “comforters” tell him?
Job 4:7 - Remember, I pray thee,
who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the
righteous cut off?
It was then and is now, very easy for people to assume when
something bad happens that we or the person affected has done something wrong.
This can lead to a smug self-righteousness if nothing bad
happens to us.
Vs. 4 – Jesus gives another example.
There was a
tower in
Were these 18 victims of a natural disaster guilty of some
special sin?
And thinking about it, what about those people who are born with
deformities and diseases? Are they or
their parents guilty of something special?
The answer is it is not likely.
Of course of a parent abuses their body, such as with drugs,
they can cause physical problems for their new-borns.
But we can’t say that every physical problem is a result of someone specific’s
sin.
You might remember the man who was born blind in John 9.
Jesus was asked who was guilty, the man or his parents to cause
such a thing.
In John 9:3 Jesus tells us that it was neither.
Does God bring judgment on people and nations?
Yes, he does.
But we can’t assume that every tragedy is a result of someone’s
sin.
So don’t be quick to be smug when tragedy happens to someone you
don’t like, thinking they are being judged for their sins. It could happen to you.
JESUS’ PRONOUNCEMENT – Vss. 3,5
Vss. 3&5 – Jesus makes a pronouncement of warning.
He said
that unless those listening to him repented they would likewise perish.
It is possible that Jesus was looking forward to the destruction
of
However, I believe that he was warning that is possible for all
to perish and face judgment.
These words were spoken as part of a message that had much to
say about coming judgment in Luke 12.
Unless a person repents, final judgment will not be pretty.
Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 20:11-15
Hebrews 9:27 - And as it is appointed
unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
H.A. Ironside said, “Repentance is a change in mind which results
in a complete change in attitude.” H.A. Ironside, Addresses on the Gospel of Luke, (Neptune,
NJ, Loizeaux Brothers, 1947) p. 436
When a person sees that he or she is a sinner and has no hope for
Heaven, he or she turns from their sin and whatever they have been trusting
before to save them. They turn from sin and to the Savior.
2 Corinthians
Of course, when a sinner truly repents there is a change. John
3:5-8
Now you and I who know Jesus as Savior do not need to worry
about getting into Heaven if we’ve been truly converted. However, we have been called to live Godly,
holy lives. 1 Peter 1:15-16
1 Peter 1:15-16 - But as he which hath
called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [16] Because
it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
As God convicts us of sin, we need to be ready to repent.
Not because we need to be saved, but because we need to be holy!
Isaiah 55:6-8
In the course of our daily walk the Holy Spirit will convict us
of sin either through the preaching of the Word, or the reading of the Word, or
speaking of the Spirit of God, within our hearts.
When we are smitten that we are wrong, we are to confess to God,
forsake, and yes, if necessary make things right with someone else. Psalm
32:5
So Jesus pronounces that everyone needs to repent.
GOD’S PATIENCE – Vss. 6-9
Read Vss. 6-9
Jesus tells a story that could refer to
Israel had been sent many prophets, looking for repentance.
Jesus himself came and dug around the roots and added fertilizer,
so to speak.
And yet
But I with others believe that this story also refers to every
lost sinner.
The person deserves judgment, but God delays judgment, so that
the person has more time to repent.
Often you and I would be like the land owner in the story, we
think people should be removed or judged, but God delays. He delays and
convicts the guilty part.
Perhaps, if given more time, the person will come to his senses and
repent.
In fact the Lord has not returned yet, in order to give more
people time to repent. 2 Peter 3:8-10
So, how does this effect us as Christians?
We know that the Lord is coming.
There are those who need the Lord.
As long as the Lord is delaying we should be doing two things,
witnessing and living Godly lives.
Peter follows up his talk about the judgment with these words
for believers. 2 Peter 3:11-14
Let’s be busy living for the Lord in such a way, that those who
need to repent see the need because of us.
God is being patient. We need to be busy.
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Luke 13:10-17
IT HAPPENED ONE SABBATH
A WOMAN WAS RESTRICTED – Vss. 10-11
A WOMAN WAS RELEASED – Vss. 12-13
A RULER WAS RESENTFUL – Vs. 14
A RULER WAS REBUKED – VSS. 15-16
A CROWD WAS RESPONSIVE – Vs. 17
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Luke 13:10-17
SETTING THINGS STRAIGHT
Sometimes people are not thinking correctly. It takes someone to set things straight! This is what Jesus did in this story.
COMPASSION OF JESUS – Vss. 10-13
COMPLAINT BY THE RULER – Vss. 14
CORRECTION OF A HYPOCRITE – Vss. 15-17
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Luke 13:10-17
SKIRMISH ON THE SABBATH
There were many times
when Jesus did things that provoked the “religious” leaders of His day. On a certain Sabbath Day Jesus had a
confrontation with one of those leaders.
A WOMAN SET FREE – Vss.
10-13
A RULER’S SEETHING ANGER
– Vs. 14
THE MASTER’S STRONG
REBUKE – Vss. 15-16
THE ADVERSARIES’ SERIOUS
SHAME – Vs. 17
THE PEOPLES’ STUPENDOUS
JOY – Vs. 17
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Luke 13:10-17
SABBATH DAY MIRACLE
A REMARKABLE HEALING -
Vss. 10-13
A RIDICULOUS COMPLAINT -
Vs. 14
A RIGHTEOUS ANSWER -
Vss. 15-16
A REASONABLE RESPONSE -
Vs. 17
1.
Jesus' enemies were
ashamed.
2.
The people rejoiced.
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Luke 13:23-30
GAINING HEAVEN
Have you ever given much
thought about whether the people you know are going to Heaven or not? One person once asked Jesus in Luke 13:23, if
many would be saved.
Jesus' response is
sobering.
THE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENT
- Vs. 24
The entrance requirement
to Heaven is very simple, and yet so many people miss it because it is so
simple.
The "straight
gate" is through faith in Christ. John 14:6, Ephesians 2:8-9, John
3:14-18, 36
THE END OF ELIGIBILITY -
Vs. 25
There will be a day when
it is too late to enter the straight gate.
It must be done in this
lifetime.
THE EXCLUSION OF MANY -
Vss. 26-28a
Many people, including most
Jews of Jesus' day, will claim to have known Jesus, and yet Jesus will claim he
never knew them. Those who are familiar
with Jesus but have not trusted Him as Savior, will be told by Him, "I
never knew you."
THE ENTITLED WHO ENTER -
Vss. 28-30
Those who are excluded
will watch famous "saints" enter, and ever those from many
countries. But those who should have
been "first" in the kingdom, because of their exposure to Christ,
will be "last" if they have not trusted Him as Savior.
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Luke 13:24-30
WARNINGS
THE STRAIGHT GATE – Vs. 24
THE SHUT DOOR – Vs. 25
THE SHOCKED MULTITUDES – Vss. 26-28
THE SAVED SAINTS – Vs. 29
THE STARTLING ANNOUNCEMENT – Vs. 30
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Luke 13:24-30
SOBERING WORDS
Every once in a while we
hear sobering words, which make us think about the seriousness and/or severity
of a situation. Here are some examples:
"If you don't put
forth more effort, you're going to fail history!"
"You're
pregnant!"
"You're
bankrupt."
"You mother only
has a few days to live."
The Lord Jesus was
certainly capable of delivering sobering words like the ones in our text.
Although these words applied
to the Jews of His day, they can certainly apply to anyone who claims to have
been familiar with Christ, but never born again.
THE WAY - Vs. 24 - Jesus
challenged his hearers to enter the straight gate of salvation. Matthew
7:13-14, John 14:6
THE WARNING - Vss. 25-27
- There will be a time when it will be too late to be saved. Many will knock on the door of heaven wanting
to get in, but will be turned away, because they had not trusted Christ. Even though they will claim to have known
Christ, he will reject them.
THE WON - Vss. 28-30 -
The true believers in Christ will enter into Heaven. The pretenders will be rejected.
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Luke 13:35-40
ON THE WATCH
(Can be used any time,
but would make a nice possibility for a New Year sermon, especially at a
watch-night service.)
THE ACTIVE WATCH Vss.
35-36
THE AWARDED WATCH Vs. 37
THE ALERT WATCH Vss.
38-40