“Joy in Serving Christ”
Luke 10:17-24
May 24, 2026

What gives you joy?  What stimulates you to be happy?

• When the children and grandchildren come over for the weekend.
• Enough rain and not too much sun (heat) in August to keep your yard alive.
• All green lights on 377 on your morning commute.
• One more diet coke in the fridge when you thought you had none left.
• When you tell a new friend your age, she argues with you that you are 10 years younger.
• Charles Schultz said, “Happiness is a warm puppy.” One day this week I looked out a window and saw Raye Jeanne sitting on a bench in our flower garden and next to her was our dog, Hugo, sitting tall, looking into her face, and her arm was around his neck, stroking his back.  Yah — warm puppies…

As you think about serving Christ, what makes you happy?  What makes you happy in teaching AWANA?  Or serving hospitality?  Or sharing the gospel?  Or teaching Sunday School?  Or setting up chairs?  Or…  Where do you find your joy in the ministry of the church?

Twice in Luke’s gospel we have seen Christ send out people on gospel and ministry ventures.  Both times He commissioned them with a task:  preach the message of the King and Kingdom and heal the sick (to authenticate the Kingdom message).  And when the 72 came back, they were filled with joy — they did it!  They were successful.  Jesus doesn’t deny their reason for joy, but He also reorients their joy from smaller joys to greater joys.  And the joy for the 72 informs us about what our joys should be as we serve Christ. 

Why are we joyful?  Why should we be joyful in our sacrificial service?  Luke 10 gives us a pattern for joy —

When serving Christ rejoice like Christ.

When serving Christ, find your joys where He tells you to find joy, and where He Himself finds joy.  While the commission of the 72 was a unique event, there are principles in that service that connect well to us, including how we think about our service.  Though there is hardship in ministry (v. 3), we must also see the joys of ministry.  As we think about our own ministry of Christ (whether it is at home or abroad, long-term or short-term), let’s cultivate three joys in our service.

1. Rejoice in Ministry Privileges (vv. 17-20)
2. Rejoice in Christ’s Joys (vv. 21-24)
3. Rejoice in Christ’s Blessing (vv. 23-24)

Download the rest of this sermon on Luke 10:17-24.

James Tissot, “He Sent them out Two by Two,” public domain.

The audio will be posted on the GBC website by Tuesday.

“Sent with the Gospel”
Luke 10:1-16
May 17, 2026

In 1786 a man named William was ordained for the pastorate and sent to a small church in the town of Moulton, England.  Both he and the church were very poor, and it took three jobs for William to support his family:  pastor, cobbler, and village teacher.

In his cobbler’s workshop, William made a large homemade map of the world and began collecting data on the world’s population.  This data was compiled into an 87-page book in 1791:  An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians to use Means for the Conversion of Heathens, in which the religious state of the different nations of the world, the success of former undertakings, and the practicability of further undertakings, are considered.  This “‘little piece,’ as William called it, would become the manifesto of the modern missionary movement.” The man, of course, is William Carey and his passion for the salvation of the lost is seen throughout the document, but perhaps most boldly in his statement, “I question whether all are justified in staying here, while so many are perishing without means of grace in other lands.”

On May 31, 1792, Carey was asked to speak to a group of pastors from an association of 24 churches.  He chose as his text Isaiah 54:2-3 and in that sermon he uttered words that have stimulated the missions movement for the next 2-½ centuries:  “Expect great things; attempt great things.”  His meaning is clear — God is the provider of all and many great things, and on the basis of God’s provision, the believer is to attempt similarly great things that will bring honor and glory to the name of God.

Less than a year later, Carey and John Thomas and their families were on their way to India with the gospel.  All of them would die in India, never returning to England; Carey died 41 years later. 

What was the result of Carey’s ministry in India?  He either translated or directly oversaw and edited 41 partial or complete translations of the Bible.  He was instrumental in the planting of Lall Bazar Chapel in Calcutta in 1809 — a church that continues in ministry to this day, now under the name Carey Baptist Church.  During his ministry they oversaw the opening of over 100 schools for the Biblical education of Indians.  The man who had an elementary education was given a doctorate in linguistics and served as a Department Chairman of the Fort William College in Calcutta for 30 years (from 1801 until 1830).  He also was instrumental in the abolition of infanticide, abortion, slavery and sati in India.  And by the time of his death in 1834, there were 50 missionaries serving in 18 mission stations in India. 

Carey was a simple, common man who was used by God for remarkable purposes.  His life was marked by the simple statement made that sermon in 1792:  “expect great things; attempt great things.”

The question of who will go and serve God in ministry is an old one.  Think about Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and the rest of the prophets.  And the Twelve apostles (“sent ones”), and Paul and Barnabas. And the 72 followers of Christ, which is the account from Luke in front of us today (Lk. 10:1-16). 

As we come to this passage we need to recognize that this was a unique event; the instructions and commissioning in this passage are for the 72 on that event.  It was a one-time commissioning.  However, the principles that Jesus gave in sending the 72 are fitting for us as well, as we think about ministry, missions, evangelism, and building the church.  This passage immediately follows the narrative of three almost-followers of Christ; it serves as a contrast, and it also gives us a picture of what it means to follow Christ.  What did Jesus command the 72 to do and how did they demonstrate that they were following Christ?

To follow Christ, serve Christ.

In this passage we learn how to follow Christ by carrying out six responsibilities of serving Christ.  The principles in this passage guide us as we think about missions and sending William and Natalyn overseas; it informs how we think about evangelizing our community, and it directs how we plan for the ministry of this church and use the gifted people God has given us.

1. Serve Christ by Submitting to His Authority (vv. 1-2)
2. Serve Christ by Conforming Your Expectations (v. 3)
3. Serve Christ by Recognizing the Urgency (v. 4)
4. Serve Christ by Trusting His Provision (vv. 5-8)
5. Serve Christ by Doing His Work (vv. 9-12)
6. Serve Christ by Declaring His Warning (vv. 13-16)

Download the rest of this sermon on Luke 10:1-16.

James Tissot, “He Sent them out Two by Two,” public domain.

The audio will be posted on the GBC website by Tuesday.

The fear of the Lord has two main emphases — a dread and terror of the judgment of God and an awe and reverential delight in God for His greatness.  The former is the experience of the unbeliever and the latter is the experience of the believer.  The former compels people to attempt to run away from God, while the latter compels people to be drawn to Him.
 
This concept of fearing God is common in Scripture, and particularly so in the book of Proverbs.  The fear of God is the theme of the book — “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction” (1:7; cf. 9:10).
 
And as the theme of the book, Solomon also demonstrates many practical implications of fearing God.  What does the fear of God produce in God’s people (and what does lack of the fear of God produce)?  Solomon tells us:
 
Those who do not fear God will not be heard by Him, will not know Him, and will not have His knowledge or wisdom.
 
                  Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
                  They will seek me diligently but they will not find me,
                  Because they hated knowledge
                  And did not choose the fear of the LORD. (1:28-29)
 
If (when) you are wise, you will fear God and gain the knowledge of Him and His ways.  Or said another way, the search for wisdom (v. 4) is the search for God and His delights — those who seek wisdom are really seeking God.
 
                  If you seek her [wisdom] as silver
                  And search for her as for hidden treasures;
                  Then you will discern the fear of the LORD
                  And discover the knowledge of God. (2:4-5)
 
Fearing God produces a hatred of sin and evil:  sins like pride, arrogance, evil behavior, and sinful speech.  To develop a hatred of sin, cultivate a fear of (attraction to) God.
 
                  The fear of the LORD is to hate evil;
                  Pride and arrogance and the evil way
                  And the perverted mouth, I hate. (8:13).
 
Fear of God leads to fulness of life — and often length of life.  Lack of delight in God leads to an emptiness of life — and often a brevity of life.  
 
                  The fear of the LORD prolongs life,
                  But the years of the wicked will be shortened. (10:27)
 
Fearing God will provide confidence in difficult days — a refuge and place of safety; it is the source of life so that the God-fearer will avoid ultimate death (and the temporal snares of deadly sin).  Fearing God keeps one from ruining his life with sin.
 
                  In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence,
                  And his children will have refuge.
                  The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,
                  That one may avoid the snares of death. (14:26-27)
 
Fear of God will give one contentment when he is poor by cultivating an awareness of the difficulties that often attend great wealth.  
 
                  Better is a little with the fear of the LORD
                  Than great treasure and turmoil with it. (15:16)

Fearing God teaches one to be wise — and humble.  He is content with humility and doesn’t desire to be honored. 
 
                  The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom,
                  And before honor comes humility. (15:33)
 
The fear of God keeps one from sin; he delights more in God and His truth than in sin.
 
                  By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for,
                  And by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil. (16:6; cf. 3:7)
 
The fear of God produces life that is satisfying, contented, and restful, away from the consequences of a life of sin.
 
                  The fear of the LORD leads to life,
                  So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil. (19:23)
 
Generally, a humble, God-fearing life will produce riches (enough to support one’s life), honor (as a God-fearing man), and life (because one avoids the complicating consequences of a sinful lifestyle).
 
                  The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD
                  Are riches, honor and life. (22:4)
 
Fear of God keeps one from envying the “easy life” of sinners.
 
                  Do not let your heart envy sinners,
                  But live in the fear of the LORD always. (23:17; cf. Ps. 37:1-11)
 
Fearing God reveals the entrapments of fearing man more than God; fearing and trusting God will produce safety from (and being exalted above) the traps of sin.
 
                  The fear of man brings a snare,
                  But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted. (19:25)
 
So be wise (1:9; 9:10).  Fear the Lord.  And experience the joy of the blessings of fearing God.

“How to Be an Almost Follower of Christ”
Luke 9:57-62
May 10, 2026

There is a kind of follower of Christ who is not a follower of Christ. 

Consider the crowds that followed Jesus; on one occasion, after He taught of the necessity of believing solely in Him and the Spirit’s role in bringing them to faith and the Father’s call of all who believe, John says, “As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore” (6:66).

Or consider the man who made the claim to Jesus that he had kept the entire Law — what more did he have to do to inherit eternal life?  When Jesus told him, “sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor,” Luke tells us that “he became very sad, for he was extremely rich” (Lk. 18:22-23).

Or consider a more recent example, the atheist Anthony Flew who announced a few years before he died that he had become a theist.  A reporter for a Christian journal interviewed him: 

“Flew has had to assure former students that he does not now believe in revealed religion. ‘Even one of my daughters asked if this meant we were going to say grace at meals,’ he said. ‘The answer is no.’  Flew is also quick to point out that he is not a Christian. ‘I have become a deist like Thomas Jefferson.’… To make things perfectly clear, he told me: ‘I understand why Christians are excited, but if they think I am going to become a convert to Christ in the near future, they are very much mistaken.’  ‘Are you Paul on the road to Damascus?’ I asked him.  ‘Certainly not.’” 

Flew died in that unbelief.  There is a kind of follower who is not a follower of Christ.  And as Christ more actively makes His way to Jerusalem to die, He again challenges the crowds following Him to genuinely follow Him.  We summarize Luke 9:57–62 this way —

To follow Christ, give up anything (everything) to gain Him.

Following Christ is believing Christ.  And to believe Christ means we want Him more than we want anything else.  We will give up all to have Him (v. 23; Mt. 13:44-46).  Like the parable of the sower and the soils (8:4-15), this passage is not just a call to follow but a call to self-examination — what is the state of my following?  Am I following Christ according to His standards or according to my desires?  It’s common to presume that one is a follower of Christ when he is not; while Jesus and Luke make no comment about the responses of the three individuals in this passage, it is safe to assume that like the rich young ruler (18:22-23) these men did not actually trust and follow Christ.  In this passage we see three pathways to almost follow Christ (but not be a true follower of Christ)…

1. To Almost Follow Christ, Prioritize Comfort (v. 57-58)
2. To Almost Follow Christ, Prioritize Cash (vv. 59-60)
3. To Almost Follow Christ, Prioritize Communion (vv. 61-62)

Download the rest of this sermon on Luke 9:57-62.

Path at Azekah in Israel.

The audio will be posted on the GBC website by Tuesday.

“With His Eyes on Jerusalem”
Luke 9:”51-56
April 19, 2026

It seems inconceivable, but Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, the God-Man, God incarnate, was rejected by Israel when He came to be her Messiah and to provide redemption from sin.

• His message was rejected by Herod when Herod imprisoned and beheaded John the Baptist (3:20)
• He was rejected in His first sermon when the crowds wondered how “Joseph’s son” could preach in such a way (4:22), made Him unwelcome (4:24), and in a rage attempted to kill Him (4:28-29)
• When He forgave the lame man’s sins, the Scribes and Pharisees said He was a blasphemer (5:21)
• The Pharisees and scribes grumbled that He ate with Levi (tax collectors and sinners, 5:30)
• The Pharisees claimed He was a Sabbath law-breaker (6:2ff)
• The Pharisees and lawyers rejected John the Baptist and His message (7:30ff)
• The Pharisee Simon hated His compassion to a woman who was a “sinner” (7:39)
• The Gerasene people rejected Him after He healed “Legion” and asked Him to leave (8:37)
• The people rejected Him by calling Him a prophet, but not the Messiah (9:18-19)
• At the end of His Galilean ministry, Jesus called the people ashamed and unbelieving (9:26, 41)

And in the passage before us this morning, we see the expansion of Jesus’ ministry to those who were perceived to be “outside” true Israel.  The Galileans rejected Him, so He expanded His ministry to the Samaritans.  And they also rejected Him.  It’s a familiar story.  Christ was rejected.  Christ would be rejected still more.  And He will still be rejected today.  Yet, Christ was resolute in His commitment to go to the cross. 

He was resolute to go to the cross because it was all part of God’s eternal plan of redemption.  And that plan was filled with Christ’s compassion and gentleness with sinners.  He yearned (and yearns) to save sinners. 

The rejection of Christ reveals the compassion of Christ.

Christ’s rejection is good news for us because His rejection not only leads Him to the cross, but the cross was the eternal plan of the Triune Godhead.  So His rejection makes the way for our acceptance in salvation.   That acceptance is the ultimate manifestation of His compassion; in this passage we see four expressions of the compassion of Christ…

1. Christ’s Compassion for Sinners (v. 51)
2. Christ’s Compassion for His “Enemies” (vv. 52-53)
3. Christ’s Compassion for His Disciples (vv. 54-55)
4. Christ’s Compassion for the Unreached (v. 56)

Download the rest of this sermon on Luke 9:51-56.

Samaria from Mt. Gilboa.

The audio will be posted on the GBC website by Tuesday.

It’s hard to pray.  Sometimes we lack the discipline to pray.  Sometimes we forget to pray.  Or perhaps worse, we allow the pressures and burdens of less important but seemingly more urgent responsibilities push aside prayer.  At times prayer is inhibited because of sinful indulgences — and those indulgences become more precious to us than time with our gracious Father.  Or perhaps we are hurting or grieving so deeply that we do not know what to say in prayer. 

So we don’t pray.  But we are not alone.  The struggle with prayer is a long-lasting one.  The disciples watched and heard Christ pray and recognized they needed to learn to pray — so they asked Him, “Lord, Teach us to pray” (Lk. 11:1).  The Reformer, Martin Luther, also struggled to pray — and provided direction for us when we similarly struggle:

…when I feel that I have become cool or joyless in prayer because of other tasks or thoughts (for the flesh and the devil always impede and obstruct prayer), I take my little Psalter, hurry to my room, or, if it be the day and hour for it, to the church where a congregation is assembles and, as time permits, I say quietly to myself and word-for-word the Lord’s Prayer, Ten Commandments, the Creed, and if I have time, some words of Christ or of Paul, or some psalms, just as a child might do.

In that statement, Luther offered a three-fold antidote to prayerlessness:

• Be obedient to pray 
• Read Scripture to teach you how to pray
• Listen to (or read) the prayers of others to stimulate affections to pray

The same provisions are also given to us.  

As soon as you recognize the inclination not to pray, run to prayer and begin by repenting of your self-dependence and self-righteousness.  

Secondly, use the Bible to stimulate your prayers.  There are abundant examples of prayers in the Bible and there are many exhortations for what to pray for others.  As you read your Bible day-by-day keep a list of items to pray, or start with the list, “Prayer in the Bible” and expand it as you read your Bible. 

Finally, pray regularly with someone else to teach you to pray — including using the written prayers of those who have gone before us.  There are many outstanding books of prayers and they can be profound encouragements to our prayer life.  You might consider some of these that I have found helpful over the years (and you might keep some on your digital reader to use when you can’t sleep at night as well): 

• The Valley of Vision
• Into His Presence: Praying with the Puritans 
• Piercing Heaven: Prayers of the Puritans
• Fount of Heaven: Prayers of the Early Church
• Grace from Heaven: Prayers of the Reformation
• Joy of Heaven: Prayers of the Church
• Cloud of Witnesses: A Treasury of Prayers and Petitions through the Ages
• At the Throne of Grace: A Book of Prayers

The struggle to pray is common.  And God’s provision for teaching us to pray is also common and available.  Now we just need to use those resources He has given us. 

Passover is finished.  The crowds are gone from Jerusalem.  The Roman soldiers are relaxing.  The disciples and their friends and family are returning to their daily duties and a few added priorities.  There is still some buzz in the city and among the disciples, but Easter is over.

Or is it?

What happens after the resurrection?  Yes, the believer can be confident in the promised salvation from Christ, but does anything else change?

Indeed, much changes, as the New Testament affirms.

Because of the resurrection, care of God’s people is entrusted to Christ’s disciples.

So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.” (John 21:15-17)

Not only is Peter restored to Christ and ministry in this interaction, but he is given instruction about how to care for Christ’s people, and the instruction to him serves as a pattern for us as well — we care for one another by the administration of Scripture to life.  Tending and shepherding is to spiritually feed, protect, heal, and restore the people of God so they delight in God above all else.

Because of the resurrection we go to the nations with the gospel and make disciples of Christ.

“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” (Matt. 28:18-20; see also Lk. 24:47-48; Acts 1:8)

The message of the death and resurrection of Christ is of first importance (1 Cor. 15:3).  There is no message that is more essential.  So we take that message of Christ’s work on the cross to other countries and other cultures and exhort them to believe and then train them to follow and obey Him.  That was a requirement not only for the Twelve, but for all people who believe in Christ.

Because of the resurrection, we work diligently, tirelessly, and persistently in Christ’s church and with Christ’s people.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:58)

Yes, work for Christ is often laborious, perplexing, and exhausting.  But we work in caring for the people of God because Christ is resurrected (we are “steadfast” in the resurrection — the resurrection is the foundation of our ministry).  We endure hardship and we sacrifice joyfully because Christ is resurrected — and because we also share in that resurrection (1 Cor. 15:20 — more, many more, are going to be resurrected after Him).

The early church that was bombarded with problems both from inside and outside could be tempted to quit.  They needed the reminder to continue to work.  And so do we:

“What a word Paul gives to the countless Christians who work and pray and give and suffer as little as they can! How can we be satisfied with the trivial, insignificant, short-lived things of the world? How can we ‘take it easy’ when so many around us are dead spiritually and so many fellow believers are in need of edification, encouragement, and help of every sort? When can a Christian say, ‘I’ve served my time, I’ve done my part; let others do the work now’?” [John MacArthur]

Easter is over.  Our privileged work has just begun.

“The Greatest Message”
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
April 5, 2026

What’s your most important possession?  (Not your most important person, but possession.)

You might say, “My cash/wealth,” or “My job” (no cash without some kind of job), or “my car” (have to get to work somehow) or “my house,” or “my special collection — wedding pictures, art, stamps, baseball cards, coins, books, etc…”

My most important possession is my wedding ring.  It’s a simple gold band, nothing particularly unique about it; it might be worth a couple hundred dollars or so.  The value of this ring, however, is not in its intrinsic value, but in what it represents.  This ring provides the motive for why I go to work each day.  It guides my schedule and informs the choices I make with my time — why I don’t work late without calling and pay bills or mow the lawn in the evening instead of watching baseball or reading all night long.  It directs my relationships — some I won’t have because of it (with other women) and some I do have because of it (with my children and other married couples).  This ring represents the source of all my greatest earthly joys.

The value of my wedding band is not the gold in it; the value of my band is the relationship with Raye Jeanne that it represents.  And that value was not only significant to me on my wedding day, but is valuable to me every single day of my life.  It informs and guides everything I do.

There is a similar possession we have as believers in Christ.  We tend to think of it as something that while good, is no longer particularly needed to us.  Like a classic car, we pull it out periodically and look at it — maybe shining it up or taking it for a drive or showing it to a friend — but it is not something that we think is of particular importance to us day by day.  I’m speaking of the gospel and the truth of Christ’s resurrection.

Like our wedding band on our wedding day, we know that we need the gospel for our salvation.  It is what begins our lives with Christ.  But we are prone to forgetting about its importance after our salvation or after Easter Sunday.  The gospel and resurrection are important today.  And tomorrow.  And next week…

Paul says the gospel of first importance.  It’s primary.  It’s fundamental.  You need the gospel.  The true gospel is no more a one-time event than a true marriage is a one-day event.   The gospel is most important.  Paul said it this way in 1 Corinthians 15 —

The greatest need for every person is to believe that Christ died and was resurrected for their sins.

This morning, as we look at the opening section to the longest section on the resurrection in Scripture, we will observe three reasons to believe the gospel and the resurrection —

1. Believe the Gospel Because It is Your Life (vv. 1-2)
2. Believe the Gospel Because it is Redemptive (vv. 3-8)
3. Believe the Gospel Because it is Grace (vv. 9-11)

Download the rest of this sermon on 1 Corinthians 15:1-11.

The audio will be posted on the GBC website by Tuesday.

When you think about Christ, how do you characterize Him?  What is He like?  What does He do?  How is He different from everyone else that has walked on earth so that we should believe in and follow Him?  John Newton said that Christ is our all-sufficient Shepherd, our Husband, our Prophet, our Priest, our King, our Friend, our Lord, our Life, our Way, our End, our Head, our Root, our Meat, our Drink, our Portion, our Strength, our Hope, our Foundation, our Sun, our Shield, our Lawgiver, our Exemplar, our Forerunner, and our All.  He is everything to us — when we have Him we need nothing else. 

Similarly, Spurgeon said, “If you take Christ out of Christianity, Christianity is dead.…If you leave out Christ, you have left the sun out of the day, and the moon out of the night, you have left the waters out of the sea, and the floods out of the river; you have left the harvest out of the year, the soul out of the body; you have left joy out of heaven, you robbed all of its all.  There is no Gospel worth thinking of, much less worth proclaiming, if Jesus is forgotten.  We must have Jesus as Alpha and Omega…”

These men and countless others were overwhelmed by the character of Christ.  Similarly, we want to be captivated by Christ and conformed to Christ.  That’s why we are in the book of Luke.  In the first nine chapters, we have seen the revelation of Jesus as the Son of Man.  Luke is encouraging us to believe in Christ (if we don’t yet believe) and to delight in Him (if we already believe). 

This morning we are going to revisit locations and stories we’ve already seen in these opening chapters and remind ourselves of the themes and purposes — has Luke done what he said he would do?  What are primary realities of Christ that should be the foundation of our faith and give us hopefulness in Christ?  To that end, we will revisit some of the broad themes in Luke that we talked about in the first sermon in this series, to see how Luke accomplished those in these opening chapters, including the theme of the book…

Luke tells the story of Christ so that we will be confident in Christ at all times.

As we are reminded of our Savior, the Son of Man, remember also that Luke wrote His gospel as something of a travelogue — he recounts the history and theology of Christ as Christ travels around Israel: 

• The introduction and preparation of Jesus for ministry (1:1–4:13) — primarily Nazareth
• The Galilean ministry of Jesus (4:14–9:50)
• Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem (9:51–19:44)
• Jesus’ ministry in Jerusalem as the crucified and resurrected Son of Man (19:45–24:53)
• Summary…that we will be confident in Christ.

The outline — 

1. The Arrival of the Son of Man (1:1–2:40)
2. The Introduction of the Son of Man (2:41–4:13)
3. The Galilean Ministry of the Son of Man (4:14–9:50)
4. The Purpose of the Account of the Son of Man (1:1-4)

Download the rest of this sermon on Luke 1-9.

The audio will be posted on the GBC website by Tuesday.

Jealousy and envy are insidious and persistent, showing up in unexpected places and at unexpected times.  Jealousy wasn’t there.  And then it was.  Even in church.  Among church leaders.  Among the faithful servants of God. 

Consider the story of Jesus in Matthew 20:1-16.

Workers arrive at the town marketplace looking for work; a landowner arrives a short time later needed workers for the day.  He hires a few, agreeing on the daily rate for their work, and they go to work.  A few hours later, needing more workers, he hires a few more who are waiting in the town center; they had nothing to do since no one hired them.  He doesn’t promise them the full wage for the day, but does promise them work and that he will give “whatever is right.”  Three more times throughout the day, the landowner does the same thing, even hiring some workers right before sunset — they might have only been able to work for an hour. 

All went to work for the master, trusting that he will give them at least something for their partial day of work.

And at the end of the day, when the owner settled up with all the workers, he gave them all the wage for a full day of work, though only a few worked the full day.  And those “all day” workers were indignant — “we worked all day through the scorching sun, and you treated even the one hour workers as equal to us!”  The complaint is indignant, self-righteous, prideful, and envious.  “They aren’t entitled to what we have (or should have).”

The owner rebuffs their complaint in several ways, but perhaps most penetratingly by asking, “Is your eye envious because I am generous?”

Are you envious?  Do you want what others have (in this case, wage without work)?  Or do you want to restrict others from receiving what you have (in this case, grace and generosity)?

Jesus applies the parable particularly to those who are serving Him:  “Can you be humble in your service of Me?”  “Can you rejoice both when you receive a gift of grace from the Lord, and when others also receive a gift (and seemingly a greater gift)?”  His questions echo what He taught the Twelve when His closest disciples complained about the ministry work done by an “outsider” (Lk. 9:49-50).

It is a reminder of the subtle temptations to envy that every servant in the church faces — can I be content with my role and reward among Christ’s people, no matter what others are doing for and receiving from Christ?  Can I resist envy and rejoice in their blessings?

Jerry Bridges has given us an explanation of envy that helps us understand the temptation:

“Envy is the painful and oftentimes resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by someone else. Sometimes we want that same advantage, leading to the further sin of covetousness. And sometimes we just resent the other person having something that we don’t have. But we don’t just envy people in general. Usually, there are two conditions that tempt us to envy. First, we tend to envy those with whom we most closely identify. Second, we tend to envy in them  the areas we value most.” [Bridges, Respectable Sins.]

Envy is an internal yearning that resents the ministry success of others.  We desire what they have.  We don’t want them to have what we have.  

Left unchecked, that jealousy will bring harm to the church and destroy the individual:

Edmund Spenser, the 16th century poet, is most famous for composing The Faerie Queene, an allegorical poem about the Christian life. In the first book, Spenser’s hero, the Red Cross Knight, encounters the seven deadly sins in the House of Pride. Envy is depicted as a man with cankered teeth, chewing on a venomous toad, poison running down his jaws. He wears a many-colored robe, rides upon a ravenous wolf, and hides a deadly snake close to his chest. Inwardly, he devours himself, weeping over the wealth of others and rejoicing in their misfortune. Envy grieves at the happiness of others and spews spiteful poison and abuse on those who practice faithful Christian obedience. [Joe Rigney, in Killjoys.]

Are you tempted to envy?  Recognize that your envy is a discontentment with what the Lord has given you.  It is anger against Him.  So repent of your anger, pride, and lack of contentment.  And cultivate humble contentment by intentionally praying for, thanking God, and rejoicing in the success of others (specifically, the ones of whom you are tempted to be jealous).  Celebrate the godly successes of other faithful servants, and your temptations to envy will begin to wane.     

Bibliothèque nationale de France, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.