Jul 24
14

Discussion Questions: Luke 12:13-21

  1. What is covetousness? (see Baptist Catechims 84-86)
  2. Do the words of Christ in Luke 12:13-21 forbid hard work and saving money for the future?
  3. How will covetousness in the heart lead to hypocrisy in the lives of those who profess faith in Christ?
  4. How does our culture promote covetousness and discontentment?
  5. What is the remedy to covetousness?
Posted in Study Guides, Joe Anady, Posted by Joe. Comments Off on Discussion Questions: Luke 12:13-21

Jul 24
14

Sermon: Be On Your Guard Against All Covetousness, Luke 12:13-21

Old Testament Reading: Ecclesiastes 5:8–20; 12:13–14

“If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields. He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep. There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. As he came from his mother’s womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what gain is there to him who toils for the wind? Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger. Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart… The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 5:8–20; 12:13–14, ESV)

New Testament Reading: Luke 12:13-21

“Someone in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.’ But he said to him, ‘Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?’ And he said to them, ‘Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.’ And he told them a parable, saying, ‘The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.’” (Luke 12:13–21, ESV)

*****

Please excuse any typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church but without the benefit of proofreading.

  1. Introduction
    1. I would like to remind you that we are in the middle of a section in Luke’s gospel wherein Jesus delivers a series of warnings to his disciples regarding sins of the heart. First, he warned his disciples of the sin of hypocrisy. Next, he warned them about the fear of man. Connected to this, Christ warned his disciples not to shrink back when faced with persecution, but to acknowledge him before men. Here in the passage that is open before us today, Christ warns his disciples about the heart-sin of covetousness. He spoke to the crowds, and especially to his disciples, saying, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
    2. This warning from Christ, and the teaching that follows, was prompted by a request made by a man in the crowd. Luke 12:13 says, “Someone in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.’”
      1. We don’t know who this man was or the details of his situation. It is likely that he had an older brother who refused, or perhaps was slow to, divvy up the inheritance he had received from his parents’ estate with his siblings. In those days, the firstborn son was to receive a double portion of the inheritance, and it may have been the responsibility of the firstborn son to administer the estate and distribute the funds. Clearly, there was some disagreement between this man and his brother. Maybe the brother was someone who followed or respected Jesus. And so this man approached Jesus to ask for his help. “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me”, he said. 
      2. Jesus’ response was rather curt. “But he said to him, ‘Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?’”
        1. Why did Jesus respond like this? Why was he unwilling to function as a judge or ​​arbitrator in his case?   
        2. The answer is, it was not a part of Jesus’ messianic mission to meddle in civil affairs. The proper place for a dispute like this to be settled was is in the civil law courts. Jesus Christ, as you probably know, showed no interest in engaging in politics or civil matters such as this during his earthly ministry. In Luke 20:25 we hear Christ say, “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And here Christ says, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” (Luke 12:14, ESV).
        3. Are we to take this to mean that disputes between brothers should not be settled within the church? Well, if the brothers are both Christians and church members, the church ought to mediate and even judge. 1 Corinthians 6 teaches that church members ought to settle disputes like this in-house, as it were, rather than going to law court against one another. 
        4. But this situation was differnt. It appears that one, or both, of these brothers were not true disciples of Jesus. Therefore, the proper place for a dispute like this to be settled was in the civil law courts
        5. You see, this man was mistaken concerning Jesus’ mission and the nature of Christ’s kingdom. Jesus’ mission was not to overthrow Rome,  to reform Old Covenant Israel, or to establish some new political system. He came to atone for sin, to inaugurate a New Covenant, and to establish the everlasting kingdom of God. But we must remember, that Christ’s kingdom is not of this world. 
        6. Here is one of the significant ways in which Christ, his kingdom, and covenant differ from Moses and David, and the kingdom and covenant within which they served. The Old Mosaic Covenant and the Kingdom of Israel were very much of this world. And so Moses and King David did judge within the civil realm (see Exodus 18:13 and 2 Samuel 8:13). I’m sure this man thought that King Jesus would do the same. But King Jesus was unwilling to function as a judge or arbitrator between these brothers. King Jesus is a different kind of King. As has been said, his kingdom is not of this world. His kingdom is heavenly now. It is spiritual now. It is eternal. It will be brought to a consummation in the new heavens and earth when Christ returns. Christ will judge on the last day. And then he will judge, not partially and imperfectly, as Moses and the Kings of Israel did, but perfectly, fully, and finally. 
        7. Jesus refused to function as judge or arbitrator between these two brothers. If they could not work out their differences privately, they would need to work them out in a court of law.  And Jesus would have nothing to do with the court of law. Judging civil matters was not a part of his Messianic mission.  
    3. But notice that Jesus was willing to speak to spiritual matters, that is to say, to matters of morality and the heart. 
  2. Be On Your Guard Against All Covetousness
    1. In Luke 11:15 we read, “He said to them…”
      1. “Them” might be a reference to the two brothers. Certainly, the crowd also heard this teaching. And we should not forget that the disciples of Jesus were present too. Notice that in Luke 12:22 Christ sets his attention squarely on his disciples again and builds upon the teaching he delivers here, saying, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life”, etc. So, this teaching was delivered to the disputing brothers and the crowd, but it was especially for the disciples of Jesus to hear. 
    2. And what did Christ warn against? He warns us, saying, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness…”
      1. What is covetousness? One dictionary defines covetousness as “a strong desire to acquire more and more material possessions or to possess more things than other people have, all irrespective of need” (Louw Nida, 290–291).
      2. Covetousness it must be remembered, takes place in the mind and heart. True, the heart sin of covetousness will eventually show itself in words and actions, but strictly speaking, covetousness is about thoughts and desires.
      3. Do not forget, brothers and sisters, that the tenth of the Ten Commandments is “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s” (Exodus 20:17, ESV).
        1. So serious and destructive is the heart sin of covetousness that one of the Ten Commandments is devoted to forbidding it. 
        2. Some have noted that there is a connection between the tenth of the Ten Commandments and the nine that preceded it. If we were to reflect carefully concerning our violations of God’s law we would see that the sins we commit often spring forth from covetousness within the heart. Why do people dishonor those with authority over them, commit the sin of adultery, steal, lie, and even murder? Are these sins not often driven by the sin of covetousness within the heart?
        3. The Apostle James seems to make this connection. In James 4:1-2 we read, “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.” 
      4. You should know that the Apostle Paul often warns against the sin of covetousness.
        1. In Colossians 3:5 Paul says, “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
          1. Isn’t that interesting? Paul says that covetousness is idolatry. What does he mean by this? He means that covetousness is idolatry in the heart. When we covet we make the things of this world to be like little gods to us.  
        2. In Ephesians 5:2-3 Paul says, “But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”
          1. Notice that Paul again calls covetousness idolatry.
          2. And notice that Paul lists the heart sin of covetousness alongside other sins that we might consider far more vile. Dear brothers and sisters, I hope you are beginning to see the point. Covetousness in the heart is no small sin to be trifled with. 
          3. The seriousness of the sin of covetousness in the heart is especially stressed by Paul’s words, “For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”
        3. Finally, in Romans 1:28 Paul is speaking of the ungodly when he says, “And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.”
      5. I mention the tenth of the Ten Commandments, James 4, and these statements from Paul in an attempt to alert you to the severity and danger of this sin of the mind and heart. I am afraid, dear brothers and sisters, that when we think about our battle against sin we tend to think primarily about the sins that we commit with our words and deeds. But covetousness is a sin of the mind and heart. We covet, not with our words or deeds, but with our thoughts, emotions, and desires. Dear friends, our battle against sin – our pursuit of holiness – should not begin with our words and deeds, but with the mind and heart. This is where the real work of sanctification is done. If we wish to grow in holiness, we must be transformed inwardly, renewed by God’s word and Spirit (see Romans 12:1-2, 1 Peter 1:14-16).  
      6. This has been a theme in this portion of Luke’s gospel, hasn’t it? We have been warned against the sin of hypocrisy, which is fundamentally a sin of the heart. We have been warned against the sin of the fear of man. And here Christ warns us about covetousness. We should take the words of Christ very seriously: “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness…”
    3. At the end of verse 15, Christ provides us with a striking reason to avoid covetousness. He says, “for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
      1. Material possessions do not in any way contribute to or sustain a person’s actual life, or existence. A poor man lives, and a rich man lives. The life of the poor man and the life of a rich man is not drawn from their possessions, be they little or great. Stated differently, our life or existence is derived from God, not our possessions. God is our creator. God is our sustainer. It is God who has numbered our days. We come from God and to God we will return. Therefore God ought to be our highest treasure and greatest pleasure. It is God we should love and fear. It is the glory and enjoyment of God that we should live for. How foolish it is to make the attainment of material possessions the center of your life and the purpose of your existence, therefore.
  3. The Parable Of The Rich Man
    1. Christ, being the good teacher that he is, told a parable to illustrate the point. In Luke 12:16 we read, “And he told them a parable, saying, ‘The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:16–21, ESV).
    2. There are a few important observations to make about this parable:
      1. First, we should recognize what this parable is not about.
        1. This parable does not teach that the attainment of wealth is a sin. It is possible to be wealthy and godly. Think, for example, of Abraham. He was wealthy and godly. And think of Paul’s instructions for the rich. Paul wrote to Timothy, saying, “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17, ESV). Notice that Paul does not condemn the rich for being rich, and neither does he command that they stop being rich, but that they not be haughty (prideful), nor set their hopes on riches. Instead, those who are rich are to set their hope on God as they enjoy the kind gifts that God has given to them. In the same passage, Paul goes on to say, “They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:18–19, ESV). I think you can see that Paul’s teaching in 1 Timothy 6:17-19 agrees perfectly with Jesus’ teaching here in Luke 12:15-21. Here Christ warns against covetousness and his parable is about those who would lay up treasure for themselves here on earth but are not rich toward God (see Luke 12:21).
        2. Also, this parable does not teach against the wise use of money and possessions. In other places, the Scriptures teach us to work diligently and to save. Proverbs 6:6-11 says, “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.” (Proverbs 6:6–11, ESV). The Scriptures also teach us to use our wealth for good and for the furtherance to the kingdom of Christ. 
      2. Secondly, we must recognize what this parable is about – it is a warning against covetousness within the heart.
        1. The parable begins with these words: “The land of a rich man produced plentifully…” That, dear friends, is a blessing. It is a blessing from God. It is a blessing to give thanks to God for. It is a blessing to be used for good. It is a blessing to be enjoyed. 
        2. But notice how this covetous man responded to this blessing from God. He did not think of God to give thanks and praise to him, nor did he think of the needy around him. Instead, “he thought to himself…” And what did he think to himself?
          1. “He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?” (Luke 12:17, ESV). Notice the repetition of the words “I” and “my”. 
          2. Verse 18: “And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods” (Luke 12:18, ESV).
            1. Notice that this rich man’s impulse was not to give out of his abundance, but to store. Perhaps a better word would be, to hoard. 
            2. And notice how wasteful he is. I think we are to assume that his barns were perfectly good. He could have simply built another barn, if necessary. But he decided to tear down the old barns and to build new ones – bigger and better barns than before. 
          3. In verse 19 the rich man speaks to his own soul. “And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry” (Luke 12:19, ESV). Again I say, it is not wrong to enjoy the good gifts that God gives to us here on earth. What was wrong with this man’s reply, then? Two things:
            1. The first has already been mentioned. A major part of the problem is found in what the man does not say. His attention is exclusively turned inward upon himself. Again and again, he says “I” and “my”. He speaks to his soul and urges himself to take pleasure in these possessions of his. Never does he speak to God to give him thanks and praise. Never does he speak to the poor and needy around him, saying, come and be relieved out of the abundance that God has bestowed upon me.   
            2. Notice, secondly, the confidence this man placed in his riches. He spoke to his soul, that is to say, to the immaterial part of himself that animates the body, the essence of his life, saying “You have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry” (Luke 12:19, ESV). Christ has just said, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15, ESV). And here we have a story about a rich man who lived as though his life consisted in the abundance of his possessions. This man did not enjoy his riches to the glory of God and use them for the good of others. No, he loved his riches. He idolized his riches. He put his trust in his riches. And this is something that the Scriptures often warn against.
              1. Psalm 62:10 says, ​​“Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them.”
              2. Proverbs 11:28 says, “Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.”
          4. In verse 19 the rich man speaks to his own soul, but in verse 20, God speaks to him. There we read, “But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” (Luke 12:20, ESV).
            1. This rich man had spent a lifetime speaking to his own soul, but he did not speak to his soul about God or God’s word. No, he spoke to his own soul and gave no thought to God. He spoke to his own soul but it was only about his material possessions. 
            2. This man was a fool, therefore. He lived as if this life and the riches of this life were all there is. He did not fear God. He forgot that one day he would stand before God to an account. 
            3. And when it came for this man to die and to stand before God to give an account, he found that the words he had spent a lifetime speaking to his own soul were at odds with the words that God spoke to him. I’m sure that this man thought of himself as being very wise. It was a good and successful businessman. He had amassed great wealth. He lived in luxury and security. He spoke to his soul, saying, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” But God’s opinion of him was very differnt. God spoke to him, saying, “Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” In other words, God spoke to him saying, all of the stuff you spent a lifetime accumulating – all of the stuff that you loved and trusted in – where is it now? Can you bring it with you? Will it benefit you now? No, others will possess it. How foolish you were to live for the attainment of wealth and possessions. How foolish you were to love these possessions supremely and to make them your hope. How foolish you were to think that your life consisted in the abundance of your possessions.   
          5. In verse 21 Christ concludes his parable with this explanation: “So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21, ESV).
            1. Dear friends, whether you are rich or poor here in this life matters little. What matters is being rich toward God.
            2. To be rich toward God is to be made right with him through faith in Jesus Christ.
            3. To be rich toward God is to fear and love him supremely, to trust him and obey him. 
            4. To be rich toward God is to give him thanks and praise for whatever gifts he has given you to enjoy while alive on earth. 
            5. To be rich toward God is to use whatever gifts he has given to you for the glory of his name, the furtherance of his kingdom, and the good of those around you, especially those in need. 
  4. Conclusion
    1. “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness…”, Christ says. I wonder, can you see why covetousness is such a deadly and dangerous sin?
      1. Some might be tempted to think, what’s the big deal? Covetousness is only in the mind and heart. It’s the sins that we commit in word and deed that matter most, for these are the sins that are truly destructive. But God’s word says otherwise. It is the sins of the heart that are truly destructive for it is from the heart that we speak and act. Indeed, the whole course of one’s life is set by the condition of one’s heart. And so the Scriptures say, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23, ESV).
    2. Dear brothers and sisters, “be on your guard against all covetousness…”
      1. How easy it is to make the things of this world, be it money, possessions, people, positions, or prestige, the love of our lives. How easy it is to live for the things of this world as if they were supreme. But this is folly. 
      2. We must live for God. He must be our supreme love and delight. 
      3. If he is, this will enable us to enjoy the good things of this life in their proper place and in the proper way. The good things of this life must never become gods to us. Instead, they are to be enjoyed as gifts from God and as tokens of his love, all to his glory, honor, and praise.         
    3. The Christian must be on guard against all covetousness. Positively, all who follow Christ Jesus must pursue contentment.  As Paul says, “godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:6–10, ESV).
      1. Dear brothers and sisters, are you content in Christ Jesus? Are you happy and satisfied with him? If the answer to that question is no, then I would urge you to make a diligent search of your heart for the sin of covetousness.  
      2. I suspect you are feeling discontent because you have set your love and hope upon some earthly thing. Perhaps the Lord is being merciful to you now to show you that the things of this earth cannot satisfy or sustain your life. Only God and Christ can satisfy and sustain your life in this life and the life to come.
      3. If you are feeling discontent today, I pray that the Lord will help you find the idols of your heart and that he will strengthen you to tear them down and sweep them away so that God alone is Lord of your heart. Dear friends, we will never be satisfied or at peace until we have God as our delight. And only then will we have the freedom to truly enjoy the good things of this life in their proper place and in the proper way.   
Posted in Sermons, Joe Anady, Luke 12:13-21, Posted by Joe. Comments Off on Sermon: Be On Your Guard Against All Covetousness, Luke 12:13-21

Jul 24
7

Week Of July 7th, 2024

WEEKLY READINGS
SUNDAY > Josh 11, Ps 144, Jer 5, Matt 19
MONDAY > Josh 12‐13, Ps 145, Jer 6, Matt 20
TUESDAY > Josh 14‐15, Ps 146‐147, Jer 7, Matt 21
WEDNESDAY > Josh 16‐17, Ps 148, Jer 8, Matt 22
THURSDAY > Josh 18‐19, Ps 149‐150, Jer 9, Matt 23
FRIDAY > Josh 20‐21, Acts 1, Jer 10, Matt 24
SATURDAY > Josh 22, Acts 2, Jer 11, Matt 25

MEMORY VERSE(S)
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you” (Acts 3:19–20, ESV).

CATECHISM QUESTION(S)
Baptist Catechism #27:
Q. How doth (does) Christ execute the office of a prophet?
A. Christ executeth (executes) the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by this Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation.

Posted in Weekly Passages, Posted by Mike. Comments Off on Week Of July 7th, 2024

Jul 24
7

Catechetical Sermon: How Does Christ Execute The Office Of A Prophet?, Baptist Catechism 27

Baptist Catechism 27

Q. 27. How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?

A. Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation. (John 1:18; 14:26; 15:15)

Scripture Reading: John 15:12-17

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.” (John 15:12–17, ESV)

*****

Introduction

We are entering into a wonderful section of our catechism wherein the work of Christ is considered through the lens of his threefold office. An office is a work to be done. And with the help of Baptist Catechism 26, we learned that Christ fulfilled three offices: the offices of a prophet, priest, and king. Here in Baptist Catechism 27 we turn our attention to the prophetic office of Christ.

Consider four things about the prophetic work of Christ the Redeemer:

First, Jesus Christ was not the first prophet of God.

Hebrews 1:1 says, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets…”  So, before the birth of Jesus Christ God appointed many prophets.  Moses is to be regarded as very great.  Deuteronomy 34:10 says, “And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face…”  God spoke to Moses face to face, as it were. And Moses was faithful to communicate the word of God to the people.

John the Baptist, the relative of Jesus, and his forerunner, was also a prophet.  In fact, he is to be regarded as the greatest of the prophets of old.  Why?  Because he had the distinct privilege of announcing the arrival of the kingdom of God.  He preached, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2, ESV).  He was blessed to point at Jesus and to say, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29, ESV).  In a sense, this is what all of the prophets did.  In different ways, they pointed forward to Christ and his kingdom.  But John the Baptist was blessed to announce his arrival and to prepare the way for his ministry. 

What was the job of these prophets of old?  What work did they do?  In brief, they declared the word of God to the people.  Most often, they preached the law and the gospel.  They would apply the law of Moses to the people and urge them to turn from their sins and to God.  So then, the prophets were preachers.  Sometimes, they would foretell the future.  Being inspired by God, the prophets would sometimes warn of impending judgment.  And as I have just said, the prophets would also point forward to the Messiah, the arrival of his kingdom, and to the New Covenant that he would mediate.

The second thing I would like you to consider is that long ago it was promised a great prophet would one day arise from within Israel.

Deuteronomy 18:15 is important.  Here we find the words of Moses.  He spoke to the people of Israel, saying, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers — it is to him you shall listen —” (Deuteronomy 18:15, ESV).  As I have just said, many prophets would arise within Israel from Moses’ day onward.  But in this passage, Moses speaks of “a prophet” and says, “it is to him you shall listen.”  From that day forward the people of Israel were to live with a sense of expectation and wonder as they awaited the arrival of this great prophet.  

This leads to our third consideration concerning Christ’s prophetic office.  Though Jesus Christ was not the first prophet, he is by far the greatest of the prophets.

I’ll start by reminding you of the story found in Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8, and Luke 9:28-36 about Jesus being transfigured up on the mountain in front of Peter, James, and John.  These three disciples of Jesus saw him glorified in front of them.  And who appeared with Jesus?  It was none other than the great prophets of old, Moses and Elijah.  And do not forget what God said.  In Matthew 17:5 we read, “Behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him’” (Matthew 17:5–7, ESV).  So, over a thousand years earlier Moses spoke to Israel, saying, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers — it is to him you shall listen —” (Deuteronomy 18:15, ESV), and up on the mountain, Jesus was glorified with Moses and Elijah at his side and God said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”  The message could not be more clear.  Jesus Christ is the great prophet of whom Moses spoke (see Acts 3:22–26).  Jesus is like Moses in that he is a prophet and a mediator of a covenant — Moses of the Old and Jesus of the New.  Jesus is not like Moses in that Moses was a servant in God’s house whereas Christ is the Son of God.  Moses was a great prophet of God, but Jesus Christ is a much greater prophet. 

Listen to Hebrews 1:1-2:  “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world” (Hebrews 1:1–2, ESV).

Hebrews 3:5-6 says, “Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son.  And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope” (Hebrews 3:5–6, ESV).

Prophets speak to God’s people on behalf of God.  In other words, prophets reveal God and God’s will for our salvation.  Many faithful prophets lived during and before the time of Christ, but Jesus Christ is a prophet of a different kind.  He is not a servant in God’s house; he is God’s Son.  In other words, God did not merely give Christ the words to speak to his people; Christ is the eternal Word of God incarnate.  

Listen to John 1:1-3: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:1–3, ESV).  John 1:14 then says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14, ESV).  And John 1:18 says, “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known” (John 1:18, ESV).

Can you see why I have said that Jesus Christ is a prophet of a different kind?  He is no mere man speaking the words of God to the people of God.  No, he is the eternal Son or Word of God incarnate.  One of the key purposes of his mission was to reveal the Father to us and to make known the way of our salvation.  This he has done supremely and most perfectly.   

Listen to the Word of Christ in John 15:15:  “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15, ESV).  Listen to the words of Christ in John 17:6-8.  He prayed to God, saying, “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world.  Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.  Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you.  For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me” (John 17:6–8, ESV). 

The prophets of old spoke the word of God to the people of God as servants.  Jesus Christ is a prophet of a different order or kind. He speaks the word of God to us as the eternal Son who came down from the Father.  His word is the supreme word.  His word is the final word.  All prophecies uttered before and after his incarnation are from him (through inspiration) and have reference to him (he is the fulfillment).  

The fourth and final thing I would like you to consider about Christ’s prophetic work is that in this office, Christ the Redeemer meets our need.

If we are to know God truly, God must reveal himself to us.  How much more do we stand in need of God’s revelation now that we have fallen into sin?  Adam was created with true knowledge, remember?  But now that we have fallen, our minds are darkened because of sin (see Ephesians 4:18).  We need God’s word if we are to know God and the way of salvation.  Jesus Christ is the Word of God.  He reveals to us, by His Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation, our catechism says. 

The little phrase, “by His Word and Spirit”, is interesting.  By it we are reminded of another way in which Christ is greater than any other prophet.  The prophets of old were empowered by God to speak the word of God.  But they did not have the power to enable men and women to understand or believe the words they spoke. But Christ reveals to us, by His Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation.  Not only does he have the power to deliver the message, he also has the power to open the minds and change the hearts of God’s elect to make them willing and able to believe his word. This he does by sending his Word and Spirit.  The little phrase, “by His Word and Spirit”, prepares us for what we will learn in Baptist Catechism 33 and 34 regarding effectual calling. 

*****

Conclusion

Posted in Sermons, Joe Anady, Posted by Joe. Comments Off on Catechetical Sermon: How Does Christ Execute The Office Of A Prophet?, Baptist Catechism 27

Jul 24
7

Discussion Questions: Baptist Catechism 27

  1. In Baptist Catechism 24 and 25, we considered the person and natures of Christ. What about Christ are we considering in questions 26-31?
  2. What is an office?
  3. Name a few prophets from the Old Testament. What work does a prophet do?
  4. Jesus Christ is the greatest of prophets. How so? (see Hebrews 1:1)
  5. What does Jesus Christ reveal to us?
  6. Why does our catechism say, by his Word and Spirit? In other words, if we are to know and believe the will of God for our salvation, why must Christ send forth his Word and Spirit?  
  7. Why do we need the prophetic office in general, and especially the prophetic work of Jesus Christ?
Posted in Study Guides, Joe Anady, Posted by Joe. Comments Off on Discussion Questions: Baptist Catechism 27

Jul 24
7

Discussion Questions: Luke 12:8-12

  1. What does it mean to acknowledge Christ before men?
  2. Why would someone be afraid to acknowledge Christ before men?
  3. What did Jesus mean when he said, “Everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God”?  
  4. What is the unforgivable sin mentioned in Luke 12:10?
  5. Discuss the promise of Christ found in Luke 12:11-12. What is the meaning of this promise? How does this promise comfort your heart?
  6. What does this passage have to do with the previous one which warns us not to fear man but to fear God instead? How does this passage help us to see the importance of having Jesus Christ as our friend especially when we consider that it is through Jesus that God will judge the world on the last day?
Posted in Study Guides, Joe Anady, Posted by Joe. Comments Off on Discussion Questions: Luke 12:8-12

Jul 24
7

Sermon: Do Not Be Afraid To Acknowledge Christ Before Men, Luke 12:8-12

Old Testament Reading: Daniel 3:8-30

“Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews. They declared to King Nebuchadnezzar, ‘O king, live forever! You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.’ Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?’ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.’ Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated. And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. Because the king’s order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, ‘Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?’ They answered and said to the king, ‘True, O king.’ He answered and said, ‘But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.’ Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, ‘Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!’ Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, ‘Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.’ Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.” (Daniel 3:8–30, ESV)

New Testament Reading: Luke 12:8-12

“And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” (Luke 12:8–12, ESV)

*****

Please excuse any typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church but without the benefit of proofreading.

  1. Introduction
    1. This passage that we are considering today goes with the previous one. In Luke 12:4-7 Christ warned his disciples about the fear of man. He spoke to his disciples, saying, “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.” Instead, we are to fear God “who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell” (Luke 12:5, ESV). It is God we are to fear, not man.
    2. Here in our passage today Christ continues to address the danger of the fear of man, but in this text, he turns his attention to the inevitable result of this heart sin, namely, the denial of Jesus Christ before men. Those who fear man supremely, and not God, will deny Christ when faced with pressure and persecution. Here Christ addresses that temptation and gives his followers every good reason to acknowledge him before men and never to deny him.  
  2. Those Who Deny Christ Will Be Denied; Those Who Acknowledge Christ Will Be Acknowledged
    1. The first reason Christ gives to acknowledge him before men and never to deny him is found in verse 8. There Christ says, “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.”
      1. The words, “And I tell you…”, connect what is said in this passage to the previous one. Jesus transitioned straight from his warning against the fear of man into this exhortation to his disciples to acknowledge him before men. Those who wish to follow after Jesus must not allow their fear of man to hinder them from acknowledging him before men. 
      2. To acknowledge Jesus is to profess that he is the Messiah, the Redeemer that God has provided. To acknowledge Christ is to confess that he is your Lord and your Savior. And where is this profession or confession to be made? It is not a private or secret confession but a confession that must be made before men.
        1. Paul the Apostle speaks of this in Romans 10:9-10. There he says, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” 
        2. You see, it is in the privacy of the heart that we first believe in Christ. But this inward and private belief must then be confessed. To confess Christ is to “express openly one’s allegiance” to Christ (Louw Nida, 417). Paul says, that to be saved, one must believe in Christ in the heart and confess with the mouth that Jesus is Lord. 
        3. That little phrase, “Jesus is Lord”, is loaded with meaning, isn’t it? It is an example of a very early creed or confession. You would be badly mistaken if you think that salvation will come to those who merely say the words, Jesus is Lord, as if they were magical. No, this confession must be made with understanding and heartfelt conviction. If this confession is to bring salvation to the sinner it must be preceded by belief in the heart and mind.
      3. This is also how we are to understand the teaching of Christ about acknowledging him before men. This is no casual acknowledgment that Christ is speaking of. Christ is not saying that those who greet him casually or show some respect to him in public will be saved. No. To acknowledge Christ is to openly express one’s allegiance to him (the same Greek word is behind the English word “acknowledge” in Luke 12:8 and “confess” in Romans 10:9, which we have just considered). To acknowledge Jesus is to confess him as Lord. To acknowledge Christ is to believe what he has claimed concerning himself and to confess that he is the Messiah, the Redeemer of God’s elect, the Savior of the world, the eternal Son of God incarnate, the only Mediator between God and man. As I have said, this is no casual acknowledgment that Christ is speaking of, but a thoughtful and sincere expression of faith and allegiance to Jesus Christ as Lord.   
      4. Here in our text, Christ gives his disciples good reason to express their allegiance to him before men and not shrink back due to the fear of man. Look again at verses 8 and 9. “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.”
        1. Here Christ directs our attention to the realities of the heavenly realm and especially to the final judgment and he urges his followers to make wise choices.
          1. The reality is that those who openly express their allegiance to Christ before men will have Christ openly express his allegiance to them before the angels in heaven. But those who deny any relationship of association with Christ before men will have Christ deny any relationship of association with them before the angels in heaven.
          2. It’s as if Christ says, take your pick. Choose wisely. Would you rather have the temporary approval of men on earth or the eternal approval of Christ in heaven? One would have to be a fool to choose the momentary approval of man on earth over the everlasting acknowledgment of Christ before the angels of God in heaven.     
        2. There is a sense in which Christ acknowledges those who have professed faith in him before the angels of God in heaven now. Christ represents his people in heaven now. He intercedes for them now. But this warning that Christ gives is ultimately about the final judgment.
          1. Baptist catechism 41 is correct in its answer to the question, What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection [that is to say, on the last day when Christ returns to judge and make all things new]? Answer: At the resurrection believers, being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged, and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed, both in soul and body, in the full enjoyment of God to all eternity. Matthew 10:32 is listed as a proof text. That is a parallel passage to Luke 12:8-9. There Christ says, “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven…” (Matthew 10:32, ESV). On the day of judgment, those in Christ will not be publicly exposed and condemned (see Luke 12:1-2) but will instead be openly acknowledged as God’s redeemed children and acquitted, that is to say, publicly declared to be not guilty. 
          2. This is to be contrasted with the fate of those who die in their sins and apart from Christ. Baptist Catechism 43 asks, What shall be done to the wicked, at the day of judgment? Answer: At the day of judgment the bodies of the wicked, being raised out of their graves, shall be sentenced, together with their souls, to unspeakable torments with the devil and his angels forever. This is the true teaching of Holy Scripture (see Matthew 25:31-46). 
          3. Notice Christ refers to himself as the “Son of Man” in our text. This, as you might know, was Christ’s favorite title for himself. It is a Messianic title. When Christ referred to himself as the Son of Man he was claiming to be the Messiah. In this instance, I do believe it is also a reminder that Christ, the Son of Man, will judge the world on the last day. We are to think of the vision that Daniel the prophet saw, as recorded in Daniel chapter 7 concerning the Son of Man coming with the clouds on the last day (see Daniel 7:14-15). We should also pay attention to the use of the title, the Son of Man, in the remainder of Luke’s gospel. Often, the title is used in the context of Christ returning to judge on the last day (see for example Luke 12:40; 17:29-37).  
        3. When Christ says, “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God”, he is reminding us of the judgment day aging us to make wise choices in light of it. What will you choose? Will you choose the momentary approval of men on earth today or the everlasting approval and acknowledgment of Christ before God and his holy angels on the day of judgment?
      5. Before we move on to verse 10, I must ask you, have you acknowledged Christ before men? Have you professed your allegiance to him? Have you confessed, or openly acknowledged, him to be your Lord and Savior? 
        1. Before there can be a credible profession of faith in Christ there must be belief in the heart (remember Romans 10:9-10). And so I ask you, do you know enough about Christ to profess faith in him? Do you know about God, his creation and covenant, man’s fall into sin, and God’s plan of redemption? Do you know about Christ and the work he has done to accomplish our redemption? Do you know how the benefits of the redemption purchased by Christ are received? In other words, do you know what the Word of God teaches? Do you know the fundamentals of the gospel and the Christian faith?  If you do not, it is time to learn. You are in a church where these things are taught. You’d be foolish to neglect these teachings. 
        2. And if there is faith in your heart – if you do indeed believe in your heart that Christ is the Savior that God has provided, that he has accomplished our redemption, and that God has raised him from the dead – then I ask you, have you openly acknowledged Christ to be your Savior? Have you confessed with your mouth that Jesus is Lord?
          1. It is right for you to make this confession first to God in prayer. It is right for you to confess your sins to God and to ask God to forgive you in Jesus’ name. And in prayer, it is right to say to God, Jesus is my Lord! I trust in him. I rest in him. I will follow him and serve him. All of this must be said, and it is right to start by saying it to God in prayer.   
          2. But Jesus Christ must also be acknowledged before men. You need to tell others that you believe in Jesus Christ and that he is your Lord. If you are a child, start with your Christian parents. After that, tell other Christians. Very soon, you will need to tell a pastor. 
          3. And where is the public profession of faith in Christ to culminate except in the waters of baptism? It is through the waters of baptism that those who have faith in Christ say to God and to all who witness that Jesus is Lord! And it is in baptism that the name of the Triune God is placed upon those who have pledged allegiance to Jesus. In other words, it is in the sacrament of baptism that we publicly acknowledge Jesus, and it is in baptism that Jesus acknowledges that we belong to him.
            1. Baptism, dear friends, is not a private thing. It is not a family thing. It is an ordinance of the church to be administered by a pastor or elder ordained to the ministry and before the believing community. 
          4. And do not think that our acknowledgment of Christ ends with baptism. It continues in a sacramental way through our observance of the Lord’s Supper as we gather together on the Lord’s Day in Jesus’ name. Baptism signifies our union with Christ in the Covenant of Grace. The Lord’s Supper signifies our continuance in Christ in the Covenant of Grace. In Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, we openly acknowledge Christ as our Lord and Savior, and in the sacraments, we are marked off as belonging to Christ.
            1. Just as baptism is not a private affair to be administered in private or in families, but in public by the ministers of the church, whom God has made stewards of the mysteries of God, so too the Lord’s Supper is to administered when the church is assembled in Jesus’ name and by ministers.  
          5. And you should know that our open acknowledgment of Christ before men is not to be restricted to the church through the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper but is to extend into every aspect of our lives. The world must know that you are Christian because you claim to be with your mouth and show yourself to be by your way of life. 
          6.  Whenever you are tempted to conceal your allegiance to Christ – whenever you are tempted to talk like the world, dress like the world, or act like the world, being driven by the fear of man to do so, then remember Christ’s words, “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.” 
  3. Christ Distinguishes Between Two Types Or Degrees Of Denial
    1. What Christ says in Luke 12:10 is a clarification of Luke 12:8-9. In verse 10, Christ distinguishes between two types or degrees of denial and teaches that one is forgivable whereas the other is not. There Christ says, “And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” (Luke 12:10, ESV)
      1. The words, “but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven”, have haunted some.
        1. Some who lived a particularly sinful life before turning from their sin and placing their faith in Christ have wondered, did I commit this unforgivable sin before believing? They wonder, in the midst of all of the terrible things I did, did I unknowingly commit this sin? Am I beyond God’s reach, therefore – beyond redemption and repair? And some who professed faith in Christ in the past then walked away from Christ for a time and afterward returned to him, will wonder if they committed this sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit during their time of rebellion. I’ve ministered to people who were tormented by this thought. They are professing believers who, when they look to the past, wonder if they have committed the unforgivable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
        2. I’m confident that this fear in the lives of those who are currently professing faith in Christ and living a life marked by repentance and progressive sanctification is the byproduct of a poor interpretation of this passage. Truly, I do not believe that someone who has committed this unforgivable sin will care at all about having committed it. So heard-hearted and closed off are they to Christ and his gospel, that the possibility of having committed this sin does not even cross their mind, much less, trouble their heart. The very fact that a professing Christian is worried about having committed this sin in the past is powerful evidence that they have not committed it. Now what they must do is interpret this passage properly and continue to grow in Christ and their sense of assurance of God’s love for them.    
      2. So what did Christ mean when he said, “And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” The key to properly interpreting this verse is to pay attention to the context.
        1. The first question we should ask is, why did Christ say this here? Answer: to distinguish between different kinds or degrees of denial.   
        2. Christ has just said, “everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.
        3. The question then becomes, do all denials of Christ result in Christ’s denial of the denier before the angels of God in heaven? In other words, are all who have denied Christ or spoken a word against the Son of Man hopelessly lost? If Christ did not say anything more than what he said in verse 9, we might conclude that all who have ever denied Christ are forever lost and doomed. This saying of Jesus found in verse 9 would have troubled many had Christ not offered this word of clarification in verse 10.
          1. Think, for example, of the many in the crowd who were curious about Jesus, who heard of the mighty deeds he performed and encountered his teachings and his claims, who up to this point in Jesus’ ministry, were not willing to profess allegiance to him or confess him as Lord. Perhaps they had even spoken against Christ, the Son of Man. We know that many did this. Matthew 11:19 says, “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’” John 7:12 says, “And there was much muttering about [Jesus] among the people. While some said, ‘He is a good man,’ others said, ‘No, he is leading the people astray.” In John 9:24 some of the religious leaders spoke of Jesus saying, “We know that this man is a sinner.” All of these people had denied Christ. They had spoken words against the Son of Man. The question is, were these people who had denied Christ and spoken a word against the Son of Man eternally damned?
          2. Think, in particular, of the Apostle Paul. Think of who he was before Christ saved him. In Philippians 3:5 he tells us that he was a Pharisee. That little comment makes me wonder how much he knew about Jesus during Jesus’ earthly ministry. Did he ever see Jesus? Did he ever hear Jesus’ teachings? Or did he simply hear about Jesus from his fellow Pharisees? The Scriptures do not say (though 1 Timothy 1:13 gives us a hint). One thing we know for sure is that Paul the Pharisee was very much opposed to Jesus before his conversion. He even violently persecuted the church. When Christ appeared to him on the road to Damascus, he confronted him saying, “Saul, Saul (Saul being the Hebrew name for Paul) why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:4). To persecute the church is to persecute Christ. Paul had denied Christ and persecuted him. The question is, were Paul (and others like him) hopelessly and eternally lost given Christ’s words, “the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.”
          3. And what about Peter, the leader of the Apostles? In Luke 22 we learn that Peter denied Jesus three times on the night of Jesus’ arrest. The first to question him was a servant girl. She looked closely at him and said, “‘This man also was with [Jesus].’ But he denied it, saying, ‘Woman, I do not know him.’” (Luke 22:56–57, ESV). Christ had said, “the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.” Peter denied Christ. The question is,  was Peter hopelessly lost when he denied Christ?  
        4. This saying of Jesus found in Luke 12:10 is, first of all, a clarification of what was said in verse 9. Here Christ distinguishes between two different kinds or degrees of denial. “Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven”, Christ says. Of course, repentance and faith in Christ is implied. The meaning is that those who turn from their sins to trust in Christ and openly acknowledge him as Lord will be forgiven even if they had denied Christ or spoken a word against the Son of Man in the past. 
        5. Next, we find a warning. “But the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven,” Christ says. The question we must ask is, What does it mean to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit? 
          1. To blaspheme is to speak against, revile, or defame.
          2. Clearly, there is a difference between speaking against, or blaspheming, the Son of Man, and speaking against, or blaspheming, the Holy Spirit. The account of this saying of Jesus in Matthew’s gospel is more detailed and clear. There Christ says, “Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come” (Matthew 12:31–32, ESV).
          3. What then is the difference between blaspheming the Son of Man and blaspheming the Holy Spirit? Why is the one more serious than the other? The answer is found in the immediate context of Luke’s gospel (and in the context of Matthew’s gospel where this same saying of Jesus is found).
            1.  Do you remember the story was told in Luke 11:14-23? Christ had cast a demon out of a man, and “some of [the people] said, ‘He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons…” (Luke 11:15, ESV). “But [Christ], knowing their thoughts, said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Luke 11:17–20, ESV). 
            2. When we considered this text many weeks ago. Then it was said that the “finger of God” is a reference to the Spirit of God. God the Father was in those days overthrowing the kingdom of Satan through Christ the Son and by the Spirit. It was by the finger of God, or the Spirit of God, that Christ cast out demons. It was by the Spirit that he worked signs and wonders. All of this is to remind us of the mighty deeds that God worked by the finger of God in the days of Moses when he redeemed Israel from slavery in Egypt. Israel was redeemed by the finger of God (see Exodus 8:19), that is to say by the mighty working of God’s Spirit. Signs and wonders were performed by the Spirit of God before Pharaoh and all the people, but Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not surrender to the Lord. He witnessed the signs performed through Moses by the Spirit of God, but he dismissed them, hardened his heart, and forever remained in rebellion and unbelief. 
            3. The same thing happened in the ministry of Christ. Christ was working signs and wonders by the finger of God. By the Spirit, he healed the sick, calmed the stormy sea, fed the multitudes, raised the dead, and cast out demons as a sign that he is the Lord’s Messiah. Some acknowledged Christ to be the Messiah. Many denied him. But there were some who went a step further. When they were thoroughly confronted with the mighty deeds that Christ performed by the finger of God, that is to say, by the Spirit of God, and when they could not longer deny the reality of these miraculous deeds, they found themselves pressed to make a decision about Jesus and his claims. They were so opposed to him – so hard-hearted in their denial of him – that they attributed the signs and wonders performed by him by the power of the Holy Spirit to Satan. 
            4. This is what it looks like to blaspheme the Spirit. To blaspheme the Spirit is not a sin that is committed unknowingly, or accidentally, or in ignorance. Many have spoken a word against the Son of Man out of ignorance only to repent and trust in Christ later, being moved (effectually called) by the Holy Spirit to do so. But those who blaspheme the Spirit are first fully confronted with the truth about Christ and exposed to the external testimony that the Spirit brings, and yet they persist in their rebellion against Christ and the Spirit, even attributing the works of the Spirit to Satan. These turn the light they have received through their encounter with the common operation of the Holy Spirit into darkness. At some point, these blasphemers of the Spirit are confirmed in their unbelief and thus never forgiven, not in this life or the life to come.
            5. Why is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit worse than blasphemy against the Son of Man? Is the Spirit of God greater than Christ, the Son of God? No. But it is the work of the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth about God and Christ. This he does in an effectual and inward way for all of God’s elect. We call this effectual calling or regeneration. But the Spirit also reveals Christ in a common way. The Spirit testified to Christ through the miracles Christ performed. Many thousands witnessed these miracles. Only some believed. Many rejected the testimony of the Holy Spirit. Some even blasphemed the Spirit. And the same is true today. The Spirit testifies to Christ in a common way through the preached word and the sacraments in the life of the church. This is not effectual calling that we are talking about, but the common operations of the Spirit. You see, it is one thing to reject Christ out of ignorance or to deny him in a moment of weakness, it is another thing to sit under the ministry of the word and to enjoy life in the church where these common operations of the Spirit are present (see Second London Confession 10.4), to remain in sin and rebellion, and then to knowingly and willingly blaspheme the Spirit, turning whatever light you have received into darkness.  
            6. When Christ said, “everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven”, it was a warning to all who encounter these common operations of the Spirit. To encounter them and to remain in unbelief is a very dangerous thing.
              1. The Hebrews who were alive in the days of Moses, who witnessed the signs and wonders worked through Moses by the finger of God leading to their redemption, were in danger of commiting this unforgivable sin.  
              2. The Jews who were alive in the days of Jesus,  who witnessed the signs and wonders that he worked by the finger of God in fulfillment of the Scriptures, were especially in danger of committing this sin. These common operations of the Spirit had to be interpreted and required the response of faith and obedience. Some believed in Christ. Many did not. Some even blasphemed the Holy Spirit. It was to those who remained in disbelief that Steven said, “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you” (Acts 7:51, ESV).
              3. But is the unforgivable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit a danger to us today? I say, yes, it is. It is especially a danger to those who have spent time in the covenant community, who have enjoyed the testimony of the Spirit to Christ in the word preached and through the administration of the sacraments. To encounter these common operations of the Spirit and yet to remain in unbelief, sin, and rebellion against God is a very dangerous thing. 
              4. Though I do believe that Hebrews 6:4-6 was addressed especially to Jews who were familiar with the Old Testament, had professed faith in Christ, and were tempted to return to Judaism, I do believe it applies to Christians today. There the Apostle warns us with these words: “For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt” (Hebrews 6:4–6, ESV). 
          4. I have said that Luke 12:10 is a clarification and a warning. It is a clarification because Christ here distinguishes between different kinds or degrees of denial.
            1.  In a moment of weakness, Peter blasphemed Christ when he denied him three times on the night before his crucifixion. But never did Peter blaspheme the Holy Spirit. No, the Spirit effectually called Peter to faith and repentance before he denied Christ. And Christ restored Peter after his denial. His denial of Christ was driven, not by a thoughtful and willful rejection of Jesus as the Messiah, but by a momentary weakness involving the fear of man. Although Peter denied Christ and these people who attributed Christ’s works to Satan denied Christ (see Luke 11:14-16), these denials were of a different kind. Peter blasphemed the Son of Man and was forgiven. But these people blasphemed the Holy Spirit, were confirmed in their unbelief, and never forgiven.      
            2. Paul also blasphemed Christ when he rejected him and persecuted his church. But listen to how Paul spoke of that time in his life. He wrote to Timothy, saying, “Though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief…” (1 Timothy 1:13, ESV). In other words, Paul’s blasphemy was directed towards the Son of Man, not the full testimony of the Holy Spirit. Paul’s blasphemy was rooted in ignorance.
            3. Things were different with Judus, though. When Judas betrayed Jesus to the authorities, it was not driven by fear or ignorance. No, his decision was rooted in unbelief. It was cold and calculated. It was a thoughtful and wilful denial of Christ. Judas saw and heard everything the other disciples of Christ saw and heard. He was exposed to the full weight and glory of the external witness of the Holy Spirit to Christ, and yet he rejected it all, knowingly and willingly. Judas did not only blaspheme Christ, he blasphemed the testimony of the Spirit. Never did he repent. He was not forgiven in this life or the life to come. 
          5. This warning that Christ delivers to us must be taken seriously. We must not toy around with Jesus in the church. We must not toy around with the Spirit’s common operations in our mist, lest we trample the Son of God underfoot (see Hebrews 10:29) and blaspheme the Spirit to our eternal shame. Instead, we must recieve with meekness the implanted word of God which is able to save our souls (see James 1:21), walk by the Spirit and put to death the desires of the flesh (see Galatians 5:16), and “work out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling, [knowing] it is God who works in [us], both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12–13, ESV).
  4. Christ Will Preserve Those Who Are His Even In The Face Of Persecution
    1. I have not left much time to comment on Luke 12:11-13. The meaning is simple, I think. Christ has warned us that those who deny him before men will be denied by him before the angels of God in heaven. He has assured us that those who acknowledge him before men will be acknowledged before th angels of God in heaven. He then offered a word of clarification by distinguishing between different degrees of denial. Here in verses 11-13 Christ offers a word of encouragement and comfort. “And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say” (Luke 12:11–12, ESV).
    2. Here we have another reason not to fear man or to deny the Son of Man. Christ will be with his people to sustain them through the trial. More than this, the Holy Spirit, who resides with every true disciple of Christ, will be with us to teach us in that very hour what we ought to say.
  5. Conclusion
    1. When all is considered, those who are friends of Jesus have every good reason to acknowledge Christ before men and not deny him. 
    2. The question I wish to press you with as we conclude is this: have you acknowledged Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior? Do you believe in him in the heart and have you told someone? If you have, soon, you will need to say that Jesus is Lord through the waters of baptism. After that, you will need to say that Jesus is Lord by your approach to the Lord’s Table. And you will need to acknowledge Christ as your Lord as you live in the world.
    3. The truth is, some of you might be tempted to hide your allegiance to Christ being driven by a fear of man. May the Lord grant you the fear of God, true faith in Christ, and the boldness to stand before men and boldly proclaim that Jesus is Lord!  Indeed, God has promised to never leave or forsake us. “So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5–7, ESV)
Posted in Sermons, Joe Anady, Luke 12:8-12, Posted by Joe. Comments Off on Sermon: Do Not Be Afraid To Acknowledge Christ Before Men, Luke 12:8-12

Jun 24
30

Week Of June 30th, 2024

WEEKLY READINGS
SUNDAY > Josh 4, Ps 129-131, Isa 64, Matt 12
MONDAY > Josh 5, Ps 132-134, Isa 65, Matt 13
TUESDAY > Josh 6, Ps 135-136, Isa 66, Matt 14
WEDNESDAY > Josh 7, Ps 137-138, Jer 1, Matt 15
THURSDAY > Josh 8, Ps 139, Jer 2, Matt 16
FRIDAY > Josh 9, Ps 140-141, Jer 3, Matt 17
SATURDAY > Josh 10, Ps 142‐143, Jer 4, Matt 18

MEMORY VERSE(S)
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you” (Acts 3:19–20, ESV).

CATECHISM QUESTION(S)
Baptist Catechism #26:
Q. What offices doth (does) Christ execute as our Redeemer?
A. Christ, as our Redeemer, executeth (executes) the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in His state of humiliation and exaltation.

Posted in Weekly Passages, Posted by Mike. Comments Off on Week Of June 30th, 2024

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warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
that we may present everyone mature in Christ."
(Colossians 1:28, ESV)

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