November 10th, 2000
Luke 20:1-8
in these verses Jesus' authority is bein' questioned by the Pharisees and others trying to trap Jesus and get Him to slip up in His speech. but, Jesus-bein' the Lord of all- was much quicker than the Pharisees. He responded to their question with a question and made 'em think. He asks 'em 'bout John's ministry, the baptism-was if from heaven, or from men? (v 3). as they discuss amongst themselves they realize, if they say from heaven, He'll question why they don't believe Him then-b/c John's ministry prepared the way for Jesus when preachin' 'bout the comin' Messiah-, and if they say by men the crowd will stone them (v 6) b/c they believed John was a prophet. Jesus' ministry paralleled John's, what John preached, Jesus fulfilled. so, now, the Pharisees are in a bit of a tight squeeze. they chose to say they didn't know, b/c they knew that John's authority was from Heaven, therefore if he has his authority from Heaven, so does Jesus.
the Pharisees were concerned 'bout man's reaction, their own current well bein', etc. etc. but they knew they were in the wrong. they couldn't give up their authority, postions, possessions, and these things blocked them from the truth. they were concerned more about the people's opinions that the truth-the Pharisees had peer pressure!
the question was then raised: well, have you had an opportunity to share what you know is true?…do you have opportunities often?…what do you do in them? some people mentioned school/teachers, friends, and family were some examples of when they might have had the chance to share. we noticed how these were people in our daily surroundings and how often we might have the chance to 'shine' for God, if you will. we also noticed how difficult it is sometimes, b/c sometimes we don't feel 'equipped' or that our faith isn't defendable…but there is so much evidence out there, and if we desire to know it to defend out faith-readin' up, askin' questions, studyin' thangs-that will help us answer some questions. our own 'story'-testimony- is some of the best evidence we have. if we will try to seek Him and the truth found in His Word, "At the time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." (Matthew 10:19-20). when you have the Holy Spirit in you, trust the Lord will show you what you need to say and let Him speak through you.
(we didn't really get to talk much 'bout this, this is just an elaboration on it all, and if you wanta email me if you're interested 'bout talkin' to me 'bout this or catch me friday night or something i can make this clearer, but for now i'm gonna leave it at this).
some people brought up how some people aren't at that point in their life where they need a relationship with Christ, … but we also talked 'bout how 'now' is always the best time, b/c we aren't promised anything beyond this second. true, some people receive Christ when they are young, and some when they are real old with their last breath, but if the opportunity is there now, and the Holy Spirit is knocking, and you wanta receive Christ, now is the best time. we discussed in our saturday meetin' how there is no 'too early' but there is a 'too late'.
so seize the day, carpe diem, and all that jazz. the topic of when we let the peer pressure get to us and we don't share the truth we know, led into how it equates to us bein' ashamed of Christ… even though we know He wasn't ashamed of us, and never turned His back on us. His death on the cross showed us that He loved us so much, that He died for us with all our sin and give us a direct connection to Heaven, if we'd just receive Him and live for Him. the timin' was just right-He lived in the present, He knew what was to come and still took the cross for us. to Him, each and everyone of us was worth the cross, even though we totally don't deserve it and are not worthy of it-His love was so great, that He would do this for us.
[-Van]