Hypocrisy, Fear, Worry, & Possessions
Luke 12:1-34 – January 23, 2022
Luke 12:1-3. Hypocrisy = falseness, deceit, acting under a faked part. Return to 11:41-42 and Micah 6:8
Luke 12:4-7. Refer to Luke 11:53-54. Jesus, His disciples and His followers would now be targets of the Pharisees The word translated hell is “Gehenna” from a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew words ge hinnom (“Valley of Hinnom”). The valley along the south side of Jerusalem. In OT times it was used for human sacrifices to the pagan god Molech, and it came to be used as a place where human excrement and rubbish were disposed of and burned. In the intertestamental period, it came to be used symbolically as the place of divine punishment.
Luke 12:8-10. There is comfort here for those who are His disciples or followers. Acknowledges = confesses. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit probably refers to a total rejection of the testimony that the Spirit gives to Jesus and the plan of God. This is not so much a sin of the moment as of one’s entire life, an obstinate rejection of God’s message and testimony.
Luke 12:11-12. Whether persecution comes from the Jews (synagogues) or the Gentiles (rulers and authorities) trust in the Holy Spirit.
Luke 12:13-15. Firstly, in 1st century Jewish culture, a figure like a rabbi was often asked to mediate disputes, except that here mediation was not requested, but representation. Secondly greed speaks to more than money and addresses the root attitude—the strong desire to acquire more and more possessions and experiences. California attitude. Funeral mentioned you never see a U-Haul behind the hearse.
Luke 12:16-21. The first time I ever heard this parable Sharon and I were visiting a church and ended up in an adult bible study. The question was asked why do you think God punished this man. And they asked me? I was not bashful and said it was because the rich man was so selfish and refused to share. Today, I think that is only part of the answer and not the primary answer. The primary answer is that he did not thank God for the blessings of the harvest, nor did he seek to share as he worshipped at the idols of more more more and me me me. It was all about him and what he had and wanted.
Luke 12:22-23. Who do you think were the best fed, overweight, and best dressed in all of Jerusalem? Most likely it was the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the tax collectors, the scribes, and lawgivers. They would always be looking for the best or latest delicacies as well as the best cloth for their clothes.
Luke 12:24-28. The message is clear, God will provide, but the message is not to sit around and do nothing waiting for the food to be dropped off ready to eat. Ravens work, they fly and look/search for their food.
The grass every spring gets the beauty of the wild flowers. Let us do our part do our best and keep our eyes open for His blessings. They will come.
Luke 12:29-31. Once again do not concern yourself with the best food or drink. Do not pursue such things trying to store up more and more. How many mouth watering steaks can you store in that freezer of yours. They become simply another possession.
Luke 12:32-34.The point here is to set your eyes and your heart on true treasure, real treasure … heavenly treasures.. The call to sell your possessions is a call to a lack of attachment to the earth and a generosity as a result.
Conclusion
How attached are you to YOUR possessions? Only you know the answer to that question, and you should consider the question and your answer your carefully with deep thought and prayer. What would hate to give up if you were called to missionary word? What would you do? I can tell you what one couple did.
What would you do?
This is important. Know your heart on this for God truly does know your heart on this – surely, He does. And it is best if we know our hearts as well when it comes to our possessions. Do we own them, or do they own us?