My talk outline from last Sunday
Did you spot that Luke has not just been telling us the story of Jesus?
Two other stories ….
- The story of Israel as acted out/re-lived by Jesus.
- Israel was meant to be “God’s Son” – Hosea 11:1 – out of Egypt I have brought my son.
- Through the Red Sea -a baptism or mini death and resurrection and into the wilderness for 40 years, tested and tempted.
- Jesus is baptised in the Jordan and then experiences 40 days and nights of hunger, thirst and testing …but without sin, without failure. He is the obedient son.
- Israel finally arrived in the promised land – Sabbath rest, enjoying God’s provision and protection and the goodness of the land.
- Jesus identifies himself as Lord of the Sabbath
- Luke is telling our story in Jesus too!
- we are adopted into God’s family as sons and daughters.
- The Sabbath is made for us … an invitation in to enjoy and delight in God’s goodness to him.
- We become God’s people. So Jesus appoints 12 apostles just as there had been the 12 founders of tribes (6:12-16)
- Note how Jesus goes up a mountain and then comes down to address the people echoing Moses receiving the Law.
- Here we find out what it means to be God’s people and how to enjoy his presence with us.
- We have happy hope even through suffering now (v17-26)
“Blessed” -happy/favoured by God … I’m tempted to say “rested”
Contrasted with woe
Echoes of the blessings and woes/curses in Deuteronomy as the people are entering the land.
It’s not a list of different types of people who are blessed but different characteristics of Christlike people
Those who appear to be lacking and suffering in this life are in fact blessed because
- They are heirs of God’s kingdom
- This has always been the experience of God’s people
- This is Christ’s own experience
Contrasted with woe to those who seem to have everything now but do not have Christ.
- We have a secure relationship with Jesus that transforms our relationship to others (v27-42)
- Loving enemies
- Not being judgemental
The basis for forgiveness and reconciliation
When my parents met Sarah’s parents for the first time, Sarah’s dad served up a great big pie for my dad. Dad was ready to cut it up and share it among us all but Steve kept coming back from the kitchen with similar sized pies for everyone. That lavish generosity changed our expectations for your medal, we didn’t need to stretch out the food or worry about having enough. That’s the image here too, an abundant, generous provision of grace and forgiveness from God which means we too can be generous in grace and forgiveness.
- We are able not just to survive but to thrive in the storms of life (v45-49)
Thriving -learning to be holy/godly/fruitful
Being those who hear and do what God says
Two images
- A Tree – what are your roots? -the fruit will provide evidence
- A house -what are your foundations like?
40;years ago today 11th May), there were 2 awful football tragedies. First, a wall collapsed under pressure at Birmingham’s St Andrews’ ground killing a young Leeds fan. Are you leaning in things that can take the weight of your faith?
That was overshadowed by the fire that ripped through the main stand at Valley Parade killing 54 Bradford City fans and two more from Lincoln. The fire happened because a dropped cigarette or match went through a crack in the floor. The old Wooden stand did not have a solid concrete foundation and the gap underneath has gradually filled up with litter dropped down over time.
We can end up building our lives on foundations of rubbish. We gradually let things drop down through the cracks in our lives, bitterness, envy, lust, false teaching, greed, doubt until one day a spark sets the whole thing ablaze bringing death and devastation.
Stop building your lives in rubbish.
The better foundation is Jesus. An old kids’ song says “When the road is rough and steep, fux your eyes upon Jesus. He alone has power to keep. Fix your eyes upon him.”
Conclusion
The third story is about us because we are in Christ.
Consider those three descriptions. Do they describe you?
Choose one to prioritise working on this week.
Faithroots 