RECONCILED – LUKE 12:49-13:9

“So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ 8 ” ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’ “” (Luke 13:7-9)

Why use up the soil?

Coasting?

Radically Great

12: Trusting Jesus about money and anxiety

11: truthful, authentic, faithful, rather than religious hypocrites.

10: serving one another, prayer for healing, casting out demons – proclaiming and demonstrating the good news of Jesus

“The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” 18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” (Luke 10:17-18)

“I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!” (Luke 12:50)

 

 

1) Don’t use your family as an excuse to coast

“51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. 52 From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”” (Luke 12:51-53)

 

(i) You can’t hide your faith so don’t try.

 

(ii) Let your family see the difference Jesus makes to your life.

 “As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.” (http://www.christiantoday.com/article/nelson.mandela.and.his.faith/34956.htm)

2) Don’t be a backseat driver

“Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them–do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”” (Luke 13:1-5)

How could a loving God allow that?

“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” (Luke 12:49)

 

3) Live the truth not a lie

“He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. 55 And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. 56 Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?” (Luke 12:54-56)

Have you broken the ten commandments?

 

 

4) Reconciliation is better than prison!

“57 “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? 58 As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled to him on the way, or he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. 59 I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. ” (Luke 12:57-59)

“”Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? (Luke 12:57) = “Its time to take a decision…”

Where are you?

 

Fruitfulness

Fruitlessness

Exploring?

Backseat driver?

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I want to know more:

• To Discuss: book onto Christianity Explored www.stjamesnewbarnet.com/courses
• To read: for men: The Code, by Carl Beech
• To read: Who do you think you are? by Mark Driscoll
• To read: Radical Discipleship by Roger Steer
• People pleaser? Read When People are Big and God is Small – Edward T.Welch
• To read: Respectable Sins, by Jerry Bridges
• To listen: Luke 13:1-5, Unless you repent you will also perish, John Piper, http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/unless-you-repent-you-will-all-likewise-perish
• To read: Nelson Mandela and faith: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/nelson.mandela.and.his.faith/34956.htm