Luke 20:1 - 8
Posted by: pastorbob <pastorbob@...>
8 – 27 Discernment
Luke 20:1-8 "20 One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up and said to him, "Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority." He answered them, "I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?" And they discussed it with one another, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say, 'Why did you not believe him?' But if we say, 'From man,' all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet." So they answered that they did not know where it came from. And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."
· Jesus doing what Jesus often does, goes to the Temple to preach.
o He knew the opposition he would face
o He knew that it would be difficult
o He understood that many in THE CHURCH opposed Him
· He went anyway
· He would be faithful to His Heavenly Father REGUARDLESS of the words and deeds of other people
- He would remain faithFULL to God even if it was not convenient, comfortable or even civil. He would be faithFULL reguardless
· The religious elite come to challenge Him
o They were openly challenging the authority of Jesus Christ
· They; the "religious elite" had ZERO clue Who He was…none.
· And they were the ones who were SUPPOSED TO KNOW!
· They were supposed to study and pray and look; discerning the times to know the Messiah.
o Yet they FAILED – HARD
o God wrote everything down so WE CAN KNOW
o The Temple Elite had NO DISCERNMENT!
· Where is His authority from and who gave it to Him
· Where did he get PERMISSION?
· They should know
- But they do not
· Jesus askes them a question that they should have answered
o They waffled
o They were worried what the crowd would do
§ They might lose power
o They were NOT believers, people of the Way
· Jesus would not answer their question
o They were trying to get something against Him
o Their motives were wrong
o Their hearts were wrong
o Jesus was not going to fuel their lies and deceptions
o He would engage in the argument
o He chose to not cast pearls to swine
· LIKE A BOSS
- Some people only want the fight – NOT THE ANSWERS
· In our world we must always be ready to share the gospel
o 1 Peter 3:13-17 "Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; 16 yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil." ESV
· What we do NOT want to do is get into an argument with someone who is either ignorant of the Gospel or choosing to ignore it.
o These temple elitists were only trying to stir up trouble.
o They would not change their minds and hearts and Jesus knew that truth
o Share the gospel, defend the Word but do not be drawn into a hateful debate.
o God gives us DISCERNMENT to know the difference
· Matthew 7:6 "Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you." ESV
· Know God – Know Jesus – Know peace – Know the Answer
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