|
|
How Do We Stack Up? Luke 11.29-32 Introduction: While Governor of California, Ronald Reagan, met with a group of students who had shut down a university. This was during the Vietnam War and a common mantra was the evil actions of the "older generation." Reagan responded by pointing out the accomplishments of his generation. We have to be careful of comparing ourselves with others but there are times we can learn from those comparisons. Jesus did this in Luke 11: 29-31. I) Jesus Refers To The Events Recorded in Jonah A) Jonah sent to preach to the city of Nineveh. 1. We generally focus on Jonah. Chapter 1 Jonah runs away from Nineveh; Chapter 2 Jonah in the belly of a big fish; Chapter 3 Jonah preaches to Nineveh; Chapter 4 Jonah is upset with God. 2. Lost is often the message and Nineveh's response. Chapter 3 a. God sent Jonah with a message of judgment and a call for repentance. Not an easy message to preach or receive. b. Nineveh was the capital of Assyria, a godless and ruthless empire. Not a likely group of converts. c. They repented of their transgressions and God relented. B) Most of us would agree that Nineveh received the word of God. II) Jesus' Compares His Generation With Nineveh, Luke 11.29-32 A) He calls them an evil generation, 29 1. They rejected the testimony of John the immerser, Matthew 3.5ff; 21.24ff 2. They rejected the miracles, the signs given by Jesus 3. The rejected the scriptures, Romans 3.2. a. How many times did Jesus ask them "what says the scriptures." They would answer from the scriptures but they did not believe them. b. The scriptures testified of the coming of Jesus, His birth, betrayal, death. B) How would Nineveh of reacted? 1. They accepted the preaching of Jonah. 2. Would they have rejected the preaching of John? 3. Would they have rejected the miracles of wonders of Jesus? 4. Would they have rejected the scriptures? 5. We don't have to wonder about the answer to the questions. Jesus says Nineveh would have accepted those things. III) How Do We Stand Up To Earlier Generations? A) Do we have respect for God's word? 1. Look at the people in Nehemiah 8. a. Verse 1 they all gathered together, they told Ezra to bring the Book of the Law b. It was read from morning until midday, all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law, v. 3 c. All the people stood up, v. 5 d. All the people answered "Amen", they bowed their heads, they worshipped the Lord, v. 6. 2. Do we have a similar thirst for God's word? 1 Peter 2.1,2. A lack of growth is the result of a lack of thirst. Judges 2.10 B) Do we respect God's authority? 1. Do we make decisions based on God's word or do we make decisions and seek to justify ourselves by God's word? 2. One uses the Bible as our text the other as our pretext. C) Are we evangelistic? 1. Earlier generations spread the Gospel through the pulpit, Gospel Meetings, personal contacts. 2. Are we evangelistic? D) Are we dedicated to Christ? Revelations 2.10 1. How do we respond to obstacles we face in serving God? Do we seek to do what God says or do we give up? 2. Earlier generations faced death and/or imprisonment, earlier generations faced economic hardships, earlier generations did not have the buildings and advantages we have. Conclusion: What would Jesus say about our generation of Christians? More importantly what would he say about you and I?
|