Sermon #45 Luke
Sermons
Title: “The
Glad Tidings of the Kingdom”
Text: Luke 8:1-3
Subject: Lessons from the Master, His
Disciples and Certain Women
Date: Sunday Evening –
Tape # W-30a
Introduction:
Luke 8:1-3 "And it came to pass
afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and
showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with
him, [2] And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and
infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, [3] And
Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which
ministered unto him of their substance."
Verse 1 – “And it came to pass
afterward” –
·
After our Lord had healed the centurion's servant at
·
After he had had raised a widow's son from the dead in Nain --
·
After he had shown John the Baptist’s disciples who he was, after he
had vindicated John in their presence, and had sent them back to John --
·
After he had in the house of Simon the Pharisee been honored by the
faith of a forgiven sinner and had honored her, then we read…
That our Savior “went throughout every city
and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the
Just hold your Bible open on your lap. The title of my message
tonight is “The Glad Tidings of
the Kingdom.” In these three verses the Holy Spirit directs our
attention to (1.) our Master, (2.) his disciples, and (3.) certain women.
First, in verse one, I want us observe some things about…
I.
Our Master.
[Luke 8:1] "And it came to pass afterward, that he
went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings
of the
A. First, our Lord Jesus sets before
us a tremendous example of diligence and faithfulness as Jehovah’s righteous
Servant.
Let us never forget that our
Lord’s obedience to God as a man, his obedience unto death, even the death of
the cross, was not only a substitutionary obedience, but also an exemplary
obedience. Not only did he redeem us with his blood, our Lord Jesus Christ
showed us how we ought to live in this world as the servants and children of
God.
[John 13:13-15] "Ye call me
Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. [14] If I then, your
Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's
feet. [15] For I have given you an example, that
ye should do as I have done to you."
[1 Peter 2:21-25] "For even
hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an
example, that ye should follow his steps: [22] Who did no sin, neither
was guile found in his mouth: [23] Who, when he was reviled, reviled not
again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him
that judgeth righteously: [24] Who his own self bare our sins in his own
body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness:
by whose stripes ye were healed. [25] For ye were as sheep going astray;
but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."
Our Master was tireless in his labors, unwearied in doing good,
and constant in redeeming the time he had in this world. Man’s unbelief did not
stop him from preaching the glad tidings of the gospel. The slanders of his
enemies, the reproaches heaped upon him, the scorn of the religious world, and
the laughter of his deriders did not in any way affect his labor.
He always knew who he was, why he was here, and what he was to
do. He was always about his Father’s business. His earthly ministry lasted only
three short years. Yet, in those three years, our Lord Jesus Christ did more,
preached more and ministered more to the needs of others, than any man before
or since has done in a lifetime.
Let us follow his example. Without question, we will miss the
mark and will be constantly aware that we are missing the mark. But let us
follow his example and walk in his steps.
[1
John 2:6] "He that saith he abideth
in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."
We ought to try to leave our
little corner of the world better than we found it. We ought to make it the
business of our lives to do good to men and for them. May God give me grace to
lay aside my own desires, pleasures, and passions, my pride, self-serving, and
greed, and enable to live to do good to those whose lives I touch.
Time is short. But much can be done in the short time we have.
Let us arrange our affairs wisely and we will be amazed how much can be done in
a short time. Few have any idea how much can be accomplished in eight, or ten,
or twelve hours, if they simply stay at it and avoid idleness and frivolity.
Let us “redeem the time” for Christ’s sake.
Yes, time is short. But this is the only time we have to do the
work God has given us to do in this world. Yes, we will serve him perfectly in
the world to come. But in that world there will be no feet to wash. There will
be…
·
None who are ignorant and need instruction.
·
None who are hungry and need feeding
·
None who are sick and need visiting.
·
None who are mourning and need comforting.
·
None who are alone and need a friend.
·
None in spiritual darkness who need enlightening.
·
None who are fearful and need assurance.
·
None who are in distress and need relief.
“Whatever work we do of this
kind must be done on this side of the grave. Let us awake to a sense of our
responsibility. Souls are perishing and time is flying. Let us resolve, by
God’s grace, to do something for God’s glory before we die.
Illustration: Cody Groover – “You said, ‘Then do it.’”
B. Luke tells us that our Lord Jesus “went throughout every city and village
preaching and showing the glad tidings of the
There are many, many good and
noble works to be done for men. We must never seek to hypocritically excuse
ourselves from serving the physical needs of those around us, pretending that
we have a higher service to their souls. Rather, while doing what we can to
relieve men and women of physical, mental and emotional anguish, let us never
forget that we do have a far higher, far more important service to perform for
their souls. Like our Master, our primary business in life, our primary
function as a local church, and our primary purpose of existence as individual
believers is to preach the gospel everywhere, showing this generation “the
glad tidings of the kingdom of God.”
·
We have done men and women no good, but positive harm, if we teach them
how to live, but do not show them the way of life!
·
We do not serve men and women for good, if we comfort them without
directing them to the consolation that is in Christ.
·
We do not minister to our neighbors if we feed them, but do not teach
them to eat of the Bread of Life and drink from the Fountain of the Water of
Life.
Illustration: The Urgency of Lindsay’s
Message
We do not have to guess what Luke meant when he told us that our
Master went everywhere preaching “the glad tidings of the kingdom.” The
context tells us. In the parable of the sower (vv. 5-18), in the calming of the
sea (vv. 19-25), in the salvation of the Gadarene (vv. 26-40), in the healing of
the woman with the issue of blood (vv. 41-49), and in the raising of Jairus’s
daughter (vv. 49-56), our Lord Jesus both displayed and proclaimed the glad
tidings of the kingdom.
1. In the parable of the sower,
he shows us that faith is the gift of grace, -- that salvation comes by divine
revelation, -- that the sinner must be given a new
heart by grace to receive the word of grace.
2. In the calming of the storm
our Lord shows us that he is the Sovereign God, ruling all things absolutely. –
Not only is he the God who gives us grace and faith, he is the God who keeps us
by grace in grace and faith.
3. In the healing of the
Gadarene, our Savior
marvelously displays the experience of salvation in the life a
man unfit for human society. – Total Depravity! – Unconditional Election! –
Irresistible Grace! – Imputed Righteousness!
4. In the healing of the woman
with the issue of blood, our Lord graciously shows us the desperation and
confidence, as well as the power of God given faith.
5. In the raising of Jairus’s
daughter, the Son of God shows us the glad tidings of the new birth. – It is
the work of God wrought in, for, and upon a dead sinner!
That is how Luke was inspired
to describe our Master. Now, look at the last line of verse one, and learn
something about…
II.
His Disciples.
“And the twelve were with him.” These men made it their
business to be with him. They left all and followed him. For three and a half
years, they were with him. They followed him everywhere. They attended him
constantly. The watched him, listened to him, and walked with him. Why?
A. They saw him to be
everything they wanted or needed.
B. They loved him.
C. They wanted to see him work.
D. They wanted to learn of him.
Now, look at verse two and three. In these two verses the Spirit
of God directs our attention to…
III. Certain
Women.
[Luke
8:2-3] "And certain women, which
had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of
whom went seven devils, [3] And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's
steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their
substance."
A. Who were these women?
1. They were women who had
experienced the power, mercy, and grace of God in Christ. – The Lord had healed
them of evil spirits and great infirmities.
2. They were women, like the
one mentioned at the end of chapter seven, full of gratitude and love for
Christ.
3. There were many of them.
Can you imagine what peculiar hardships and trials these women
endured for the Master. In those days, women stayed at
home, kept their mouths shut, and were seen in public only with their husbands,
when their husbands said it was permissible. Women seen in the company of
another man in public, let alone in private, were looked upon not with
suspicion, but as being beyond doubt, women without character. Grateful for the
mercy and grace they had received and experienced, these women gladly suffered
whatever was heaped upon them that they might follow their Savior. Strengthened
by the power of his grace, they clave to him to the very end.
·
It was not a woman’s kiss that betrayed him.
·
It was not these women who forsook him in the Garden.
·
It was not one of these women who denied him.
·
These women stayed with the Savior, weeping as he was led forth to be
crucified.
·
It was a few women, not men, who stood by the suffering Lamb of God
unto the end.
·
These women were the first at the tomb and the first to see the Lord of
Glory on the resurrection morning.
4. Who were these women? Just
three of them are named. But there are lessons to be learned from these three.
a. The first one named is Mary Magdalene, out of whom the Lord Jesus had cast seven devils
(Mk. 16:9).
b. The second is “Joana the
wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward.”
When I read that description
of Sister Joana, I thought, “Why did Luke write that?” This woman’s husband was
no ordinary Joe. When Luke tells us that he was Herod’s steward, the word
“steward” does not mean “lackey.” It means that this man Chuza was the man to
whom Herod the Tetrarch entrusted the care of his entire house. Chuza was a
wealthy, powerful, influential man.
·
It is true, not many mighty, not many noble, not many wealthy are
called, but some are. – Not all of our Lord’s followers were poor fishermen.
·
Perhaps, in God’s wise and good providence, it was for the salvation of God’s
elect Joana that John the Baptist was put into prison.
c. The third of these sisters
in grace is a woman named Susanna.
Susanna is mentioned nowhere else in the Book of God, and
nowhere else in history, so far as I can tell. We know only one thing about
this dear lady’s earthly life. – She walked with Christ! What a
grand, noble, ennobling biography!
B. What did these women do?
Look at the last line of our text. – They “ministered unto
him of their substance.” How condescending, how gracious, how merciful our
Savior is! He who owns the cattle on a thousand hills did not need these women
to minister unto him, but he allowed them to! He who multiplied the loaves and
fishes did not need to have someone feed him, but he let them! In doing so, our
Lord graciously afforded those who loved him to prove the sincerity of their
love.
[2
Corinthians 8:7-9] "Therefore, as
ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in
all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in
this grace also. [8] I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the
forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. [9] For
ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for
your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."
·
They ministered to (served) him of their substance. – They did
not ask others for assistance. They took that which was their own, and out of
that they ministered to the Lord Jesus.
·
The text might be read, “They ministered unto them
of their substance.” – These women counted it a service done to Christ to take
of their substance and make provision for his disciples.
[Romans
16:1-2] "I commend unto you Phoebe
our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: [2] That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and
that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath
been a succourer of many, and of myself also."
As I read these three verses, studied,
prayed about, and prepared this message, my final thoughts were these. I hope
yours are similar.
1. God, grant me the grace to
follow my Master’s example of tireless devotion and service to the souls of men
and the glory of my God!
2. May God the Holy Spirit
grant that I may, like the Lord’s disciples, ever be found with him!
3. I pray that God will
graciously teach me to honor him with my substance, as these women did, and
give me the will to do it for Christ’s sake.
[Proverbs
3:5-10] "Trust in the LORD with all
thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy
ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. [7] Be not wise in
thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. [8] It shall be
health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. [9] Honour the LORD with
thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: [10] So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses
shall burst out with new wine."
Amen.