Trust God - Luke 12:1-34

Proving ulimtaley they trust themselves more than their friends. Even if it’s just their friends strength they may not trust rather than whether or not they might deliberately let them drop on the ground.

Dictionary definiton:

Noun:

- reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence.

Verb:

- to rely upon or place confidence in someone or something

https://www.dictionary.com/browse/trust

Trust is the basis upon which we act. And today we have in our reading teaching from Jesus about the kind of behaviour we should live out if we truly trust God. And if we find some of the things Jesus calls us to today hard. This is not an indictment on us. Rather it is an invitation to go deeper in our trust of God.

Trust God and do what is right -12:1-12

Jesus back in Ch 11 was talking to the Pharasiee’s and condeming them for their hypocirsy. They are concerned only about external appeerances, not about their inner life. Jesus as he now turns his attention to his disciples warms them not to be like this.

Luke 12:1–3 NIV

1 Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 3 What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

How does that make you feel?

Your secrets will be out? Your two faced back chatting will be shouted from the roof tops. That time you were nice to someone’s face and then complained about them when they left the room.

That sort of behaviour is like the Pharisees. It’s hypocrisy. And in the end you’re going to be found out.

So instead of being two-faced hypocrites. Trust God and do what is right.

And how do we have the courage to do that?

By making sure we fear God not man.

Luke 12:4–5 NIV

4 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

Proverbs says that

Proverbs 9:10 NIV

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Fear of God is an appropriate starting point to living the kind of life Jesus is calling us to.

It’s fear of man that can lead to hypocritical behaviour isn’t it? Fear of being found out. Fear of confrontation. But those are not the right things to be afraid of. Because all man can do is kill your body. God can kill you and send you to hell. That’s truly scary!

But notice that having instructed us to be afraid in v 5. In verse 6-7 Jesus tells us not to be afraid because God cares deeply for us.

If you’re a hypocrite, be afraid.

But if you’re not. Take heart and proclaim that you are on Jesus’ team!

And that’s what Jesus moves on to say in verse 8-9

Luke 12:8–9 NIV

8 “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. 9 But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God.

You see Fear of God, which leads to trust in his care for you, is not only the road to wisdom, the road to avoiding being a hypocrite like the Pharisees, it’s also the road to courage.

There’s a whole bunch of times where it can be tempting to deny that we’re followers of Jesus.

When we think we might get laughed at or mocked.

When we think we might lose a friend.

Worse for our brothers and sisters in many other parts of the world, when our faith might cost us our jobs, livelihoods or even our lives.

The temptation to disown Jesus can be strong.

But if we remember that the worst any human can do to us is kill our bodys, but God can send us to hell. Well suddenly it makes the choice a littler easier!

And in fact, Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will embolden us.

Luke 12:11–12 NIV

11 “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”

And if you read the book of Acts at the end of chapter 6 and through chapter 7 you see this promise of Jesus come true. Stephen is a man who is empowered by the Spirit to boldy proclaim that he’s a follower of Jesus, and that Jesus is God’s plan for salvation. His courage leads to his stoning and death. But ultimately what’s that to Stephen? Better to die and have Jesus say he’s with me, than save your life on this earth only to lose it in the next.

Well what if you can think of a time you’ve maybe not owned up to following Jesus? Are you now destined to hell? After all you’ll notice I skipped over verse 10.

Luke 12:10 NIV

10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

There is something, blasphemy agains the Holy Spirit which is unforgiveable? What is that?

Well it’s not denying Jesus. That sin is forgiveable, and we have proof of that in the bible in the Apostle Peter.

You can read about that in Luke 22:54ff. And thanks to John’s gospel we see this beautiful encounter that Jesus has with Peter after the ressurection where he reinstates Peter, he forgives him. John 21:15f. So rest easy if you repent you will be forgiven by God.

But what is this unforgiveable sin? In short… It is the work of the Spirit is to point us to Jesus. To cause us to respond with faith. It is the Spirit who comes and convicts us of our sin and makes us realise we need a great saviour. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is to continually reject His pointing you to Jesus. You’re here in church today, the Holy Spirit has bought you here so that you might hear about Jesus. You actually need respond to the good news of salvation, otherwise you won’t be forgiven, you won’t be saved.

So, God is in charge. He is more powerful than any human. He loves us and he calls us to trust him and do what is right in all circumstnaces. Be that the way we speak about others, or the way we speak about our love for Jesus.

The rest of our reading is also about how we should live as we trust God.

Trust God and live generously - 12:13-21

The parable of the rich fool.

Jesus is approached by someone who wants his money

Luke 12:13 NIV

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

It is a question, we see from Jesus’ reply in verse 14-15 that stems from greed.

Luke 12:15 NIV

15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

Life does not consist in an abudance of posessions.

The parable from vv 16-21 then outlines the truth of that statement.

A rich man, a big harvest. Hords his wealth. Builds bigger barns. With the hope of living a long, full, drunk and merry life.

Now this kinda sounds like a story about people who live in the western world. Because the fact of the matter is you and I are wealthy.

Slightly old figures but nonetheless:

To be among the wealthiest half of the world last year, an adult needed to own only $3,210 ($4365AUD) in net assets (minus debts), according to the data. To be in the top 10 percent, a person needed to have only $68,800 ($92,000AUD) in wealth. To be in the top percentile, the threshold climbed to $760,000 ($1.03mAUD), according to Credit Suisse.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/01/21/you-might-be-among-the-richest-people-in-the-world-and-not-realize-it/

You may not feel like it but you are most likely in the top 50% of the worlds wealthiest, and I’d hazard a guess there are a few by virtue of their assets alone fall into the top 10 and maybe even the top 1%!

Now wealth of course is not the problem. But the heart. And God condems the man in the parable for what?

Take a look

Luke 12:20–21 NIV

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

The man is condemened for being selfish. He has hoarded his wealth and trusted in it to bring him a happy life and had no thought for using his abundant wealth to be generous towards God. To put his money to work for God’s kingdom.

And that’s what Jesus is encouraging us to do too. Instead of being selfish then Jesus says in v21, we should be rich toward God.

It’s very easy to find your security in money. To put your trust in money. To think if I just get a bit more money then I’ll be secure and then I’ll be able to start being generous.

But of course it never works like that. Because you always need more.

Rather trust God to provide and then steward the wealth he’s given you, whether a lot or a little generously for the good of others. To see God’s kingdom grow.

Thank you to those who do give generously from their wealth to this misson God is doing through our church. This is a lived example of taking the advice of this parable on board.

So so far we’ve seen that when we trust that God is in control it gives us courage to do what is right and to be bold in our faith. And we’ve seen that that same trust in God and his control and care for us, allows us to be generous with our wealth.

Trust God with your life - 12:22-34

Finally our reading today ends with encouraging words from Jesus to live lives free from worry and fear because you are a member of God’s kingdom.

Luke 12:22–23 NIV

22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.

And then Jesus gives an example about the ravens (v24-25). And interestinly enough these were birds that were unclean creatures. That is these are the lowest of the lowest when it comes to animals. Something like how we might think of coakroaches or spiders or whatever particular creature it is that you cannot stand. Those disgusting horrible pests, even God looks after them, says Jesus, so he’ll definitely look after you!

Worry is a symptom of trying to take control of that which you cannot control.

The opposite of worry, is faith or trust in God who is in control of everything.

And our God is not only in control of everything. He’s in control of everything and he cares about you.

Luke 12:30 NIV

30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.

Luke 12:32 NIV

32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

So what does a life built on trust in God look like?

Luke 12:31 NIV

31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

Trust in God means valuing God and his kingdom more than anything else. It means being totally different from the world in what matters most to us.

For most people we interact with the things that matter are, putting a roof over your head, getting a good job, provinding for yourself. And these are all good things but they are not primary things. They are secondary things. And they are things that actually take care of themselves as we seek God and His kingdom first.

And so Jesus finishes this section saying:

Luke 12:33–34 NIV

33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

I don’t think sell everything and become poor by giving to the poor. That makes no logical sense. But rather, sell those things that have taken the place of God in your life. Get rid of the things you rely on instead of God. And then be exceedingly generous.

Well what would a church look like that was full of people who lived like Jesus described in this passage?

Who without fear proclaimed Jesus in every circumstance.

Who never said anything behind someone’s back that they weren’t prepared to say to their face?

And who gave generously to the work of God because our hearts were truly planted in heaven.

It’s a powerful picture of God’s people living radical lives through simple trust in God and his power.