THE ATTITUDE WITH WHICH TO COME TO JESUS

October 19, 2003 am

Luk 10:1-5
(1) After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
(2) Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
(3) Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
(4) Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
(5) And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.

Luk 10:17-25
(17) And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
(18) And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
(19) Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
(20) Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
(21) In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
(22) All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
(23) And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:
(24) For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
(25) And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

Luk 10:38-40
(38) Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
(39) And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
(40) But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

Let's dig into our souls this morning for a while.

This entire chapter in Luke shows three different scenarios from which we can recognize a single note being stressed in all three cases.

And this lesson is a vitally important one that we should all take to heart

The 70 disciples.

The Lawyer.

Mary and Martha.

Jesus sends forth 70 disciples as sheep among wolves.

They were to heal the sick in the homes of the cities.
They were to actually doom the city if rejected there, and shake the dust off their feet.
Jews considered themselves defiled by the dust of a heathen country.
These places were considered polluted lands.
And this act of shaking dust off their feet was associating these cities with heathen lands when they rejected the word of God.

So the disciples went out.

But they were faulty in their point of emphasis concerning their trek.
They were most overjoyed with the fact that devils were subject to them!
They were exhilarated over the fact that they could actually command demons to leave people and they would leave!

Jesus noted that a note of correction was required.

He told them not to make that power the point of their joy and concern.
Rejoice because your names are written in the book of life!

Jesus corrected them.

They were overjoyed at the power over devils.

Jesus redirected their joy towards something that they did not realize was more important and should have been more of a concern for the disciples.
We know that Jesus will say to people who cast out devils that he never knew them!
The fact that He knows us and we know Him is more important than any miracle-working power anybody could ever have.

And after Jesus corrects them, note what He says:

Luk 10:21-24
(21) In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
(22) All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
(23) And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:
(24) For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Its as though He is thanking the Father for disciples, as these people were, who would HEAR AND RECEIVE TRUTHS such as Jesus just gave to them.

People who are opened for truth.
People who are receptive!
The people who are naturally considered to be most receptive are the wise of this world.
But we are speaking about spiritual truths and not natural truths that carnally wise people can perceive with their carnal and secular education.

1Co 2:6-10
(6) Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
(7) But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
(8) Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
(9) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
(10) But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

1Co 2:14-15
(14) But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
(15) But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

God planned it that He is required to give the mystery's meaning if we are ever going to know it.

The wise of this world are not able to understand these things because they are spiritual, and not "carnal" things.
They are the sort of things that you cannot learn through human wisdom and education.
God must reveal them to you.
And He engineered it all like this because you thereby require Him in reliance and dependence.
It embeds reliance upon Him in our hearts.

Evidently these 70 disciples received this correction.

Jesus thanked the Father for such people.
People who are open and receptive.

Prophets and kings had no greater monopoly on God to receive these things!

God chose who would and who would not receive them.
And it depended upon the people's innocence of openness!

Now, right after talking about how "uppity" people and folks of fame and position could not receive these truths by virtue of their status, along comes a LAWYER.

This man TESTED Jesus.

Why would a man TEST Jesus?

Church we ought not put Jesus under a microscope.
He needs to put us under the microscope!
This man was proud!
He was an expert in the Law of Moses -- that is what a LAWYER was in those days.

Luk 10:25
(25) And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

Why did this man come to Jesus?

Was it to learn?
Was it due to openness and desire to seek God?

Luk 10:26-29
(26) He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
(27) And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
(28) And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
(29) But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

He was willing to justify Himself.

Had he come for correction, as the disciples were corrected, he would not have asked something and then sought to justify his present status and position after being directed by Jesus as to what to do.
He asked Jesus what to do, and Jesus told him.
But then we read he sought to justify himself.
In other words, he desired to show Jesus that the position in which the man already was, was okay and alright, and without need of correction.
The only reason someone would say anything more like, "Who is my neighbour," is because he felt the Lord saw lack in him, and he was going to now prove he lacked nothing.

What a contrast to the babes who were so eager and open for correction!

Jesus then speaks a parable that puts this "uppity" man of importance in his place, as far as God sees it.

Luk 10:30-37
(30) And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
(31) And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
(32) And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
(33) But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
(34) And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
(35) And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
(36) Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
(37) And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

Two very religious folks of that day were the Levite and the Priest.

Uppity men in the society of that day.
Well respected men.
And these two refused to help this poor beaten man.
They did not soil themselves and dirty themselves in the mean activity.

And along comes a Samaritan who was physically half Jewish and half Gentile.

A low-life, as far as the Jews were concerned.
But this man least esteemed among the Jews, in contrast to the lawyers, priests and Levites of high rank and position, is the one who helps the beaten man.
Jesus then told the Lawyer that the neighbour was the half-dead man to whom the lawyer was supposed to love as himself, by helping the man.

Does Jesus then stop and bless the Father and praise Him for revealing truth to the lawyer?

No.
He carries on and goes to Bethany.

The lawyer came to Jesus to be self justified.

He did not come to learn because he was not open to correction and truths he did not know as of yet.
He came to be praised, himself!

THIS IS A LOT LIKE MANY WHO COME TO CHURCH!

Thank God for the "babes" - who are people with open hearts and wide open souls ready to receive truth and correction, who come because they want to learn more.

They want their understandings corrected!
They do not know it all.
They seek it all!
They know they have need of learning!
So humble and open.
But the closed minded come to church as well.
They come in pride, not to learn anything from God.
They come to keep up their reputations!
The neighbours need to see them drive away Sunday morning in their Sunday best.
They shout, "Yes, I know that," when the preacher preaches, rather than, "Teach me, preacher!"
They come to maintain their position and status as a "Pillar of the assembly"!
To justify themselves.
To show off what they already know and how holier they are than others.

Jesus was thrilled for the 70 who were opened to know what He had to say to them.

Open to truths Jesus had for them that they did not know.
They were open to learn of ways in which to live -- more proper things for them to focus upon, than what they already feel is most important.

The 70 were corrected as was the lawyer.

70, do not brag over what you have done and can do.
Do not get the focus on yourselves.
Put your attention on being saved BY GOD!
Now what you did.
What He did.

The Lawyer came to church to see self praised!

Came to hear Jesus tell him how good a man he was.

What a contrast between the lawyer and the 70 disciples!

Then another contrast comes into play.

Jesus goes on to Mary and Martha's house.

Luk 10:38-42
(38) Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
(39) And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
(40) But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
(41) And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
(42) But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Martha also errs in what she thinks is most important.

Jesus corrected the 70 over what they rejoiced about.
The lawyer comes to add Jesus to his list of admirers, and gets no such attention.
Then Martha starts a performance before Jesus and cumbers herself about with much serving.
She is so captivated in serving Jesus that she has no interest in seeking to HEAR HIS WORDS AND LEARN FROM HIM.

Jesus rejoices over those who hear Him!

Those who are open to learn and be corrected!

Mary is there sitting at his feet listening to His words.

The church in Ephesus had Martha's problem.

Lost of labour and servitude and working for Jesus.
But no relationship with Jesus, Himself.
The entire church congregation lost its firstlove.

Rev 2:1-4
(1) Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
(2) I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
(3) And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
(4) Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

DO NOT COME TO CHURCH TO UPHOLD ANY REPUTATION, church!

What an opportunity the lawyer missed!

Jesus had to spend all his time correcting the man.
The man was so caught up in SELF.
How much could the Lord have taught the lawyer had the man already been humble and had come to learn?
So much was in the way, that Jesus had to spend His entire time with him in clearing out the debris.

Martha was the same.

She did hat SHE felt to do.
She never thought of asking Jesus what He willed for her.
It never entered her mind.
We can be so busy doing what we presume God wants us to do, and never even realize we did not pray, "Thy will be done."
We waste all our time in missing to receive what He wants us to do.
ALWAYS LISTEN AND ASK FOR DIRECTION.

People who want correction and come to seek His will thrill the heart of Jesus!

Martha and the lawyer never considered they might be offkey in what THEY think is God's will.

The lawyer asked Jesus about a specific issue.

Martha went about doing a specific performance of serving.

The two were very religious.

Martha proves we do not even have to be somebody's in this world to be offkey.
And the lawyer shows your position for so many years in church gives you no exclusion from the need to receive and be open for correction and to ask what should be done.

These two showed an attitude "I am right and I will be commended for it, and will be used as an example to others as to how to live."

Martha asked Jesus to tell Mary to do what she was doing.

There is that attitude popping up in various ways.
Self-centred people are so ready to criticize everyone else.
But did Mary tell Martha she should sit down and do what she was doing?
No.
Would Mary have been right to say that?
Yes.
But the ATTITUDE of SELF that causes people to tell others what to do all the time, and never allows them to be humble and to ask what they should do, or whether they are correct in what they believe or not, was not in Mary.
Mary would never exalt herself in this subtle way over Martha.
You become like Mary in a humble way when you come to Jesus to seek Him.

Those caught up with SELF simply do not think to ask what they should concentrate upon or whether their thoughts are correct or not.

Watch the souls who come to learn.
The ones who are not always telling others what to do.
The ones who ask if their beliefs are correct or not.

God is bigger than you'll ever know.

And so nobody can ever have the attitude they know it all, and can presume that what they presently stress and concentrate upon is what God wants, without praying, "God correct me if I am wrong, and redirect my pathway if its a little offcourse."
Nobody can ever presume they have arrived and have no need of learning.

He loves for people to depend upon Him.

Watch the ones who worship Him every single time a song is sung.

Songs never lose their sparkle if they're about Jesus and if they give Him glory.
Souls that are sensitive in every service to ensure they give him all their praise.

As we move into Luke 11, we read something that causes Jesus to rejoice!

Luk 11:1
(1) And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

But again a contrast forms as we read of another group:

Luk 11:14-16
(14) And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.
(15) But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.
(16) And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.

Critics.

And Jesus has to put them in their places.

Luk 11:19
(19) And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.

The fact was that they were casting no devils out of anybody!

But....

Luk 11:27-28
(27) And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.
(28) But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

He reiterates His desire to see people HEAR THE WORD OF GOD.

He rejoices over those who are OPEN!
They HEAR it!
THEY COME TO LEARN.
Acts 2:38 has not made them "knowitalls", but its made them people who seek to go into all truth!
Further and further because when we serve an omnipresent God who knows all things, there is no end to walking deeper and deeper into His truth.

Open souls ar e not concerned over family religious traditions that they are responsible to uphold.

They are concerned with ensuring they know the truth, and they are open to let God clearly know that if their traditions handed down from mommy and daddy, or grammy and grampy, are in error somewhat, then they are open and ready for correction!
They worship God and not their family religion!
They serve God and not men, whether these men be family defenders of a family tradition, or not.
Where God leads, they will follow.
They put no stock in flesh and blood.
Its not people they need to please, but rather God.

The 70 were rejoicing over a lesser issue than the true issue.

They had power over devils because their names were written in the book of Life!
The lawyer was proud over lesser issues of SELF.
Martha was tangled up in lesser issues.
THE MAIN ISSUE IS TO HAVE A LIVING RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
Not a performance before people!

We shall all stand before God one day.

Petty issues we value so highly, like our family traditions or our reputations before people, will all flee away that day, as even heaven and earth flee!

We cannot argue with God.
If your thoughts of priority conflict with God's thoughts, then come down to reason and common sense and realize that our minuscule minds are so pathetically infantile when compared with God's ways, that we ought to ever remain humble and childlike, ready for correction and redirection.

Truth in our minds can have grey areas.

We do not know it all.
Some issues I am in the grey about, because I sincerely do not know all of the answers.
BUT NOTHING IS GREY TO GOD.
ITS ALL BLACK AND WHITE.
ITS ALL CLEAR AS CRYSTAL.
Because He is omniscient.
He knows everything in an absolutely perfect sense.
Your arguments against Him are as ridiculous as a two year old's arguments against Einstein's mathematical genius.

When you realize that the truth is black and white as far as God is concerned, while you will always lack perfect understanding, you will know by default that you must lean and rely upon God.

You will love truth.
You will be opened towards God.
But SELF is in a person's concern too much when they argue with God.
And that unrighteousness in them, rooted in a lack of love for truth, puts a deceivableness in them.
They are ripe bait for the lying signs and wonders of all that is antichrist.
They already have a relationship with evil in that they love unrighteousness, and so are perfect victims of lying signs and wonders.
These people are ripe for the lies of the psychic world and the lies of witchcraft, and are thereby open for demons of deception to possess their very spirits.

Let us come to Jesus humbly!!