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Texts -- Luke 12:1-39 (NET)

Context
Fear God, Not People
12:1 Meanwhile , when many thousands of the crowd had gathered so that they were trampling on one another , Jesus began to speak first to his disciples , “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees , which is hypocrisy . 12:2 Nothing is hidden that will not be revealed , and nothing is secret that will not be made known . 12:3 So then whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light , and what you have whispered in private rooms will be proclaimed from the housetops . 12:4 “I tell you , my friends , do not be afraid of those who kill the body , and after that have nothing more they can do . 12:5 But I will warn you whom you should fear : Fear the one who, after the killing , has authority to throw you into hell . Yes , I tell you , fear him ! 12:6 Aren’t five sparrows sold for two pennies ? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God . 12:7 In fact , even the hairs on your head are all numbered . Do not be afraid ; you are more valuable than many sparrows . 12:8 “I tell you , whoever acknowledges me before men , the Son of Man will also acknowledge before God’s angels . 12:9 But the one who denies me before men will be denied before God’s angels . 12:10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven , but the person who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven . 12:11 But when they bring you before the synagogues , the rulers , and the authorities , do not worry about how you should make your defense or what you should say , 12:12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you must say .”
The Parable of the Rich Landowner
12:13 Then someone from the crowd said to him , “Teacher , tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me .” 12:14 But Jesus said to him , “Man , who made me a judge or arbitrator between you two?” 12:15 Then he said to them , “Watch out and guard yourself from all types of greed , because one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions .” 12:16 He then told them a parable : “The land of a certain rich man produced an abundant crop , 12:17 so he thought to himself , ‘What should I do , for I have nowhere to store my crops ?’ 12:18 Then he said , ‘I will do this : I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones , and there I will store all my grain and my goods . 12:19 And I will say to myself , “You have plenty of goods stored up for many years ; relax , eat , drink , celebrate !”’ 12:20 But God said to him , ‘You fool ! This very night your life will be demanded back from you , but who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 12:21 So it is with the one who stores up riches for himself , but is not rich toward God .”
Exhortation Not to Worry
12:22 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 . 12:23 For there is more to life than food , and more to the body than clothing . 12:24 Consider the ravens : They do not sow or reap , they have no storeroom or barn , yet God feeds them . How much more valuable are you than the birds ! 12:25 And which of you by worrying can add an hour to his life ? 12:26 So if you cannot cannot do such a very little thing as this, why do you worry about the rest ? 12:27 Consider how the flowers grow ; they do not work or spin . Yet I tell you , not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these ! 12:28 And if this is how God clothes the wild grass , which is here today and tomorrow is tossed into the fire to heat the oven , how much more will he clothe you, you people of little faith ! 12:29 So do not be overly concerned about what you will eat and what you will drink , and do not worry about such things. 12:30 For all the nations of the world pursue these things , and your Father knows that you need them . 12:31 Instead , pursue his kingdom , and these things will be given to you as well. 12:32 “Do not be afraid , little flock , for your Father is well pleased to give you the kingdom . 12:33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor . Provide yourselves purses that do not wear out – a treasure in heaven that never decreases , where no thief approaches and no moth destroys . 12:34 For where your treasure is , there your heart will be also .
Call to Faithful Stewardship
12:35 “Get dressed for service and keep your lamps burning ; 12:36 be like people waiting for their master to come back from the wedding celebration , so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him . 12:37 Blessed are those slaves whom their master finds alert when he returns ! I tell you the truth , he will dress himself to serve , have them take their place at the table , and will come and wait on them ! 12:38 Even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night and finds them alert, blessed are those slaves ! 12:39 But understand this : If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming , he would not have let his house be broken into .

Pericope

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Hymns

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  • [Luk 12:5] Terrible God, That Reign’st On High
  • [Luk 12:7] God Sees The Little Sparrow Fall
  • [Luk 12:24] If Birds That Neither Sow Nor Reap
  • [Luk 12:27] Consider The Lilies
  • [Luk 12:27] Long Ago The Lilies Faded
  • [Luk 12:27] We Thank Thee, O Our Father
  • [Luk 12:29] He Supplieth All Of My Need
  • [Luk 12:32] Fear Not, Thou Faithful Christian Flock
  • [Luk 12:35] Let Every Lamp Be Burning Bright
  • [Luk 12:35] Let The Lower Lights Be Burning
  • [Luk 12:37] How Are Thy Servants Blest, O Lord!
  • [Luk 12:37] Ye Servants Of The Lord
  • [Luk 12:39] While Life Prolongs Its Precious Light

Questions

Sermon Illustrations

Matthew 6:19ff; What Is Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit; Why Give 10% or More of Your Income to the Lord's Work; Ten Biblical & Practical Reasons to Give to the Lord’s Work; The Most Miserly People of All Time; Well Pleased; Readiness; Luke 12:21; Misers; Unpardonable Sin; Treasures on Earth; Quotes

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Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)

  • This piece of furniture was probably similar in size to the table of showbread (v. 39). It stood opposite that table in the holy place against the south (left) wall. It weighed about 75 pounds. The tabernacle craftsmen fashio...
  • Coveting means inordinately desiring to possess what belongs to another person. This commandment deals with motivation rather than deed, with attitude rather than action. It gets at the spirit that often leads to the sins for...
  • 22:22-23 Note the chiastic structure in these four lines that unifies the thought of the passage: violence, litigation, litigation, violence. God will avenge the poor on those who oppress them.22:24-25 The writer gave a reaso...
  • Isaiah had predicted that God would break Assyria's power in the Promised Land (14:24-27). This short section records how He miraculously fulfilled that promise. This divine act of massive proportions settled the issue of Ass...
  • This pericope concludes the sections on the culmination of Israel's future (65:17-66:24), Israel's future transformation (chs. 56-66), Israel's hope (chs. 40-66), and the whole book, Yahweh's salvation. As 56:1-8, it clarifie...
  • This vision may have come to Jeremiah immediately after the preceding one or at some other time.1:13 The Lord next directed Jeremiah to view a boiling pot (cauldron used for cooking or washing, Heb. sir) that was tipped so th...
  • The next five sections (vv. 1-4, 5-8, 9-11, 12-13, and 14-18) continue the theme of Judah's guilt from the previous chapter. These pericopes have obvious connections with one another, but they were evidently originally separa...
  • 6:1 The prophet began this message by announcing coming woe (Heb. hoy, cf. 5:18). Those who felt at ease in Zion (Jerusalem) and secure in Samaria were the subjects of his message. Those who felt at ease in Samaria, partially...
  • Jesus proceeded to clarify the way of discipleship. In view of Jesus' death His disciples, as well as He, would have to die to self. However, they could rejoice in the assurance that the kingdom would come eventually. Glory w...
  • Jesus' statements in this pericope appear throughout the other Gospels. Verse 21 occurs in Matthew 5:15 and in Luke 11:33. Verse 22 is in Matthew 10:26 and in Luke 12:2. Verse 24 appears in Matthew 7:2 and in Luke 6:38. Verse...
  • Though Mark did not record it, Jesus gave His disciples much additional instruction as they travelled from Capernaum in Galilee toward Jerusalem (cf. Matt. 8:19-22; 18:15-35; Luke 9:51-18:14; John 7:2-11:54). Evidently Jesus ...
  • These warnings also occur in other contexts of Jesus' ministry (cf. Matt. 10:17-22; Luke 12:11-12). Jesus evidently voiced them more than once.Mark stressed the idea of persecution by recording the Greek word paradidomithree ...
  • Matthew and Mark's accounts of this event are similar, but Paul's is more like Luke's.14:22 The bread Jesus ate would have been the unleavened bread that the Jews used in the Passover meal. The blessing Jesus pronounced was a...
  • The main doctrines of systematic theology that Luke stressed were Christology, soteriology, pneumatology, and eschatology. There is much emphasis on the glory of God, prayer, miracles, the divine plan that Jesus fulfilled, Is...
  • I. Introduction 1:1-4II. The birth and childhood of Jesus 1:5-2:52A. The announcement of John the Baptist's birth 1:5-251. The introduction of John's parents 1:5-72. The angel's announcement to Zechariah 1:8-233. The pregnanc...
  • 1:8-9 Zechariah was serving God faithfully by discharging some temple function as a member of his priestly division. There were so many priests then that the great privilege of offering incense on the golden incense altar in ...
  • In contrast to most people, the inhabitants of Jesus' hometown did not praise Him. When Jesus began to speak of God extending salvation to the Gentiles, a particular interest of Luke's, the Jews there opposed Him violently. P...
  • 6:20 Clearly Jesus' disciples were the primary objects of His instruction in this sermon (cf. vv. 13-19)."Blessed"(Gr. makarios) in this context describes the happy condition of someone whom God has blessed with His special f...
  • Jesus now gave His disciples information that enabled them to understand the deeper teaching of the parable. The proclaimed Word of God does not in itself yield a uniform response of faith. Response to it is all important.8:1...
  • In this last major section describing Jesus' ministry in and around Galilee (4:14-9:50), Luke stressed Jesus' preparation of His disciples for the opposition that lay before them. This was the climax of Jesus' ministry in Gal...
  • These inflammatory words of criticism and condemnation fanned the embers of Pharisaic hostility into an inferno of hatred and hostility. Luke wrote that these religious leaders now questioned Him closely on many subjects. He ...
  • Teaching of the disciples continues as primary in this part of the third Gospel (9:51-19:10). Jesus' words to them at the beginning of the present section (12:1-13:17) broadened to include the crowds toward the end....
  • Jesus used His condemnation of the Pharisees' hypocrisy as an occasion to warn His disciples against being hypocritical. The context of this teaching in Matthew's Gospel is Jesus' instruction of the Twelve before He sent them...
  • Jesus continued to teach His disciples the importance of following Him faithfully. Responding to a request from someone in the crowd, presumably not a disciple, Jesus warned against greed. Greed is one of the greatest temptat...
  • 12:13 Evidently the person who made this request viewed Jesus as an ethical authority ("teacher,"Gr. didaskale, cf. 7:40) that his brother would respect. His request appears to have been strictly materialistic with no spiritu...
  • 12:16-18 Jesus told the parable of the rich fool to illustrate His point (v. 15). He presented the rich man as an intelligent farmer. The farmer did only what was reasonable. Jesus was not faulting him for his plans. Likewise...
  • This pericope continues the subject of life and possessions (cf. "treasure"in vv. 21, 34). What Jesus implied in the parable of the rich fool He explicitly taught in these verses. His disciples should not think or act as the ...
  • The word "treasure"occurred at the beginning and the end of the preceding teaching and indicated its subject (vv. 21, 34). Likewise the word "ready"serves the same function in this pericope (vv. 35, 40). Disciples need to be ...
  • 12:36 In the parable the master returns from a wedding feast. Perhaps Jesus had the heavenly marriage supper of Jesus with His bride the church in view (cf. Rev. 4-5). This event will precede His second coming to the earth (R...
  • 12:39 Jesus chose another illustration of the importance of preparedness. He compared His return to the coming of a thief in this one. The point is that those whom He visited would not expect His return. This illustration giv...
  • Peter asked a clarifying question. He wanted to know if Jesus was aiming His warnings to be ready at the disciples alone or at the disciples and the crowd that was present and listening (v. 1)....
  • Jesus addressed these words to His disciples primarily (cf. vv. 41-42).12:49-50 In view of the context Jesus' reference to fire must be as a symbol of judgment primarily rather than purification, its other common significatio...
  • Jesus again focused His teaching on the multitudes (cf. v. 13). He urged the people to discern the significance of the present times. This was important in view of the coming judgment and the present division of opinion conce...
  • There are several thematic connections that tie this pericope with what has preceded and show its role in the development of Luke's argument. Jesus had just called the nation to repentance (vv. 3, 5). Now He showed that chang...
  • Another question led to this teaching. The thematic connection with Jesus' words about the small beginning of the kingdom (vv. 19, 21) should be obvious. As elsewhere, Luke recorded Jesus teaching lessons and using illustrati...
  • 14:31-32 This second parable makes essentially the same point as the first one. However the cost of failure in this one is not just embarrassment but personal destruction. It is very important to assess the strength of one's ...
  • "Luke 16:1-8 contains probably the most difficult parable in Luke."36716:1 The linguistic connection that ties this parable with its preceding context is the word "squander"(Gr. diaskorpizo, cf. 15:13). This is the clue to th...
  • In this parable the rich man and his brothers who did not listen to Moses and the prophets (vv. 29-31) represent the Pharisees (vv. 16-17). The Pharisees believed in a future life and a coming judgment, but they, as the rich ...
  • 17:7-9 Jesus told this parable to teach His disciples that warning sinning disciples and forgiving those who sinned and repented was only their duty. It was not something for which they should expect a reward from God. The Ph...
  • This teaching is quite similar to portions of the Olivet Discourse (cf. Matt. 24:23-28, 37-39), though the differences suggest separate teaching situations. It is one of several teachings that Luke recorded that deals with th...
  • 17:22-23 Jesus next gave His disciples more instruction about the coming of the kingdom. One of the days of the Son of Man refers to one of the future days when the Son of Man will be reigning on the earth (cf. vv. 24-25, 30)...
  • Luke next developed the idea of faith on the earth that Jesus introduced in verse 8. This whole section clarifies how people become believers. This subject is a fitting conclusion to the part of Luke's Gospel that deals with ...
  • This is another lesson on riches that Luke recorded (cf. 6:24; 8:14; 11:41; 12:13-34; 16), but the context here is instruction on wealth as it pertains to entering into salvation and the kingdom. Someone might conclude from t...
  • The rich young ruler with his pride contrasts dramatically with the humble infants in the last pericope.18:18 The young man believed he could do something to earn eternal life, and he wanted to make sure he had not overlooked...
  • Jesus' passion announcements to His disciples constitute important structural markers in Mark's Gospel. Luke and Matthew did not use them this way. The incident before us was the third passion announcement that Jesus gave bes...
  • This section in Luke's long narrative of Jesus' ministry as He travelled to Jerusalem (9:51-19:27) is climactic. It is a choice example of Jesus offering salvation to a needy person. Zaccheus accepted Jesus' offer and respond...
  • This parable serves in Luke's narrative as a conclusion to the section on salvation's recipients (18:9-19:27). It provides something of a denouement(i.e., a final unravelling of the plot) following the excellent example of Za...
  • Luke did not record Jesus' actual entrance into the city of Jerusalem. He stressed Jesus' approach to Jerusalem and His lamentation over it (vv. 41-44). This presentation has the effect of eliminating the triumphant spirit of...
  • The emphasis in Luke's version of this important discourse concerning the future, the Olivet Discourse, is a warning and an encouragement to persevere. Jesus gave this teaching so His disciples would be ready for the coming o...
  • 21:10-11 Luke's interruption of Jesus' teaching suggests a break of some kind in His thought. It seems clear from what follows, in verse 11 especially, that Jesus now broadened His perspective from the wars that would precede...
  • Luke organized his narrative so Jesus' praying in the garden follows immediately His instructions to the disciples about their preparing for the crisis to come. The present pericope shows Jesus' proper approach to it and the ...
  • John took his readers back to the courtyard where Peter stood warming himself with the high priest's servants and officers (v. 18).18:25 Under pressure again, Peter denied for a second time that he was one of Jesus' disciples...
  • 4:13-14 The Sanhedrin observed in Peter and John what they had seen in Jesus, namely courage to speak boldly and authoritatively without formal training (cf. Matt. 7:28-29; Mark 1:22; Luke 20:19-26; John 7:15). They may also ...
  • The popularity and effectiveness of the apostles riled the Sadducees just as Jesus' popularity and effectiveness had earlier.5:17-18 The high priest "rose up"(Gr. anastas, cf. v. 34) taking official action as leader of the Sa...
  • Paul concluded his exhortation regarding the collection by reminding his readers of the benefits God inevitably bestows on those who give liberally. He did this so they would follow through with their purpose and believe that...
  • At this point Paul's thinking turned from what had already occurred because of his imprisonment to what he anticipated happening in the future. He referred to this so his readers would uphold him in their prayers and feel enc...
  • 3:22 Paul probably made this section longer than the preceding two because he sent this epistle to Colosse with the Epistle to Philemon. Onesimus, Philemon's run-away slave, carried them.166Moreover there may well have been m...
  • In view of the imminency of Christ's return Paul exhorted the Thessalonians to be ready to prepare them to meet the Lord at any time."The former [paragraph, i.e., 4:13-18] offered instruction concerning the dead in Christ; th...
  • Paul returned to instructions concerning the false teachers (cf. 1:3-11; 4:1-5) to alert Timothy to their underlying attitudes so he could deal with them effectively.". . . Paul issues a kind of wanted poster.' It is the coun...
  • Paul had not finished all he wanted to say about money, so he returned to that subject briefly with a word of instruction for the wealthy Ephesian believers. He gave these directions to balance what he had said earlier in thi...
  • To encourage Timothy further to endure hardship Paul cited a commonly accepted and used quotation that encouraged believers to remain faithful to their Christian profession (cf. 1 Tim. 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; Titus 3:8). It may have ...
  • Having just encouraged his readers with a reminder of God's help for the faithful (1:14) the writer next urged his readers to be faithful. He did so to warn them of the possibility of retrogressing spiritually and consequentl...
  • The writer now focused on the issue of sacrifice."The argument moves a stage further as the author turns specifically to what Christ has done. The sacrifices of the old covenant were ineffectual. But in strong contrast Christ...
  • 4:13 James confronted his audience as the Old Testament prophets did. He began, "Come now"(cf. Isa. 1:18; et al.). The person in James' illustration was probably a travelling Jewish merchant, ". . . the materialist core of th...
  • Peter concluded this section on the nature of the Christian by assuring his readers that simply practicing what he had just advocated would prepare them adequately for the future. He did this to help them realize that they ha...
  • Next Peter outlined what will surely happen so his readers would understand what will take place.3:7 God has given orders that the present heavens and earth (vv. 5-6) will experience another judgment yet future. Then God will...
  • 1:9 John now addressed the seven churches to which he sent this epistolary prophecy directly. He described himself to his readers as their brother in Christ and a partaker with them in three things. These were, first, the rel...
  • These believers needed to awake from their spiritual slumber, to examine their condition, and to realize their needs (cf. Matt. 24:42; 25:13; 26:41). Their city had fallen into enemy hands more than once due to the carelessne...
  • Jesus Christ held out blessings for the faithful few in the congregation to stimulate the rest to repent. White garments symbolic of one's works (19:8) are pure and free of defilement (cf. 7:9, 13; 19:14; Matt. 22:11-12). Sar...
  • Since they considered themselves to be rich but were spiritually poor Jesus urged them to "buy,"implying self-sacrifice, the things they really needed (cf. Isa. 55:1). Instead of real gold they should buy "gold refined by fir...
  • 14:6 John next saw another angel (cf. 7:2; 8:3; 10:1) flying between heaven and earth (cf. 8:13). He was "another"probably like Michael (12:7), the nearest specific angel in the context. This is the first of six specific ange...
  • The final three bowl judgments all have political consequences.16:12 The problem that this judgment poses for earth-dwellers is not a result of the judgment itself but its consequences, namely, war. It does not inflict a plag...

Expositions Of Holy Scripture (Maclaren)

  • And He said unto His disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. 23. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. 24. Co...
  • The precept is first stated generally, and then followed by a series of reasons enforcing it. As to the precept, we may remark that the disciples were mostly poor men, who might think that they were in no danger of the folly ...
  • Luke 12:31-34 point out the true direction of effort and affection, and the true way of using outward good so as to secure the higher riches. It is useless to tell men not to set their longings or efforts on worldly things un...
  • Neither be ye of doubtful mind.'--Luke 12:29.I THINK that these words convey no very definite idea to most readers. The thing forbidden is not very sharply defined by the expression which our translators have employed, but th...
  • Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; 36. And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord.'--Luke 12:35-36.THESE words ought to stir us like the sound of a trumpet. But, by long familiarity, they d...
  • Verily I say unto you, that He shall gird Himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth, and serve them.'--Luke 12:37.NO one would have dared to say that except Jesus Christ. For surely, manifold and wonderf...
  • Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord, when He cometh, shall find watching: Verily I shall say unto you, that He shall gird Himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.Blessed is that se...
  • I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?'--Luke 12:19.WE have here one of the rare glimpses which our Lord gives us into His inmost heart, His thought of His mission, and His feelings ab...
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