Luke 1:51
Jesus' steadfast determination to go to Jerusalem, despite hostility and earthly obligations, demonstrates His perfect humanity acting together with God.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the determination of Jesus as He sets His face towards Jerusalem, a place that symbolizes both hostility and divine purpose. He reflects on the attitude of Christ, who, despite rejection and suffering, remains committed to His mission, illustrating the need for believers to detach from worldly ties that hinder their spiritual journey. Smith highlights the importance of humility and the willingness to prioritize Christ's call over familial and societal obligations, urging followers to embrace a spirit of detachment for the sake of their faith. The sermon challenges listeners to examine their own loyalties and the obstacles that prevent them from fully following Christ.
Text
I. HE STEADFASTLY SET HIS FACE TO GO TO JERUSALEM.
A. What did Jerusalem mean to Him?
1. 13:33 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killeth the prophets.
a. Hostile to Him.
1. He told His disciples He must go to Jerusalem, suffer many
things.
b. Doomed 21:20, 24
c. He also saw as John the New Jerusalem.
2. The attitude of our Lord.
a. Paul in Phil. 2.
b. When did He humble Himself?
1. Born - baby.
2. 12 yrs. - lad.
3. When He left Mt. of Transfiguration.
B. Perfect humanity acting together with God.
II. EVENTS ILLUSTRATE ATTITUDE.
A. Samaritans refused to accept Him. Sons of thunder wanted to send lightning.
1. Disciples in loyalty went to Samaritan village. In loyalty would destroy
Samaritans with fire.
2. Loyalty but out of harmony with Spirit of Christ.
3. Possible to be zealous for God in a Spirit, that puts us out of Promised
Land.
a. Kept Moses out of Promised Land. What did Jesus do? Went to
another village. Spirit of humility. Sheep to slaughter.
B. Three types of men attracted to Christ.
1. "I will follow thee."
2. What did Jesus say-- "foxes have holes."
To came after Him is to share in attitude towards world --the detachment
from all that prevents going to Jerusalem. Sad note? Jubilant. Nothing to
hold me back from my progress to Jerusalem. Don't pity Christ, pity
yourself. Detachment from everything, that prevents progress towards God's
ultimate.
C. Second man, Christ said, "follow me." "Suffer me first to bury my father."
1. What is meant. George Smith
2. Family tries holding him back. "Let dead bury..."
Jesus wanted this man immediately. Christ's call superior to highest and
most beautiful of human obligations.
D. "Suffer me to bid farewell."
1. Group the three and you see threefold demand.
Detachment from all that hinders progress, when highest earthly tie comes
in conflict between. Let dead bury... I am to go for His business to look
back is to be unworthy.
Observe everything He demanded, He was doing. First verse and last.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - '{''1'': {''a'': ''Hostile to Him'', ''b'': ''Doomed 21:20, 24'', ''c'': ''He also saw as John the New Jerusalem''}, ''2'': {''a'': ''Paul in Phil. 2'', ''b'': ''When did He humble Himself?'', ''1'': ''Born - baby'', ''2'': ''12 yrs. - lad'', ''3'': ''When He left Mt. of Transfiguration''}}' - Perfect humanity acting together with God
- II points: - '{''1'': ''Disciples in loyalty went to Samaritan village'', ''2'': ''Loyalty but out of harmony with Spirit of Christ'', ''3'': ''Possible to be zealous for God in a Spirit, that puts us out of Promised Land''}' - '{''1'': ''Three types of men attracted to Christ'', ''2'': ''Detachment from everything, that prevents progress towards God''s ultimate''}' - '{''1'': ''Second man, Christ said, ''follow me.'' ''Suffer me first to bury my father.'''', ''2'': ''Christ''s call superior to highest and most beautiful of human obligations''}' - '{''1'': ''Group the three and you see threefold demand'', ''2'': ''Let dead bury... I am to go for His business to look back is to be unworthy''}'
Key Quotes
“I will follow thee.” — Chuck Smith
“Let dead bury... I am to go for His business to look back is to be unworthy.” — Chuck Smith
“Don't pity Christ, pity yourself.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We must be willing to detach from everything that hinders our progress towards God's ultimate.
- Jesus' call is superior to the highest and most beautiful of human obligations.
- Letting go of earthly ties is necessary to follow Christ.