The Strand Study Bible

LUKE 14:28

LUKE 15:6

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Parable #24 - The building and the battle [ A lesson for the saved – Learn to serve CHRIST on His terms. There is more to serving CHRIST than just wanting to - 14:26 c . ]

35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Luke 15 Parable #14 (repeated) - The lost sheep [A lesson for the unsaved - Learn to recognize the fact that all are equally helpless to save themselves - Isa 53:6] (See - Mt 18:12-14) Date - AD 31 1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. 3 And he spake this 2 parable unto them, saying, 4 What man of you, having an hundred 3 sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

1. Prov 20:18 2. Note - A parable is an earthly story designed to teach a heavenly truth. Because the scribes and Pharisees despised sinful people, our Lord taught them three different parables to illustrate God’s great love for sinners (Mt 18:12-14). 3. I Pet 2:25 & Isa 53:6 & Jere 50:6 & Mt 9:36 4. Lk 19:10 & I Pet 2:25

28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him , 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and 1 consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace . 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. 34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?

6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was 4 lost. 14:33 Jesus spoke plainly. Unless we are willing to become “good students” ( disciple ; learners and imitators of Him) we cannot be

His disciples. There are three ingredients to becoming a “good student” of JESUS CHRIST’S : 1. We must learn to love instructions more than we love relationships (vs 26 – and hate not… ) Our love for Christ must exceed our love for our families. Jesus said in John 14:15: If ye love me, keep my commandments (instructions) .

In order to become a good student we must become loyal to instructions, not institutions. Devotion to one’s family must take second place to devotion to Christ. Depending upon who has the “last say” in your life will determine whether you become a worthy student of God or not (Lk 2:41-49 and Mt 12:46-50). Thus, there is more to serving Christ than simply wanting to. 2. We must learn to be a participator, not a spectator (vs 27 – bear his cross ) Sadly, too many Christians watch from the sidelines. They never participate. They are onlookers, not contributors. The cross of the disciple is that particular humiliation or hardship that he would incur by becoming a participating follower of Christ. Publicly carrying a cross was the brand of a criminal doomed to execution. Those who refuse to be publicly branded a criminal cannot become a worthy student of Christ’s. Again, there is more to serving Christ than simply wanting to. 3. We must learn to sacrifice (vs 28-33 – and counteth not the cost ) Christ asked for an intelligent assessment of the cost of discipleship and for complete renunciation of all claims to one’s own life. Those who refuse to sacrifice their time, their talents and their tithes for the cause of Christ cannot become a worthy student of His. Once again, there is more to serving Christ than simply wanting to. Parable #24 is aimed at believers who desire to become disciples . The character flaw – assuming there is nothing more to serving Christ than simply wanting to . There is. Those desiring to become disciples need to “look” before they leap ( Mt 10:16a ). Adrian Rodgers in God’s Wisdom Is Better Than Gold notes: Anyone who can read the Bible ought to know that the demands of discipleship and the cost of commitment are clearly delineated. There is no cheap, easy, or lazy way to serve the Lord Jesus. 1 14:34 Salt is good because it has certain essential qualities. Salt is used to cleanse, heal, preserve, add spice to life, and even create a good kind of thirst ( Mt 5:13 ). However, salt that has lost its savor (vital characteristics of influence) is fit only to be cast out ( Mt 25: 14- 30 and Lk 12: 35- 46,47 ,48). According to verse 35 ( Jms 1:8 ), Christians who are double minded concerning their Christianity become unstable, yea worthless –both to God and men ( Lk 17:32-33 ). 15:6 Parable #14 is aimed at unbelievers who fail to see themselves as “ lost ” sheep . The character flaw – assuming they can help God find them . They cannot (Isa 53:6). We are all equally “helpless” when it comes to saving ourselves. Only the SHEPHERD can find us and save us (Lk 19:10).