faithfulness!

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“FAITHFULNESS!” Luke Chapter 16:1-17 Introduction: In Chapter 16 Jesus will teach us about “FAITHFULNESS!” Three points to faithfulness are presented: (1) Faithfulness in our stewardship of life (v1-17); Faithfulness in marriage (v18); Faithfulness for eternal life (v19-31). I) FAITHFULNESS IN YOUR STEWARDSHIP (v1-9) In these verses we have what is commonly called “The Parable of the Unjust Steward,” G. Campbell Morgan gives insight into the heart of the message, “In the whole of this teaching, our Lord was showing His disciples that there are two motives in life; love of money, or love of man. These Pharisees and Scribes loved money. Jesus loved man. But if we go a little deeper, we find the principle. The love of money, in the last analysis, is love of self; and love of man, at its fountainhead, is love of God. The Pharisees and Scribes loved themselves, and therefore they loved money. Jesus loved God, and therefore He loved man.” (v1) The rich man got word that his financial consultant was ripping him off! (v2) It’s time for accountability! It’s time for an audit! (v3) The steward is going to get fired! I’m too lazy to work and too ashamed to beg, but he’ll steal from his master, employer. (v4-7) The steward decides to reduce the debts on several accounts receivables, whereas, to make friends with these folks, hopefully in return he’ll get a job with one of them. (v8) The master realizes what the “unjust” steward has done, as the unjust steward tries to prepare himself for the future. The master’s response was “You are one shrewd businessman.” Jesus yields a comment of comparison for the people of this world in contrast to the children of light. Warren Wiersbe defines this statement well’ “Jesus did not commend the unjust steward for robbing his master or for encouraging others to be dishonest. Jesus commended the man for his wise use of opportunity. The “children of this world” are wiser only “in their generation”; they see the things of time, but not the things of eternity. Because the child of God lives “with eternity’s values in view,” he should be able to make far better use of his opportunities. (v9) What does Jesus mean? The unjust steward used his master’s money to buy earthly friends; believers are to use their Master’s money in a way that will accrue friends for eternity— by investing in the kingdom gospel that brings sinners to salvation, so that when they arrive in heaven (“an everlasting home”), those sinners will be there to welcome them. John Wesley, the great evangelist gave a sermon on “The Use of Money.” The three main points were (1) “Gain all you can”; (2) “Save all you can”; (3) “Give all you can.” Jesus told us in Matthew 10:16 – Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Paul encourages us in Philippians 3:20 – Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. We live in this world taking opportunity of everything this world offers to win souls to Christ. This world no longer owns us! Our live, our goals, our rewards are focused on heaven, to please our master, our Lord Jesus Christ. (v10-13) Be faithful in the least and receive much. (v14-17) The religious lovers of money “derided” Jesus (meaning to scoff and to upbraid with the nose). (1Timothy 6:10 – For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. Hebrews 13:5-6 – Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me.) (v16-17) We can trust in the Word of God - 1 Peter 1:10-12 - Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. To them

it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven — things which angels desire to look into. 2 Peter 1:19-21 - And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. The Gospel According To LUKE

Chapter 16:18 “Faithfulness in Marriage” -Definition of Marriage: Webster’s Dictionary- The sate of being married; wedlock; the act of marrying or the ceremony entered into by a man and woman so as to live together as husband and wife. -Definition of Divorce: Webster’s Dictionary- The legal dissolution of a marriage; the complete separation of things. Listen to this word of advice from Chuck Swindoll regarding divorce, “There is something much worse than living with a mate in disharmony. It’s living with God in disobedience.” Let’s learn what God’s Word has to say about marriage, divorce and remarriage. I) Marriage & Divorce “Details & History”- Turn to Matthew ch. 19:1-9

(v4) “at the beginning made them male and female”- Gen 1:26-31- Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth." And God said, "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food"; and it was so. Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day. (v5-6) Details of God’s creation of Man & Woman- Genesis chapter 2- “Garden of Eden (delight)” -God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve, and not Eve and Ellen. -The man and woman are “one flesh” they are “joined” together- dabaq "to cling, cleave, keep close." Used in modern Hebrew in the sense of "to stick to, adhere to," dabaq yields the noun form for "glue" and also the more abstract ideas of "loyalty, devotion." (v7-8) A “certificate of divorce”- Given by Moses permission in Deuteronomy 24:1-4. Why? Jesus said it was because of the “hardness of their hearts.” The Israelites left God’s distinctions to only marry within the Jewish community; thus they intermarried with foreigners—non-Israelites. They were sinful, rebellious and stubborn against God’s original intent for His chosen people. Thus a compromise was allowed for the sake of Jews returning back to the LORD. Moses permitted a certificate of divorce. (v9) What is the reason for divorce? Fornication or sexual immorality- Sexual relationships outside the bonds of marriage. The technical distinction between fornication and ADULTERY is that adultery involves married persons while fornication involves those who are unmarried. But the New Testament often uses the term in a general sense for any unchastity. Of the seven lists of sins found in the writings of the apostle Paul, the word fornication is found in five of them and is first on the list each time (1 Cor 5:11; Col 3:5) (from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary) II) Understanding “Divorce & Remarriage” in the New Testament? #1- Permission to remarry- If divorce is prior to salvation- B.C.- BEFORE CHRIST- 2 Cor 5:17- Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. If someone is divorced before they became a Christian, now as a Christian,

God’s Word says they’re “a new creation, old things have passed away.” All sins are forgiven and a new life has begun! NEW- kainos denotes "new," of that which is unaccustomed or unused, not "new" in time, recent, but "new" as to form or quality, of different nature from what is contrasted as old. "The new things that the Gospel brings for present obedience and realization are: a new covenant, Matt 26:28 in some texts; a new commandment, John 13:34; a new creative act, Gal 6:15; a new creation, 2 Cor 5:17; a new man, i. e., a new character of manhood, spiritual and moral, after the pattern of Christ, Eph 4:24; a new man, i. e., `the Church which is His (Christ's) body,' Eph 2:15. "The new things that are to be received and enjoyed hereafter are: a new name, the believer's, Rev 2:17; a new name, the Lord's, Rev 3:12; a new song, Rev 5:9; a new Heaven and a new Earth, Rev 21:1; the new Jerusalem, Rev 3:12; 21:2; `And He that sitteth on the Throne said, Behold, I make all things new,' Rev 21:5 " (from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright (c)1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers) The “born again” believer is free to remarry. #2- Permission to divorce & remarry- If fornication (sexual immorality) is committed- Jesus said in Matt 19:9- And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery." When an individual has sex with another person other than their husband or wife, they have engaged in adultery or sexual immorality. When this is confessed to or discovered by the victim, this innocent partner then has the opportunity to divorce the perpetrator and remarry. It is not a command to divorce, but a prayerful decision in regards to divorce or not. Turn to 1 Corinthians 6:9-20. Pay close attention to 1 Cor 6:18-19- Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. We live in a disease-infested world (listen to the statistics). Don’t commit adultery and then have sex with your spouse infecting them with your sinful lifestyle. Confess what you’ve done and let them prayerfully decide what they will do. #3- Permission to divorce & remarry- If the unbelieving spouse wants to divorce the Christian- Let’s read 1 Corinthians 7:10-15. If one of the two married non-believers becomes a Christian, then this believer should view their unbelieving spouse as a mission field. “Win them to Christ!” But if the non-believer wants and demands a divorce, then the Christian is free (“not under bondage”) to divorce and remarry. III) How to live happily ever after? - Marriage is not a three-ring circus, the engagement ring, the wedding ring, and then the suffering. When God brings you Prince Charming or Cinderella, then CLEAVE TOGETHER IN HOLY WEDLOCK!

C- CHRIST CROSS is in the center of your relationship- At His cross we have obedience, humility, & forgiveness! L- LOVE ONE ANOTHER- Jesus said in John 13:34-35- A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. (Practice 1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

E- EVALUATION- In the home is there war or peace, sin or salvation. The confession of sin and a compassionate heart will resolve divisive conflicts. (Study Colossians ch. 3) A- ATTITUDE- Do you offer the same grace and mercy God has given you. Are you filled with the joy of the LORD! Are you fun to be around! (Live Galatians 5:22) V- VOWS- You made a promise! “I DO!” “JUST DO IT!” (Receive truth for life by reading the “Sermon on the Mount” – Matthew Chapters 5—7.) E- ENDURANCE- “Please be my beloved to have and to hold from this day forward; for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.”

Just remember the enduring words Winston Churchill- “We shall fight on the beaches. We shall fight on the landing grounds. We shall fight in the fields, and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender!”

The Gospel According To Luke Chapter 16:19-31 “Faithfulness for Eternal Life!”

I) TWO MEN - The Rich Man – A character study – This rich man was “clothed in purple and fine linen, who faired sumptuously every day.” This is your self-made man, a man for himself. This man clothed in purple, possibly symbolizing government or religious authority. The word for “gate” in Greek is pulon, which speaks of a large gate for a palace. - The rich man had no heart for his fellow man. (v21-22) - The rich man would not help the sick, nor feed the poor. (v21-22) - The rich man was use to giving orders, “send Lazarus.” (v24) - The rich man was used to getting his way through manipulation, “send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers.” Trying to avoid accountability to the Word of God (v27-31) - The rich man had no heart for God; he knew that people must “repent” of their sins, yet he never did, (v30) - Lazarus – A character study – His name means God is my help. - Lazarus was ill, poor, helpless, and alone in this world. (v20-21) - Lazarus had faith in God and hope for eternal life! (v22) - After death Lazarus was healed, helped by angels, he inherited the riches of paradise forever and was comforted by Abraham. (v22-26) II) TWO DESTINIES - For the sinnner and/or unbeliever – First HADES – Luke 16:19-31; Hades was in two compartments, the residence respectively of saved and unsaved spirits. The unsaved were separated from the saved by a “great chasm fixed” (16:26). The rich man, who is evidently still in Hades, is a representative case and describes the unjudged condition in the intermediate state of the wicked. As to his spirit, he was alive, fully conscious, in exercise of his mental faculties, and also tormented. It is thus apparent that insofar as the unsaved dead are concerned, no change in their abode or state is revealed in connection with the ascension of Christ. At the sinners’ judgment of the great white throne, Hades will surrender the wicked. They will be judged and cast into the lake of fire (Rev 20:13-14), in which is HELL. In Mark 9:46 and 48, hell is described as a place where “their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.” Repeatedly Jesus spoke of outer darkness and a furnace of fire, where there will be wailing, weeping, and gnashing of teeth (Matt 8:12; 13:42-50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; Luke 13:28). The Book of Revelation describes hell as “a lake of fire burning with brimstone” (Rev 19:20; 20:10, 14-15; 21:8). Into hell will be thrown the beast and the false prophet (Rev 19:20). At the end of the age the devil himself will be thrown into it, along with death and Hades and all whose names are not in the Book of Life. “And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Rev 20:10b). (Nelson’s Bible Dictionary) - For the “repentant” believer – Before the resurrection of Christ people would go to “Paradise/Abraham’s bosom,” this place designated the condition of the righteous in the intermediate state. The blessed dead, being with Abraham, were conscious and “comforted” (16:25). The dying thief on the cross (Luke 23:39-43) was on that very day to be with Christ in “paradise.” However, with regard to the state of the righteous and the location of paradise, Christ’s ascension has evidently worked a drastic change. The apostle Paul was “caught up to the third heaven . . . into Paradise”(2 Cor 12:1-4). Paradise, therefore, now denotes the immediate presence of God. When Christ “ascended on high” He “led captive a host of captives” (Eph 4:8-10). Since it is immediately added that He “descended into the lower parts of the earth,” evidently the paradise division of hades, He set free the saved spirit denizens of the underworld. Thus during the present church age, the redeemed who die are “absent from the

body . . . at home with the Lord” (2 Cor 5:6). The wicked, by contrast, are in hades. Both are awaiting resurrection: one the resurrection to life and the other the resurrection to condemnation. (New Unger’s Bible Dictionary) III) TWO TESTIMONIES - Testimony of the UNBELIEVER – John 3:16-21 - For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." Revelation 21:8 - But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." - Testimony of the BELIEVER - Revelation 21:1-5 - Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."