How to be truly rich Luke 12:13-21

What is your ambition for your life?

Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed!

• Greed destroys our eternal perspective

A tragic story of a man blinded by greed

• Self-centredness
• Proud thanklessness
• Self-indulgence

The twist in the tale – ‘You fool’

Being rich towards God

• Trusting Jesus for Eternal Riches (Eph 1:7, 1 Peter 1:3-4)
• Serving Jesus with our Whole Lives

Wisdom for guarding against greed

• Don’t be lovers of money but lovers of God and people (Prov 11:28)
• Don’t hoard selfishly but give generously.
• Don’t be presumptuous but thankful (1 Tim 4:4).
• Don’t be greedy but be content (Heb 13:5)

Next week – Luke 12:22-34

Further Reading - Beyond Greed, Brian Rosner

Luke 12:1-12 (Rod Yager)

Who are you afraid of?

Luke 12:1-12

Luke 11:45-54 (James Nodder)

The King of Shame Mark 14:61-72; 15:15-37

Guilt and shame defined

Shame in the Bible

1. In the beginning…no shame
2. The introduction of sin and shame
• OT predictions of the shamed Servant King
3. Jesus - The king of shame
1. Shamefu to whose false teaching prevents people hearing the gospel (52)

Closing reflections

1. The challenge to those in Christian leadership
2. The ever-present danger of legalism
3. The gospel delivers us from dry dreary religion/legalism

Next week: Luke 12:1-12

James Nodder

Spiritual Health - Solitude and Silence

• The difference between busyness and hurry-sickness. 
• Church survey results
• Soul habits of Jesus; regular times of solitude and silence. 

1. The Purpose of Solitude and Silence.
1. Solitude
   1. Listening to God
   2. Listening to our souls
2. Silence
2. The Practice of Solitude and Silence.
   1. Practicing Solitude
      1. Regular solitude
      2. Extended solitude
   2. Practicing Silence
      1. External silence
      2. Internal silence

Next week: Luke 11:45-54

Luke 11:37-44 (James Nodder)

 

Change from the inside out Luke 11:37-44

• What is hypocrisy?

1. 1. The Debilitating Effects of Hypocrisy
      • Background on the Pharisees
      • The OT significance of ceremonial hand-washing
        1. Skewed priorities – Giving money but not loving God or caring for people (42)
        2. Skewed priorities – Valuing people’s praise more than God’s praise (43)
        3. Woeful Effect – the contamination of others (44)
   2. The Healing Work of the Gospel

1. 1. 1. The gospel gives us a new heart and the indwelling Holy Spirit. 
      2. The gospel enables us to view life in its proper perspective.

         Because we are secure in God’s unconditional love, the gospel:-

1. 1. 1. 1. frees us to be honest about ourselves and our sin
         2. frees us from people-pleasing 

Next week: Spiritual Health — Solitude and Silence

Luke 11:27-36 (James Nodder)