“The Just Shall Live By Faith”

New King James Version                          Written by: David Hicks

 

Romans 1:17 “ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

Galatians 3:11 “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."

Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him."

“Articles of Faith"

An Orderly Account Of The Greatest Story Ever Told

(A Study in Luke)

Chapter 9:46-50:

We have spent a great deal of time in the ninth chapter; however, we must remember that the material covered in this chapter spans several chapters in the Gospel of Matthew and we would be doing a serious injustice to the messages not to cover all that is said. Likewise, as we approach the close of this chapter and we dwell on many lessons concerning discipleship, we must carefully look into the entire nature of this subject for our own good.

Text #1:

Luke 9:46-48 “Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest. 47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him, 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.”

Also found in: Matthew 18:1-5; Mark 9:33-37.

Location Note: In our previous lesson, we noticed that Jesus and His disciples left Caesarea Philippi and went through the region of Galilee , where He would tell them for the second time that He was going to be betrayed and that He would die. Here in this text, we have Him coming to Capernaum (Matthew 17:24; Mark 9:33).

Dispute: Mark's account denotes that the dispute arose on the road as they travel towards Capernaum (Mark 9:33), while Matthew's account has them asking “ Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matthew 18:1). This seems to be in response to His asking them, as Mark reveals. However, Luke tells us that Jesus perceived the thoughts of their hearts all along!

The origin of this dispute is not specifically given; however, the fire of envy set burning was not easily quenched when this act of human weakness attacked. Even after this event and the teaching of Jesus this affliction would not go away and would resurface again in the disciples (see: Matthew 20:20-24; Luke 22:24-30).

It is also important to note that this dispute testifies to the extent that the disciples of Christ did not understand the nature of the kingdom.

Little Child: It is obvious that the child was brought forth to be a living parable, an illustration of the nature that Jesus requires of His disciples. This is not to say that the disciples of Jesus are being required to act like children or to revert to this age physically.

The true meaning of the illustration of the child is drawn out by Matthew's account, note:

Matthew 18:3 “and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”

The principle behind conversion is that of a change of way, or a dramatic course change. Here, Jesus is telling His disciples that unless they put away their personal ambition they could not be His disciples. The child stands as a symbol of a humble spirit, in which it looks up to its Father for guidance in contrast to their self-seeking and self exalting ambition.

Least will be Great: The statement of the Lord at the end of this lesson stands as permanent testament on the subject of preeminence within the kingdom of God! No one man was to be more important than any other! This would be re-emphasized in Apostolic instruction, note:

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.”

1 Corinthians 12:22-25 “No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.”

Galatians 3:26-28 “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 4:16 “from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”

Additionally, Paul would tell us that there is only One with preeminence, note:

Colossians 1:18 “And He is the head of the body (Christ Jesus), the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.”

When Paul became aware of the problems in the church of Corinth ; first made known to him by the household of Chloe (1 Corinthians 1:11), he would write the first letter to this church. The first problem he would address would be the problem of sectarianism, which was brought on by those who had been given preeminence by the brethren. Paul would quickly set the proper preeminence back in order, note:

1 Corinthians 1:12-13 “Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?”

The questions offered in verse 13 are rhetorical and are given to stress the fact that the stewards of Christ are nothing, only Christ has preeminence. This is a subject that he would revisit often in the first four chapters and uses himself and Apollos as examples, note:

1 Corinthians 3:5 “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one?”

1 Corinthians 4:1-2 “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”

I realize that we have chased a rabbit away from our text; however, it is an important rabbit! Virtually every apostasy in the church from the first century to today has occurred because of men seeking preeminence, instead of given it to Christ our Lord.

When Cornelius came to Peter as instructed by God, he fell down and worshipped Peter. Peter's response:

Acts 10:26 “But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.”

When Paul and Barnabas came to Lystra and healed a man, they were worshipped as gods. Note their response:

Acts 14:14 -15 “But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out 15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them,”

If two of the most prolific figures in the first century church acknowledged that they were “just men” and were continually stewards of Christ and just servants of the kingdom, this must be all men's attitudes to this day. We must give Christ preeminence and honor His doctrine as the final word in His kingdom the church!

2 John 9 “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.”

Text #2:

Luke 9:49-50 “Now John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.”
50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side.”

Also found in: Mark 9:38-41.

This text is a continuation of the previous lesson. John is pointing out that someone “who does not follow us” (Mark 9:38), is performing works in the name of Jesus. There is no indication that this person is not a disciple or that he has no knowledge of the Lord. There is only the recognition by John that this person does not follow with them.

Jesus empathically states that anyone who knows enough to properly use His power is not apt to dishonor Him.

It is also important to note that there is no neutrality in discipleship! Just as there is only one in the kingdom of heaven, and one King with preeminence, the citizens of this kingdom can only be for the Lord. This, by nature, eliminates individuals in the kingdom from elevating themselves, as we can only be for Him!

NEXT: “ATTITUDES OF DISCIPLESHIP CONTINUED”