Finding Jesus: The Unified Narrative of Scripture

Devotional

Day 1: The Bible's Unified Narrative of Redemption

The Bible is a cohesive narrative that reveals God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. It is not a collection of isolated stories but a unified revelation that guides us to understand the grand story of God's love and redemption. In the Old Testament, Jesus is predicted; in the Gospels, He is revealed; in Acts, He is preached; in the Epistles, He is explained; and in Revelation, He is expected. This understanding helps us navigate Scripture and see the overarching narrative of God's plan for humanity. As we study the Bible, we should constantly turn our eyes upon Jesus, finding Him throughout the Scriptures. This perspective not only enriches our study but also deepens our relationship with Christ, as we see how all of Scripture points to Him. [03:52]

Luke 24:27 (ESV): "And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself."

Reflection: How can you intentionally seek to find Jesus in your daily Bible reading, and what difference might this make in your understanding of Scripture?

Day 2: Divine Purpose in Choosing the Apostles

Jesus' choice of the twelve apostles parallels the twelve tribes of Israel, signifying a new beginning and a fulfillment of God's promises. This choice was not based on human merit but on divine purpose, reminding us that God uses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. The apostles, with their faults and diverse backgrounds, were chosen to lay the foundation of the Church. This encourages us to recognize that our worth is not in our abilities but in what God can do through us. We are reminded that God calls us not because of our qualifications but because of His purpose and plan for our lives. [06:27]

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV): "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."

Reflection: In what ways can you embrace your own weaknesses and trust in God's purpose for your life today?

Day 3: The Centrality of Prayer in Jesus' Ministry

Prayer was central to Jesus' ministry, as seen in His night of prayer before choosing the apostles. This challenges us to prioritize prayer, recognizing our dependence on God and the privilege of communion with the Father. Jesus' example teaches us that prayer is not about guilt but about relationship and communion with God. As we follow His example, we are invited to deepen our prayer life, seeking God's guidance and strength in all aspects of our lives. Prayer becomes a vital part of our spiritual journey, aligning our hearts with God's will and purpose. [16:34]

Colossians 4:2 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."

Reflection: How can you create a specific time and space for prayer in your daily routine to deepen your relationship with God?

Day 4: The Church as a Living Organism

The Church is not an organization but an organism, a living body united by the call of Christ. Our worth is not in our abilities but in what God can do through us, encouraging us to trust in His purpose for our lives. As members of the Church, we are called to be part of this living body, contributing to its growth and health through our unique gifts and callings. This perspective challenges us to see the Church as a dynamic and vibrant community, where each member plays a vital role in fulfilling God's mission on earth. [31:21]

Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV): "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Reflection: What unique gifts or talents can you offer to your local church community to help it grow and thrive?

Day 5: The Importance of Genuine Faith and Reliance on God's Grace

Judas Iscariot serves as a chilling reminder of how close one can be to Christ and yet be lost. In contrast, Peter illustrates how someone truly Christ's can falter yet be restored. This highlights the importance of genuine faith and reliance on God's grace. It is a call to examine our hearts and ensure that our faith is rooted in a true relationship with Christ, not merely in external actions or proximity to religious activities. We are reminded of the need for humility and dependence on God's grace, trusting in His ability to restore and redeem us even when we falter. [39:03]

2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV): "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!"

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on God's grace and less on your own strength or understanding?

Sermon Summary

In our journey through the Gospel of Luke, we are reminded of the foundational truths that guide our understanding of Scripture. Luke's Gospel, a result of careful investigation, is written to provide certainty and clarity about the teachings of Jesus. This clarity is essential in a world filled with confusion about spiritual matters. As we delve into the Bible, we must remember that the New Testament builds upon the Old Testament, forming a cohesive narrative that points us to Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, Jesus is predicted; in the Gospels, He is revealed; in Acts, He is preached; in the Epistles, He is explained; and in Revelation, He is expected.

The Bible is not a collection of isolated stories but a unified revelation of God's redemptive plan. As we study, we should constantly turn our eyes upon Jesus, finding Him throughout the Scriptures. This understanding helps us navigate the Bible and see the grand narrative of God's love and redemption.

In Luke 6, we see Jesus choosing the twelve apostles, paralleling the twelve tribes of Israel. This choice signifies a new beginning, a new people of God, not merely an extension of Judaism but a fulfillment of God's promises. Jesus' selection of the apostles was not based on human merit but on His divine purpose. These ordinary men, with their faults and diverse backgrounds, were chosen to lay the foundation of the Church.

Prayer was central to Jesus' ministry, as seen in His night of prayer before choosing the apostles. This challenges us to prioritize prayer in our lives, recognizing our dependence on God. Jesus' example teaches us that prayer is not about guilt but about communion with the Father.

As we reflect on the apostles, we see that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary purposes. This should encourage us, as we are reminded that our worth is not in our abilities but in what God can do through us. The Church is not an organization but an organism, a living body united by the call of Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. The Bible is a unified narrative that points to Jesus Christ. Understanding this helps us navigate Scripture and see the grand story of God's redemption. We find Jesus predicted in the Old Testament, revealed in the Gospels, preached in Acts, explained in the Epistles, and expected in Revelation. [03:52]
2. Jesus' choice of the twelve apostles parallels the twelve tribes of Israel, signifying a new beginning and a fulfillment of God's promises. This choice was not based on human merit but on divine purpose, reminding us that God uses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. [06:27]
3. Prayer was central to Jesus' ministry, as seen in His night of prayer before choosing the apostles. This challenges us to prioritize prayer, recognizing our dependence on God and the privilege of communion with the Father. [16:34]
4. The Church is not an organization but an organism, a living body united by the call of Christ. Our worth is not in our abilities but in what God can do through us, encouraging us to trust in His purpose for our lives. [31:21]
5. Judas Iscariot serves as a chilling reminder of how close one can be to Christ and yet be lost. In contrast, Peter illustrates how someone truly Christ's can falter yet be restored. This highlights the importance of genuine faith and reliance on God's grace. [39:03]
** [39:03]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction to Luke 6
[01:27] - Purpose of Luke's Gospel
[02:39] - Old Testament Foundation
[03:20] - Finding Jesus in Scripture
[04:07] - Jesus in the Bible's Narrative
[05:09] - Parallel with Old Testament
[06:27] - Choosing the Twelve Apostles
[07:40] - The Law of Love
[08:47] - Becoming Bible Students
[10:12] - The Church as a New People
[11:27] - Reconciliation in Christ
[13:15] - Master, Man, and Mission
[16:34] - Jesus' Night of Prayer
[24:11] - Calling of the Apostles
[31:21] - The Church as an Organism
[39:03] - Judas and Peter's Contrasts

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Luke 6:12-16
1 Peter 2:9
John 15:16

Observation Questions:

What was the significance of Jesus choosing twelve apostles, and how does this relate to the twelve tribes of Israel? [06:27]
How does the sermon describe the role of prayer in Jesus' decision-making process, particularly before choosing the apostles? [16:34]
What does the sermon suggest about the nature of the Church as an organism rather than an organization? [31:21]
How does the sermon contrast the lives and outcomes of Judas Iscariot and Peter? [39:03]

Interpretation Questions:

In what ways does the sermon suggest that the New Testament builds upon the Old Testament, and how does this understanding affect our reading of the Bible? [02:39]
How does the sermon explain the significance of Jesus choosing ordinary men as apostles, and what does this imply about God's purpose for individuals today? [34:14]
What does the sermon imply about the importance of prayer in the life of a believer, and how does Jesus' example challenge contemporary views on prayer? [19:14]
How does the sermon use the example of Judas and Peter to illustrate the importance of genuine faith and reliance on God's grace? [39:03]

Application Questions:

Reflect on your own Bible study habits. How can you ensure that you are seeing the unified narrative of Scripture that points to Jesus Christ? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of both the Old and New Testaments? [02:39]
Jesus chose ordinary people to be His apostles. How does this encourage you in your own walk with God, especially when you feel inadequate or unworthy? [34:14]
Prayer was central to Jesus' ministry. How can you prioritize prayer in your daily life? What specific changes can you make to ensure that prayer becomes a regular and meaningful part of your routine? [19:14]
The sermon describes the Church as an organism, a living body united by the call of Christ. How can you contribute to the life and unity of your church community? What specific actions can you take to foster a sense of belonging and purpose within your church? [31:21]
Consider the contrasting examples of Judas and Peter. How can you ensure that your faith is genuine and that you are relying on God's grace in your life? What steps can you take to strengthen your relationship with Christ and avoid the pitfalls of complacency or betrayal? [39:03]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of finding Jesus throughout the Scriptures. How can you make this a focus in your personal Bible study? What resources or strategies can you use to help you see Jesus in every part of the Bible? [03:20]
Reflect on the idea that God uses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. How can you be open to God's calling in your life, and what steps can you take to be ready for the opportunities He presents to you? [34:14]

Sermon Clips

In the old testament jesus is predicted, in the gospels he has revealed, in the acts he has preached, in the epistles he is explained, and in the book of revelation he is expected. That kind of thing just helps me to navigate my course through the bible. [00:04:04]

Reminding ourselves that when we are wondering about how to find our way through the bible, we will be greatly helped by constantly turning our eyes upon jesus. One of my friends this week was saying to me that he was finding jesus in the book of proverbs, and he thought this was quite surprising. [00:03:20]

The bible is constantly, in all of its themes and in all of its directives, pointing us to the fullness of revelation which is provided in jesus. For that reason, I've tried to give you one or two little phrases to help you understand that. [00:03:43]

Jesus said no you can't do that and you can't simply stitch on a little bit to the old clothing of judaism with which you become familiar. No, this is something absolutely brand new, and so as the old testament picture laid down the foundation of the people of god in the choosing of the twelve tribes, here now jesus does this. [00:07:07]

Prayer was central to Jesus' ministry, as seen in His night of prayer before choosing the apostles. This challenges us to prioritize prayer, recognizing our dependence on God and the privilege of communion with the Father. [00:16:34]

Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and he prayed. Now in verse 12 of chapter 6, you see the pattern is well established. It's one that will continue throughout Luke's gospel. Jesus goes out onto a mountainside and spends the night praying to God. [00:15:28]

Jesus communed with his father, and we may commune with the father through christ and by the spirit. And yet it's so jolly difficult isn't it? Do you find it so easy to do everything else except pray, everything else except pray study, except pray witness rather than pray, preach rather than pray? [00:19:58]

The church is not an organization but an organism, namely the church comprised of all who are called by his name and brought into communion with one another. From this larger group, Jesus chooses just 12 whom he teaches, he sends, he commissions. [00:31:21]

Jesus delights, then and now, to take ordinary people and do extraordinary things in them and through them. He puts together a group of people here full of faults, full of foibles, diverse from different bits and places, different abilities, different backgrounds, different personalities, different interests. [00:34:17]

Judas Iscariot is a chilling reminder to each of us of how close it is, how possible it is, to walk so closely to Christ, to appear to be so committed to Christ, to apparently be involved in the mission of Christ, and yet to be lost for all of eternity. [00:39:03]

Peter illustrates how someone truly Christ's can falter yet be restored. This highlights the importance of genuine faith and reliance on God's grace. [00:39:21]

If you came to church preoccupied with what you are, let me remind you that in Christ you're not what you once were, and in Christ you're not all that you're going to be, so lift your eyes and look up and keep on. [00:41:44]

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