Keith Battle - Pump The Brakes - Part 1

Luke chapter 12, if you have a Bible or a device. This series, disciplining series «Pump the Brakes,» is meant to warn us about things in our lives of which we may not be aware; they can be detrimental to us. Over these two weeks, I am going to cover four things; today, we will examine one, and I will look at three more next week. In fact, my subsequent day under the theme of «Pump the Brakes» is «Beware of Greed.» Everybody say, «Beware of Greed.» Now, this is going to be a tough message, so brace yourselves. Greed is serious.

Listen to Luke chapter 12, verses 13 to 21. I am reading from the New Living Translation. We will look at three other things to be aware of and address in «Pump the Brakes» next week. Beginning in verse 13, it states, «Then someone called from the crowd, 'Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.'» Jesus replied, «Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?» Then he said, «Beware!» Jesus continued, «Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.»

Then he told them a story: «A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, 'What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.' Then he said, 'I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have enough room to store all my wheat and other goods, and I’ll sit back and say to myself, „My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now I’ll take it easy, eat, drink, and be merry."' But God said to him, 'You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for? ' Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.»

The irony of this story is that Jesus has to take a detour from what he had been talking about in the first 12 verses to address this interruption. A young man literally interrupts Jesus and asks a question that has nothing to do with what Jesus was discussing. Jesus is preaching a sermon to a crowd that, according to Luke chapter 12, verse 1, is so crowded that people are stepping on each other.

Let me give you some context. This man’s request, asking Jesus, «Can you please tell my brother to give me my share of our father’s estate?» is significant when considering what has been happening up to that moment. Have you ever heard someone say the wrong thing at the wrong time? It’s all out of place as if they haven’t been listening to anything you just said, and they come out of left field with something irrelevant. This is certainly a left-field statement.

Let me prove it to you. Beginning at verse 1 of chapter 12, it states, «Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned to his disciples first and warned them, 'Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, their hypocrisy. The time is coming, ' verse 2 says, 'when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. There’s some serious stuff He is about to say. Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear. Be careful, dear friends. Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. But I’ll tell you whom to fear: fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, He is the one to fear.'

There’s some serious stuff Jesus is discussing right here! It says, 'What is the price of five sparrows? Two copper coins! Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered, so don’t be afraid. You are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.'

I tell you the truth: everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth—the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels. There’s some serious stuff! Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say. The Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.»

Now, here is Jesus talking about blasphemy, going to court, and God sending you to hell, discussing serious matters coming from darkness into the light, and a man raises his hand saying, «Jesus, can you tell my brother that he owes me some money?» This man has not been listening to a word Jesus has been saying! His whole focus is on money. It’s as if he came to that service with one thought in mind: «I’m going to get my money.» It’s like someone interrupting me right now and raising their hand saying, «Pastor, hey! Can you tell this man he owes my money?»