The Italian Memorandum

(Salvation as Materialism)

“…and all flesh shall see the salvation of God”

(Luke 3:6, ESV)

The Gospel of Luke, alone, includes the words, “and all flesh shall see the salvation of God” (Luke 3:6). Luke’s emphasis seems to be a worldwide approach and appeal, whereas the Gospel of Matthew, for example, is extremely Jewish in emphasis. For this reason (and others), the Gospel of Luke is perfect for the American audience.

Americans, regardless of status: whether affluent or poor, all share one common denominator—the addiction to, or, at least, the habituation to material based living (from cell phones to ice cream cones). Many are too busy supporting this lifestyle to worship the Lord on Sunday, or to do ministry on a weeknight. There can be no doubt that Americans are blessed materially. The main problem which accrues from this lifestyle, however, is that it has become the standard by which we interpret the good life.

So, how do you spell “salvation”? Typically, our spelling is not what Luke had in mind at all. And, yet, Luke did have something in mind. The purpose of this brief article is to get us thinking about salvation along the lines of what it means biblically and spiritually. So, when we are tempted to slack-off, give up, or slow down, remember the words of the Lord Jesus—“No one can serve two masters…You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 5:24).

Robert M. Housby

(Luke 12:13-21)

“So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God”

(Luke 12:21)

Introduction: What’s treasure? and, what’s not?

I. What’s Behind the Question? (see Lk. 12:13-15)

A. ______________________________________

B. ______________________________________

C. ______________________________________

D. ______________________________________

II. The Parable of the Rich Fool

A. Teaches that this man forgot-

1. ___________________________________

2. ___________________________________

3. ___________________________________

4. ___________________________________

B. Teaches that he was hung up on _______________ .

Conclusion: The American system has historically emphasized the material side to living. Although this is a blessing, on the one hand, materialism tends to detract from the spiritual understanding. May you and yours’ be rich toward God.

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth, making it
bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread
to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which
I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it”

(Isaiah 55:10,11)

The church sign read, “I WISH FOR SNOW—ISA. 55:10,11.” To the uninitiated such a wish is superficial, and verges on the questionable side of mental health. But, to those who have read Isaiah 55:10,11, it is the wish for more. It is the wish for—

1. The farmer’s well being by the replenishing of the earth and the promise of a harvest.

2. The consumer’s delight in having a table always and adequately set with food.

3. The Lord’s designed will that his word go forth and succeed in its intended goal.

There is perhaps only one other passage, to our knowledge, where snow is used in a more ardent sense. It is written in the prophet Isaiah— “…though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow” (1:18). Do you wish for this snow?

– Robert M. Housby

“…whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man
also will confess before the angels of God. But he who
denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of
God”

(Luke 12: 8, 9, NKJV)

Introduction: Luke 12:8-12 provides another aspect of what it means to live redemptive lives—Christian living at its best. Christian living is about confessional living:

1. Confessional Living focuses on ______________ , but
also involves the Holy Spirit.

2. Confessional Living is consequential.

3. Two choices (not three)

Conclusion: Will the angels in heaven one day hear of you? Indeed! But what will be told them? “Will not the judge of all the earth do what is right?” (Gen. 18:25)

“All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”

(Romans 3:23)

The need to study Romans is tremendous. Why? One reason why Romans deserves to be studied and re-studied, is due to the resurgent philosophy of being good without God trend in the world today. Turn on any popular television talk show and you are very likely to hear about self-help, psychology, and theology, which elevates man to the position of being his own god (literally!) or, simply the non-relevance of God; or, the relativistic—that’s just your truth (Phil 2:9-11!); or, the contrived—freedom from religion, instead of freedom of religion (Col. 1:16-18).

This “Being good without God” philosophy is being advocated on many levels. A brief listing of some areas and examples of this include:

1. “Law = repression; decriminalization = freedom” (Ronald Beiner, “Foucault’s Hyper-liberalism,” Critical Review, Summer 1995, pp. 353-54). (See Romans 2:12, etc.).

2. Amorality instead of immorality (i.e. denial that moral absolutes should or do exist). (See Romans 1:28, etc.).

3. Autonomous man (see Jer. 17:9; Mk. 10:18; Rom. 3:9-18; etc.).

4. Ethics as social construct created by language, not God. (see Richard Rorty; Michael Foucault; Jacques Derrida; etc.) (see Romans 1:21, etc.).

5. Global Socialism and Multiculturalism. New standards to accommodate all of the anti-Christian elements of the world (United Nations; UNESCO; UNICEF; etc.) A politically correct world where all ideas, lifestyles, and religions are of equal philosophic value and any one god is not better than any other (see Acts 4:12; Rom. 6:15-23). All men are good (see Matt. 7:11), not evil!

The basic problem here may be seen in John 3:16—“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life”. If man may be good without God, why did Jesus die? If man just needs more human governmental agencies, then philanthropy, not the love of God, is what the world needs now. Yes, we need Romans now more than ever!

– Robert M. Housby

“do not fear those…fear him…”

(Luke 12:4,5)

Introduction: Jesus often addressed man’s deepest concerns. In Luke 12:4-7, Jesus will deal with the fears (phobia) of man. The options appear—

Option 1 – Fear as intimidation from others/things (12:4)

Option 2 – Fear of being forgotten by God (12:6)

Option 3 – Fear of personal insignificance (12:7)

Option 4 – Fear him [God] (12:5)

Conclusion: Man could not figure out the fear thing on his own. But, the Son of Man, the Man of Sorrows, can take away the bellicose intimidations of Pharisees and demons and instill instead the reassuring reverence of God.

When we feel we have nothing left to give
And we are sure that the song had ended—
When our day seems over and the shadows fall
And the darkness of night has descended,
Where can we go to find the strength
To valiantly keep on trying,
Where can we find the hand that will dry
The tears that the heart is crying—

There’s but one place to go and that is to God
And, dropping all pretense and pride,
We can pour out our problems without restraint
And gain strength with Him at our side—
And together we stand at life’s crossroads
And view what we think is the end,
But God has a much bigger vision
And He tells us it’s only a bend—

For the road goes on and is smoother,
And the pause in the song is a rest,
And the part that’s unsung and unfinished
Is the sweetest and richest and best—
So rest and relax and grow stronger,
Let go and let God share your load,
Your work is not finished or ended,
You’ve just come to a bend in the road

– Helen Steiner Rice

This poetry contains the Christian doctrine of perseverance and hope even in the face of perceived adversity. God is the difference between humanistic optimism, and optimism based upon Romans 8:22-28. Let God determine the ends and the bends.

– Robert M. Housby

“Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees”

(Luke 12:1)

Introduction: “Christian Living” has come to mean just about any-thing anymore. However, in Luke 12:1-3, Jesus encourages critical thinking—not hypocritical thinking, but critical thinking. Modern liberals have equated the two, but Jesus never did. So, what is the leaven of the Pharisees? Three concepts deserve our attention:

1. Hypocrisy in failing to differentiate between _______________
judgment and ______________ judgment (6:37;12:57; Jn. 7:24)

2. Hypocrisy—in that they were adept at hiding personal iniquity
(see Luke 11:39)

3. Hypocrisy in taking away “the key of knowledge”
(see Luke 11:52,53)—the Messianic application of the O.T. (see
Matt. 16:19; Acts 2:14-41)

Conclusion: Jesus aroused some strong hostility here (Lk.11:53,54).
But, all who refuse to recognize the “beware” statement of Jesus in Luke 12:1 is a downright fraud. And, anyone who would aspire to live the Christian life must reject the leaven of the Pharisees and its modern counter-part of religious pluralism (the other extreme where anything is okay). “Judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24; Luke 12:57; Hebrews 4:13). Would you live the Christian life?