The Italian Memorandum

agenda – 1. things to be done.

(Webster’s New Universal Dictionary, p. 35)

“… today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow…”

(Luke 13:32,33)

Introduction: Luke 13:31-35 is about today and tomorrow in the life of Christ. But, there is a strategy here also for living redemptive lives. It is the way of the Master and his followers—an agenda that honors the truth of Psalm 118:26.

I. Is there agenda in this text?

A. _____________ tried to force an agenda (v. 31)
B. Jesus replies with his own ___________ (v. 32)
C. Note Jesus’ agenda:

1. ______________________________ (v. 32)
2. ______________________________ (v. 33)
3. _______________________________ (v.35)

II. How will having a 13:35 agenda help me?

(3 Benefits)

_____________, _____________, ______________

Conclusion: Do you honor the truth of Psalm 118:26/Luke 13:35? Who determines your agenda?

“And someone said to him, Lord will those who are saved be few?
And he said to them, Strive to enter through the narrow door”

(Luke 13:23,24)

Introduction: Although Luke 13:22 is not specific, research suggests that Jesus is now mostly in Perea (the Trans-Jordanian regions). He never loses sight of Luke 9:51.

The Question (13:22,23)

A. About _______________

B. And ________________

Jesus’ Response – 4 Points (13:24-30)

1. “the ___________________ door” (13:24)

2. The door is time __________________ (13:25)

3. The door is about more than _________________
(13:25b-26)

4. The door is ______________________ (13:28-30)

a. of the kingdom of God
b. of universal relevance
c. of ironic implications

Conclusion: Remember—shocked at the gate…knocked too late. And the door was made of wood. Have you been to that door? Have you entered through it (John 10:9)?

“What is the kingdom of God like?”

(Luke 13:18)

Introduction: Relating faith to life is the main problem (agree?) Luke 13:18-21 is about two very important parables for learning redemptive living.

I. Parables prompt us to ask—What’s going on here?
[Allowing us to ask the same of our own _________.]

II. Luke 13:18-19— Is it worth it?
[The question seems to hinge upon ___.]

III. Luke 13:20-21— Does it matter?
[Will it ____________ anything?]

Conclusion: Is it worth it? and, Does it matter? are valid questions. But, they are ultimately selfish questions. The kingdom of God is about His will (see Matthew 6:10). The kingdom always matters!

“The Deliverer will come from [to] Zion”

(Romans 11:26/Isaiah 59:20)

Introduction: A careful reading of Luke 13:10-17 points out the various reactions which people had toward Jesus as the promised Messiah/Redeemer.

I. Redemption review –

A. Only Luke’s Gospel emphasizes ______________
(1:68; 24:21).

B. Redemption involves:

1:71, 73 ______________________________
1:77 ______________________________
2:28 ______________________________
21:28 ______________________________
24:21 ______________________________

II. Reactions toward Jesus in Luke 13:10-17 –

13:13 “… and she ___________ God”

13:14 “…but the ruler of the synagogue, __________”

13:17 “…his adversaries were put to _____________”

13:17b “…all the people ____________”

Conclusions: Some are cured; some are angered; some are shamed; and some rejoiced. What would your reaction have been towards Jesus as Messiah/Redeemer?

“…unless you repent, you will all likewise perish”

(Luke 13:3,5)

Introduction: Preachers often isolate Luke 13:3. But, there is a complete line of thought happening in this passage. Jesus will give two examples on the need for repentance in Luke 13:1-5.

I. Pilate and the Galileans (vv. 1-3)

II. The Tower of Siloam (vv. 4-5)

III. 3 Complicating factors:

1. _______________________________

2. _______________________________

3. _______________________________

Conclusion: The Galileans had no time to repent, nor did the victims of the falling tower of Siloam. But, the pressing question for us is this—Will we repent in time? While the tower teeters and terrorism threatens—will we tremble in time (Phil. 2:12)?

“…make an effort to settle”

(Luke 12:58)

Introduction: Luke 12:57-59 is a parable. Does this parable teach “Now or Never”? Why does Jesus urge settling ASAP?

A. Luke 12:57 – teaches human _______________

B. Luke 12:58 – teaches Jesus’ goal to __________

C. Non-settlement will mean 3 things:

1. Your accuser will ___________ you

2. Your judge will _____________you

3. Your officer will ____________ you

D. Luke 12:59 – teaches ____________________

Conclusion: The Christian system, as taught in the Scriptures, extends the hope of salvation to all men, as long as they live (2 Peter 3:9). The difficulty, however, is compounded by numerous complications: (1) the unpredictability of death (2) the advancement of the hardening of the heart, and (3) the irrevocable nature of eternal destiny.

“…why do you not know how to interpret the present time?”

(Luke 12:56)

Introduction: Jesus has expectations about how we interpret time (Lk. 12:54-56). But, what does this mean?

I. Old Testament Background –

A. 1 Chronicles 12:32 (Note the correlation between

______________ and _______ ).

B. Whereas Esther 1:13 may involve ____________.

C. ________ __ have always existed.

D. Jesus distinguishes between history and ________.

II. Why “The Present Time”?

A. ____________________________ (12:20)

B. ____________________________ (12:40)

C. ____________________________ (12:8,9)

Conclusion: Someone wrote the lyrics, “But there never seems to be enough time to do the things you want to do once you find them.” Redemptive living is a realization that what happens in history matters, and that what happens to you in history matters a great deal—because you matter to God.

“Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth?
No, but I tell you, rather division”

(Luke 12:51)

Introduction: In Luke 12:49-53, Jesus will speak in terms of scorching semantics. Whatever he meant, he meant passionately:

I. Why do most people prefer Luke 2:14?
[Three Possibilities]

A. Fire has several effects: ______________

and _______________.

B. Baptism (12:50) means a plunge into _____.

C. Divided (12:52-53)

II. So, Redemptive Living is not what you expected?

Conclusion: Perhaps, this message will cause you to reevaluate the Jesus of Scripture; the mission of God; and, what it means to live a redemptive life.

(Luke 12:41-48)

Nonchalant, casually indifferent, cool, unconcerned

“Everyone to whom much has been given, of him much will be required”

(Luke 12:48)

Introduction: This section of Scripture is about stewardship and blessing. But, there will be a surprise for the nonchalant.

Three types of responses to the Master–

vv. 43-44 – ________________________

vv. 45-46 – ________________________

vv. 47-48 – ________________________

Conclusion: The Master is the Master. The steward is the steward. What are you doing with what the Master has entrusted to you?

“The sands of time are sinking”

(Anne Ross Cousin, 1857, The Sands of Time)

“You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect”

(Luke 12:40, ESV)

Introduction: Did you know that you were meant for an hour? In today’s lesson, we will look at part of the parable of the watchful servant (12:35-48); emphasizing vv. 35-40.

I. The Christian doctrine here is about the _______

_________ of Jesus (see also Hebrews 9:27,28).

II. Jesus’ coming has 3 essential characteristics:

1. ______________________________

2. ______________________________

3. ______________________________

III. Therefore: _________________________

Conclusion: While most have given up on living life with a sense of urgency, the redeemed have been given a heads-up, as it were. So, prepare to meet your Lord—you were meant for an hour!