andrew dodson

This week’s PCG was a little difficult to nail down. With such a sweeping passage of Scripture (seventeen verses in all), it was tough to get through the seven questions. But, our group eventually succeeded, and I think came up with some good answers.

Luke 7:18-35 Listen

18 The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, 19 calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 20 And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” 21 In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. 22 And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. 23 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

24 When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. 26 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is he of whom it is written,

“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’

28 I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” 29 (When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just, having been baptized with the baptism of John, 30 but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.)

31 “To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another,

“‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’

33 For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.”

1. What is the will of God?

We can trust that Jesus is the Messiah (v. 22)

2. In light of God’s will, what is He like?

(v. 29) - God is just; (v. 34) - A friend to tax collectors and sinners; a miracle worker, healer, loving, gentle (v. 22)

3. What are practical ways we can apply God’s will?

(v. 23) - do not be offended by Jesus - accept who He says He is in faith; We can approach God in honesty to ask questions, just as John asked questions of Jesus

4. What are ways we blow God’s will?

(v. 30) - we can be like the Pharisees and lawyers who rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not being baptized by Him; (vs. 31-32) - we can be unresponsive to the gospel; (v. 33) - we can declare the work of God’s people as false; (v. 34) - we can see Jesus hypocritically as being a sinner, when His target audience are sinners

5. What thoughts are revealed by our actions?

Matthew Henry says, “They made a jest of the methods God took to do them good. This is the ruin of multitudes; they are not serious in the concerns of their souls.”

6. What beliefs about God are revealed by these actions?

If people aren’t concerned with their souls, then to them God is not real; heaven and hell are not real; They probably feel Jesus was a myth or made up story; Or, they believe in a false gospel based on works to get them to heaven, instead of accepting Jesus for who He says He is and placing their faith in Him.

7. How are you doing in this area?

Personally, it’s not just a matter of accepting Jesus for who He says He is. For me, it’s difficult to find my ultimate satisfaction in Him. We live in a consumerist society that forms many idols in our lives. This is very true with me. Not just wanting all the latest “toys,” but trying to find satisfaction in the material things of life, when my ultimate satisfaction should be Jesus.