Introduction

• I John 2:6

Jesus was an expert at loving other people.

• Mark 6:34
• Luke 7:12-15
• Jesus could have done any kind of miracles He wanted, but most of His miracles involved helping people.
• Luke 7:19-23
• Luke 13:34
• I need to look at peole and have love for them, no matter their situation or condition.

Jesus was focused on doing the Father’s will.

• Luke 2:46-49
• Luke 3:23
• John 8:26-29
• John 4:31-34
• Jesus was the perfect example for us!

Jesus valued truth over feelings.

• John 8:31-38
• John 6:65-66
• Mark 10:21-22
• What am I willing to forego so I an stay dedicated to the truth?

Jesus hated sin.

• Mark 3:1-5 - Jesus was grieved and angry at them.
• John 2:13-17
• Genesis 6:6
• Isaiah 63:10
• Do I hate him?

You can’t chase contentment; you have to learn it.

• Philippians 4:11-12
• I Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19
• Ecclesiastes 5:10
• Ecclesiastes 2:10-11

Pay attention to lifecycle creep.

• Deuteronomy 6:10-12 - The Israelites were warned not to be spoiled with the luxury of the houses they were going to possess - houses with no electricity or indoor plumbing.
• Matthew 16:16
• What does it mean to “live within your means”?
• Many professional athletes are broke or nearly so within a few years of retiring.

Luke 22:1-6 - Plotting to kill Jesus

• They knew they’d do it
  • John 12:10-17
• Now they’re seeking how
• Careful about how
  • Feared the people
    • Saul; Aaron - Proverbs 29:25
  • “Inside involvement” would help
• Satan enters Judas
  • We all need help! We need to know Jesus better and close the openings Satan will try to use against us.
  • When the plotting began …
  • The traitor surfaces
  • Deal is struck
  • Judas seeks opportunity

Luke 22:7-13 - Passover

• Passover was an eight-day observance
• Day one was the day of sacrifice
• Jesus had Peter and John make the preparation
  • Location almost cryptic
  • Why?
• Everything happened just as Jesus had told them

Luke 22:14-20 - Lord’s Supper instituted

• Jesus earnestly desires
  • The Passover was centered around the sacrificial lamb. Jesus is now our sacrificial lamb.
  • I Corinthians 5:7; John 1:29
• Won’t eat it again until it is fulfilled
• The first cup
  • This is the drink with the Passover meal (Luke 22:17).
• The bread
  • My body which is given for you (Luke 22:19)
  • My body which is broken for you (I Corinthians 11:24)
    • This led to some controversy about whether Jesus’ body was broken because His legs were not, as prophesied.
• The cup of the Lord’s Supper
  • “Poured out for you”
  • “Covenant in my blood”
  • Compare Exodus 24:7-8
    • Sprinkling vs. pouring of the blood.

Luke 22:21-30 - From betrayal to the greatest

• Jesus speaks of His betrayer
  • With mine on the table
  • “As it has been determined”
  • Woe to that man
    • Judas still did it of his own free choice.
  • The apostles discuss
    • Luke 9:46-48 - They discussed this at least once before.
• New discussion - dispute
  • Luke 22:30 - They would be ranked with the judges of Israel.
  • Which of them is greatest?
  • Jesus offers alternative view

Luke 22:31-34 - Denial

• Jesus reveals Satan’s request
  • Peter’s declaration
  • Jesus’ prediction

Luke 22:35-38 - Things are changing

• From no provisions to journey provisions
  • Why the change?
  • Why swords?

Luke 22:39-46 - Jesus praying

• Jesus goes to Mount of Olives
  • Habitually prayed there
  • Admonition to disciples
    • Pray not to be led into temptation
  • The prayer

Introduction

• We may think less of ourselves and lower our expectations of ourselves.
• God think about us differently than we think of ourselves.
• Psalms 40:5
• Jeremiah 29:10-13
• God has plans for us also!

In God’s eyes we are fearfully and wonderfully made.

• Life should leave us awestruck!
• Ecclesiastes 11:5
  • At 3 weeks
    • The heart begins beating
  • At 6 weeks
    • The heart and its four chambers are fully formed.
    • The first brain waves are detected.
  • At 7 weeks
    • Hands, feet, arms, legs, and all major organs are detectable.
  • At 8 weeks
    • Most major body systems are in place.
    • The brain is highly complex.
    • Right or left hand dominance is detectable.
• Psalms 139:13-18
• Jeremiah 1:5 - God knows us before we are born!
• We are all special!

In God’s eyes we are of great value.

• We should see our own value based on how God sees us.
• Luke 12:6-7
• John 3:16 - This is our value!
• We must stop thinking we are of less value than the value that God places on us.

In God’s eyes we are new creatures.

• New creatures through Christ.
  • I Corinthians 5:17-19; John 3:3-6
  • If you’ve changed from a caterpillar to a butterfly, why would you go back to acting like a caterpillar?
• No longer the former man
  • I Timothy 1:12-16; Philippians 3:4-12, 20-21

In God’s eyes, we are more than conquerors.

• Romans 8:35-39
• Royalty - I Peter 2:9-10
• His workmanship - Ephesians 2:10

Poem: “The Mirror”

Introduction

• II Corinthians 10:12, 18
• Should I be satisfied with the work we are doing now?
• Philippians 3:17

Close spiritual relationships

• Acts 1:12-14
• Luke 24:49
• Acts 2:37, 41-43, 47 - They were united by the gospel.
• Acts 9:31
• Acts 5:41—42 - Their focus was spiritual matters and teaching the gospel.
• Philippians 4:15-16
• What can we do to encourage those who are working for God?
• What prevents us from growing closer to our brethren?

Profound generosity and hospitality

• Mark 12:41-44
• What more can I be doing beyond my contribution to the local church?
• Acts 2:44; 4:32-37
• They had a completely new view of their worldly possessions.
• Acts 11:27
• I John 3:16-18
• I Corinthians 13:3
• How can we find out about others’ needs?

Tested by fire, purified like gold

• I Peter 1:6-7
• James 1:2-4
• Acts 4:1-4, 18-21 - The more persecution there was, the faster the gospel spread.
• Acts 8:1-4
• Acts 12:1-5
• Let us fill our time with selflessly serving others.