Bible Text: Luke 9:10-17 | Preacher: G.F.

Tempted to Forget – Luke 9:10-17

“What are some of the basic lessons that Christians sometimes forget to remember? We forget to study the Bible, not remembering that God’s Word gives us life. We forget the power of prayer, not remembering that God’s blessing is ours for the asking. We forget that we cannot make it on our own, not remembering our deep dependency on the Holy Spirit. We forget that we do not have to work our way to heaven, not remembering that God has accepted us in Christ. We forget how much God loves us, not remembering that we are his sons and daughters. We forget that our Father knows best, not remembering to trust his sovereign plan for our lives. And we forget that God will provide, not remembering his promise to give us our daily bread”.                                Phil Ryken

Discussion Questions –                                                                                                                                        

The Compassion of Jesus (9:10-11) –

Have you ever been tired and weary and did not want to share the gospel? What are some practical ways we can minister and share the gospel in our day and age?

The Command of Jesus (9:12-13) –

What are some reasons we forget the greatness of God? What are the similarities between Deuteronomy 6:20 and Joshua 4:6?

The Provision of Jesus (9:14-16) –

What are some reasons we forget about the gracious provision of Jehovah Jireh? Read Matthew 6:25-34.

The Sufficiency of Jesus (9:17) –

What is the most important need that Jesus provides? Read John 6:33,51.

Commentator David Gooding remarks that Jesus’ question ought to have “startled them into thinking that there might be more to the kingdom of God and the powers of Jesus than they had yet realized. Instead of that, the highest their thoughts could rise to was the possibility of going to the nearest merchants (wholesalers, of course) and buying the necessary quantity of food.” The twelve were forgetting that they served a God who provided for their inadequacies.

The principle is this: God is not limited by our inadequacies. In fact, our inadequacies can display his power to supply all our needs according to his riches in glory.

One man who understood this principle well was William Carey. He was an ordinary man with an extraordinary faith. He went to India as a missionary, and not only did he do the work of an evangelist but he learned Indian dialects into which he translated the Word of God. Carey’s passion for missions is expressed by his words: “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.” Carey lived out this maxim, and thousands have been inspired to do missionary service by his example.

The Bible tells of many whose faith in God produced amazing results. Hebrews tells of those “who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong” (11:33-34).

The list of heroes of the faith has grown through the ages, and we can be a part of that list. Because of God’s power and faithfulness, we can attempt great things for God and expect great things from God.