I. HE STEADFASTLY SET HIS FACE TO GO TO JERUSALEM.
A. What did Jerusalem mean to Him?
1. 13:33 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killeth the prophets.
a. Hostile to Him.
1. He told His disciples He must go to Jerusalem, suffer many
things.
b. Doomed 21:20, 24
c. He also saw as John the New Jerusalem.
2. The attitude of our Lord.
a. Paul in Phil. 2.
b. When did He humble Himself?
1. Born - baby.
2. 12 yrs. - lad.
3. When He left Mt. of Transfiguration.
B. Perfect humanity acting together with God.
II. EVENTS ILLUSTRATE ATTITUDE.
A. Samaritans refused to accept Him. Sons of thunder wanted to send lightning.
1. Disciples in loyalty went to Samaritan village. In loyalty would destroy
Samaritans with fire.
2. Loyalty but out of harmony with Spirit of Christ.
3. Possible to be zealous for God in a Spirit, that puts us out of Promised
Land.
a. Kept Moses out of Promised Land. What did Jesus do? Went to
another village. Spirit of humility. Sheep to slaughter.
B. Three types of men attracted to Christ.
1. "I will follow thee."
2. What did Jesus say-- "foxes have holes."
To came after Him is to share in attitude towards world --the detachment
from all that prevents going to Jerusalem. Sad note? Jubilant. Nothing to
hold me back from my progress to Jerusalem. Don't pity Christ, pity
yourself. Detachment from everything, that prevents progress towards God's
ultimate.
C. Second man, Christ said, "follow me." "Suffer me first to bury my father."
1. What is meant. George Smith
2. Family tries holding him back. "Let dead bury..."
Jesus wanted this man immediately. Christ's call superior to highest and
most beautiful of human obligations.
D. "Suffer me to bid farewell."
1. Group the three and you see threefold demand.
Detachment from all that hinders progress, when highest earthly tie comes
in conflict between. Let dead bury... I am to go for His business to look
back is to be unworthy.
Observe everything He demanded, He was doing. First verse and last.
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Chuck Smith (1927 - 2013)
Pastor Chuck was used in the Jesus People revival where he was used along with others to minister to the hippy young people. They saw a work of the Spirit where many were added to the church and discipled. He has raised up many pastors who are a part of the Calvary Chapel movement now and where he pastors the large Costa Mesa church in California.The Calvary Chapel movement is based of simple principles that Chuck Smith taught over the years such as: The priority of agape love, Simple fellowship amongst the saints, the breaking of bread, the teaching of God's word chapter by chapter and verse by verse. And lastly and most importantly the principle not by might nor by power but by my spirit saith the Lord.