According to Luke: A Place For You

According to Luke: A Place For You

Opening Illustration:

It is hard to imagine there has ever been a time when my wife and I were not either married or dating. We met at a very young age and we dated nearly 6 years before we were married. Looking back on those dating years, I can remember some highs and lows. Some bumps and bruises. Some good times and hard times. Such is the nature of dating. During my Freshman year at Samford University, Angela and I took a short break. She was a senior in high school and I was enjoying my first year of college and the separation caused some strain in our relationship. So, we did as teenagers do and broke up. I can remember one Friday night when I was feeling a bit down in the dumps that a buddy of mine invited me to go out with he and his then girlfriend. Well, I didn’t want to sit in my dorm room by myself so I went along. It was just the three of us. Him. His girlfriend. Me. They held hands at dinner. We went to a movie and because we were poor they shared both a coke and popcorn. I just sat there and stewed at their happiness.   

It was at that moment that I realized that I was the dreaded third wheel. When you are the third wheel you feel like you don’t have much of a place. You don’t belong. You just sort of sitting there in the midst of otherwise happy people. 

Being the third wheel is absolutely no good. 

Have you ever felt like the third wheel in your faith? You look around at people who seem to be serving and you are not sure where to serve. You see people using their talents and you are not even sure what your spiritual gifts are. You see people joyful because of their relationship with Christ and you feel that you are missing out because you are not positive that you even belong to the Church. 

You have a third wheel sort of faith.

Well, here is the good news for you today. There is a place for you in the service to the Kingdom. Jesus has a spot on His roster of faith suited just for you. You are a specialized person with a purpose and plan to impact Heaven. You are on God’s team. In the economy of heaven, there is no such thing as being the third wheel. So answer this question for me this morning, have you ever felt like the third wheel?

Have You Ever Felt Like The Third Wheel?

Background and Context

Jesus was rising in popularity. Especially with the down and out. He had a particular way about Him that challenged the common thoughts of what it mean to be Holy and Righteous. Jesus loved sinners. That was apparent. Jesus helped broken people. That was evident. Jesus did things differently and called people to follow Him that no religious person or respected Rabbi would. You will see that in just a moment. Luke continues to chronicle this unlikely commoner from Nazareth who turns the world upside down through His miracles and teachings. So, let’s get started this morning by reading Luke 8:1-3 and discover our place in Jesus’ ministry.

Luke 8:1-3 ESV

Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.

Who Has A Place In Jesus’ Ministry?

I. The Small and Insignificant 

Luke 8:1 ESV

Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. 

Point:

I love the fact that Jesus is a man on the move don’t you? He never seemed to stay one place very long. Jesus is a man with a purpose. What is that purpose? Well it is spelled out for us in verse one. He is proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God. This is not bad news, but good news. The Greek word for “good news” is euaggelion ((yoo-ang-ghel'-ee-on). It is where we get our modern day word for evangelism. Jesus was sharing the good news about…well…himself. 

That is not shocking. What some might think is shocking is who He is sharing that news with. 

Illustration:

A few days ago some of you attended a concert in New Orleans. You took your family to see Taylor Swift. She was playing in the Super Dome in the Big Easy. From what I hear, it was a sold out show and Taylor Swift set a record for the largest attended single concert held by a woman. That’s a lot of people. I saw all the pictures. It looked fun. 

Question, why did Taylor Swift not have her concert in say Bromley? Why not Bay Minette? There is a town in central Alabama called Slap Out. Why did Taylor Swift not have her concert in Slap Out, Alabama? 

Well the answer is fairly obvious, the Slap Out market is not big enough. The money that Taylor would make would not be enough for her to even show up. You see, Taylor Swift went to New Orleans not just to entertain the masses, she went there because there was something in it for her. She went there for a payday. 

Now when you think of superstars, Taylor Swift is nothing in comparison to Jesus. Jesus outshines them all. Yet, Jesus took His message not to just the largest of markets, He took them to the small places to. Notice that Luke doesn’t even remark to the names of these cities and villages that Jesus went to. They were so small and seemingly insignificant that they were not even named. 

Yet, Jesus did not come to entertain the masses for a big payday for Himself. 

No. Rather, Jesus came to engage the minor characters with the Gospel of the Kingdom of God!

Point:

When I read this I was so deeply encouraged. That means that there is a place for me and you. There is a place for common people in the Kingdom of God. The Gospel is not just meant for Jerusalem, Rom, and beyond. It is meant for the small places and the seemingly small people. 

What we really discover in reading this passage is that no one is small to Jesus. Everyone is worthwhile and everyone deserves to hear about Him. 

Point:

The Apostle Paul understood that everyone matters to Christ. Even in the small places of the world. That’s why Paul sought to be all things to all people that he might win but a few. Listen to his words captured in I Corinthians 9:22.

I Corinthians 9:22 ESV

To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.

II. The Called and Charismatic 

Luke 8:1 ESV

Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him…

Illustration:

Do you know people who seem to constantly be in the lime light? They are always the front and center of every event. Some people are just naturally good at speaking in front of audiences while others are terrified. It always amazes me when people stand up here and sing the way they do. I wish I could sing sincerely like Ed Pickle. I wish I had the Disney voice of Marsha Scarborough. I wish I could bring people to their feet like Dana Brown. I wish I could stir the soul of the masses with song like Kenny Hoven. LOL! Ok, maybe not Kenny but definitely Azure Joiner. You people amaze me. 

Point being, not everyone has that gift do they? 

Point:

When you think about the ministry of Jesus and the proclamation of the Good News, I am thankful that He calls these sorts of people too. Preachers are always really quick to point out the truth that Jesus was here for the down and out, but He also calls people who show the potential for limelight leadership. What I mean by that is those people who are good communicators, stellar servants, with out there personalities. 

Point:

So where am I pulling this from? Well I pull it from this passage. He went to unnamed places to meet unnamed people but He also had His disciples with Him. These 12 disciples were clearly called men who each had specific talents and gifts that Jesus utilized. These were the up front guys who shared in Jesus’ ministry. They were called to perform miracles, preach, teach, establish the church, and write Holy Spirit inspired Scripture. These men had strong personalities and we learn a lot about who we are as Christians from their character development in the Gospels. I wish I was evangelical as Andrew. I wish was bold as Peter. I wish I was as creative as John. The truth is that no matter your personality, you can see yourself in each disciple. 

Point:

The point that I am making is that there clearly is a place for people like this in the ministry of Jesus as well. 

Point:

On Sunday nights, we go out on visitation and meet with families that have visited our church. Sunday night was one of my most inspiring visits in recent memory. While I won’t name the family I visited I will tell you that my conversation with the father of the home was refreshing. There I met a man who was passionate about God’s Word, excited about leading in the local church, wanted to share the Gospel with his community, desired to be the spiritual leader of his home, and could articulate his beliefs. It was simply stunning. 

One thing that he told me that I also thought fit into the message today. He desires men to stop sitting on their hand in church. He wants them to lead. To be out front. To be conformed to the image of Christ and making a difference in this world to the glory of God. 

Friends, I was so encouraged that I almost passed an offering plate to myself. 

Point:

Sure the ministry of Jesus is to the down and out, the lowest of the low, but it is also a heroic call to action that may just put us in the limelight. Sure, in the light flaws are exposed. That happened with the disciples. Yet, they lead! They used their God given charisma to shine for Jesus. Perhaps our church needs the same energy and enthusiasm. Not just from our men but from everyone. 

Remember, Peter’s encouragement to use our gifts, no matter if we see them as big or small. 

I Peter 4:10-11 ESV

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

III. The Forgotten and Fearful

Luke 8:1-3 ESV

Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.

Point:

So Jesus went to the unnamed places to reveal the Good News to the seemingly insignificant people. We know he took his charismatic followers and then we discover another consistent aspect of Jesus’ ministry. He took women with Him. 

The first woman that we meet is Mary Magdalene. Formerly the forgotten, much meligned and certainly fearful Mary. Most scholars believe that the women who kissed Jesus’ feet and cleaned His feet with her tears and hair is Mary Magdalene. This is what I believe. So, we know that Mary was a broken sinner who was radically converted and became shoulder to shoulder follower of Jesus. Scripture even tells us that Jesus drove demons from her. 

Next we meet Joanna, Herod’s household manager. That’s the same Herod who had Jesus’ cousin John executed. We know that Joanna was a upper class citizen. She came from means and wealth and would have been a part of Herod’s court. Joanna was a bold woman who left the aristocracy of the palace for the dirty roads of Palestine. She benefitted Jesus by taking her considerable wealth and funding Jesus’ mission. Joanna is the opposite of the rich young ruler who could not sell everything to follow Jesus. Joanna did just that. She left it all for Christ. All the fame. All the glitz and glamor of the King’s court because Jesus was worth it. 

Next we meet Susanna. Sadly we do not know much about her other than she was healed, she followed, she loved, and she gave to Jesus. You know if that is all that is remembered of me at the end, I think I am good with that. 

Point:

Let me remind you that Rabbi’s in Jesus’ day did not invite women to follow them. Women were excluded from that privilege because of their gender and nothing more. Not so with Jesus. Women, these second class citizens, had a seat at the ministry table of Jesus. It was women who stood with Jesus at the cross as He was dying. It was women that helped arrange His burial. It was women who ministered to His deceased body and it was women who proclaimed the resurrection of Christ to the bold disciples. Women. Not men. Luke did not name the cities that Jesus visited but he did name the women. This means that these three women, while not a member of the 12 disciples, were very much beloved by Jesus and clearly He was thankful for them. 

Point:

You know that Jesus’ group of rag tag believers is really a picture of us. The church. The body of Christ. All different. All possessing different and valuable skills, gifts and qualities. 

Illustration:

We play tug of war. The team that is able to pull the other team over their side wins. Each member must pull with his or her strength and body weight. We are all different - some stronger, some weaker; some fat some thin; but all must put their strength and weight in. It doesn’t matter whether your contribution is big or small, if you really want to win, everyone matters. And you have to stay on it together.

That’s the picture of the church. That is a picture of us.

Point:

So, who are you in this story. Are you the never named but clearly loved by Jesus? Are you the out there personality, the guy in the limelight ready to lead and serve? Are you the radically saved and marvelously healed? Do you carry with you a story moving from disgrace to delighted? In reading just 3 short verses this morning I hope that you have discovered that Jesus has a place for you in His mission’s army. 

Remember, Jesus gives the ultimate example of serving. If He, their master, can humble Himself to serve. Then we should use our varied backgrounds, interests, talents, gifts and resources to do the exact same. 

John 13:12-14 ESV

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garPments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.

Turn This Information Into Your Inspiration!