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    May 02, 2021

    Drawing Circles for Christ

    Passage: Luke 9:46-56

    Speaker: Doug Swagerty

    Category: Sermon

    Sermon Summary:
    This section of Luke 9 is a mini-course on how to do ministry in the Kingdom of God. The disciples have been following Jesus for a while now and are starting to draw Us/Them circles to determine who is in and who is out. But Jesus wants them to understand that His Kingdom is inclusive, not exclusive. Instead of limiting our circles, He commands us to broaden our circles in three important ways:

    1. Embrace Those Who Seem Insignificant (46-48)

      The disciples are arguing about which of them is the greatest. Jesus undercuts their sense of self-importance by declaring that the least among you is the greatest. A child provides a good picture of the kind of disciples Jesus wants us to be.

      • The requirement for doing Kingdom ministry: Identify with and humbly serve those who we would otherwise be considered lowly.

    2. Redefine Your Allies (49-50)

      "Whoever is not against you is for you" challenges an exclusive religious mindset. A few verses earlier the disciples couldn't cast out a demon (Luke 9:37-43), but now they want to stop others who can. Jesus is saying, "Don't stop people who are doing work that brings honor to God and healing to the community. My purposes can be served even by those who don't share your perspective." See Paul's attitude in Phil 1:15-18.

      • The requirement for doing Kingdom ministry: Be willing to work with all kinds for the greater good of the Kingdom, rather than protecting your own turf or making a name for your team.

    3. Love Your Enemies (51-56)

      The Samaritans were despised by Jews as racial, political, religious and cultural "enemies" with a long history of betraying God's covenant. Their refusal to welcome Jesus is literally thwarting His Messianic mission, and was taken by the disciples as an echo of the despicable practices of the apostate Northern Kingdom during the time of Elijah (see 1 Kings 18:17-40). Their actions were highly offensive and a confirmation of all the disciples' biases. The disciples wish judgment on them, not understanding that Jesus' Messianic mission is actually to die for His enemies to save them from judgment.

      • The ultimate requirement for doing Kingdom ministry: Love even your enemies.



    Discussion Questions:

    1. Play a quick round of "Us/Them": Share 1 characteristic of someone who fits in with your perspective (Us), and 1 characteristic of someone who doesn't (Them). For example, "My 'Us' is someone who likes broccoli, my 'Them' is someone who votes Republican/Democrat." Be honest, but keep it kind!
    2. Describe some challenges you would face by "embracing those who seem insignificant," and by "redefining your allies."
    3. Who are your "enemies"?
    4. How does Jesus' perspective in this passage both affirm and challenge your understanding of "inclusivity"?
    5. Pray for one another.