No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God luke 9 v 62

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THE DANGER OF LOOKING BACKWARD IN THE WORK OF GODDownload
THE DANGER OF LOOKING BACKWARD IN THE WORK OF GODDownload
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CHRIST THE ROCK CONGREGATION

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 15TH 2024

SERMON BY PASTOR MARC SIMEON

THE DANGER OF LOOKING BACKWARD IN THE WORK OF GOD

LUKE 9:62  

But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

INTRODUCTION

  • We are currently going through the Gospel of Luke in the church Bible study.
  • We just finished with chapter 10 in this learning adventure for the church and me as well.
  • For some reason, Luke chapter 9 verse 62 keeps on echoing in my spirit.
  • Jesus was answering a disciple who showed desire to follow him in full time ministry, but had some obligations to take care of first.
  • Lu 9:61 And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.”
  •  62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
  • Jesus’ answer weighs very heavy in my spirit because, I and many of our generation reason in the same pattern as this disciple.
  • It is as to put God on hold while we take care of some more important business.
  • Jesus used that proverbial expression “He who put his hand to the plow cannot look backward”, to express the danger of the thinking pattern of that well wishing disciple.
  • The plea of this disciple was otherwise legitimate, for, if one will be absent from his household for an indefinite time, he should first advise his family and make necessary arrangements before his departure.
  • Jesus placed the call to follow him above all others requirements.
  • Jesus added that he who does otherwise is not fit for the Kingdom of God.

THE DANGER OF LOOKING BACKWARD IN THE WORK OF GOD

  • Looking backward while going forward is dangerous in any endeavor.
  • Plowing with a beast required a great deal of focus.
  • You needed to look forward for obstacles on your way.
  • You needed to stay engaged with the beast in order to keep a straight line.
  • You needed to stay focus to keep the plow going in the desired depth.
  • Looking backward after engaging in the work of God implies:
    • Lack of seriousness
    • Negligence, passivity
    • Being distracted
    • Lack of passion
    • Reserve
    • Regrets
    • Worldly attachments
    • Entanglements with the standards of this world.
    • Being dictated by social or family obligations instead by God.

QUOTATIONS FROM BIBLE COMMENTARIES

  • No man who is not ready to leave all when Christ calls is not prepared to serve him on earth, or enjoy Him in heaven. (Family Bible Note)
  • No man must think of taking upon himself the profession of the Gospel who allows worldly considerations to be uppermost in his mind. (Bp Mann)
  • It is not return to the world, but a reluctance to break with it. Jamieson Fausset Brown
  • The teaching is that at the command of Christ, all conflicting obligations must be set aside. (The Fourfold Gospel Commentary)

LOOKING BACKWARD SYMBOLIC TO BETRAYAL TO GOD

  • In the Bible, looking backward is always symbolical to betrayal of God.
  • Backward represents the world and everything in it.
  • This world represents Egypt and heaven represents the Promised Land.
  • The desert in between is the life we live after we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
  • The harshness of the desert tends to make us return to Egypt instead of propelling us toward the Promised Land.
  • Egypt is the land you know and used to, Canaan is the Promised Land of the future after enduring much trials and temptations.
  • Though the enemy may not succeed in stopping us to engage in the work of God, his aim is to distract and lure us out of the Covenant of God for our lives.
  • Salvation is solid package. The call to be saved by grace and the work to do after you get saved are in the same indissoluble contract.
  • But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62
  • Jesus is talking about priority of the call of God, yet, the guilty servant is declared unfit for the kingdom of God.
  • I wished it said not fit for the work of God, but Jesus said that he who prioritizes secondary obligations over the call of God is not fit to partake in the kingdom of God.

REMEMBER LOT’S WIFE. Luke 17:32

  • Lot’s wife lost her life not by fire, not in the land of Sodom and Gomorra.
  • Lot’s wife lost her life why being guided by God’s angels.
  • Lot’s wife turned to a pillar of salt for looking backward while instructed not to do so.
  • All her sense of being, her riches, her social status, and her sense of security where in Sodom.
  • She valued her possessions over her own life.

INFIDELITY OF THE TRIBE OF EPHRAIM

  • ¶ The children of Ephraim, being armed and carrying bows, Turned back in the day of battle. . . A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not set its heart aright, And whose spirit was not faithful to God. Psalm 78: 9, 8

THE FALL OF DEMAS

  • For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica–Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. 2Ti 4:10

THE DISPLEASURE OF GOD WITH THOSE WHO DRAW BACK TO THE WORLD

  • Heb 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”
  • He, [who] is a double-minded man, [is] unstable in all his ways. Jas 1:8 
  • For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 2Pe 2:22

CONCLUSION

  • We all know that it is not a mince affair to be truly called a disciple of Jesus.
  • There will always be a cross associated with the Upward Call.
  • Paul said “I press toward it, forgetting those things that are behind.”
  • We all have a few things from the world that we would like to cling to while we serve God.
  • We all have some family obligations that weigh very heavy upon us that we must forfeit in order to stay focus on God.
  • The call of God must take precedence above all else in our lives.
  • Asking God to wait is to subject God to be subordinate to your priorities.
  • Make a list of those things that prevent you to be fully committed to God and bring them to the altar to be sacrificed.
  • Yes Lord! I am available now and ever after, must be our answer to whatever the call of God may be in our lives.     
  • AMEN!

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