Text: Luke 13:1-5
Some passages in the Bible repeat a phrase to emphasize a thought in order to help us remember it. Why is this necessary? We may hear something and understand it but immediately think of an excuse for not doing it, then dismiss it. Yet by repeating the instruction, it sends a signal that we really do need to take this seriously. In this lesson, we are going to notice a few examples of this in the New Testament.
Repent (Luke 13:1-5)
- This discussion occurred as Jesus and some others were discussing current events (Luke 13:1-2, 4) – they were in danger of learning the wrong lesson (that these others were “greater sinners”); the lesson they should have learned was a reminder of the reality of death and the need to be prepared
- So Jesus told them, “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3, 5) – repentance is a change of mind leading to a change in behavior; it means to turn to God; we need to repent to avoid a fate worse than death (Romans 2:4-6)
- Don’t dismiss Jesus’ statement (cf. Romans 6:16-17, 23; Jude 4) – put away sin and follow Him
Do Not Follow a Different Gospel (Galatians 1:8-9)
- Paul addressed the problem of the Galatians turning away from Christ (Galatians 1:6-7) – they were called by grace (Galatians 1:6), yet they were falling from grace (cf. Galatians 5:4); this happened because some of them were perverting the gospel (Galatians 1:7); this made it a “different gospel”
- So Paul said that anyone who preaches a different gospel was “accursed” (Galatians 1:8-9) – the foundation of the gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:3-4); we “re-enact” this when we obey the gospel (Romans 6:17, 3-4); the implication is that Jesus has all authority and we must obey Him in all things (Matthew 28:18-20)
- Don’t dismiss Paul’s statement – if we let our guard down, false teachers could deceive us (Romans 16:17-18)
Do Not Harden Your Heart (Hebrews 3:7-8, 15; 4:7)
- The Hebrew writer was using the example of the Israelites as a warning – they tried the Lord and were not able to enter the promised rest (Hebrews 3:9, 11); we can “come short” of the promise of heaven if we disobey the Lord (Hebrews 4:1, 11)
- So the Hebrew writer warned them not to “harden [their] hearts” (Hebrews 3:8, 15; 4:7) – this means to no longer feel guilt for sin; their conscience was seared (1 Timothy 4:2); when this happens, repentance can be very difficult (Hebrews 6:4-6)
- Don’t dismiss this – we can miss out on the reward if we do not take this seriously (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:27)
Rejoice in the Lord (Philippians 4:4)
- This is a more positive instruction compared with the others – Paul told these brethren to rejoice; interestingly, Paul wrote this from prison (Philippians 1:7, 13, 17); yet he learned to be content in whatever circumstances he found himself in (Philippians 4:11-12)
- So Paul told them to rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4) – this means to be filled with joy, which is expressed through praise to God; we must never lose sight of our blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3) or the hope we have through Him (Hebrews 6:19-20; 12:2)
- Don’t dismiss this – otherwise, we could get discouraged and give up (Hebrews 12:3)
Conclusion
- Sometimes we need to have things repeated to us – maybe we weren’t listening; maybe we get distracted; maybe we don’t take it seriously
- These are things we need to pay attention to and take seriously – turn from sin, follow the gospel, obey God wholeheartedly, and rejoice in the Lord always
