St Louis UBF UBF Bible Study : Luke 8:16-21 (2011)

Bible Study Materials

Luke 8:16-21 (2011)

by Paul Choi 02/13/2011

Question

A Lamp on a Stand

Luke 8:16-21

Key Verse:8:16

1. Read verses 16-17. Where does one ordinarily put a lighted lamp? Why? Why does one not put it in a jar or under a bed? What was the main point of the parable in verses 1-15? What does the parable of the seed have in common with the parable of the lamp?

2. Read verse 17 again. What happens when the light shines in a room? In a life? In a heart? In the world? Why might some people not like the light? Why do others long for the light? What do you think the lighted lamp represents? Explain.

3. Read verse 18. What does it mean to “consider carefully”? What does this verse have to do with the lamp on the stand? With our attitude in Bible study?

4. Read verses 19-21. Why do you think Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him? Why could they not get near him? How did he respond to the one who told him about them? Why?

5. Read verse 21 again. What did Jesus teach about the importance of hearing and obeying the word of God? How is this related to verse 18? To the parable of the lamp on the stand? Who are Jesus’ true family?

Attachment

A Lamp on a Stand (Lk 8)-questions.doc

Message

A LAMP ON A STAND

Luke 8:16-21

Key verse: 18:16 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.”

This year we have had a colder winter than others we can remember with lots of snow and icy coldness. Some of us stay at home a lot like hibernating polar bears. But this weekend we are hearing the sound of spring and seeing all the snow melting away by the sunlight. Soon we will arrive at the season of gardening. I will cultivate my backyard, removing all the rocks and weeds and sow grass seeding, before fertilizing it. I am imagining seeds growing and covering the backyard like a green carpet. Indeed a hint of spring brings us new hope and excitement.

Last week Jesus taught us how to accept the word of God through the parable of the heart soil. Those who produce a crop are not only hearing the word, but also retaining it and putting what they have heard into practice. Today’s passage is the same story in a different parable: the parable of the lamp on a stand. In this passage, Jesus teaches us what we should do as Christians, especially as gospel carriers in this generation.

First, a lamp on a stand, not under a bed (16,17) Look at verse 16. “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.” In Jesus’ day, a lamp was not a kerosene lamp with a glass chimney, but a small open clay lamp that burned olive oil drawn by a wick. So no one would light a lamp and hide it in a jar or put it under a bed except the comedian Mr. Bean in the movie. If someone accidently put the lamp under a bed, it might burn down the whole house. So, it is a common sense when we light a lamp to put it on a stand.

What is the function of a lamp? It gives light so that people may come in and see. We interpret the lamp in many ways. First of all, the lamp is the word of God. The word of God gives us light to see who God is and who we are. So Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” We can see God and find him in many ways but most of all in his word. God reveals himself especially in his word. The Bible is the manifestation of God’s will and the reflection of his word. So when we study the Bible carefully, we come to know who God is.

The word of God also teaches us who we are and how we should live and where we are going. Through Bible study we learn that we came from God, that we can enjoy Him while living on this earth, and that we are going back to Him. The word of God is like a lamp to our feet and a light for our path. So no one should keep this truth in his heart all to himself or herself, but share it with others.

Now the lamp is the gospel and Jesus Christ is its light. The gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ for salvation. No matter how wealthy and healthy people may be on this earth, if they have no salvation from their sins, they are living under the shadow of death. People say that Lindsay Lohan, a Hollywood movie star, reminds them of Elizabeth Taylor. But last week such a pretty girl was caught in the act of shop lifting a $2,500 necklace and was charged with a felony. Those who do not have the gospel in their hearts live in darkness, no matter who they are. Last week the Egyptian protesters finally kicked out their long-term president Hosni Mubarak. They celebrated their freedom and expected to have a new history. However, life without the gospel of Christ Jesus will repeat only the cycle of expectation and disappointment. Only the gospel of Jesus Christ who died for our sins and rose again from the dead shows us true freedom and living hope in the kingdom of heaven.

John the Apostle describes Jesus as the true light. In John 1:9 he said, “The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.” Jesus said about himself in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Amen. Jesus said this after he had freed a woman who had been condemned as an adulteress. The woman had lived in the darkness of the sins of sexual immorality and adultery. She was condemned by her people. But Jesus forgave her sins and freed her from condemnation. Jesus shined God’s light into her dark life. Indeed Jesus is the light of the world.

We are the light carriers. We must influence this dark world through the light of Jesus in us. We can change the world through our good influence in being the reflection of Jesus Christ. One church pastor helped a homeless man with the genuine love of Christ in his heart. Later, the pastor asked him to believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior. The homeless man asked the pastor who Jesus was, and he promised to believe in Jesus if Jesus was like the pastor. What a story!

Light is light. Wherever light is on, it will be bright. Wherever the gospel is preached, the place will be brightened. All Christians are light carriers. Once we were in darkness. But since Jesus came into our lives, darkness is gone and we are filled with the light of life. Now we carry this light wherever we go. Wherever the gospel is preached, the light is on. Yesterday I was very encouraged by the great work of God in Egypt while reading the mission report from missionary Oyor Moses. One Korean missionary named ‘Joshua’ in Qatar met an Egyptian businessman named ‘Moody’ and began to study the Bible with him. Soon the Egyptian man saw the light of life through Jesus Christ and accepted him as his personal Lord and Savior. After returning his own country, Moody invited missionary Joshua to his family to share the gospel of Jesus. When missionary Joshua visited Moody’s house in Egypt, more than 120 people gathered to listen to his message. When Joshua delivered the message of Jesus Christ, many of them cried with tears and received it with joy and praise. Missionary Joshua was asked to deliver another message the next day. The next day more people came to hear his message. So for five days the missionary delivered messages to the Egyptians. This story reminds me of Peter’s visit to Cornelius’ house and of his preaching the gospel to Cornelius’ family. (Ac 10:44) The work of Acts in the early church is occurring even today in Muslim countries. This great news gives us hope that there are many who are eager to hear the good news of Jesus Christ around the world even in this generation. This work of God in Egypt is a good illustration for today’s passage. When Missionary Joshua lit a lamp and put it on a stand, many people came in and saw the light. He lit the lamp through one to one bible study and carried it to Egypt. The light of Jesus shone for the Egyptians. There is no one who lights a lamp and puts it in a jar or under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand so that many come in and see the light. Likewise, there should be no one who hides the good news of Jesus in his heart and enjoys it all by himself or herself. If he or she does, they are not much different from those who put their lamp under a bed. As lamp lighters and light carriers, we should share the good news of Jesus Christ with others. I believe that wherever the gospel is preached, the darkness of sin will disappear. Wherever the gospel is conveyed, the work of salvation will occur through our one to one bible studies. Amen.

Verse 17 teaches us another function of the light which is to expose everything under the light. Look at verse 17. “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.” We interpret this verse in two ways. If what is hidden is evil, it will be exposed for God’s judgment. All evil behaviors and deeds which people commit in darkness will be exposed and judged. (Jn 3:20). If what is hidden is good, it will be exposed for God’s salvation. All Jesus’ teachings which were delivered only to his disciples will be exposed to all peoples of all nations. The gospel of Jesus which was rejected and hidden by the Pharisees and teachers of the law will be proclaimed openly and widely to the people in every corner of the world. This function of light is the same as this characteristic of the gospel. Jesus exposes all the evilness of the world. At the same time, Jesus gives the light of life to every corner of the world. Everything will be clear in Jesus. Everything will be explained in Jesus and through Jesus. Indeed, Jesus is the light of the world.

Second, whoever has will be given more (18). Look at verse 18. “Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.” As the conclusion of this parable, Jesus teaches us the importance of our response to his word. He asks us to consider carefully how we listen. Jesus means that to those who accept his word and believe in him, more knowledge about the secret of God’s kingdom will be given. On the other hand, those who reject his word and oppose him will lose even an opportunity of hearing more teachings. For example, to Jesus’ disciples who followed him Jesus taught many other secrets of the kingdom of God through parables and illustrations until their hearts were filled with the joy of heaven. On the other hand, the Pharisees who rejected Jesus lost the chance to learn about the knowledge of salvation and later wept and gnashed their teeth in Hell.

Verse 18 reminds us of the parable of the talents in Matthew’s gospel and teaches us a new message. In the parable of the talents, a man called his servants together and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then, he went on a journey. The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master returned and settled accounts with them. The master commended the two servants who gained more by saying “Well done, good and faithful servant!” But the master rebuked the servant who hid his money and did not work by saying, “You wicked, lazy servant!” Then the master took the one talent from the lazy servant and gave it to the one who had gained five more. Then Jesus concluded this parable of talents by saying, “For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.” (Mt 25:29) The lazy and wicked servant who hid the talent in the ground is the same person who would light a lamp and put it under his bed. What Jesus means here is that those who accept the gospel must work hard for world salvation. If we only enjoy the gospel and keep it for ourselves, we will be like the lazy and wicked servant in this parable. Jesus asked us to consider carefully how we listen. Everyone who has sheep will be given more, and he and she will have many sheep. What will happen to those who have no sheep?

Third, Jesus’ true family (19-21) A few weeks ago, an Alabama governor made a public speech; “Those who do not accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are not my true family and friends.” Wow! His word shocked the world and stunned many people including me. Honestly speaking I envied his courage and faith to identify himself as a Christian rather than a governor. Do you have such courage and faith to reveal yourself as a Christian? Look at verse 19,20. “Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” We don’t know exactly why Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see Jesus. Probably they wanted to stop Jesus’ ministry and encourage him to take care of his family first. This was at the initial stage of Jesus’ ministry. At that time, according to John 7:5, Jesus’ own brothers did not believe him. They thought that Jesus was out of his mind. (Mk 3:21)

What was Jesus’ answer? Did he apologize to them? Did he go back home with them? No. Look at verse 21. “He replied. “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.” Jesus did not reject or dishonor his natural family by saying this. Jesus meant that obeying God and doing his work is more important than anything else on this earth. Jesus emphasized the higher priority of spiritual relationships with those who do the work of God than human and natural relationships. For example, I have two brothers and three sisters in Korea. They are my natural family members. However, to me missionary Luke Yang, Abraham Park, and Carl Joerger are closer than my natural brothers, and our women missionaries and shepherdess are more beloved by me than my human family members. My spiritual family members are so precious because we have the same Father in heaven and we are all eternal brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus who do the work of God together.

Let us read verse 21 again. In this verse Jesus again emphasizes the importance of practicing what we have learned. There is a saying that knowing is one thing and practicing is a quite another. It means that putting what we have learned into practice is not an easy job. We know that we must put the lamp on its stand. But it is not easy for us to do so. We know that we must work hard and gain much profit for our master Jesus. But our laziness and inner fear makes us hesitant and reluctant. We know the principle, “No cross, no crown. No pain, no gain. No death, no resurrection. No fishing, no catch.” However, it is not easy to put this principle into practice. Most of our St. Louis UBF members made a resolution to feed three sheep this year. How many of you kneel down and pray every day for this? James 2:20 says “Faith without deed is useless.” There is a saying, ‘Salt gives flavor to food only when it is mixed with it.”

In conclusion, we are the light carriers in this generation. Let the grace of Jesus Christ shine in our hearts and reflect to brighten this dark world. Let us pray that we may practice even one small decision before God. May God make America a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, a city on a hill watched by the world. Amen.

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