Scripture Reading: Luke 2:41-50
"I Must Be About My Father's Business"
Intro.
1. 12-year-old Jesus astonished those who heard him, Lk. 2:46-47.
2. His parents were amazed, desperate with anxiety, Lk. 2:48.
3. “Why did you seek me? Did you not know...?” Lk. 2:49
-My Father’s business: Lit., “the things of My Father.”
4. Jesus came to do the Father’s business, Jno. 4:34; 9:4; 17:4; 19:30.
5. We must be about the things of our Father, too.
6. Are you doing the Father’s business where you are at this moment in your life?
I. I – PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.
A. There are Things Only I Can Do: Personal Responsibility, Gal. 6:4-5.
1. To become a Christian, Jno. 8:24; Mk. 16:16.
2. To remain a faithful, growing Christian, 1 Pet. 2:2.
3. To worship in spirit and truth, Jno. 4:24.
4. To withstand temptations, 1 Cor. 10:13.
5. To be sober and watchful, 1 Pet. 5:8.
B. Areas of Personal Accountability, Gal. 6:1-10. (Rom. 14:12)
1. Toward sinners, 6:1-3.
2. Toward oneself, 6:4-5.
3. Toward teachers, 6:6.
4. Toward God, 6:7-9.
5. Toward unbelievers and brethren, 6:10.
II. MUST BE ABOUT – NECESSARY TO BE DOING. (Imperative, Urgent)
A. It is Obligatory On Us To Do What We Know Is Right, John 8:28-29. (Jas. 4:17; Eph. 5:17)
1. Do the will of God from the heart, Eph. 6:6.
2. Stand perfect and complete in all the will of God, Col. 4:12.
3. Whatever you do...name of the Lord, Col. 3:17.
4. Blessed when our faith is active, Jno. 13:15-17. (Do as I have done)
III. MY FATHER’S BUSINESS.
A. My Father – My Relationship with God is Crucial.
1. By doing the Father’s will, Matt. 12:48-50; 1 Jno. 1:6-7; 2:3-6.
2. Fellowship with God gives us... (2 Cor. 6:17-18)
a. Every spiritual blessings in Christ, Eph. 1:3.
b. Prayerful access to His throne of grace and mercy, Heb. 4:16.
c. Assurance of His presence, provisions, protection, Heb. 13:5-6.
B. My Father’s Business – His Will Be Done. Matt. 6:9-10
1. I must do His will on earth, so I may enter heaven’s eternal kingdom, Matt. 7:21-23; 2 Pet. 1:10-11.
a. By being a living sacrifice, Rom. 12:1-2.
b. By being holy, sanctified in my body, 1 Thess. 4:3-8.
2. Doer of the work/word of God, Jno. 9:4; Jas. 1:22-25.
-Cannot separate the work of God from the word of God!
3. Worship, Jno. 4:23-24 (Acts 2:42).
a. Regular activity, Acts 20:7.
b. Remember Christ and proclaim His death, 1 Cor. 11:24-26.
c. Edification, 1 Cor. 14:5, 26.
d. Thankful praise and humble submission, Eph. 5:19-21.
Conclusion
1. Joseph and Mary did not understand what Jesus meant, Lk. 2:49-50.
2. We do understand; Cannot ignore our Father’s will, Eph. 5:17.
3. Jesus spoke the Father’s words and did the Father’s will, Jno. 8:28-29.
4. As His disciples, we must humble ourselves to His training in order to be like Him – about the things of our Father. Heb. 13:20-21
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: December 27, 2016