In the month of October, there tends to be a curious focus on spirituality, more specifically spiritual darkness. The Bible makes it clear that spiritual forces of darkness and evil exist.
Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. NIV
We’ve been talking for a few months now about The Table of The Lord. We’re going to take a few weeks here to talk about what the Bible calls “The Table of Demons” with today’s topic of Human Reactions And Common Sense.
1 Corinthians 10:21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons. ESV
Clearly, we must choose the table of the Lord or the table of demons as the Bible says you cannot have a part in both.
Matthew 16:21-23 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you." 23 But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man. ESV
There tends to be too much common sense in the church and not enough revelation. Church leaders like myself have functioned in times past coupling a little bit of revelation with a whole lot of human ingenuity. God’s addressing this duplicity within us just as Jesus did for Peter.
Peter’s persuasive and compassionate words to Jesus were identified by Jesus as satanic. The origin of our human reactions and common sense can be practical, understandable, and demonic all at the same time.
Without exercising discernment, we live in a state of reaction to circumstances rather than responsiveness to God.
Am I pursuing God’s will or am I asking God to help me do mine? It’s all too easy to move from Biblical theology to personal philosophy in the pursuit the path of least resistance. You will never be person you can be if all pressure, tension, and discipline are removed from your life.
No matter how much society screams for instantaneous results we need to understand God still develops our destiny through a process. We read a few chapters after this interaction with Peter how satan offers Jesus a shortcut. You’re hungry Jesus, here turn these stones to bread and eat. Use some common sense. Worship me and I’ll give you all the kingdoms of the earth without having to suffer the cross.
Satan starts with a focus on bread saying, “Come to my table where your interests have my attention. Jesus immediately replies, “Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” It wasn’t that bread was bad. It was just that everything is secondary to revelation from the Father. My appetites and my ambitions remain with the Father at His table. (This has been the case all along and we read it over and over again and again in the words of Jesus.)
John 5:30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. NIV
John 8:28-29 “…I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. 29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” NIV
John 12:49-50 I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it. 50 And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say.” NIV
Jesus didn’t speak from his own initiative. He spoke from the Father’s ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Are we connected to God’s perspective?
Do we live in light of eternity or have our own temporal appetites taken control?
We Bring GP2RL Action Point:
Purpose some time to fast and pray this week reading Scripture in the place of at least two meals asking the Lord to help you live in light of eternity.
THE TABLE: HUMAN REACTIONS / COMMON SENSE
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Click here for a downloadable pdf file of this guide.
UNDERSTANDING THE SEASON: A shared meal could be the activity most closely tied to the reality of God’s kingdom, just as it is the most basic expression of hospitality. It comes as no surprise that many significant
stories of Jesus are centered around a dinner table.
When Jesus wanted to explain to his disciples what his death was all about, he didn’t give them an informative lecture. He gave them a relational meal.
In a society that has grown so relationally disconnected, an invitation to Biblical hospitality might be one of the most compelling and irresistible aspects of Christianity. The heart of hospitality is about creating space for someone to feel seen and heard and loved. It’s about declaring your table a safe zone, a place of warmth and nourishment.
God’s plan is for us to hear his voice together as a family. This is why we start each group with the first question:
DISCUSSION QUESTION:
1. Where are you reading in your Bible and what are you sensing from God?
Ask each person in your group to answer the discussion questions below after reading the verses. Don’t move on to the next question until everybody who is willing to share has had the opportunity to give their perspective.
MATT. 16:21-23 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man. ESV
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
2. Have each person give a 60 second summary of what these verses are saying, in their own words.
3. What do these verses teach us about God?
4. What do these verses teach us about people?
5. What should you do this week in response to what we are reading and what God is revealing?
6. Who comes to mind when considering a person you might share this with this week?
We Bring GP2RL Action Point:
Purpose some time to fast and pray this week reading Scripture in the place of at least two meals asking the Lord to help you live in light of eternity.
Other key verses to consider in following the example of Jesus to live in light of eternity:
JOHN 5:30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. NIV
JOHN 8:28-29 “…I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. 29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” NIV
JOHN 12:49-50 I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it. 50 And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say.” NIV