Sermon: Barry McWilliams Christ Church 94/11/06

"Revealed to Children" from Luke 10:21-24

(parallel Passage: Matt 11:25-30 - Addn stmt: Come unto me you who labor...))

20b "But Rejoice that your names are written in heaven" 21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. 22 All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." 23 Then he turned to his disciples (NOT THE 72) and said privately, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it."

Observations: Jesus is rejoicing - through the Holy Spirit (We find the entire Trinity in this verse) - and The Spirit's work is implied throughout) A prayer of praise - Addressed to God as Father & Lord of Heaven and Earth

Note: We are overhearing an "insider" conversation here - with Father; and his inner circle of disciples privately - and are being given a look inside the "machinery" to see how salvation actually comes about - Unique blend of evangelistic zeal with the doctine of election

"The words with which Christ turned from this address to the seventy and thanksgiving to God, seem almost like the father's answer to the prayer of the Son. They refer to, and explain, the authority which Jesus had bestowed on His Church: "All things were delivered to me of my father" and they afford the highest rationale for the fact, that these things have been hid from the wise and revealed to babes. For, as no man, only the father, could have full knowledge of the Son, and conversely, no man, only the Son, had true knowledge of the Father, it followed, that this knowledge came to us, not of wisdom and learning, but through the revelation of Christ...." (Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, Edersheim]

God reveals Himself and His grace only to those He has chosen in His good pleasure

1. Who does He choose to reveal His grace to? (Vs 21)

Not the wise and learned, but those who are helpless, weak and dependent upon Him!

Hidden & Revealed Isa 64:7; 1 Cor 2:7; Rom 16:25; These Things - the preaching of the Kingdom of God
the wise and learned = those "conceited" in their "wisdom", ("self sufficient")
"rabbi and scribe" "Pharisee" cf Rom 12;16; Isa 29:14 ; James 4:6 "Philosopher, intellectual"

1 Cor 1:18-25 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the 1`weakness of God is stronger than man's strength. 26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things -- and the things that are not -- to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God -- that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

God's purpose to eliminate any claim of human boasting: [Psalm 8:2; cf Matt 21:16 ] His Glory!!!
"little children" "Babes" as describing those to whom these things are revealed - can't be taken literally!

"not as "wise and understanding" but only as "babes" - as "converted", "like children" - we can share in the knowledge which maketh us wise unto salvation. And this truely is the Gospel and the Father's good pleasure."Edersheim)

If the gospel is prclaimed to "babes", then no one is left out - it's not a matter of intellectual persuation, any more than of works or power or prestige - age, culture, gender, race - Jesus is opening the door to all

Who?? We don't need to be concerned about the who!!! Nor those who won't!!! That's God's concern

2. How and what does He choose to reveal? (Vs 22)

God reveals Himself and His Grace only in the Son (and through the Spirit)

All things have been committed to me by my Father. [Jn 3:3; Jn 5:22ff; Jn 17:2; 1 Jn 5:20]
Authority over Satan, demons, illness, winds and waves, body and soul, to save and to judge
Mediation (1 Tim 2:5) through him we know truth, life, love, peace, joy, forgiveness - all true blessings
No one knows who the Son is except the Father, Luke 3:22; 9:35; Col 2:3, 9, 10
and no one knows who the Father is except the Son Jn 1:18; Jn 6:44-47; John 17:24-26;
and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. The revelation of the Spirit - Must be "born again" Jn 3
Salvation depends not on man, but on revelation and the will of God - Eph 2:8; jn 6:37-40

"It is the Father's gift that the son is known, for by His spirit He opens the eyes of our minds and we perceive the glory of Christ who otherwise would be hidden from us. But the Father, who dwells in light inaccessible, and is in Himself incomprehensible, is revealed to us by the son, His lively image, and in vain do we seek Him elsewhere." (Calvin)

The only way to know God - is through Jesus and His revealing of Himself to us -
[not of human wisdom and learning - Next verse : Prophets and Kings sought but didn't see, hear]
It is all focused on the Son - there is no salvation - or true understanding of God apart from knowing him
Since Salvation is at its roots God's triune work -

  1. we preach Jesus as he has commanded (Rom 10:13-17) to all men - extending the offer to all who are "weary and thirsty and willing and labor and are heavy laden" (but its not for those who are "wise and learned" unconscious of their need, unwilling to come by faith, unable to see and hear the Savior, to whom the gospel appears foolishness, demanding signs and miracles and intellectual proofs -
  2. honestly knowing God will bring the results (as he alone knows who his elect are) by opening up the hearts of those whom he has chosen to reveal himself. God's good pleasure - Jesus' Joy!! Eph 1:5, 11
The Spirit reveals this to eyes and ears of faith :2 Cor 4:2-6; " Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:14-17 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (NIV) 1 Corinthians 2:6-13 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" -- 10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. (NIV)

How does He reveal Himself: All that is needed is eyes and ears for the Spirit to open as the Savior reveals himself to them - It's a matter of God's spirit opening up the eyes and ears of people to receive Jesus

3. When does he reveal Himself? (Vs 23,24)

Many prophets and Kings - lacked eyes and ears - though they wanted to see
Prophetic revelations - Scriptures pointed them to Christ - not the same blessing that comes with their fulfillment in Jesus
What are "these things"? the subject of the heavenly father's revelation eyes and ears - Isaiah 29:18-19 In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see. 19 Once more the humble will rejoice in the LORD; the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. Luke 4:18; Isa 34:5

Requires the work of God's spirit to open them - cf Matt 13:16,17 in context!! parables why?
Matthew 13:11-17 He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. 14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: "`You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. 15 For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.' 16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. (NIV)

Blessed are the eyes that see what you see!
The hope of Prophets and Kings (their faith) has become a reality in Jesus for his disciples - they can see and hear it! That's when it brings blessing!! 1 Pet 1:10; John 8:56; Hebrews 11:13; 39

Luke and Matthew recorded different concluding words - but both are equally appropriate -
Matthew's is the Grand text of Christ's Ambassadors,
Luke's is the long hoped for salvation has become reality!

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Jesus reveals Himself When we come to know Him ourselves with our own eyes and ears of faith

Sermon Notes: Luke 10:21 - 24
God reveals Himself and His grace only to those chosen in His good pleasure.

Some Observations:
1. Executive conference : The _trinity_
2. I_nsider__ Information
3. Heavenly J_oy_
"The doctrine of E_lection__ encourages E_vangelistic__ Zeal!"

Who has He chosen to reveal Himself to?
NOT _those conceited with human wisdom__
BUT _those helpless and trusting like babes___

How does He reveal Himself?
ONLY in _The Son________
AND by _The Holy Spirit_

When has He revealed Himself?
WHEN _Jesus came to Earth_
WHEN _We see and hear Him ourselves__

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