Grace for Greatness - March 9, 2025

Becoming Great

Grace for Greatness

Bobby Humes

Today's Scripture: Luke 22:31-38 RSV

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Luke 22:31-38 RSV

31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren.” 33 And he said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” 34 He said, “I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you three times deny that you know me.” 35 And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no purse or bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” 36 He said to them, “But now, let him who has a purse take it, and likewise a bag. And let him who has no sword sell his mantle and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, ‘And he was reckoned with transgressors’; for what is written about me has its fulfilment.” 38 And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”

 

1) GREATNESS BRINGS A TEST

Luke 22:31 NIV

31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat,

 

2) WE HAVE AN INTERCESSOR

Luke 22:32 NIV

32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.

 

Romans 8:34-35 NIV

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

 

John 17:9, 11, 15 NIV 

9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours

11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.

15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.

 

3) PREPARATION FOR OPPOSITION

Matthew 10:9-10 NIV

9 Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food.

 

Luke 22:35-38 NIV

35 And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” 36 He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” 38 And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.” 
 

4) GOD KNOWS FAILURE HAPPENS

Luke 22:33-34 NIV

33 Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

 

Luke 22:54-60 NIV

 

Luke 22:61-