Monthly Archives: September 2021

Luke 8- Legion

16 Replies

And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.(For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.) Luke 8:27-29

Here again , we not only see the power and deity of Christ, but we also see the glimpse of the New Covenant. A man who was possessed with demons for a long time was finally set free by Jesus. Up until this point , nobody could save this man, but Christ has revealed a New Covenant, no longer can sin and death hold us captive, as Jesus has defeated it forevermore

Notice how the demons addressed Jesus “Son of the Most High God” , the demons knew Jesus is the Messiah, they knew Jesus has the power to destroy them, they begged Christ not to torment them. This is the New Covenant, through Christ we have power over sin and evil

And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him. And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep. And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them. Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked. Luke 8:30-33

Notice the name the demons gave Jesus “Legion”, now this is a military word . Legion represented the largest army in the Roman military, about 5,000 soldiers, could be more or less. So these demons were identifying themselves as a large group, possibly thousands of them. Then notice the demons asked Jesus permission to possess the pigs, see Christ is in full control

Its also symbolic that the demons would enter the pigs, which were considered “unclean” in the Old Covenant. Its also notable the fate of the demons was drowned in the lake, which the demons know their ultimate fate is the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:10)

When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country. Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed. Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again. Luke 8:34-37

Now here’s the interesting part of the story: there were multiple witnesses to these events, and they ran off and told everyone else in the town. And as they found the demon possessed man completely healed sitting at the feet of Jesus, they told Jesus to get out of here. Imagine that! These people witnessed the power of God right before them and they rejected him

This goes to show you again, that faith is not based on evidence. Many people have witnessed Jesus and his miracles, however they still rejected him. They didn’t want a relationship with God, they didn’t want salvation. Jesus has the power over Satan and death forever Amen!

Luke 8- Jesus Calms The Storm

6 Replies

Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. Luke 8:22-24

The world we are living in today is a constant storm, I’m pretty convinced we are living in the last days. I know many Christians have believed that throughout the centuries, however I can only go by my experiences and what the scriptures tell me. Regardless , the question is, what do we do during these difficult times? How do we get through these storms of life? There is only One calm in the storm and that is Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh!

The disciples were in a literal storm, stuck in a boat in a giant storm. They all believed they were going to die, so what was Jesus doing? Christ was taking a nap! How can he do that! Jesus wasn’t afraid of the storm, because He is in complete control of the storm. The winds and the water obey him, just like every knee will bow to Christ! He is the Lord of Lords!

And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.  Luke 8:25

Where is your faith? Jesus asked the disciples, these guys were in his inner circle, witnessed miracles and listened to his teachings, yet they lost their faith. Just like when Peter said to Jesus “I will never deny you” and when his life was on the line he denied Christ three times. Where is your faith during these difficult times? It’s easy to have faith when life is good and easy, faith is made for the storms of life to endure!

We’re in the boat right now! Many are afraid of perishing, many are afraid of losing all they have, but Jesus is asking “Where is your faith”? Did we forget Jesus rose from the dead defeating sin and death forever! Did we forget God created the Heavens and the Earth, nothing is out of his control! Focus on the calm in the storm, Jesus Christ, and not the storm itself Amen!

Luke 8- We Are The Light and Salt

7 Replies

No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. Luke 8:16-18

As you become a Christian, your identity is in Christ. The whole concept of Christianity is dying to self and living for God (Matthew 16:24). This may not sound appealing to some people, but to those who understand that our peace, rest, and salvation only come from Christ, its the best news ever

Jesus said “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14) meaning Jesus lives inside of you! However as the Light, you can’t be or are not meant to be hidden. When the world realizes you are a Christian, the world will come after you. But don’t have fear or be anxious, because Christ has already overcome the world (John 16:33)

Its natural to want to hide and not display your light of Christ, however we were designed to share the good news of Christ. You were called to be the Light and the Salt of the Earth. You were not called to hide under a basket, go out and preach the gospel in the name of the Father, Son , and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19)

Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press. And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. Luke 8:19-21

You are also a Child of God through Christ. Anyone who is born again (John 3) through Christ is a child of God. And we the Church , are brothers and sisters through Christ. We have become a family, a community because of Jesus. Regardless of your race, genderm or nationality, we have become one in Jesus Christ

Now that you know who you are in Jesus, go and live for Christ. You no longer live for yourself, as you were bought with a price, you were bought with the blood of Jesus, and your life is no longer your own. We belong to God, we are his Children, we are the Light and Salt in Jesus name Amen!

Luke 8- Sowers of Christ

2 Replies

A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Luke 8:5-8

Some people wonder why, when you preach the gospel of Jesus to some people, they receive it and it changes their life. While others can hear the gospel and they reject it and it makes no difference in their lives. Jesus explains this in a parable, basically people are like different soil. Some people are like good soil, they hear the word of God and it becomes planted and they become fruitful for God. Some don’t receive the word of God at all and it falls by the way side. Some receive the gospel , but as soon as a problem or trial comes in their life, they quickly forget about the gospel. And some are choked out by the thorns, who are influenced by Satan and his demons

Yes the word of God or gospel of Jesus Christ, is like a seed. We are to be sowers of Christ. We are to share the good news about Jesus to everyone, some will receive it and others will reject it. But we don’t know who is going to receive it or reject it. That’s why we must preach to everyone just as Jesus commanded in the Great Commision (Matthew 28:19) We must also remember , sowing the seed of the gospel most times takes time to show growth. You may be preaching and feel like your not seeing any results, but the seed is being planted, and is taking root in certain people. Eventually you will see a harvest for your labor

And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. Luke 8:9-15

The nice thing about this parable is Jesus actually explains it for us, so we don’t need to guess. As Jesus says “The seed is the Word of God” when you understand that, you understand why its important for us to preach the gospel at all times. Jesus then explains the different reactions from different people. So the question is which one are you? Have you truly received the gospel and allowing it to produce fruits of righteousness? Or are you one who allows this world or Satan to separate you from the love of Christ? 

We need to be “Sowers of Christ” we need to spread the seed of the gospel, just like farming, if you don’t plant any seeds , nothing will grow, right? Same thing with the gospel, if we don’t share the gospel , we can’t expect a great revival in our communities, this is your responsibility! Go now in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, preach the gospel Amen!

Luke 7- The Sinful Woman

5 Replies

And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Luke 7:36-38

There is alot going on in this story, first off notice Jesus was invited to the house of a Pharisee. As you may know a Pharisee , was a religious leader of Israel. So for this man to invite Jesus into his house, he either believes maybe Jesus is the Messiah or he is setting up a trap for Jesus. 

Secondly, we see a woman, who is described as a “sinful” woman. Its funny when we read this as a Christian because we know we are all sinners, however this Pharisee believed he was righteous, he didn’t believe he was a sinner, which is the beginning of his problems.  Anyway the sinful woman brought an expensive bottle of perfume and washed the feet of Jesus and wiped them with her own hair. She literally threw herself at the feet of Jesus, because she knows who he is and what she is

The third thing to understand from this is, this is a prophecy about The Lords death. Most people didn’t understand that the Messiah had to die for our sins, and this woman probably didn’t know that either. But her act of covering The Lords body in perfume , was a foreshadow of his death and memorial

Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. Luke 7:39-43

The Pharisee was appalled, “If you are a prophet, how can you let this sinful woman touch you” But Jesus was going to teach the Pharisee about Gods mercy! Jesus gave him a senario and compared sin as debt. As we know the wages of sin are debt! So Jesus said the one God forgives the most is the one who he loves the most. Christ was teaching the Pharisee about grace and mercy of God

And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.Luke 7:44-48

The Pharisee believed he was superior to the sinful woman, he believed he was more righteous and holy. However Jesus corrected him, this woman washed and anointed his feet, God forgives her sin because her love for God is greater. And Jesus did the unthinkable, he forgave the woman of her sin and saved her

Who does this Jesus think he is?  Who can forgive sin but God alone? Jesus is demonstrating his deity, he is revealing he is God in the flesh (John 1:14) and the New Covenant has come Amen!

Luke 7- The Greatest Prophet

2 Replies

And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. Luke 7:24-27

In our reading today, Jesus teaches us about who John the Baptist is and why he came here. At first glance many probably thought John the Baptist was just a crazy guy, wearing camel hair clothes and eating locusts. However John was a prophet, and not just a prophet but Jesus called him “the greatest of all prophets” (verse 28) 

So what was the big deal about John? Besides his strange appearance and very strong message of repentance, why was John so important? Well Jesus quoted the prophecies about John in Isaiah and Malachi, John was the prophet to prepare the way for the Messiah. John’s mission was to prepare everyones hearts for the coming of Jesus, by baptism of repentance, and reveal who the Christ is!

For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. Luke 7:28-30

If John came upon the scene today, imagine what most people would say or think about him. However Jesus said “there was no greater prophet born among women” John didn’t care what the world thought about him, he had a mission from God and he was going to fulfill it, even to the point of death, when Herod cut his head off for rebuking his sin

The religious leaders rejected John, not because of his appearance, but because they felt they were already righteous and didn’t want to repent for their sins. These men believed they were so religious, yet didn’t even recognize a prophet from God in front of them. They were all blinded with pride and self righteousness

For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil. The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! But wisdom is justified of all her children. Luke 7:33-35

The religious leaders claimed John the Baptist was possessed by demons, even though he was a holy prophet of God. Just as the religious leaders killed their own Messiah, crucified him on a cross, because they love their sin and religion, more than they love God

The reason people reject God, is not an evidential issue but its a moral issue. Nobody wanted to repent and change, so they killed off John and Jesus. Unfortunately their delusion forgot that Jesus is the Son of God, and He is Risen forever. One day they will bow their knee to Christ and be sentenced to Hell forever, Worthy is the Lamb , Amen!