Monthly Archives: November 2021

Luke 16- Whoever Is Faithful

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And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. Luke 16:1-4

Sometimes we think to ourselves, what is the point of this life? We know we are saved, eventually Jesus will return and restore his Kingdom, why should we struggle and tarry today? Well Jesus reveals some of that in this parable, this life is a test. How you run your life ,how you manage your finances, how you manage your job or employees, how you raise your family, these things all matter. As Jesus said “Whoever will be faithful with very little will be faithful with very much and whoever is dishonest with very little will be dishonest with very much”

Most people don’t like to think about the “afterlife” but everything we do here today is leading up to our eternal positions. No we are not going to be floating around on clouds playing harps, the Bible tells us in the New Heaven and Earth we will be building  houses and planting vineyards (Isaiah 65:21) Life will go on in Gods Kingdom, it will be a perfect Kingdom reigned by a Perfect King, the point is what you do here today determines what your position will be in the Kingdom

So he called every one of his lord’s debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore. And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. Luke 16:5-9

As we see in this parable, there was a rich man who fired his manager because he was corrupt and wasn’t being honest.So what did the manager do, he started stealing from the rich man, essentially this parable is about stealing from God. Think about that , everything we do in life, we should do it honestly and with integrity , as if we are working for God. If God can’t trust you with Earthly responsibilities how can he trust you with Heavenly responsibilities?

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Luke 16:10-13

Jesus makes a couple great statements here, “They that are faithful with little will also be faithful with much” What you do on this Earth and how you manage your life , makes a difference. We should live to please God, and try to make the most of what we are given to glorify Christ

Secondly, “Nobody can serve two masters” This relates to money and everything is our lives, there is only One Master and that’s Jesus, if you are a Christian you are a slave to Christ. Everything should be centered around the King of Kings, whatever takes place of God is your master.

As the Apostle Paul said “Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31) , is your life pleasing and glorifying to God? Have you been honest and faithful with whatever God has given you? Do it all for the Glory of God, Amen!

Luke 15- Prodigal Son

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And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. Luke 15:11-14

The story of the Prodigal Son should be relatable to all of us! The Father , who is symbolic of our Heavenly Father, gave his children everything, yet they rebelled and squandered their inheritance. The younger son left The Father to go and live the “wild life” in sin and squandered his entire inheritance given by his Father. 

Can you already see yourself in the Prodigal Son? How many have left God and The Church to go live a life of sin? Or how many never even knew God and lived a reckless life of partying and self destruction? There is Good News the Father is calling you home!

And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, Luke 15:15-18

The Prodigal Son went from eating in royalty to eating with the pigs. The Son had hit rock bottom, he was in the pit of despair, but again there is Good News, the Father is calling you home. How many of us can relate to this? Sometimes you have to hit the bottom before you start looking up!

 Now notice the Son came to repentance, he said “I have sinned against God”, we need to repent and come back to our Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ!

And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: Luke 15:19-22

The Prodigal Son crawled back to The Father, feeling not worthy to be called his Son, how many of us can relate to that? What happened? The Son recognized and understood his sinful state, however how did The Father respond? He brought him his best robe and put a ring on his fingers. The Father forgave the Son and welcomed him home with open arms. This is the same for us, our Heavenly Father will welcome you home through His Son Jesus Christ!

And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancingAnd he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.. Luke 15:23-28

There was a celebration as the Prodigal Son came Home, just as when you came Home to your Heavenly Father , all the angels rejoiced! As we’ve seen throughout these parables, everytime a sinner comes to true repentance through Christ all of Heaven rejoices. 

Now the elder Son, was angry and jealous of the Prodigal Son. Have you ever seen this in Church? A known sinner starts coming to Church and everyone gossips and avoids them, don’t be like the eldest Son, rejoice for the Prodigal Son or Daughter has come home to our Heavenly Father. 

This reminds me of the hymn “Softly and Tenderly” the chorus goes “Come Home, Come Home, Ye who are weary Come Home”!  If you are the Prodigal today, The Father is calling you Home! Come home today through our Lord Jesus Christ Amen!

Luke 15- The Lost Coin

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Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. Luke 15:8-10

“Show me the money”! This has become a popular phrase in today’s society based on a pop culture movie. This phrase has become an attitude and lifestyle for most people. Money is and has always been an important part of society, even in Biblical days.  This is why Jesus spent alot of time preaching about the dangers of money. So Jesus parable here should be very relevant to many people then and today

A woman lost some money and searched everywhere and diligently to find it. Does this sound familiar? Have you ever lost money or maybe your wallet and searched frantically for it? Suppose you lost $100 or $1000 dollars, how hard would you search for that lost money? Probably very fervently, this is the point Jesus is trying to convey in this parable.

The lost sinner and like the lost money to us, God loves you and doesn’t want anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9) therefore Jesus is seeking you , hoping that you would find salvation through the Christ! As hard as you try to run away and hide from God, the Holy Spirit is everywhere , leading you back home, will you answer the calling?

Notice again in this parable, when the lost sinner repents and comes to salvation through Jesus Christ, all of heaven rejoices! There is a party in heaven for you! If you think nobody loves you or cares about you in this world, Christ and all of Heaven is calling your name and is rejoicing when you become Born Again

So instead of saying “Show me the money” next time say “Show me the salvation” and that is only found in Jesus Christ alone (John 14:6) Amen!

Luke 15- Lost and Found

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And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. Luke 15:3-6

When you understand that this parable was talking about you, it makes you appreciate this parable even more! We were all lost sheep, we all had gone astray from the Great Shepherd, but Jesus wasn’t going to let you go. The Great Shepherd found you and carried you home on his shoulders. 

And when you were reunited with Christ, all of Heaven rejoiced! Think about that, the Angels were singing when you were carried home! All of this because God loves you and doesn’t want anyone to perish. Jesus said “My Sheep know my voice and listen to me, and I lay my life down for the sheep” (John 10) 

You have a Shepherd who laid down his life for you, and watches over you, even in the valley of shadow of death (Psalm 23) Christ is with you, carrying you on his shoulders

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Luke 15:7

If someone new comes in off the street to your Church, do you shun them or greet them with open arms? If someone is seeking Christ, I can tell you all of Heaven is rejoicing and you should be too! Don’t be a stumbling block for anyone to hear the gospel, The Great Shepherd may be calling their name and bringing them home!

Are you hearing the Savior’s voice? Jesus is calling You and coming to put you on His shoulders and take you home! Don’t harden your heart, don’t dull your ears to the voice of The Great Shepherd! All of Heaven is rejoicing for You, Amen!

A Greater Thanksgiving

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As many Americans gather around the dinner table to have a feast and be “Thankful” to celebrate all the things God has blessed us with, let’s remember there is a “Greater Thanksgiving” that was given and presented to us which is our Lord Jesus Christ

Communion or The Lord’s Supper as we often refer to it, is a foundational sacrament of Christianity as Jesus taught us “Do this in Remembrance of Me” (Luke 22, Mark 14, 1 Corinthians 11) earlier Christianity often referred to Communion as the “Eucharist”. The Eucharist is a word derived from Greek meaning “Thanksgiving”, therefore our Communion is a Thanksgiving to God for the salvation He gave us through our Lord Jesus Christ

Communion in the first century was also often referred to as “Breaking Bread”, you can see this throughout the book of Acts (Acts 2:42, 2:46, 20:11,20:7,27:35) When Christians gathered together to take Communion , it was a feast or meal, it wasn’t a cracker or wafer that the modern Church does today. Christians gathered around the table, had a meal, then had Communion remembering what Christ did for them and His return in the future

So this Thanksgiving, what are you thankful for? Remember the Greater Thanksgiving is our Lord Jesus Christ and what he did for us as the atonement for our sins. Also consider incorporating Communion into your Thanksgiving meal. 

Have a blessed Thanksgiving everyone and give Thanks to The Lord!

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:42

Luke 14- Good Salt

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Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Luke 14:34-35

Are you good salt? Jesus tells us, we as Christians , are the “Salt of The Earth” (Matthew 5:13) So what happens when salt loses its flavor or usefulness? And how do we apply this to our daily lives right now? Well as we know, Salt has many purposes, we use it almost always to flavor our food and we also use it to preserve our food, even today. 

Jesus said “If the salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again” (Matthew 5:13) Jesus is saying if your Born Again, you can’t be Born Again again! You’re only baptized by the Holy Spirit, once. So are you producing fruits of the Holy Spirit? (Galatians 5) Or are you continually living in your sinful and wretched lifestyle? You’re either saved or you’re not. Once you are a new creation , you are now a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)

We are also to preserve justice and morality for society. Many of our laws are based off the laws of the Bible. Because the whole point of the Ten Commandments and moral law was to preserve justice and righteousness. As a Born Again Christian, the Law is written in our hearts (Jeremiah 33) We know right from wrong, and apply this to our daily lives and society. As Christians we need to preserve this justice and righteousness in our Church and our Homes. 

When or if , Christians stop being the “Salt of the Earth” , Jesus says “It is no longer good for anything, and can be thrown out” (Matthew 5:13) We have jobs to do as Christians, to be the Salt of The Earth and the Light of the World. This is not an option, this is a commandment!

Jesus said “Let those who have ears, let them hear” , are you listening? Has the Holy Spirit enlightened you? Those who are dead in their sin can’t comprehend the Word of God, you must become Born Again to become the Salt of The Earth Amen!

Luke 14- The Cost of Christianity

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If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Luke 14:26-28

Alot of people think being a “Christian” is easy, just repeat a few words and you get a golden ticket to Heaven. Well apparently they didn’t read the actual teachings of Jesus Christ. There is a great cost to becoming a Christian, and no I’m not referring to a financial cost, its the cost of your old lifestyle, your old habits, your old friends, your old self. It’s a total transformation becoming Born Again through Christ

Jesus said “Anyone who doesn’t hate their father, mother, wife, children, sister, and your own life, can’t be my disciple” What? Of course Jesus is speaking in hyperbole, he’s trying to make a point. Anyone who puts anything or anyone ahead of God, can’t be a disciple of Christ. There is no such thing as a “part-time Christian” although we see it alot in todays culture. You can’t be a Christian on Sunday and be your old self the other 6 days. If you have been Born Again, you are a new creature, a new creation, your life has changed forever, and it comes with a cost!

Jesus also said “Whoever doesn’t carry their cross, can’t be my disciple” Again this is a hyperbole, Jesus is not expecting you to get crucified. Jesus is saying there is going to be a cost to being his disciple. If you want to be a Christian, you must pay that cost. You might lose family members, or friends , or maybe even your job when you become a Christian. 

Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:29-33

Jesus is saying before you become a Christian, consider the cost! Are you willing to give up everything for The Lord? Are you willing to finish the race? You can’t receive Christ half-heartedly , you are either saved or lost. But understand , the narrow path to life won’t be easy. However remember Jesus paid the ultimate price for you, he paid the wages for your sins so that you may inherit eternal life

Is being a Christian easy, no! Is the pain and suffering worth it, absolutely! Understand that at the cross, Jesus has already overcome the world, defeating sin and death forever! Deny yourself, carry your cross and follow Jesus Amen!