Thanksgiving
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Luke 14- The Cost of Christianity
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!
Whom They Have Pierced
Luke 14- The Great Banquet
And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. Luke 14:15-17
Jesus teaches a parable about a great banquet, this was in obvious reference to the “Great Wedding Feast” when Christ returns. Throughout the Bible it is referenced that the Church (Christians) are the bride of Christ, and Jesus is the groom. There will be a great day when the Church is reunited with their Lord and Savior, such as a Wedding Feast!
And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. Luke 14:18-21
Jesus continues the parable by stating many people were invited to the banquet but they all made excuses not to come. These people are symbolic of Israel, they were God’s chosen people and were revealed the Messiah first, however most rejected Christ! So Jesus then invited the Gentiles to the Great Wedding Feast and they can become Children of God through Him
And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper. Luke 14:22-24
And yet many Gentiles rejected the Messiah also, as we see today. So Jesus commanded to preach the gospel to the entire world. Those who have rejected the invitation , will not be allowed back into the feast. Those who rejected the calling of The Holy Spirit, have committed the unpardonable sin
Have you accepted your invitation to the Great Banquet? Don’t allow the door to be closed forever, receive Christ as your personal Lord and Savior today! Amen!
Test The Spirits
Luke 14- Jesus Heals on The Sabbath Part 2
And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him. And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy. And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go; Luke 14:1-4
Here again we see Jesus challenging the religious leaders about the Sabbath. Why does Jesus spend so much time challenging the Sabbath? Because the Sabbath was a sign between Israel and God, it was the sign of the Old (Mosaic) Covenant (Exodus 20:20, Exodus 31:13) Jesus is bring the New Covenant , a better Covenant (Hebrews 8:6) Therefor Jesus is our Sabbath Rest, Jesus is our High Priest, Jesus is our sacrifice and atonement for sin
When Jesus challenged the religious leaders about the Sabbath, they remained silent, why? Because they created a religion full of man-made rules and traditions. They took the blessing of God’s Sabbath and used it to control and condemn people. This is not what God intended with the Sabbath, God intended for the Sabbath to bless the Israelites and provide them with needed physical rest of their daily lives
Jesus healed the man on the Sabbath, under the Mosaic Law this would be a violation. But Jesus is Lord of The Sabbath, Christ is introducing His New Covenant, where Christ is our everything!
And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day? And they could not answer him again to these things. Luke 14:5-6
Jesus provided them a practical example of their hypocrisy. If one of their animals fell in the pit on the Sabbath, they would surely rescue the animal, right? Because they need that animal for survival to provide for their families. So if they wouldn’t hesitate to save an animal’s life, why would they hesitate to heal a man? Because it’s not truly about honoring God, their hearts are hardened, they love their religion more than they love God
It’s important to love the Lord God with all your mind, heart, and soul, being religious or zealous about your religion is not going to save your soul from eternal Hell. Its time to understand who Jesus truly is, receive him as your Lord, as your Sabbath, receive him as your everything Amen!
Believe
Luke 13- Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem
The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem. Luke 13:31-33
Jesus makes some very interesting statements in our reading today, first the religious leaders are warning Jesus that King Herod wants to kill him and to get out of Jerusalem. Now are the Pharisees being honest or do they just want Christ to leave them alone? Either way Jesus makes it clear he’s not too concerned with what Herod thinks of him. In fact Jesus uses an interesting term for Herod, he calls him a fox, which in those days was a reference to being feminine. Jesus was calling out Herods immoral lifestyle and weak masculinity
Secondly, Jesus had alot of work to do, he still had demons to get rid of and people to heal. Jesus wasn’t concerned about Herod’s agenda or the Pharisees agenda. Notice Jesus says “On the 3rd day I will be perfected” , Christ is prophesying about his own resurrection.
Jesus makes another very interesting statement “It cannot be that a prophet perishes outside of Jerusalem” , as we know prophets and apostles have died outside of Jerusalem, so what is Jesus referring to? First , I think he is prophesying about his own death on the cross, secondly I think he is referring to the accountability Israel has for the death of the prophets. Jesus made it clear throughout his ministry, that Israel was responsible for the death of God’s prophets (Luke 11:49-51)
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Luke 13:34-35
Jesus mourns over Jerusalem, remember Jerusalem means City of God, this was the only place on Earth that Gods resided until Christ came. But the religious leaders corrupted God’s Holy City and killed his prophets and apostles. Jesus knows the fate of Jerusalem and The Temple, as they will all be destroyed in 70 A.D.
Notice Jesus makes another prophecy “You shall not see me until the time come when they say “Blessed is He that comes in the name of The Lord” Most people recognize this as the statements made when Jesus rolled through Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Jesus was prophesying about Palm Sunday and it was also fulfilled.
God is sending a New Jerusalem in the New Heavens and Earth, be ready for Christ is coming again soon Amen!
Antichrist
Luke 13- The Narrow Path
Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Luke 13:24-26
Everyone is going to Heaven, right? Well according to Jesus, the answer is No! This is contrary to what we hear preached in Churches today or peoples basic concept of the afterlife. Most people have this false expectation that they are going to Heaven no matter what. Jesus said “ Many will try to enter the door and won’t be able to” , this should be a wake up call for everyone, its time to get right with God. Are you sure you’re saved? Are you sure Jesus knows who you are? Are you Born Again by the Holy Spirit?
Jesus said “Many will be knocking on the door saying Lord Lord , let us in, but Christ will answer I don’t know you” This is the biggest issue , it’s not that Jesus can’t save you, its you don’t really know Jesus. You call him Lord but don’t act like his slave, you don’t seek Him with all your heart, you don’t fully trust him with your life. Many people are false converts
Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. Luke 13:27-29
Many people will say , I went to Church, I was baptized as a baby, yet Jesus still doesn’t know who they are, why? Because they never became Born Again, they never died to Christ and rose with him in the water and spirit. Jesus said “Depart from me, you workers of evil and sin” The people Christ rejected were still dead in their sin, they were never washed in the blood of The Lamb, they were never baptized by the Holy Spirit
There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, this is a reference Jesus made on several occasions of Hell. There are only two destinations in the afterlife, Heaven or Hell. You can only become a Child of God through Christ, otherwise you will not be able to enter the Kingdom of God
The road to Heaven is narrow, Jesus Christ is the only way to get through the gate. Repent and put your faith in Christ alone , Amen!
Unashamed of Jesus 