Tag Archives: Advent

Luke 16- Rich Man and Lazarus

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And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. Luke 16:23-24

The story of the rich man and Lazarus is not only one of the most powerful revelations Jesus gave to us, but its also one of the most highly debated stories also. Many will argue this is just a parable instead of a true story. The reason we know it’s a story is because Jesus uses real names in it. Unlike all the parables Jesus taught that never included names

Second most translations will use Hades instead of Hell. While reading the story you’ll see the rich man is eternally conscience being tormented in a flame. This sounds like Hell to me, Hades is typically translated as the grave or realm of the dead.

But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. Luke 16:25

The rich man lived like a King on this Earth, while the poor man suffered. What did it profit this rich man to gain the entire world yet lose his soul? Nothing, this world is temporary but your soul is eternal , choose wisely

And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. Luke 16:31

Notice once you are dead, there are no second chances of salvation. There is no purgatory or repentance in Hell. Our time is running short, follow Jesus or perish! Notice Jesus also prophecies here about his own resurrection.

And Jesus was right, he rose from the dead over 2,000 years ago, yet millions still deny him and are going to Hell. Don’t follow the broad way of this world, get on the narrow path of life in Jesus Christ! Amen!

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!

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!

Luke 14- The Great Banquet

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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!

Luke 14- Jesus Heals on The Sabbath Part 2

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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!

Luke 13- Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem

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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!

Luke 13- The Narrow Path

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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!