Tag Archives: Religion

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!

Luke 13- The Kingdom of God

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Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it. Luke 13:18-19

Jesus uses an illustration of the mustard seed to represent the Kingdom of God. Most of us are familiar with the mustard seed being used to represent our faith, the faith of a mustard seed can move mountains. (Matthew 17:20-21). That same little faith is building the Kingdom of God, think about that. Jesus came here to Earth, as an infant, grew up and started his ministry with 12 apostles. Eventually this ministry grew to be the Church , which over the centuries could have millions or billions of members. Its amazing to think about it all began with One , Jesus Christ

Today we the Church are still building the Kingdom of God. Everytime you share the good news of Christ, everytime you care for the “least of these”, everytime you open new congregations, the Kingdom continues to build and expand, of course with the help of The Holy Spirit. As Jesus said, it went from a small seed to a large tree that birds can rest upon.

As Christians, we can often get impatient or expect instant results, however the work you are doing may not be noticeable until the next generation. We need to keep our hands on the plow and keep sowing the seeds of faith, planting the gospel for the next generation, because Jesus is the same today, yesterday, and forever!

And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. Luke 13:20-21

Jesus again uses an example to represent the Kingdom of God, its like a loaf of bread that was made with a little yeast. It’s interesting Christ would use the loaf of bread here, as Paul mentions  the One loaf as the body of Christ that the entire Church is united by (1 Corinthians 10:17)

Another thing we see here is the Kingdom of God is continually growing and expanding, there are new Born Again Believers being added to the Kingdom on a daily basis. This is why it’s imperative that we fulfill the “Great Commision” and preach the gospel to the entire world. When we think about this task it can be very overwhelming, however we need to take it from a “mustard seed” perspective. One little seed at a time to build the Kingdom of God! Amen!

Luke 13- Jesus Heals on The Sabbath

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And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. Luke 13:10-13

On a Sabbath day, Jesus was teaching in the synagogue, and he noticed a woman who had been disabled for 18 years. Christ called the woman over and said “You are healed” and set his hands on her and she was healed. Now for most of us this sounds like a great story and something we would expect the Messiah to do, however the synagogue leader didn’t see it that way! They were angry because Jesus healed someone on the Sabbath day, can you imagine the hardness of their hearts!

But most importantly, Jesus called this woman and set her free instantly! Many of us have struggled with some disability or disease for a long time, Christ can set you free in an instant! Is the Savior calling you today?

And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? Luke 13:14-16

How many of us are legalists like the synagogue leader? Well Jesus can’t heal because of this and that, ect. The reality is Jesus is Lord of Lords , he can heal anyone , anywhere, at any time, Jesus is even Lord of The Sabbath! (Matthew 12, Mark 2) To make things more comprehensible in our minds, we like to put limitations and labels on things, this is what mostly religion is about, trying to define God to make it understandable for our human minds

But Jesus said “You hypocrites!, you take care of your animals on the Sabbath, why wouldn’t you want this Jewish woman to be healed?” Why were the religious leaders so upset when Jesus healed on the Sabbath? Because they rather ignore the miracle by God and focus on the legalism of man

Because if they accepted what Jesus did, then they would have to accept that Jesus is Lord and God. When you receive this, your whole life changes, you are no longer a Pharisee or a Sadducee, you are a Child of God through Jesus Christ Amen!

Luke 13- The Fig Tree

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He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?: Luke 13:6-7

Previously Jesus used the example of a Fig Tree to represent the understanding of what spiritual season you are living in. Today he is using the Fig Tree in a different context, its about us! Alot of people think when they become Christians, they just sit back and wait for the Rapture. However this is not what Jesus taught, when we become Born Again, Christ is expecting us to produce some fruit. Meaning he’s expecting us to be obedient and demonstrate some sanctification

Now as soon as we talk about actually doing something, alot of Christans get bent out of shape “This is works theology”! No, this has nothing to do with you “earning your salvation”, as we know nobody can earn their way into Heaven, its only though Christ alone that we can be saved

The point is, if you truly became a “New Creature” (2 Corinthians 5:17) then we should see some change, correct? This is all about the process of sanctification taught in the Bible. (Hebrews 10:10) A certain man planted a tree (that’s you) and he waited 3 years and still found no fruit produced (Matthew 7) he was then going to cut it down, why? Because its useless, a tree that doesn’t produce anything is basically dead, a Christian that doesn’t produce any spiritual fruit is spiritually dead

And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. Luke 13:8-9

But not the grace and mercy of Christ, “Let’s give it another year, and if it doesn’t produce anything, they we will cut it down” Now I know there are alot of Christians doing good work for the Kingdom of God. And this is exactly what the Church is supposed to be, the hands and feet of Christ, the salt and light of the world. When Christians don’t do anything, this is when the Church fails

Jesus didn’t just preach, he got down on his knees and washed his disciples feet, think about that! The Son of God lowered himself to serve the son of men, we have no excuse but to follow the example of our Master! Deny yourself, Carry your cross, and follow and serve Jesus wherever you go! Amen!

Luke 13- Call To Repentance

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There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke 13:1-3

The orthodox Jews of Jesus time had very bad theology. They believed if someone was disabled or a tragedy happened to them, that God was punishing them for their sin. Jesus is using an example here of the Gailileans to debunk their belief. These Gailileans, apparently were murdered by Pilate and offered as sacrifices to Roman pagan gods, just an example of how ruthless Rome was and wicked with their paganism

However as Jesus says “Do you think these Galileans suffered this fate because they were greater sinners than the rest of the Galileans”? We can look at this from our modern perspective. Do you think you or someone you might know who suffered a horrific tragedy deserved it because they were a sinner? No of course not, this is not how God works

As Jesus makes clear, unless all of us repent, we will all perish! This is a part of the gospel that is missing in most Churches today, we are all sinners and all have fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) The religious leaders believed they were righteous and didn’t need any repentance, however Christ set things straight, we all need to repent!

Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke 13:4-5

Again Jesus uses another tragic example to display, these men whom the tower fell on and killed were not a result of their sin. The reality is we are all sinners and need to repent! Now the good news is Jesus Christ is the atonement for our sins. The whole reason Jesus came here to Earth, to become a man, was to die for our sins! 

Jesus said twice here “Unless you repent, you will also perish”! How often is this message ever preached in our Churches today? Never, why? Because all we care about is numbers, entertainment, and programs. It’s time we actually care about peoples souls! Making people feel good and welcomed is not saving them from Hell

It’s time to get serious about your salvation, its time to get serious about Christ! Repent or Perish, time is running out! Amen!

Luke 12- Discern The Time

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And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? Luke 12:54-56

We have millions of weather men and women , who predict our future weather on a daily basis, they even predict what kind of season we will be having. However we have billions of professed “Christians” who can’t tell we are in the end times. How is this possible? There are a few possibilities, first most Christians don’t read the Bible or have no knowledge of anything that is in it. Secondly, there are alot of false teachers and “prophets” out there that want to deceive the masses. They will claim peace, when there is no peace! (Ezekiel 13:10)

As Jesus Christ said himself “You hypocrites, you know how to interpret the weather, however you can’t interpret our present time” This is a paraphrase of course, however this is the point Christ is trying to make. To predict the weather, expert meteorologists use many different models, they use historical patterns, they look at trending patterns. This is exactly the same thing Christians should be doing with the time and seasons of Christ.

If you know the prophecies of the Bible, if you know the signs that Jesus taught us to look for (Matthew 24), if you study the historical models of worldly empires, if you look at trending patterns of our society and culture. When you put all these together, you can come to a valid conclusion, we are living in the last days before Christ return

The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed. Matthew 16:1-4

Jesus talks about this in the gospel of Matthew, the religious leaders are demanding a sign, and Jesus says the same thing to them “You hypocrites, you can discern the sky , but you can’t discern the sign of the times” Jesus is saying again, you can predict the weather but you can’t predict the seasons your living in. 

They continually demanded a sign from Christ, he said he gave them the “Sign of Jonah”, now for those who know the Bible, they understand what Jesus is talking about. However the religious experts, Pharisees and Sadducees, has no idea what Jesus is talking about. They couldn’t discern the seasons because they truly didn’t know God

Wake up Church, discern the sign of the times! We are living in the last days! Read your Bible, get right with God, keep your lamps full because Christ is coming like a thief in the night Amen!

Luke 12- Inclusive Jesus?

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I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: Luke 12:49-51

The “Liberal” Jesus that many have created today is not the Jesus of The Bible. We hear many today, even Churches, saying Jesus will accept and tolerate anyone and any sin, this is totally false and debunked by the words of Jesus Christ himself. Jesus said “I have not come to bring peace on the Earth, No I came to divide” You might say “What I thought Jesus was all about love”? Yes , Jesus is all about love, but true love is just and holy. Jesus loves those who love God with all their heart, soul, and strength. 

You need to understand , Jesus has become a stumbling block for the world, why? Because Jesus is truly the only way to God and salvation (John 14:6) therefor making all other religions and beliefs false. The liberals start to shudder, how exclusive of Christ! All paths do not lead to the same God, there is only One true God and there is only way true way for salvation, Jesus Christ!

Secondly, when people look at the cross, it becomes offensive, why? Because they need to recognize and admit that we are all sinners destined for Hell. The liberals want to say “Everyone goes to Heaven ” that’s not Biblical and its not even possible. The fact that someone would believe that reveals they don’t have a personal relationship with God. The only way to have a relationship with God is through Jesus Christ! You must repent of your sins and become Born Again (John 3)

 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.  Luke 12:52-53

Even families will be divided over Christ. You hear lots of stories of Orthodox Jewish families disowning their family members because they accepted Jesus as their Lord and Christ. You hear lots of Muslim familes disowning their family members because of Jesus, maby even your family is divided on Christ. Are you labeled the “Jesus Freak” of the family? Why are people so offended by the real Jesus? Because he truly is the Son of God and way of salvation. Jesus is the only One who defeated sin and death at the resurrection forever! Satan and the demons tremble at his very name!

If you belong to an all “Inclusive Church” then chances are they are preaching a false gospel and worshipping a false Jesus. Narrow is the way to life and very few will find it, said Jesus Christ himself (Matthew 7:14) Don’t remain on the highway to Hell , enter the narrow gate in Jesus Christ Amen!