Author: Pastor Howie

05 31 Luke 16.16-18 Jesus bridges a discussion with the disciples about being a good steward of resources entrusted by God and a story about a rich man and Lazarus with a discussion about the Law and divorce.  Jesus illustrates the hypocrisy of the religious leaders with these few verses.  While there is much debate surround the issue of divorce, Jesus’ teachings are clear.  While divorce was permitted under the Law, it is not desired.  In Matthew, Jesus states that it was not so from the beginning.  The truth of the matter is that where divorce has occurred, even remarriage there is forgiveness based on His grace.  His grace though is not a loophole to permit divorce.  Strict regulations were set up around it to ensure that Israel didn’t become like the other nations around them where divorce was rampant for any and all reasons. 

05 24 Luke 16.1-15 Jesus shares a wonderful story with a powerful message about the proper use of money.  Rather than pursue the love of money as the Pharisees did, Jesus illustrates that we should use our resources for kingdom purposes.  If we are faithful in a little, we can be faithful in much.  We cannot serve two masters.  What God has entrusted to us should be used to help further his eternal kingdom.  The question remains: are we a faithful steward?

05 17 Luke 15.1-32 From some of Jesus’ greatest parables comes a fresh reminder of hope, hope that something lost can be found.  Hope that when there is repentance there is also forgiveness, hope because Jesus still receives sinners.

05 10 Luke 14.25-35 It is clear from Scripture that we are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ.  What does that look like?  While books abound on what a disciple should look like and practices of the follower of Christ, Jesus gives two very distinct characteristics of a disciple.  Someone asked Jesus what the greatest commandment was and He essentially boiled it down to two – love God with your whole being and love your neighbor as yourself.  When it comes to discipleship, we can boil it down to two essential characteristics as well.  Jesus lays it out in this passage.  He says that we should hate our family and take up our cross.  What Jesus meant is that our loyalty our preference should always be to Christ so that in our devotion to Him it would appear as if we hated our family.  Jesus is saying that to be a disciple there must be complete commitment to Him, a surrender of our will, ways, and wants for His will, ways, and wants.  There should be no hesitation or doubt on our part as to what we would choose.  Christ wins every time.  Jesus instructs us to consider the cost before we make such an endeavor and illustrates it through two examples.  The question remains for us to answer – will we be a disciple of Jesus?  Being a convert is not the same as being committed.  Which are you?

05 03 Luke 14.15-24 In Jesus’ day it was insulting to accept an initial invitation to a banquet and then reject the invitation when the time came to be in attendance.  Yet, that is what the Pharisees and many Israelites had done.  An invitation had been sent out regarding the coming of the Messiah through the Law and the Old Testament prophets, but when Jesus actually came to proclaim that the Kingdom of God was near and He was the One they had been waiting for, they rejected Him and the invitation to eternal life.  Consequently the invitation was extended to many others, the ones considered outcasts.  It is a reference to Gentiles and we see in Acts that many began to accept the invitation for salvation through Christ.  That invitation is still open today, but one day the doors will be shut.  People use many excuses to justify their rejection of the Gospel invitation.  In the end, there will be no legitimate excuse.  Is it time to put aside your excuses and trust Christ for salvation?  The call to the banquet is about to be made.  Have you made your reservation?

04 26 Luke 14.1-14 Jesus uses a parable to teach the religious who had set a trap for Him on the Sabbath that their self-righteousness would not bring favor with God for them to receive places of honor in heaven.  Instead they would be humbled.  We can only come to Christ in humility as we recognize that we have nothing in ourselves that would merit eternal life.  It is only and always has been about Christ. 

04 19 Luke 13.31-35 Once again Jesus is confronted with someone seeking His life.  Though He did not take it lightly, He was unconcerned knowing that His destiny and death would be in Jerusalem.  He rested confidently in the will of God, a will He was committed to.  The sovereignty of God is evident here and should encourage us that nothing will happen to us outside the will of God.  With that in mind there is nothing to fear.  We also see in this passage that the compassion of Christ is clear and for those who reject Him, His condemnation is just.  The good news is that His coming is soon.  Are you ready?  Don’t be like those who were unwilling to receive Him, who didn’t want Him.

Walk through this passage on a journey to discover how God’s children are to live.  We are called to live obedient lives before God which translates into living a holy life.  Are you?

04 05 15 Luke 24.13-35 There are a lot of misconceptions today about the person of Jesus.  Barna research shows some trends, especially among the younger adult generation that Jesus was just a man, he sinned, he was not God.  Even with the claims of Scripture people are not able to recognize Him.  But then, we read in this passage that even in Jesus’ day many did not recognize, even though He walked among them and even though they had for centuries clear evidence from the Scriptures.  Who He is as recording in Scripture is essential to our salvation and the reason we celebrate Easter.  He is alive!  Do you know Him?