Luke 17 - 7.1.2021
Scripture - What stood out?
Luke 17:3-4
Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
Observation - What does it say?
In previous chapters we learn that great crowds had been following Jesus. Surrounded by not only his disciples, but also by Pharisees women and children Jesus continued to teach about the heart of God.
Understanding - What does it mean?
Three strikes and you’re outta here! Doesn’t just apply to baseball but to life. The cliches that describe the limits of a relationship, personal business or otherwise, are endless. Often in my life most people, myself included never even got to the second strike, let alone the third!
So to hear our Lord Jesus speak about forgiveness, seven times in a row, preceded by repentance seven times in a row...seems overwhelming. Yet this is not an option being presented to us as the Lord says, “...you must forgive…”
The apostles respond in verse five, “...increase our faith!” (And rightly so because to forgive even 4 times in a row would seem an act of miraculous faith!)
This response is immediately rebuked with Jesus’s servant analogy. And that story ends with, “10 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”
Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?
Jesus you are the Lord of my life. Not just my Savior but my Lord. I desire to be your servant. Your good servant. My heart gets so twisted when people sin against me. Continue to show me your heart. Show me how to forgive somebody who shows they repent. And teach me Lord how to forgive even when they don’t.
In the name of Jesus do I ask, amen.
-kenneth lee
Luke 16 - 6.30.21
Scripture
Luke 16: 10-11, 13
Whoever can be trusted with vey little can also be trusted with very much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? No one can serve two masters either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Observation
Jesus tells a parable of a “shrewd manager” in an effort to the concept of eternity and worldly possessions to the disciples. He makes it clear that those you steward well can be trusted with much, while those who fail to steward well miss out on more than just worldly possessions. He also comes back to the importance of putting God first in everything (including finances).
Understanding
This teaching always seemed so simple to me, I mean how much more simpler can you get? “Whoever is trusted with little can be trusted with much” and vice versa, but the verses I chose today seem to come into opposition with one another. Here’s me paraphrasing the Bible a bit so excuse the simplicity: care about your money, so you can trusted with more and more important things, but don’t care too much that mosey takes precedence over God… care but don’t care. Am I overthinking it…? I think these passages though have to be looked at together. Here’s what I mean in an even smaller breakdown:
“Whoever can be trusted with little can be trusted with much:” tithe what you have! You can never out compete God in anything, including finances. A pretty cool pastor once put it this way “only tithe what you want God to bless.” He also said “when you give God your firsts it’s considered a tithe, when you give Him what is left over then it’s an offering.” So tithing is important, it shows you can trusted with more. This doesn’t just apply to finances either, it also applies to time and relationships, and skills, etc.
“If you have not been trusted with worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?:” why would God trust a person in His streets of gold with no more pain and suffering if they are causing havoc and heartache in earthly streets of asphalt. Maybe that’s a little harsh, but we always say that this world isn’t our home, but that doesn’t mean we trash it and leave it in bad condition. God places us in this world to transform it for His kingdom, so that He can entrust us with more in eternity.
“No one can serve two masters…:” perhaps the most important verse out of the ones selected for today. Although God calls us to steward well in more ways than one, this is never a replacement to accomplishing His plans and purposes for us (that even means when you have abundant money to give or no money at all). There is only one “True Master” and He never bills me or expects me to pay anything, so the least I can do is give Him my full and undivided love and attention, and that requires saying “yes” and doing everything He has asked of me. Because money is a tool, but God is the craftsman.
Life Application
God, I pray that we make ourselves available to be used fully by You, and that we may be people who can trusted with much. Thank You that although I sometimes think I do not have enough, You always find a way to exceed my every expectation. We love You and trust You, and commit to living lives only for You. Amen.
-Allison Khan
Exodus 29
SCRIPTURE
Exodus 29:45
Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God.
OBSERVATION - What does it say?
God had given detailed instructions and requirements for the tabernacle, courtyard, altar, priests and their garments, sacrifices and offerings. And once fulfilled, God would consecrate all of it and only then would he dwell among them and be their God.
UNDERSTANDING - What does it mean?
God’s requirements had to be met in order for God to dwell with his people. Under the Old Covenant of the law, God's people had to fulfill many requirements in order to have God's presence with them. And as I read this, I found myself so grateful for the New Covenant; so thankful for Jesus and all he’s done for us. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, all the requirements of the law were fully satisfied for us who follow him! Done. The Old Covenant was about what man had to do and the New Covenant is about what God has already done.
Romans 8:3-4 "So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit." 1 Corinthians 3:16 "Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?"
Jesus changed everything! We are consecrated by the blood Jesus shed on the cross. The life we experience from continually being in his presence isn’t because of some good behavior or works we’ve accomplished. God’s presence among us and within us is only a result of God’s grace extended through Jesus Christ. Rather than having to fulfill all the requirements of the law in order to be saved and to enjoy God's presence, our only work is to believe in Jesus and rest in his completed work.
LIFE APPLICATION
Worship God for fulfilling all the requirements of the law for us and for his continual presence with us!
God, thank you for sending your Son! Thank you for fulfilling the law we could never fulfill. Thank you that we don’t have to wear special clothes to meet with you. Thank you that we don’t have to go to a special tent or to sacrifice animals to be in your presence. My heart is filled with gratitude as I enjoy your presence this morning. I worship you! Amen.
-Pastor Levi Thompson