Luke 17 - 4.25.24

S - Luke 17:1-3 Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come.  2  It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.  3  So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sister [a]  sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them (NIV)

O – Jesus is warning the disciples of God’s wrath should they offend, abuse, or lead people astray. We really see in the message translation that this is serious business! “Better to wear a concrete vest and take a swim with the fishes than give even one of these dear little ones a hard time! Wow! That is a pretty clear command. Indifference to the training and treatment of new Christians can leave them theologically vulnerable as well.

A – We may think, “Well I’m good. I’m not offending anyone or causing anyone to stumble and sin.” However, it is important to understand what Jesus meant when He spoke of offenses and stumbling blocks. The ancient Greek word used here for offenses is skandalon, and it comes from the word for a bent-stick — the stick that springs the trap or sets the bait. It also was used for a stumbling block, something that people trip over.

Sometimes skandalon is good — such as the way that people “trip” over Jesus, and are offended at the gospel.

But among brothers and sisters in Christ, a skandalon is bad. It can be false counsel - Matthew 16:23  Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” It can be leading a brother into sin by your “liberty”- Romans 14:13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. Division and false teaching bring a skandalon among God’s people - Romans 16:17-18 (msg) One final word of counsel, friends. Keep a sharp eye out for those who take bits and pieces of the teaching that you learned and then use them to make trouble. Give these people a wide berth. They have no intention of living for our Master Christ. They’re only in this for what they can get out of it and aren’t above using pious sweet talk to dupe unsuspecting innocents.

Essentially Jesus said: “People are going to take the bait — but woe to you if you offer the hook. People are going to trip up — but woe to you if you set the stumbling block in their way.”

The solution to being a stumbling block to others is love: He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. If we love our brother, we will not bring an offense into their life.

And if/when someone sins against you, address the issue directly (rebuke them). When they repent, extend forgiveness—even if it happens repeatedly. If someone seems ripe for the judgment or discipline of God, let God do it. God doesn’t need you as an instrument of His judgment, only as an instrument of His love. (Bluelettterbible.org)

Are we making follow-through care of recent Christ-followers a high priority in our DSC family? Jesus says that our actions matter both in this life and for eternity. We need to be purposeful in loving on and training up new believer’s within our family…..as a family. It’s not up to the pastor or the leaders alone to make sure they don’t stumble. We are commissioned to walk alongside new believers and gently correct them when necessary, without judging.

P – Lord I pray we would all look at this command to keep others from stumbling in a fresh light. Help us not to be passive or indifferent. May we strive to live in a way that reflects Jesus’ love and grace toward others. Whether that be toward the lost and unchurched, our own Christian brothers and sisters, or the new believers who walk through our doors. In Jesus’ name I pray…Amen!

- Crystal Flory

Luke 16 - 4.24.24

Scripture 

Luke 16:10-11

 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?

Observation

Jesus uses parables about wealthy men in Luke 16 to remind us about true riches.

Application

Luke 16 opens with a story of a manager about to get fired by his rich boss. The manager devises a plan to “make friends” who will help him out when he has nowhere else to go. The rich boss commends the manager for being “shrewd.”  

Shrewd – marked by clever discerning awareness and hardheaded acumen.

Jesus points out that the people of the world are more shrewd than people of the light and suggests that his followers should also plan for their future.

God’s principles remain true in every application. Even if people aren’t following God, they can reap the results of following God’s principles. I find an interesting parallel between what I have read about the habits of highly successful people and what God calls us to as Christ followers:

 Highly Successful People (aka rich) vs. Christ Followers

HS: Get up early to plan, set priorities, meditate without distractions

CF: Get up early to spend time with God, listen for his voice, invite him to direct their day

HS: Passion for their business/career

CF: Passion for the things of God

HS: Constantly learning/reading/seeking improvement

CF: Constantly learning/reading God’s word/seeking growth in their relationship with God

HS: Self-discipline – diet, exercise, time management, etc.

CF: Self-discipline – spiritual practices (Bible reading, prayer, scripture memorization, worship)

HS: Building their network/making connections

CF: Building relationships

Highly successful people are constantly building for their future. And likewise, we should be passionately engaged in growing and building the kingdom of God. Do we want to be trusted with a little of God or do we want a lot?

Prayer

Thank you for speaking to me this morning about the true riches of following you, serving others, and sharing the Good News of your love for them. I am passionate about my work. I need to be even more passionate about the things of God!

- Debbie Dunn

Luke 15 - 4.23.24

SCRIPTURE:  LUKE 15:20 – 24

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

OBSERVATION

Jesus is telling several parables to the Pharisees after they were shocked he was around tax collectors and sinners. It’s hard to imagine but the Pharisees and most Jews did not associate with people they felt were unclean. Jesus wanted to share these parables to explain his mission, his heart, and exactly why he wanted to be around tax collectors and sinners: to save them!

The first parable was of the Lost Sheep – where Jesus describes how the shepherd leaves the 99 to go after the one who is lost. Jesus says in verse 7 “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nice righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

Jesus then tells a similar story in the Lost Coin when a woman searches high and low for the lost coin and rejoices when it’s found. Jesus then says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Then Jesus tells the most personal parable of the Prodigal Son who takes his inheritance, squanders all of it, realizes the error of his ways and comes back with a deeply repentant heart wanting to reconcile with his father. This is the perfect story of forgiveness. The father had every right to be upset at the son for squandering his inheritance and leaving the family. Instead, the father “is filled with compassion” and runs out to greet his son. In that same way, when we approach the Lord, he opens his arms to receive us! His love and compassion are bigger than anything we can imagine.

I love how each parable concludes with rejoicing in honor of the lost that are found. Heaven rejoices, angels rejoice and the Father in Heaven rejoices when a lost child comes home!

APPLICATION

Jesus shared these parables to reach the heart of some hardened religious people. He was trying to help them understand his mission: he was spending time with those who were lost, loving on those around him to lead them into salvation.

Personally, the story of the Prodigal Son has been a personal prayer and hope for our oldest son. Although a lot of wrongs have been done over many, many years, I kept hearing the Lord say “love on him.” Although it’s sometimes hard when another wrong happens or a hurtful word is said, the mission to show God’s love prevails. One day I know the Lord will bring our Prodigal to a restored life in Jesus. On that day, the rejoicing and celebrations will begin!

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for these parables. Your heart of love for the lost is so deep. Help me to have that same heart for those around me.  In each and every situation in life, I want to model your love, forgiveness, redemption, and complete restoration. Guide me to reach those I encounter each day for you. In Jesus name I pray!

- Mary Oberg