Luke 4. 09.04.25

SCRIPTURE

“But Jesus said, “I must proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of God to the other towns also—because—this-is-WHY-I-was-sent.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭43‬ ‭NIV‬‬

OBSERVATION

Jesus, FULL of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. During that time Jesus ate nothing. The temptations lasted Forty days—and for forty days Jesus was fasting. Tempted means to “put to the test”.

Jesus was SENT for a Specific Purpose.

The Holy Spirit had led Jesus into the wilderness for forty days—to be tempted not to see IF He was ready—but to demonstrate that HE was Ready. Adam, though created perfect, gave in to temptation and passed sin on to the whole human race. Jesus, by contrast, [being Fully Man AND Fully God] resists Satan-demonstrating:

the Messiah has COME —at last—

with GOOD NEWS —Freedom to Break the Chains of sin.

““The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,

Because —HE anointed ME —to preach the gospel to the poor.

HE has SENT Me—to proclaim release to the captives,

And recovery of sight to the blind,

To set FREE those who are oppressed,

To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”

And JESUS began to say to them,

“TODAY—this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.””

‭‭(Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬-‭19‬, ‭21‬ ‭NASB1995‬)

APPLICATION

The Spirit of the LORD is on Me—The Spirit of the LORD is on You-

Jesus IS Still Setting People FREE and

HE has Passed His Anointing to Preach the Gospel—on to every —Believer.

Jesus said,

I MUST proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God-this is WHY-I was Sent.

It took me a long time to realize that Jesus passed this very strong conviction onto me. Not because I was anyone special. I can tell you with certainty-I am not.

I can remember when I was first saved in 1981–meeting two people at a home group. God is so providential. I didn’t want to go-but my mom begged me to go with her as it was a work friend of hers who she found out went to our same church (church on the way-Van Nuys). So I conceded. I met an older woman (Sally) who was so spiritually powerful and in love with God-she would become my lifelong spiritual mom. And I later would meet another friend-Ginger-who would become like a sister and so much a part of our family that she and I gave my mom her wedding shower a few years later —and many years later she flew down to be with me and help me care for my mom in her final days on hospice.

Ginger was a missionary when I first met her—I had never met anyone like that before. She had such strange and extraordinary stories of being in exotic places. When we first met she had just come back from Papua, New Guinea. Some mission trips were short and some were extended. She would often  ask through the years-if I would visit her during extended trips-especially when she was in Ethiopia- saying how lovely the people were. And I would jokingly say, “Honey, I just didn’t get that call from God. That’s your call”.

It’s true we may not be called to travel far away to distant lands. But, I am genuinely sad to say that it took me 39 years of my Christian life to understand that Jesus DOES in fact—Call-EVERY Believer.

We are all called to share His Love and Good News.

It wasn’t until COVID hit and Justin Eaves began doing a virtual zoom —Eave’s dropping—that God began to convict me about His calling on my heart.

We are all missionaries—some are called across the ocean—others are called right where we are. God didn’t save us to be “seat warmers” at Church on Sunday.

There is no fruit in being a “seat warmer”. Jesus said this about the importance of Fruit in His disciples (believers).

““I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. HE cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Don’t misunderstand me..

Church is vital —we need IT! We come to Be Equipped SO we can GO and COMPLETE the Mission Jesus has given us. We gather together. We pray and worship and LEARN from God’s Word-and encourage and SPUR each other on to GOOD works.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

‭‭(Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

We come to church—So we Can GO and DO what Christ has given us all to Do.

Make disciples. May we have the same urgency that Christ Himself had.

Jesus said—I Must..

Must -from the root word deo- from the root of doulos-slave.

The importance of this is to understand the meaning it carries —an inward constraint-it is not optional. It must Not be overlooked—or missed.

In Jesus well known Commission from Matthew 28

HE tells His Disciples to GO Make Disciples— two points stand out of importance.

The word “Go” is not literally a command—it is translated more accurately

“as you are going”. It is assumed that all of Jesus Disciples—WILL-Go.

“Make -is the specific and direct command that Jesus gave to all Disciples.

All who remain faithful to His Word ARE His Disciples and All Disciples —as they Go-

Are to MAKE More Disciples. Jesus didn’t Come and suffer death on a cross so we can come to church and sing a few songs and go out to a nice brunch. He Came SO we would MAKE Disciples. Not converts…Disciples.

“Jesus said—to the people —who believed—in HIM, “

“You are truly—my disciples—if—you abide in my word.” (John‬ ‭8‬:‭31‬)

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the Power of God

that brings salvation to everyone who believes...” (Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.” (2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?

As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!””

‭‭(Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

“Then Jesus came to them and said,

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Therefore go and MAKE disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

And surely I AM with you always, to the very end of the age.””

(Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

PRAYER

Lord Jesus,

Thank YOU for Your goodness and Your patience to me. Thank You for showing me that it is every believer’s calling to Share Your Good News-and Make Disciples. It is not our skill, ability, or our power. Your word clearly tells us that Only those who the Father brings come to Jesus. Your timing is perfect. May we never shy away from planting and watering. This IS WHY-You have saved us. To Bring More people into Your Kingdom. That they may know Your Riches of freedom from sin, deliverance from bondage, Your amazing grace that brings sight to eyes that once were blind. You brought that fulfillment And it STILL is Being Proclaimed TODAY because of your faithful Called ones. I am yours.

Here I am, send me. Through the phone, on zoom, at the grocery or coffee shop. Only in Your Power and Grace. You broke the power of sin and death. You Bring Your unmatchable LOVE. You are Able.

In Jesus Name. Amen.

Tina L Kudelka

Luke 3 - 9.3.25

Scripture

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. (Luke 3:8)

Observation

John the Baptist enters the scene in Luke chapter 3. John is the promised messenger sent by God to prepare the way for Jesus. How did he prepare the way for Jesus? By preaching “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins”. John went around preaching “repentance” for the forgiveness of sins.

The dictionary meaning of the word repent is remorse for one’s actions accompanied with the action of turning away from it. Repentance is more than saying sorry or feeling bad about our sins. Repentance is taking a U-turn in life. It is deciding not to go back to our sinful way of living. Repentance needs to have fruit. 

Our life needs to produce the fruit of repentance. The fruit of repentance is the change in lifestyle, living without compromising with sin. There are consequences if our life does not have the fruit of repentance. The tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into fire (Luke 3:9). 

In the rest of the chapter, John teaches what this means in practical terms. “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same (Luke 3:11). Whoa, looks like those people who say that tithing is not in the new testament, have a valid point! The ratio of giving in the new testament is no longer 10%, but 50%! You and I cannot solve the problem of world hunger. But we can certainly give a meal to that homeless man or woman we see on the street. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is to look after orphans and widows in their distress (James 1:27). May the Lord say of us “He/She did what he/she could” (Mark 14:8). 

John taught the working people of his day (tax collectors and soldiers) to be faithful in their jobs. Do not be corrupt, be content with your pay (Luke 3:13,14). All of us have a vocation, a God-given profession or a job to work and provide for our families. Let us be faithful in our calling whatever it is - in the ministry, or in business, or in corporate boardrooms, or to be a stay-at-home parent. In the epistle of Ephesians, Paul reminds employees to obey their earthly employers with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as we would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on us, but as children of God, doing the will of God from our heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if we are serving the Lord, and not people (Ephesians 6:5-7).

Application

If God sent John the Baptist with the message of repentance in order to prepare the way for Jesus, repentance is a very serious thing for God. This is so important that the verse “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (NIV) or “bear fruit worthy of repentance” (KJV) is repeated twice in the Bible (Matt 3:8, Luke 3:8). 

An example of true repentance is Zacchaeus. When he encountered Jesus and had a transformation of heart, he declared, “I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” (Luke 19:8). Action to set things right always follows true repentance.

Let us examine our hearts and see if there is any secret sin in our life, which we need to repent of. If we do, let us repent and ask God to help us to live a life that glorifies Him, producing the fruit of repentance. 

Prayer

Dear Father, thank you for loving me. Thank you for showing me the importance of producing fruit in line with repentance. Please show me where I am not doing that. Lord, my conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is You O Lord, who judges me (1 Cor 4:4). I want to be holy as you are holy (1 Peter 1:16). I cannot do this by my own strength, as without You I can do nothing (John 15:5). But I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil 4:13). Search me, God, and know my heart. Test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Ps 139:23-24). In Jesus’s name. Amen

Asha Chacko George

Luke 2 - 9.2.25

SCRIPTURE:  Luke 2:9-10  "An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people."

OBSERVATION: This chapter starts off with Joseph and Mary heading off to Joseph's home town of Bethlehem to register after Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census be taken.  Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, and was expecting a child.  While they were there the time came for the baby to be born. There was no room in the inn, so baby Jesus was brought into this world in a filthy stinky stable!  Jesus' birth was announced to the shepherds who were living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them!  God's glory was revealed!

The Jews word for God's radiance was called Shekinah glory.  Shekinah means to dwell or reside with.  The good news of Jesus being born came first to the shepherds out in the fields.  They were ordinary men, but God allowed them to see an extraordinary thing!  The angel told them not to be afraid.  He came to bring them the good news that will cause great joy for ALL people!  After the angel left them, and had gone into heaven, the shepherds said, "Let's go!"  They went to Bethlehem to see what the Lord had told them about.  They hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.

The greatest event in history had just happened!  Jesus Christ was born!  When the shepherds had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told to them about the child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

APPLICATION:  Can you imagine what that day must have been like for those shepherds? It might be hard for us to comprehend, but...if you think about it, the universe and God's creation testifies and displays the glory of God to us EVERY DAY!  The glory of God is the visible manifestation of His attributes and His character.  The sun, the stars, the ocean, a spectacular eagle; they all display God's glory!  (Billy Graham).  Nothing can hide from God's glory.  The dictionary definition of glory is praise and honor. 

Just as the shepherds followed God's voice and responded to the Good News, we have all been called to do the same!  And when we respond in obedience as the shepherds did, we will find out that His Word is FAITHFUL and TRUE! 

Our only hope is for the God of glory to invade our lives and rescue us from our sins.  That's why God sent His Son Jesus to earth, to die for ALL of our past, present and future sins.  And, because of what Jesus did for us -  our response should be to praise and thank Him, and give Him all the glory.  

PRAYER:  We all have the same calling; to know You and to make You known.  I pray we will glorify You in all that we say and do.  I pray we will align our prayers and desires with Your purpose.  I pray we will bear much fruit from our lives that will glorify You.  Please help us to glorify You in our bodies by remaining sexually pure.  Help us to make lifestyle choices for the good of others that glorify You.  I pray we will be generous with our finances in meeting the needs of others, and in sharing the Good New of Jesus Christ so that others may come to know You and experience Your glory for themselves.  Amen

- Robin Orefice