[Luke 20, Proverbs 28]

H – Luke 20:38, “Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him.” 

E – Alive!

The resurrection of Christ is the subject matter of much of the New Testament. The Pharisees doubted the resurrection, the Sadducees were a sect of religious people who never believed the resurrection, and false teachers preached against the resurrection. 

Yet, Jesus is living proof of the resurrection. Just as he proclaimed to His disciples (Luke 11:29-32; 18:31-34; 21:25-28; ), the Son of God would die for the sins of humanity and be raised to life (resurrected). 

The apostles proclaim the resurrection. They knew it was of first importance, so they proclaimed it in their teachings and in their writings, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures…. (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). (Read the Epistles)

Here is the truth. The Gospel is incomplete without the resurrection. There is no “Good News” unless death was defeated through the resurrection. There is no hope for a sinful humanity that confessed their need for Jesus without the resurrection. There is no promised Holy Spirit without the resurrection. There is no life without the resurrection. 

The Gospel is Jesus died, was buried, and rose again on the third day. That’s the Good News! That’s our Hope! That gives us our promised Help! That is what gives us Life, abundant and eternal. 

So here is what Jesus is saying, “Only living people can have a God,” and those that live their life through Him are ALIVE, forevermore. 

Because of Jesus’s resurrection I have the ability to LIVE and be ALIVE today, right now, and forevermore. 

A – Live today. Be alive today. Rejoice and Cling to the Gospel and never get over; Jesus lived, died, was buried, and rose again. 

R – Lord God, thank you for life. Thank you that I’m alive and in you will forever be. Thank you for the hope that you have given; by dying for my sins and raising to life to defeat its grip, that I may live. You are the God of forgiveness and you are the God of eternal hope. Lord, I praise you. 

In Jesus Name!

[Luke 18, Proverbs 26]

H – Luke 18:18, “And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 

E – Justified!

There is only one way to be justified. In Luke 18 there are 2 parables that Jesus gave (The Pharisee and the Tax Collector – The Rich Ruler) that points to our need for genuine salvation and eternal life. 

The Pharisee justified his ‘salvation’ by what he had and did. He based his righteousness and self worth by the things that he did in the name of religion. He prayed, fasted, and gave his tithe faithfully, but he was not considered righteous.

The Rich Ruler justified his ‘salvation’ by what he did also. He claimed to have kept the commandments all the way from his youth. Yet, when he heard the truth about what one must do to inherit eternal life he left sad and defeated. 

Both The Pharisee and The Rich Ruler failed to see what true justification was and is; humbleness before God. To be justified before God means to fully surrender to Jesus through repentance. The only way that I can be justified is to have been redeemed, through faith in Jesus and Jesus alone. There is nothing that I can do to earn my salvation and eternal life or to be justified. It’s simple Jesus. 

It’s Jesus in me and Jesus through me. 

A – Both The Pharisee and Rich Ruler points to my need to humble myself before the Lord, lay before Him in repentance, surrender a new each day, and give of myself as I follow Him.

R – Lord God, thank you that I have found my worth in you. I know I’m only justified because of your great grace and my faith in you. Lord, I humble ask that you convict me of the things that have a grip on my life, fill me anew today, create in me a clean heart, and renew your Spirit in me. Thank you for the promise of eternal life. 

In Jesus Name!

[Luke 17, Proverbs 25]

H – Luke 17:1, “And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!”

E – Overcoming Temptations!

Temptations are unfortunately a part of life. Because of the fall of man and the birth of sin we have the unpleasant opportunity to experience the struggle it brings. 

There is so much to say about temptation in the Bible. (Just a few of importance)

1. Temptation is known as a luring and an enticing. It is a fishing metaphor for drawing prey away from shelter in order to trap them with a deadly hook (James 1:14, 1 Pet. 5:8–9).
2. Temptation is meant to breed a desire which leads to sin and once entrapped in sin it leads to death (James 1:15).
3. We know that God test his people to strengthen them but He never tempts anyone because He never desires His people to sin (James 1:13).

Therefore, temptation is straight from Satan himself. The reality is that even Jesus was tempted in every way, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Because of His temptation He even understands our weakness to temptation (seriously, go read Hebrews 4:15). A Christian can be comforted with the truth that nothing that entices them is foreign to the Lord. He too has felt the tug of sin, and yet he never gave in to such temptations.

So the logical question is, how do I overcome temptations? (Just a few things that come to mind this morning. This is not anywhere near exhaustive)

1. Pay Attention to Yourself (17:3). We are called to be self controlled and alert (1 Peter 5:8), keeping watch over ourselves least we fall into temptation (Matthew 26:41). I need to pay attention to my head and heart, where I am at, and where I’m going.
2. Draw Near to God (Hebrews 4:16). If God understands, yet is without sin, I need to draw close to Him and receive Mercy and Grace that comes from Him. In my time of need I simply need Jesus.
3. Remove Whatever it is in You Life that may Cause You to Stumble. If we are serious about not sinning, turn away from the temptation. We must repent (Luke 13:3) and put away everything that is a source of stumbling or temptation (Matthew 5:27-30; Mark 9:42-48).
4. Stand in Victory. Because Jesus overcame I can overcome. He has provided the “way of escape that I may endure” (1 Corinthians 10:13). 
5. Arm Yourself for The Next Battle. The adversary doesn’t give up and awaits the right opportunity to lure and entice. I can not afford to let my guard down (Ephesians 6:10-20). 

A – I can overcome. I must allow the Lord to transform me anew. Only He can guard my mind and my heart through Christ Jesus. 

R – Lord God, thank you for caring for me. Thank you for mercy and grace. Thank you for meeting me in my time of need when I call out to you. Thank you for being the God of countless second chances and forgiveness. Thank you that my failures are not final. Thank you for renewal and revival in my soul. Thank you for giving me your Spirit. Thank you that I can overcome. Thank you that I can stand in Victory. And, Thank you that I have a great Help. Lord, help me to run away from temptation and be strengthen through my trials. 

In Jesus Name!

[Luke 16, Proverbs 24]

H – Luke 16:13, “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

E – Faithful Steward

In Luke 16 Jesus speaks a parable about dishonesty, honesty, unfaithfulness, faithfulness with your life and possessions. It calls the hearer to examine how they are stewarding all the Lord has allowed and blessed into their life. 

Jesus desired that His Disciples would live humbly, honest, and faithful before Him in all they had, unlike the Pharisees. The Pharisees were lovers of money (16:14). According to Jesus they were more devoted to serving their possessions than they were understanding His Kingdom (16:13, I think you could even put 16:31 in the mix). To the point that they despised the truth and ridiculed the truth teller (16:14). 

As religious leaders, the Pharisees had allowed ‘mamon’ (which is a Greek word meaning wealth and possessions) to become idolatrous possessions. It was their possessions that controlled the way they lived, worked, thought, responded, etc. It was what they were devoted to and had control of their life. Instead of using their resources to serve others and the Kingdom of God, they used it to serve themselves. Jesus followers were called to place their devotion on God and His Kingdom. 

I think this verse has been used in the wrong manner at times, either to shame others that are rich or justify oneself for being poor. The reality is Jesus is not talking bad about money. The point is to question how you are stewarding your life and possession for His Kingdom. 

The way to serve God rather than money is to put one’s resources to the service of others and the work of the Kingdom. And the more I do, the more God allows (16:10).

This weeks memory verse at Harmony is Proverbs 3:9-10, “[9] Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; [10] then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” How fitting.

A – 16:1 led me to ponder for a moment the question, “What am I wasting that God has entrusted me with?” The Lord has blessed me far more than I deserve. Everything I have and will be given should be used faithfully to meet the right needs, for myself and others. It should be used to support Kingdom ministries. He has given me Time, Talents, and Treasures and I don’t need to waste them. 

This is a call to Examination and Priority. 

R – Lord God, Thank you for your blessings. God I don’t want to waste them. You know what I need and you continue to meet my needs. Lord, help me to not become selfish to possessions that would lead me to idolatry. From my devotion to you help me to prioritize everything in my life that would meet the right needs for myself, others, and ministries. Lord, use all that I have for your Kingdom and your Glory. 

In Jesus Name!

[Luke 15, Proverbs 21]

H – Luke 15:17, “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!”

E – A Grief that Produces Repentance. 

The pig pen is no place to be. It’s a place of desperation to fill a void (v.14). It’s a place of isolation away from true potential and purpose (v.16). But, the pig pen is where we will find ourselves when we turn inward, live selfishly with the ‘give me’ attitude (v.12), and squander away what we’ve been called to steward (v.13).  

It doesn’t take much time to be in need and want. 

It’s striking that this young son found himself in a pig pen, feeding the pigs, desiring to eat what the pigs were eating. Jews did not associate with pigs. Sheep, Yes! Pigs, No! Pigs were deemed as unholy and Jews didn’t even want to touch them. Yet, to fill a void, this son was willing to do what ever it took. It could be because he thought this would be an easy way out. It could have been because out of desperation he really didn’t care about the consequences. It could have been because he didn’t see any other options. 

Regardless, He Came To Himself. He came to his senses. 

Notice what he came to his senses to. 1) His sin against Heaven, 2) His sin before his father. 

This is a Hebrew/Aramaic expression for “repented.”This refers not only to a mental process that causes him to think more clearly about his situation but also to a moral renewal involving repentance. Remember this is a parable. Look at the progression and continuation of the parables in Luke 15 (v.17, 10) and the son’s confessions (v.18, 21). They all have to do with the need for repentance. 

This brings my mind to 2 Corinthians 7:10, “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.”

The son’s godly grief produced a repentance that led to his return and the father’s embrace. He turned away from perishing. If I was a betting man I would bet he didn’t regret his decision to leave the pig pen and go home. 

A – Everyday should be a day of coming to my senses, placing my life under His Lordship, and allow repentance to bear godly fruit in my life. 

R – Lord God, thank you for rescuing me. Thank you for embracing me and allowing me to experience the joy of salvation, forgiveness, and the God of countless 2nd chances. Lord, I praise you for who you are. 

In Jesus Name!

[Luke 14, Proverbs 20]

H – Luke 14:27, “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”

E – Count The Cost!

Crowds had pressed in around Jesus (v.25). They had seen His miracles, seen how He met needs, and heard Him speak with authority. Every time Jesus showed up, the crowds would show up. Some probably really desiring to be changed by Jesus while many just wanted to be around Jesus to get something from Him. There seemed to be a false expectancy from the crown on what Jesus was actually offering. Yet, Jesus let this crowd know their lives were to be disciples, or bust. 

Remember, a “disciple” is a learner, one who attaches to a teacher in order to learn from. 

Jesus begins with a conditional/conjunctional statement in V.26, “If”. Notice though, the conditions of discipleship that follow were not addressed to believers in order to make them apostles but to the crowds. I believe the next statements are therefore conditions for salvation, not conditions for Christians to become a spiritual elite or to reach a new level in their Christian lives. This is huge. To be Christian is to be a Disciple. 

“If anyone comes to me” means seeking salvation or making a decision to follow Jesus. However, there are three conditions. 

1. Does Not Hate (v.26). The word used is “Hate.” That seems really harsh. But, the word is not used in a sense of evil. The word is used in a sense of placement. Nothing should take the place of your first love, which should be Jesus. And the reality is when my love for Jesus is primary I better love those around me. 

2. Does Not Bear His Own Cross and Come After Me (v.27). The question arises, What does it mean to “carry the cross”? Warren Wiersbe wrote, “It means daily identification with Christ in shame, suffering, and surrender to God’s will. It means death to self, to our own plans and ambitions, and a willingness to serve Him as He directs (John 12:23–28).” It means then that discipleship is not a one and done prayer. It is daily surrendering and submitting to His Lordship over everything else. 

3. Does Not Renounce All That He Has (v.33). A disciple must relinquish everything. Literally be willing to give up everything for the sake of following Christ. I believe this scares some people to think they will have to give up a house, job, relationship, or future plans. This thought is usually from a worldly perspective of selfishness and I can understand it. I’ve been there. But, when I started following Christ intentionally, giving up for the sake of following Him where ever He sends me became normal. Because, I know He is going to take care of me. (Just a personal testimony – I have more today trusting Him with everything than I did when I was trying to do it myself). 

So, here is the kicker. If I am not willing to “count the cost” (v. 28) and submit/surrender to these conditions, “I can not be called His Disciple” (v.26, 37, 33). I’m unworthy of being called His student, learner, follower. 

As I was typing this the thought came to me, could this be why John said, 1 John 2:19–20, “[19] They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. [20] But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.” 

Trent Butler stated discipleship this way, “Discipleship is a full-time commitment. Nothing should modify, interrupt, or compete with it. Dedication to Jesus is a life-long commitment to follow the road that leads to death. Persons in the crowd who sought power, responsibility, food, health, fame, or fortune could quit now. Earthly rewards were not in view. Dedication to Christ is dedication to crucifixion. Rewards come only in the next world, with the resurrection.”

A – This is a reminder that following Christ is a daily, continual placement of Him as the primacy of my life, submitting to His Lordship, and laying a blank check before Him, to be used by and for His Glory. 

R – Lord God, thank you for salvation. Thank you for being the Master Teacher and giving me an opportunity to learn from you. I have learned today that your mercies are new every morning. Lord thank you for forgiveness. thank you for being patient and slow to anger. I know that I have not lived up to the expectations of being your disciple. God, create in me a conviction through your Holy Spirit to submit to you continually, counting the cost, and making no excuse (v.18). 

In Jesus Name!

[Luke 13, Proverbs 18]

H – Luke 13:23–24, “[23] And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, [24] “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.””

E – WARNING!

When you are in a place of danger there is usually warning signs posted to the fact in an attempt to keep you away from harm. Most the time we pay attention to these visual warning that would cost us if we came into contact with the danger. Jesus’ warning is one far more important because it deals with the warning of eternity. Yet, most of us are not paying attention to these signs. 

After Jesus was question about salvation He gives the warnings. 

• Many will seek but not not be able to (v.24).
• They will knock but the door will not be opened (v.25).
• They will make their claims, but He will will say depart from me (v.26-27).
• People will come, but you will be cast out (v.28-29).

It appears that those in who Jesus is warning or complacent, apathetic, uninvolved, and currently unconcerned. Sounds similar! They’re more worried about the appearance of religious practice and perception than they are the truth of eternity. 

But, Jesus also gives the direction away from the warning, “Strive to enter through the narrow door.” This does not mean that you’re working towards something. It means that you’ve surrendered to something. The word strive means “to make every effort”. Jesus had already told them what the effort was, REPENTANCE. 

Two times in Luke 13 we find the words, “but unless you repent you will likewise perish” (13:3, 5). 

Therefore, we don’t strive to change our theology to make us feel better about ourselves and our religious practices. We strive to look like Jesus and to know more about Him through active repentance. Repentance is the only way to be saved. 

And, active repentance means that we have a new desire to seek to hear, understand, and actively practice his word instead of passively going through the motions. 

A – Strive to seek, hear, understand, turn (repent), grow, go, and make much of Jesus. 

R – Lord God, thank you for the opportunity to repent. God, thank you for being merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. You are good. Lord, I pray today that I would take your Word as truth and I would allow it to change me. Lord, take my faith and grow it (13:19). Help me to see your warning signs and discern truth. 

In Jesus Name!

[Luke 12, Proverbs 18]

H – Luke 12:35–36, “[35] “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, [36] and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.”

E – Ready!

Luke 12 is a series of parables spoken by Jesus. The purpose of these parables is that Christ disciples would focus on the Kingdom of God over everything; fearing nothing of this world  (12:5), trusting Him with everything (12:31), and looking/working towards the Masters coming (12:40). 

The point is – Be Ready, Christ is Going to Return!

It seems that many who call themselves Christians have distanced themselves from this truth. Go read this article (although it is from 2017, it is alarming – (https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-39153121). Yet, you can’t get away from the truth of God’s Word, “The Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (12:40). 

The words “stay dressed” depicts a man prepared to run, with his long robe tucked under his belt. He isn’t waiting until the last minute. His armor is on (Ephesians 6), His lamps are full of oil and burning (Matthew 25:1-13), he is awake (12:37), and patiently waiting on the Master to knock (12:35). 

I believe Jesus is saying, “Do not think you can make preparations for My coming when I’m already there. Do not think you can change your position from worrying about material goods to serving My Kingdom then. When I come, you should be ready to move.”

A – I 100% believe that I will see Christ, either through my earthly death or His coming. Regardless, I should live today as if it will be today. There should be no room for doubt or despair. I need to live in light of His coming, discern truth, full of hope, encouraging others of this truth, staying in intimate relationship with Christ, and doing the work He has purposed me to. 

R – Lord God, I believe your promises. I affirm them as “Yes, and Amen!” I believe I will stand before you. I pray my Worship today would lead me in preparation for that day. Thank you for Hope. Thank you that I do not have to fear, be anxious, or concerned. You hold sparrows in your hand, you remember them, how much more me (12:7). Lord, open my mouth to acknowledge you today (12:8) and draw others to yourself. I praise you. 

In Jesus Name! 

[Luke 11, Proverbs 16]

H – Luke 11:28, “But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

E – True Blessing!

There was a woman who interrupted Jesus while He was speaking (11:27). This lady had a perceived opinion based off what she though (Jesus’ mother was blessed), rather than the truth (true blessings come from hearing from God and obeying). 

I’m not sure if this lady wanted a pat on the back, to be praised for what she said, just wanted to hear herself talk, or wanted to feel good about herself. But, Jesus turned the attention away from the woman, His mother, and the crowd and placed everyones attention to where it needed to be most; The Word and the need for obedience. 

True blessing comes to those who hear and obey God’s Word. Dedication to Jesus involves more than saying good things about him. Dedication to Jesus means listening to and obeying Him.

A – What a humbling remeinder. Jesus has granted me a new day, with new mercies. My daily desire should be to worship Him, hear from Him, and follow after Him. That will be the blessing of my day, my life. 

There is nothing that I have to do today that is more important than worshipping Him, as I hear and follow. May this be put in perspective, my priority, and purpose. 

R – Lord God, thank you for loving me. Thank you for the blessed hope that I have in you. Hope for today, hope for eternity. Thank you for your blessings past, present, and in the future. Lord help me to see that the greatest blessing of my life is simply you. Open my ears that I would continue to hear from you today. Free my head and heart that I would follow after you obediently. Through it Lord, would I receive and be the blessing that you are in and through me. 

In Jesus Name!