Lk22

To argue about personal greatness in the presence of Jesus is to forget totally who Jesus is.  The disciples had this argument a lot.  Since we are in the presence of Jesus at all times, His presence should silence our arguments.  

Stop arguing and start following.

Lk21

Every day brings an opportunity to witness for Christ.  Be alert to what God is calling you to do.

Jesus prophesied that things in this world would continue to get bad.  What is to be a our response to these events? We are to be witnesses for Christ.  In fact, it is often the negative things that happen which create the best opportunity to share.  Jesus instructed his disciples to be watchful and ready.  If it applied to them 2000 years ago, how much more should it apply to us today?

Share the good news today.  Use every opportunity.  Use any opportunity.  It could likely save someone's life.

Lk20

If you were pretending to be a particular kind of person, what kind of person would that be?  The Pharisees of Jesus' day "pretended" to be righteous!

This statement really struck me.  Were the Pharisees just pretenders?  Or did they believe themselves to actually be righteous?  I know many "christians" who pretend to be something they are not, but generally they seem to be self-deceived.  Many times we look at these religious leaders and think that they were horrible people.  It is likely they were really good people who were horribly deceived!  Religion apart from Jesus is one of the most blinding ways to live.

Again, Jesus makes the point, we will give an account for what we believe and how we act.  These "religious people" feared "the people" but they did not fear God.  Their actions were not in accord with God's will, nor were there hearts open to hear the teaching of Jesus.  It gives me pause today to examine my heart.  Am I open to God's will and listening to His desires for my day?

Lk19

What are you doing with what God has entrusted to you? The day of accounting is coming.

One of my favorite stories in all the bible is the story of Zacchaeus.  It was in the context of this story that Jesus said, "I have come to seek and save the lost."  Zac was a rich man who evidenced his salvation with generosity.  Before he met Jesus his god was money.  After he met Jesus, who became his God, money was just one way that he could advance the kingdom of God.

It was also in this context that Jesus told the story of the slaves who had been entrusted with their master's money and given the opportunity to do with it as they desired.  One slave multiplied the money by 100%, another 50% and the last simply returned the money.  Jesus described the third slave as "unfaithful". The master actually took the money from him and gave it to the slave who had the most!

The point seems to be obvious.   God has given us everything.  One day we will give an account to Him as to how we used all He entrusted to us.  My prayer is that we will be faithful stewards of all of God's good gifts.  We are so blessed.

Lk18

What would your prayers say that you trust in? Little praying = yourself.  Much praying = God.

Jesus told a parable to remind His followers that they should pray and not trust in themselves.  When we pray little it demonstrates that we are not very focused on God or His will in our life.  Some believers actually never pray!  Maybe they are not truly believers or maybe they are simply trusting in themselves.

Jesus said the pharisee trusted in himself AND he prayed! Yet his prayer was not a humble conversation with God.  His prayer was an opportunity to boast in himself and to elevate himself over others.  On the other hand, the tax collector prayed with humility and repentance.  Jesus said, the tax collector went away "justified".

Examine your prayer life today.  How much do you pray? What is your attitude in prayer?  The answers to these questions will tell you much about your relationship with Jesus.

Pray with a repentant humble heart.

Lk17

Do you expect to be "thanked" by God when you do only what He commands you to do?  If so you have your relationship all mixed up.  Jesus said we should say, "We are good for nothing slaves; we've have ONLY DONE our duty."

Luke then goes on to tell the story of the ungrateful Jews who were healed by Jesus.  There were ten men with leprosy who were miraculously healed.  Nine of them were Jews, one was a Samaritan.  After they were healed, only the Samaritan came and thanked Jesus.  The very person who the other nine would have never had anything to do with if it wasn't for their own leprosy!  Yet, he expressed gratitude and the other nine did not.  Why? Did they feel like Jesus "owed" them healing?

These stories are not randomly connected.  They do tie together.  At least one point would be our perspective on our relationship with God.  Does He owe us anything?  How do we treat His blessings in our lives?  Do we think He should be thanking us?  Are we His servants or should He be serving us?

Tough stuff for us to swallow.

Lk16

Jesus said, "You cannot serve both God and money."  He calls money unrighteous and says that if someone is not a good steward of it, then how can true riches be entrusted to them?

Have you noticed how often Jesus talked about money?  There is not question, it was and still is a really big deal.  What we do with our money is a great indicator of the God who has our heart.  Most christians I know don't even give one tenth of their income to the things of God, much less more than that!  Where did we get the idea that if we give 1/10th then we are free to do whatever we want with the rest.  Should our giving purely be obligatory?  I think not.

In fact, I have begun to think about how we spend the 90% if we are giving one tenth.  Shouldn't 100% of the money we have be spent in a way that honors Christ?  If He is our Lord and Master and we are His stewards, won't we give an account of the entire stewardship?  Jesus spoke of these parables to bring us into this light. Luke ends this chapter with the story of the rich man and Lazarus.  Both died and were buried.  The rich man was tormented for eternity but Lazarus spent his eternity in the presence of God.

Something to think about.

Lk15

God's heart today is for people who are lost and people in need.  What is your concern today?

The only people group in the world who take offense at spending time with lost sinners are pharisaical "religious people".  There continues to be so many parallels between the "religious people" of Jesus day and the "religious people" of our day.  Religious people are so caught up in religion that they forget the reason that Jesus came to earth and the purpose of God revealing Himself in scripture.

Jesus came to seek and to save the lost!  His purpose was to win anyone and everyone to faith in Him.  From His perspective every sinner was on a equal playing field…lost and without hope.  People's religion actually hurt their ability to respond to Jesus rather than helping it.  The purpose of all religion is to build our relationship with God and to strengthen our love for people.

If you are pursuing a religious experience that is causing you to become less loving and more critical of others, it is a "false teaching".  One of satan's greatest tools over time has been religion.  God wants a relationship with you,  rooted in biblical community which continually challenges you to love the lost and the least.

Join a church that calls you to "welcome and eat with lost sinners".  That is what Jesus did.  Leave any church that is not reaching the lost and welcoming sinners continuously.  "Holy clubs of the religious" were repulsive to Jesus 2000 years ago and still are today.

__________________________________________

Troy Nesbitt, Lead Pastor

515.232.5488 | troynesbitt@gmail.com

Cornerstone Church of Ames | www.cornerstonelife.com

helping people know and obey Jesus

56829 U.S. Highway 30 | Ames, IA 50010

Lk14

"Anyone who does not give up all his possessions, cannot be my disciple" - Jesus

Three times in this chapter Jesus makes a comment about discipleship.  He is clear in what He is saying.  Three times He uses the strongest of terms to make it clear what it means to follow Him.  He said, "If you don't do this, you cannot be my disciple".  Do you think these things only applied to Jesus' day?  Wouldn't these truths still apply today?

The first discipleship quality is a supreme love for Jesus.  He even goes so far at to compare that love for Him with the opposite (hate) for others.  In Matthew Jesus said, "If you love anyone more than me, you are not worthy to be my disciple."  We know that the first quality of discipleship is love for God.  How does your love for God compare to the love you have for others?

Secondly, Jesus talks about "carrying your own cross" and "following Him".  He said that if one is not willing to die to himself and truly pursue Jesus, he cannot be a disciple.  Following Jesus demands that we turn from our own agenda and begin to follow His.

Finally, Jesus talks about our stuff.  He leaves no doubt that everything that we consider "ours" is no longer to be thought of that way.  In fact, He demands that we "give up" our ownership over those possessions and begin to use them to honor Him.

How are you doing on the discipleship test!  One out of three?  Two out of three?  Do you think Jesus was making a joke?  Can we actually assume if we are not doing any of these things that we are true disciples?  I think not.

Live it.

Lk13

"Make every effort to enter heaven, because I tell you, many will try but will not be able to enter." - Jesus

There is no doubt in my mind that many who think heaven is their destiny will be shocked to discover that they actually won't make it.  Jesus said the way is narrow that leads to life and "few" are those who are willing to travel that path.  It is NOT our effort that gains entrance into heaven, but heaven will not be gained by anyone apart from considerable effort!  Jesus commanded his listeners, "make every effort!"

Thinking that Jesus is able to save you is not the same as being saved by Jesus.  Examine the cost of following Jesus.  It was never without sacrifice and change.  Jesus said, "unless you repent, you will perish."  At that time he was speaking to religious people.  People who were convinced that they were heading to eternal bliss.  They were the "good" people in the culture.  They were also the godless.  They assumed that all was good in their lives because they were "blessed" by God.  Nothing could have been farther from the truth.

Examine your life.  How much does your life actually reflect that Jesus is living in and through you?

Lk12

Jesus pities anyone who is rich in this world but is not rich toward God.  What you do with money is a clear indicator of the god you serve.  Jesus makes this clear over and over again. 

His challenge is quite simple: Do you consider yourself a child of God? Is everything you have been given to you by Him?  Then how you use what you have should reflect your desire to please Him.  This chapter begins with a clear challenge; Fear God.  We are to fear God because He is the One who will determine our destination for eternity and the quality of that eternal state.  

Secondly there is a challenge to avoid hypocrisy and greed.  Hypocrisy is saying one thing and doing a different thing.  Jesus was specifically talking about the pharisees and later described their "hypocrisy" specifically as greed. They defined the quality of their life according to their possessions rather than their obedience to God.  They generally were faithful "tithers" but were never rich toward God.  Giving to the poor would have been one of the last things they would have done with their money.

Finally Jesus described what life will be like for those who fail to live and give for eternity!  When He returns, they will be left without a blessing.  In essence, their life will have amounted to nothing. But for those who are eagerly waiting and living for His return, a blessing and a great reward will be theirs to have forever.

Live today like you believe these words of Jesus.

Lk11

External appearance is rarely a good indicator of what is truly inside a person.  Where ones spends their money is a way better indicator of their true God.  What does your God look like?

Jesus spent many hours in prayer alone.  In fact, it was this discipline that His disciples wanted Jesus to teach them.  His model prayer was a simple one; Focused on God, His Kingdom and His will.  I wonder what the majority focus of our prayers would be?  I assume this model would help our prayer life tons.  Still, it is better to pray poorly than to not pray at all.  What will you pray for today?

Lord help us to live for you.

Lk10

The reason many people will never accept the forgiveness that Jesus offers is because they want to "justify themselves".  Anyone who seeks God's favor through their own good works will forever be separated from the love that God provides. This was the case with the "expert in the law."  It is only through faith in the work of Jesus that someone is justified before God.  Jesus is the only way.  

Don't get confused about the value of "good works".  They earn nothing in regards to salvation and no amount of works will ever save.  On the other hand, "good works" are what God has prepared for us to do after we have been saved!  Anyone who believes that they are saved because of the work of Jesus on the cross should be marked by "works" because of that salvation.  Works will never save.  True salvation always works.

Finally, I love the contrast in this chapter between Martha and Mary.  Martha was "working" hard to serve the Lord, while Mary was working hard to listen to Him.  Many christians busy themselves with what they think Jesus wants them to do without ever taking the time to sit at His feet and listen to what He says.  I want to get up every morning, spend time listening to Jesus, and THEN busy myself doing what He says.

I think it is a good plan.

Lk10

The reason many people will never accept the forgiveness that Jesus offers is because they want to "justify themselves".  Anyone who seeks God's favor through their own good works will forever be separated from the love that God provides. This was the case with the "expert in the law."  It is only through faith in the work of Jesus that someone is justified before God.  Jesus is the only way.  

Don't get confused about the value of "good works".  They earn nothing in regards to salvation and no amount of works will ever save.  On the other hand, "good works" are what God has prepared for us to do after we have been saved!  Anyone who believes that they are saved because of the work of Jesus on the cross should be marked by "works" because of that salvation.  Works will never save.  True salvation always works.

Finally, I love the contrast in this chapter between Martha and Mary.  Martha was "working" hard to serve the Lord, while Mary was working hard to listen to Him.  Many christians busy themselves with what they think Jesus wants them to do without ever taking the time to sit at His feet and listen to what He says.  I want to get up every morning, spend time listening to Jesus, and THEN busy myself doing what He says.

I think it is a good plan.

Lk9

"If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me." - Jesus  There is no doubt that Jesus expected His followers to actually leave everything and follow Him.  He was not interested in "occasional followers" or "happy believers", he actually expected "sacrificial followers"!

Verse 24 says, "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will save it."  Clearly Jesus' expectation was an "all in" commitment.  Nothing short of "losing your life" would save it.  Jesus expected His disciples to abandon this world and to live for Him. Period.

Most believers today fail to understand this clear principle.  We live as though God exist to serve us. Most act as though His primary goal is our happiness.  This idea is not only NOT in the bible, it is antagonistic to a true relationship with Jesus.  Being a disciple of Jesus, requires giving our lives totally to His control.  Nothing short of that is true discipleship!

In the New Testament MOST actually walked away after considering the cost.  Jesus never reduced the expectation.  He did speak of the great gain to all who would actually lose everything to gain Him.  

Are you a true disciple?

Lk8

Jesus demonstrated undeniable power in every account in the gospel record.  His life was a constant display of the power of God over demons, sickness, weather and death!  His power has not diminished today.  Why is it so hard to fully trust Him with every aspect of our lives?

The answer might be in the parable Jesus told in this chapter.  Could it be that the "worries of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desire for other things" has creeped into our lives and choked out the potential for fruitfulness that God desires?  What in this world do you want more than Jesus?  What are you thinking and worrying about?  Would your use of money say that Jesus and His church are your greatest priorities?  

These are the things that Jesus says keeps us from experiencing Him in great power.  His power is not diminished.  Is our faith being chocked by these other desires?  God help us all.

Lk7

From God's perspective, do you think there are some of us who have actually sinned more than others?  It is not the most relevant question since one sin is enough to condemn us, and we are all well beyond that, but Jesus made a point of it in this chapter.  He compares our ability to love Him with the understanding of how much we have been forgiven.  He does this in several places.

If you are struggling to love Jesus and obey Him, I would suggest it is because you have a poor understanding of how much you have been loved and forgiven.  I bet you have failed to see how little you deserve forgiveness and heaven and how much you deserve to be condemned to hell.  Jesus would say, "Stop living as though you somehow deserve heaven.  Life a life of love, knowing you have been loved and forgiven by God."

I am personally challenged by these words more than ever.  I so don't want to be "that guy" who lives and acts as though he deserved God's love and forgiveness.  Jesus seems to measure our understanding of forgiveness with the way we give love and forgiveness to others.

Something to ponder.

Lk6

God is gracious to the ungrateful and the evil, and He expects us to be the same way!  How are you doing?  I score an epic fail.

Jesus is clearly calling us to a different way of life.  He says, "if you love those who love you, how are you different?"  When we only love those who love us and only do good to those who will do good to us, we are not acting as Jesus would want us to.  His desire is for us to be "like" Him.  That means, loving the unlovely and doing good to those who we could never expect repayment.  That is radical.  That is what Jesus did.

What a challenge.

Lk5

What have you left behind to follow Jesus? If the answer is nothing, you probably don't get it.  You likely are NOT following Jesus.

When Jesus called His disciples, they left everything and followed him.  Peter, James and John left his fishing business and Levi (called Matthew) left his tax collecting.  Their lives were totally redefined by their relationship with Jesus.  They left their old way of life and began to follow Jesus in a brand new way.

How does this apply to us?  Jesus said, "Follow me and I will make you a fisher of people."  Jesus is about saving people and giving them a reason to live.  Following Jesus demands a life of serving Him.  Following Jesus requires that we listen to and obey Him.  Following Jesus means that He leads and we "follow".  In my experience, following Jesus always requires that we "leave" something behind. 

Are you truly following Jesus?  What have you left behind?

Lk4

What place does the Holy Spirit have in your life?  Are you "full of, led by and empowered by Him?  Jesus was.

Did you notice in this chapter that Jesus was dynamically connected to the Holy Spirit?  Luke teaches us that Jesus, being full of the Holy Spirit was led by Him to be tempted in the wilderness.  After He was tempted, it says that Jesus was "empowered" by that same Spirit.

Clearly Jesus taught that we are to live our lives in accordance with His Spirit.  Is that something that we think about?  Paul said that everyone who is led by the Spirit of God is a son of God.  He also said, "walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the deeds of the flesh."

My prayer is that we are full of, being led by and empowered by God's Spirit today!  There is no better way to live.

Lk3

Have you heard the saying, "The ground is level at the foot of the cross?"  What that means is that we all are in the same place before God when we stand before Jesus.  We will either be condemned or forgiven depending on how we respond to His death for us.  There is no other way but through faith in Christ!

In this chapter John prophesies this truth.  He is quoting the prophet Isaiah, but he is talking about Jesus leveling the playing field for everyone.  He quotes, "Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be made low, the crooked will become straight, the rough ways smooth, and everyone will see the salvation of God."  In summary, the ground is level in light of the cross!

If we don't see everyone in light of the cross, we are not seeing clearly.  When we begin to compare ourselves among ourselves, or see ourselves in relationship to others rather than Jesus, we are walking in rough terrane.  Jesus has come to reduce each of us to humility before Him so we can truly love one another.

In light of all Jesus did for us on the cross, how can we not love our brothers? 

Lk2

I can't imagine what it would have been like to raise Jesus from a baby to manhood!  He was God from the beginning, but he came as a baby!  He had to grow in wisdom, stature and in favor both with God and people.

It is crazy to think about!  I would have loved for God to have recorded some of the conversations that Mary and Joseph had with Jesus the boy.  Or something that happened when he was with his siblings growing up.  Yet, we have nothing in scripture but silence.

In fact, Jesus' family would struggle to become worshipers.  Likely, only Mary believed before He died!  Jesus withheld Himself from exercising deity until His time had come.  These are interesting things to think about.

Lk1

Are helping the next generation become "spiritually strong"? It won't happen without purposeful effort on our part.

Luke begins his gospel with two incredible stories. The first, of John the Baptists' parents, Zechariah & Elizabeth, and the second about Mary. These were amazing people who God considered faithful and capable of raising the a great prophet and the Lord of the universe! These were entrusted with the fragile infancy and childhood of God's chosen leaders!

God has entrusted little ones to us. What are we calling them to become? Are we working hard to see them become men and women of God? Are we modeling for them lives lived to please Jesus? Will they value obedience to Christ because that is our highest value? Or will it be something else? I pray we all will take our responsibility seriously.

Invest in what matters forever in the lives of our children!