Luke 8 - Why Welcome Him?

 

Luke 8 – Why Welcome Him?

 

Jesus was not impressed by the crowds that followed Him, for He knew the spiritual condition of their hearts. The parable of the Sower helps examine our hearts to see how we respond to the Word. But it is not enough to hear the Word; we must also obey it and trust it when the time of testing comes. Many people who heard Jesus, even those who listened to Him gladly, did not give much thought to the meaning of His teaching and made even less effort to live by it.

 

The healing of the Gadarene demoniacs (Matt. 8:28) should have endeared Jesus to the people, but the citizens were concerned more about pigs and money than about people and mercy. The man who begged to go with Jesus was the sanest one of all! This man spread the word, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.

 

A multitude welcoming was on the other side of the Sea of Galilee, near Capernaum. They welcomed Him, probably not because of their love for Him, but because they had seen many of His miracles and wanted Him to meet their needs. If Jesus were coming today, would you welcome Him? Why?

 

The people wanted to get next to Jesus so He could help them; but though they thronged Him, they did not have the touch of faith that the poor sick woman had. Being in the crowd is no assurance of receiving the blessing.  Sometimes God must get you away from the crowd before He can meet the need. Jesus forced this woman out into the open, not to ridicule or rebuke her but to set her free completely.

 

 Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better. If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible. Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

 

Luke 7 - "I Am Not Worthy"

 

Luke 7 – “I Am Not Worthy”

 

“I am not worthy” was the centurion’s confession of humility; and his confession of faith was, “Say the word!” It is great faith when we trust Christ to work just by speaking the Word. We can never deserve His blessings, but we can ask for them in faith. The Roman centurion, who would naturally be hated as an officer of the occupying force, displayed more faith in Christ than many Jews.

 

The woman did not expect it. Nobody knew that Jesus would arrive and break up the funeral! Never despair because your Lord may surprise you at the last minute and do the impossible for you.  Jesus gave sight to many blind people, a miracle that no Old Testament prophet had ever performed. This is considered a signature sign of the Messiah. (Isa. 29:18; 35:5,6).

 

 

When the Lord is not doing what you expect Him to do, tell Him about it and listen to His word. You may feel that your ministry has failed, but you are not the judge. Let Jesus have the final word. Jesus continually broke the norms and shocked the establishment, especially when he let the known prostitute touch his feet. God still breaks the norm today.

 

The sinful woman trusted Christ and He saved her; now she wanted to express her love to Him. True faith cannot be hidden, and true faith shows itself in love and worship. Simon the Pharisee was blind; he could not see himself, the Lord, or the woman. He did not know the debt he owed!. Jesus contrasted the woman’s loving actions with Simon’s lack of them. Simon had not accepted His message. Instead of inviting Him into his heart, he invited Him to dinner. Many people still have that sort of superficial relationship with Jesus. They are social believers, they would like Him as a dinner companion, but they do not want Him any closer, certainly not as Savior.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

 

Luke 6 - True Liberty

 

Luke 6 – True Liberty

 

People who live only by “Is it lawful?” cannot understand our Lord’s principle, “Is it loving?” The scribes and Pharisees had transformed the Sabbath from a day of blessing into a day of bondage, and Jesus deliberately healed on the Sabbath so He could challenge them. It is always right to do good and to meet human need (Mic. 6:8), for love fulfills the law (Rom. 13:8-10).

 

In His ordination sermon for the apostles, Jesus emphasized the true spiritual values of life in contrast to the false values of the Pharisees (Matt. 23). Comfortable living is not always Christian living.

 

God’s people have their enemies, even as Jesus did; and we must be Christlike in the way we treat them. We must be giving and forgiving; and we must pray for them, not that God would destroy them but that He would change them. The best way to conquer an enemy is to make him a friend. Keep your heart right with God and the Lord will produce the good fruit in your life.

 

True obedience is not just words but deeds, and it involves hearing the Word and doing it (I Thess. 2:13). Judas knew the vocabulary, but he did not do the will of God; and when the storm came, his house fell.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary. J Vernon McGee Thru the Bible

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

 

Luke 5 - Jesus Responds

 

Luke 5- Jesus Responds

 

If you had fished all night and caught nothing, would you be getting ready to go out fishing again? One reason Jesus called several fishermen to be His disciples was that they never quit! Peter may have thought he knew more about fishing than Jesus did, but he did what Jesus commanded; and the Lord honored his obedient faith. No failure is final if you come to the Lord for a new start. When God asks His followers to do something that makes no sense, they are on the verge of experiencing Him in powerful and awe-inspiring ways, far more so than if they relied solely on their own strength and ability. (Eph. 3:20). The more time we spend with the Master, the more like Him we will become.

 

Lepers were not to approach people; but the man came to Jesus in desperation, and Jesus healed him. The offering Jesus referred to is described in Leviticus 14 and picture the salvation of the Lord.

 

The crowds sought Him, but Jesus withdrew to pray and commune with the Father. He did not allow popularity to detour Him from the Father’s will. If Jesus needed times of solitude and prayer, how much more do His followers!

 

He forgave the paralytic, Matthew the publican, and Matthew’s friends who trusted Him because He is a “friend of sinners” (Matthew 11:19). He could not forgive the scribes and Pharisees because they would not admit they were sick and in need of new clothes! They refused to grasp that Jesus was God in the flesh, with both the authority and the power to forgive sin. As the Great Physician, He came to heal the spiritually sick. Pharisees do not believe they are sick, like the scribes and Pharisees, do not seek the physicians care and therefore cannot be healed.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible, J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

 

Luke 4 - The Conqueror

 

Luke 4 – The Conqueror

 

You can be filled with the Spirit and obedient to God’s will and still experience temptations and trials. Because He faced the enemy and conquered, Jesus can identify with you in your temptations and can help you win the victory (Heb. 2:17-18). It is not a sin to be tempted, for Jesus was tempted; but it is a sin to yield. Satan’s promise is, “all will be yours”, but in Jesus Christ, you already have all things (I Cor. 3:21-23), and satan can give you nothing. Satan does not tempt God’s people indiscriminately, He looks for the opportune time, occasions when the children of God are weakened and prone to giving in. Wise believers learn to recognize the kinds of situations that make them more susceptible to temptation (Eph. 4:26, 27).

 

The Spirit not only gives us victory, but He leads us and empowers us for service. The people in the synagogue wanted a comforting sermon, not a convicting sermon. When Jesus mentioned God’s grace to the Gentiles, the people became angry and threw Him out! They forfeited His blessings because they rejected His word. The people who knew Jesus only as Joseph’s son found it difficult to believe that He was the Savior since they had known Him as a child and knew His earthly family.

 

Jesus fulfilled His commission by bringing healing and deliverance to the poor and needy by the authority of His word. Had He not overcome the devil privately, Jesus could not have defeated Him publicly. While the preaching of the Word was His major ministry, Jesus had compassion on the sick and healed them. We may not have the power to heal, but we can comfort and assist those who are needy; and we can do it in Jesus’ name (Matt. 25:34-40).

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible.

 

Luke 2 & 3 Christ Born of Mary

 

Luke 2 – Christ Born of Mary

 

Christ’s birth affected Ceasar’s politics, the ministry of the angels, and the activities of common men. In that day, shepherds were looked upon with disdain; but God singled them out to be the first human messengers of Messiah’s birth. His coming touched worshipers and even scholars. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, deity invaded humanity, eternity invaded time, and royalty invaded poverty (John 1:1-4).

 

The angels sang about Him, a song of praise, peace, and purpose, and He is still the theme of the greatest music. Luke wrote about Him and He is still the subject of the greatest literature. The shepherds hastened to behold Him, and He is still at the center of the greatest art. Teachers listened to Him and marveled, and He is still the focal point for all truth and wisdom.

 

In His development, Jesus was perfectly balanced; intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially; and He is still the greatest example for childhood and youth.

 

He alone is worthy of our worship! Oh, come! Let us adore Him!    

 

Luke 3- God’s Message                                   

 

God’ message came to John the Baptist, the greatest of God’s prophets. John’s ministry was foretold by the prophet Isaiah (Isa. 40:3-5). John was a prophet who was the subject of prophecy.

 

He was privileged to prepare the nation for the Messiah and then present Him to them. John preached against sin and told the people to repent. He gave specific instructions to his converts on how to put their faith into practice. He was inspecting fruit, getting to the root of sin, and warning about wrath to come.

 

The Son of God is baptized, the Spirit lights upon Him like a dove; and the Father speaks His approval from heaven. The Holy Trinity is always involved in your salvation (Eph. 1:1-14).

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans for You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. Through the Bible by J. Vernon McGee.

Luke 1 - Serving, Submitting and Singing

 

Luke 1– Serving, Submitting and Singing

 

His disappointment at not having a son did not keep Zacharias from serving the Lord. Be faithful; you never know when God’s angel may arrive. Zacharias had the faith to keep on praying; but when the answer came, he did not have the faith to accept it. He looked at his limitations rather than God’s great power.  Unbelief produces silence (Ps. 116:10). Faith opens your mouth in praise to God. God still answers prayer, but always in His timing, not necessarily in ours.

 

What an honor to be chosen to be the mother of the Messiah! Mary humbly submitted to the Lord because she had faith that He would keep His promise. Her decision would bring her sorrow and suffering but she willingly yielded to it. She was “blessed among women” because of the grace of God given to her. All who trust Christ as their Savior are highly graced by the Lord. (Eph. 1:6). Mary’s response is one that all believers should emulate.

 

A pregnant Jewish girl from Nazareth, engaged to marry a poor carpenter, wht did Mary have to sing about?  She sang about the Lord, what He did for her, for all who fear Him, and for His people Israel. God gives power to the weak, thrones to the lowly, and food to the hungry; but the strong, the rich, and the mighty go away empty. Mary was not divine, nor did she believe herself to be. She was simply divinely blessed.

 

Zecharias praised God for what He would do for His people, Israel. It was the dawning of a new day because the Messiah was about to be born. God keeps His promises and is faithful to His covenants. Zecharias’ hymn of praise to God emphasized the national benefits of God’s gifts. God’s blessings are not for individuals to keep to themselves.

 

 Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better. If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. J. Vernon McGee Thru the Bible. Nelson’s Quick Reference. Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.