Luke 8:10 He said, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to to others I speak in parables, so that,
“ 'though seeing, they may not see;
though hearing, they may not understand.' (NIV-2011)
What we have here in Luke chapter 8 is an exposition on the Kingdom of God - what does it look like when Jesus goes about "proclaiming and bringing the kingdom of God"? Remember, He is training the twelve (Lk. 8:1, ESV) as He is about to send them out on their own to 'drive out all demons, cure diseases, proclaim the kingdom of God and heal the sick' (Lk. 9:1-2). True followers of Jesus put His words into practice (v. 21). Faith is required to see the kingdom come (v. 25, 48, 50). Testimony is the proper response when you encounter the kingdom - testimony which glorifies God (v. 39).
Some will reject our message. Some will appear zealous at first and then fade away (v. 13). Some will receive our message but never mature due to entanglement with worldly concerns (v. 14). Some will grow and produce fruit - it's an issue of the heart (v. 15). We should not be dismayed or dissuaded/distracted when this happens. Jesus told us ahead of time that this would be so. Brad, proclaim the message of the kingdom (Jesus is King and therefore everything is new) and do the works of the kingdom. It starts with obedience to His word(s) in your own life, "put it into practice" (v. 21) - obedience, simple obedience. Build your life on the rock of His (Jesus') teaching (6:46-48). Faith is a critical element - you're going to have to step out in faith and just trust Him. Testimony, telling others what he has done for you, is the disciple's response when He comes through, when that prayer is answered, when you find your trust was not in vain: "you will be my witnesses" (Acts 1:8)! Obedience, faith, and testimony to His faithfulness - that's it.
God may I be obedient, a man of faith - faithful and full of faith. Brad: "go and tell" (v. 39, 7:22). Holy Spirit build, grow in me a thirst, a longing for obedience - to do what is pleasing in Your eyes Lord and thus be glorified. Be glorified, Lord Jesus. Be glorified in me. Holy Spirit grant me strength and faith to not forget this moment, this conviction. God my Father, create in me a clean heart, a new heart that I might serve You. Bring Your kingdom.
In Jesus' name - Amen,
Son
Showing posts with label heart. Show all posts
Showing posts with label heart. Show all posts
Friday, December 27, 2013
Monday, January 23, 2012
Let's Get to Work!
Luke 15:20b But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. (ESV)
Three parables all focused on the rejoicing that occurs when a lost sinner repents (v. 3-22). And it all begins with the Pharisee's grumbling accusation that "This man receives sinners and eats with them" (v. 2). The father sees the silhouette of his son far off - probably recognizing his gate. The rejoicing, the compassion, the party: "let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost and is found" (v. 23-24).
Let's not be like the older brother here: 'Him, you're letting him back in the house!?!' (v. 30f.). Brad, don't disdain the heart of an evangelist. You want others to affirm your gift? You can't be critical of the gifting of another. The heart of the evangelist and the heart of a teacher work together to accomplish the great commission. "You bring 'em in, I'll disciple them." Repentance is at the heart of the gospel. When one sinner repents, it's time to throw a party! (v. 7, 9-10).
God bless my friends and brothers (& sisters) in Christ: the Pastor-Evangelists. Though it is not my gifting it is Your gifting for them and to the body, for Your glory. I repent for my judgmental attitude. 'Bring 'em in fellas* - and let's get to work!' Holy Spirit, put a check in my soul when the spirit of the older brother (the Pharisee) tries to rise up in me. Jesus I present myself as a living sacrifice - for Your kingdom, for Your glory.
In Jesus' name - Amen,
Son
*with apologies, Ladies, for the non- gender neutral language here (That would have gotten me in all kinds of trouble in grad school!)
Three parables all focused on the rejoicing that occurs when a lost sinner repents (v. 3-22). And it all begins with the Pharisee's grumbling accusation that "This man receives sinners and eats with them" (v. 2). The father sees the silhouette of his son far off - probably recognizing his gate. The rejoicing, the compassion, the party: "let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost and is found" (v. 23-24).
Let's not be like the older brother here: 'Him, you're letting him back in the house!?!' (v. 30f.). Brad, don't disdain the heart of an evangelist. You want others to affirm your gift? You can't be critical of the gifting of another. The heart of the evangelist and the heart of a teacher work together to accomplish the great commission. "You bring 'em in, I'll disciple them." Repentance is at the heart of the gospel. When one sinner repents, it's time to throw a party! (v. 7, 9-10).
God bless my friends and brothers (& sisters) in Christ: the Pastor-Evangelists. Though it is not my gifting it is Your gifting for them and to the body, for Your glory. I repent for my judgmental attitude. 'Bring 'em in fellas* - and let's get to work!' Holy Spirit, put a check in my soul when the spirit of the older brother (the Pharisee) tries to rise up in me. Jesus I present myself as a living sacrifice - for Your kingdom, for Your glory.
In Jesus' name - Amen,
Son
*with apologies, Ladies, for the non- gender neutral language here (That would have gotten me in all kinds of trouble in grad school!)
Friday, January 13, 2012
The Light Inside*
Luke 11:41 But give as alms those things that are within and behold, everything is clean for you. (ESV)
Jesus was just speaking in the previous paragraph about your whole body being full of light (v. 34). Here in the Pharisees house, He is similarly addressing "greed and wickedness" (v. 39) within. If the condition of our heart (inner self, real self) is good then we can freely give of that goodness within in the site God with no shame. This is completely freeing. But if there is darkness within us, all we can give is external appearance of obedience to a moral code or some (perhaps arbitrary) religious rule(s). But what about "justice and the love of God" (v. 42)?
Lord Jesus, search my heart. Know me, Holy Spirit for You now me. Fill me with light from the Father of light - for all good gifts come down from above (James 1:17). I am not deserving of this. But You have called me - "Come." You have loved me - Me! You have saved me - King Jesus. And now you bid me to "Follow."
In Jesus' name - Amen,
Son
*taken from the title of the Album The Light Inside by Gary Chapman
Jesus was just speaking in the previous paragraph about your whole body being full of light (v. 34). Here in the Pharisees house, He is similarly addressing "greed and wickedness" (v. 39) within. If the condition of our heart (inner self, real self) is good then we can freely give of that goodness within in the site God with no shame. This is completely freeing. But if there is darkness within us, all we can give is external appearance of obedience to a moral code or some (perhaps arbitrary) religious rule(s). But what about "justice and the love of God" (v. 42)?
Lord Jesus, search my heart. Know me, Holy Spirit for You now me. Fill me with light from the Father of light - for all good gifts come down from above (James 1:17). I am not deserving of this. But You have called me - "Come." You have loved me - Me! You have saved me - King Jesus. And now you bid me to "Follow."
In Jesus' name - Amen,
Son
*taken from the title of the Album The Light Inside by Gary Chapman
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