Luke Chapters 11-19

Study 12 - Kingdom Priorities (Luke 9:51–11:13) 

Samaritan Opposition

51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, He set his face to go to Jerusalem.
52 And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him;
53 but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem.
54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them ?”
55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them.
56 Then he and his disciples went to another village.

The Cost of Following Jesus

57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."
58 And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."
59 To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father."
60 And Jesus said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God."
61 Yet another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home."
62 Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two  - Chapter 10 

1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go.
2 And he said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.
3 Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.
4 Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road.
5 Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace be to this house!'
6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you.
7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house.
8 Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you.
9 Heal the sick in it and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'
10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say,
11 'Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.'
12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

Woe to Unrepentant Cities

13 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
14 But it will be more bearable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you.
15 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades.
16 "The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me."

The Return of the Seventy-Two

17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!"
18 And he said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.
20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

Jesus Rejoices in the Father's Will

21 In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
22 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."
23 Then turning to the disciples he said privately, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see!
24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it."

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"
26 He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How do you read it?"
27 And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."
28 And he said to him, "You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live."
29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
30 Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side.
32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion.
34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him.
35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.'
36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?"
37 He said, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus said to him, "You go, and do likewise."

Martha and Mary

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.
40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me."
41 But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,
42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."

Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer - Chapter 11 

1 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples."
2 And he said to them, "When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread,
4 and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation."
5 And he said to them, "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves,
6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him';
7 and he will answer from within, 'Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything'?
8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.
9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;
12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?
13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Think about this
After three years of teaching and healing to announce the good news of the kingdom of God, Jesus knew that it was time for him to go to Jerusalem. There he would enter the city as the promised Messiah, cleanse the temple, teach the truth about his Father (Luke 19:28-48), be arrested and beaten, die on a cross, and be “taken up to heaven.”

Jesus’ determination to endure all this so focused his journey that not even the inhospitality of a Samaritan village distracted him. When his disciples wanted to make them pay for their insolence, he instead rebuked the disciples and moved along to another village. As he put it, “the Son of Man [had] no place to lay his head.” Jesus knew he had nowhere else to go but to Jerusalem and the cross, and nothing would hinder him.

Because the goal of the Christian life is to crucify our passions with Christ, we need to, with great determination, keep our focus directly on Jesus and seek to follow him.

So let us keep our eyes on him who endured “opposition from sinners,” including the humiliation of refused hospitality. For our sake, he even “endured the cross.” Keeping focused on all he has done for us, we will not “grow weary and lose heart.” And, as he has promised, our crucified and risen Lord will be with us every step of the way. LUKE 9:51-58; HEBREWS 12:1-3

TAKE HOME THOUGHT 

In Luke 9:62, Jesus declares that not all are “fit for the kingdom of God.” According to this section of Luke, what priorities characterize those who are fit for the kingdom? 

Martha is unable to focus on Jesus’ teaching because she is distracted by many anxieties (Luke 10:41). According to Luke 9:51–11:13, what false priorities might cause Jesus’ followers anxiety? How do Jesus’ teachings here set us free from such anxiety?  

What does the parable of the good Samaritan, including Jesus’ interaction with the scribe who tests him, reveal about the nature of the kingdom of God? In other words, when God’s reign is honored, what should life be like? 

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ 



Study 13 - Kingdoms in Conflict (Luke 11:14–54) 


🔎 REGARDING Jesus teaches us God cares about what goes on inside our hearts, not what we look like on the outside. Something has gone wrong in their hearts. They’re full of “greed and wickedness” (v39). And so, he speaks six “woes/what sorrow awaits” against them. These “woes” are judgments that act both as a curse and a revelation.

🔎 READ - Luke 11:14-54 (NLT)

Jesus and the Prince of Demons --- (Link to paper on demons)

14One day Jesus cast out a demon from a man who couldn’t speak, and when the demon was gone, the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed, 15but some of them said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.” 16Others, trying to test Jesus, demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority. 

Jesus performed miracles for two reasons. First was to validate His teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived (Luke 10:9 Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’). Second was His compassion for people who suffer.  Suffering was sometimes physical, due to living in a fallen world (Matthew 14:14  When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.)

17He knew their thoughts, so he said, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A family splintered by feuding will fall apart. 18You say I am empowered by Satan. But if Satan is divided and fighting against himself, how can his kingdom survive? 19And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. 20But if I am casting out demons by the power of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. 21For when a strong man is fully armed and guards his palace, his possessions are safe— 22until someone even stronger attacks and overpowers him, strips him of his weapons, and carries off his belongings. 

23 “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me. 

24 “When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, searching for rest. But when it finds none, it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ 25So it returns and finds that its former home is all swept and in order. 26Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before.” 

27As he was speaking, a woman in the crowd called out, “God bless your mother—the womb from which you came, and the breasts that nursed you!” 

28Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” 

The Sign of Jonah 

29As the crowd pressed in on Jesus, he said, “This evil generation keeps asking me to show them a miraculous sign. But the only sign I will give them is the sign of Jonah. 30What happened to him was a sign to the people of Nineveh that God had sent him. What happens to the Son of Man will be a sign to these people that he was sent by God. 

31 “The queen of Sheba will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here—but you refuse to listen. 32The people of Nineveh will also stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here—but you refuse to repent. 

Receiving the Light 

33 “No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house. 

34 “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is unhealthy, your body is filled with darkness. 35Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. 36If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.” 

Jesus Criticizes the Religious Leaders 

37As Jesus was speaking, one of the Pharisees invited him home for a meal. So he went in and took his place at the table. 38His host was amazed to see that he sat down to eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony required by Jewish custom. 39Then the Lord said to him, “You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and wickedness! 40Fools! Didn’t God make the inside as well as the outside? 41So clean the inside by giving gifts to the poor, and you will be clean all over. 

42 “What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things. 

43 “What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you love to sit in the seats of honor in the synagogues and receive respectful greetings as you walk in the marketplaces. 44Yes, what sorrow awaits you! For you are like hidden graves in a field. People walk over them without knowing the corruption they are stepping on.” 

45“Teacher,” said an expert in religious law, “you have insulted us, too, in what you just said.” 

46 “Yes,” said Jesus, “what sorrow also awaits you experts in religious law! For you crush people with unbearable religious demands, and you never lift a finger to ease the burden. 47What sorrow awaits you! For you build monuments for the prophets your own ancestors killed long ago. 48But in fact, you stand as witnesses who agree with what your ancestors did. They killed the prophets, and you join in their crime by building the monuments! 49This is what God in his wisdom said about you: ‘I will send prophets and apostles to them, but they will kill some and persecute the others.’ 

50 “As a result, this generation will be held responsible for the murder of all God’s prophets from the creation of the world— 51from the murder of Abel to the murder of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, it will certainly be charged against this generation. 

52 “What sorrow awaits you experts in religious law! For you remove the key to knowledge from the people. You don’t enter the Kingdom yourselves, and you prevent others from entering.” 

53As Jesus was leaving, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees became hostile and tried to provoke him with many questions. 54They wanted to trap him into saying something they could use against him. 

🔎 REFLECT 

As religious leaders, the Pharisees often challenged Jesus because they felt threatened by his teachings. Jesus taught that spiritual cleansing and renewal took place in a person's heart and showed on the outside in acts of mercy and justice. But, the Pharisees taught a religion of mostly man-made rules and ceremonies. On the outside, they appeared pious, but on the inside, many were filled with sinful thoughts and intentions. Jesus says "Woe ..." to them several times to warn them that God's punishment of them would be terrible. 

False religion often focuses on the outward rather than the inward. It appeals to people's tastes, senses, and material ambitions rather than to hearts yearning for cleansing and renewal. 

True and balanced spirituality calls for God's cleansing from the inside out. It involves daily time in prayer, meditation on the Word, and personal fellowship with God. In this training ground, the Spirit of God nurtures believers and prepares them for the challenges of daily life as God's servants in this world. 
 
One of the greatest mistakes Christians make is to put more time and energy into outside activities than into inside disciplines. Think of the religious leaders of Jesus' day who went terribly wrong because they emphasized the outside over the inside. 

🔎 REASON  
 

A Pharisee has invited Jesus to eat but is astonished that Jesus does not rinse His hands in compliance with the extra-biblical Oral Law. Jesus, appropriately enough, uses the metaphor of a cup and dish: it is of little use to wash the outside if the inside is unclean. In the same way, it does no good for someone to wash their hands if their hearts are filled with "greed and wickedness" (Luke 11:37–39). 

 

The Pharisees seem to think that what matters is their reputation: people seeing what they do, rather than who they really are. The Gospels give several examples, such as washing before they eat, washing after visiting the marketplace, and washing "cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches" (Mark 7:4). They promise donations to the temple (Mark 7:11). They take the place of honor in the synagogue and expect reverence in the marketplace (Luke 11:43). They are so diligent that they tithe even the tiny leaves taken from herbs (Luke 11:42). 

 

What the people don't see is that the money they promise to the temple should be used for their elderly parents (Mark 7:9–13). They expect others to live as they do but do nothing to help (Matthew 23:4). They not only ignore justice (Luke 11:42), but they also steal widow's homes (Luke 20:47). 

 

God made the inside of the person as well as the outside, but it is what we allow in our hearts that determines who we are (Mark 7:14–23). Jesus will say later, "You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean" (Matthew 23:26). 

🔎 RESEARCH 

Matthew 12:24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” 

 

1 Chronicles 21:1 Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel. 

 

Matthew 10:25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. 

 

Hebrews 2:14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 

 

1 Corinthians 10:20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. 

 

Acts 16:16 As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. 

 

John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 

 

Matthew 9:34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.” 

 

Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 

 

Revelation 12:4 His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. 

 

Jude 1:6 And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— 

 

1 John 3:12 We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous. 

 

2 Peter 2:4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; 

 

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 

 

1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 

 

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 

 

James 2:19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 

 

2 Timothy 2:26 And they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. 

 

1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 

 

1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 

 

Ephesians 2:2 In which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 

 

Acts 5:3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 

 

John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” 

 


Study 14 - Preparing for Judgment (Luke 12:1–59) 

🔎 REGARDING
This section of Luke provides the foundational theology His disciples will need to build the church. In the first section (Luke 9:51—11:13), the disciples showed their devotion to Jesus and Jesus promised that God would bless them. In the second (Luke 11:14–54), the Pharisees rejected Jesus and Jesus revealed how their pious deeds masked their spiritually abusive leadership and rebellion against God and His prophets. Jesus' followers should respond to the coming of God's kingdom. This includes both disciples and the crowd that swarms around them. The disciples, need to reject the honor, safety, wealth, security, self-indulgence, and even community the world offers (Luke 12:1–53). 




Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees Chapter 12 NIV

Luke 12:1-59 (NIV)
Warnings and Encouragements

1 Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 3 What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

4 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

8 “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. 9 But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

11 “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”

The Parable of the Rich Fool

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Do Not Worry

22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Watchfulness

35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. 39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

41 Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?”

42 The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? 43 It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. 44 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

47 “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Not Peace but Division

49 “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! 51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. 52 From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

Interpreting the Times

54 He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. 55 And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. 56 Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?

57 “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? 58 As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled on the way, or your adversary may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. 59 I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.”
🔎 REFLECT 

We all have reason to worry. The world’s economic engines have not been cranking out enough jobs. Many family homes are near the point of foreclosure. Prices are rising for our basic needs: food, clothing, and transportation. Sadly, most of the evening news is often just more bad news. 

Where can we turn for a hopeful word? There’s nothing better than Jesus, who knows the future and every detail of our lives. 

Jesus’ disciples were concerned about the same things that worry us today. So he addressed the one thing that was running their lives: worry. 

They worried about where their next meal would come from. They worried about having decent clothing to wear. They worried about their future. 

But worry doesn’t gain us anything, says Jesus. Instead, it distracts us from the One who knows what we need and when we need it. We are called to trust in him, knowing that our Lord will meet our needs in his good time. 

Do you believe the God of heaven and earth will take care of you today? Practice living a life that is not based on possessions, wealth, or money. Challenge yourself to live as one whose treasure is the Savior who knows your needs even before you ask him. (see Luke 12:22-34, Matthew 6:8). 

🔎 REASON

In these verses, Jesus’ teaching invites repentance through a sobering portrayal of the judgment that awaits us at our death (Luke 12:20) and at his return (Luke 12:40). What details of the text make it clear that divine condemnation is something terrible, to be avoided at all costs? What details make it clear that God’s people—that is, those who have genuine faith in Jesus—have nothing to fear? 
 
What does Jesus want his followers to do now to “be ready” (Luke 12:40) for future judgment? 

🔎 RESEARCH

Matthew 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Jeremiah 1:8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.”

Revelation 2:10  Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Philippians 1:28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.

1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,

Isaiah 51:7-13 “Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings. For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool, but my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations.” Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake, as in days of old, the generations of long ago. Was it not you who cut Rahab in pieces, who pierced the dragon? Was it not you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over? And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

James 2:23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.

Acts 20:24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Daniel 3:16-17 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.

Ezekiel 2:6 And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions. Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house.

Jeremiah 26:14-15 But as for me, behold, I am in your hands. Do with me as seems good and right to you. Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood upon yourselves and upon this city and its inhabitants, for in truth the Lord sent me to you to speak all these words in your ears.”

Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

Jeremiah 1:17 But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them.

Isaiah 41:8 But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend;

John 15:14-15 You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

Song of Solomon 5:1 I came to my garden, my sister, my bride, I gathered my myrrh with my spice, I ate my honeycomb with my honey, I drank my wine with my milk. Eat, friends, drink, and be drunk with love!

Song of Solomon 5:16 His mouth is most sweet, and he is altogether desirable. This is my beloved and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.

Luke 21:15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.

Matthew 10:20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Acts 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders,

Exodus 4:11 Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?

Acts 6:10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.

Acts 7:55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

Acts 7:2-53 And Stephen said: “Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’ Then he went out from the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran. And after his father died, God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living. Yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot's length, but promised to give it to him as a possession and to his offspring after him, though he had no child. And God spoke to this effect—that his offspring would be sojourners in a land belonging to others, who would enslave them and afflict them four hundred years.

Acts 26:1-32 So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense: “I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, especially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently. “My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee. 


Study 15 - Judgment, Conflict, Kingdom (Luke 13:1–21) 

🔎 REGARDING - Jesus continues His teaching while heading to Jerusalem.

  • Luke 13:1–9 People bring news that Pilate has killed Galileans who had gone to Jerusalem to present sacrifices. Jesus points out that it is important to repent now since tragedy and violence may come upon anyone at any time (Luke 13:1–5).

  • A fig tree, primarily representing Israel as a nation, has not produced in years. The unspoken moral is that God may be merciful and delay judgment, but it's important that the people repent and reconcile with Him as soon as possible. (Luke 13:6–9).

  • Luke 13:10–35 A Sabbath miracle and go on to present truths about the kingdom of God and salvation. If a man can care for animals on the Sabbath, God can certainly provide a suffering woman the rest that comes from healing. (Luke 13:10–17).

  • Two short parables about the kingdom of God. In the first, He compares it to a tiny mustard seed. The second parable is about how a woman can incorporate a small amount of yeast into a large batch of flour. (Luke 13:18–21).

🔎 READ - Luke 13:1–21 (NLT)

A Call to Repentance

About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple. 2 “Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered? 3 Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God. 4 And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? 5 No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.”

Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

6 Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. 7 Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’

8 “The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. 9 If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’”

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

10 One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, 11 he saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!” 13 Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised God!

14 But the leader in charge of the synagogue was indignant that Jesus had healed her on the Sabbath day. “There are six days of the week for working,” he said to the crowd. “Come on those days to be healed, not on the Sabbath.”

15 But the Lord replied, “You hypocrites! Each of you works on the Sabbath day! Don’t you untie your ox or your donkey from its stall on the Sabbath and lead it out for water? 16 This dear woman, a daughter of Abraham, has been held in bondage by Satan for eighteen years. Isn’t it right that she be released, even on the Sabbath?”

17 This shamed his enemies, but all the people rejoiced at the wonderful things he did.

Parable of the Mustard Seed

18 Then Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it? 19 It is like a tiny mustard seed that a man planted in a garden; it grows and becomes a tree, and the birds make nests in its branches.”

Parable of the Yeast

20 He also asked, “What else is the Kingdom of God like? 21 It is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.”

🔎 REFLECT


The Bible’s original languages sometimes carry important nuances that get lost in translation. Today’s scripture is a case in point. In Luke 13:8, the steward of a vineyard prevents an unfruitful fig tree from being destroyed by telling the owner to “leave it alone for one more year.”

The Greek word translated as “leave it alone” is important in the New Testament. It is also often translated as “forgive.”

The tree that did not produce figs for three years was not cut down right away, despite the master’s orders—why? Because someone interceded for the fruitless tree. He said to the master, “Forgive.”

Does that sound familiar? It’s a summary of the entire gospel. Our sin renders us unfruitful and fully deserving of punishment. But in Jesus Christ, we see how God’s mercy triumphs over judgment (see James 2:13).

In another place in Luke’s gospel, Jesus teaches that we “forgive everyone who sins against us” (Luke 11:4). Do you see how Jesus puts the words of the steward into action?

That’s the grace of the gospel, offered freely to all. But notice that the fig tree would have to bear fruit eventually, or it would be cut down. Our Master says similarly to us, “Unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

🔎 REASON

These verses present the preceding themes in reverse order: preparing for judgment (through repentance), conflict (with Satan and with a hypocritical leader), and kingdom. According to Luke 13:1–9, who should prepare for the judgment to come, and in what ways?

Earlier, Jesus was accused of cooperating with Satan (Luke 11:15). According to Luke 13:10–17, how are leaders who oppose Jesus furthering Satan’s purposes?

How do the promises of kingdom power in Luke 13:18–21 encourage us as we strive to maintain the kingdom priorities revealed in Luke 9:11–11:13?

🔎 RESEARCH

Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,

Matthew 3:2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Luke 13:5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

Revelation 2:21-22 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works,

Acts 2:38-40 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”

Luke 21:22-24 for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Luke 23:28-30 But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’

Matthew 23:35-38 so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate.

Matthew 12:45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”

Matthew 3:10-12 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Luke 24:47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

Luke 19:42-44 saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”

Matthew 22:7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

Matthew 24:21-29 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand.

Psalm 107:20-22 He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!

Mark 16:18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Mark 8:25 Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.

Mark 6:5 And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them.

Mark 5:23 and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.”

Psalm 116:16-17 O Lord, I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant. You have loosed my bonds. I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord.

Psalm 103:1-5 Of David. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Luke 17:14-17 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?

Luke 4:40 Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.

Acts 9:17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Luke 18:43 And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.


Study 16 - The Last Will Be First (Luke 13:22–14:24) 

🔎 REGARDING - Questions and Responses

Verse 23: Lord, will only a few be saved?”  This is a common question, often asked in two different ways.

The first version is, "are there several different ways to salvation?" The answer is an emphatic no. The Bible is clear that Jesus is the only way, truth, and life (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).

A second facet is, "are there more saved believers or unsaved non-believers?" The narrow door represents the limited qualifications for salvation, but does it reflect the number of people who walk through the door? Matthew 7:13–14 gives the same metaphor but uses "gate" instead of "door." Jesus ends the passage with "and those who find it are few." As challenging as the idea may be, Scripture indicates that more people spend eternity in hell than in heaven.

Starting in Luke 14:1 Jesus explains who may enter the kingdom of God. The Pharisees think they can enter God's kingdom by obeying the extra-biblical rules the scribes created. That includes not treating chronic diseases on the Sabbath. Jesus knows that healing is the manifestation of the kingdom of God no matter what day it is (Isaiah 35:6).

The two parables starting in Luke 7 and 12 have basically the same meaning: do not try to work the system to win honor or reward. Serve humbly and let others—including God—choose to give you honor or reward as they see fit. "Honor" that comes only by manipulating others isn't really honor.

The Banquet: God will also invite the poor, crippled, blind, and lame, as well as the homeless and the travelers (Luke 14:16–24). God's economy turns the natural earthly worldview on its head. Honor doesn't come from humans; it comes from God. Humility and service bring God's favor. Honoring the least of these honors God. And it is the least of these who are most likely to honor God.


🔎 READ - Luke 13:22–14:24 (NLT)

The Narrow Door

22 Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he went, always pressing on toward Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” 

He replied, 24 “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail. 25 When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Lord, open the door for us!’ But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ 26 Then you will say, ‘But we ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 And he will reply, ‘I tell you, I don’t know you or where you come from. Get away from me, all you who do evil.’ 

28 “There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for you will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you will be thrown out. 29 And people will come from all over the world—from east and west, north and south—to take their places in the Kingdom of God. 30 And note this: Some who seem least important now will be the greatest then, and some who are the greatest now will be least important then.” 

Jesus Grieves over Jerusalem 

31 At that time some Pharisees said to him, “Get away from here if you want to live! Herod Antipas wants to kill you!” 

32 Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox that I will keep on casting out demons and healing people today and tomorrow; and the third day I will accomplish my purpose. 33 Yes, today, tomorrow, and the next day I must proceed on my way. For it wouldn’t do for a prophet of God to be killed except in Jerusalem! 

34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. 35 And now, look, your house is abandoned. And you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’” 

Luke 14  

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath 

1 One Sabbath day Jesus went to eat dinner in the home of a leader of the Pharisees, and the people were watching him closely. 2 There was a man there whose arms and legs were swollen. 3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in religious law, “Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?” 4 When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away. 5 Then he turned to them and said, “Which of you doesn’t work on the Sabbath? If your son or your cow falls into a pit, don’t you rush to get him out?” 6 Again they could not answer. 

Jesus Teaches about Humility 

7 When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: 8 “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? 9 The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! 

10 “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. 11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” 

12 Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. 13 Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.” 

Parable of the Great Feast 

15 Hearing this, a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, “What a blessing it will be to attend a banquet in the Kingdom of God!” 

16 Jesus replied with this story: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. 17 When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’ 18 But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’ 19 Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 Another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ 

21 “The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, ‘Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ 22 After the servant had done this, he reported, ‘There is still room for more.’ 23 So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. 24 For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.’” 

🔎 CLASS NOTES 
There is an important theme running through the Bible that I would love to memorize, but maybe just settling for thinking about it occasionally will be good enough. It has to do with God's anger, patients and love. If I can remember how God loves me, perhaps, I can shun sin and "fear" God enough to honor Jesus's desire to hold me close.

In the time of Noah, the lord said in Gen 6:5,6 "5 The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. 6 So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart.

Then in Numbers 14:11 And the Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? Will they never believe me, even after all the miraculous signs I have done among them?

There is a reason why God set aside certain people. Exodus 19:4-6 - 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. 6 And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.’ This is the message you must give to the people of Israel.”

Obey and keep, then you will be God's treasured possessions, a kingdom of priests. (our concept of a priest is to minister to others) 1 Peter 2:9 says "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light". God intends to prepare His followers, through obedience, to be examples/priests to the world, the people we meet every day.

Now notice what it says in Luke 13:34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. 35 And now, look, your house is abandoned.

How special it is to be chosen and loved!

🔎 REFLECT   

Decisions can change our lives. Yet so often we are indecisive people who cannot get started in a new direction. We get into a pattern of living and just stay there for years. We would like to be closer to God and make a difference in the world, but it is just so comfortable and secure right where we are.  

Jesus addresses just such a situation in today’s parable. Like a prophet, he used harsh language to get people’s attention. To motivate us, Jesus constructed parables about being ready for his coming (see Luke 12:35-48) and about closed doors that would keep people out of the great feast of the kingdom.  

If you knew someone was going to break into your house tonight, for example, what would you do? You would make sure to be prepared.  

Similarly, if you knew Jesus was going to return soon, you would stay attentive and prepared. And he does say he is coming soon, so we must be ready (Revelation 22:12, 20).  

Jesus strikingly describes those who are not constantly in tune with living for God. There are those who “sit on the fence” and never make a decision. But it is never enough to know Christ from a distance. He wants to live in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. So let’s allow the parables of Jesus to stir us and fire us up to new ways of thinking and action for the sake of God’s kingdom.  

🔎 REASON 

This section of Luke’s Gospel emphasizes two patterns of reversal—one involving a first/last interchange (Luke 13:30), and another a pattern of humiliation/exaltation (Luke 14:11). For whom are these patterns intended as warnings or rebukes? Who should hear these patterns as encouragements or as commendations?  
  
What specific commands does Jesus give to indicate how we should respond to these patterns?  

When Jesus is warned to flee Herod Antipas, his reply is paradoxical: he will leave Herod’s territory, but this will only lead him closer to death (Luke 13:31–35). How does Jesus’ destiny in Jerusalem exemplify the first/last and humili­ation/exaltation patterns?  

🔎 RESEARCH 


Matthew 13:33 He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.” 

1 Corinthians 5:6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?  

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.  

Philippians 1:9-11 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.  

Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.  

John 15:2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.  

Hosea 6:3 Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.” 

 Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.  

Matthew 7:14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.  

John 21:21-22 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”  

Matthew 20:16 So the last will be first, and the first last.”  

Matthew 24:3-5 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.  

Acts 1:7-8 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”  

Mark 13:4-5 “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray.  

Matthew 19:25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”  

Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. 

2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.  

Hebrews 4:11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.  

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.  

Philippians 2:12-13 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.  

Ezekiel 33:31 And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain.  

John 6:27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.”  

Proverbs 21:25 The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.  

Romans 10:3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.  

Colossians 1:29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.  

John 7:34 You will seek me and you will not find me. Where I am you cannot come.”  

Romans 9:31-33 but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”  

John 8:21 So he said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.”  

Matthew 11:12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.  

Proverbs 14:6 A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.  

John 13:33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’  

Revelation 21:8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” 

2 Thessalonians 1:5 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— 

Revelation 22:15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 

Psalm 112:10 The wicked man sees it and is angry; he gnashes his teeth and melts away; the desire of the wicked will perish! 

 

Study 17- Radical Demands, Radical Grace (Luke 14:25–15:32) 

🔎 REGARDING

The invitation to citizenship in God's kingdom is always by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:1–10) but being a good citizen of the kingdom and living out one's devotion to God has a cost. Faithful disciples value Jesus more than their parents, their spouses, and their children—even more than their own lives. Those God invites to His kingdom need to carefully consider whether a promise of future paradise is worth submitting their lives now.

Verse 26: We know that Jesus is speaking in hyperbole because verses must always be read in context: in the passage, the book, the other books of the same author, and within the whole Bible. Both Testaments tell us to honor our parents, and honor is fueled by agape love (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1–3). Husbands are to love their wives (Ephesians 5:28). And one of the sub-contexts that runs throughout the whole Bible is that good parents naturally love their children (cf. Luke 11:11–13; Ephesians 6:4). Loving our families is biblical.

Chapter 15: The Pharisees are condemning Jesus' choice to associate willingly and warmly with immoral, socially outcast people. Jesus has explained that He associates with sinners to draw them to repentance. He is not endorsing sin, but offering forgiveness, so they can be restored to relationship with God: "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance" (Luke 5:32).

Starting in Verse 8: Three parables explain why Jesus chooses to interact with "sinners" and "tax collectors." The first, the parable of the lost sheep, illustrates that some are lost because of foolishness. That being the case, it's unlikely they'll be able to find their way home, so Jesus—the Good Shepherd (John 10:11)—goes after them (Luke 15:1–7).

In the parable of the lost coin, Jesus compares a missing silver coin to a person who does not know he has strayed from following God. Such a lost person cannot return on his own. God is represented by a woman who searches her house diligently until she finds the coin (Luke 15:8). When she does, she invites her friends and neighbors to celebrate with her. In the same way, when a sinner turns from his way and repents, heaven will celebrate the restoration.

In the parable of the prodigal son, He explains God's attitude toward those who intentionally rebel against Him. Main thought today

Class Notes: 

What does Discipleship look like?
Three ways people leave God's fellowship.
Jesus is giving a crowd a definition of what discipleship looks like.
Being a disciple of Jesus includes making Him the highest possible priority: even above loved ones and life.
The Bible is meant to be interpreted "literally," in the sense that it means what it says—yet "what it says" is not always intended to come from a wooden, mechanical, shallow reading of the words. Biblical authors used metaphor, anthropomorphism, and other figures of speech including hyperbole. "Hyperbole" is extreme exaggeration to express the weight of the message although it may not express the specific message. "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse" is a common example in modern English. Another is when a parent says to a child, "I've told you a million times…"
Jesus responds with parables representing three ways sinners may leave God's fellowship. In the parable of the lost sheep, the sinner foolishly walks away. In the parable of the lost coin, the sinner doesn't even know he has strayed. In the parable of the prodigal son, the sinner intentionally, rebelliously rejects God. In the case of the first two, God seeks out and rescues the lost; in the third, He waits patiently for the lost to turn toward home and eagerly meets him on the way. In all three, when the lost has returned, the Lord celebrates. 

🔎 READ - Luke 14:25-15:32 (NLT)

The Cost of Being a Disciple 

A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. 

28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? 29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. 30 They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’ 

31 “Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? 32 And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. 33 So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own. 

34 “Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? 35 Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!” 

Parable of the Lost Sheep 

Luke 15 - Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them! 

3 So Jesus told them this story: 4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! 

Parable of the Lost Coin 

8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.” 

Parable of the Lost Son 

11 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. 12 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. 

13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. 14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. 15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. 16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything. 

17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’ 

20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ 

22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began. 

25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, 26 and he asked one of the servants what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’ 

28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, 29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. 30 Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’ 

31 “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’” 

🔎 REFLECT  

Traveling with Jesus is not the same as following Jesus! Large crowds gathered around him and even traveled with him, but he called for them to be more involved. If people were going to be Jesus’ followers, they needed to know what they were doing! They needed to listen carefully and count the cost of commitment. Jesus underscored this by saying, in effect, “Listen up! What I’m saying is important!”  

Using strong exaggeration, Jesus demands our loyalty to him over our concerns for self or family or anything else. Cross-carrying is not for the feeble. It requires constant dedication and committed obedience. Christ's followers are called to finish what they have started.  

Half-finished towers are a sign of not planning ahead and counting the cost. They even result in ridicule.  

Like a committed soldier able to finish the fight, Christ’s followers must be willing to give it their all. Jesus says we must “give up everything.”  

The person who wants to follow Jesus must know that to be useful and effective for the kingdom of God means counting the cost and remaining committed to the end! 

🔎 REASON 

In your own words, how would you summarize the demands Luke 14:25–35 places on those who follow Jesus? What is the significance of the fact that Jesus speaks these words to “great crowds”?  
  
What indicates that the Pharisees and scribes of Luke 15:1–2 are unwilling to count the cost of discipleship? What factors make them reluctant to do so?  
  
What specific features of the parables in Luke 15:3–32 indicate the radical nature of God’s grace? How does this grace make us willing to meet the costly demands of discipleship?  

🔎 RESEARCH 

Matthew 10:37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

John 12:25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Philippians 3:8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

Acts 20:24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Psalm 73:25-26 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Revelation 12:11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

Deuteronomy 13:6-8 “If your brother, the son of your mother, or your son or your daughter or the wife you embrace or your friend who is as your own soul entices you secretly, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods,’ which neither you nor your fathers have known, some of the gods of the peoples who are around you, whether near you or far off from you, from the one end of the earth to the other, you shall not yield to him or listen to him, nor shall your eye pity him, nor shall you spare him, nor shall you conceal him.

Deuteronomy 33:9 who said of his father and mother, ‘I regard them not’; he disowned his brothers and ignored his children. For they observed your word and kept your covenant.

Ecclesiastes 2:17-19 So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind. I hated all my toil in which I toil under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me, and who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity.

Job 7:15-16 so that I would choose strangling and death rather than my bones. I loathe my life; I would not live forever. Leave me alone, for my days are a breath.

Genesis 29:30-31 So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah, and served Laban for another seven years. When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.

Malachi 1:2-3 “I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau Jacob's brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob but Esau I have hated. I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert.”

Romans 9:13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

Philippians 3:7-8 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

1 John 2:15-16 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

Luke 5:28 And leaving everything, he rose and followed him.

Luke 18:28-30 And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes and followed you.” And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”

Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.

Luke 5:11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

Luke 18:22-23 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.

Acts 5:1-5 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.

Acts 8:19-22 saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.

2 Timothy 4:10 For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 


Study 18 - Of Riches and Repentance (Luke 16:1–31) 

🔎 READ - Luke 16:1-31 (NLT)

Parable of the Shrewd Manager 

Jesus told this story to his disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a manager handling his affairs. One day a report came that the manager was wasting his employer’s money. 2 So the employer called him in and said, ‘What’s this I hear about you? Get your report in order, because you are going to be fired.’ 

3 “The manager thought to himself, ‘Now what? My boss has fired me. I don’t have the strength to dig ditches, and I’m too proud to beg. 4 Ah, I know how to ensure that I’ll have plenty of friends who will give me a home when I am fired.’ 

5 “So he invited each person who owed money to his employer to come and discuss the situation. He asked the first one, ‘How much do you owe him?’ 6 The man replied, ‘I owe him 800 gallons of olive oil.’ So the manager told him, ‘Take the bill and quickly change it to 400 gallons.’ 

7 “‘And how much do you owe my employer?’ he asked the next man. ‘I owe him 1,000 bushels of wheat,’ was the reply. ‘Here,’ the manager said, ‘take the bill and change it to 800 bushels.’ 

8 “The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light. 9 Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home. 

10 “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. 11 And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? 12 And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own? 

13 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.” 

14 The Pharisees, who dearly loved their money, heard all this and scoffed at him. 15 Then he said to them, “You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God. 

16 “Until John the Baptist, the law of Moses and the messages of the prophets were your guides. But now the Good News of the Kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is eager to get in. 17 But that doesn’t mean that the law has lost its force. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the smallest point of God’s law to be overturned. 

18 “For example, a man who divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery. And anyone who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.” 

Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus 

19 Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. 20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. 21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. 

22 “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. 

24 “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’ 

25 “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’ 

27 “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. 28 For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’ 

29 “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’ 

30 “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’ 

31 “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’” 

🔎 REGARDING

The parable of the dishonest manager is among the most difficult to interpret (Luke 16:2–8). Most confusing is that the rich man seems to praise the manager for defrauding him. Jesus' use of this as an example is likewise easy to misinterpret. As with most parables, the key is not to over complicate the intended message. This strange story has a simple enough application: people of the world are cunning and know how to take advantage of the times in which they live. So, God-followers should use that same cunning in service to His kingdom.

Verse 19: The two men's situations in death are the exact opposite from those in life. The rich man learns that he can do nothing to alter his state; all the decisions he made while living are irrevocable.

Finally, it teaches the role of the Law and Prophets for the Jews in the church age.

🔎 REFLECT 

In his parables, Jesus often uses controversial ideas and characters to gain the crowd’s attention. In this story, a corrupt financial manager becomes a sort of hero. The manager has wasted his master’s resources. And when he is about to lose his job, he reduces the amounts owed by his master’s debtors, to gain their goodwill. Then, strangely, the master commends the dishonest steward for the shrewd handling of his predicament. The word for “shrewd” here can also mean “wise.” The same word is used to describe the wise man who built his house on a rock (Matthew 7:24).  

But how is this manager, wise? Though he is disreputable, he finds a creative way to “save his own skin” by giving generously of his master’s wealth. In a quirky way, this parable reinforces Jesus’ teaching “Give, and it will be given to you” (see Luke 6:38). The manager greatly reduces the debts of his clients, and his generous actions gain him lasting friends who will surely hire him or provide for him after he loses his job. Likewise, Jesus’ followers who use their wealth to benefit others for the sake of God’s kingdom “will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.”  

We might think Jesus was mixed up. Economics teaches that we have to preserve wealth to get ahead. But giving makes us wise and pleases God, who holds all wealth in his hands.  

🔎 REASON 

According to these verses, what patterns in our lives might indicate whether we are serving God or money as our master? What does it mean to use money to “make friends” for ourselves (Luke 16:9) rather than to “exalt” ourselves “among men” (Luke 16:15)?  
  
Luke 16:16–17 affirms that Jesus’ coming has not invalidated the Old Testament law. How is this truth illustrated by the conclusion of the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:27–31)?  

🔎 RESEARCH 

1 John 2:15-16 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

Matthew 6:24 “No one 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.

Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.

James 4:4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Romans 8:5-8 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Joshua 24:15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Luke 11:23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Proverbs 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.

Jeremiah 17:10 “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”

Proverbs 16:5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.

Acts 15:8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us,

Study 19 - Radical Demands, Radical Need (Luke 17:1–10)
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🔎 READ - Luke 17:1–10 (NLT) 

Teachings about Forgiveness and Faith 

One day Jesus said to his disciples, “There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting! 2 It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin. 3 So watch yourselves! 

“If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. 4 Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.” 

5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.” 

6 The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you! 

7 “When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, ‘Come in and eat with me’? 8 No, he says, ‘Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.’ 9 And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. 10 In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’” 

 ðŸ”Ž REGARDING 

Luke compiled events to show how Jesus prepared His disciples for His crucifixion and their responsibility to build the church. Luke 17:1–10 seems to contain a summary of various teachings from throughout Jesus' ministry. In Luke 17:1–3, Jesus warns His disciples that they must not teach in a way that leads others into sin. Jesus tells them, "Pay attention to yourselves!" and teaches about the responsibilities of spiritual leaders regarding the sin of others. Following, Jesus tells them they need to serve with extreme humility, not demanding any recompense (Luke 17:7–10). Between these two self-sacrificing examples of leadership, Luke includes a teaching about faith. The disciples want more; Jesus says they can accomplish great deeds with what they've got.  

🔎 REFLECT  

The apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith. They desired a big bowl of spiritually fortified faith that would make them into super-disciples.  

Jesus surprised them by telling them that even small faith would enable them to do great things. He might have had a mustard seed in his hand as he pointed to the power of smallness in bringing his kingdom. Jesus gave them exactly what they asked for—he chose little seeds like them to grow the fields of new believers in him as Lord and Savior.  

What were the disciples to do differently than the Pharisees to prepare for the faithful work of Jesus?  

In the culture of that day, there was no such thing as an eight-hour workday with two coffee breaks. Servants were constantly ready to be at the service of their master. Ambitious servants also tried to go above and beyond—to exceed expectations out of loyalty and love for their master. Jesus told his disciples to go beyond the bare minimum service to him as supreme master and Lord. He expected them to work tirelessly for the kingdom.  

Followers of Jesus do not serve to get awards or accolades. Jesus’ disciples need to serve out of love and thankfulness to him. Serving God is a matter of grace alone. Grace and gratitude are part of the harvest in the kingdom of God.  

🔎 REASON 

What two radical demands does Jesus make in Luke 17:1–4? According to Luke 17:5–6, what is necessary if we are to meet such demands?  
  
How does Luke 17:7–10 indicate our need for God’s grace—and how does rec­ognizing such need strengthen our faith?  

Teaching Notes:

There should be a warning placed on the Bible, Something like, "Warning, reading, believing and doing will change your life". 

What comes to mind when someone is called a gentle spirit?  (The New Interpreters' Dictionary of the Bible defines gentleness and meekness interchangeably to mean, “considerate, humble, not having an inflated sense of self”)
1 Peter 3:4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.
In vs 1-10 Jesus teaches the disciples about the responsibilities of spiritual leaders regarding the sin of others. Temptations to sin will come from the world they shouldn't come from church.

Verse 1-3

1 Corinthians 8:12-13 "When you sin against a weak Christian by making him do what is wrong, you sin against Christ. 13 So then, if eating meat makes my Christian brother trip and fall, I will never eat it again. I do not want to make my Christian brother sin".

“If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. 4 Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.” 

The victim of the sin is obliged to "rebuke" the offender—to strongly show disapproval. Even while dealing with the wounds of sin, the victim needs to show kindness, love, humility, patience, and beneficence. (Ephesians 4:15, 32; Galatians 6:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:14–15). But there is a requirement: the offender must repent. Of course, constant sin—even with repentance—comes with consequences. Basically, Jesus tells them they need to serve with extreme humility, not demanding any recompense (Luke 17:7–10).

Verse 5,6

A teaching about faith. The disciples want more; Jesus says they can accomplish great deeds with what they've got.

Verse 7-10

It's no accident that Jesus compares two prominent positions in the church—pastor and evangelist—to servants who must labor hard in difficult circumstances.

 In Paul's rebuke of the Corinthians, he goes on to say that at judgment day those who worked for God will be rewarded for that work (1 Corinthians 3:8–9). In this passage, Jesus warns the disciples to work in humility without expectation of reward. The two ideas are not mutually exclusive. Jesus' followers will be rewarded as He sees fit (Matthew 20:1–16), but the disciples have a habit of arguing over who is the greatest—who should receive the rewards of renown and responsibility—in God's kingdom (Luke 9:46–48).

 That is not why Christians are to serve. We serve because we have accepted Jesus as our Lord. Even if salvation and eternity with God were all the reward given, that would be infinitely more than we deserve.

 And yet, Jesus adds hints of heaven in His parable. "Recline at table" suggests the grand feast at the resurrection (Revelation 19:9). "Dress properly" may refer to the white robes His followers will wear (Revelation 3:5). Jesus' followers will feast after our work is done but because of the grace of God, not because of the work.

🔎 RESEARCH 

Matthew 18:7 “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!

1 Corinthians 8:13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

Romans 14:13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

1 Corinthians 11:19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.

Matthew 16:23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Romans 16:17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

1 Corinthians 10:32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God,

Romans 14:20-21 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.

Revelation 13:14-18 and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.

Revelation 2:20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

Mark 9:42 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.

Matthew 18:14 So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Matthew 18:3-6 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Matthew 18:10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

1 Corinthians 8:11-12 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.

2 Peter 2:1-3 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

Matthew 26:24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”

1 Corinthians 9:22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.

1 Corinthians 9:15 But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.

John 21:15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

Zechariah 13:7 “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who stands next to me,” declares the Lord of hosts. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; I will turn my hand against the little ones.

Isaiah 40:11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.

Study 20 - Mercy and Gratitude (Luke 17:11–19)

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🔎 READ - Luke 17:11–19 (NLT) 

Ten Healed of Leprosy 

11 As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. 12 As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, 13 crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 

14 He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. 

15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” 16 He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. 

17 Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.”  

🔎 REGARDING 

At this time, lepers are allowed inside villages but not walled cities. According to the Mosaic law, priests are responsible for diagnosing leprosy (Leviticus 13). As they go, they realize they are healed (Luke 17:11–14). The Mosaic law states that people with skin conditions need to show themselves to the priests. The priest can determine if the disease is benign or if it's "leprosy:" from a biblical term used for one of many different serious skin diseases.

When the ten lepers meet Jesus, they call, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us". Jesus responds. Now, one cries out in praise to God. He turns back to Jesus, falls at His feet, and thanks Him.

This is a testimony: from death to life to worship. Undoubtedly, the lepers had regularly declared themselves unclean. Then they begged Jesus for help. Now one praises God because he is healed. Jesus' words even suggest that this man's faith means he is spiritually renewed. This is the story of humanity. We are sinners, humiliated in our brokenness. We call out to Jesus to save us. When He does, we praise God. Even more striking is this man is a Samaritan (Luke 17:16; John 4:9).

🔎 REFLECT 

We all know what it means to be unappreciated. A loving mother is hurt when a delicious meal she has prepared for her family is taken for granted. A worker is disappointed when his initiative and extra effort go unnoticed by his supervisor. A friend feels used when her help isn’t acknowledged.  

During his teaching ministry, Jesus was often unappreciated too. In today’s verses, we read of Jesus healing ten men who had the disease of leprosy, for which sufferers became outcasts. Leprosy made people “unclean,” and doctors had no cure for it. Jesus sent the men to the priests so they could be declared “clean” and become part of their community again. But only one of the ten came back to thank Jesus. In a gesture of humility, “he threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him.” The other nine simply got what they wanted from Jesus and moved on.  

Ironically, the only grateful person was a Samaritan. The Jews viewed Samaritans as greatly inferior, both physically and spiritually. But this foreigner genuinely praised God while the others went their own way.  

When we call out to Jesus for his grace and mercy, he saves us. But then what do we do? Do we go about our lives forgetting the Savior? Or do we throw ourselves before him, thanking and praising him?  

🔎 REASON 

While 10 lepers ask Jesus to “have mercy” on them, Jesus commends only one—a Samaritan. According to this story, what attitudes provide evidence of true faith?  

🔎 RESEARCH 

 

1 Corinthians 9:16-17 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. 
 
Job 22:2-3 “Can a man be profitable to God? Surely he who is wise is profitable to himself. Is it any pleasure to the Almighty if you are in the right, or is it gain to him if you make your ways blameless? 
 
1 Peter 5:5-6 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 
 
1 Corinthians 15:9-10 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 
 
Job 35:6-7 If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against him? And if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him? If you are righteous, what do you give to him? Or what does he receive from your hand? 
 
Romans 11:35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” 
 
Isaiah 64:6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. 
 
Proverbs 16:2-3 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. 
 
Romans 3:12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” 
 
1 Chronicles 29:14-16 “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding. O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own. 
 
Philippians 3:8-9 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—   


Study 21 - The Coming of the Kingdom (Luke 17:20–18:8)

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🔎 READ Luke 17:20–18:8  (NLT) 

The Coming of the Kingdom 

20 One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, “When will the Kingdom of God come?” 

Jesus replied, “The Kingdom of God can’t be detected by visible signs. 21 You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is already among you.” 

22 Then he said to his disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see the day when the Son of Man returns, but you won’t see it. 23 People will tell you, ‘Look, there is the Son of Man,’ or ‘Here he is,’ but don’t go out and follow them. 24 For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other, so it will be on the day when the Son of Man comes. 25 But first the Son of Man must suffer terribly and be rejected by this generation. 

26 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 27 In those days, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came and destroyed them all. 

28 “And the world will be as it was in the days of Lot. People went about their daily business—eating and drinking, buying and selling, farming and building— 29 until the morning Lot left Sodom. Then fire and burning sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 Yes, it will be ‘business as usual’ right up to the day when the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day a person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. A person out in the field must not return home. 32 Remember what happened to Lot’s wife! 33 If you cling to your life, you will lose it, and if you let your life go, you will save it. 34 That night two people will be asleep in one bed; one will be taken, the other left. 35 Two women will be grinding flour together at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.” 

37 “Where will this happen, Lord?” the disciples asked. 

Jesus replied, “Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near.” 

Luke 18  

Parable of the Persistent Widow 

One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. 2 “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. 3 A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ 4 The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, 5 but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’” 

6 Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. 7 Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?” 

🔎 REGARDING 

The Pharisees have asked when the kingdom of God is coming. A major portion of Luke's record (Luke 9:51—19:27) is about God's kingdom, yet the Pharisees refuse to understand. They emphasize the glorious vision of the Son of Man who will be "given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed" (Daniel 7:14). They're primarily looking for a military leader who will drive the Romans out and return independence to the Jews.

Jesus goes on to teach His disciples how they can recognize the fulfillment of God's kingdom at Jesus' second coming. There won't be any doubt; it will be as obvious as flashing lightning across the sky that all can see and hear. First, however, He must be betrayed and sent to the cross (Luke 17:22–25). 

🔎 REFLECT 

 


Responding to a question about the kingdom of God, Jesus gave a rather startling answer. He told his listeners that the kingdom of God was “in [their] midst,” meaning that it was present because Jesus himself was there among them. Today, because Christ is present in us through the Holy Spirit, we can bring the presence of God’s kingdom wherever we are.  

If you are a teacher in a classroom, your presence means that God’s kingdom is there. Wherever you may be vacationing this summer, you are bringing a part of that kingdom. Whether you spend your days driving a truck, working in an office, or providing health care in a hospital, the kingdom of God goes with you. If you are confined to a bed, God’s kingdom is present there.  

Years ago a theologian named Abraham Kuyper pointed out that every square inch of the universe belongs to our Lord. And you and I are called to make a difference for Christ in this world, his world.  

Perhaps you wonder how you could possibly make a difference for Christ. Perhaps you feel that because of who you are and because of your circumstances, your influence is small and insignificant. If so, remember what Jesus said to his disciples, that the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed: small, but with tremendous potential (Luke 13:18-19). May his kingdom come!  

🔎 REASON 

In Luke 17:22–37, what do Jesus’ illustrations from nature (lightning flashing, vultures gathering) and from Scripture (Noah, Lot) teach us about his return?  
  
Luke 18:1 suggests that we might “lose heart” as we await Jesus’ second coming. What realities described in Luke 17:17–18:8 might cause us to lose heart? How does Jesus’ parable in Luke 18:1–8 keep us from doing so?  

🔎 TEACHERS NOTES

What is it that will break us from our daily routine? Sometimes even a thought.  The song this morning did it for me. Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Psalm 123:1  To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens!

Sometimes a memorial. Joshua 3-4, first battle, the priest stepped into the water, it stopped, they crossed, picked up 12 stones, one from each tribe, placed a memorial on the other side to remember. In the future, tell your children. 

After 17:20 -  

A political spectrum of Jewish sects, the Pharisees are strong nationalists. They aren't as extreme as the Zealots, but unlike the Sadducees they want the Romans gone and Israel returned to the Jews. Their expected version of Messiah is a strong military leader. They expect another King David, who will raise an army and drive out the Romans. They just don't see that in Jesus.

After 17:37 -

Before Jesus' return, Babylon and the Antichrist will make it possible for many people to get extraordinarily rich and lead very decadent lives. They won't be thinking of coming judgment (Revelation 17—18).

Jesus warns against becoming so absorbed by the ordinary routine of life that we never look beyond it or look at a deeper level. The gospel reading warns against becoming so immersed in our day to day affairs that we fail to take notice of him or pay attention to him. We need to be fully immersed in our world with its various comings and goings while at the same time not being so absorbed by that world that we forget about that someone greater who stands among us calling out to us, inviting us into a personal relationship with him. It is out of that relationship that we then engage with the nitty-gritty of life.

After Vs 18:5 -

What Jesus describes is meant to be deliberately extreme. A parallel to modern courts might be to speak of "a reckless, lawless judge."

In addition, this judge does not respect people. This means he shows no deference nor regard. He is not described as someone who takes bribes. Yet he's identified as lacking compassion, with just enough power to not feel threatened by criticism. His power would allow him to make fair judgments, but he simply doesn't care.

_________

The judge in the parable does not represent God. The judge is unjust and doesn’t care about what this widow needs. Jesus tells this parable to his disciples to help them understand that if this judge who is unjust finally listens to the woman’s request and grants her justice, how much more will a loving and just God answer the petitions of his own children who cry out for help. 

The persistent widow is an example of the oppressed and marginalized in our society. The judge is the earthly powers of privilege that stand in the way of those seeking justice and equity. Her persistence and resilience illustrates our need to go before God, who fights for justice on our behalf, and also to pursue justice in earthly channels. We may not see the full picture of a just society in our lifetimes, but we can continue praying, seeking, knocking, and asking God to vindicate in all areas of our lives. 

Just like an Olympic athlete who is injured during a race and picks herself up and keeps going to the finish line, we, too, are to keep Praying Until Something Happens (P.U.S.H.). God’s delay does not mean denial. Even if what you have been in need of has not come to pass, the fact that you wake up to see another day gives you another opportunity to press forward in your request. We may not win every battle we fight in this life, but with God on our side and because of his death, burial, and resurrection, we will have the ultimate victory, partly in this life but completely in the life to come.  

🔎 RESEARCH  

Matthew 25:37-40 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ 

Psalm 16:2-3 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight. 

Matthew 25:30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 

Isaiah 6:5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” 

Psalm 35:6-7 Let their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them! For without cause they hid their net for me; without cause they dug a pit for my life. 

Psalm 30:11-12 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever! 

Psalm 103:1-4 Of David. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 

Psalm 118:18-19 The Lord has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death. Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. 

Psalm 107:20-22 He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy! 

Study 22 - Kingdom Humility (Luke 18:9–17) 

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🔎 READ Luke 18:9–17 (NLT)

Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector 

9 Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: 10 “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! 12 I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ 

13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” 

Jesus Blesses the Children 

15 One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him. 

16 Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 17 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” 

🔎 REGARDING 

This begins the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. From here through the end of the chapter, Jesus contrasts different reactions to the kingdom of God to show that humility is an essential ingredient of faith.

In Jesus' era, the Pharisees are a particular Jewish sect. They are unofficial religious leaders in Jewish culture. Their realm is among the people and in the synagogue; they do not have authority in the temple like the priests do and very few are in the Sanhedrin—the Jewish ruling council—which is typically filled with Sadducees. Like Sadducees, Pharisees strongly believe in the Pentateuch: the five books of the Mosaic law. Unlike Sadducees, they believe in the resurrection of the dead. They are most identified by their adherence to extra-biblical rules that were developed to put a hedge around the Mosaic law. Like the Zealots, they want the Romans gone and the Jews to rule their own nation again. But they are afraid of exile, so they try to appease both God and the Romans.

REFLECT 

 

Picture a little girl sitting contentedly on Jesus' lap. She's smiling shyly as Jesus speaks to her. Picture grubby hands smearing Jesus' clothes as another little one tries to climb onto Jesus' lap. Picture parents looking nervously but happily at their children, hoping they'll behave while they're with the rabbi. Picture the disciples, stunned at something Jesus has just said.  

The disciples had been chasing these parents and their little ones away, assuming that Jesus had more im­por­tant things to do than hang around with little children. But Jesus had rebuked them for rebuking these parents; he had opened his arms wide to the children; and he had said that the kingdom of God belongs to people like these little ones! That left the disciples scratching their heads once again.  

What did Jesus mean when he said this about children? Was he talking about innocence? No. If you have children of your own, you know there is no such thing as an innocent child!  

What Jesus loved about children was that they are especially good at needing, asking, and receiving. Jesus loves that! He loves people who have no illusions about self-sufficiency, who instead know they are absolutely helpless and need the Lord. They are the kind of people who are welcome in his kingdom!  

🔎 REASON 

In Luke 18:9, self-righteousness and contempt for others go hand in hand. How is this link demonstrated by Jesus’ parable in Luke 18:10–14? How does the disciples’ behavior in Luke 18:15 give evidence of a similar pattern?  

🔎 RESEARCH 

John 9:38 He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. 

 

John 5:14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” 
 
Matthew 9:8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men 
 
Acts 8:5-25 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city. But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. 
 
Matthew 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 
 
Revelation 19:10 Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. 
 
Revelation 19:4-5 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.” 
 
Revelation 5:14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped. 
 
Revelation 4:10H the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 
 
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth 
 
Hebrews 10:35-37 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; 
 
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 
 
Luke 11:13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” 
 
Revelation 6:10 They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 
 
1 Timothy 5:5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, 
 
2 Thessalonians 1:6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 

🔎TEACHERS NOTES

Do you think it takes a certain type to be a tax collector?

Does one's personality lock them into acting a specific way their whole life, or can they change? 

Culture Notes: While Jews tend to hold Pharisees in high regard, they despise tax collectors. In Jewish areas, tax collectors are Jews who work for Gentiles who have taken a contract to collect money from the people for the Roman government.  

also---------------------------

Examine the character/personality of the Pharisees and the publican. 

The bible talks about people like the pharisee:

For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!  2 Timothy 1-3

All day long you plot destruction.  Your tongue cuts like a sharp razor; you’re an expert at telling lies. You love evil more than good and lies more than truth. You love to destroy others with your words, you liar!” – Psalms 52:1-4

“For fools speak folly, their hearts are bent on evil: They practice ungodliness and spread error concerning the LORD; the hungry they leave empty and from the thirsty they withhold water.” – Isaiah 32:6

“A troublemaker and a villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth, who winks maliciously with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers, who plots evil with deceit in his heart— he always stirs up conflict.” – Proverbs 6:12-14

For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. Jude 4

“In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises. He boasts about the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD. In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God. His ways are always prosperous; your laws are rejected by him; he sneers at all his enemies. He says to himself, ‘Nothing will ever shake me.’ He swears, ‘No one will ever do me harm.’ His mouth is full of lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue.” – Psalms 10:2-7

“I have a message from God in my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before their eyes. In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin. The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful; they fail to act wisely or do good. Even on their beds they plot evil; they commit themselves to a sinful course and do not reject what is wrong.” – Psalms 36:1-4

“You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.” – Jesus, Matt. 12:34-35

“It is not what goes into the mouth of a man that makes him unclean and defiled, but what comes out of the mouth; this makes a man unclean and defiles him. Out of the heart come evil thoughts and reasonings such as murder, adultery, sexual vice, theft, false witnessing, slander, and irreverent speech” – Matt. 15:11-19

Examples of people who had a repentant heart-

The Ninevites (Book of Jonah)
Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)
The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)
King Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33:1-20)
David after His Sin with Bathsheba
The Woman Caught in Adultery (John 8:1-11)
Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:9-24)
The Thief on the Cross (Luke 23:39-43)
Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4)
Samson (Judges 16)
Ruth (Ruth 1)
Barnabas (Acts 4:36)
Abraham (Genesis 17)
Philemon & Onesimus (Philemon 1)


Study 23 - A moment of commitment for the Disciples (Luke 18:18–34)  

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🔎 READ - Luke 18:18–34 (NLT)

The Rich Man 

18 Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” 

19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good. 20 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.’” 

21 The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” 

22 When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 

23 But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich. 

24 When Jesus saw this, he said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” 

26 Those who heard this said, “Then who in the world can be saved?” 

27 He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.” 

28 Peter said, “We’ve left our homes to follow you.” 

29 “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, 30 will be repaid many times over in this life, and will have eternal life in the world to come.” 

Jesus Again Predicts His Death 

31 Taking the twelve disciples aside, Jesus said, “Listen, we’re going up to Jerusalem, where all the predictions of the prophets concerning the Son of Man will come true. 32 He will be handed over to the Romans, and he will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit upon. 33 They will flog him with a whip and kill him, but on the third day he will rise again.” 

34 But they didn’t understand any of this. The significance of his words was hidden from them, and they failed to grasp what he was talking about. 

🔎 REGARDING

A rich, young ruler—a man of some important position in the community—has asked Jesus how to inherit eternal life. Jesus goes down the commandments that have to do with treating others well. The young man affirms he follows them well. So far, the man is "good" (Luke 18:20–21).

Then Jesus tells him to go beyond what is expected and give everything for the benefit of others and come follow Him (Luke 18:22). If the man wants to inherit eternal life under the power of his own actions, he needs to be as good as God.

The man realizes he is not as good as he thought. He leaves, disheartened, because he doesn't want to give up his riches (Mark 10:22). The man is good, but he cannot be good enough to deserve eternal life. Tragically, he prioritizes something more than God, and that stops him from coming to faith. Even if it's not the main point, Jesus' divinity is still relevant. If we think Jesus is truly good—making Him truly God—shouldn't we be ready to follow His teachings?

Despite Jesus' correction, Luke gives another clue that Jesus knows this man is sincere and interacts with him gently. Luke refers to Jesus as "Lord" in his gospel more than do the other gospel writers. In general, Luke uses "Lord" when he wants to emphasize Jesus' authority. Through this entire interaction, Luke refers to Him as "Jesus." Mark addresses this more directly, saying, "And Jesus, looking at him, loved him" (Mark 10:21).

🔎 REFLECT 

This ruler was challenging Jesus to a showdown, thinking he already had eternal life in his pocket. So Jesus, knowing where this guy was coming from, rattled off a summary of the law: no adultery; no murder; no stealing; no lying; no dishonoring of parents. The ruler proudly announced, “All these I have kept since I was a boy.”  

This man had long ago convinced himself he had done every­thing right for God. But Jesus knew the man’s central weakness. “Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in ­heaven. Then, come, follow me.”  

Jesus’ words hit the man like a tsunami. His possessions were what made him somebody. His life revolved around all the things that brought him importance and acceptance.  

What’s more, the thought of giving his wealth to the poor probably made him cringe. These were the very people he saw as beneath him. The thought of handing over his hard-earned wealth to the poor did not feel like the eternal life he was planning for. To him, treasures on earth were much better than treasures in heaven.  

The "Jesus life" always calls us to follow the Lord ahead of everything else in our lives, no matter the cost. Can we live the "Jesus life"?  

🔎 REASON 

The rich ruler who approaches Jesus is prepared to “do” a great deal (Luke 18:18); why is he unwilling to do the one thing Jesus asks of him? What is it about wealth that makes it such a powerful idol?  
  
Jesus calls his disciples to embrace a pattern of present suffering followed by future blessing (Luke 18:28–30)—a pattern that characterizes Jesus’ life as well (Luke 18:31–33). How does knowing that we share this pattern with Jesus strengthen us to fight against the power of idols?  

Teachers Notes:

A good writer will set the stage and prepare readers for a transition in the plot line. Luke does that quite well with today's scripture. It is important to see the whole picture of the bible and how things fit together. This path behind Jesus, on the way to Jerusalem is where his most trusted disciples gather the background knowledge to carry on and start the Church.

Do you think the rich man would inherit heaven if he gave away everything?

I am content with the decisions I have made throughout my life. I look back with few or no regrets. Those decisions are keeping me happy and stable in this world. Is that enough for entering Heaven?

Some talk of the needle being a gate or cable, but... The most likely explanation is that Jesus was using hyperbole, a figure of speech that exaggerates for emphasis. Jesus used this technique at other times, referring to a “plank” in one’s eye (Matthew 7:3-5) and swallowing a camel (Matthew 23:24).

Jesus’ message is clear—it is impossible for anyone to be saved on his own merits. Since wealth was seen as proof of God’s approval, it was commonly taught by the rabbis that rich people were blessed by God and were, therefore, the most likely candidates for heaven. Jesus destroyed that notion, and along with it, the idea that anyone can earn eternal life. The disciples had the appropriate response to this startling statement. They were utterly amazed and asked, “Who then can be saved?” in the next verse. If the wealthy among them, which included the super-spiritual Pharisees and scribes, were unworthy of heaven, what hope was there for a poor man?

Jesus’ answer is the basis of the gospel: "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God" (Matthew 19:26). Men are saved through God’s gifts of grace, mercy, and faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Nothing we do earns salvation for us. It is the poor in spirit who inherit the kingdom of God (Matthew 5:3), those who recognize their spiritual poverty and their utter inability to do anything to justify themselves to a holy God. The rich man so often is blind to his spiritual poverty because he is proud of his accomplishments and has contented himself with his wealth. He is as likely to humble himself before God as a camel is to crawl through the eye of a needle.

🔎 RESEARCH 

 

Hebrews 10:23-26 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 
 
2 Peter 3:8-9 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 
 
Matthew 24:9-13 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 
 
Psalm 46:5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. 
 
Psalm 143:7-9 Answer me quickly, O Lord! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit. Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord! I have fled to you for refuge. 
 
2 Peter 2:3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. 
 
Matthew 24:24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 
 
1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 
 
James 5:1-8 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 
 
1 John 1:8-10 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 
 
Ezra 9:6 saying: “O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens. 
 
1 Timothy 1:15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 
 
Psalm 41:4 As for me, I said, “O Lord, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you!” 
 
Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” 
 
Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 
 
Isaiah 64:5-6 You meet him who joyfully works righteousness, those who remember you in your ways. Behold, you were angry, and we sinned; in our sins we have been a long time, and shall we be saved? We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. 
 
Hebrews 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 
 
Romans 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 
 
Luke 5:8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” 
 
Isaiah 6:5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” 
 
Psalm 25:11 For your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for 


Study 24 - Persistent Faith, True Repentance (Luke 18:35–19:10) 

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🔎 READ - Luke 18:35–19:10  (NLT)

Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar 

35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. 36 When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by. 38 So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 

39 “Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him. 

But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 

40 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” 

“Lord,” he said, “I want to see!” 

42 And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” 43 Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too. 

Jesus and Zacchaeus 

19 Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. 2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. 3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. 

5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” 

6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. 7 But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled. 

8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” 

9 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” 11 The crowd was listening to everything Jesus said....

🔎 REGARDING 

Only God is truly good. Even if the man followed the commandments to be good to all people, he doesn't have it in him to be as good as God (Luke 18:19–23). And he'll prove it by refusing to give up what's most important to him: his identity as a rich man.

This is an underlying theme in Luke 18. God's elect completely rely on God for justice (Luke 18:7–8). The tax collector completely relies on God for mercy (Luke 18:13–14). Children completely rely on God for blessing (Luke 18:15–17). The blind beggar completely relies on God for healing (Luke 18:35–43). It's difficult for people who think they are self-sufficient to admit they completely need God for salvation (Luke 18:25).

Some in this crowd—possibly Zacchaeus' victims—criticize Jesus for associating with a tax collector. Jesus restored physical sight to the blind man. Zacchaeus receives spiritual sight and repents. The blind man used his newfound sight to follow Jesus. Zacchaeus uses his to pay recompense to his victims (Luke 19:4–8).

🔎 REFLECT 

 

Can you imagine a person graduating cum laude from college with a teaching certificate but being turned down from a teaching job 24 times? That’s what happened to Brad Cohen, a man with Tourette syndrome, a neurological disorder resulting in involuntary repetitive movements and barking sounds. He was eventually hired at the 25th school where administrators looked beyond the disability and saw Brad’s gifts as a teacher. Brad eventually became a very successful teacher and motivational speaker. His autobiography became a bestseller and was made into a heartwarming movie called Front of the Class.  

Jesus paid special attention to people who were overlooked. Jesus noticed short Zacchaeus up in the sycamore-fig tree and reached out to him. On another occasion, though his disciples rebuked a blind man who had called out to Jesus, the Lord called him out and restored his sight (Mark 10:46-52). At another time, Jesus also healed a woman who had been bleeding, and he made sure her faith was recognized (Matthew 9:20-22).  

Christian love demands that we see beyond the superficial, that we make special accommodations for people who need them, and that we value the contributions of everyone. Jesus put it quite simply: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).  

🔎 REASON 

How do the blind beggar and Zacchaeus overcome obstacles that are keeping them from Jesus? What does this teach us about the nature of faith?  
  
What points of contrast do you see between Zacchaeus and the rich ruler of Luke 18:18–23?  

🔎 RESEARCH 

 

2 Samuel 12:6 and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.” 
 
Numbers 5:7 he shall confess his sin that he has committed. And he shall make full restitution for his wrong, adding a fifth to it and giving it to him to whom he did the wrong. 
 
Proverbs 6:31 but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold; he will give all the goods of his house. 
 
Exodus 22:1-4 “If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall repay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him, but if the sun has risen on him, there shall be bloodguilt for him. He shall surely pay. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. If the stolen beast is found alive in his possession, whether it is an ox or a donkey or a sheep, he shall pay double.
 
James 1:10-11 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. 
 
Acts 2:44-46 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 
 
1 Samuel 12:3 Here I am; testify against me before the Lord and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? Testify against me and I will restore it to you.” 
 
1 Timothy 6:17-18 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 
 
Acts 4:34-35 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 
 
2 Corinthians 8:7-8 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also. I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 
 
Psalm 41:1 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him; 
 
Exodus 20:16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 
 
2 Samuel 12:6 and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.” 
 
Numbers 5:7 he shall confess his sin that he has committed. And he shall make full restitution for his wrong, adding a fifth to it and giving it to him to whom he did the wrong. 
 
Proverbs 6:31 but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold; he will give all the goods of his house. 
 
Leviticus 6:1-6 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “If anyone sins and commits a breach of faith against the Lord by deceiving his neighbor in a matter of deposit or security, or through robbery, or if he has oppressed his neighbor or has found something lost and lied about it, swearing falsely—in any of all the things that people do and sin thereby— if he has sinned and has realized his guilt and will restore what he took by robbery or what he got by oppression or the deposit that was committed to him or the lost thing that he found or anything about which he has sworn falsely, he shall restore it in full and shall add a fifth to it, and give it to him to whom it belongs on the day he realizes his guilt. 
Exodus 22:1-4 “If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall repay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him, but if the sun has risen on him, there shall be bloodguilt for him. He shall surely pay. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. If the stolen beast is found alive in his possession, whether it is an ox or a donkey or a sheep, he shall pay double.
James 1:10-11 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. 
 
Acts 2:44-46 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 
 
1 Samuel 12:3 Here I am; testify against me before the Lord and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? Testify against me and I will restore it to you.” 
 
1 Timothy 6:17-18 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 
 
Acts 4:34-35 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 
 
2 Corinthians 8:7-8 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also. I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 
 
Ezekiel 34:16 I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice. 
 
Matthew 1:21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 
 
1 Timothy 1:13-16 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 
 
Matthew 18:10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.     

CLASS NOTES:

"I suppose my interest in study came from the sense of groundlessness I'd felt since learning about the Holocaust and the civil rights movement- since realizing that what a person knows about the past is limited, and will always be limited, to what they are told by others." from Educated by Tara Westover

What do you know about God's Grace and from where did you learn it?

Grace is the basis for the Christian faith. We believe we are saved by faith through grace. God's grace is usually defined as undeserved favor. Grace cannot be earned; it is something that is freely given. Compassion international

There are 131 uses of grace in the ESV — 124 in the New Testament, 86 of which are from the apostle Paul, which means two-thirds of all the uses of the word grace in the Bible are in one author: Paul. No wonder he’s called “the apostle of grace.” https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/what-is-grace John Piper
grace is not only a quality in the nature of God, but is an acting of God that works in us to change our capacities for work and suffering and obedience.

Grace Is A Gift from God
Ephaesians 2:8-9 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Romans 3:24: 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
Romans 5:15: 15 But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ.
Romans 11:5–6: 5 It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them. 6 And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.
2 Corinthians 12:9: Jesus says to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
1 Corinthians 15:10: “By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder [that was the effect of grace] than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.”Grace Is A New Status With God

Hebrews 4:16: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace.”
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— Colossians 1:21,22
Grace Is A New Power From God

…with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. Acts 4:33
Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. Acts 6:8

God’s Grace Empowers You To Serve Others

2 Corinthians 9:8: 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

Notice the crowd was listening to everything Jesus said. Luke wants us to feel something about what happens when people encounter Jesus. He wants us to know something about the type of people that encounter Jesus and the grace offered to each.

If we read the New Testament, we see grace as the theme throughout. God is and remains the doer and the keeper. God is the hero. We see this in at least two ways:

Grace is the source of our forgiveness and salvation. Our justification, forgiveness, being declared righteous, hinges and is sourced in grace. Not works based, totally undeserved. Our justification, while free to us, cost God dearly, namely the death of Jesus Christ. Romans 8:32 declares "God did not spare His own Son, but freely gave Him up for us all." Salvation is of grace. Romans 3:24-25 also declares this was done freely by God. Not deserved on behalf of its recipients. Eph. 1:7 declares our salvation was in accordance with the "riches of God's grace." Ponder this this morning, the enormous grace of God in our lives, namely our salvation, but that grace that John 1:14 declares is new every morning. Undeserved. And this was no accident. God planned this before the foundation of the world as Eph. 1-2:10 tells us. Therefore we can be certain of it at all times.
Grace is our guarantee that we will receive what God has promised. We can have assurance no matter what we face because our assurance is rooted totally in the grace of God, from start to finish. 1 Peter 1:5 declares "we are kept by the power of God." Believer, that means we have no need for nor no place for anxiety, worry, despair, etc due to the sure grace of God and promises to carry out what God promises and begins. Indeed, as Romans 8:31-39 declares, and I encourage you to read this passage this morning, to be reminded that "nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus." Everything about our lives is rooted in the sure and free grace of God, from start to finish. All grace. Therefore we can be sure and confident no matter what we face, that it cannot separate us from the love of God that has come to us thru Christ.Matthew 7:21-23 21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’

Study 25 - About the Master’s Business (Luke 19:11–27) 

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🔎 READ - Luke 19:11–27  (NLT)

Parable of the Ten Servants 

11 The crowd was listening to everything Jesus said. And because he was nearing Jerusalem, he told them a story to correct the impression that the Kingdom of God would begin right away. 12 He said, “A nobleman was called away to a distant empire to be crowned king and then return. 13 Before he left, he called together ten of his servants and divided among them ten pounds of silver, saying, ‘Invest this for me while I am gone.’ 14 But his people hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We do not want him to be our king.’ 

15 “After he was crowned king, he returned and called in the servants to whom he had given the money. He wanted to find out what their profits were. 16 The first servant reported, ‘Master, I invested your money and made ten times the original amount!’ 

17 “‘Well done!’ the king exclaimed. ‘You are a good servant. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted to you, so you will be governor of ten cities as your reward.’ 

18 “The next servant reported, ‘Master, I invested your money and made five times the original amount.’ 

19 “‘Well done!’ the king said. ‘You will be governor over five cities.’ 

20 “But the third servant brought back only the original amount of money and said, ‘Master, I hid your money and kept it safe. 21 I was afraid because you are a hard man to deal with, taking what isn’t yours and harvesting crops you didn’t plant.’ 

22 “‘You wicked servant!’ the king roared. ‘Your own words condemn you. If you knew that I’m a hard man who takes what isn’t mine and harvests crops I didn’t plant, 23 why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’ 

24 “Then, turning to the others standing nearby, the king ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one who has ten pounds.’ 

25 “‘But, master,’ they said, ‘he already has ten pounds!’ 

26 “‘Yes,’ the king replied, ‘and to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. 27 And as for these enemies of mine who didn’t want me to be their king—bring them in and execute them right here in front of me.’” 

🔎 REGARDING 

This is the last story before Jesus enters Jerusalem on His way to face crucifixion. He has just brought physical sight to a blind man and spiritual sight to a tax collector (Luke 18:35–43; 19:1–10). Crowds surround Him, including a great many of His disciples who think He is going to establish His kingdom and drive out the Romans. The Twelve think He is going to install them as princes.

In the parable of the ten minas (Luke 19:11–27), Jesus compares Himself to a nobleman who must go away to be given a kingship. This parable is for disciples and those on the fringe, and that they all receive the same treasure.

There is one thing they have all received: proof that Jesus is the Messiah. When He rises from the dead, that proof will be incontrovertible. But then He will leave: He will ascend into heaven (Luke 24:50–53; Acts 1:8–9). What will His listeners do then? Will they accept Him as their king and remain faithful to His charge to expand His kingdom—to symbolically invest their mina? Or will they rebel against His reign (Luke 19:14)?

🔎 REFLECT 

 

In the days before World War II, German theologian Helmut Thielicke wanted the kingdom of Adolf Hitler to fall quickly. He trusted Jesus would bring in a new era of freedom if the German people read the Word and prayed earnestly for him to come. He publicized a Bible study and waited for crowds to fill up the church. God gave him two old women and a much older organist. Thielicke did not think he could take on the German military machine with a nursing home army. Thielicke did not want the crew Jesus provided. 
Jesus tells a parable about using the resources God has given us. A king goes away for a time, and he gives his servants money to use wisely while he is gone. Those servants include you and me as we wait for Christ’s return. What is he expecting from us while he is away? 
First, that we not sit on our gifts but use them to expand the kingdom. We’ve been given treasures of blessings, not to hoard for ourselves but to bless others. 
Second, that we prepare a report on our use of the king’s gifts. There are no exceptions, only expectations. 
Third, that we not be lazy out of fear. One servant was judged “wicked” for playing life too safe. 
Jesus expects us to bless and extend the kingdom he is building through us. He expects us to put our gifts to work until he comes back. Let’s get to work! 

🔎 REASON 

The parable of the 10 minas suggests that servants who know their master’s character will delight to be about his business. What features of Luke 17:11–19:27 demonstrate that our Master, Jesus, is gracious and compassionate rather than “severe”?  

🔎 CLASS NOTES

    What treasure did Jesus leave us to invest? Galatians 5:22-23 22 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

    We have taken this book and made a lifestyle out of it.

    Live well among others - 1 Thess 4 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you
  •  may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.
  • Stay, protect - John 17 -  15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called “Synoptic Gospels” because  these gospels contain many of the same stories, and most stories are even presented in the same sequence within each of the three different gospels. John's Gospel differs in several ways: it covers a different time span than the others; it locates much of Jesus' ministry in Judaea; and it portrays Jesus discoursing at length on theological matters. Traditionally, Matthew was the Gospel most used for the readings for customary public worship ritual, and other Gospels were used to fill in the picture.

We are dividing the teachings in Luke into 3 parts: The Ministry of Jesus in Galilee (Luke 4:16–9:50), The Journey to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51–19:27), The Ministry of Jesus in Jerusalem (Luke 19:28–21:38)

The phrase "kingdom of God" appears 32 times in the Gospel of Luke
  • Matthew: Appears four times, in 12:28, 19:24, 21:31, and 21:43
  • Mark: Appears 14 times
  • John: Appears twice, in 3:3 and 5
  • Acts: Appears six times
  • Paul: Appears eight times
  • Revelation: Appears once, in 12:10 

This section began with "As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem". Luke 9:51

In this parable, Jesus teaches several things about the "Kingdom of God" and the time leading up to it. As Luke 19:11 indicates, Jesus’ most basic point is that the kingdom was not going to appear immediately. There would be a period of time, during which the king would be absent, before the kingdom would be set up.

The nobleman in the parable is Jesus, who left this world but who will return as King some day. The servants the king charges with a task represent followers of Jesus. The Lord has given us a valuable commission, and we must be faithful to serve Him until He returns. 

Upon His return, Jesus will ascertain the faithfulness of His own people (see Romans 14:10–12). 10 So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For the Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.’” 12 Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.

There is work to be done (John 9:4), 4 We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.  and we must use what God has given us for His glory. There are promised rewards for those who are faithful in their charge.

The enemies who rejected the king in the parable are representative of the Jewish nation that rejected Christ while He walked on earth—and everyone who still denies Him today. When Jesus returns to establish His kingdom, one of the first things He will do is utterly defeat His enemies (Revelation 19:11–15). 11 Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. 12 His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. 13 He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. 15 From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress.   It does not pay to fight against the King of kings.

The Parable of the Ten Minas is similar to the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14–30. 28 “Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. 29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. 30 Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ Some people assume that they are the same parable, but there are enough differences to warrant a distinction: the parable of the minas was told on the road between Jericho and Jerusalem; the parable of the talents was told later on the Mount of Olives. The audience for the parable of the minas was a large crowd; the audience for the parable of the talents was the disciples by themselves. The parable of the minas deals with two classes of people: servants and enemies; the parable of the talents deals only with professed servants. In the parable of the minas, each servant receives the same amount; in the parable of the talents, each servant receives a different amount (and talents are worth far more than minas). Also, the return is different: in the parable of the minas, the servants report ten-fold and five-fold earnings; in the parable of the talents, all the good servants double their investment. In the former, the servants received identical gifts; in the latter, the good servants showed identical faithfulness.

In the late 70's a few people wanted to start an elementary school at our church, we already had a preschool. At a board meeting we were asked, around the table of elders and deacons, to express our opinion on the subject. I remember using John 17:15 "I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one". and made this point. As a public school teacher I can see the positive impact a few good kids can have on a group and suggested if we as a church would devote our efforts to preparing our kids and families to be a positive example in the school environment, then everyone benefits. The kids learn to address the world as Christians, the classroom gets to see an example of "good" and the church sees a mission. If "good" kids are removed from the public school classroom, society suffers.

🔎 RESEARCH  

 

Matthew 25:14-15 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 
 
John 12:26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. 
 
1 Peter 4:9-11 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 
 
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. 
 
Romans 12:6-8 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. 
 
2 Peter 1:1 Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: 
 
1 Corinthians 12:28-29 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 
 
James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. 
 
Galatians 1:10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. 
 
Luke 16:10 “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 
 
Matthew 25:21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 
 
Revelation 2:26-29 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ 
 
1 Peter 1:7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 
 
1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God. 
 
1 Samuel 2:30 Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,’ but now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed. 
 
Genesis 39:4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. 
 
1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 
 
2 Timothy 2:10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 
 
Romans 2:29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.    


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