Luke 1:1-25.

Today we begin a study of the Gospel of Luke with a look at Zechariah who was a devout man who thought he was prepared to meet the Living God – but reacted with fear and doubt when God showed up. God graciously gave him a second chance to respond with faith, and extends that same grace to us when we falter and fail. This story of Zechariah is a story that still speaks to us today.

There are lessons to learn from this story
– All scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correction and training in righteousness so that we can be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
– God wants us to KNOW HIM not just know about him.
– When we read the scriptures God desires that we not only look at it and say, “what happened?” He desires that we look at the story and say, “What does this say to me today?”

In examining what this story has to do with us today, we start by going through what we know about Zechariah:
1. He was a devout priest
2. He was praying
3. He knew this was from God
4. He knew the Scriptures

As Zechariah was met by the angel of the Lord as he did the priestly duties that day, when He actually had an encounter with the Angel of the Lord he had a difficult time accepting what he was told. At the root of his doubt was Zechariah’s desire to have God fit into his personal perception of who God was and how God should talk to him and what God should do. Basically, Zechariah wanted to make God conform to what he desired rather than allowing God to be who He is and to speak directly into his life.

What God desires to do is reveal Himself to us, rather than have us go along with our own personal perception of Him. We try to put God into a box, like Zechariah did, and to contain God, but God says, “NO!” And He reveals His true self to us. He reveals who He is.

God desires we come to Him in humility, repentant in spirit and willing to receive what He gives and that means that we accept one of the most important truths that anyone can know and act on and that is:
– God is god and we are not
– God is god and I am not

God is:
Supernatural
All powerful
Present everywhere
And when He speaks he means it!
His Word is true and it can be trusted!

We have been made in the image of a Holy God and we owe Him everything:
– My life
– My future
– My family
– My wealth
– My daily activities

We must not underestimate God. Zechariah heard great news that day from the angel and he just could not accept what God was saying. Zechariah made one of the biggest mistakes of his life and underestimated God. He said, “How can this be?” Because in his mind it just did not seem possible. BUT with God NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!

Divine Promises brought to Zechariah by the Angel of the Lord:
– Fear not!
– Answered prayers
– Good News of joy
– Holy Spirit outpouring
– Repentance and return
– Power
– Awakening

Zechariah thought he was too old to receive what the Lord was giving him, but we are NEVER too old for any of the good things of God!!!

God seeks to build a trusting faith in each of us that causes us to acknowledge, “I am the Lord’s servant and I will do what He says.”

Zechariah missed the boat that day, but God still came through and He took Zechariah’s doubts and reluctance and He brought it all about for His glory and Zechariah’s good.

God is faithful. He keeps His Word!

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St. Luke’s Account is part three of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. The Gospel of Luke takes a look at the life of Jesus, beginning with the well-known Christmas stories. Luke, a non-Jew, offers a unique perspective into the story of Jesus’ life.

This study is great for large group. small group or home group Bible study.

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This teaching is from Matthew 21:10-23 and continues a study of Holy Week – Jesus’ final week before His resurrection.

In today’s story, people recognized Jesus as a prophet, but He was much more than a prophet! Over the next few weeks we will be exploring: The heart of the Gospel as the heart of God’s message of salvation, and that message is at the heart of who Jesus is. Let’s dig into what that means for us.

Following Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, in today’s text picks up with Jesus entering the temple courts and how he drives out all who were buying and selling. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. Jesus says, “My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.”

Pastor shares the perspective that this is the second tine Jesus cleansed the temple, the first was at the beginning of His teaching ministry and the account in Matthew brings the second time Jesus does this.

Pastor talks in detail about the temple at this time: size, construction and the courts on the sides of the temple allowed possibly as many as 200,000 people to worship at the temple.

Following the overturning of the tables in the temple court, the blind and lame came to Jesus and he healed them and children were singing hosannas. But this angered the priest and teachers of the law, revealing their spiritual blindness and arrogance.

Jesus desires that heir minds would be opened and that these leaders would be accept Him for who He is. He desires that we all come to Him in humility and genuine worship.

Jesus then leaves the temple and heads to Bethany for the night. Everything the scriptures have predicted is about to take place…

Today’s teaching closes with the story of the cursed fig tree. What does this story tell us? Was Jesus just in a bad mood? Was he ‘hangry?” No, there is much to learn from this story, here’s how it goes.

Jesus is hungry. He goes to a fig tree to pick fruit but there’s nothing on it except leaves. But it wasn’t the season for figs! Didn’t Jesus know this?

Here’s what we do know: Prior to the season for figs to come on a tree there are small nubs that grow on the tree called paggim. They are edible – but there aren’t even any paggim on this tree. All Jesus finds are leaves.

It’s then that Jesus says, “May you never bear fruit again!” The fig tree is a symbol for Israel, the fig tree is often used as a representation of the children of Israel. And Adam and Eve, after the fall, were clothed in fig leaves.

So the fig tree is a reminder of human sin, Genesis 3, but also a reminder of the nation of Israel especially its leaders.

What Jesus sees as he looks at this tree is that it looks like a great tree but it has no fruit. This is a prophetic judgement on the leadership of Jesus’ day – it is also a clarion call to us to take seriously the things of God!

What God desires is that we don’t just “look good” on the outside, He desires that we bear fruit!

Jesus tells us throughout His ministry that if we continue in His word we will bear fruit. We’re not saved by our fruit production but because we are saved, we will produce the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control so that others are drawn to Jesus.

We don’t want our lives to be all for show – we want to produce fruit!

Jesus goes on to let us know we can trust God to hear and heed our prayers and that we can, with confidence, do the work He has called us to do: on our knees, praying and believing what Jesus says, “You will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

We can ask anything according to His will – He hears and answers!

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God’s word teaches endurance: how to face the difficulties and challenges of life. The Bible doesn’t tell us we will get through life without difficult days and trials. God’s Word gives us encouragement because God’s word is true, it is genuine and it speaks directly into our lives.

Paul at Corinth is a story that shows us how God gives His children encouragement even in the most difficult of times, difficult of places and the most trying of circumstances.

Paul went on missionary journey to Corinth (in Greece) a very corrupt seaport city. They had a temple to Aphrodites and Paul found himself very discouraged at the evil he found there. But God brings encouragement in a way that teaches us to see the ways that God ministers to us in the darkest of days.

Observations:
Provision: Paul meets Aquila and Priscilla – God provides as he brings people into our lives who will minister and encourage us.
Support: Silas and Timothy – God’s support through colleagues that helped Paul be able to devote full time effort into preaching the Gospel.
Opportunity: Jews from the synagogue didn’t want Paul teaching any longer in the synagogue, so Paul went to a man’s house next door to the synagogue and there he preached the gospel to the gentiles. Even in the difficulty of being rejected by the Jewish community, God gave Paul an opportunity to teach Gentiles.
Assurance: Corinth was a difficult city to share the Gospel, but Jesus speaks by a vision to Paul, saying, “Do not be afraid – Keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you and no one is going to attack or harm you because I have many people in this city.” God says this to you and me as well, “Don’t give up because I am with you!” So Paul stayed in Corinth a year and a half teaching them the Word of God.
Protection: There is dissension between the Jews going to synagogue and the Jews and Gentiles that believed in Jesus as the Messiah. Consequently, after teaching for 1 1/2 years, Paul was arrested and charged with the crime of practicing an illegal cult. They wanted him imprisoned or killed. But Gallia – the court judge – says the one bringing Paul to trial needed to figure things out on their own and that he would not rule on the charges, nor would he punish Paul and Gallia dismissed the case. God knows how to deliver His people! He did it for us at the cross! And the final victory is now ours. We win!

Surprise!: Surprisingly, following the dismissal of the case against Paul, the Jews from the synagogue attack the synagogue leader and beat him up instead of Paul! God’s additional surprise is that in 1 Corinthians 1:1 we read that this synagogue leader, Sethenese, becomes a believer in Jesus and part of the house church in Corinth.

And God has surprises for us in the difficult times, too, because our God is a good and gracious God. He loves His children. He is always with us in difficult times and easy times. He brings joy and hope, endurance and assurance to those who call on Jesus, the Messiah, our Savior!

Scripture: Acts 18:1-17, Romans 15:4

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Luke 16:1-13.

Jesus warns that no one can serve two masters. Will you be devoted to God – or to “stuff?”

This Parable of the Shrewd Manager is one of Jesus’ most controversial parables and one of the most difficult parable to understand. Join us a Pastor Dodge digs deep into this parable and pulls out some amazing nuggets of the wisdom Jesus is sharing in the challenging parable.

Luke 16:8, Jesus says, “For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourself, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.”

What Jesus is saying? He’s saying that many times unbelieving people are very shrewd in their daily dealings. They look out into the distance, rather than being preoccupied with the here and now and the immediate. This manager recognizes that he was soon to be out of a job and he had a limited window of time left. So he willingly sacrifices his own commission, in order to ingratiates himself with his masters debtors so that he makes sure that in the long run, in the future, blessings like employment would come.

Jesus is saying, “God’s people need to take that to heart.” Because you see so often we get so preoccupied with what is going on in the moment that we forget our eternal destiny. So often we become so overwhelmed by the events of daily life. Maybe you’re going through something like that in your life today, where all sorts of things have piled up suddenly and that is all you can see. What Jesus is saying is remember your ultimate destiny. If you are a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, if you trust in Him and He is your Savior and your Lord then you know that our ultimate destiny is not to rest 6 feet under. It is not simply to try to make it through the next years or decades of our lives. Our ultimate destiny is to be with the Lord forever.

He has made us His managers. Do we understand this? Everything we have comes from God. We so often like to pat ourselves on the back and talk about our accomplishments, of what we’ve accumulated and what we’ve done. But the book of James tells us, “Every good and perfect gift comes down from above, from the Father of the heavenly lights.”

Nothing that you have or that I have is something that we earned or deserved. It is a gift. Our talents, our abilities, intelligence, riches, you name it, everything ultimately is from God Himself, and we are simply the managers of what He’s given us.

Jesus is encouraging us to manage wisely. Learn from this shrewd but disreputable character who had enough foresight to realize the future is more important than the immediate.

Do not confuse the gift with the Giver. Understand God is the giver of everything.

We are to use everything in a way that gives Him glory. Be generous. Put your faith in the living God into action by being generous toward others. It is what Jesus taught over and over again. In the gospel of Matthew 6:19-21 Jesus says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

What Jesus is telling us is that everything we have comes from Him. As individuals who realize how much God loves us, who are repentant before Him, realizing we don’t bring anything to the heavenly party. God has done it all. He has given us everything including His only Son Jesus.

God offers life forever, by faith in Jesus, and He promises that He will even reward me, sinner though I am, for following Him and trusting Him. He wants me to use everything He’s given me, wisely.

We so often hoard what we have, but we are called to keep in mind our futures and give with in a manner that shows where our eyes are, on the reward of a future with God forever, because the Father gives us every good gift, everything we have is from Him, so now we are simply His managers and as His managers were are to be:

— Generous in helping others
— Generous in sharing our faith
— Generous in calling people to a knowledge of the living God

— Trustworthy in the way we deal with others
— Trustworthy in the way we relate to God
— Trustworthy in the way we use the resources, abilities, skills, gifts, finances, time, opportunities we are given

— Devoted to the Living God
— Reflecting God’s Love, Mercy, Purity, Goodness, Faithfulness – Not to earn anything, but instead because we’ve been given everything, including salvation!

— Be generous because God is generous.
— Be trustworthy because Gos is trustworthy.
— Be devoted to God because He’s devoted to us!

At the end of time, Stuff doesn’t last, it doesn’t remain, but GOD DOES AND PROMISES DO!

He is calling us to repentance and to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, The One Who Is THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL!! And this is the One we serve!

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The Parables of Jesus is part two of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Jesus is known for telling some of the greatest stories ever told. In telling these stories He uses the form of a parable which is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Jesus’ parables resonate in every culture and in every generation around the world.

This study is great for large group. small group or home group Bible study.

Check out this episode!

Matthew 20:17-34, Matthew 21:1-11, Exodus 12:3, Isaiah 62:11, Zechariah 9:9, and Psalm 118:25-26.

Jesus lets us know that He is the fulfillment of all the Hebrew Scripture had predicted and all that the Father had dictated.

Until we receive Jesus as Lord, this is only head knowledge.  The disciples had heard Him speak what was coming multiple times, but they just did not grasp what Jesus was saying about Him being the long awaited Savior. They didn’t understand what was ahead for Jesus in the next weeks. Jesus shares the sacrifice He’s going to make explaining what is coming: suffering, death and rising on the 3rd day.

It’s at this point in the Matthew narrative that there is a story of Jesus’ Aunt wanting her sons to be on each side of Jesus in heaven. 

 But Jesus uses her request to teach us we are to be individuals that reflect the heart of our heavenly Father who reflect the life of our Lord Jesus Christ, and reflect His example and sacrifice.

We are to put aside the things that the world so greatly treasures and instead embrace the values of God and the Holy Scriptures.  We are to serve not be served. 

It’s important that we today grasp the truth of who Jesus is as heart knowledge, not just head knowledge.  

The next vignette Matthew shares is the story of two blind men who Jesus had compassion on and he heals their sight.  This story contrasts how the blind man knew Jesus was Lord and asked for his mercy as opposed to the religious people who could not see Him for who He truly is. 

As we head into chapter 21 is the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the 10th Day of Nissan, the exact day of that thousands of year old male lambs were being brought into the city and that will be set aside until the day of the Passover sacrifice on the 14th of Nissan.

Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey as a set apart sacrificial lamb who will die on the cross during Passover on the 14th day of Nissan…. 

…This is not coincidental… As thousands of lambs come into the city for preparations of Passover in rides the Lamb of God.

Jesus fulfilled what was prophesied in Isaiah and Zechariah when He rode into Jerusalem on the donkey, “See your Savior comes, lowly and riding on the foal of a donkey.” (Paraphrased)

If a king rode into a city on a donkey it was a sign He was coming peace, but if a king rose into a city on a horse he was coming for war. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey.  He came as the Prince of Peace, the One who will suffer for the sins of the world and lay down His life for us all.  He came in peace knowing full well what was ahead of Him.

Jesus is accepted and cheered for as the Savior as He enters Jerusalem to the cheers of “Hosanna to the Son of Dave.  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” But in just a few days another crowd will be cheering, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

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Luke 18:9-14, Romans 3:23, Isaiah 57:15, Psalm 51:15, 1 Corinthians 1:31, Micah 6:8.

There is incredible danger in pride. God requires humility. Jesus told this story of two prayers – and the two pray-ers. One prayed about his own righteousness, the other prayed in humility and repentance. Which man went home forgiven?

“To those who were confident of their own righteousness and look down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable.” (Luke 18:9). This is a targeted story. It is a targeted parable as Jesus speaks to people who are spiritually proud and tend to look at everyone else with disdain. What was true in Jesus day remains true today. Many times we judge others by our own standards rather than God’s and very often we are quick to see the failings of others, but ignore our own weaknesses.

People can outwardly put on a form of religion but inwardly deny its real power. The parable tells of two people who went to the temple to pray. The pharisee stood by himself to pray – he was perceived as religious, dedicated, devout. Many saw him as the “good guy.” But does Jesus? Here’s what the pharisee says, “God I thank You that I am not like other people: robbers, evil doers, adulterers, or tax collector. I fast two times per week and give a tenth of all I receive.” (i.e.: look how great I am!)

Then Jesus describes the prayer of the tax collector, who stood at a distance and would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said “God have mercy on me, a sinner.” No excuses, not list of accomplishments.

The difference in these two prayers are profound and Jesus turns the “good guy” (pharisee) and the “bad buy” (tax collector) story inside out and upside down. Jesus say of the tax collector, “This man went home justified before God, for those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

The Father desires, above all else, humility from His children. God desires a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:15). Repentance is what our Holy God desire and what our sin condition demands. God desires the we are humble before Him. We compare ourselves to others, but instead the true standard is that we compare ourselves to a Holy, Perfect God and then we see we are all sinners in need of a Savior in order to stand before our Father.

We need a Savior and Jesus is that Savior, the perfect sacrificial Lamb, the One needed because by us all because we are all sinners. We need humility in order to come before God and say, “Lord have mercy on me a sinner.” Fallen people need a Savior and we need to recognize our need for Him. As we have all sinned.

God is gracious and we are needy:
— We need a Savior, Jesus
— We need forgiveness
— We need cleansing
— We need renewal
— We need rebirth

Are we boasting about our lives? Accomplishments? How religious we are? How good we are?

We need to hear Jesus’ voice in this parable and realize our only boasting is to be in the Lord and what He has done (1 Corinthians 1:31).

Humility before God is not weakness, it is strength.
Humility before God is not an indication of our failing, it is an indication of God’s mercy and grace to those who recognize they need a Savior.

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The Parables of Jesus is part two of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Jesus is known for telling some of the greatest stories ever told. In telling these stories He uses the form of a parable which is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Jesus’ parables resonate in every culture and in every generation around the world.

This study is great for large group. small group or home group Bible study.

Check out this episode!

This teaching is from Matthew 19:13-30 and Matthew 20:1-16.

This teaching starts with a focus on children. The disciples didn’t like that people were bringing little children to Jesus, these children were babies, infants, toddlers, and the disciples were thinking Jesus is trying to talk to the adults and they’re bringing kids to him, taking time away from Jesus speaking, that they were noisy and disruptive and that it just wasn’t appropriate.

But Jesus says, “Let the children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” What’s Jesus saying? He’s saying kids matter to Him, They are part of His kingdom!

The question is how does a child believe? But then, how does an adult believe? The answer is in 1 Corinthians 12 where Paul says that no one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. It’s only when the Holy Spirit moves in a person’s life (adult or child) that they can believe.

Many times we act like the disciples, looking at things from a human standpoint and personal prejudice instead of the vantage point of heaven. Jesus is saying kids matter and after correcting the disciples He blesses the kids.

Then the text moves into the topic of wealth and Jesus answers the question of a man asking Him how to be saved. Meaning the man is asking what he can do, this man has it wrong – we are saved by grace, not works. But Jesus patiently continues with the man and He mentions to keep the commandments to which the man replies that he’s done that. Jesus sees into the man’s heart and understands that he is proud of his accomplishments, wealth and focused on earning eternal life.

This is when Jesus invites the man to be one of his disciples and to sell his possessions and give to the poor. But as Jesus knew he would, the man goes away sad because the reality was his wealth was his god.

Jesus continues that it’s hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God. But what is Jesus really saying? He’s using hyperbole. So the question then is: if you have to go through the eye of a needle to be saved, who then can be saved? Jesus replies that with man that’s impossible, but with God all things are possible.

Meaning that it’s not by wealth or what we’ve accumulated, or earned or done or accomplished that we are saved, we are saved by grace alone and THAT is only possible with God through faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus is showing us that God is over all and He is to be our treasure and number one priority in our lives. He’s to be the heart of our lives. Jesus says what matters most is our relationship with Him.

We don’t buy our way into eternal life, but we are called to use the gifts God has given us to His glory and for His good. So we to make sure that God is heart and center in our lives.

Pastor continues with chapter 20 where Jesus tells the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. The owner hired workers at sunrise, then 3 hours later hired more workers and then even more workers at noon, 3pm and 5pm. When evening came the owner paid ALL workers with a denarius (a day’s wage). And those that worked the least amount of hours got the same pay as those that worked the most hours. Those that worked the most hours complained to the owner and his response was, “Are you envious because I’m generous?”

So we ask: is this just? Here’s a quote that helps us understand what Jesus is teaching: “We are fools if we appeal to God for justice rather than grace!”

If God were completely just we would all be in hell, but He is merciful and Jesus is trying to bring home that truth.

Only the grace of God saves.
Only the mercy of Christ offers life.
Only the blood of Jesus covers our sin.
Only a relationship with God through faith in Jesus delivers us.

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This account takes place on Paul’s second missionary trip, on his trip to the city of Athens, A city that prided itself on knowledge and education, learning, culture and the arts. It was also a city filled with idols.

As Paul looked around and saw all the idolatry it just really riled him up and he began passionately sharing the gospel message in the synagogues and even in the market places. He worked to draw people to Jesus and not to idols. His impassioned message caused much interest, but also much controversy.

Paul teaches us to not give up – when we are confronted with issues or by people who reject what we believe we don’t give up – we are kind, gracious, we are generous and merciful, but we can be encouraged by Paul’s example. In this story we learn that we do not need to hesitate to say what we believe and why.

Paul’s persistence cases those listening to become curious. They ask questions and want to know more and more. While they were curious, they were still not wanting to believe. So Paul says that he noticed how “religious” they are, but what they took as a compliment Paul meant as a warning because what is necessary is a relationship with the Living God and not mere religious behavior.

But stating he noticed their “religiosity” was a great starting point for keeping them listening. He tells about all the idols he’s seen and points out an altar they have with the world, “to an Unknown God” on it. He points out to this group of people (who despised ignorance and prided themselves on wisdom) and goes on to say that he will tell them about the Unknown God. Paul will make the Unknowns KNOWN!

Today many are influenced by an Unknown God:
1. Never heard of Him
2. Never understood anything about Him
3. Never cared to know about Him
4. Never believe in Him

These were the issues Paul was facing – the same issues we face today.

Paul goes on to say that the God who made the world is not a statue and is not confined to a building. He’s not served by human hands (like their idols are) and it is God that gives everything life and breath. God, from one man, made all nations, thus showing His concern for all nations and that God has mapped out each nation’s appointed time in history. Nothing that happens on earth happens without God’s foreknowledge and without His plan coming to fruition.

Paul’s life had been transformed when he came to know Christ, and it is Paul’s desire that these people experience that same thing.

1. Talks about the natural knowledge of God which all have instinctively – that we innately know there must be a divine being.
2. Talks about the revealed knowledge of God, that He has revealed Himself as Creator of all and loves us and desires we know Him.
3. Tells them that having natural knowledge and revealed knowledge requires a response, that human ignorance is not overlooked by God.

God calls us to repentance, making a U-turn in our lives and having a changed mind and attitude – re-directed lives. If God truly is God — He cannot be manipulated through statues. We are called to yield to Him.

Paul ends with the story of Jesus Deity, Death, resurrection and Return. Without Jesus and a relationship of faith we are lost.

God is God!

Many listening to Paul repented and received relationship with the Living God through Jesus Christ – the Savior or ALL nations.

The fruit of Paul’s efforts were many becoming believers and followers of Jesus because Paul had the courage to share Jesus with them and confront them with TRUE Wisdom.

Scripture for the message: Acts 17:16-34

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Scripture – Luke 16:19-31, Luke 16:14.

“The Rich Man and Lazarus” is a parable in which Jesus portrays two ways of living — and two destinies after death. What will your destiny be?

This is many times a misunderstood parable. Jesus told this parable in response to the laughter and scorn of the pharisees. Pastor sets the stage for this parable sharing that no one is saved by:

1. Right Doctrines – We are not saved by knowing the doctrines of the faith because it is not what you know, it’s WHO you know. You can have the right doctrine, but be absolutely messed up in your relationship with the Lord.

2. Right Actions – We are not saved by how good we are. All have sinned and none of us can stand before a holy God. We are saved only be the grace of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

In this parable, Jesus paints the picture of a very wealthy man living with his focus on possessions. Outside the gates lived a man with nothing, a poor man longing for scraps from the Rich Man’s table.

Both men die. Lazarus, the beggar, who trusted in the Living God goes to heaven and the Rich Man who trusted in his wealth and possessions, to Hades. The point Jesus makes with this teaching is that ultimately, every human being will face one of two destinies and the destinies can be summed up simply as reward (heaven) and punishment (Hades).

Jesus’ intent is to emphasize these two destinations. The most foolish thing we can do is to ignore the goodness, mercy and grace of God in Jesus Christ. Without Him we are lost and hell is our destination. Life with God is forever = heavenly reward. Life without God is forever = punishment and separation from Him and there’s no second chance. It’s just that simple. Jesus is saying this is serious stuff and our destiny is not to be taken lightly.

God’s word is available. Listen to what He says and we will know the truth. We are to follow Him, trust Him and in Him there is forgiveness and Life forever with Him. Reject Him and there is eternal judgement and punishment.

We must not ignore the voice of God. In this parable Jesus is trying to wake people up. He’s trying to show us just how important it is that we know Him. We can accumulate wealth, awards, position, title, honors, possessions but if we don’t know Jesus, we have nothing that endures.

Our Savior loves us enough that He was willing to die for us. When someone loves you that much you know that you can trust your life to Him. He loved us enough that He was willing to die for each one of us and he has triumphed over death for us too.

God is calling us to what really matters and what really matters is knowing Him, His love, His mercy, His forgiveness, His resurrection power and His promised return.

Our destiny is one or the other:
Life with God
Or
Life without God

Choose Life with God – it is in Him that Life forever – our reward – is found.

Recognize the reality of heaven and hell and choose life with Him, by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

YOU WILL NEVER REGRET IT!

https://www.awakeusnow.com

The Parables of Jesus is part two of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Jesus is known for telling some of the greatest stories ever told. In telling these stories He uses the form of a parable which is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Jesus’ parables resonate in every culture and in every generation around the world.

This study is great for large group. small group or home group Bible study.

Check out this episode!

This teaching is from Matthew 18:21-35, the Parable of the Unforgiving Debtor, and Matthew 19:1-12 on the topic of Divorce.

Peter asks Jesus if he should forgive someone seven times. Jesus responds with seventy seven times. The meaning of Jesus saying seventy seven times is that forgiveness in the face of genuine repentance does not keep track of numbers and Jesus is calling us to forgive as we have been forgiven.

Then Jesus tells this “Parable of the Unforgiving Debtor,” a story where a servant of a king owes millions of dolors to the king. When the king call the debt to account and be paid, the servant begs the king to be patient with him and that he will repay it. The king has compassion and forgives the entire debt!

But then this servant of the king has a man that works for him and this man owed the king’s servant a few thousand dollars and the king’s servant calls this man debt to account. When the man pleads to the king’s servant for time to pay but the king’s servant has the man thrown into jail until he could get the debt paid.

When the king heard about the lack of compassion he confronted his servant saying he had shown compassion and forgiven the debt to him, and that he should have done the same thing to the man that owed him money. The king placed his servant in jail for his lack of compassion until he could pay it off.

The story highlights how God, who has forgiven us an immeasurable debt, desires that we show the same kind of mercy to others and if we don’t then Jesus says we really don’t appreciate what the Father has given us.

We are called to forgive as we’ve been forgiven, to treat others in the same way God treats us. We’re called to reflect the incredible goodness of God. And that is shown in the act of forgiveness.

God’s way is grace, mercy, forgiveness and love like He’s given us. The Gospel of Jesus frees us from bitterness that destroys.

If we harbor hatred and resentment it eats away at us and destroys faith. God’s call is to live life on His terms.

In the second half of today’s teaching, Jesus confronts a challenging issue, “Is Divorce Lawful?” He talks about how we are created male and female and that marriage is a covenant between them with God.

The follow up questions is “Why did Moses permit divorce?” It is because of hard hearts, but it is not God’s planned way. The Bible recognizes that divorce is a reality.

Today, we are living in a culture where divorce is widely practiced and what the New Testament calls us to is to recognize just as Jesus pointed out, it’s not the way the Father intended, and we are to bring hope and encouragement to those who are victimized by divorce. The Bible also calls us to lovingly let people know the truth of divorce.

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