A Study in Luke Week 18

Luke Chapter 18

In this chapter we are given two parables about prayer, a statement about who can be saved, the relationship of obedience to the Law to salvation, a reminder that Jesus will fulfill the predictions of the prophets concerning Him and the healing of a blind man.

Verses 1-8 – Dr. Luke tells us the meaning of the parable before he reveals Jesus’ telling of it.

As many theologians have asked, if God is omniscient and knows what we need before we ask, why does Jesus tell us to keep on praying (bothering the judge)?  A) He is testing our faith; B) He doesn’t really know everything; C) He wants us to keep our focus on Him; D) He really enjoys seeing us beg.

The answer is C).

Verses 9-14 – Who were these people who were sure they were better than anybody else? The context and the illustration indicate that it was the Pharisees.

The Pharisee proceeded to explain to God all the wrong things he had not done. He referenced himself with the word “I” at least 8 times in six short sentences. He had a case of “I” trouble. All of his alleged goodness did not earn God’s favor; not his fasting, not his faithfulness to his wife, not his tithing, not his lack of greed and not his “justice.”

The “tax-collector,” on the other hand, recognized his short-comings and brought them before God, who accepted his humility and repentance.

One of those men left the Temple green and wrinkled. The other left re-born.

Verses 15-17 – The disciples didn’t get it. They thought the children would be a bother to Jesus. Jesus used them to teach us that the only way we can enter God’s kingdom is like a little child: by being trusting; by believing; and by accepting God’s gift with joy and thanksgiving.

Verses 18-30 – When Jesus asked the “rich young ruler” why he called Him “good,” that only God is good, He was identifying Himself as one with God.

The ruler claimed to have kept all of the commandments. It was not true, but he said that it was. Jesus made it clear that the keeping of the commandments would not bring him salvation. The only way he could receive salvation was to forsake all of himself and follow Jesus. That did not sit so well with the rich young ruler.

The people listening, probably including the Pharisees  were astonished. They thought riches were a sign of God’s acceptance and just rewards.

Verses 31-34 – This is the third time Jesus speaks of his death in accordance with the predictions of the prophets. The disciples still did not understand. They would not understand until after Jesus’ death and resurrection…in fact, not until Pentecost (Acts 1-3).

Verses 35-43 – In this healing, Jesus did not touch the man (Bartemaus, according to Mark 10:16) or require any act of him. He just declared him healed and commended his faith.

The man’s reaction was to thank Jesus and to follow Him. The crowd praised Him, too.

Once again we see that following Jesus is about faith, not works. We see that it costs us our 100% allegiance to Him. It requires our faith in, and only in, the finished work of Jesus at the cross of Calvary and His resurrection.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Great Light of the World-Bebo Norman

A Study in Luke Week 17

Luke Chapter 17

Verses 1-2 – There are things that cause people to reject God: people killed in earthquakes; tsunamis; war, etc. That happens because of our sense of fairness. It is important to know that these things happen not because God caused them, but because of the fallen, sinful nature of the world.

That said, it is really dispicable when we are personally the cause of someone turning from God.

Verses 3-4 – If your brother sins (against you), rebuke him. “Rebuke” is an expression of sharp disapproval or criticism. Here is is from the Greek eptimao, to set a weight on. The idea here is to explain to your brother that what he is doing is contrary to God’s will.

We are to forgive the same way God has forgiven us: totally and completely; as though the sin against us had never happened.

Verses 5-6 – This is an interesting take on the “faith the size of a mustard seed” idea. What Jesus is really telling them is that they don’t need more faith.  They just need to exercise the faith they have. God will provide the faith they need, if they need more.

Verses 7-10 – When we do what we are expected to do, we do not need to be thanked. It was what we were supposed to do in the first place. When we do what we do for the recognition or the thanks, the recognition or thanks is all the reward we will ever get for that deed. When we do what we do at the prompting of the Holy Spirit, expecting no recognition, God blesses us.

Verses 11-19 – Jesuss sent the ten men with leprosy tot he priests. The priests were the “experts” who would recognize whether or not these men had really been cleansed. Sort of like a doctor examining the results of a so-called “faith healer.”

Only one of the ten came back to thank Jesus for healing him. Notice that he praised God “in a loud voice.” He was not reserved about it, he was excited!

All ten men had shown faith, but the Samaritan’s faith had led him to praise. He had both a healthy body and a healthy spirit.

Verses 20-37 – The Pharisees were up to the old tricks again. They asked when this “kingdom of God” would come. (Remember, they had already been told that they were experiencing that very kingdom in front of their own eyes).

Verse 23 tells us that many will point to the “time and date” of the kingdom, but they should not be believed.

Jesus knew that He would be executed. He knew that this was God’s purpose for having sent Him in the first place.

How much like the days of Noah are we today? People go about their daily routines with no thought of God. When Jesus returns, people will be thinking only of their ordinary lives.

In verses 34-35 we learn that Jesus could return at night, when two people are sleeping in the same bed. He could return in the day, when two people are working together. Jesus will take to heaven the person who has believed in him. The other person will remain behind and God will judge him. Each person’s attitude to Jesus will decide what happens to him or her.

The issue of who is and who is not a Christian, and which “Christians” are real and which are cults is totally determined by what they do with Jesus.

If in their doctrine He is the Son of God, one with God and part of the Godhead Trinity, they are for real. If He is anything else, they are a cult and are an abomination.

See…it is, in the end, all about Him.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-God of the Mountain-Lynda Randale

A Study in Luke Week 16

Luke Chapter 16

Verses 1-9 – This is the parable of the manager (steward) who used his position to further
his selfish ends is another parable by contrast. The children of this world are clever and crooked in the use of money. They do it for their own selfish purposes. In contrast, the children of light do not exercise the same wisdom in the use of money for the cause of Christ in the world.

The master praised the manager. He knew that the manager was not honest. He did not praise him for that reason. But he praised him because he had thought about his future and made plans.

As Christians, we should exercise care, plan effectively, be responsible in the details of our planning, using Scriptural principles as our guide for planning (the building of the temple in I Kings, the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem in Nehemiah 2-6, the laying out of the tents in Numbers 2).

Verses 10-12 – People who want to be trusted in large matters must demonstrate that they can be trusted in the details.

Verse 13 – We cannot serve two masters. We cannot serve God and the government. We cannot serve God and our own climg to wealth. We cannot serve God and money.

Verses 14-18 – The Pharisees believed that wealth was God’s reward for their goodness. Jesus irritated the Pharisees again by telling them they were wrong. He made it clear that the Law has not lost its meaning, but rather is about to be fulfilled by and in Him.

Jesus deals with the Law’s approach to divorce. In this He is setting the Pharasees up to be shown that Christ will NEVER divorce His Bride (the church). The reference to marriage as a permanent relationship demonstrates this truth.

Verses 19-31 – I believe this is a real event. The people are real.

The name “Lazarus” means “God is my help.”

Lazarus was poor, yet went to Heaven.

Dives (the traditional name of the rich man), was rich and went to Hell. Neither went where they went based on their position in life, but on their willingness to forsake the things of this world for God.

The rich man was “religious,” naming Abraham as his father (ancestor). To him, a person’s life after death depended on what he did with his life.

Jesus was pointing out that his selfishness, or self-centeredness, was his downfall. He did not consider the needs of the poor man, nor did he understand the role God should have had in his life.

Verse 31 illustrates how difficult it is for “religious” people to establish a relationship with God through Christ. Religion has a way of getting in the way of salvation.

Once again, Jesus’ “philosophy” irritates and angers the Pharisees.

We must understand that our relationship to God is established and maintained by, and only by, our trust in, and only in, the finished work of Christ at the cross of Calvary and His resurrection.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Your Love, Oh Lord-Third Day

A Study in Luke Week 15

Luke Chapter 15

This Chapter might be called, “The Parables of God’s Love”

Jesus’ contempt for the Pharisees was thorough. They did not approve of Him because He hung out with the wrong crowd and said the wrong things.

Jesus did not approve of them because their “religious fervor” was fake and misguided. Although they were educated men, they were ignorant of the real things of God.

Verses 1-2 – This group of people was infiltrated with “sinners” (see Romans 3:23). These were people who did not keep the Pharisees “religious rules.” Eating with them implied acceptance of their sinful ways.

Verses 3-7 – In the Parable of the Lost Sheep, Jesus illustrates that every individual is supremely important to God, regardless of their “station” in life.

Sheep are not too bright, and they are prone to wander away from their flock. They are analogous to lost people who need to meet Jesus. Like a good shepherd, God will search for them until he finds them.

Jesus’ reference to “good” people was directed at the Pharisees who considered themselves already good enough for God. But they were “good” only in their opinion of themselves.

Verses 8-10 – The Parable of the Lost Coin is interesting. Having 10 coins in a strand around her head indicated that a woman is married. Loosing one would be like a woman today losing her wedding ring.

She will turn her house upside down looking for one coin that falls from her strand. When she finds it, she will be ecstatic.

Although the angels do not understand the concept of salvation, they are happy when one sinner comes to salvation in Christ. God is joyful when a sinner turns to Him.

Verses 11-24 – What can be said of the Parable of the Lost (prodigal) Son that has not already been said?

The younger son was entitled to 1/3 of the father’s property and this one wanted his NOW.

His wallowing with pigs illustrated his total rejection of the spiritual heritage of his father…like us rejecting Christ.

His father stood on his roof daily to see whether his son might be coming back, and when he did, it filled the father with joy; the kind of joy God has when we turn to Him in faith.

When he came home, the son received much more than his “legal” inheritance. He received the best the father had to offer.

So it is with one who turns to Christ.

Verses 25-32 – The older brother was not so happy about his younger brother’s return or the reception given him.

The older brother represented the Pharisees, a comparison not lost on them.

The father emphasized that he loved both of his sons. Like the Pharisees, he should have responded to God’s leadership but refused to do so, even after all of the times God allowed them to return to Him throughout Israel’s history.

God’s joy is un-measurable when one of us turns to Him in repentant faith, trusting in, and only in, the finished work of Christ at the cross of Calvary and His resurrection.

THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGING

1. Teaching Math In 1950s (when I was in school)   A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit ?    2. Teaching Math In 1960s   A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?   3. Teaching Math In 1970s A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit ?   4. Teaching Math In 1980s  A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20.   5. Teaching Math In 1990s A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers, and if you feel like crying, it's OK).   6. Teaching Math In 2012  Un hachero vende una carretada de maderapara $100. El costo de la producciones es $80. Cuanto dinero ha hecho?   ANSWER: His profit was $375,000 because his logging business is just a front for his marijuana farm.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Trust His Heart-Babbie Mason

A Study in Luke Week 14

Luke Chapter 14


Verses 1-6 – Last week we read that Jesus healed a woman on the Sabbath. In this chapter He heals a man on the Sabbath. It seems as though He was deliberately irritating the Pharisees. At that He succeeded. Once again He used the same logic pattern to refute them.

The Pharisees had put the man there on purpose to “see” what Jesus would do. He did not disappoint.

When He asked whether healing on the Sabbath was legal (which it was), they refused to answer, knowing that they would reveal their true intent, which was to trap Jesus.

Verses 7-11 – The parable of the wedding party is about humility. As people of the New Covenant, we are not led to exalt ourselves. We are only to exalt Christ.

Verses 12-14 – Here Jesus is talking about being inclusive. It’s not about forsaking relatives, but about including others as well.

The Sadducees were at odds with the Parisees in that they did not believe in resurrection after death. (That is why they were sad-u-see). Reference Daniel 12:2 and Luke 20:27.

Verses 15-24 I In the parable of the Great Dinner, Jesus was telling about who would and who would not enter the Kingdom of God.

People who make excuses for not serving Christ are most likely not in a saving relationship with God through Him. Each “guest” invited to the dinner made an excuse why he could not come.

Jesus’ first invitation was to the Jews, who did not want to come to His dinner. His second invitation was to those outside of His original invitation.

The Jews cared more about their religious rules than they did about the Messiah, and referred to those who ultimately came to the dinner as “sinners” (which they were). He was saying that the New Covenant was for Gentiles as well as for Jews…again making the Pharisees angry.

Verses 25-33 – Being a true follower of Christ is not cheap. It is free, but not cheap. It cost God everything to provide for our salvation.

This is about priorities. If your family comes first, your priorities are out of order. Jesus must come first. We must be ready to die for our faith. Tens of thousands of Christians die every day around the world today, just for being Christians.

Verses 34-35 – Again Jesus uses the illustration of His followers being “salt.” If salt looses its flavor, it is useless and might as well be thrown out. Some “followers of Jesus” are not carrying out their functions. These so-called “disciples” are of no use to God.

He then used an expression that He often used: “If you have ears to hear, listen.” The ears he is referring to are spiritually discerning ears. They are ears that not only hear the Word of God, but do what it says to do (James 1:22).

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Untitled Hymn-Chris Rice

A Study in Luke Week 13

Luke Chapter 13
Verses 1-5 – This section is about the relationship between sin and suffering in the world. Jesus makes the case that their death was not because of their particular sin, but because there is sin in this fallen world and thus bad things happen.

Death happens because of the original sin of Adam and Eve.

Verses 6-9 – The parable of the fig tree illustrates what happens when His people are fruitless, as Israel was. The extra year in the parable tells us that God gives people every possible chance to turn to and to follow Him.

Verses 10-17 – Jesus healed a woman in the synagogue on the Sabbath, an “illegal” act. Jesus simply did not keep Sabbath traditions. The official was angry because Jesus healed the woman, but rather than approach Him personally, he complained to the entire congregation about the Lord.

Verses 18-19 – The Kingdom of God had a “small” beginning…about the size of a mustard seed. Jesus illustrates that it will soon become a full grown tree with birds resting in its branches. The birds represents people of all nations who will find rest in Jesus’ Kingdom.

Verses 20-21 – This is one case when Jesus uses yeast to illustrate the way Christians will influence the world: a little at a time, but growing over time.

Verses 22-30 – There are actually few people who truly find Christ. Many will knock on the door and will be turned away because they loved His “magic” tricks, but would not commit to following Him. People will “try” to get in, but you don’t get in by trying. You get in by trusting.

Verses 31-33 – These Pharasees probably just wanted Jesus out of their town. Their warning meant nothing to Jesus. He already knew Herod’s heart and intentions. He gives a good picture of His coming trials, convictions, crucifixion and resurrection.

Verses 24-35 – The Jews largely ignored the prophets and did not consider their writings “sacred.” Jesus exalted the position of the prophets and reminds the people and the Pharissees that they not only ignored the prophets but planned to kill the one about whom they prophecied.

There will come a day when all people everywhere will recognize that Jesus is the Messiah.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-God Is In Control-Twila Paris

A Study in Luke Week 12

 Luke Chapter 12

Verses 1-3 – In front of thousands of people, Jesus warns His disciples about the “yeast” of the Pharisees. This must have irritated them, to say the least. He was saying that the Pharisees pretended to be good, but they were hiding their true character: hypocrites and liars.

Verses 4-7 – We do not need to fear death, not from citizens or from the government.

What we must fear is God, Himself. The fear of God starts our journey to spiritual wisdom.

But we can trust God to be out for our good. “I have plans to prosper you, not to harm You.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

God knows each little birds (which people use to buy and use for food) and counts even the hairs of your head (He has more counting to do on some than on others). This means that He knows you intimately, better than yo know yourself.

Verses 8-12 - Just saying that you are a Christian is not what makes you a Christian. Speaking ill of Jesus is “forgivable,” but speaking against the Holy Spirit is not. It is the Holy Spirit who prods you to repent and turn to Jesus for salvation. If you do not respond to Him, you are doomed to Hell for eternity.

The only “real” Christian is one who has recognized sin in his life, repented of sin, trusted in, and only in, the finished work of Christ at the cross of Calvary and His resurrection. Christianity is not about behavior, but about a relationship to God through Christ.

Verses 13-21 – You are a free moral agent. Jesus will not force Himself upon you. The world tells you that your worth is measured by your accumulation of goods. Jesus say this attitude will leave you “poor in the sight of God,” and doomed to an eternity in Hell.

Verses 22-34 – Worry will not help solve any issues you might have. Again Jesus turns to the illustration of birds, this time to encourage faith in Him.

In verse 33, notice that once again Jesus does not use the 10% standard, but specifies the disregarding of ALL possessions. Show me your checkbook and I will tell you where your priorities are.

Verses 35-40 – Although it is not our mission in life to know when Jesus will return, we can be certain that He will, and we must be ready…even right now…this very moment.

Verses 41-48 – In answer to the Peter’s question, Jesus answers “Both.” To the disciples first and to all of His servants generally.

This is a hard concept to grasp: We are to be servants of Christ’s.  We don’t like being servants, but when our servitude is to Christ, it is the highest station in life.

Servants must be faithful, wise, good stewards and satisfied to serve. The good servant will be elevated to the highest post.

Verses 49-53 – The world is divided into two groups: Believers and Unbelievers…the saints and the ain’ts.  In the world, they will be pitted against each other (as they surely are, today). Jesus brings an inner peace that is beyond understanding, but in this world, there will be sharp division between believers and unbelievers.

Verses 54-56 – People “understand” the weather and can predict it, but they refused to understand the signs Jesus was addressing about the turmoil of the present day.

Verses 57-59 – Jesus is saying that we must decide which is right; the world’s way or His way.

A person in “debtors’ prison” must pay the debt he owes in order to get out. The debt MUST be paid.

We owe a sin debt, and it MUST be paid. In His mercy and grace, God paid the debt for us, because, like a prisoner who cannot work and pay his debt, we cannot pay it.

The good news is that Jesus has already paid the debt for us and we are free.  He paid it all and there is nothing left for us to pay.

We are brought from death to life by trusting in, and only in, the finished work of Christ at the cross of Calvary.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Glory Giver-Annie Moses Band

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Honored, Glorified, Exalted-Praise Gathering

A Study in Luke Week 11

Luke Chapter 11

Here we find: the New Covenant approach to prayer;  The Kingdom of God vs the Kingdom of Satan; dealing with unclean spirits; Jesus’ admonition to follow God; the challenge of witnessing in the world of Satan; Light contrasted to Darkness; and New Covenant teaching contrasted to the teaching of the Pharisees.

Verses 1-4 – This is Luke’s “Readers Digest” condensed version of the model prayer. It uses the pattern: Praise; Submission; Petition; Forgiveness and Followship.

Verses 5-8 – Parable of the Midnight Friend. The point is persistence in prayer. Why does God want you to keep on asking for the same thing (a relative’s salvation – a new job – the return of a son or daughter to the Lord)? Because it keeps your focus where it belongs: on God.

Verses 9-13 – Persistence in prayer is rewarded according to what God knows is best for you.

Verses 14-23 – The driving out of a demon is treated almost nonchalantly in this passage because it is not the point. The point is that following Jesus is a matter of commitment and personal sacrifice. It is about being steadfast in difficult circumstances.

Verses 24-26 – Many people give up their sins, but do not ask God into their lives to guide them. Good thoughts and habits must replace wrong ones. Evil will return unless people protect themselves. The ‘house’ is a person’s life. He or she must have God inside their life. When the Holy Spirit lives inside a person, evil cannot get in.

Verses 27-28 – A woman in the crowd tried to compliment Jesus by telling Him how blessed His mother was. Jesus answered that to really compliment Him we have to follow His teachings.

Verses 29-32 – Even as they saw what Jesus did, people questioned and doubted, just as they do today. Folks might say, “If only God would do such-and-such I would believe. No, they wouldn’t. Thousands saw what He did with their own eyes and did not believe but got angry with Him instead.

Verses 33-36 – The Light of the World is meant to be seen, not kept to yourself. In other words, your faith is not private and personal, it is meant to be shared. The funny thing about light is that it ALWAYS drives out darkness. Fill your life with Christ (v. 36) and you will not have room for the things of Satan.

Verses 37-41 – Once again Jesus “attacks” Pharisaical thinking. They knew everything there was to know about religion, but they knew nothing about the things of God. He accused them of being fakes (vs. 39-41).

Verses 42-44 – He attacked them for thinking their tithing was pleasing to God [who demands 100%, not 10% under the New Covenant (v. 42)]. He attacked them for wanting to be seen of men rather than God (v. 43). He attacked them for “walking on graves [If a person walked on a grave by accident they became ‘unclean’ for a week. Such people could not join in any acts of worship as found in Numbers 19:16 (v44)].

Verses 45-54 – Jesus was not through with the Pharisees just yet. When they complained of being insulted by Him, He said, “You got it! You deserve to be insulted!” (Scoggins’ paraphrase).

And then He laid into them again.

Jesus told them that they purported to know everything about the Law for others but exempt themselves. (Perhaps He was looking forward to the illegal trials to which they would subject Him).

He said they pretended to honor the “prophets,” when, in fact, they did not even teach about the prophets (v. 47).

When He said they would kill a living prophet (v. 48), He was anticipating what they would do to Him.

In verses 50-51 Jesus told them they were as murderous as those who killed Zechariah and were more akin to Cain than to Abel.

Those who knew the Law should have had sense enough to know what it really meant. They also should have believed the prophets. Instead they rejected the prophets, recognizing only Genesis through II Chronicles as bone fide Scripture.

Guess what? All of this made the Pharisees angry…again. They sought to trap Him once again.

Head knowledge of Jesus is useless. Only heart knowledge leads to real followship. Only heart knowledge results in eternal life.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Sweet Beulah Land-Squire Parsons

A Study in Luke Week 10

Luke Chapter 10

Verses 1-2 – Dr. Luke realized that the number ‘72’ had an important meaning for the Christian church in the future. He would know that the Greek translation of Genesis chapter 10 lists all the 72 nations in the days of Noah. The 72 disciples would help Jesus in his present work among Jews. The time would come when all nations would receive the good news about Jesus (Matthew 28:19). That included both Jews and Gentiles.

Jesus sent the 72 disciples in pairs for two reasons. Two disciples would help and encourage each other. But also, two witnesses together proved that the good news that they brought about Jesus was true (Deuteronomy 19:15).

In verse 2 we see that there were many Jews who were ready to hear the good news. They were waiting to come into the kingdom. They were like a crop waiting for workers to harvest it.

There were few disciples. They must pray to God and ask him to send more workers. They would bring people into God’s kingdom

Verses 3-9 – Their task was dangerous. They would find enemies. They would be like weak animals going among fierce ones. They were to trust others to supply their needs. Verse 4 four indicates the urgency of the task.

Verses 10-12 – Once again Jesus tell us to share the gospel with those who are willing to hear. It.

Verses 13-16 – Korazin (Chorazin), Bethsaida and Capernaum represent those who are filled with self-pride, disobedient to the Lord and Unwilling to hear the gospel.

Verses 17-20 – Satan is the chief of all demons. The 72 disciples succeeded in throwing his minions out of people.  It was Jesus’ authority that actually cast them out.

Verses 21-24 – Jesus told the disciples that they have had a very special blessing. They have seen the Messiah and heard his words. Many prophets and kings of Israel had been expecting Jesus. But he did not come in their days. Now Jesus had made all the hopes of the Jewish nation come true.

Verses 25-35 – Luke alone records the familiar parable of the Good Samaritan.

An Expert in the law confronted Jesus to challenge Him about what was needed to “inherit eternal life. “You’re a lawyer,” answered Jesus, “You tell me what the law says.” The lawyer answered correctly according to the Old Covenant. But the lawyer got snotty and wanted to justify his life’s history with a sarcastic question: “Who IS my neighbor?” Jesus told the parable.

1. A man was beaten and robbed and left to die.
2. A religious leader (a priest, who should have know about compassion and love) passes by on the other side of the road.
3. Another religious leader (a Levite, who knew the Law inside and out and should have known that the Law required him to show love and compassion) passes by on the other side of the road.
4. But a Samaritan (hated by the Jews, who considered them half-breeds) takes care of him and demonstrates that he is his neighbor.

The lawyer was shown how shallow his understanding was, even though he was an “expert”.

Verses 36-42 – This is a lesson about what’s important, but even more it is a lesson of forsaking all to follow Jesus - the recurring theme of the New Covenant.  It’s the 100% rule of following Jesus.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-God Unchangable-Jamie Jamgochian

A Study in Luke Week 8

A Study in Luke Week 8 (Re-Published due to author's absence)

Luke Chapter 8

The events in this chapter are found in the other synoptic gospels (Matthew and Mark).

Verses 1-3 – The “good news of the kingdom of god” (Greek: βασιλεία το θεο, Basileia tou Theou) is seen differently by different “theologians.” Some see it as the rule of an eternal sovereign God over all creatures and things (Psalm 103:19 & Daniel 4:3). It is also the designation for the sphere of salvation entered into at the new birth (John 3:5-7), and is synonymous with the “kingdom of heaven.”

For our purposes, we will use it as the totality of the kingdom over which Jesus is King, past, present and future, composed of His subjects, those who have trusted in, and only in, His finished work at the cross of Calvary, His resurrection and His soon return.

As He traveled about, Jesus had an entourage: His disciples; Mary Magdalene; Joanna; Susanna and others.

Verses 4-15 – This is the parable of the sower. The disciples didn’t grasp its meaning, so Jesus explained it to them.

Verses 16-18 – The light of which He speaks is the light of the gospel. It is not to be hidden; it is to be shared.

Verses 19-21 – Jesus had four brothers and several sisters. This contrasts with the Roman Catholic tradition which holds that these were fathered by Joseph by a previous marriage, something not at all borne out by Scripture, but a fabrication of man’s rationale.

This place was crowded, Jesus’ own mother could not get in to see Him. Jesus used the circumstance to identify His family as those who would hear Him and follow what He taught.

Verses 22-25 – Jesus calmed the storms. As one song writer, Scott Krippayne, put it: “Sometimes He calms the storm and other times He calms His child.”

Verses 26-39 – Jesus heals a demon possessed man. Scripture considers demons to be bad or evil spirits who work for Satan, the chief demon. These demons were afraid of Jesus, and when He asked them their name, they replied with a term that refers to about 6,000 Roman soldiers. Demons are ultimately doomed to eternal damnation, and these demons didn’t want to suffer what they knew was coming. Jesus cast them into 2,00 pigs, instead. The pigs drowned.

This cost the pigs’ owner a lot of money. Jesus was showing us that people are more important than money.

Verses 40-42 – This is part 1 of the story of Jairus’ daughter. Jairus was the synagogue organizer, an important man. He knew Jesus could heal, but he also knew the Pharisees hated Him. It took courage to approach Jesus in public.

Verses 43-48 – A woman in the crowd had suffered an “issue of blood” for 12 years, and was considered “unclean.” When she touched Jesus, He knew she had done so. To the Pharisees, this would have projected her “unclean-ness” onto Jesus. Jesus called her “daughter” and proclaimed that her faith had made her well. Note: It was not some magic in His garment or some “point of contact” that healed her, it was her faith.

Verses 49-56 – This is part 2 of the story of Jairus’ daughter. For the first time, Jesus gave Peter, James a special part in His work, allowing them to go into the house with Him and the mother and father. Again, Jesus used the words, “Get up!” And she did. She also ate for strength.

In verse 58, Jesus tells them not to tell anyone. Much has been made of this order by “theologians,” but it was probably His desire to see her privacy protected so she could grow up as a normal child.

Christianity is not some mystical, magic, ethereal, pretend game. It is the very power of salvation to all who will believe.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Lord, You're Holy-Karen Wheaton

A Study in Luke Week 8

Luke Chapter 8

The events in this chapter are found in the other synoptic gospels (Matthew and Mark).

Verses 1-3 – The “good news of the kingdom of god” (Greek: βασιλεία το θεο, Basileia tou Theou) is seen differently by different “theologians.” Some see it as the rule of an eternal sovereign God over all creatures and things (Psalm 103:19 & Daniel 4:3). It is also the designation for the sphere of salvation entered into at the new birth (John 3:5-7), and is synonymous with the “kingdom of heaven.”

For our purposes, we will use it as the totality of the kingdom over which Jesus is King, past, present and future, composed of His subjects, those who have trusted in, and only in, His finished work at the cross of Calvary, His resurrection and His soon return.

As He traveled about, Jesus had an entourage: His disciples; Mary Magdalene; Joanna; Susanna and others.

Verses 4-15 – This is the parable of the sower. The disciples didn’t grasp its meaning, so Jesus explained it to them.

Verses 16-18 – The light of which He speaks is the light of the gospel. It is not to be hidden; it is to be shared.

Verses 19-21 – Jesus had four brothers and several sisters. This contrasts with the Roman Catholic traditions which holds that these were fathered by Joseph by a previous marriage, something not at all borne out by Scripture, but a fabrication of man’s rationale.

This place was crowded, Jesus’ own mother could not get in to see Him. Jesus used the circumstance to identify His family as those who would hear Him and follow what He taught.

Verses 22-25 – Jesus calmed the storms. As one song writer, Scott Krippayne, put it: “Sometimes He calms the storm and other times He calms His child.”

Verses 26-39 – Jesus heals a demon possessed man. Scripture considers demons to be bad or evil spirits who work for Satan, the chief demon. These demons were afraid of Jesus, and when He asked them their name, they replied with a term that refers to about 6,000 Roman soldiers. Demons are ultimately doomed to eternal damnation, and these demons didn’t want to suffer what they knew was coming. Jesus cast them into 2,00 pigs, instead. The pigs drowned.

This cost the pigs’ owner a lot of money. Jesus was showing us that people are more important than money.

Verses 40-42 – This is part 1 of the story of Jairus’ daughter. Jairus was the synagogue organizer, an important man. He knew Jesus could heal, but he also knew the Pharisees hated Him. It took courage to approach Jesus in public.

Verses 43-48 – A woman in the crowd had suffered an “issue of blood” for 12 years, and was considered “unclean.” When she touched Jesus, He knew she had done so. To the Pharisees, this would have projected her “unclean-ness” onto Jesus. Jesus called her “daughter” and proclaimed that her faith had made her well. Note: It was not some magic in His garment or some “point of contact” that healed her, it was her faith.

Verses 49-56 – This is part 2 of the story of Jairus’ daughter. For the first time, Jesus gave Peter, James a special part in His work, allowing them to go into the house with Him and the mother and father. Again, Jesus used the words, “Get up!” And she did. She also ate for strength.

In verse 58, Jesus tells them not to tell anyone. Much has been made of this order by “theologians,” but it was probably His desire to see her privacy protected so she could grow up as a normal child.

Christianity is not some mystical, magic, ethereal, pretend game. It is the very power of salvation to all who will believe.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Gloria-Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

A Study in Luke Week 7

Luke Chapter 7

This chapter is all about faith. In Ephesians 2:8, Paul says, “By grace you have been saved through faith.” In Romans 5:1 he wrote, “We have been justifies through faith.” And in Hebrews he wrote, “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Faith is NOT pretend.

Here in Luke, Jesus is going to give some examples of people who had great faith.

Verses 1-10 – In Capernaum, a centurion, who had helped build the very synagogue in which Jesus had earlier demonstrated his knowledge and power, had a sick or wounded Jewish slave.

The centurion understood authority and recognized it in Jesus. He humbly relayed to Jesus that he was not worthy of having Jesus in his home, but knew Jesus could heal his servant from afar. Jesus, contrasting the centurion’s faith with that of the Jews, healed his servant.

Verses 11-17 – A woman had lost her only son. He was going to be buried outside of the city limits, indicating that he was ceremonially unclean. Jesus told her not to cry, approached the coffin…an act that would have been offensive in the sight of the Pharisees, and one which caused the pall-bearers to stop short.

Jesus told the young man (probably a boy) to sit up. He did.

When Jesus speaks, even death listens. The people we, of course, amazed and spread the news.

When Jesus gives us eternal life when we deserve eternal death, the news should spread like wildfire.

Notice that there is no mention of her faith. Jesus knows our hearts and our needs, and meets them.

Verses 18-30 – John the Baptist was in prison. His disciples told of Jesus’ healing the centurion’s servant and raising the dead boy. John sent his friends to Jesus to inquire whether He was Messiah. Jesus’ answer gave all the evidence John would need. Jesus is Messiah. He was referencing Isaiah 35: 5-6 and Isaiah 61:1.

Jesus asks the crowd questions that had obvious answers and then proclaimed Himself to be the Messiah and John to be his emissary. Luke adds a cryptic note about the contrast between those who heard and responded to John’s message and those Pharisees who rejected it.

Verses 31-35 – Jesus compared those Pharisees to children playing a game of weddings and funerals. Neither would the others’ “game.”

John led a very strict life and was called crazy. Jesus enjoyed “normal” social occasions and was called a drunk who hung with the wrong kind of people.

Verses 36-50 – A Pharisee invited Jesus to dinner, but because he was in a hurry to get to his point of trapping Jesus, did not take the time to perform the customary social pleasantries.

A sinful woman got wind of the dinner and crashed the party, sat weeping at His feet, washed His feet with her tears, dried them with her hair and freshened them with expensive perfume.

When the Pharisees objected, Jesus told the first of 18 parables that are recorded only in Luke.

This one was to force the Pharisee to examine his own motives and to reveal that the mission of Jesus was to bring the greatest forgiveness imaginable, the one that leads to eternal life.

Jesus forgave her sins.

This astonished and angered the other guests who questioned His authority to forgive sins.

Jesus proclaimed her free of sin and invited her to go in her new found peace.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE- Jaime Jamgochian - The Stand

A Study in Luke Week 6

Luke Chapter 6


Verse 1-5 – The disciples were hungry on that Saturday (Sabbath) and picked “heads of grain.” The Pharisees, trying to trap them, misused the Law, accusing them of doing something unlawful (working on the Sabbath). It was not unlawful to pick heads of grain (Deuteronomy 23:25).

Jesus “reminded” the Pharisees about David even ate consecrated bread when he and his men were hungry (I Samuel 21:1-6). He went on to remind the Pharisees of Leviticus 24:5 & 9, where Aaron and his sons ate bread from the altar.

Then Jesus infuriated the Pharisees once again by saying, “The Son of Man (one of the ways He referred to Himself) is Lord (Greek: κύριος kurios - God) of the Sabbath.”

This itinerant was lecturing the religious “experts” about the Law!

Verses 6-10 – Jesus healed a paralytic on the Sabbath, in the synagogue, again angering the Pharisees.

Healing was allowed on the Sabbath only to save a life, certainly not to do something as mundane as healing a paralyzed hand (although it probably did not seem mundane to the paralytic).

Verses 11-16 – Jesus chooses a “motley” group as His disciples (those who would discipline themselves to follow Him).

Verses 17-26 – These are the Beattitudes. They are found also in Matthew 5. Jesus dared to preach the same message twice! In fact, He probably preached it dozens, if not hundreds, of times.

As Christians, we only have one message: the message of salvation through repentance (changing one’s mind about who Jesus is), trusting in, and only in, His finished work at the cross of Calvary and belief in His resurrection. All of that other tripe that passes as “topical” preaching is nothing more than “theosophy” and vain imaginations as noted in Romans 1:21 (dialogismos-reasoning in speech) and 2 Corinthians 10:5 (logismos-reasoning in mind).

Verses 27-36 –Here is a description of the way God loves us (who were his enemies in sin). We are to emulate Him.

Verses 37-42 – This is the often misused section on judging others. We often confuse judging with discernment. We are instructed to exercise discernment (Philippians 1:10).

Verses 43-45 – The fruit you plant is the fruit you get. You don’t get figs from thorn bushes or grapes from briers. The fruit you produce in your life is an image of your heart.

Verses 46-49 – The point of this passage is that our lives must be built on the foundation of Jesus, Christ. If you are a Christian, you must practice the Christian mind set, quite apart from the Law. It must be a matter of your heart.

Failure to build your life with Christ as its foundation will result in its complete and utter destruction, no matter what other “good” it might produce.

1. What do you see about the character of God in this chapter?

2. What do you understand about His love for His creation in this chapter?

3. What did you learn about His plan for He creation’s salvation?

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Word of God Speak-Mercy Me

A Study in Luke Week 5

Luke Chapter 4B & 5

Chapter 4(b)

Verses 14-20 – Remember, Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit (4:1) and returned to Galilee in His Power.

The power of Jesus would become evident as his ministry continued.

Here the custom was for the leaders to ask a worshiper to read the Hebrew Scriptures, which Jesus did. They gave Him the Isaiah scroll. Jesus opened to the Scripture He wanted them to hear: “The Holy Spirit is upon me, because He has chosen me to bring good news to the poor (the unsaved).” [Isaiah 61:1-2]

When He finished reading, He rolled up the scroll and sat down. He must have really impressed them, for they were fixated on Him.

Verse 21-30 – He then said the words that set the tone for His ministry and for the Pharisees, who recognized immediately what He had claimed for Himself. “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” The people were amazed and excited.

Here we have the completion of His third wilderness test: to impress the people with a mighty act. Instead, He almost insulted them by recalling how Elijah had been treated by his own people. Jesus was saying these people would treat Him the same way.

They were furious and, encouraged by the Pharisees, tried to push Him off a cliff. But He walked through them unscathed. Those who reject the Word of the Holy Spirit do not get a second chance.

Verses 31-37 – Jesus cast out a demon not by “witch-doctoring,” but by His Word.

Verses 38-44 – He healed many people, but He did not stay in Capernaum, for He had to speak the good news of the Kingdom of God to others. He spoke in synagogues, continuing to proclaim Himself as the Anointed One. Isn’t it interesting that the demons recognized who He was, but the people doubted.

Chapter 5

Verses 1-11 – Jesus calls Simon Peter after He (a carpenter) told Peter how to do his job. After his fishing success, Simon pulled up his net, left everything (not 10%) and followed Jesus. He began the discipling process of Peter.

Verses 12-16 – Luke describes the leper as “full of leprosy,” meaning a very virulent form of the disease. Nobody would dare touch him. But Jesus touched him. Then He told the man to go to the priest to be declared healed. Jesus had violated the Sabbath traditions, but he obeyed the law of Moses (See Leviticus 14:1-32).

Verses 17-26 – When Jesus healed the paralytic, the healing of the physical was obvious. When He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven,” the Pharisees were incensed! Jesus heard their hearts and responded by castigating them for their adherence to stupid traditions devoid of the love of God they should have been emphasizing.

Verses 27-34 – Jesus calls Levi (Matthew) to stop his usurious practice as a tax collector and to follow Him. The Pharisees were again angry, accusing Him of cavorting with sinners. Jesus’ answer was not kind to them. He was saying that they were self-proclaimed righteous (healthy) and there was no hope for them as long as they continued in their narcissism.

Verses 35-39 – Jesus responds to accusations that He did not fast. He used a marriage example to tell them that one does not fast in the presence of the bridegroom at the wedding feast.

Jesus’ message would destroy the religion of the Pharisees. Their rules limited people’s freedom and did not give them any joy. Jesus said, “I am come that your joy might be full.”

A HOLE IN THE SOUL

There is a hole in the soul of our country.

A demented man goes to the opening of "The Dark Knight Rises" and starts shooting, killing 12 people and wounding many others.

There is a hole in the soul of our country.

The liberal media immediately starts in on how he must have been a conservative Tea Party maniac.

There is a hole in the soul of our country.

The Tea Party and conservatism had nothing to do with this atrocity.
 
For the sake of argument, let's say he proclaimed himself to be a conservative and did the dastardly deed.
 
Just saying you're a conservative does not make you a conservative.
 
No more than saying you're a fighter jet makes you a plane.
 
And if there are conservatives who think he did this despicable act because he is some leftist liberal, they are no better than the liberal media making him out to be representative of conservatives.
 
This is not about liberalism and conservatism. It is about depravity.
 
I have never met a liberal who thinks it is appropriate to shoot a child and a baby in the back. Never.
 
Neither have I ever met a conservative who thinks so.
 
But this I can say with confidence: There is a hole in the soul of our country.
The trouble is, most of our country does not recognize the source of that hole.
 
Psychiatrists will be called in to analyze this guy's psyche. They'll probe his childhood, his attitudes, his loner-ship, his bad influences and all of the other psychobabble they espouse.
 
Gun control advocates will rush in to take away more liberties from Americans and in the process will render them even less able to defend themselves.
 
I wonder how many people might have been saved if one or more of that crowd had been licensed carriers of a fire arm.
 
Some actually think it is better that he did what he did, rather than have people who knew how to defend against such acts take action.
 
A few nights ago, a couple of men who were illegally in possession of guns tried to rob a place. A 71 year old licensed carrier pulled his gun, shot one of the robbers and chased them right out of the place.
 
How much better would it have been to have just let them have the money and maybe shoot whoever they decided to shoot?
 
There is a hole in the soul of our country.


We have witnessed Columbine, Fort Hood, and many, many other inexcusable actions by crazed gunmen and stood idly by with our socio-psychological pablum and just watched it happen, without even beginning to realize what the real source of these issues is.
 
There is a hole in the soul of our country.


We have watched in horror as radical Islamists carried out a diabolical plot and brought down the Twin Towers in New York and blew away part of the Pentagon.
 
And we dare not place the blame squarely on the shoulders of those horrible radicals who celebrated the deed.
 
There is a hole in the soul of our country.


We will continue to teach our children that absolute tolerance of every aberrant life-style is the only "moral" way to go. And they will grow up believing it, never realizing the unintended consequences of that attitude.
 
There is a hole in the soul of our country.


And far too many Americans cannot fathom the source of that hole. They will bristle if you even try to point it out.
 
We have politicians who stoop so low as to attack the wife of one running for president because she rides horses as a part of her therapy for MS. And "lock-steppers" join right in with them, with such vile attitudes that I hesitate to consider them Americans in any sense of the word.
 
There is a hole in the soul of our country.



We have people who believe, and indeed many who practice, injecting saline into the womb of an expectant mother because "she has the right to do what she wants with her own body," even though DNA proves beyond any shadow of a scientific doubt that a pre-born baby is not a part of the woman carrying him/her.
 
There is a hole in the soul of our country.


Where once people felt free to express themselves spiritually in every venue, including public and government places, now they are relegated to certain areas and excluded from others in the name of a mythical "separation of church and state."
 
There is a hole in the soul of our country.


There is a solution to the hole in the soul of the country.
 
It is neither difficult nor secret.
 
It IS hated, however, for it reveals the overwhelming attitude of the populace that each person should be able to say, "I want what I want, when I want it, where I want it, how I want it and I want it right now. And if you have it, so should I and I shouldn't have to work for it like you did. I should just be able to take it, by force or by government edict."
 
How low must we get before we realize that There is a hole in the soul of our country, and we need the Filler more than we need anything else in the Universe?

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Dan and Leilani Clark

This Sunday Sounds of Prasie needs a little explanation.

The guitar player is my friend, the late Dan Clark.

Dan was the bass player in my Youth Choir in Miami. He had no thumb on his left hand, was a bit askew bodily and one might have been tempted to call him handicapped.

But Dan knew nothing of handicaps, and was professionally proficient on bass, keyboard, piano, organ and guitar.

He and I used to fish the Biscayne Canal in Miami. We also spent time fishing in the Everglades and loved to tease alligators with our lures.

As the gators stacked themselves up on little islands vying for sun space, they would compete to get to the lures we tossed in the water near them, thinking they were food. The winner would immediately grab a lure and begin a death roll.

Eventually he would figure out that the lure was not food and would release it...most of the time. We lost more than a few.

We also fished a land-locked lake in the Thousand Islands in South Florida and regularly caught one or the others of the three tarpon that were trapped in the lake.

Dan died several years ago in a boating accident.

Imagine my surprise when I stumbled across this video on YouTube.

God really blessed me with his friendship.

His daughter was about 14 when this video was made...in 1993, I think.

A Study in Luke Week 4

Luke Chapter 4

Verses 1-2 – Jesus and Satan are considered brothers by some apostasies. But they were not brothers, for Christ was not created, He was, is, and always will be one with God, the Second Person of the Godhead.

He was full of the Holy Spirit from before time began. Luke is about to show us how being led by the Holy Spirit results in the proper use of Scripture and a proper response to Satan.

Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the dessert, where He fasted for forty days, contemplated on Moses (Deuteronomy 9:9-18), and grew physically hungry.

Verses 3-4 – Satan comes to Jesus with the temptation to use His power to provide food for Himself, an act that would be self-oriented. Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3: “…man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”

This demonstrates that spiritual food is more important than physical food. Not that physical food is unnecessary for human life, but that spiritual food is on a higher plane.

Verses 5-8 – The devil tempted Jesus to accept earthly power to rule over even the Kings of the world.

Satan was offering something he could not deliver. Jesus always has been, is now and always will be King of kings and Lord of lords. In Matthew 28: 18, Jesus says all authority has already been given to Him.

Jesus answers Satan with Deuteronomy 6:13, “Fear the Lord you God, serve Him only…”

Verses 9-12 – Jesus is taken to the highest point in Jerusalem and enticed to perform a mighty act that would physically prove that He is all-powerful. Satan misquotes Psalm 91:11-12 by taking it out of context and omitting its point, found in Psalm 91:13.

Many Christian sects, theologians, denominations and preachers do this. They form complete “theologies” based on proof-texting. They preach topically, seeking Scriptures to back up what they say instead of allowing Scripture to dictate their topics and what they say.

Jesus answered Satan with Scripture: “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” (Deuteronomy 6:16).

He says that it is always wrong to test God. And it is wrong to do something foolish. We see so many “Christians” doing foolish things, like barking like dogs in a worship service to “demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit.” He knew that people who desire the excitement of extraordinary events soon become tired of them.

The "need" for constant "miracles, signs and wonders," is demonstrative that we are not satisfied with Jesus as He is, but want a "Jesus" who is more akin to our magic genie than to the Son of God.

Verse 13 – When Satan could not get anywhere with his temptations, he left to wait for another opportune time.

Do you understand what took place here?

Jesus was really tempted to do the things Satan had put before Him. By the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, Jesus was able to overcome the temptation.

Jesus used Scripture in its proper context to drive back Satan and to properly respond to the temptations offered.

It is SO VERY important that we know the Scriptures, not as stand-alone proof-texts, but for what they really are. They are the revelation of God’s character; His love for His creation and His plan for its redemption.

Next week: the rest of chapter 4

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-My Song Is Love Unknown-Fernando Ortega

A Study in Luke Week 3

Luke Chapter 3


Verse 1-2 – After the death of Herod the Great, his three sons (Archelaus, Antipas and Philip) shared the country:

(1) Herod Archelaus had Judea. When Joseph and Mary returned from the country of Egypt with Jesus, they went to Galilee. They did not want to stay where Archelaus governed (Matthew 2:19-23). Archelaus governed Judea in such a cruel way that the Romans replaced him in the end. Pontius Pilate governed Judea for 10 years. (In 1962 archeologists dug up a stone with his name on it at Caesarea, where he used to live.)

(2) Herod Antipas governed Galilee, during the time when both John and Jesus were teaching.

(3) Philip had the same father as Herod Antipas, but he had a different mother.

Verse 2 Luke says that Annas and Caiaphas were chief priests. There should have been only one chief priest at a time. Caiaphas was the official chief priest. But Annas (the father of Caiaphas’ wife) still had great power. The people who arrested Jesus took him first to Annas (John 18:13).

Verses 3-14 – Luke quotes from Isaiah 40:3-5, which is God’s comfort for His people Israel that her sin had been paid for (verse2). All mankind will see God’s salvation (who is Jesus).

Old Covenant “saints” were saved the same way New Covenant “saints” are saved: by trusting in, and only in, the Messiah, Jesus, the Christ.

In verses 7-8 we find John the Baptist attacking those who call Abraham “their father,” trusting their roots for their salvation and then don’t even live up to the precepts and examples he exhibited.

Verses 15-20 – Some people thought John might be their Messiah. John responds firmly that he is lower than the low. He is not even worthy to untie Jesus’ sandals.

John’s “mistake” came when he got political and went after the morals of Herod, a vile, ugly spirited, man who exhibits the qualities of today’s far left-wing reprobates. Only it was no mistake. He spoke the truth, which is never all that popular, and paid for it with his life.

Verses 20-37 – The geneology of Mary. Her geneology goes back to Adam, the father of humanity. Jesus was truly human. Matthew’s geneology of David only goes back to Abraham, emphasizing the spiritual heritage of Jesus. Jesus was fully man and fully God.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-God of Our Fathers-Momorn Tabernacle Choir

A Study in Luke Week 2

Luke Chapter 2

This is the careful historical record of the birth of Jesus tied into the record of the Roman government.

Verse 1-3 – Caesar Augustus was the emperor. Since Quirinus (Cyrenius) was governor 10 years after the birth of Jesus, it seems that what Joseph & Mary attended was the registration prior to the actual census.

Verses 4-7 – Joseph was of the lineage of David. Mary went, too, in order to establish her “heir-ship” through Joseph. Under the law at the time, “first-born” does not indicate that there were no others, only that none were born before.

Verses 8-20 – Notice once again the fear that ensues when angels show up. Notice also that they did not predict the birth of Jesus, they reported it as an event that had already happened!

The simple record of the visit of the shepherds is tied into the sublime record of the visit of the heavenly host, an army celebrating peace!

Verses 21-24 – Jesus was brought to the temple when 8 days old to be circumcised according to Mosaic Law. “But, when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. “(Galatians 4:4, 5)

Verses 25-38 – As a result of this visit to Jerusalem, we have the songs of Simeon and Anna.

Verses 39-40 – In this mention of the boyhood of Jesus Dr. Luke let us know that Jesus had a normal human childhood (see vs. 52). (1) Jesus increased in strength (physical), (2) wisdom (intellectual), (3) the grace of God, which was upon Him (spiritual).

Verses 41-50 – This is the familiar story of Jesus sitting with the teachers and, in effect, teaching them.

Verses 51-52 – These verses indicate that Mary was astonished and very impressed with Jesus’ behavior. Remember, she had been told who He was and what He would do (although I doubt that she realized how His plan would be accomplished).

Once again we are reminded how smart, strong and favorable with God He was (See Chapter 3:22).

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Sometimes He Calms the Storm-Scott Krippayne

A Study in Luke Week 1

Introduction

Matthew, Mark and Luke are referred to as the “synoptic” Gospels. “Synoptic” is from the Greek word “synopsesthai,” meaning, "to view together, or at the same time."

Each Gospel presents Jesus from a different viewpoint. Matthew emphasizes that Jesus was born the Messiah. Mark emphasizes that Jesus was the Servant of Jehovah. Luke stresses the fact that Jesus was the perfect Man. John presents the fact that God became a man, but not from the scientific approach.

Luke was a Gentile. He came from Antioch, which was an important town in Syria.

Dr. Luke states that he examined Jesus of Nazareth and his findings are that Jesus is God. He came to the same conclusion as John, but his procedure and technique were different.

Luke gives us 20 miracles, and 6 of them are recorded in no other Gospel. He likewise gives us 23 parables, and 18 of them are found nowhere else. The parables of the prodigal son and the Good Samaritan are peculiar to the third Gospel. He also gives us the very human account of the walk to Emmaus of our resurrected Lord. (This proves that Jesus was still human after His resurrection. Dr. Luke demonstrates that the resurrection was not of the spirit but of the body).

Luke Chapter 1

Verses 1-4 – Luke did his homework. He researched the life of Jesus. He wanted his readers 0and us) to read the evidence of the Lordship of Christ (the Greek word for the Hebrew word, “Messiah” – anointed one)

Verses 5-25 – Luke goes back farther than the other Gospel writers to establish the events leading up to Jesus’ birth. The time was during the reign of Herod the Great, a tyrant and a descendant of Esau (Jacob’s brother).

The two people here are Elizabeth (barren, thus giving her husband no children) and Zechariah (a priest descended from Abijah [1Chronicles 23-24]).

There were about 20,000 priests at this time and they drew lots to see who would be honored to burn the incense at the altar (n Old Testament picture of prayer). It was Zechariah’s turn (v 11).

The angel of the Lord told Zechariah that he would have a son. Zechariah responded that he was too old. He had obviously forgotten about Abraham. Do we sometimes forget that God keeps His promises? Do we think of His Word as little more than figures of speech and word pictures?

Verses 26-38 – The angel goes to Mary, tells her about her coming pregnancy and of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. Mary’s response was complete surrender to the will of the Lord, with all of its physical, social, emotional and spiritual ramifications.

Luke is very, very clear that Mary was a virgin. Can one become a Christian without believing in the virgin birth? Yes. Can one believe the Bible is God’s Word and not believe in the virgin birth? Absolutely not.

Verses 39-45 – Mary visits Elizabeth. Notice verse 43. Elizabeth shouted “…why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”

Verses 46-56 – Mary breaks out into a song of praise!

Verses 57-66 – John the Baptist is born, just as God said he would be.

Verses 67-80 – When he experienced the object of God’s promise, Zechariah’s muteness disappeared and HE broke out into song.

Being a Christian should be a joyous, exciting, song-filled experience! Shouldn’t it?

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Hosanna-Brenton Brown

A Study in Deuteronomy Week 10

Deuteronomy Chapters 31-34

Chapter 31

Verses 1-8 – Moses encourages the people and gives Joshua his instructions.

Verses 9-13 – The charge to the priests: the Law is to be read every 7th year. This was so that every generation will have heard and learned the Law. We must teach the gospel to our children.

Verses 14-23 – Moses foretells Israel’s apostasy. God instructs Moses to compose sort of "national anthem." God knows that words are more memorable when set to music, so He tells Moses to compose the "sermon in a song" found in the following chapter, Deuteronomy 32.

Verses 24-29 – The Law is given to the Levites. We love to find refuge in God's word in our times of stress and trouble, but we don't often consider that God's word, if we reject Jesus and rebel against God, is no friend to us. It is a witness against us.

Chapter 32

Chapter 31:30-Chapter 32:43 – The Song of Moses.

Verses 1-4 – The character of God. God is omnipotent; omnipresent and omniscient, graceful, merciful, loving and just.

Verses 5-6 – The character of Israel: they have corrupted themselves.

Verses 7-14 – God’s goodness toward Israel. This demonstrates God’s unending mercy and grace.

Verses 15-18 – Israel’s wickedness toward God. Israel turned to the pagan idols of the nations around them - and They sacrificed to demons.

Verses 19-27 – Judgement for Israel’s sins (sin always leads to judgement). God turned from Israel.

Verses 28-43 – God’s mercy is demonstrated as He withholds vengeance.

Verses 44-47 – God’s promise of deliverance for His people. He will send Christ.

Verses 48- 52 – God’s final command to Moses. Moses is to go to Mt. Nebo to die.

Chapter 33

Verse 1 – Moses pronounces a blessing on Israel. He cannot leave without a final blessing.

Verses 2-5 – The unfathomable majesty of God.

Verses 6-25 – The blessings of the twelve tribes: Reuben will be many; Judah will be a help; Levi shall teach; Benjamin will be lovable; Joseph will be blessed; Zebulun and Isachar will prosper; Gad will be powerful; Dan will have land; Naphtali will be full of blessing; Asher will grow in number and Israel shall know the joy of the Lord.

Verses 26-29 – Strength to believers (You shall receive power Acts 1:8) and the excellency of Israel.

Chapter 34

Verses 1-4 – Moses views the promised land but does not get to go there because of one sin.

Verses 5-9 – The death and burial of Moses, Israel’s mourning and Joshua becomes leader.

Verses 10-12 – Joshua succeeds Moses and the unique legacy of Moses.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-I Bowed On My Knees-Charles Billingsley

A Study in Deuteronomy Week 9

Deuteronomy Chapters 27-30


Chapter 27

Verses 1-7 – Here we find the instructions for the building of the altar, the place of sacrifice.

Do we need an altar today? What sacrifices would we offer there? What sacrifices are required of us under the New Covenant? (See Romans 12:1)

Chapter 28

Verses 1-14 – This is the history of Israel written before it happened! God knows the past, the present and the future perfectly. He is able to know those things because He is not in time. He is timeless and eternal (part of the character of God).

In times of obedience, Israel will be blessed.

Verses 15-68 – This is a long list of the things Israel will do in disobedience to God.

In times of disobedience, Israel will be “cursed.”

Chapter 29

Verses 1-29 – This section (extending through Deuteronomy 30:10) is referred to as the “Palestinian Covenant.”

This covenant is not to be confused with “The Old Covenant” made with Abraham at Horeb (although it is essentially similar and basically a review).

Israel had violated the conditions of the Covenant. Here Moses goes back over them so that they might have better knowledge of it and comply with it.

Chapter 30

Verses 1-10 – God’s Character is further revealed here. Although Israel had failed to keep its part of the Old Covenant, God stood ready to offer forgiveness and redemption to them.

If we were able to live up to the conditions of the Old Covenant, we would not have needed Christ to come, die and be resurrected.

Verses 11-20 – God offers a choice between life and death. God always offers a choice. The choice is between life (Christ) and death (rejecting Christ).

God does not send people to Hell. He gives them a choice, and they choose to reject Christ. Therefore, they send themselves to Hell.

Those who choose Christ by trusting in, and only in, His death, burial and resurrection for the remission of sins receive life eternal (John 3:16).

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-'They that Go Down to the Sea in Ships'-Purcell

A Study in Deuteronomy Week 8

Deuteronomy Chapters 22-26

Chapter 22

Verses 1-4 – The term “brother” is used here to indicate any human being, known or unknown, even an enemy. It is about our attitude toward others, much as the Good Samaritan was a picture of our love for our fellow man.

Verses 5-12 – An interesting comparison of humanity with animals. But the prohibition prevented a great inhumanity still occasionally practiced by the poorer sort in Asian countries. An ox and mule, being of different species and of very different characters, cannot associate comfortably, nor unite cheerfully in drawing a plough or a wagon. The mule being much smaller and his step shorter, there would be an unequal and irregular draft. This is similar to Christ’s teaching of not being unequally yoked.

Verses 13-30 – The lesson here is that just because something can be abused does not make it bad. We would not say, for instance, that because the sun’s light might be abused, God, therefore, did not make the sun.

Chapter 23

Verses 1-8 – It was a common practice for parents in the East to mutilate their children to train them for service in houses of the rich and powerful (vs 1-2). It was once upon a time considered uncivil for children to be born out of wedlock or for the father to be unknown (vs 3-6). The Ammonites and Moabites consulted with soothsayers and tried to seduce Israel from their allegiance to God. God is not to be trivialized with.

Verses 9-14 – When men went to war, those left behind were to avoid the excesses of camp life and were to behave circumspectly.

Verses 15-25 – The Israelites were not to force a runaway servant to return to his master. They were also prohibited from charging usurious interest to their countrymen. A vow is a vow…period (vs 24 & 25).

Chapter 24

Verses 1-22 – This whole section is a precursor to the New Covenant attitude toward marriage and divorce. Under the New Covenant, a marriage is to be a picture of the relationship between Christ and His Bride, the Church.

Chapter 25 – What do you suppose is the significance of the 40 stripes in verse 2? Does it strike you as odd that 40 stripes is considered some sort of restriction of the punishment?

Chapter 26 – I would remind you that the purpose of the tithe under the Old Covenant was not some ethereal spirituality, nor was it some rule to allow God to have some money to work with.

The main use of the tithe was to provide the leaders with a livelihood. The tithe was brought to the sanctuary, given to a priest who then used the blood and certain cuts of meat and bushels of grain for sacrifice, retaining the best cuts of meat and the finest grain for his own sustenance.

The New Covenant concept of giving is that one literally gives 100% of one’s income (and everything else) to the Lord. If there is a need in the church, the New Covenant giver sees it as a joyous opportunity to fill the need.

Any Christian who would allow a Jew under the Law to give more than the Christian under grace is a disgrace to grace (Dr. Adrien Rogers).

Giving is a direct reflection of the Christian’s response to the love poured out upon him by Christ’s sacrificial death, burial and resurrection.

COMMON CURRENT HERESIES

I am more and more frustrated by Christian leaders who espouse heresies. Most of those heresies have been taught to them by pseudo-intellectual seminary professors, who, themselves, do not understand or believe the purpose or the meaning of Scriptures. Many of them stem from centuries of man-made tradition (something which is railed against in Colossians 2).

It is important to begin with the purpose and meaning of The Bible.

The Bible is God's revelation of His character, His love for His creation and His plan for its redemption.

Although the Bible is divided into two "testaments," the Old Testament and the New Testament, it is important to realize that what these testaments are about is two covenants God has made with His creation.

The first covenant is the Abrahamic Covenant, a covenant that pre-dated the Law of Moses and the covenant God made with Moses (not to be confused with or superseding the Abrahamic Covenant).

The Second Covenant was His fulfilment of the First Covenant through Jesus, Christ (the Greek word for the Hebrew "Messiah".

Old Covenant Jews get to Heaven the same way New Covenant people do: through faith in Messiah. Old Covenant Jews get to Heaven through faith in the promise of a coming Messiah. New Covenant folk get to Heaven through faith in the same Messiah (Christ) having come to fulfil the Old Covenant.

Every word, phrase, chapter and story of the Bible must be interpreted by asking the question: What does this word, phrase, chapter and story reveal about God's character, His love for His creation and His plan for its redemption.

Failure to interpret any portion of Scripture by answering this question will result in an improper interpretation and application of that section of Scripture.

The pivotal verse in Scripture is John 3:16: "For God loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten (to bring a child into existence by the process of reproduction, in this case, spiritual reproduction through Mary) Son, that anybody who believes in Him (His life, burial and resurrection) will not perish (die eternally), but will have eternal (timeless foreverness with God) life."

Every verse of Scripture must be liberally painted with this verse in order to be properly interpreted.

All of the Old Testament points to this verse.

All of the New Testament (including the gospels) expands on this verse.


Sadly, the majority of "preachers" today use Scripture to prove some theosophical point of theirs or to prove some philosophical position they hold.
 
That is called "proof-texting" and is an anathema to the Christian message.
 
In this series, I will expose many contemporary heresies, not for the purpose of showing off my own knowledge, but in the hope that someone will wake up and realize that we Christians have only one message and that its eternal repetition is not boring or unsophisticated, but that it is the very essence of who, what and why we are.
 
That message is that God's character is perfect and eternal, His love for His creation is unfathonable and His plan for the salvation of His creation is in, and only in, Jesus, Christ.

LEST WE FORGET

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-God of Wonders-Third Day

A Study in Deuteronomy Week 7

Deuteronomy Chapters 18-21


Chapter 18
Verses 1-2 – The tribe of Levi was totally consecrated to the “priestly office.” The priests were to be sustained by tithes, first fruits and other offerings at the altar.

Verses 3-5 – The priest were to receive the choice portions of the offerings: the “two cheeks” and the “maw” or stomach, deemed to be the greatest delicacy. (I Corinthians 9:13)

Verses 6-13 – Levies served in rotation.

Verses 14-22 – A repeat of the requirements of a prophet, that 100% of his prophecies be true. God reminds His people that "There is no need to consult with diviners and soothsayers, as I shall afford you the benefit of divinely appointed prophets.

Chapter 19

Verses 1-13 – The cities of refuge were a place of safety, comfort and forgiveness. They were to be easily accessed and the roads to them were to be kept in top-notch condition.

Verse 14 – Personal property, in the form of land, was of great importance (as it is in our Constitution).

Verses 15-21 – The rules of testimony in court required at least two witnesses. In other words, “he said-she said” was to be avoided. Perjury was punishable under the law and the perjurer received the same punishment as the condemned.

These laws were reflective of the forgiving nature and innate fairness of Christ in saving the condemned.

Chapter 20

Verses 1-18 – When Israel had to go to war, if it was a just war, they had the right to expect God to be with them and to favor them. What about war today?

Verses 19-20 – It is interesting that fruit bearing trees were to be spared in a war. This was in recognition of what was “sacred” in the environment and what was not. Fruit trees supported human life and were thus important. The environment is important, but it is required that we know the difference between that which is truly important and that which is not.

Chapter 21

Verses 1-9 – This deals with how to deal with an unsolved murder. Think “cold case.” Unsolved murders were not to be just let go, but a continuing effort to find the “perp” was made.

Verses 10-14 – There is a translation issue here. In the original and all other translations, the words are rendered "have had," ( V 13) referring to events that have already taken place. In other words, “hers that was hated," not "hers that is hated," evidently intimating that she (the first wife) was dead at the time referred to. Moses, therefore, does not here legislate upon the case of a man who has two wives at the same time, but on that of a man who has married twice in succession, the second wife after the death of the first

God's laws restructure the way a people act, think and live out their lives so they can live in conformity with their Holy God. The many rules and judgments listed here all ultimately point to Christ who is the only way to God. They were meant to lift His people up above all the other nations as they would live in God's holy presence.

Each generation is tested as to whether they will fully revolve their lives around Christ and His teachings. Great blessings follow the obedient, while curses those willing to disregard the words of Christ.

God clearly wants to get involved in our every day living. He wants to shape our decisions.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-That's My King-S.M. Lockridge

A Study in Deuteronomy Week 6

Deuteronomy Chapters 15-21

Chapter 15

Verses 1-11 – God’s poverty program is about kindness and reasonableness. There was a 7 year limitation on debt. Debts are to be repaid, but after a certain length of time, it is time to let go and forgive debts. After all, what kind of debt did Christ forgive you?

Verses 12-18 – Slaves are not to be in servitude forever. Every soul longs for freedom. The highest form of freedom is slavery to Christ.

Verses 19-23 – No matter how dear the sacrifice, it is never sufficient to forgive sin. The only sacrifice that can forgive sin is the sacrifice of Christ at the cross of Calvary.

Chapter 16 There are three main feasts for the Jews: Passover; Pentecost and the Feast of Tabernacles. All males were required to attend the feasts.

The period from Passover to Pentecost is a time of great anticipation. Each of the days is counted from the second day of Passover to the day before Pentecost (Shavu'ot), 49 days or 7 full weeks, hence the name of the festival.

The counting reminds Jews of the important connection between Passover and Pentecost: Passover freed them physically from bondage, but the giving of the Torah on Pentecost redeemed them spiritually from their bondage to idolatry and immorality.

Pentecost is also known as Pentecost because it falls on the 50th day; however, the Jewish The Jewish Pentecost is not really the same as the Christian holiday of Pentecost, which occurs 50 days after Resurrection Sunday.

The Feast of Tabernacles comes on the fifteenth of Tishri (September-October), the seventh month according to the Jewish calendar. This was the third feast that required a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to worship in the Temple and offer sacrifices and offering to the Lord.

Chapter 17

Verses 1-7 – These are some basic principles about testimonies in court and the importance of due process (something from which our judicial system is spawned).

Verses 8-13 – There was to be a “supreme” court to settle what lower courts could not.

Verses 14-20 – Your leader should not seek power and self-aggrandizement, but should live in a way that is not above the people.

It is so interesting that Deuteronomy emphasizes the heart involvement with following God’s Ten Commandments.

It is also noteworthy that the “sub-laws” regarding civil behavior are also connected to love of God and His love for us.

See, the Bible is God’s revelation of His character, His love for His creation and His plan for its redemption.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Jesus Never Fails-Truth

A Study in Deuteronomy Week 5

Deuteronomy Chapters 8-14

Chapter 8

Knowing the history of God’s dealings brings assurance of His grace for the future. Verses 1-9 – Observing the Law out of love for God is a natural response to His love for us in christ.

Verses 10-20 – We are prone to self-satisfaction, self-congratulations and to failing to give God the credit He is due.

Chapter 9

Verses 1-6 – God knew Israel, and their past was not that good. God did not promise them the land of milk and honey because of their righteousness, but because of His.

Verses 7-29 – We have a tendency to allow idol worship to enter our lives.

Chapter 10

God allowed Israel to be enslaved in Egypt, and God brought them out of Egypt.

We all know the story, and it is a story of God’s grace, and how serious it is to ignore Him.

Chapter 11

The Promised Land was not like Egypt. In fact, it was virtually the opposite from Egypt.

Chapter 12

Israel has only one place to worship in the land.

Verses 4-14 – There is to be a place where everybody meets together for worship. It is not acceptable for each one to do as he pleases and to exercise his own ideas and opinions. This is to be a God centered place, not a man centered place.

Chapter 13

This is another warning against false prophets and how to spot them. This chapter reinforces the admonition against idol worship.

Remember, if God says something once it is important, if He says it two or three times, you would do well to pay attention.

Chapter 14

Here we see the diet for Israel and the Old Covenant pattern for giving.

Verses 1-21 – God knew what was good for us long before nutritionists.

Verses 22-29 – The tithe was 10%, by definition. The tithe in this case was grain and was to be eaten by the tither at God’s chosen place of worship.

There were all kinds of rules about the circumstances of tithing.

Aren’t you glad that we who have received Christ live under the New Covenant?

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Praise You in the Storm-Casting Crowns

A Study in Deuteronomy Week 4

Deuteronomy Chapters 5-7

Deuteronomy 5

Verses 1-5 – The covenant in Horeb (Genesis 17:9). This was God’s promise to Abraham and His people, Israel.

Verses 6-21 – The Ten Commandments are repeated and given commentary.

Question: Which of the Ten Commandments requires Sabbath worship services?

Question: Which of the days of the week should we NOT keep holy?

Question: If you keep Commandment #1, which of the other Commandments are you most likely to violate?

Verses 22-33 – The request of the people that the law might be delivered through Moses.

Deuteronomy 6

Verses 1-3 – Obedience out of Love. Moses taught the people what God told him to teach them. Christ’s ministers are to teach all He has commanded them to teach (Matthew 28:20)

Verses 4-12 – God is God and we are to follow Him. We are also to teach our children to follow Him.

Verses 13-19 – We are to love God with all that we are. We are to love Him with a sincere love, a strong love, a superlative love, an intelligent love and a complete love.

Verses 20-15 – Our obligation is to let our children know our history, the history of our faith and the history of the Israelites.

Deuteronomy 7

Verses 1-10 – We are to be very cautions about who our friends are, who we fellowship with and whether they serve idols or are idolaters. Those who have communion with God are not to have communion with the works of the world’s darkness. Spending time with worldly people is not likely to raise them up to a righteous level, but is more likely to bring us down to a less holy level. As Christ said, we are not to be unequally yoked, a reference not only to marriage, but to all forms of associations.

Verses 11-26 – Proper obedience, that is obedience born of great respect and love for God, brings with it the promises of God to know Him better, to serve Him better and to have His assurance of the best that He has for us.