Building on the rock or without a foundation (Ch 6)

Luke Chapter 6

INTRODUCTION – Jesus chooses the 12 (v12-16) and his work of healing continues (v17-19) However, this chapter is packed with teaching.
(i) Keeping the sabbath special should not stop you from doing works of necessity and mercy (v1-11).
(ii) Blessing is found not in ‘living for the moment’ but with eternity in view (v17-26).
(iii) The love that we show should not be restricted but shown to all (v27-36).
(iv) Be careful in your attitude to the wrongs of others, remember forgiveness and self-examination is the key (v37-42).
(v) Fruit and obedience will show we have heard what Jesus says (v43-49)

REFLECTION: There are so many ways we try to wriggle out of what Jesus is teaching us. Works of necessity and mercy might not leave much time for God on his day.  We can expect to avoid being poor or hungry or sad or hated and yet always to be blessed. We can say we love everyone but practical love is too often withheld. We can jump on the ‘judge not’ phrase to justify an unaccountable life, but skim over the “forgive and you will be forgiven”. Yet the whole chapter concludes with the challenge to show fruit and obedience or fall like a house built without foundation. The rock is Jesus, and it is only when we build our life on him, we can understand and practice his teaching.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father thank you for Jesus and his teaching. As I reflect on these passages today open my eyes, my mind and my heart to see and understand and respond to what you are saying to me. Today is your day, help me to keep it special and to show mercy. You tell me that blessing is found in the unexpected places of poverty, hunger, sorrow and being hated. While I do not seek these things, give me strength when they come that I might know your blessing in them. Heavenly Father, as you teach me about relationships, help me to love and forgive as you want me to where you have placed me today. Grant me the faith and humility to plant my feet on the rock, to build my life in Jesus by faith and obedience, so that the fruit of the spirit might be increasingly seen in my life and heard on my lips.  In Jesus name, we pray. Amen

Jesus is willing and able to… (Ch 5)

 Luke Chapter 5

INTRODUCTION -  What is the most important thing in our lives?
Having success?
- In v1-11 we see four fishermen catch a great number of fish and leave it all to fish for men.
The Sensational?
– In v12-16 we see a man healed of leprosy but Jesus encouraged him to keep it quiet.
Physical Health?
– In v17-26 yes Jesus heals a man who is paralysed but speaks to him first about forgiveness.
Feeling right?
– In v27-32 Jesus is found with sinners and says he can not help those who are [self] righteous.
Religious routines?
- In v33-38 Jesus points us away from rituals to living in relationship with Him.

REFLECTION: I love the words of the man to Jesus in v12 “Lord if you are willing you can …”,  and the reply of Jesus v13 “I am willing”.
Yes, Jesus heals that man and the paralytic in 25. However, there is no doubt that what is more important than success, or health is repentance v32 and forgiveness v20. What is more significant than rituals and success is a relationship with Jesus v34 and telling others about him v10.
If this chapter was just a story about a great catch of fish, restored health, and religious people fasting then we would have missed why Jesus was there.
We need Jesus to show us today the ways that we settle for less than the most important things. Things that Jesus is willing and able to do in us and through us.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father we thank you for your many blessings. The times of success and health. Thank you for your answers when we pray. As we give thanks, forgive us for the times we settle for less than what you are willing and able to do. Teach us to pray for the most important things. Thank you that Jesus came to call sinners to repentance – Lord today call many to yourself. Thank you that you have authority on earth to forgive sins because you died on the cross – lord may we know your forgiveness again today. Thank you that we can know your presence each day and that you call us to ‘catch men’ for you. Help us to live and speak in a way that draws people to Jesus.  In Jesus name, we pray. Amen

Responding to the good news, to Jesus (Ch4)

Luke Chapter 4

INTRODUCTION:  A chapter with different responses to Jesus. (i) v1-13 The devil is battling Jesus, (ii) v14-30 His home town is rejecting Jesus (v29), (iii) v31-37, 41 Demon are acknowledging Jesus (v34), (iv) Simon’s family are asking Jesus for help (v38) (v) v42-44 Jesus is sharing the good news which is that Jesus is the good news.

REFLECTION: It is amazing how often the good news doesn’t get a look in. Jesus is the good news he said he ‘must preach’ and the last thing Jesus did on earth was to tell us to keep sharing that good news (Mark 16v15). As we share the good news we must pray for those who are fighting with Jesus – trying to bring Jesus down rather than come to Him. Pray for those who are rejecting Jesus – having no thought or time for Jesus or having walked away from Jesus and his family. Pray for those who know who Jesus is but that is all, they have not yet trusted in Jesus. Pray for many to come and ask Jesus for his help – remember Jesus came to bring freedom, recovery and release (v18). Give thanks for so many who have come to Jesus and know him as lord and saviour as they have heard and responded to the good news.

PRAYER Heavenly Father as we thank you for Jesus and the Good news that He is. Thank you that in Jesus we can know freedom, recovery and release as we enter into the Kingdom of God. Today we bring before you by name those who are battling Jesus – bring them to that point of submission and trust in Jesus. We pray for those around us who seem to have rejected Jesus – work in their lives so that they realise their need of a saviour. For those who know who Jesus is but have not given their lives to him, we pray that you would work by the power of your spirit in their hearts and to save. And we bring those who are not part of your Kingdom and you have placed in our hearts before you praying that they would come and ask Jesus for help – and so experience freedom, recovery and release and know salvation.  In Jesus name, we pray. Amen

Repentance, forgiveness, and signs (Ch 3)

Luke Chapter 3

INTRODUCTION:  So much here about Jesus (i) Jesus is announced from heaven as the son who God loves and is pleased with (v22). (ii) Jesus is more powerful than John, who is not worthy to untie his sandals (v16). (iii) Jesus is pictured as the one who will gather the wheat but burn up the chaff (v17). (iv) Jesus the one who is God’s salvation (v6)  announced by John (v4).
So how will I respond to this Powerful Son of God who came to save but one day will Judge? It must be by repentance which leads to forgiveness v3, and transformation v8.

REFLECTION: Key in the preaching of John is repentance (v3) which leads to forgiveness (v3) and a changed life (v8). To rely on religious heritage is not sufficient (v8b) when judgement comes (v9). A heart change is needed (v8a). Yes, we all know others who need to repent, but John had a message about repentance for everyone he spoke to. For the crowd “be generous” (v10-11), for the tax collectors “be ethical” (v12-13), for the soldiers “be honest” (v14), and for Herod “be pure” (v19-20). I need to remember that repentance is not patting myself on the back that I have not sinned like others. Repentance is asking God to show me my sin, turning from it and allowing God to change my life so that I can “produce fruit worthy of repentance” (v8)

PRAYER Heavenly Father thank you that you sent Jesus your Son who you loved into this world for my salvation. Thank you that Jesus came to gather the wheat into your barn. I confess that too often I look at the sins of others instead of asking what repentance means for me. Lord open my eyes to see my life as you see it. Teach me to stop judging myself by the standards of others or my ideas, or by comparing myself to those around me. Lord help me to listen to your voice challenging my thoughts and my words and my deeds. Show me the ways I have been selfish, unethical, dishonest or immoral. Lord grant me a humble and repentant heart that I might know your forgiveness. Work in my life and my church family by the power of your spirit, so those signs worthy of repentance will be seen in generosity, uprightness, honesty and purity. I ask this tor Your good and Your glory. In Jesus hame. Amen

Spare a thought for the parents (Ch 2)

Luke Chapter 2 

INTRODUCTION: A rich Chapter indeed. (i) v1-20 - Those wonderful and familiar verses about the birth of Jesus and the shepherds in the fields. “A saviour has been born” v11. (ii) v21-38 - Simeon and Anna those Godly seniors in the temple. Declaring Jesus as “A light for the gentiles” v32 and speaking of him to all who were looking for redemption v38. (iii) v39-52 – As this child who was born grows up strong, wise and full of grace v40.  Even the teachers were amazed at his understanding v47 and he grew in favour with God v52

REFLECTION: Behind all the events of this passage I am struck by the earthly parents of Jesus. How often did they wonder how it would all turn out? That difficult journey of some 70 miles with Mary expecting a baby who was then born in a manger (v4,7). Mary pondering all that happened in her heart (v19). Their humble obedience in naming the child and presenting him at the temple (v21-23, 39). Their faithfulness in family worship in particular that journey each year to Jerusalem (v41). How must they have felt when they lost Jesus (v45) and when they did not understand him (v50). In all the challenges of parenting Mary “treasured all these things in her heart” (v51). While there is much we don’t know about those years and how it was for Mary and Joseph we see that steady faithfulness and heartfelt love for Jesus and trust in God that all of us who are parents (or grandparents) need.

PRAYER: Lord thank you for those of the next generations that you have brought into our lives. We pray for those you have given us responsibility for and the opportunity to influence. In those times when the journey is hard, strengthen us to keep going. Help us to be an example of faithfulness to them in our worship and obedience. In those moments when we feel they are lost and we do not understand them, teach us how to keep them in our hearts. Lord work in our hearts to build that steady faithfulness and heartfelt love so we might be used by you in the lives of others. In Jesus Name we pray AMEN

Zechariah 'Real Faith' (Ch 1)

Luke Chapter 1  

INTRODUCTION: In some 80 verses Luke introduces four people and the verses that struck me were Zechariah (v18 - He had questions and doubts and faith), Elizabeth (v43 – In her great blessing she is thankful and humble), Mary (v47- She rejoices in her saviour Jesus) and John (v16 – the effect of his life bringing people back to God). Below is my reflection on Zechariah – perhaps you focused on another one or what this chapter says about Jesus the coming savour or God who is sovereign over everything. Feel free to share or comment

REFLECTION: Zechariah – Who despite the devastation of having no family v7 continued to walk close to God v6 and serve God faithfully v8. As he does God appears to him v11, yes he had faltering faith v20 but out of his continued obedience v63, he is filled with the Holy Spirit and praises God for sending a saviour v68-79

PRAYER: Lord even when life seems to be a series of shattered dreams and unanswered prayers help me to keep close to you in my walk and service. Lord, when you speak, forgive my faltering faith, help me to learn it is not the size of my faith but the God I put my faith in that matters. Today as I bring those dreams and prayers again to you open my eyes to see your answer and most of all to rejoice in Jesus our saviour as you work in my heart by the power of your spirit. In Jesus Name AMEN

Christmas 2020 - Reading Luke a Chapter a Day

 More certain about Jesus - Luke Ch 1v3-4 

We invite you to join us as we read that orderly account Luke wrote to make us more certain about Jesus. (Luke Ch 1v3-4) Each day we plan to share a few reflections as we enjoy the blessing of God speaking through his word.