LUKE 24:32-53. THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPELS

 

The disciples said to each other how their hearts burnt while Jesus was explaining the scriptures to them. Jesus is still the same. When He is speaking through a person, the hearts of the disciples will always burn within them. Jesus doesn't speak through every person who stands in the pulpit. Many people don't have God backing them up as they preach mostly because of three things. 

1. They are living in sin in their private lives.

2. They are not faithful in the use of money. Luke 16:11

3. They are careless in the way they use their tongue. Jer 15:19. They make promises which they don't intend to fulfill, they hurt and criticise and judge others with their tongues; they don't mean what they say.

God will never back up such people. It is said about Samuel that God did not let any of the words He spoke fall in the ground. 1Sam 3:19.

They returned to Jerusalem and explained that Jesus rose from the dead and as they spoke, Jesus stood in their midst. 

This is a good picture of how God backs up His faithful servant. While they speak, Jesus goes to the consciences of the people listening and tells them that what the preacher is saying is from Him and gives them a deep assurance in their hearts. Long the Jesus would back you up even in the ordinary conversations.

The very first words that Jesus spoke was, "Peace Be with you". It is the same today; God speaks peace in our hearts first of all. If you hear something in your heart which you not sure it's God's voice, you just need to ask yourself whether there peace in it. The more you think about it, if it's God's voice the more peace and assurance there will be in your heart. Let the peace of Christ guide you in all the decisions you make. Col 3:15, Ps 85:8.

Jesus showed His hands and feet and they touched Him and felt His flesh and bones and assured them He was not a ghost for they were afraid. He also ate broiled fish. He then opened their minds to understand the scriptures what was written from Genesis to Malachi how He would suffer and be killed and rise again from the dead.

We learn that We have to be in a position of peace in our hearts for for God to open our minds for us to understand the scriptures.

He said that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name to all nations.

It's so unfortunate today that the message of repentance is no longer preached today. The only thing people hear today is "believe" and thus we have many unconverted people in the church today who believe themselves to be saved just because they repeated the sinners prayer though they never repented. Many also are baptized who have not said goodbye to the world and sin. We have immunised people against salvation by giving to people who have not repented and there is no regeneration in their lives.

A person who is born again becomes a new creature. He has new desires and new longings. He is married to Christ and have made a total commitment to live for Him. He has said no to the world and sin. God has become a child of God. He longs for the milk of God's word. See Gal 5:24, 2Cor 5:15,17, Rom 6:2, Eph 2:1-6, 1Pet 2:2.

We can be sure that someone who has no longing for God's word is not born again though He may have lived in the church for years. The normal child after being born into the world always cries for the milk wherever they are in any part of the world. The longing for milk is not influenced by the location. If you are truly born again not matter where you are wherever church you attend, you will always have a hunger for Gods word. If not, the only reason is that you are not born again.

He told them to be His witnesses but before that, they must wait for the promise of the Father.

We see that God does not expect us to Him serve in our own strength. We have to be filled with the Holy Spirit. It's interesting to see that in the early church, for one to be given the responsibility of serving food, they were to be full of the Holy Spirit. How much more should you even in the smallest of God's work you do. YOU MUST BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT BEFORE YOU DO ANY SERVICE FOR GOD EVEN IF ITS SERVING FOOD. Acts 6:3.

Jesus lifted His hands and blessed them and ascended to heaven. They worshipped and returned to Jerusalem with great joy and were continually in the temple praising God.

They didn't started serving immediately. They waited to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

How seriously have you taken the command to be filled with the Holy Spirit before you begin serving.

Just in passing....

God shapes us before He uses us

 *S* -Spiritually

 *H* -Heart- 

 *A* -Abilities

 *P* -Physically-

 *E*-Experiences

Spiritually is our spiritual education and experience and knowledge of His word, 

Heart refers to our attitudes, motives and will

Abilities refers to I natural abilities and talents and spiritual gifts

Physically refers to our wellbeing, height, and physical strength

Experience refers to our past experiences both good and bad.

The above are the ways God is seeking to shape us for His service.

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LUKE 24:1-32. THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPELS

 

The women rose up early in the morning to take the spices they had prepared only to find an empty grave. Two angels appeared and told them not to seek the living among the dead. Christ is risen just as He said.

This is the reason we know that all that He said was true.

The resurrection is so important that it is in believing that God raised Jesus from the dead, and confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord that we are saved. Rom 10:9-10

The apostles preached more about resurrection but unfortunately today we don't hear it except maybe during Easter. Jesus is alive is the what we need to know more in this shaky world. See Act 1:22, 2:31, 3:15, 4:10,33 13:30,34, 17:18,31, Rom 8:11, 1Cor 15:12, Gal 1:1, Eph 1:20, Phil 3:10, Col 2:12, 1Thes 1:10, 2Tim 2:8, 1Pet 1:3,21, 3:21.

Many believers live in fear because they have not believed that Jesus has conquered death. Jesus is no longer in the grave, He is no longer on the cross, He is alive forever more. He has authority over all things, over all circumstances and situations affecting us, over all people, over the devil and all the demons and all their works. He loves and cares about you, why should you fear?

The women run back and reported everything to the eleven and the rest though they didn't believe. They seemed to be nonsense. Peter ran to the tomb and saw and wondered what had happened. 

As two disciples were walking to Emmaus discussing what happened, Jesus joined them but their eyes were closed and they didn't recognise Him. He asked what they were saying and were sad. They told about Jesus who was crucified though He performed many miracles. They hoped He would redeem Israel. They also were amazed when it was reported that He was alive.

Jesus now begun speaking and asked why they didn't believe all the prophets wrote the necessity of Christ suffering then enter in glory.

He begun explaining from Genesis to Malachi things concerning Himself.

We learn that we are blind unless God opens our eyes. God first of all is seeking sincerity and honesty from us before He can open our eyes. The disciples were sincere and honestly told Jesus what had happened according to their knowledge and it's only afterwards that Jesus explained to them the scriptures and gave them light. 

When we are sincere and honest before God telling Him what has happened to us or our circumstances and what we think, it's only then that God will open our eyes to the scriptures otherwise when we are hypocrites and dishonest, the bible will be a dark book to us. We will not have revelation that will change our lives.

Is the bible a boring and dark book to you or is it an interesting book? 

It will be interesting only when God opens your eyes. 

The disciples urged Jesus to abide in their house. 

We also learn that Jesus will not force Himself in our lives. We have to open every area of our lives to Him for Him to enter. Have you opened all areas of your life to Him. Have you opened your life for Him to cleanse the guilt of your past? Have allowed Him to enter the room of the movies and TV programmes that you watch? Have you allowed Him to enter the room of the music you listen to? Have you allowed Him in the room of the way you earn and use money? Have you allowed Him in your heart in your attitudes towards those who hurt you and the room of the motives in which you do things? Have you allowed Him in the room in the way you use your tongue especially when under provocation?

When He enters, He gives the living bread and your eyes will be opened to spiritual realities.

The hearts of the disciples burned within them as they listened to Him: in the same way when God speaks to us from His word, our hearts will burn. The bible will no longer be a boring book to us.

It is because we are deaf and blind that the bible is boring but when we get honest and sincere, God gives us an insatiable hunger for His word and we get more and more revelation from God's word.

Pray that God may open your eyes and ears as you open up every room in your heart to Him and He will flood you with light and revelations.

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LUKE 23:32-56. THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPELS

 

Jesus was taken to be crucified with two other thieves. He asked His Father to forgive them for they knew not what they did. Jesus could forgive those who crucified Him. They had beaten him so bad that they disfigured Him in such a way that you could not think it was a human being. They removed His clothes and cast lots and crucified Him in an underware before everyone; children and adults. It was a shameful thing they did to Him. What about you? Have you been humiliated as Jesus was? Have you been mistreated till you are disfigured that you are not like a human being? Have you been exposed to everyone including children when you are naked? If not, why not follow Jesus? He could forgive. Forgive those who hurt you and pray for them that God will lead them to repentance. Don't have grudges against anyone. Don't be bitter against those who hurt otherwise you are not a follower of Christ even if you claim to be and even if you have a position in church.

People and rulers and the soldiers mocked Him and told Him to save Himself.

They wrote an inscription which was supposed to be a mockery, "THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS". People would laugh and ridicule Him. A king who was a criminal? But it was for our sins He was crucified. He didn't blame others for the sins God placed in us. He paid fully for sins He didn't commit.

One of the thieves hurled abuse on Him telling Him to save them and Himself but the other rebuked Him saying that Jesus was innocent but they were guilty. They suffered justly for the sin they committed. 

Here in the three crossed we have different kinds of believers. 

The first thief represent those who murmur and complain and say they are mistreated and received a punishment unjustly. They always think they don't deserve such punishment and whatever they maybe going through. They always blame God for their circumstances.

The second thief represent those who have learnt to take the blame for their sins. They do not blame others of circumstances. They don't say that they acted in such a way because they got provoked or offended. They have learnt that a cup of sweet water can never give even a drop of bitter water no matter suddenly jolted. They have seen the corruption of their flesh and seen that there is nothing good dwelling in their flesh. They take 100% blame for their sins. It is such who God remembers in His kingdom.

Many people before they die say "Lord remember me when you come in your kingdom". Many even having said those words before they die, die and go to hell because they have not learn to take blame for their sins. The second thief didn't point any finger to anyone for his sins. He didn't blame His parents, his peers or circumstances. He pointed to himself and declared Himself guilty. That is why Jesus took Him to paradise. Learn from the second thief to take 100% blame for your sins.

Jesus on the other side opened His fingers to be crucified. He didn't fight back saying it was not His sins. He paid fully for sins He never committed. This is a higher level in the Christian life where you get blamed for sins of others and you willingly accept them as your own and pay their punishment. 

How far have you come? On which cross are you?

Come up higher.

Darkness filled the whole earth for 3hours. God forsook Jesus. Hell is a God-forsaken place and Jesus experienced it on the cross. What all the billions of people could experience in hell for eternity, Jesus experienced it on the cross. The reason He could is because He was God. He was an infinite being. This is why Jehovah witnesses are wrong saying that Jesus was not God. If He was not God but only a man, He could only die for one person and he could do it for three hours. He had to be God for Him to die for the sins of the whole world. 1John 2:2, 2Cor 5:14. Jesus was 100% God, that is why He died for the sins of everyone, and He was 100% man, that is why He tells us to follow Him.

The veil in the temple was torn into two opening for us the way into the most holy place through the blood of Jesus. Heb 10:19-20.

We no longer need priests to take to God, we now have access to the throne of God through the blood of Christ. We are made children, thus heirs in the kingdom of God. Eph 2:13-17.

Jesus committed His Spirit to the Father and breathed His last. In this corrupt world, Jesus kept His spirit pure before committing it to the Father. He experienced the same Temptations we face in every way and didn't sin. He was obedient even unto death. He was like us. We are told in 1Tim 3:16, that this is the secret of living a godly life in this present evil world. That is, Jesus had a body like ours, faced every temptation we face and overcame and kept His spirit pure until the last day. See also Heb 2:17-18, 4:15.

The centurion seeing that said He was innocent.

Joseph went to ask for the body to bury it.

The women saw the tomb and went to prepare the spices to anoint His body.

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LUKE 23:1-31. THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPELS

 

Jesus was taken to Pilate and accused of leading people astray and forbidding people to pay taxes. Pilate asked Jesus whether He was the king of the Jews He agreed and Pilate said he found Him innocent but the people insisted. Having learnt He belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, He sent Him to Herod. Herod longed to see Him to see a miracle and after questioning Him for a long time He answered nothing.

We learn here that though Pilate was a godless man, He found Jesus innocent; but the Jews who were religious accused Him falsely. The Jews were insincere and pretended to be righteous but inside them they were full of evil and Pilate who was full of evil never pretended to be righteous. This is why pilates judgment was right but the Pharisees were wrong. What God seeks first of all amongst us sincerity and honesty and God will give us some measure of discernment; but hypocrisy will blind us even if we know everything in the bible and even if we are church leaders. Hypocrisy blinds us. Honesty gives discernment.

Jesus was accused vehemently by chief priests and scribes. Soldiers treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, put a royal robe on Him and sent Him back to Pilate.

Pilate and Herod became friends. 

We see here how people with a common goal can work together though there maybe many differences. 

Both Herod and Pilate found Jesus innocent of all accusations against Him. Pilate said He'll have him flogged and released but the people shouted; "away with this man. They asked Barabbas to be released instead.

We see here the wickedness of the heart of men; though there be no reason to punish someone; they will insist he be punished. "They will not rest until they have committed evil" Prov 4:16....

Pilate released Barabbas and gave Jesus to be crucified after people insisted that He had to be crucified.

The soldiers forced Simon of Cyrene to help Jesus carry the cross of Jesus. Jesus said that if anyone wishes to be His disciple, he must deny Himself and carry his cross daily. The difference between Jesus and the Roman soldiers is that Jesus gives us freedom to say yes or no but the Roman soldiers forces us to do it. Are you like Jesus or like the Roman soldiers? Learn from Jesus. Though His demands be high, He gives us freedom.

A large crowd and women followed Him weeping. Jesus turned to them and said not to weep for Him but to weep for themselves and their children. Jesus was in the centre of God's will though He suffered. Those weeping for Him didn't know God. They didn't know that it was for our sins that Jesus underwent all He did. It was for their sake that He suffered. 

Sometimes we are blinded when we look things from the human side. Jesus didn't judge things by what His eyes saw, or by what His ears heard but with righteous judgment because He sought God about every matter. He looked at everything from heavenly point of view. Isaiah 11:3-4

Learn from Jesus. What your eyes see, and what your ears hear will lead you to making wrong judgments about people and circumstances, but learn from Jesus to look at things from a divine point of view.

It was the women and their children who needed to be prayed for not Jesus. Days would come when it will be said that those who didn't have children are blessed more than those who had children. Jesus saw the future. Great sufferings were to follow Jesus disciples and those who followed Him.

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LUKE 22:47-71. THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPELS

 

Judas came with the soldiers to betray Him. Jesus was so much like the disciples that no one would recognise Him. He was a normal human being in appearance. Learn from Him. As Paul puts it, I became all things to all men. 1Cor 9:19-22

The He said to Judas, "Friend". Mat 26:50

Can you call someone who is betraying you to death friend? There was no bitterness or hatred in Jesus against Judas. We can also follow Him here, loving our enemies and wishing them good and not evil. God is able to help us. We don't have to be slaves to bitterness and anger against those who do evil to us. We can love them and look at them with compassion as we look to those who are very sick in hospitals. They are sick in their souls with sin and thats why they are planning evil on us. We shouldn't allow to be contacted with their sickness through bitterness and unforgiveness but we should have compassion on them as we would to sick loved. Even they, they are potential brothers and sisters in Christ. Love them and pray for them that God will bring them to repentance.

The disciples asked whether they should defend Jesus and before He answered, Peter had already cut the ear of one soldier. Jesus healed that ear.

If Jesus didn't heal the ear, Peter also would have been arrested and crucified but Jesus knew he did that out of fear and immaturity. He didn't understand the purpose of the sword was to defend himself not to fight back. 

There are many problems we get ourselves into when we are fearful and immature but when we are sincere, God will deliver us. Praise the Lord.

He asked why they came to Him as if He was a thief. He used to daily preach in the temple but now that was their hour and the hour of darkness. Jesus couldn't be arrested before that time because He was wholeheartedly doing doing God's will. If we are wholehearted like Jesus in doing Gods will, the devil will not be able to hinder us and whatever God allows Him to do us, he will regret it because it will only accomplish Gods purposes. 1Cor 2:8, None of the rulers of this age understood this, for *if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.*

If the devil knew that the crucifixion of Jesus would bring salvation to the whole world, He wouldn't have incited religious leaders to crucify Jesus. He would have left Him alone. Thank God that the devil doesn't know everything. He doesn't know what God plans to accomplish in the lives of His children even through their failures or whatever the devil tries to do against them.

Peter followed at a distance and as we know he denied Jesus three times. Before this backsliding he was self-confident. The self-confident backslides. Can you remember the many instances in your life where you were very confident that what you did in God's service would turn out good only for it to fail? In Gods service, don't be confident in self, the only deserving place for our self-life is in the cross. It has to be crucified. Our confidence must be in Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. See Phil 3:3, Gal 2:20.

After the cock crew, Jesus looked at Peter, not in anger, but in compassion and Peter went and wept bitterly. He had failed His master.

Do you weep bittery and mourn when you fall in sin? Do you have a cry in your heart that you have love what crucified your Lord, that is sin or do you just continue as if God approves of your living in sin? If God would not approve of sin when found in Jesus, what makes you think that He'll approve of it when found in you? Are you better than Jesus? Then why not weep over your sins and seek God for power to overcome them?

The people beat Jesus and mocked Him and blasphemed. Jesus acknowledged He was Christ and that was the evidence they needed to have Him killed. 

If someone wants to do evil, He will find even the smallest excuse for doing it. Why should we not on the other hand find the smallest excuse to do good to others?

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LUKE 22:35-46. THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPELS

 

Jesus asked His disciples whether they had lacked anything when He sent them earlier and told them to carry nothing. They answered no. This was to teach them a lesson that if they obeyed God in whatever He told them to do, God would provide all their needs. 

Having learnt that lesson, He gave new instructions. He tested them just like when God tested Abraham when He told him to go and kill his son in mt. Moriah and then afterwards told him not to kill him after passing the tests.

God tests us in our private lives to see whether we would obey Him in private and most times we fail because we don't realise that God is testing us. Before God can use a person, He must first test him in private when no one else knows that God is testing Him. And if you pass your tests in private, there is no limit to how much God will use you but The testing is done many times in our lifetime if God is to take us to higher levels in the way He desires. If we get used to and begin failing, then God will not use us as He desires. Have you been failing your private tests many times? God is still merciful; He has not given up on you. You can start again today.

Jesus said that whatever was written about Him must be fulfilled. He two swords are enough for the eleven.

He went out as was his custom to the mount of olives and His disciples followed Him. It was the habitual practice for Jesus to go and pray. What is your habitual practice? Are you better than Jesus? Can you walk far with Jesus without making it your habit to go and pray? Jesus used to pray habitually; if He is truly living in you, don't you think His custom to prayer should continue unless He is outside?

He told His disciples to watch and pray that they may not enter into temptation. We can conclude that the only reason that people fall into temptation and sin is that they don't watch and pray. Temptations are sure to come to each of us and the only way Jesus taught for us to overcome was through watching and praying. Have you heard the call of Jesus to watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation?

He himself withdrew and begun to pray, that if it was possible the cup should be taken away from Him but nonetheless not His will but God's will be done.

We can also see that Temptations offer is a choice between doing our own wills or doing God's will. We choose between pleasing ourselves or pleasing God. It is as we watch and pray that we receive strength to say no to our own wills and choose to do the will of God.

God sent an angel to strengthen Him to accept God's will. In the same way when we have a longing in our hearts to do God's will and cry out in prayer to be enabled, God will strengthen us to choose His will and thus overcome every temptation.

He prayed in anguish and His sweat became like great drops of blood falling in the group. How fervently do you pray. Have you made your ambition to choose God's will or in your prayer do you just pray for the sake of praying?

What is the greatest longing in your heart? Is it doing God's will and pleasing Him at all times? Learn from Jesus. He had one one ambition. To do God's will and please Him no matter the cost. John 5:30, 6:38, 8:29

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LUKE 22:31-34. THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPELS

 

Jesus told Simon Peter that satan demanded permission to sift him like wheat, but He prayed for Him that His faith will not fail, and when returns, he should strengthen the brethren.

God is so wonderful; the devil cannot touch any of His true children without his permission. The only way that the devil can touch believers is if they have sin in their lives. 1John 5:18. When you walk in purity of heart, when you are upright before the Lord; the devil cannot touch you. God's presence in you is like fire. Heb 1:7. Satan has to ask permission from God to touch you. The story of Job teaches that there are three hedges around us. Job 1:10. One around the individual, another around to their families, and another around their property. There is absolutely nothing that the devil can do against a true child of God, that is why he tempts us so that we can give him access to our lives through sin. See Eph 4:27. When you sin, you have invited the devil to destroy your life, family, ministry and property. Ecc 10:8 says that those who break over a wall, the serpent shall bite them. As long as you are within the wall, the boundary that God has set for your life and ministry, the devil cannot bite you, but the moment you got outside your boundary through sin or even in a ministry God has given to someone else, you allow the devil to access your life. Learn to stay within your boundaries. Learn contentment and that will do you go. Don't go beyond the boundaries God has set for your life and the devil cannot touch you if you keep yourself from sin.

Jesus encouraged Peter by telling him that he prayed for him. This statement can encourage many and is a good way also to encourage others, say to your brother or sister, I will pray for you if you have nothing else to say to them or when they are facing challenges or temptations in their lives. 

It's interesting to see that Jesus didn't pray that Peter wouldn't deny Him but that His faith would not fail. The reason is because Peter was proud. He boasted of how he was even willing to die with Christ. He thought he was strong enough without God's help and God had to break him to show the corruption of his own flesh, that nothing good dwelt in his flesh. Rom 7:18. This is a lesson that God tries to teach His children but unfortunately He doesn't succeed in most of us. We are so proud and arrogant and think that Gods work depends on us and our strategies but it doesn't. God has to break the pride in us so that we will never lift our heads or take credit of anything God does through us. God has to show us that at our best we'll accomplish nothing of eternal value but when we are completely surrendered to Him, He can accomplish much through us. Have you learnt the lesson? If you have, you will never murmur or complain about anything, and you wouldn't be getting offended. The reason we get offended is because we think we are somebodies. God has to show us that us that no matter what we have accomplished in life, we still are nobodies and God is everything. Gal 6:3., 1Cor 3:7.

He prayed that His faith would not fail. Even after denying Jesus, that Peter would still believe that God supremely loves him and that God have not stopped loving him though he failed God and that God is still willing to welcome him back and start all over again. Even you, even if you have failed God numerous times, He still loves you and still is waiting to welcome you back. He still has good plans for you and can still accomplish something through your life if you come back to Him and surrender everything to Him. Will you come back to God? He still loves you though you have failed a million times. Come back to your Father's house.

You will be an encouragement to others who have failed.

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LUKE 22:21-30. THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPELS

 

Jesus said that His time had come to die as had been determined by God but woe to Him who betrayed the Son of man. Peter says that the crucifixion of Jesus had been predetermined by the foreknowledge of God. Acts 2:23. Even the evil that the devil is allowed to do in the children of God, God has a purpose to accomplish in His plan. It was because Jesus was crucified that we got salvation. The evil that the devil does to those who love Jesus, those who obey Him and are seeking to fulfill His purpose will only work for their good. Rom 8:28

The disciples asked among themselves who would betray Him. We saw earlier in Mat 26:21-22 that they were asking, 'is it I?' they didn't suspect or point their fingers on others. Not even suspected Judas Iscariot. They had learnt to judge themselves. Have you learnt that lesson of judging yourself or do you judge others? When something goes wrong where you are, do you suspect yourself that you may have contributed even to a small degree and seek to find where you need to do better, or are you as children of Adam quick to point fingers on others and suspect them? Learn from the disciples if you want to be a disciple.

They also asked about who was the greatest. They were concerned about their position. Jesus didn't rebuke them but taught them about the true value in God's kingdom as compared to the world. The kings of the gentiles lord it over people making demands that you have to do this and that, but for the disciples, the greatest must take the lowest rank and the leader must become a servant. Jesus was an example in this, though He was the leader He washed His disciples feet though that was the work of a slave. Humility in God's kingdom is what gives value. The humbler you are, the greater you are in Gods eyes. The humble person doesn't make demands on others but will always take the lowest position of serving others. They never get offended because they didn't receive honour because they are slaves. They are always quick to say thank you to any little good that is done to them. They never take it for granted for they know they don't deserve it. Their expectations are on God alone.

Jesus encouraged His disciples telling them that they alone stood with Him in His trials. He also promised to give a kingdom to them as His Father gave. Jesus was a great encourager. Learn from Him.

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LUKE 22:9-20. THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPELS

 

Jesus sent His disciples to go and prepare the Passover but they asked Him where they were to prepare it. 

We can learn a lesson here that whenever the Lord tells you to do something, ask Him where He wants you to do it and how He wants you to do it and He'll show it to you.

After preparation, He sat together with His disciples to and said He earnestly desired to eat with them before He suffered.

We see that Jesus longs to fellowship with His disciples. He being the Son of God desired fellowship with His disciples who were weaker than Him; what about you and me; how much more do we need fellowship with other like-minded brothers and sisters who are true disciples of Jesus.

He gave the disciples the cup to share among themselves. He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it. He gave saying it is His body that was given to for them. They were to continue doing it in remembrance of Him.

The (bread)body has to be broken first before being given to the disciples; in the same way, God has to break us before making us a blessing to others. We are to always remember how Jesus gave Himself up for us. Not only in taking the holy communion, but it is something we need to think of constantly. 

Heb 12:3 says that if keep on thinking about how Jesus suffered from wicked men, and all He underwent for us , we will be willing to undergo everything for Him without getting discouraged or giving up. Here lies the secret of how to overcome everything we face in our pilgrim journey. Have you seen it.

We can thus conclude that when you get discouraged and want to give up, at that moment you are not thinking about all that Jesus suffered. Get your mind to thinking about Christ's suffering and you'll get encouragement 

The blood He shed was for the new covenant. The life is in the blood. Therefore in the new covenant, we don't live in our strength to try to please God but rather, it is allowing the life of Jesus to flow through us giving us His nature so that we can live as He lived. Moment by moment we partake of His nature and we increasingly become like Him. In this new Covenant is not do's and don'ts as in the ten commandments, but it is God doing it for us... He says I will put the law in their minds and write them in their hearts. Heb 8:10

I will sprinkle clean water....I will cleanse them...I will give you a new heart and new spirit... I will remove your stony heart...I will put My Spirit...I will cause you to walk in my ways...

Ezek 36:25-31

We see there are not do this and don't do this but it's all God doing in us and changing us from within by impacting in us the nature of Christ so that we will hate not just avoid what God hates and love not just doing for the sake the things that God loves. We must continually partake of Christ nature to be increasingly become more like Christ.

To partake Christ nature....2Pet 1:4

by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

The Holy Spirit also shows us the glory of Christ in the scriptures and then transforms us into the same image from one degree of glory to higher degrees of Glory. 2Cor 3:18.

Is your Christianity something that comes from your inside or is it a whitewash? Has God been transforming from the inside to partake of the nature of Christ? Do you hate evil or do you avoid it? Do you love righteousness or do you do righteousness? 

Our Lord hated iniquity and loved righteousness and that is why God anointed Him with the oil of gladness. Heb 1:9

It is to the degree that we hate sin and love righteousness that we experience the joy of the Lord in our lives. If we are increasingly becoming like Christ, our joy and peace must also increase in the same degree.

What is your experience in your inner life? Your thoughts, your attitudes and motives?

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LUKE 21:37-22:6. THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPELS

 

Jesus used to teach in the temple during the day and at night go to the mount of olives and early in the morning people would come in the temple to listen to Him.

It's interesting to see that although many were blessed by Him, no one bothered to ask Him where he lived. No one invited Him to their house to spend the night there. Jesus didn't make demands on people that they must do this and that because He was blessing them. He didn't get irritated inside and one day fail to come to the temple to teach or while teaching He never made cutting remarks to the crowds who were listening to them. He was a servant to them and His expectation was not from them but from His Father. He was contented that His Father allowed Him to sleep in the cold in the mountains and be bitten by mosquitos. He never even once complained of his circumstances; have to sleep on the cold and even being rained on sometimes when it rained. He was faithful to God and compassionate to the people.

The great preachers and bible teachers of His day were seeking for an opportunity to kill Him but they feared the crowds. Satan entered Judas and He went to discuss with the chief priests how he might betray Jesus. 

Judas was a wholehearted disciple of Jesus who later became a backslider. He walked with Jesus, saw all the miracles Jesus performed except the ones He performed with three disciples, John, Peter and James. He listened to all the teachings and warnings of Jesus but the love of money blinded Him from all that. He even went to preach and cast out demons and healed the sick but satan found an opening in His heart and entered Him to betray Jesus for money. 

We learn here that today you can be a blessing and tomorrow you can a curse to those you blessed if you are not careful to guard your heart with all diligence. You can listen to the most powerful sermons in the whole world and still be a backslider. You can preach, and perform miracles and heal the sick, but if you are not watchful; the love of money will give satan room in your heart and you will betray Jesus in your private life like Judas. You will begin doing things which you'd never do in the presence of Jesus. 

Don't look at your past walk with God and how much God has been able to use you in the past. Take heed to yourself and guard jealously the place if private devotions, your inner walk with God. If you stop seeking God and begin congratulating yourself on how far you've come, you will collapse. Concentrate on how much ground you are yet to possess. How much unchristlike you still are and need to be more Christlike. Run the race fixing your eyes on Jesus. When your eyes are fixed, you will not look back on how far you've come but you will only see how far you still are to go. You will not look sideways to see whether others are following or not or to see the circumstances. The evidence that your eyes are on Jesus is that you will not be discouraged or give up. You will not be shaken by anyone or any circumstance. Heb 12:1-3

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LUKE 21:8-36. THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPELS

 

Jesus asked disciples not to allow anyone to mislead them because many will come in His name saying that Jesus is the Messiah and that that the time has come.

It's interesting to see that deceivers will first seek to win the hearts of believers by first teach the correct doctrine and proclaiming Jesus is saviour. By this statement alone they will draw the hearts of many because many will not consider them deceivers but after winning the hearts of many, they will slowly pollute the doctrine to deceive them. Beware. Just because someone proclaims that Jesus is the Messiah doesn't necessarily mean they are true prophets. For you to identify them once they start drifting to deceive you, you must know the scriptures constantly and seek continuously and ask God to protect you from deception and learn not to judge yourself rightly. If you do this three things always, God will give you discernment and you will have a witness in your heart when something goes wrong and do not follow them.

There will be wars and rumours of war, there will be earthquakes, there will be plagues and famines, there will be great persecution which will give also opportunity for witnessing. It's interesting to see how everything serves Gods purposes. Even persecution is allowed for believers to witness Christ to the persecutors. 

Do not worry in advance what to answer the charges against you for at that time God will give you right words and such wisdom that none of your opponent will be able to reply or refute or contradict. In others words, when you are doing God's will, do not worry what problems you may face because you are obeying God. Concentrate on obeying God, whatever may come in your path of obedience, God will tell what to do so that you will remain unhindered in doing Gods will for your life.

Relatives and friends will betray you and even kill some. Everyone will hate you for taking a stand for Jesus and deciding to wholeheartedly live for Jesus without compromise. Not a hair of your head will perish buy standing firm and endurance, you will gain your souls.

God is concerned about everything in our lives and even the hairs on our heads, but we must stand firm and endure to the end. When God sees we are determined to please Him no matter the opposition, He will give us all the grace we need to overcome and we will finally be overcomers. You need not to worry about persecution, God will help you overcome if your heart is set to love and obey Him.

When you see Jerusalem sorounded by enemies, know that the time is near. You must live readily settling your accounts that you do not need to go back to set something right at home or in your hometown. You have to apologise to all you have wronged, forgiven all who hurt you, restored things that don't belong to you and fulfilled your promises which you make. 

The pregnant women and those with nursing babies will be greatly distressed. Many will be killed and taken away captives and Jerusalem will be taken away by the gentiles. there will be strange signs in the heavenly bodies and men faint in fear. The son of man will come in a cloud with great power and glory.

When you see this things, don't fear but lift up your heads for your redemption is near....

Watch that your hearts because not weighted down by dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life and that day comes upon you unaware. It will come like a trap on everyone.

The things that can make us lose focus on the coming of Christ are legitimate things. Eating and drinking and cares of this life; building and farming and business and marriage. We must therefore keep alert always and prays continually that we might have strength to overcome the temptation to allow our hearts to be carried away by these legitimate things which we must do as they are necessary. We must never allow them to get in our hearts and weigh our hearts down but that is only possible if we watch and pray always.

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LUKE 21:1-8. THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPELS

 

Jesus sat near the offering box and saw the rich give their offerings. A window also gave two copper coins and Jesus said that she gave more than everyone.

Jesus was not watching how much but how people gave. David says in 2Sam 24:24 that he would not offer to God that which costs him nothing. Paul says in 2Cor 9:7 that God loves a cheerful giver. Isaiah 64:5 says that God meets with those who rejoice in doing righteousness. God does not look at the amount you give but how you give to him. Do you give to Him just to have a reputation before men that you give to God? God doesn't accept your offerings. Do you give grudgingly or out of necessity? God does not accept your offerings. God loves those who give cheerfully in thankfulness to God and who give that which costs them something.

Some were talking about the temple how well decorated it was and Jesus warned that no stone will be left upon another. When asked when that will be He said; let no one deceives you.

The devils masterpiece in this days is deception. You must be careful that you don't get deceived.

The things that deceives us are riches. Mat 13:22. Riches deceive many people who think that because they have acquired wealth God is pleased with them. Material prosperity is not a sign that God is pleased with you. Look at the richest people in the world and you will realise that very easily. It just means God is good to everyone, both the rich and the wicked. Ps 145:9, Mat 5:45.

Our strong desires(lusts) also are deceitful. Eph 4:22. They deceive us that we will get satisfaction when we fulfill them but we are left even more emptier. Only God can truly satisfy us.

Sin also deceives us. Heb 3:13. It deceives that it's not serious and you will not reap the consequences when you hide it.

The devil is also known as the deceiver of the world. Rev 20:10.

The only hope we have of not getting deceived is if God will protect us from deception. But God also allows someone people to be deceived and believe a lie. 2Thes 2:10-12. Those who do not love the truth so as to be saved but enjoy pleasure of wickedness, God allows them to be deceived. When God convicts of something wrong with you and you silence your voice of conscience; you are a prime candidate for deception. If you justify yourself rather than admit that you are wrong and set right things that needs to be set right; apologise to those who hurt and have taken advantage of, restore what isn't yours, and whatever your conscience convicts you of....you are on a dangerous road towats deception. Learn to never silence your conscience.

We deceive ourselves through many ways.

We deceive ourselves when we become wise in our own eyes. 1Cor 3:18. Learn to humble yourself and admit that unless God helps us, we are weak and foolish.

We deceive ourselves when we think we can live in sin and still inherit the kingdom of God. 1Cor 6:9. Just because you are in church and you serve and you give and share testimony doesn't mean you will enter the kingdom of God. If privately you are living in sin, you will from your church go to hell unless you repent. You service and giving will not be accepted by God. See Isaiah 1:11-19

We get deceived when we think we will not be affected by the friendship we keep. 1Cor 15:33. The company you keep will corrupt you. Choose your friends wisely; they determine your moral standards.

We deceive ourselves when we begin thinking we are very important People in God's work. Gal 6 :3 Especially after being in God's service for a long time, we can have a feeling that we must be respected and people have to seek advice from us and we begin making demands on others who we think are inferior to us. We are not that important. God's work went on wonderfully well before we were born and it will continue on wonderfully well without us and even after we die. Let's humble ourselves and become unworthy servants. Luk 17:10

We deceive ourselves when we think that the decisions we are constantly making daily will not determine our future. Gal 6:7.

Our spiritual lives today are a subtotal of all the decisions we have been making daily. If you decide to please the flesh or obey the promptings of the Spirit in your heart; it will determine where you will end up. You will reap what you saw in your daily decisions.

We deceive ourselves when we only hear God's word and not obey it. Jam 1:22. Your bible knowledge doesn't determine how spiritual you are but how much you obey determines your spiritual level. 

We deceive ourselves when we think we know God and are spiritual but cannot control our tongues when provoked or in private. All our Christian activities, our service and giving are worth nothing. Lack of control of our tongues in private or when provoked cancels out all our Christian activities. Jam 1:26

We deceive ourselves when we say we have no sin. Jn 1:8 When we think we are ok and there is nothing wrong with us. We deceive ourselves. If you humble yourself you will judge yourself and you will constantly see areas in your lives you need to improve, something's you need to change the way you do them and something unchristlike like that you need to repent of. When you think there is nothing wrong with you, you will constantly see the sins of others and judge them. Don't deceive yourself lest you allow the devil to deceive you.

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LUKE 20:17-47. THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPELS

 

The stone which the builders rejected is become the chief cornerstone. The one who the religious leaders rejected is the one God chose to be an example to others. Jesus has become the one to give direction in all dimensions of the Christian life. God did not agree with the builders. He is not influenced by what the religious leaders think about you. He sees beyond our physical appearance and looks at the heart. Do not be disturbed by what others think of you. The opinions of men is worth nothing. Only God's opinion matters. Be deaf to mens opinion about your worth, listen to what God is saying to you.

Everyone who falls on the stone will be broken but on whomever it falls it will grind and scatter him like dust. Whoever humbles himself before Christ the chief cornerstone, God will break him to make him a blessing to others but those who refuse to submit themselves before Christ and are proud, the stone will come upon them to crush and destroy them. When you are humble the stone is beneath you to support you, but when you are proud, the stone is above you to resist your rising and to crush you and bring you down and destroy you. 

The Scribes and chief priests tried to lay their hands on them but they feared the people. They were watching Him and sent spies to catch him at His words. It's interesting that the people who were against Jesus and tried to kill Him and finally kill Him were the great preachers of His day and great theologians. They had the bible but they were blind. Their hypocrisy and judgemental attitude blinded them. Even today, you can read your bible, be a theologian and a preacher and still be blind as the Pharisees. Hypocrisy and judgemental attitude of others is a great log in the eyes of others preventing them to see. 

The spies asked Jesus whether it was rightful to pay taxes to Ceaser. If He answered Yes or no, they could find an accusation against Him. Jesus interestingly asked to be shown a denarii. He didn't have one in His pocket then. He asked whose image it was and told them to give Ceaser what belongs to Ceaser and to God what belongs to God.

In other words, pay your taxes and your debts. And give to God what belongs to God. God doesn't want ceasers money nor money belonging to someone else you owe a debt. Pay Your debt and taxes then give to God.

His answer amazed them and they were silenced. Sadducees asked about a woman who was married to seven brothers and died childless, whose wife she'll be after resurrection. Jesus said as sons of resurrection they are not given in marriage. They are like angels, they are sons of God. God is not a God of the dead. All are alive to Him. The spirits of those who have died are alive to God.

Jesus also asked them a question why they said the Messiah was the Son of David yet David calls Him Lord in psalms and they couldn't answer.

Jesus warned His disciples about the scribes. They were the theologians and bible teachers of Jesus day.

They walked in long robes. They dressed in a way that drew attention to them. They love being recognised and greeted in the marketplace so that everyone might their positions. In the temple they loved the highest places and the best seats in feasts. They loved honor. They would not want to be seen as common people. They loved to be respected so much and they would get very much offended if they were not honoured and recognised.

Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and took advantage of the weak and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be severely punished.

There are many followers of the scribes and Pharisees and chief priests today. There are few followers of Jesus today. Jesus always called Himself the Son of man. He identified and became like a common people. In fact Isaiah says that there was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. Is 53:2. Have you ever wondered why the chief priests and Pharisees had to hire Judas to betray Him yet He used to preached daily in the temple? The soldiers could not identify Him when He was among His disciples. He was like them though He was the Son of God. 

Who are you following?

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LUKE 20:1-16. THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPELS

 

The chief priests and the scribes demanded that Jesus tell them by what authority He did what He did. He also asked a question asking from did the baptism of John came from. They reasoned themselves and could not say it was from heaven because they didn't believe him nor from earth because they would be stoned to death and they answered that they didn't know. Jesus also never gave an answer.

The chief priests were the great preachers of the day and they got irritated because Jesus didn't get ordained by them or trained by any of them in their bible schools. He never consulted them yet they thought they were the most important people who everyone must consult. In their spiritual pride, they were blind to the fact that God was with Jesus yet the common people knew it. 

Jesus exposed their hypocrisy by asking them a question which they couldn't be honest enough to answer because either way they could get themselves into trouble. They never got Jesus to submit Himself to them. 

He gave a parable owner who rented His vineyard to stewards but when the harvest time came sent his servants to collect the fruit but the were mistreated and beaten and sent away empty. He finally sent his son who they killed so that they may seize his inheritance. The owner will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.

We learn here that we are tenants or stewards of the resources and gifts and talents and abilities and ministries that God has given us. God expects fruit from our lives and He will always come to look for fruit. When we don't produce fruit in our lives, he still gives more time to repent. He does not immediately come and judge our fruitlessness but He will not always wait. When the grace period comes, He will come to us in judgment and destroy us all take away the ministry He gave us and give it to someone else who will produce fruit. 

We cannot relax in the assignment God has given us. We must always be producing fruit. You cannot boast on how long you have bore fruit. If a branch which was bearing fruit for 50years stop bearing fruit, it will be cut off and thrown in the fire. No one will remember that it bore fruit for 50years. In the same way, you have to bear fruit until the end. It's easy to start well but it's difficult to finish the race well. Don't get sidetracked along the way and you start congratulating yourself on how much you have accomplished; concentrate on how much you are yet to accomplish.

When Joshua has old and stricken in years, God told Him that there is still much ground to be possessed. Josh 13:1. There are still more giants to be killed.

This is a picture of a believer who has been faithful to God from a young age and is now a grand-parent. The word old people who have been faithful to God from a very tender age is that there is still much ground to be possessed; there are still more giants to be overcome. There is still more of heavenly riches to be experienced before going to the other world. There are more glory of Christ they haven't seen. There is still more than God wants to accomplish through them than God has been able so far to accomplish. If that word if for the elderly who have been faithful to God from childhood, what about you and me?

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LUKE 19:28-48. THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPELS

 

Jesus sent two disciples to the next village to untie and bring to him a young donkey and if anyone asks why they did it, they were to say that the Lord has need of it.

Jesus needed a donkey to fulfill His purpose on earth and the prophecy about Him. God made provision of everything Jesus ever needed for accomplishment of His will; in the same way; when we wholeheartedly follow in Jesus footsteps, we'll find that God will give everything that we need, whether material or emotional or psychological, or spiritual support for as also to do His will.

Jesus also every time He never sent one disciple but at least two. Thus we see that He longs to give us fellowship with like-minded brothers and sisters in Christ so that we can encourage each other and pray with each other as we serve the Lord. 

Jesus needs a young donkey. He also has need of you. You are of more value than the donkey.

They threw their garments on the colt for Jesus to ride and as they rode, they spread their garments along the way. When they came near Olives, the whole crowd begun shouting and praising the Lord for the miracles He did.

Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.

The characteristic of a heavenly life if peace and The Lord's glory upon a life. Fullness of joy and perfect peace. Do you know anything of this? No situation or circumstance can take away the peace and joy in a heavenly life. You can experience the heavenly life if you seek it. 

The Pharisees were irritated and asked Jesus to silence His disciples? Do you get irritated when you hear others shouting and praising the Lord? You a child of the Pharisees if you do.

Jesus answered if they became silent the stones would immediately cry out. God dwells in the praises of His people.

Jesus wept when he approached Jerusalem and said, if they had known the things that make for peace, but now they are hidden from you. The enemies would soon destroy the temple because they didn't know the time of their visitation.

What does Jesus say about you? Does He weep over you though you are His child because you have not known the way of peace? Has it been hidden from you? Are you always fighting and arguing and striving? There is a way of peace and you can experience the heavenly peace if you are able to recognise God's timing and you be where He wants you to be at each particular times and seasons doing what He wants you to do each time. Pray for the discernment of times and seasons like the children of Issachar who knew the times and understood what Israel ought to do. 1Chron 12:32.

Jesus entered the temple and drove out those who sold and said that His Fathers house is the house of prayer but it has been made a den of robbers.

Have you ever wondered why the merchants never got together to beat Jesus for destroying their business? They were giving the priests in the temple a certain percentage to be allowed to sell and thus they had the right to. They were not without permission. 

The reason is that God's authority was with Jesus as He spoke those words. His life matched what he preached and as He spoke, the consciences of the merchants were convicted and they knew they were wrong. 

There many times Jesus went to the temple and found them but didn't drive them out. The secret of Jesus was that He only preached what He had already practiced. Acts 1:1. If today's preachers practiced this, 80%percent of the sermons would have to be done away with. 

The other secret was that Jesus never did anything from His own initiative. He waited on the Father and only did what the Faith did or told Him to do. Jn 5:30

The other secret was that He only did what pleased the Father. Jn 8:29.

Do you want God's authority to back you up as you speak even in ordinary conversations? If you preach God's word, the most important thing in preaching is that God backs you up. Limit your sharing to only what you have practiced; seek to hear God's voice in everything and obey it promptly when know and only do what you know will please Him. That which you know you don't have to hide and you know that God can approve of and you can do it in fellowship with Jesus.

Jesus continued teaching in the temple daily and the church leaders and leaders of the people sought to destroy Him. They were jealous because they couldn't do what they did 

Are you jealous of someone who is better than you in a particular way? If yes you are a Pharisee. Repent. Why not rejoice with others and seek God.

They did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words.

It's sweet when God backs you up. The hearts of those listening to you will burn within them and you will be interesting, otherwise when God does not back you up, you'll be boring and no one will be longing to listen to you. Where do you stand. To which direction are you heading?

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LUKE 19:1-27. THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPELS

 

As Jesus was passing through Jericho, there was a chief tax collector who was rich who wanted to see Him. Since he was short he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see him for He was going that way. When Jesus came to that place He looked up. What made Him look rup? There was an impression from the Holy Spirit in His heart and the Holy Spirit told Jesus the man's name. Remember that when Jesus was on earth, He was fully human and had all our limitations. Heb 2:17. He entirely depended on the Holy Spirit for guidance and He always says unto us, "follow me". We must always seek to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and thus we'll be able to identify those in need in our circle of influence and we'll be able to help them.

Jesus told Zacchaeus to come down for He would be His guest. There was a hunger and thirst in Zacchaeus and that is why He he was willing to humble himself to climb a tree, just to see Jesus. He was a rich man and could have decided to write letter inviting Jesus to come to Him but his hunger could not allow him to be comfortable in his house.

How much cost are you willing to pay to see Jesus manifest Himself to you? Are you a diligent seeker? It's only those who seek Him diligently that find Him.

The fault-finders were present and begun to grumble that Jesus was a guest of a sinner. Jesus didn't explain himself to them or try to show them how the man was hungry for God not how the Holy Spirit led Him.

You don't have to always defend yourself to those who find faults with you when you are obeying God. Just obey God and leave them alone.

Zacchaeus stopped before entered his gate. The presence of Jesus was so strong and he was convicted of all he has cheated and taken advantage of. He remembered that it was a holy man who was going to enter his house which had been built with money he stole from poor people and took advantage of. He knew that He had to set those matters right. He told Jesus that He will restore four times everything he had stolen and give half of his wealth to the poor. He has taken advantage of some others who had died and since he had to set those matters right, he decided he cannot keep it in his house and thus had to clear that debt by giving to the poor since God is the owner of all things. When Jesus heard all this, He said that salvation had come in that house. What salvation came in that house? Salvation from the love of money. Unlike the rich young ruler we saw earlier, Jesus didn't tell Zacchaeus to sell everything he had but he was saved. Thus we see, it depends on how sick we are. Like cancer patients, the whole organ e.g a leg may have to be cut off completely or small part for complete healing to take place.

Zacchaeus was healed of his love of money. What about you; Have you gone to Jesus to seek Him to save you from the love of money? 

The love of money is the root of all evil. 1Tim 6:6-11, Heb 13:5.

Also settling matters right is called restitution. You have to restore what does not belong to you. If you have a debt, you have to repay it, if you had stolen something, you have to restore it, if you have wronged someone, you have to apologise, if you have taken advantage of someone, you have to apologise. Your repentance is incomplete if you don't settle matters right with people. Repentance must have fruit otherwise it's not real. _Luke 3:8._ You have to confess your sins, that is you don't blame others but take them as your sins, and then forsake them for you to find mercy. _Prov 28:13_ 

Saul also wept tears of repentance but afterwards continued pursuing David. 1Sam 24:17-23.

Pharaoh also was repenting everyday time there was a plague but afterwards didn't allow children of Israel to go. Exodus chapel 5 to chapter 13.

Jesus gave a parable of a noble man who went a far distance and called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas and told them to work with until He came. 

Each got one mina; each had equal opportunity and no one had advantage over the other since they were all equal. 

What is it that God has given us all equal? Is it healthy? No, some are healthy others are sick? Is it wealth? No, some are wealthy others are poor? Is it intelligence? Of course No. Is it opportunities and privileges, talents or abilities? Of course no? What is is that God has given equal to everyone? Time. Yeah everyone has 24hrs each day. No one has 23 or 25. In matters of time we are all equal. The productivity will depend on how wisely we use. One made a profit ten times, another five times another wasted it. We are responsible on how we use our time. The way you are today is as a result of how you have been using your time in the past and the little decisions you have been making everyday. There is nothing you can for the time lost but you can start now. You can know more of God and the scriptures if you dedicate yourself to it and give time, or you can waste it by finding out all the gossip in your neighbourhood and all the coming program in your *TV(Tell-lies-vision).* 

If you are faithful, you will hear one day, well done, good and faithful servant. 

It's good that the Lord expects also from us something we can all accomplish despite your background, abilities or talents. He only expects faithfulness and no one has an advantage over the other. It's not success, it's Faithfulness that God expects of us.

The one who buried His talent was rebuked and asked why He never gave it to the bankers and it would have given interest. Giving it to the bankers could be giving encouragement to those who are serving God. Instead of wasting your time, why not use it to encourage others instead.

He also had a wrong opinion of His master and that is why He buried his coin, that he wasted his time on earthly pursuits that has no eternal value. 

When you have a wrong understanding of God, you don't know Him as one who perfectly loves you, one who is all merciful and who is seeking your highest good in everything, you will not serve Him as you should. Have a right view of God. He is only seeking your highest good in everything he commands to do.

Will you be found faithful? If you are faithful now, more will be added to you.

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LUKE 18:31-43. THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPELS

 

Jesus began telling His disciples that what was written by the prophets must be fulfilled. He would be mocked, mistreated and spit on, and flogged and killed but on the third day He would rise again.

The disciples did not understand anything of what He said for it was hidden. In the same way when it comes to reading of the scriptures, it doesn't necessarily mean that because you are a disciple and have decided to wholeheartedly follow Jesus that you will understand what is written. You have to ask God to open your eyes so that you may behold the wonderful things in God's word. Ps 119:18. Paul also prays for the Ephesians christians that God may open the eyes of their hearts so that they may know the hope to which God called them and what a wonderful inheritance God got in them. Eph 1:18.

Seek God to open your eyes whenever you read your words. Don't trust your intelligence. It will misread you. Prov 3:5-7

You can use your intelligence when it concerns other things but when it comes to God's word, you must be like a babe for you to understand. A babe knows nothing and must be taught everything. When you come to Gods word with the humility, and innocence and purity and sincerity of a child, the God will give you revelation on His words, otherwise you will only get bright ideas from God's word.

The difference between revelation and bright ideas is that revelation changes your life practically but bright ideas are for sharing with others. Mathew 11:25-27

As He went on, He met a blind man who when he enquired what was going on, he was told Jesus was passing by and he cried out to Him. Many rebuked him and tried to silence him but he cried out the more asking for mercy. Jesus then called him and asked what he wanted. He asked for his eyes to be opened.

This is a parable of how we are to seek God to get revelation on His word. It's not just mere asking but with a determination and refusing to give up or to be silenced. We have to have an insatiable hunger to get more revelation on God's word on not what you hear from others. People told him it meant Jesus was passing. It's to say God words means this but we have to have a cry that our eyes be opened and our lives be transformed practically. Do you have such a hunger? Are you tired of the bible being like a closed book to you? Do you know it can become to you the most interesting book in the whole world if God opens your eyes? Don't be satisfied without getting the hidden treasures in God's word that can transform your life not just information to share with others.

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LUKE 18:15-30. THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPELS

 

The children were brought to Jesus and the disciples rebuked them but Jesus called them and said they should not be hindered to come to Him for the kingdom of heaven belong to such. Whoever does not receive the kingdom of heaven like a little child will not enter it at all.

Are you like a little child? The first thing about a little child is humility and sincerity. A little child doesn't have any grudge against anyone who caused it pain. A little child doesn't carry offence? It has no anger hidden in its heart against anyone. A little child doesn't despise other little children who live in lower standard, it plays with all without discrimination. Are you like a little child in your inner life or do you have a whitewash the outside making an impression to others that you are but in reality you are a hypocrite and proud? Ask God to make you like a little child because you will never enter Gods kingdom unless you are like a little child.

A rich young ruler asked Him what he must do to inherit the kingdom of heaven and Jesus asked Him whether he kept the commandments though He never mentioned the first four and the last of the ten commandments. The young man said he kept them and Jesus said he lacked one thing. He must go and sell all he has, give to the poor and have treasure in heaven and and come and follow Jesus.

Jesus looked at his heart and saw tremendous love of money and riches and the only way to cure him was to tell him to sell and give away everything He sold. He has said earlier that you cannot serve God and material wealth. Lk 16. He also had earlier given the conditions of discipleship in that you must sell all your possessions. Whatever you cling unto so tightly must be placed in open palm that you are ready to give up anytime. Lk 14.

The young man was very sad; he wasn't willing to pay such a price to follow Jesus. How much has it costed you to follow Jesus?

Jesus said it is had for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. Riches don't just include material wealth, but you can be rich intellectually, or in skills and abilities or in beauty, or your background and upbringing.... whatever area you are rich, it is not easy for the rich to enter Gods kingdom because with riches comes pride and arrogance and despising others who are not as rich as you or as skilled or as beautiful as or as knowledgeable as you. You must strip yourself of all pride and acknowledge that whatever you have, God has given you and therefore you have no reason to be proud or despise others who are not as rich as you. You must also learn to share with others who are not as privileged as you. 1Tim 6:17-19

The disciples asked Jesus who then can be saved. They didn't look at others but themselves and realised that they also were rich. They may not have been the richest in town but they were richer than many others.

When you hear about the rich, are you looking at others or are you looking at yourself and seeing the many ways God has made you richer than others? Jesus said that With God all things are possible, that is God is able to humble a rich person to be like a little child in humility.

He also promised those who left property and family for His sake will receive a hundred time in this world and eternal life in the world to come.

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LUKE 18:1-14. THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPELS

 

Jesus gave the parable of the widow and the unjust judge to teach us that we ought to pray always and not lose heart. The widow went continually to the judge who didn't fear God nor man to ask for legal protection from her enemy and after sometime the judge got tired of her and decided to give legal justice so that she won't weary him by her continuance coming. 

Jesus then asked whether He will find such kind of faith on earth.

Do you have such kind of faith that goes to God day and night asking for legal protection from our adversary the devil? Are there areas in your life that the devil have defeated you in which you know it is the work of the devil which he shouldn't legally occupy? Are you tired and going to the righteous judge day and night that you may have everything that Christ purchased for you on the cross? 

Have you become satisfied and allowed the devil to have some part of your life or do you continually seek God day and night that the devil will be driven out of your life? There is something more that Christ purchased for you on Calvary than you have already experienced. Search the scriptures and find everything that has been purchased for you and claim it in Jesus name. It's unfortunate that what many claim is not what God has promised and what God has promised we don't claim because we are blind. Search the scriptures especially the new testament; find out what the believers prayed for; what was their testimony; what did they major on; research!

Jesus gave a parable addressing those who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others.

A Pharisee and a tax collector went to the temple to pray. The Pharisee prayed to himself; he said in his heart; 

‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’

But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, *the sinner!’*

We see hear how pride comes in; it is in comparing ourselves with others. There will always be people who you are better than in this life. The Pharisee compared his righteousness with that of others and begun congratulating himself. His pride made him despise others who were not as righteous as He.

Does your righteousness make you despise others? Do you despise those who steal because you don't steal? Do you despise those who commit sexual immorality because you don't? Do you despise those who take advantage of others because you don't do it? Do you despise those who don't pay their tithes because you pay all your tithes? Do you despise others because there is an act of righteousness that you do which they don't do? You are a Pharisee and God will not listen to your prayers despite all your acts of righteousness. If your righteousness or holiness makes you despise those who don't have it; you are a Pharisee of the first order and all your prayers are in vain until you learn to humble yourself.

The reason there is so much pride in our righteousness is because right in the beginning of our christian life we are not convinced that we are worst of all sinners and we deserve to go to hell. We think that God accepted us because we are good people and thus we deceive ourselves.

Have there been a time in your life when you felt that you were the worst sinner in the whole world and that you deserve to go to hell? No. That's why you are a Pharisee. You are very far from God and you'll never experience what the bible calls true holiness until you realise that there is nothing good in your flesh and that you are the chief of all sinners 

Paul after walking with God faithfully for 30 years, having planted churches and written scriptures and did many miracles said that He is the chief of sinners. The present test. "I am the chief sinners for whom Christ died. Read 1Tim 1:15.

He was not referring to His past life otherwise he would have said, 'I was' but he said 'I am' at the present when writing to Timothy. Have you seen the depravity of your own flesh? Have you seen that there is no sin that you are not capable of doing? Have you seen the corruption in your own heart? 

You have lived so far from God. Draw nearly and see His holiness and majesty.

The tax collector said He was 'the sinner' (NASB). He was the greatest sinner in the whole world. 

Until you see the corruption in your own flesh, you will be proud and despise others. There will be no brokenness and humility in your life and if course there will be no compassion on sinners and you will be useless to God. 

Ask God to show you the corruption of your own flesh.

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LUKE 17:11-37. THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPELS

 

 

Jesus met 10 lepers who cried out to Him for healing. He told them to go to show themselves to the priests and as they were going they were cleansed and one of them returned to give thanks to Jesus. Jesus asked where the other nine were. The others were Jews but the one who returned to give glory to God was a Samaritan. Jesus said to him that his faith had saved him.

We learn hear faith is seen in obedience to the voice of Christ even when no signs are seen. They were not healed when they begun the journey but it was on their journey that they got healed of their leprosy. All ten were cleansed but 9 of them concentrated on being received back to their families and friends and therefore they have gone faster when they realised they were healed to the priests to receive permission to go back to their homes. Only one who decided to not go to the priests first but first to go back and give thanks for what the Lord had done for him. By going back he received something else that the other nine didn't receive, that is salvation. 

Many believers have the attitude of the nine lepers; it's easier to pray and ask God for something and when God does it, we don't remember to go back first of all to give thanks but we hurry to show ourselves to the priests and to give testimony to our family members and friends. 

We must have the attitude of the one leper who went back and said that giving his testimony to family and friends and being received back in church can wait, but I must first of all go back and give thanks to God. Whenever we make giving thanks to God a first priority, we always receive something more than we had asked.

Learn to give thanks not only to God, but also to people whenever they do even a small thing for you and you will receive more from God. The reason many people don't make progress in their spiritual lives is because they haven't learnt to say thank you to God and thank you to people. Never take anything for granted even if it's a little child who has done it for you. Learn to always say thank you and you will see that God will save you; that is, He will help you overcome things that you have been unable to overcome even until now.

Jesus said that the kingdom of God does not come with observations but it's in our midst.

The coming of the Son of man will be like lightning in the sky, therefore don't believe it when people say look here or there....but He must suffer and be rejected in His generation.

The coming of the son of man will be like the days of Noah and Lot. It's interesting that what Jesus mentioned is not about the sexual immorality that filled those days but He mentioned the normal preoccupation of everyday. Eating and drinking. Getting married and giving in marriage. Buying and selling. Planting and building. 

This is what will be going on when Jesus comes again.

This is to teach that in whatever we do, we must always be ready for the coming of the Lord and keep our garments unspotted but always wasted in the blood of the lamb.

Remember Lot's wife. Don't be attached to anything you have left behind but be occupied with Christ and what lies ahead. 

If you seek to save your life, you will lose it. This is to say, if you don't want to crucify your self-life, but seek to preserve it, you will lose it but on the other hand you decide to lose your self-life by dying to your own will, and your own ways, and desires and choosing Gods will His ways and desires, you will save yourself. There will be two doing the same thing, one will be taken, the other will be left. One who was walking the way of the cross will be taken and the other who was not walking the way of death to our self life will be left even if both were doing the same thing or activities.

Wherever a carcass is, the vultures will be attracted to it; in the same way, just like Jesus walked the way of saying no to His own will and always Yes to the will of God throughout His earthly life, He will only be attracted to those who in their earthly life are seeking to live the same way He lived.

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LUKE 17:1-10. THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPELS

 

Jesus said that stumbling blocks in the Christian life will always be there. 

There will always be people to offend you and tempt you to sin. You cannot escape from this so the best thing is to learn how to overcome. For you to finish your Christian race well you must overcome offenses and temptations to sin. Thanks be to God because we have an example before us and He is also out elder brother. He was tempted in every way that we get tempted but He never sinned. There is no temptation we will ever face in this life which our elder brother never faced and overcame. He was made like us in every way so that He can be our forerunner; that is He run the same race that we are running and finished. He will also never allow us to be tempted beyond our ability but will always make a way of escape so that we can overcome every temptation. The way of overcoming is going boldly to the throne of grace to seek for mercy and grace to help us overcome every trial. Read Heb 2:17,4:15-16, 12:1-4, 1 Cor 10:14.

He also said woe to those who are a source of temptation to others. 

Are you a blessing or a source of temptation? Is the way you speak a blessing or a source of temptation? Is the way you behave and live a blessing or a stumbling block to younger brothers and sisters in Christ? Is the way you dress as a sister a source of temptation to the brothers in Christ?

If you are a stumbling block to others, Jesus says it is better for you tie a heavy milestone around your neck, and be throne in the deepest part of the sea. In others words God detests those who lead others to sin because they are consciously or unconsciously working with the devil.

Be on guard! If a brother sins against you, rebuke Him, if he repents forgive him. If he sins against you and asks for forgiveness seven times, forgive him. The disciples asked the Lord to increase their faith but He said if they had a little faith lije that of a mustard seed, they would say to this mountain of unforgiveness to be uprooted and throne in the sea. Is unforgiveness a mountain to you? Are you unable to forgive those who have sinned against you. Had bitterness become a Goliath that you are unable to conquer? You don't have to be a slave to unforgiveness and bitterness. You can overcome it in the name of the Lord. Refuse to be tied down but what people did or said against you and let it go. Chose not to dwell there. Be taken up by what the Lord has done for you and how good He has been to you. 

We are told to run the race fixing our eyes on Jesus? Don't look to the left to see people who who offend. Don't concentrate on that. Don't look to the right to your situations and circumstances. Don't look back to see how much you have overcome and your past failures and successes. Fix your eyes on Jesus and you will realise that the giant of unforginess and bitterness is bread for you to eat. Your heart will be free and at rest. Num 14:8-9

When you have a servant, when you come from office you sit down and tell them to serve you even if they have been working the whole day. It is only afterwards that you tell them to eat. You don't thank Him for doing what they are supposed to do.

In the same way, when you have obeyed God in everything, say we are unworthy or unprofitable servant and we have done what we ought to have done.

The purpose of these bible studies is to teach us to do everything that Jesus commanded us as He commissioned His disciples in Mat 28:20.

Have you obeyed everything that Jesus has commanded yet? When you have obeyed everything that Jesus has commanded us, you are to say, you are an unworthy servant. Many are already proud that they have obeyed God more than others and therefore inwardly desire recognition and respect. What recognition and respect does an unworthy servant require? None. Unworthy servants are not offended by what you do or not do for them. Do you get offended? It's because you think you are worthy of something, maybe respect or honour. 

After you have obeyed God 100%, you are unworthy servant. You have not even obeyed 10% and you think you are a very important person who have to be given position, respect and honour because of what you have done for the Lord, and how you have obeyed Him and walked with Him?

The more you walk with God, the humbler you will become and the less you will be offended and the less you will make demands on others because you realise you are unworthy. You are unworthy of even the least of God's Mercies. It's easier to say that but if you truly believe so, you will not get offended when someone fails to do something, and you will be less demanding on others. The more you will be contented.

In your Christian journey so far as you continue seeking to please God and obey Him in everything, are you feeling more worthy than others who are not as wholehearted as you are or are you feeling you are worthy? 

Is your progress in pride or in humility?

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LUKE 16:16-31. THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPELS

 

The kingdom of God is being preached and everyone forces His way into it.

It's not a smooth path to God's kingdom. It's a lifetime of self denial. There are many forces which we have to overcome. We must only look ahead. These race we run fixing our eyes on Jesus. Don't look on this side at your circumstances, you'll sink like Peter if you do. Don't look on the other side on people. NEVER COMPARE YOURSELF WITH OTHERS. YOU'LL COOK OFF AND BECOME PROUD IN YOUR ZEAL IF YOU HAVE MADE PROGRESS MORE THAN THEM, YOU'LL BE DISCOURAGED IF THEY HAVE MADE PROGRESS MORE THAN YOU. Only compare yourself with Jesus. He will never discourage you but will always call you higher and you'll never cool off in your zeal. You will always see that there is still much of God's kingdom to be possessed and thus you'll never cool off in your zeal.

Heaven and earth will pass away but Even the smallest thing in the law will be fulfilled.

a man who divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery. And anyone who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.

Jesus gave the story of the rich man and Lazarus. Many think it's a parable but it is something real that happened. The reason is not a parable because because Jesus gave the name of Lazarus. In all parables, Jesus never used the name of a man.

The reason Jesus never gave the name of the rich man is he was well known and his family members were probably there and the Pharisees who conducted his burial and told the people that he went to heaven were there.

Lazarus was poor and covered with sores and stayed at the rich man's gate desiring to eat from what fell from the table. The rich man feasted every day.

Both died. Lazarus went to heaven and the rich man went to hell. He being in torment, lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham and asked him to send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and cool off his tongue. We don't value a drop of water but to those in hell, they are willing to give up everything for just one drop of water. 

The interesting thing is that Abraham called him son. He was a child of Abraham but in hell. He reminded him how he lived. That must have added to his pain. 

Everyone in hell remembers every sermon they have ever heard in their life, every warning they had in their conscience, every opportunity they had to repent but couldn't humble themselves,....

He also said there was a gulf between them and none could go to the other side.

He the asked that Abraham send Lazarus to his father's house to warn his brothers to repent so that they wouldn't end up in hell.

Those in hell know the reason they are there; they don't justify themselves. They agree that God's judgement on them is righteous. They know it's because they never repented from their sins.

Here is a message from hell. Listening to it. You don't need someone to warn you about hell who has been raised from the dead. You have your bible. Read it. If you don't believe the warnings written in your bible, Even if someone raises from the dead who you attended their burial tells you about the reality of heaven and hell, you will not believe.

Abraham and those in paradise are saying to you; read your bible and believe what is written.

Those in hell are saying to you, repent and stop sinning so that you don't join them when you die...

Isn't it amazing how the devil has sidetracked most preachers. The message of repentance and turning away from sin is rarely preacher. What we hear is that God will bless you materially, houses and lands and health. It's good, but it doesn't mean that God is pleased with you if he blesses you materially. Just look around you and you see those who are richer and more healthier than you? Can you honestly say that God is pleased with them and that is why He has made them richer that you? Of course no. It just means that God is good to everyone, whether they are good or evil. Nothing more, nothing less, nothing else. Ps 145:9, Mat 5:45

The mark of God's blessing on his children must be something that he does only to them and not to the others in the world; and that is they are growing to be more Christlike every moment. God is showing them areas in their lives where they are not like Christ leading them to repentance and the Holy Spirit transforming them into that same image from glory to glory. 2Cor 3:18

Today paradise is not under the earth but in heaven. Paul says that he was caught UP in paradise. 2Cor 12:4

In the last judgment those in hell and Even hel itself will be thrown in the lake of fire. Rev 20:13-14

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