Luke 11:14-20

Luke 11:14-20 Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. But some of them said, “By Beelzebub, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.” Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven. Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebub. Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you."

Exodus 8:19 The magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart was hard and he would not listen, just as the LORD had said.

The crowd was amazed, for Jesus had great power over demons. This power, of course, was one sign of his messiahship: So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor." (Luke 7:22) Jesus substantiated his claim of divinity by not only casting out demons, but by performing other miracles too. In the Old Testament, Moses performed miracles to prove he was God's messenger, doing the will of God. In both Jesus and Moses' situations, their primary mission was to release people from bondage. Pharaoh, a type of the devil, had to release the Jews from his control after God dealt with him. Likewise, the demons in the New Testament relinquished their hold on people after Jesus' fingers touched them. Moses was a representative of the finger of God, and Jesus IS THE FINGER OF GOD. God's touch destroys the power of the devil.

In the time of Moses and in Jesus' time, there were people who doubted whether the miracles they saw were done by God, or even whether they were supernatural. Pharaoh's magicians imitated some of the miracles to prove that they were not that unusual, and in Jesus' day, there were Jews who exorcised demons. The question for some of the Jews observing Jesus was, are these miracles done by the evil one as in the days of Pharaoh and his magicians or are they done by God? Jesus addresses this concern by telling the people that Beelzebub does not release people from his control. If he did, his kingdom would not stand; there would be no kingdom. He cannot destroy his kingdom and build his kingdom at the same time. A kingdom divided, without a uniform plan and purpose, cannot stand. Therefore, these miracles are done by God.

Is God's finger of miracles active in our lives? Is Christ doing a work of reformation in us? Are we allowing him to cast out the old demons, the old ways of living, the old compulsions? Are we allowing him to build a secure house on a solid foundation of faith and trust? We need his restoring hand in our lives daily. We need his cleansing, his influence, his strength. If we claim our lives are perfect, we cannot go any farther than we have gone already. But if we accept that we need further cleansing, further renewal, we have no limits to our spiritual vitality, no limits to the miracles we will see in our lives. But if we fool around with the devil and the things of the world, our kingdom, our house, will not stand, for we will undermine God's work in us.

A Christian cannot be a prostitute and God's child. We cannot serve sin and God simultaneously. We cannot cling to this world, and maintain our heavenly citizenship. A kingdom divided will not stand. We must commit to God or we will be committed to mammon (the world). Jesus says we cannot serve two masters and expect that kingdom to stand. Therefore, my Christian friend, child in God's kingdom, cling to Jesus and put away frivolous and harmful desires and activities. God desires your allegiance and will cause you to endure to the end as you place your faith and trust in him.

Luke 11:5-13

Luke 11:5-13 Then he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.’ “Then the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man’s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs. “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Ask, seek, and knock are still the axioms of prayer. They are foundational in everyone's prayer life, but they are not a panacea to all of life's ills. Praying people also experience the vicissitudes of life, including death. The age-old question remains, how could a loving God allow his "friends" (us) to get sick, to die, to have trouble in life? Isn't He the friend who will get up and answer the request of a persistent friend? Isn't God good? Of course the answer is, yes, He is good, and yes, He is the friend who answers requests.

God loves us with an everlasting love, but if that is true, what about the above scriptures and their meaning? First of all, God gives the Holy Spirit to anyone who asks for him. He is the GOOD FATHER, and his will is that all have the Holy Spirit in their lives as the great Comforter, the one who connects us directly to heaven. Secondly, God answers every prayer, but in his context, not necessarily our context. He views this struggle of human existence in its eternal, celestial context, not in a temporal, terrestrial light. He focuses on our eternal status and on the destiny of those around us.

Christians should pray about everything, asking, seeking, and knocking for answers to our concerns. But we should understand and accept that everything doesn't always happen according to our will, our desires. At these difficult times when God does not answer our prayers as we want, we need to maintain a strong faith. History reveals life has not been smooth for the followers of Christ. The church faced persecution from the very beginning when unbelievers mistreated the apostles and even killed most of them. Jesus told his followers, In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33) Yet, we still must pray about everything.

WE DEFINITELY ARE NOT FATALISTIC. We do not ascribe to the philosophy that God has a plan in place, and we cannot do anything except accept God's will. God's will is that as thinking, breathing human beings, we do everything possible to correct a situation: go to the doctor, work harder to pay our bills, doing what is necessary and right. OUR FAITH IS ACTIVE. Paul advised Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach's sake. We always pray with faith, but we also put feet to our prayers. James said, show me your faith by your works. We do not sit back and ignore needs while saying, "God, you solve my problems." No, we have a proactive role in solving problems. We go to professionals if we are sick or in need of advice, and we help others who need us. We do whatever necessary to provide solutions to life's problems. We do not sit on our hands, that is NOT FAITH.

How many times has God provided the right medical advice for you, the right job, the right answer to a problem? Many times, of course. We read in 2 Corinthians, chapter 12, that Paul prayed three times for deliverance from a thorn in the flesh. His prayers were not answered the way he wanted, but God inspired him to rejoice in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. He gave his problems back to God when he could find no solution for them, believing God's strength would be made perfect in his weaknesses. He gave them back to God for his glory with faith that God would work out what was best for his life. Paul prayed constantly, and so should we. We should ask, seek, and knock, but if the answer does not come as we desire, we must accept that God will answer our prayers according to his will, FOR HE IS A GOOD GOD AND YOU ARE HIS BELOVED.

Luke 11:1-4

Luke 11:1-4 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”

Luke 11:1-4 And it came about that he was in prayer in a certain place, and when he came to an end, one of his disciples said to him, Lord, will you give us teaching about prayer, as John did to his disciples? And he said to them, When you say your prayers, say, Father, may your name be kept holy and your kingdom come. Give us every day bread for our needs. May we have forgiveness for our sins, as we make free all those who are in debt to us. And let us not be put to the test.

The Lord's prayer is a simple, short prayer of faith, a prayer that recognizes the authority of God. His prayer is sometimes a prayer we don't want to say, for we want much more out of life. We don't want bread alone; we want a house too and all of the amenities of life. We don't want Jesus saying to us, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven roosting-places; but the Son of man has not where he may lay his head (Matthew 8:20). When we sign up to follow him, we find it difficult to accept the small print at the bottom of the contract, to read that this world is not our home and we should not love anything in it. I struggle with that part of the contract. I like to read the larger print on salvation and joy. I linger on the lines where Jesus says, I will do whatever you ask in my name (John 14:13), and I underline several times the verses on eternal life and my inheritance in heaven. But the aspect of soldiering forward--following God regardless of the circumstances, being a servant to all, and expecting nothing from this world--is a little hard to take.

Now the part in the prayer on forgiving people so we might be forgiven by God sometimes seems even more difficult than being satisfied with what we have. We tend to forgive who we want, which actually establishes our kingdom here rather than God's kingdom. People who have been hurt greatly often find it hard to forgive, but unconditional forgiveness is a directive from God. Some people refuse to forgive God for happenings in their lives, blaming him and holding bitterness towards him for the horrible experiences they have endured. Some lash out, even wishing they had never been born. But God asks all of us to forgive, if not in our hearts, with our mouths, by obedience alone in faith. When we forgive in this way, we must ask the Holy Spirit to make it real in our spirits. This act of faith is similar to how we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior: we confessed faith in him with our mouths, and then we trusted God to make our salvation real in our hearts. Both forgiving others and accepting Jesus are steps of faith. Harsh memories might still trouble us, but they dim as we accept God's forgiveness and forgive others for their sins against us.

Has our faith been put to the test? Sometimes. We may have a chronic illness or other circumstances beyond our control or perhaps our lives as not at all smooth with trouble inhabiting our households. Jesus understood the difficulties of life that most of us would face. As He taught his disciples the Lord's prayer, He knew each of them would be put to the test in the immediate future. He also knew they would all abandon him at the cross, fleeing for their lives, even Peter, the brave-heart. He knew after his departure, many of them would lose their lives and all of them would face persecution. What then is Jesus truly saying as he prays, let us not be put to the test? He asks us not to allow the vicissitudes of life to overwhelm us and to pray that God will hold us permanently in his arms.

The brevity of this prayer amazes me, but I have come to realize the Lord's Prayer epitomizes a FAITH PRAYER. This prayer emphatically acknowledges God's control, that He knows who we are, understands our needs, and will keep us; yet He demands certain faith steps from us. Sometimes as I listen to our prayers, we sound like the wailing of the lost, desperately flailing about in our attempts to reach God. We try to make God come to our aid, not even believing He is listening to us or that He is in control of our lives, trying to convince him with our many words that He should intervene for us. In contrast, The Lord's Prayer is direct and simple: holy are you, we place our concerns in your hands, let your will be done as it is in heaven, help us to forgive as you forgive, and keep us forever. WHAT A PRAYER OF FAITH THAT IS! By faith, trusting that God is in control, let us all say, Amen!

Luke 10:39-42

Luke 10:39-42 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Sometimes we forget that in this story, Martha was serving Jesus by preparing for him. She was probably older than Mary and therefore had the primary responsibility of preparing for guests. She was looking after Jesus' needs by doing all the preparations that had to be made. She was not ignoring Jesus; she was focused on the situation at hand. Then why did Jesus say, Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed? Is Jesus wrong in reprimanding Martha for her complaining? Isn't a servant to the Lord worthy of respect? Yes, a servant is worthy of respect in every way, but Jesus reminded Martha that when the bridegroom is in the room, the people rejoice. Being in his physical presence is more important than any other activity to be performed. Therefore, Mary had chosen the better way.

Some people have used this scripture to put aside their daily responsibilities. The early church had trouble with people being idle or not working. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:6 & 10) Today's passage dealing with Mary and Martha does not say for us not to work, but it does infer that being in Jesus' presence is better than any other activity. After Jesus departed from this earth, He sent the Holy Spirit to abide within us. We are now always in his presence, for He is in us, even when we perform our temporal responsibilities. Yet the Lord still expects us to fellowship with him and to allow him to meet with us by setting aside time for him.

Martha was not wrong in fulfilling her domestic responsibilities, but Jesus wanted her to know that being with him is more important than any duty or activity. This is true in our lives: being with Jesus in our homes or at work, singing his songs, praising his name, and just talking to him is more profitable for our eternal souls than anything else we do. However, living in The Spirit is not closeting ourselves off from the world and shirking our duties in life, for God is now with us wherever we go. He is always at our call, even at our very mouths. Because of him, we can hear his voice, speak his words, do his actions at any time we so desire.

Paul worked to provide for his ministry. He said I am an example for you. His ministry set the Gentile world aflame with God's presence. We should do likewise. We should covet the presence of God at all times, but we should also put feet and effort to meeting the demands of our lives. We need to get up each morning and work, fulfill our daily responsibilities with fervor. We work for Jesus by being good citizens, workers, servants, and family members. Yes, we might find ourselves in the kitchen alone as Martha found herself, but we will not truly be alone, for the Holy Spirit abides in us, and we will be in his presence.

Luke 10:30-37

Luke 10:30-37 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

In this amazing story, Jesus describes the qualities of a good neighbor or friend in more detail than most of us want to know. But He is not talking about loving a friend; he is talking about loving your enemy. Jesus says the Samaritan saw trouble and went to investigate the situation. He went to him. Sometimes I see trouble and I try to ignore it, to avoid it. I am sure people who are chronically or terminally ill experience this type of attitude often from their acquaintances and friends. At a distance they breathe a prayer for the sick person and then settle back in the recliner and think of something else. The first two upright Jewish men in this story passed by on the other side of life. Then the Samaritan not only goes to the desperate man, he also bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine.

This event is starting to get expensive. For many of us, when cost appears on the table, we start thinking about how our actions will affect our livelihood, our way of living. Yet the Samaritan goes beyond cost as he begins taking care of the physical needs of this Jewish man who would have despised him. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. He was not merely involved with his means; he became involved with his presence and physical strength. He willingly expended himself entirely. He does not abandon the battered man, telling him, I will whisper a prayer for you tonight when I am home in my friendly surroundings. No, he helps the injured man, pays for his care, and tells the innkeeper, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have. He would remember this man and provide for him until he was well. No whispered prayer here, no brief involvement and then forget the need. No, the Samaritan committed to finishing the deed by making sure the Jewish man received the care he needed. Jesus uses this story to show us what it means to love your neighbor as yourself, to love your enemies.

How can we love our enemies, those who despise us, as Jesus' words suggest? In the flesh, with our human frailties, impossible. In the Spirit, with Christ's love, possible. The Bible indicates while we were yet sinners, enemies of God, He loved us, sent his Son to die for us. Christ became a servant to all: rich or poor, sick or well, enemy or friend. He sought all of us as members of the household of God. The worst killer or thief among us He sought. The grumpiest alcoholic He sought. The biggest liar in the world He sought. HE SOUGHT ME, HE SOUGHT YOU. From God's perspective all are equal, all have sinned. Any sin puts us at the bottom of the barrel, for sin is a cancer that God will not tolerate in his family. In God's eyes, we might as well be the worst killer, thief, alcoholic, or liar, for no waywardness is tolerated in his kingdom.

Sin is sin and will never pass the test of holiness. God always detects sin, yet He loves us totally and unreservedly. He comes to us as the Samaritan did. He gives us drink and food, expending himself to ensure our care. He does all that for us, and then He gives us the Holy Spirit so we might learn to love others as He has loved us. The Bible says obedience is better than sacrifice (religious offerings). Jesus calls all of us to be as the Samaritan, to be examples of Jesus Christ in a needy world. People from the world might avoid our church services, but they will see us if we stop by the side of the road and give aid to the desperate, the hurting. Let us be so alive and overflowing with God's love that we gladly give our time, energy, and means to serving others. Then we will be the light and salt of the earth that Christ calls us to be. Today, arise, shine, and give God the glory!

Luke 10:25-28

Luke 10:25-28 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

This scripture alone reveals clearly to all human beings why they cannot inherit eternal life on their own. AS frail, sinful beings, we sometimes find it difficult even to love our friends and families. God alone loves unyieldingly, stubbornly, lavishly. As humans we have difficulty loving God or anyone consistently, even ourselves. Perhaps an indifferent, dispassionate person could love others as he or she loves himself or herself, yet if this person existed, we might judge him or her as emotionally detached or even mentally ill. For the rest of us, serving food to the indigent, working for the sick and the hurting, caring for the widows or orphans, and the like does not satisfy the demands Jesus places on humans in these verses. He asks us to be instruments of love regardless of our circumstances or the vicissitudes of life. This love is far beyond human capabilities outside of Christ.

We know from scripture that even the most spiritual in Christ's time had trouble with such a demand. Peter cuts off the ear of the high priest's servant when the rabble comes to arrest Jesus. Paul becomes exasperated when his followers forsake him, and he expresses anxiety and fear about threats on his life, about ravenous wolves coming to destroy the flock after he is gone. He might even have wanted to destroy the wolves before they had an opportunity to destroy the flock. Love of ones enemies is not always easy. Subsequent to this passage, Jesus tells the good Samaritan story. This passage put the smug Pharisees in their place, for they believed it was possible to inherit eternal life by doing good. But Jesus tells a story about the "despised" Samaritan who goes out of his way to save a Jewish man's life. Of course the Pharisees would not even enter a Samaritan's house, let alone save him, for a Samaritan was not considered their neighbor. As we tend to do with our personal enemies, they viewed the Samaritan as off limits to such unreciprocated and unconditional love.

Even today, on Christmas, many Christians will experience trouble talking to their spouses or children because they have bitter, angry feelings harbored against them. Yet we see Jesus saying to love our God, our neighbor, and our family. He asks us never to feel bitter or angry at God or others, never to complain about our lot in life or about people's reactions to us. Love should supersede every emotion, every problem. I doubt there are very many saints out there reading this breakfast. In fact, the Bible indicates no one is without sin, NOT ONE PERSON. We all fail to be perfect although Jesus commanded us: Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48) If any passage of scripture should drive us to our knees, pleading for mercy, today's passage should do just that. We are not as loving as we suppose. In many situations, we are invariably self-oriented, looking out for number one. If we view ourselves as self-effacing and caring all the time, we probably are not assessing correctly our reactions to difficult situations, especially when people wound us or take advantage of us and we lose our joy.

Does our joy disappear with an undeserved traffic ticket or when we are cut off on the highway? Are we perfect then? Jesus clearly points out the imperfections of the sanctimonious Pharisees, revealing they never will be perfect and therefore will fall short of eternal life. What then for us? ON THIS GLORIOUS CHRISTMAS MORNING, WE KNOW JESUS CAME TO SAVE HUMANS, TO TAKE AWAY THEIR IMPERFECTIONS, AND TO MAKE THEM RIGHT WITH GOD. JESUS CAME TO DELIVER MANKIND FROM SIN AND TO BRING HARMONY BACK TO THE UNIVERSE. Unlimited love, obdurant love, HIS LOVE, binds everything together and brings peace to a fallen world. Without his love, we are back to Genesis 1:1 where the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep. But Jesus came to restore, to revive, to create new heavenly bound creatures, who are IN HIM and because OF HIM can love with his unreserved love. As his body, our mission is to love the world as He loves the world; that is our calling. Yes, we may fail often, but because Christ is in us and we are IN HIM, we can bestow eternal gifts today: peace, grace, mercy, and love, for Christ was born and lives forever in our hearts. As Jesus says, Freely you have received, freely give. (Matthew 10:8)

Luke 10:22-24

Luke 10:22-24 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

In the above passage, Jesus reveals very clearly HE IS THE SON OF GOD. Many different people throughout the ages have claimed they were divine, for sure many rulers and "holy men" have claimed that, but Jesus' works and miracles revealed that He was different from all other men. By performing miracles and showing the nature of God, He validated his claim that ALL THINGS HAVE BEEN COMMITTED TO ME BY MY FATHER. His claim of being from the Father and his divinity were backed up by the phenomenal things He did and by the wisdom and power of the words He spoke. As God is a creator so was Jesus in Israel. Jesus did not create with his hands and knowledge as man does; He created with his words alone as the Father God does: And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Jesus proved He was from the Father by doing likewise. Therefore, if we believe in Jesus, we know the God who created all things.

We must hear and believe the words of Jesus, for they are words of life, creating new life. Now in the ancient cultures before people transcribed every action and word on paper, people were adept at orally recounting events and words as they actually happened. Therefore, we can trust that the Biblical account of Jesus is accurate. Jesus did do miracles that no one has ever done. His ministry also displayed an unsurpassed love for humans. He even went to the cross for his enemies, those who rejected and despised him. All of this reveals that He was God incarnate, and his mission was to redeem mankind to God. Through Christ and in Christ, sons and daughters for God are birthed into existence.

This is the redemptive story, and the cross was necessary to seal this new covenant, for only the blood of Christ shed on the cross could wash away sins, cleanse our souls, and keep us from the judgment of God by making us holy. Because of Jesus, we who were once far away are brought into the household of God. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call. (Acts 2:39) Even here on Earth, we are known as THE BODY OF CHRIST. We who were once alone in a cold and indifferent universe, now know the Creator is with us and we will never be alone again. This is what the prophets and kings wanted to see and hear, but they did not see it nor hear it. But we believers continuously hear this "good news," for belief in Christ has brought the Spirit of God to us. Jesus said, "I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." (John 16:7) His abiding presence means daily we hear his quiet, still voice, "Son, daughter, I am here. You are not alone, caught in the meaninglessness of life. I am here and I will NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU FOR YOU ARE MINE."

Luke 10:17-21

Luke 10:17-21 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

The seventy-two returned to Jesus triumphantly. They had seen the sick cured, the demoniac delivered, and the brokenhearted healed. They had seen God's power displayed openly through their prayers and words. “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” They were emotionally on top of the world. Jesus rejoices with them by exclaiming that he saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Jesus knew Satan's absolute power over mankind had been broken and would never be the same. Jesus also rejoiced because this power over Satan did not come at the hands of the learned, the wise, the elite of the world; it came through the unlearned, the simple, the powerless. “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children."

If the learned and wise had performed these marvelous works, then the power of God would have come through those with special knowledge, wisdom, and status, those who could afford a good education and who had authority with men. Then, these miraculous acts of God would be attributed to man and not to God alone. The miracles would probably be classified as a result of man's ability to use God's power, the outcome of works and not of grace. But God's work is a free gift, given to those of faith. Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:9)

Are we trying to win the world by being wise and knowledgeable or are we people of faith full of God's power? Do we trust in Jesus' name or are we people who trust in our own wisdom, knowledge, and insight? In which kingdom do we truly abide? The devil fell from his place of power not because of mankind's ability or insight: he fell because of the power and authority in Jesus' name. The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. (Isaiah 61:1)

Messiah has come! We who put our complete trust and energy in him will do marvelous works, for we are his instruments of grace and goodness to a world that is controlled by the vipers of the devil. We are the light of the world, the salt of the earth. As Paul told the Philippians, we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. So today, soldiers of the cross, shore up your faith, put your trust in him, and marvel at his greatest work that you are his and your name is written in heaven.

Luke 10:10-16

Luke 10:10-16 But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say,‘Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.’ I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. “Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. “He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

Hear ye him is the message of the New Testament. “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” (Luke 9:35) When we represent Jesus and tell people about him, we are feeding them the WORD OF LIFE. If they reject the WORD OF LIFE, they will be like Korazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, under great judgment. There is no halfway house in God. Either we receive the Word wholeheartedly or we have rejected it. If we don't live for Christ with our whole heart, we have rejected him. We are not name-plate Christians, taking the name, but not living it. Christianity is leaning on Jesus and his revelation with every ounce of our strength.

Many will reject the message of Christ because it is nonsense to them. To them it's provincial and does not consider what the world is really like with its differing cultures and beliefs. To them Christianity is but a religion of the ignorant, the low caste. Disbelievers usually view life as a happenstance, a random accident, a statistical aberration, an evolutionary phenomenon. But to Christians, life is a planned environment, created by God for an eternal purpose: to produce sons and daughters in God's family by faith. To those who are name-plate Christians, who sorta believe, Christianity is often earning your way to heaven by doing good or by being better than other people.

As a drunk, I might say that I am not as bad as the drunk down the street; therefore, God should accept me. To those who skew the gospel, people have to earn God's acceptance. To believers, acceptance is a product of faith in Christ and HIS WORKS, not our own. To the world in general, godliness or goodness comes from doing good, but to Christians, godliness comes from Christ. For us, goodness derives not from keeping our plate clean from sin, but from depending entirely upon the ever flowing blood of Jesus Christ that cleanses and keeps cleansing us from all sin. In the final analysis, for the world, life is basically eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die, but for us Christians, life is doing the Father's will: loving him with all our heart and others as ourselves, even our enemies.

Many around us have no time for Christ. They might take his name, but outside of attending a few traditional services during the year, they tend to lock Christ out of their lives. But either at their death or when Jesus returns, they will see God. Then they will lack words of defense for the way they have lived their lives. God will expose their every sin: every harsh word will resound anew; every unkind action will face the light. Sadly, the throne of judgment is too late for repentance, for the just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:17) At the judgment seat, God will deal with sin and its consequences. He will deal with the doubters, the rejecters, and the blasphemers of his dear Son. Jesus says, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. These places were destroyed by fire. God is not a liar: what He says will be done.

Therefore, pray that those who reject our Christian testimony or the Christ in us might see the light. Pray they will follow Christ wholeheartedly, allowing his words to penetrate their inner being. Pray, for outside of Christ only judgment remains. Today is the day to accept his provision, to live a life hidden with Christ in God, to share the gospel message with those who do not know him or who have strayed from the truth.

Luke 10:1-9

Luke 10:1-9 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.’

The kingdom of God is not eat and drink. If you have plenty to eat and drink and a wonderful place to lay your head but do not have the presence of the Lord, you have nothing. In the above scriptures, Jesus directs his disciples to go out, heal, and minister the message, The kingdom of God is near you. The kingdom of God is near because Jesus the Lord is near: He is the kingdom. If we find ourselves IN HIM, we are in God's kingdom. Jesus came to us so the kingdom of God could come to man. Trying to bring the kingdom of God to Earth without Jesus is impossible, for a kingdom is where the king reigns, abides. The kingdom of God is where sin is absent and God is the absolute authority.

How can He reign in a sinful, rebellious people? He reigns through the work of the cross, which brings a right relationship with God. At the cross we died WITH HIM, and at the tomb we were raised IN HIM. Through this transformation, we are new creatures with the Spirit of God within us. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. (John 14:17-18) Jesus promised never to leave us nor forsake us because He is in us and has established his kingdom within us. WE ARE HIS, BOUGHT AND TRANSFORMED BY A HEAVY PRICE, WHICH IS JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED.

This is the message the disciples would preach eventually, but in this passage, they were to bless and heal people, performing miracles to deliver the message that the kingdom of God is near. They were not to profit from their ministry. They were to eat and drink whatever was set before them while staying in the first house they entered, not seeking a better lodging. The Lord Jesus did not want anything, especially human inclinations, to get in the way of his message. The disciples were not to look around for more of this earthly domain.

Many of us make life about human attainments and possessions. We consider out lives successful if we have more. Jesus did not want the disciples in this mode of thinking, for all that is seen, touched, and even heard is not important because in time it will pass away. Only the God's Word is eternal. This earth might whirl out of its orbit and hit the sun or our bones and flesh might decay in the grave, but that will not matter to the child of God, for his kingdom of the spirit still exists. God's kingdom existed before the heavens and the earth and will remain afterwards. God is the only permanency of life: in him we are eternal beings.

Jesus directed the disciples not to seek nor to possess what could make their lives better. They were to depend completely on the One who is eternal. They were to live as if they were already within his kingdom. This life requires faith, and because of their faith in the authority of God, they came back to Jesus, saying, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven." (vs. 17 & 18) Yes, Satan fell, for he lost his authority over men. These men were working in an arena of faith, in the kingdom of God, where the devil has no authority. He fell, losing his hold on mankind, because men and women who live by faith are already within the kingdom of God. Safe in Christ, we are ready and able to do his will.

Luke 10:1-4

Luke 10:1-4 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

Mark 18:15-16 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

How many of us have heard, Go! I am sending you out? I have made YOU the light and salt of the world. I have placed my giftings, my message in you. I have chosen you to carry out my will! All Christians should have heard that message, received that commission, for all of us have been transformed to do God's will. All of us have a divine purpose, a mission to accomplish. If we fail to recognize our divine purpose, our lives will be lost in the mundaneness of life. We will be like the disciples who tarry on the road: do not greet anyone on the road.

Primarily, our lives must be focused on God and his purposes. This doesn't mean that we shirk our daily routines or duties, but it does mean that we always seek to do his will, work in his harvest field, and fulfill our Godly role. We should be close enough to God to hear his voice, for He desires to use us, needs to use us. He will not reveal himself from heaven as the moon shining down on us. His face will not appear in the clouds. Rather, He manifests himself on Earth through his body, through us. But if we are not sensitive to him, if our lives and thoughts are filled up with self, we will not accomplish his will, we will not be his ambassadors, we will not expose the insidiousness of sin in the world. Our lives will be fruitless.

The Lord sent out seventy-two into the harvest field. They went out rather recklessly, not well prepared for the venture. Jesus commanded them not to take a purse, bag, or sandals. They had to go out in faith, believing the Lord will take care of them. Most of us would want adequate preparation or at least a strong sign from heaven that we are doing the right thing. Like Gideon, we would probably throw down fleeces left and right. But Jesus' followers proceeded out of faith, believing the Lord would take care of them. Surely, my Christian friend, everything in the spiritual world takes faith. No one will fulfill any of the unctions of the Holy Spirit in the Corinthian scriptures above without stepping out in faith, believing God will accomplish the tasks He has assigned. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

God will not physically force us to exercise any of the duties above. He will not force our mouths open to give a prophecy. He won't push us to someone who needs a healing. Neither will He move us around like a pawns on a chessboard. We are people of volition. We can choose to let God use us or we can choose not to be used by God. We can tarry on the road of life or by faith we can move on to perform God's mission in life. If we are to do good works, we have TO CHOOSE TO DO GOOD WORKS. If we want to be a witness, we have TO WITNESS to someone. If we are going to work in the church, we must commence TO WORK in the church by accepting a responsibility. If we are going to lead a Bible study, we must HAVE A BIBLE STUDY and invite people. All of this takes faith as WE FOLLOW God's leading in our hearts and then STEP OUT IN FAITH.

“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. You are the workers. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (1 Corinthians 12:27) This verse goes on to enumerate the different gifts and responsibilities that have been given to separate members in the church. Jesus told the disciples to live by faith. In the church, we live by faith: we exercise the positions and gifts the Lord has given us by faith. We don't sit by the roadside, we GO. This is our reasonable service. This is what God plans for us, wants from us. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Pray that we will take up our service by faith. Pray that we will hear the voice of the Lord.