Do I Know You? (Luke 13:18-30)

One of the most popular pick-up lines is "you look familiar, don't I know you from somewhere." You either know someone or you don't. I for one hardly ever remember those whom are just acquaintances, I must have a heart to heart, eye to eye connection for me to remember someone.

The question therefore is am I just a acquaintance with God or do I know Him personally?

In Luke 13:18-21 Jesus gives the Parables of the Mustard Seed and Yeast, both of these short Parables express how the Kingdom grows within. It starts very small but it is always growing and expanding like a mustard seed becomes a tree and a little yeast permeates the entire dough.

With this being said we can determine that those who have truly been born-again cannot remain the same. The Kingdom of God will grow within a disciple and the whole world will know they have changed. The more one knows God personally the more they are transformed. If one does not yet know God personally they are not yet saved. It is hard to be married and not know your spouse, for the two become one flesh. When one is born-again the Spirit of God enters into them and God and man become one. Just as single life and married life are so different so it is between those born-again and those not.

In school, kids say they are going out with so and so, but have no clue what commitment involves being in a true relationship. The same I have seen in church many claiming to be Christians but showing no commitment themselves. Is dating someone the same as being married? Certainly not!

So, the question asked in Luke 13:23, will only a few be saved, is quite relevant today.

Jesus responded in verse 24 "work hard to enter the narrow door to God's kingdom for many will try to enter but fail." It is not easy to follow Christ, it means total surrender, living a completely sacrificial life, it is all or nothing. Just as in marriage many don't realize the commitment involved and therefore it don't last, one must as it says in the book of Matthew "count the cost." In order to follow Christ it costs your entire life. There is no other way around it. Those on the wide path that are following the prosperity message, that uses God for one's selfish gain, are deceived by demonic doctrine and are headed for destruction.

As it says in Luke 13:25-33 being an acquaintance of God is not enough, one must know Him personally. Just because we use His name does not mean we know Him. Having the name Kennedy has given me favor because people think I might be related to the famous political family, but if I went to the Kennedy's mansion in Massachusetts they would not let me in. For they don't know me even though I have the same last name. The name of Jesus has power and when we use His name no matter who we are power comes forth. So just because miracles and signs follow someone it does not mean they know Jesus themselves.

We are either with God or against Him. To be with Him means to walk in an intimate relationship with Him. The narrow path is not easy to follow and only those who truly hear His voice can remain on it. It will take the ability to discern the truth from lies, for Satan is cunning and He twists the word, tickling our ears with sounds that are familiar but are half truths, false prophesies, for in the latter days many of even the elect will be deceived.

Confronting Stupidity (Luke 13:10-17)

We can all admit that we can be real stupid at times.  Many reasons we hold onto stupidity is because no one is willing to confront us on it.  Those whom are considered leaders are usually those who have proven to be wise, but all of us in our imperfect state are prone to be stupid at times.  Some of the rules we make and objectives we establish as leaders just don't make any sense.  People realize it, and probably talk about it behind our backs, but never confront us on it, so we remain ignorant.

We see Jesus was not afraid of confrontation.  He spoke the truth, no matter what title or position one had, He didn't compromise or water down the truth in fear someone may get offended.  Well aren't we supposed to respect those in authority and show them honor, yes, but not at the expense of the truth.  Love speaks the truth.  If speaking the truth in love hurts someone ego, fine, hopefully it saves one from a big fall.

Here in Luke 13:10 Jesus healed someone on the Sabbath day in the synagogue and the leader in charge was irate "claiming there are six days of the week for working, come on those days to be healed."  Jesus didn't apologize, He told them they are "hypocrites, don't they untie their ox or donkey and lead it to get water."  Basically, He was saying your man-made rules are stupid, they don't make any sense.  How can they say what God can or cannot do?  If God healed the person which only He can do, who are they, to question?

We too often establish doctrine, rules, regulations, traditions, programs, events without seeking God.  How can we the creation create something without the creator?  It doesn't make sense, yet we do.  We spend so much time planning and not praying, doing and not being.  

HELP US GOD!  Let us be real first with you, doing nothing on our own, then real with one another, questioning each another, making sure we each have the right motive, intention, and most importantly have heard from you. Remove pride from our heart, so that we receive correction from you and others when needed. Let us never think more highly of ourselves than we ought.

Repentant (Luke 13:1-9)

How often do we think that someone's suffering is because of their sin? "They had it coming" goes through our mind. Jesus knowing the hearts of those around Him addressed this very thing in Luke 13:1-5. Some people had been murdered and others had died in an accident, and Jesus asked is sin the cause of their suffering? He responds "no, and unless you repent, you will perish too." What He is saying here is that we have all sinned and therefore deserve punishment and only by the grace of God are we saved.

Since we all struggle with sin we all need to become repentant, that is living a lifestyle of confessing our sins. Salvation starts the process of transformation, repentance continues it, until through the Holy Spirit we are formed into the image of Jesus Christ. When true repentance takes place change occurs for we have given God the right to work in our heart. He will never forcefully change us, it must be a free will choice. We must see our wrong doing and realize our need for change and therefore repentance follow.

In the Parable of the Fig Tree in Luke 13:6-9 Jesus is showing His patience with us in regards to spiritual growth. Change does not happen over night but if we really meant it when we gave our life to Him, change will eventually occur. When someone appreciates someone else that person will rub off on them over time. The ways of Jesus are completely contrary to the world, there is no way we can remain connected to Him and no character change takes place. He is the light, all darkness is exposed, we cannot stand being in His presence and remain in sin, repentance is the natural response to growing deeper in relationship with Him.

Fire Divides (Luke 12:49-59)

We have so many Christian groups divided because of their differences, Jesus only sees us in three ways, on fire, lukewarm, or cold. As it says in Revelations He would rather us choose one or the other, than being unsure, both hot and cold depending on the moment. The lukewarm will be cast out.

We are either with God or against Him. Jesus said He came to baptise us with the Holy Spirit and with fire. The Holy Spirit releases His fire so any believer who does not embrace the baptism of the Holy Spirit cannot be on fire. And fire created any other way as we see with Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus is strange fire and God will not allow, as they found out in death.

We are not to identify each other by their title but by His fire, that is the dividing line. Millions say they are Christian yet the world remains so dark. Fire spreads so those that are truly His, cannot remain the same, and neither can their surroundings.

It is good to seek unity as Jesus prayed, but not at the expense of compromising who He is. The Holy Spirit will lead us to places where we can develop relationships with people of the world and even other religions but at some point He will lead us to share His Son. His purpose as seen in Luke 12:51 was not to bring peace in the world,but that the world would receive Him. Now, not everyone will, some responding respectfully others maliciously. We will lose family, friends, job employment, group association, reputation, and even our life.

So we have to ask our selves how close to the fire do we want to be? Close enough to be warmed but not burned? God is all consuming fire! We are not to get close to the fire but to become the fire. Not to go to church, but to be the church. Not to know about God, but to know God. We are to let everything burn, until all that is left is Him. His glory for the whole world to see!

Am I Dressed Right?
Chapter 40
Luke 12:35-48


Have you ever went to an event underdressed, or overdressed, it is uncomfortable isn't it? I spoke in Haiti at a church a few years ago and because I didn't have a tie on I wasn't received well. People are real funny sometimes, they judge somebody before they even get to know them because of the perception they have by one's outward appearance. 

Here in Luke 12:35 "Jesus says be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning",meaning be ready for the hour is not known but His return is near.  

So what does it mean to be ready?  Well in verse 37 it says to be ready and waiting.  Have you ever been waiting with a group of people and someone's number is called out and nobody responds so they go to the next number?  I hate waiting when I have other things that need to get done, patience is truly a virtue.  The one whom is impatient get's passed by.  So to be one who waits is to be one who is patient.  

James 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

So to be one who waits does not mean to be one who sits around but it is one who does not get distracted who maintains there focus on the work of the Lord.  

The restaurant job of a waiter is to serve others.  They are to be observant of their customers needs and try to meet them in a quickly manner.  I remember as a waiter at a seasonal restaurant, the summer was crazy, I hardly had time off, I had to work double shifts and I was on call, it's like my waiter outfit always stayed on, my life was my job, even my dreams were filled with my work, I couldn't get the job out off my mind.  

Similar is my call now as God's waiter, but my shift of service never ends and I must be clothed in His righteousness at all times.  My life is now lived not for myself but for the glory of my Heavenly Father.  His will is what fills my mind and my dreams.

Jesus is returning in bodily form but He is still presently at work through the Holy Spirit.  We who allow the Holy Spirit to use us daily will be rewarded, just like those who serve a table well receive a good tip.  There are eternal rewards and earthly rewards that come to His obedient servants.

Luke 12:28 Peter said, “We’ve left our homes to follow you.” 29 “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God,

30 will be repaid many times over in this life, and will have eternal life in the world to come.”

As a waiter when the work was hard, the hours long, I just reminded myself of the paycheck that was to come, and I endured.  We must keep our eyes on the eternal prize as we endure the hardships of our temporary struggles.  Those who overcome will be greatly rewarded as it promises in Revelations chapter 3.

We would have hours with very few customers and we could take it easy and relax a bit, but we knew at anytime a rush of people might come and we had to be ready.  We also knew the manager or owner might come by and if we weren't preparing stocking up on things, cleaning up, etc. for when things do get busy, we were in trouble.  There are different seasons in our spiritual walk, some will be easier than others, but we must always have a heart of expectancy, preparing for what is to come, knowing God is omnipresent and is always checking on us, examining our hearts and checking our motives.

Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

In Luke 12:42 The Lord admonishes us to be faithful, sensible servants whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his household servants and feeding them.  A good parent tests their children on what they can handle before giving them responsibilities.  As we past the tests of life God rewards us with bigger opportunities.  Just like I moved up from dishwasher, to busboy, to waiter, so God promotes those who are faithful over what has been given them.  He wants us to reach the furthest of our potential in Him.  

Ephesians 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Luke 12:45-48 warns those of us who neglect His service, who are not ready, that when He returns unannounced and unexpected, He will basically fire us.  For we took lightly His instructions and our excuses will not be heard, severe punishment will follow.  For "someone who has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.