Luke (Page 4)

“Women Accompanying Jesus” (Luke 8:1-3)

Jesus had just finished attending a feast at Simon the Pharisee’s house. While there a prostitute had entered the room and served Jesus as if she herself were the host. She kissed his feet and washed them with a mixture of her tears and ointment. Here, in this brief passage, Luke provides us with a description of Jesus’ traveling companions: the twelve, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and many others. Read Luke 8:1-3 We can only imagine the blessing it would…

“A Sinful Woman Forgiven” (Luke 7:36-50)

A Sinful Woman Forgiven Brad Mills / General Luke / Luke 7:36–50   During our Summer Study in 2017 we considered the importance of eating in the ministry of Jesus. We used Tim Chester’s excellent book A Meal With Jesus to spend several weeks talking about the role of meals in the life of Jesus. One of the quotes that stuck was from Robert Karris: In Luke’s Gospel Jesus is either going to a meal, at a meal, or coming…

“Jesus and John the Baptist” (Luke 7:18-35)

Jesus and John the Baptist (Luke 7:18-35) It’s easy to follow Jesus when we are getting what we want out of life. But what happens when that’s not the case? How do you respond when everything you touch seems to fall apart? What do you do when you are hindered from achieving your goals? Do you turn to God? Can you be honest in prayer about how you’re feeling? Or, do you shut down? Our response to Jesus, including how…

“Build Your House Upon A Rock” (Luke 6:46-49)

Introduction Throughout this discourse Jesus has been addressing disciples, but it seems to go back and forth between genuine and false disciples. Blessings are followed by woes. Our love should be different than the self-serving love of the world. We should know the difference between rebuking and condemning. We should be the first to repent before calling others to repent. We come to the conclusion of Jesus’ discourse which contains a very direct question of the integrity of his audience.…

“Good and Bad Apples” (Luke 6:43-45)

Introduction How do people really change? What’s the secret to genuine transformation? Is it even necessary? Jesus has just finished teaching his disciples to “judge not”. We argued that this is connected to condemnation that results in shunning people rather than rebuking sin. Most people who quote this misapply it. The person who adequately removes the plank from his own eye is able to properly inspect the eye of his brother. This same principle is now applied to trees that…

“Judge Not” (Luke 6:37-42)

Introduction Who do you follow? Not on social media, but in life. It’s an important decision to make. The religious example these disciples had prior to Jesus’ teaching was that of the Pharisees who were keen on judging and condemning everyone who didn’t quite meet their man-made standards. The Pharisees were not only hypocritical in their judgment of sin, they were entirely graceless in their condemnation of sinners. Jesus speaks to the importance of following teachers who lead with a…

“Love Your Enemies” (Luke 6:32-36)

Introduction The Golden Rule is almost universally praised, yet scarcely followed. Last week we began our look at the Golden Rule (Commandments > Examples > Rule). Now Jesus provides further illustrations of the Golden Rule in practice (29-30, 32-34) before closing with the standard stated from a divine perspective (31, 35). The Golden Rule is a standard many see as good, but it is the Christian alone who has the proper enabling and motivation to live accordingly (2 Pet. 1:4).…

“The Golden Rule” (Luke 6:27-31)

Introduction What is your response to the Lord’s warnings? We feel convicted by our tendency to seek comfort in this life rather than God’s promises. We may even question our salvation. Is the Lord’s goal to fill you with fear and doubt? No. Warnings of judgment should drive us to repentance. When Jesus declares “woe is you” we ought to respond like Jeremiah (Isa. 6:5). That is the response of someone who has been called by a Holy God. The…