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We are reading these verses at the end of Luke Chapter 14, where Jesus Christ is speaking about carrying the cross and the cost of discipleship. Discipleship is likened to building a tower - and it is likened to a battle. This is very different from just going ‘to church’ now and again, and singing a few Psalms and Hymns and some of these new Choruses which you may enjoy.

Jesus is teaching us - be prepared to complete the tower - and win the battle! Do you have the resources for both?

If you are a true disciple of Jesus - nothing will put you off - no-one will…  ( Click for more )

We have reached these verses in Luke Chapter 14 from verse 25 where Jesus Christ, the Son of God, speaks about discipleship and the cross. In various places today these are not the most popular of topics – that is, if they ever were!

Some people have made all kinds of things their crosses - some say - 'O that's the cross I have to carry.' It may be a sickness - or the consequence of their sin or someone else's sin.

But a cross in the terms which Jesus means is -

Persecution.

Opposition because you follow Jesus.

The…  ( Click for more )

When we read on to Luke Chapter 14 verse 25, we move away from the tense, intense and almost claustrophobic atmosphere of the previous passage.

We see Jesus Christ and a great crowd of people going along a road. Jesus turns to them and says, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother - his wife and children - his brothers and sisters - yes, even his own life - he cannot be my disciple”. We may have moved outside but we have not moved that far away from challenge!

Imagine saying that to a large crowd of people who had come to see you and hear…  ( Click for more )

We have been reading in Luke Chapter 14, of the Parable of the Banquet, and how people explained how they really could not attend. We have looked at what individuals said in their replies. If you have not read their words do check them out in verses 18 to 20. It is always essential to check out the actual Scriptures. After all, it is the authentic and authoritative Word of God.

They made such paltry excuses - how hollow - anything other than Jesus - anywhere other than the table of the Lord - and they had been invited.

The implication is - "O Jesus we would come if we…  ( Click for more )

Jesus tells another parable. Surely, we all like the parables – the stories Jesus told. You will find the account in Luke Chapter 14 at verse 15. Do check the actual text. That is important, for various reasons. A man prepared a feast and sent out invitations. Now, on those invitations, there would be the day of the Feast - but NO TIME. You just had to be ready all day, and when the meal was ready a servant would call you to come along and be present. That was the custom at that time.

Jesus is saying - Be dressed - be ready - prepared - waiting.

When they were called…  ( Click for more )

In these opening verses in Luke Chapter 14, Jesus had been invited to a meal in the home of a religious leader and He had healed a sick man on the Sabbath. There was increasing tension around that dinner table!

Now Jesus had watched as the guest came in, and they all made for the top table. Jesus had been watching them, even before they had begun to cast their eye in His direction.

Jesus takes over the conversation, and begins to teach again - "When you are invited to a wedding breakfast - don't scramble to get to the top table - in case you are in the seat of someone…  ( Click for more )

We are reading in Luke Chapter 14 where Jesus Christ has been invited out to a meal, and there is a sick man present, and it is the Sabbath. Now, I dealt with various questions regarding the Sabbath in our previous study.

These religious leaders are wondering, ‘what is Jesus going to do?’

Jesus took hold of the man - healed him - and sent him away, as if to say - 'off you go - you are healed and whole - and if you remain in this company much longer it will make you sick again'.

Jesus turns to His hosts - "If one of you has a son or a beast which has fallen…  ( Click for more )

At the beginning of Luke Chapter 14Jesus Christ is invited to the home of a leading Pharisee for a meal, and it is the Sabbath. Jesus is in the home of a prominent man, and Jesus is being carefully watched.

We too, we who claim to belong to Jesus Christ, will be carefully watched, observed, and occasionally scrutinised by others.

It is the Sabbath - that period of rest and worship, on the seventh day, from the sunset on the Friday to sunset on the Saturday. We need to be reminded that Sunday is NOT the Sabbath, and so we need to be cautious and careful regarding making laws…  ( Click for more )

In these studies in the Gospel of Luke, we have taken time to consider how the prophet is bold enough to denounce the sins of the day. Jesus exercised a prophetic ministry. The prophet will be intolerant of injustice - falsehood - idolatry - oppression – hypocrisy. He cannot bear to remain silent on these matters.

The prophet continues to use such words as - loyalty - obedience - faithfulness - until they sink in - or until his mouth is shut. Even when he sees no sign of people allowing these words to sink in - the prophet will continue to use them.

The prophet…  ( Click for more )

In Luke Chapter 13 and at verse 34, Jesus goes on to speak about His Ministry, referring specifically to Jerusalem, and Jesus knew that it would be in Jerusalem where He would be killed. The city of peace was where religious people killed the prophetic men of God - men who came from the God of Peace, with words which could save and rescue and heal and bring about reconciliation - and give peace to hearts and minds - and even to nations.

Jerusalem stoned and killed the prophets of God. We read of this too back in Chapter 11 verses 47 following.

A prophet is an important…  ( Click for more )

We come to these closing verses in Luke Chapter 13. Jesus Christ has been teaching that the Kingdom of God is like seed and yeast - a seed which grows into a bush where people can come and rest and nest. That is what we are seeking to plant - this type of seed whereby people will come and find rest - where people can have safety and security in the Kingdom of God.

And Jesus says that the Kingdom is like yeast - and that yeast is to have an influence wherever His disciples go - in the dough - in the world - dough which has been hammered and sifted - the unseen influence of the…  ( Click for more )

In Luke Chapter 13 at verse 22, Jesus Christ is making His way to Jerusalem and using every possible opportunity to speak and teach. There were only a few disciples with Him and the people wondered if that was it. When they questioned Jesus His reply was, As long as the door is open you just make sure you can get in.

How can the work succeed? We don't see very much. Well they won't see anything at all if they are blind. And they won't see anything from the outside. So many are interested in numbers - Jesus says - 'the best way to count numbers is from the inside'.

Jesus Christ…  ( Click for more )

Remember that there are new people coming to believe in Jesus all around the world, and these new believers need to know that there are people who have been faithful to the Lord Jesus for ten, fifteen, forty five years or more years - and that it lasts. We need to hear about the new ones and the new ones need to know about those who have been in this a long time.

Luke Chapter 13 verse 18 where Jesus Christ is asking questions. It appears as though Jesus is struggling to get His Message through. Does that not happen today? He repeats - "What shall I compare the kingdom of…  ( Click for more )

We are reading and studying in some depth in Luke 13. At verse 18, Jesus asks, "What is the kingdom of God like?" "What shall I compare it to?"

It is as if Jesus realises that it is hard to get His Message across. It is hard to get through. Even Jesus Christ found that at times.

Think of what we have been looking at in this long section - Hypocrisy - Fear - Greed - Worry - be prepared and ready for Jesus' Coming again - how to get ready - settle these important issues now. Then some people try to sidetrack Jesus - what about other people? Some were more…  ( Click for more )

Luke Chapter 13 at verse 10. We read that Jesus Christ went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. He is teaching - Jesus loves to teach. He is always present where the Word is being taught - are you? Have you noticed the emphasis on teaching in this long section in Luke? There are those who do not like teaching – I wonder why? Jesus loved to teach and the disciples loved to receive His teaching.

There was present in that sanctuary, a woman, who had a spirit of infirmity for 18 years. She was bowed down - bent - she had not been straight for 18 years. She needed help and…  ( Click for more )

In Luke Chapter 13 and verse 6, Jesus goes on to tell a parable - "A man had a fig tree and planted it in his vineyard. Now, that is about the last place you would choose to plant a fig tree. There it would have the best soil - a favoured position - a fine setting - it would be given every opportunity to produce fruit. Within three years a fig tree should produce some fruit.

When the owner looked at it, He found no fruit, and the order was given - "Cut it down. Why should it use up the good that is in the soil? We have no room for fruitless trees."

The business…  ( Click for more )

We move on into Luke Chapter 13. Let's remember Dr Luke did not write 'chapter 13' - that was added much later on - by that I mean - Luke wrote these words - but he did not number the chapters. That happened many centuries later.

This is one long section, where Jesus Christ has been giving warnings about hypocrisy - fear - greed - and worry - and then encouraging people to be prepared and ready for His Coming Again. And then, we read about what the actual situation will be like upon the earth - and what the consequences of believing in Jesus might cause - and how people were unable…  ( Click for more )

We are reading and studying this final section of Luke Chapter 12 where Jesus Christ spells out simply and clearly that being a disciple will not be easy at times. Look at how Jesus takes time to describe in detail just what this may involve at times. Just as salvation is radical in every aspect - so are these consequences of becoming a believer in Jesus.

Consider one aspect of just how radical faith in Jesus Christ can become. Judaism was a family religion - involving households. Jesus foresaw that His claims would cut across family life - and involve individual decisions.

At…  ( Click for more )

We move on to Luke Chapter 12 and verses 49 to 59. We are reading this lengthy section where Jesus is speaking specifically to disciples - and none of this could really be applied until Jesus had been to the Cross - until Jesus had been raised from the dead - and until the Church was birthed through the pouring out of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus has been speaking to these disciples about faithfulness - about being ready

for that day when He shall reappear - about being ready for His coming again. This is in a section dealing with dangers which the disciple could face - hypocrisy…  ( Click for more )

Continue with me in our reading and study of Luke Chapter 12 as we come to verses 35 to 48, where we are reading these words of Jesus. Now for us the resurrection has happened - Jesus has been to the Cross - Jesus has been raised from the dead - Jesus has ascended and has returned to the Father. Jesus has completed the work the Father sent Him to do. Jesus has poured out the Holy Spirit and we have had the privilege of sharing in that experience. But we have read of how important it is to remember the words of the Lord. Our study has to be a little longer because it is difficult to…  ( Click for more )

We are reading and studying in Luke Chapter 12, where Jesus Christ has taught His disciples how they can avoid Hypocrisy, Greed and Fear. How many in our world today would like to be set free from one or two of these? But on He goes to deal with another equally serious matter that troubles so many – that emotionally draining thing called “worry”. I am not rushing through this section because there are vital lessons from Jesus Christ for those who belong to Jesus Christ – for those who are born again and who are disciples in the Kingdom of God.

Verse 32.…  ( Click for more )

We are reading and studying in Luke Chapter 12, where Jesus Christ has taught His disciples how they can avoid Hypocrisy, Greed and Fear. How many in our world today would like to be set free from one or two of these? But on He goes to deal with another equally serious matter that troubles so many – the corroding topic of worry.

In verse 22, Jesus says - "Do not worry about your life - what you will eat - or about your body and how you will clothe it." These words are being spoken to disciples - they are for us. Jesus is saying to us - Follow Me and I will help…  ( Click for more )

We are reading and studying in Luke Chapter 12, where Jesus Christ has taught His disciples how they can avoid Hypocrisy, Greed and Fear. How many in our world today would like to be set free from one or two of these? But on He goes to deal with another equally serious matter that troubles so many.

At verse 22, Jesus says - "Do not worry about your life - what you will eat - or about your body and how you will clothe it." These words are being spoken to disciples. They are for us. Jesus is saying to us - Follow Me and I will help you avoid all worry. Wealth can be as…  ( Click for more )

We are reading and hopefully studying these words of Jesus Christ in Luke Chapter 12 verses 22 to 34 - where Jesus is speaking to disciples - at a time when crowds are surrounding Him.

These words of Jesus are for disciples, and if you are a disciple then these words are for you, and we so need to hear Jesus in these present days.

Jesus is speaking to disciples about dangers and hazards and pitfalls along the way. They are like warning signposts on the motorway - or it is as if Jesus is coning off certain sections - coning off certain paths - closing down a few lanes.

Jesus…  ( Click for more )