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When Jesus Christ comes again will He find you and me continuing faithful in persistent and persevering prayer? Of course, we may die before he returns, and the question remains relevant. In my final days and hours on this earth will I remain faithful in service and obedience and witnessing and in prayer?

When I come again, will I find many who are faithfully continuing to pray?

Will we be found faithful, or, will we have ceased praying? How many will have given up and gone away? How many will have stopped praying when Jesus returns? Jesus indicates that this will actually…  ( Click for more )

In Luke Chapter 18, we come to verses which deal with prayer - one of the hardest things in the whole world. That is why so few people pray. Reading the Bible is hard - prayer is harder. Watching television - talking with people - singing praises - all of these are particularly easy compared with praying. The Prayer Meeting in many churches is the poorest meeting attended. Why? Because it such hard work! Put a man who can speak on almost any topic in a Prayer Meeting and he suddenly goes dumb!

In Cowdenbeath, a man raised a most awkward matter at a Church meeting, and I asked…  ( Click for more )

It has been asked, where did the title of this study come from? Are you familiar with these words?

That final verse of Luke Chapter 17 - verse 37 - "Where there is a dead body there the vultures will gather". If someone asked you - where do these words come from - would you have known? If you asked some people outside, would they know?

It has been asked - Shakespeare - Tennyson - Wordsworth? No - they come from the lips of Jesus Christ, so we'd better know what they mean.

We are in Luke 17 – and this is the 100th Study as I have made my way through Luke’s…  ( Click for more )

Jesus has been speaking to disciples and believers about the possibility of stumbling and sinning and the importance of Repentance, Forgiveness and Faith. It is all there in the opening sentences of Luke Chapter 17. Immediately following on from these words, Jesus walks on with His disciples and He is about to enter a village when ten lepers appear.

These men were riddled with this horrible disease. It would appear that nine were Jews and one was a Samaritan, but for each one of them there was only one hope left - JESUS. They would be sorry sights, and they came as near as they…  ( Click for more )

In Luke Chapter 17, after warning us about causing people to stumble and sin, Jesus then goes on to speak about forgiveness - about forgiving people - "when those around us ask for forgiveness, forgive them."

Then Jesus speaks about 'faith'. Don't ask for more faith - use the faith you have - let it grow and develop and mature and become strong. Faith is like a muscle - the more it is used the stronger it becomes.

Now, Jesus says - Suppose one of you had a servant, and the servant has been ploughing or looking after the sheep, when the servant comes in, will you…  ( Click for more )

In Luke Chapter 17, in these opening verses, we read of Jesus Christ teaching His disciples, and through this Word teaching us, "Don't think you are going to avoid temptation. Don't think you are going to be shielded from the realities of life, and from the dangers of the world and from traps and snares and nets into which you could fall, if you are not careful.

As disciples of Jesus - as believers in Christ - we face the same temptations and difficulties and dangers as other people - perhaps even more so.

But we can avoid falling, with the help of the Risen and Living…  ( Click for more )

We are reading and studying in Luke Chapter 16, where Jesus Christ is speaking about MONEY, and His theme is how we use or misuse our money, and Jesus takes this vitally important issue into an eternal dimension. This is such an important issue we must not rush through it.

Jesus tells us a devastating story. Is it a fact? Is it fiction? That does not really matter. It is true! Again, this week’s study is slightly longer than I normally write, simply because this is a very difficult passage to divide and it ought not to be divided.

There was a certain rich man, dressed…  ( Click for more )

We are reading this quite difficult passage in Luke Chapter 16, where Jesus Christ is teaching on money. Remember, that Jesus says more about money than any other one subject.

A few weeks ago we were reading words of Jesus, "Lay up treasure in heaven." You will find Jesus’ words back in Chapter 12. Invest where there are no moths, no thieves, no corruption, no rust. Invest where your investment will never lose value! Many might wish they had heard Jesus Christ on financial matters over these past months, and also on what Jesus said about everything being revealed…  ( Click for more )

Luke Chapter 16 is not an easy passage either, and the more we read this book we find there are very few easy passages. Most are most challenging in different ways.

The theme of Luke Chapter 16 is money. Jesus said a lot about money, because money says a lot about us. Money plays such an important part in our lives. We talk about money so much. Money features prominently in all kinds of ways, and has been the topic of various conversations over these past months.

So do not be surprised when we learn that Jesus Christ said more about money than any other one subject. There…  ( Click for more )

We come to a passage this week which is familiar to many – Luke Chapter 15 and verses 11 to 32. We have been reading some of the amazing things Jesus taught. What Jesus said on - hypocrisy - fear - greed – and worry. These are huge relevant themes, and so relevant to many today. These can cripple people.

We then read of being ready for that day when Jesus comes again - when He returns.

We read of those catastrophes in Jerusalem when people died, and Jesus calls those around Him to repent, and sort out their lives.

Then, Jesus healed that crippled woman who…  ( Click for more )

In Luke Chapter 15 we have a parable, which has been divided up into three but it is one parable, giving us a wonderful revelation of the Heart of God. God saw men lost in their sin, and He sends His Son to find them. Jesus speaks about a shepherd who has a hundred sheep and one of them is lost. The lost sheep is a prized possession. It was valuable to the shepherd, and the shepherd goes and searches for the sheep that was lost.

Now, when you are lost - when you are out of the fellowship - aren't you sad and lonely and bewildered - and so isolated?

Being lost means - being…  ( Click for more )

We move slowly on and into Luke Chapter 15. Do remember this is a study of the Gospel of Luke and not a race through this medical doctor’s testimony to the life and teaching of Jesus. After all these hard things which Jesus Christ had been saying to men and women, nevertheless people continue to come to Him. They came to hear Him.

All the publicans and sinners – all the rogues and rascals - all the people who were not very nice to know - they came to hear Jesus. They knew they could not keep the law. They came to hear Jesus, because they knew that this Man, Jesus Christ,…  ( Click for more )

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 )