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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
We are reading in Luke Chapter 12, and in these first 12 verses we read of Jesus warning His disciples of two of the hazards along the way, as we serve in the kingdom, and obey the risen and living Lord Jesus Christ. We read of hypocrisy and fear. Hypocrisy - putting on a front - a mask - role-playing - acting - is similar to yeast. It influences people around - working away invisibly - secretly - imperceptibly - and can spread fast. A little can affect a lot. This can also apply to good yeast.
We also saw how fear can paralyse us spiritually. We can fear what people around us may say - what they may think. The antidote to a small fear is to get a bigger fear - fear of the possibility of disobeying God.
Then, Jesus goes on to speak about being on trial - on trial for our faith - being arrested for what we believe - and it is then we have to rely upon the Holy Spirit to give us the right words.
While Jesus is teaching these tremendous truths to His disciples, someone in the crowd calls out. In the middle of this important teaching session, a man interrupts Jesus. Not a word he has heard coming from the mouth of Jesus has affected him. How sad - how tragic when that happens.
We should never go away from a time of Worship - we should never leave a time of preaching and teaching from the Word of God - without allowing the Word of God to touch our lives in some way.
It may be challenging and encouraging - reassuring and comforting - warning and guiding - but it is always wise to allow the Word of God to work away in us - within us - in some way - to some measure - to some degree.
If the first two hazards along the Christian way be Hypocrisy and Fear, then the third one could be called Greed. This interrupter is pre-occupied with property and possessions. There was a family row over a will.
It has been said that where there’s a will, there's relatives.
This man wants Jesus to intervene in a family dispute. Jesus asks, "Why do you come to Me?" This man does not want fairness - or even justice - he wants MONEY. Jesus saw that he was so greedy and jealous that his brother was getting more money that he was. He is so materialistic, and Jesus virtually says, "I am more concerned about you than your brother. What you are telling Me tells Me about your heart."
What we say can reveal so much about us. What we say can expose what we are really like inside. What we say can so often be an overflow from our heart. Sometimes it is not very nice!
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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