Luke 18:9
 “He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others . . .”

The chief trait of this Pharisee was the idea that he did not need God. A modern equivalent would be the person who, with his imagination and personal experience, has fabricated both a god and a religious system by which he is acceptable to his god. The Pharisees did just that. They picked out certain verses from Scripture to form what they thought God was like, then based upon that, they established behaviors they believed He would accept. The result was a group of self-righteous men who looked down upon others and rejected Christ. In contrast, we find a man who has lived a compromising life. While externally he seems to be the one whom God would reject, he is accepted because he came to God, not on his own terms, but on God’s.

The lesson is very clear. It will be those who humble themselves, confess their sin, and come to God through Christ, who will be accepted by Him.

Don’t be like the Pharisees who rejected Him because they thought they were good enough.

Pastor Jim

Questions for Luke 18 

1. What is the next parable about?
2. In the next parable, who were the two people that Jesus contrasted?
3. What is the difference between the two individuals in this parable?
4. Who did the disciples rebuke?
5. What did Jesus ask the rich young ruler to do?
6. What was Peter’s response to these things?
7. What was Jesus response to Peter?
8. Reflect on what Jesus explained to the twelve disciples.
9. What is similar about the attitude of the tax collector in the beginning of the chapter and the blind beggar at the end of the chapter?
10. Notice the response of the beggar and the people in verse 43 after the beggar received his sight. Take a moment to praise God and glorify Him for all that He has done in your life.

Old Testament:
Numbers 5- Marriage Problems
Numbers 6- Blessing

Luke 17:32
“Remember Lot’s wife.”

Lot and his family represent the Christian. Jesus tells us, if we want to save our lives, we must lose them. In other words, life, true life, abundant life, will not be found in holding things back from the Lord, but by giving up all to follow the Lord. Matthew modeled that idea when he left his tax table, Peter and John when they left the fishing business, and you and I when we leave behind our past life, and seek to live for Christ. Unfortunately, even after we determine to follow Christ, we face temptation to return to the things from which we were saved. Satan even has a way of making the sin life which we used to live, look better than it really was. Knowing this, Paul exhorts us,

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1

Lot’s wife illustrates the one who ignores the warning and allows herself to be entangled, again, in the things of the world. She was so caught up with life in Sodom, that when God brought her out, she ignored the warnings and looked back. Her looking back was not a glance brought on by the loud sound of thunder or a flash of lightning. Her look back was a longing. It was as if her heart cried out for one more night in Sodom, one more experience of the sin which she had been called to forsake. Not many have been turned to salt, but multitudes of professing Christians have been doomed by the desire for one more experience of the sin from which they were set free. One more look, one more taste, one more night, one more… And they are entangled again in the sin of the world.

Remember Lot’s wife! Don’t look back, but press on toward the upward call of God in Christ.

Pastor Jim

Questions for Luke 17

1. What is the subject of verses 1-2?
2. What is the subject of verses 3-4?
3. What is the subject of verses 5-6?
4. How many lepers came back to Jesus to glorify God and give thanks?
5. I would seem that this tenth leper was healed at a deeper level than the other 9. Explain in your own words what the difference was between the 9 lepers and the tenth.
6. What was the key to the complete healing of the Leper?
7. I’ve heard it said,” If you want to know about Jesus’ kingdom, get to know the King.” Where is the kingdom of God?
8. The kingdom of God will become visible when Jesus will set up His kingdom on this earth for a period of time. What had to happen before this can happen?
9. What two illustrations does Jesus use to describe what the days will be like when the second coming of Jesus arrives?
10. It’s always good to ask yourself this question in light of these passages. Am I living for the kingdom of God or am I living attached to this world? I’ve heard it also said, “Prepare for the coming of the King by not being attached to this world.”

Old Testament:
Numbers 3- Faithful In Little
Numbers 4- Service