Take care then how you hear, Christian, because this world “is passing away along with its desires” (1 John 2:17a). Let the life, death, and resurrection of your sinless Savior speak to your heart. Let your ears daily hear the truth of his Word, that it may dwell in you richly,[6] training you to confess your sin to your faithful and justice Father,[7] to walk in his righteousness, as the Spirit conforms you to Christ.[8] “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6).
Category Archives: Luke
The Sown Word
In the tenth chapter of Romans, the apostle Paul describes the necessity of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, as “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” One cannot believe the gospel if one does not hear it, in various ways and various forms, and one cannot hear it unless it is shared or proclaimed. Hearing then is necessary for salvation, but hearing is not enough. The gospel must be truly believed, yet not all who hear believe.
A Gospel Ministry
This is how Christ builds his kingdom, through the faithful preaching of the Word and sacraments, through the diverse use of our gifts in service, and through our tithes and offerings. It sounds remarkably ordinary, and it is, but God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; what is weak to shame the strong; what is low and despised to build Christ’s church, that in it and through it he might be glorified. All glory be to Christ!
How Great a Debtor
Jesus was invited to dine with a Pharisee. Perhaps surprisingly, he accepted. He who said that he came “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10) would presumably have plenty to seek and save over supper. But as the party proceeded, it was unexpectedly crashed, by a woman known not by name but by sin. Luke records neither.
The Veil of Unbelief
It is not your heritage, your family, your works, or your best intentions that will make you right with God. We are saved only by God’s grace alone through faith alone. According to his sovereign election, he first brings us to life by the power of his Holy Spirit. Then leads us to repentance and gives us the faith to believe. And it is by faith alone that we become children of God, adopted heirs of the kingdom, to the glory of God alone.
When In Doubt
In the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, the writer walks us through what has become known as the Hall of Faith. Some in the Hall are expected, such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, and of course Abraham. Some are a surprise, such as Samson. And then there are the unnamed, who suffered and died for their faith. Based on the descriptions scholars have speculated as to who might be included among those “of whom the world was not worthy” (Heb. 11:38). There are some pretty good guesses, such as Jeremiah, but one I think certainly makes this list is one of my heroes of the faith, John the Baptist.
The Conviction of Things not Seen
Of course, you don’t have to be a serious military man to have faith in Jesus, but you do have to take him at his word, believing that “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3-4). This is the testimony of the Word God has given. Don’t make it harder than it is. As a matter of fact, in it we are assured and by it convicted, and Jesus is Savior and Lord of all who believe.
Fruit from the Heart
What is your life built on? Is it built on your profession, your wealth, your pleasure? Is it built on the blessing of family or the wealth of friends, both good things? Consider carefully the foundation of your life. Whether the foundation of your life is built on what you consider good or evil, unless it is built on Christ, it will not survive.
Good News of Great Joy
We often think of the sudden, supernatural appearance of the heavenly host in relation to Jesus’ birth, and rightly so. But in a sense, their explosion of praise is but a commencement of our continued celebration. Paul said, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord,” and so we do, boasting in what God has done in sending his Son. Think about it: We have assembled on this Lord’s Day, the day of Christ’s resurrection, based on the full revelation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and it is only fitting that we join the heavenly host in crying out, “Glory to God in the highest!” For, our greatest joy comes in and through the good news of Jesus Christ.
Who Made You Judge?
If there is an aphorism derived from Scripture best known and oft quoted in our day, surely it is, “Judge not, lest ye be judged.”[2] Its use is typically meant to refute moral judgment on a particular sin, and its effect is typically the equivalent of “Mind your own business.” The source of the expression is our passage today, as well as Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew. And while I am all for encouraging quotes of Jesus in our culture, I’m not for taking Scripture out of context, for whatever reason. As we will see in our passage today, Jesus was no more dismissing sin than encouraging it, but he was confronting it, a sin that often hides comfortably in the church.
Planter, Pastor, Preacher 