Pastor's Table Blog Entries - Millington Baptist Church

Following Jesus on the Road

A Sermon Summary of Luke 9:51-10:24

In the captivating tale of “The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien, we are immersed in the journey of Frodo Baggins and his companions as they embark on a perilous quest to save their beloved home, “The Shire.” Their mission was to undertake a daunting expedition and cast the malevolent ring of power into the fiery abyss of Mordor, while overcoming numerous obstacles and battling the forces of evil along the way. During a pivotal moment in their odyssey, as they gaze across the mountainous path toward their destination, a fellow hobbit named Sam articulated this sentiment:

“Mordor. The one place in Middle-earth we don’t want to see any closer, and the one place we’re trying to get to.”

In the Gospel of Luke, we encounter a pivotal moment in the narrative, a turning point marked by Luke 9:51:

When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. (Lk 9:51, ESV)

This verse serves as a hinge, signaling a significant shift in Jesus’ ministry and focus. As we delve into Luke 9:51-10:24, we explore the challenges and joys of following Jesus on the road, examining three key aspects of following well: Long suffering, Letting go of excuses, and the Cultivation of Joy.

Following Jesus with Long Suffering (Luke 9:51-56):

The journey with Jesus often demands patience and endurance. In Luke 9:51-56, we witness the Samaritan village rejecting Jesus, prompting James and John to suggest calling down fire from heaven. Yet, Jesus rebukes them. Following Jesus involves a commitment to long suffering – enduring rejection and misunderstanding without responding in anger or retaliation. It’s a call to emulate Christ’s patience, who, despite rejection, continued his journey with unwavering determination.

Following Jesus without Excuses (Luke 9:57-62):

In the subsequent verses, Jesus encounters individuals expressing their desire to follow Him. However, Jesus’ responses highlight the necessity of commitment without excuses. He challenges a would-be follower who hesitates, urging the importance of prioritizing the kingdom of God over personal concerns.

Following Christ comes with a great cost.
Following Christ is absolutely urgent.
Following Christ must take top priority.

Following Jesus requires wholehearted dedication, free from the hindrance of excuses. It’s a reminder that our allegiance to Christ should surpass any temporal attachments or hesitations.

III. Following Jesus with Joy (Luke 10:1-24):

The next section of our journey reveals the sending out of the seventy-two disciples. In their return, they rejoice in the authority given to them by Jesus over the enemy. Following Jesus is not just about enduring and committing; it is also about experiencing profound joy in His service. The disciples find joy not in their accomplishments but in the transformative power of Christ working through them. True joy is discovered in embracing the privilege of being instruments in God’s hands, with our names written in heaven. This wonderful reality is also what brings joy to Jesus. (Heb 12:1-3)

As we navigate traveling the road with Christ, let us heed the call to long suffering, enduring rejection without resentment. Let us cast aside excuses and embrace wholehearted commitment to the kingdom. Ultimately, may our journey with Jesus be characterized by profound joy, finding delight in serving Him and witnessing the transformative power of His love in our lives and the lives of others.

What does it take to follow Jesus in an anti-Christian age? (Luke 9:1-51)

Mission Impossible

We have been journeying through Luke’s Gospel. Chapters 3-8 are “miracle heavy.” People have been flocking to Jesus to hear his preaching, to receiving his healing touch, to be set free! However, in Luke 9 there is a shift—Jesus now invites his disciples to join the mission. It begins this way …

And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. (Luke 9:1-2, ESV)

That is quite a mission! Up until this point in the story, Jesus has demonstrated power over the supernatural and, the text tells us, people are amazed and astonished. Now, Jesus calls his closest followers together, the people he has been training, and he delegates his authority to them. “Now … it’s your turn.” He is sending his disciples to proclaim the reign and power of God to the people of Israel!

How would you feel about his mission? What if Jesus showed up today and said … “Now … you do it!” How would you respond? You might say, “Jesus, that mission seems … IMPOSSIBLE!”

An Anti-Christian Age

This “seemingly” impossible mission is the tension Luke raises in chapter 9. Following Jesus is a daily choice. Following Jesus is costly. Following Jesus is scary. Why? Because our world feels “Anti-Christian.” The hostility we feel is captured in Luke 9:5-6

And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere. (Luke 9:5-6, ESV)

Notice, there is an assumption that, in some places, we will not be received as we proclaim the kingdom! If you read the Gospels and if you read Acts, you will see there were many people who wanted nothing to do with Jesus. The Disciples were chased out of towns; some got stoned; it was costly! Still, they went.

In fact, I would say, the disciples show us what it looks like to “Follow Jesus in an Anti-Christian Age.” Now, the truth is being a Christian has always been hard. We have an enemy who prowls around like a lion as he attempts to garner more recruits. Church history tells us persecution is the norm, not the anomaly. However, the anti-Christian sentiment in America, at least cultural speaking, is a newer phenomenon. This is what author Aaron Renn calls, The Negative World. He writes this: “The negative world is more than just a phase in recent American history; it represents something fundamentally new. For the first time in the four-hundred-year history of this country, society now disfavors Christianity.” While it’s not new in world history—it is new in America.

A Core Conviction

How do you follow Jesus in an anti-Christian age? First, you need a core conviction. Let’s get clear on the definition of a conviction: it is a strong persuasion of belief. It’s not just a thought, or a notion, or something you can live without. No! It is something that will drive you to jump off a cliff (not literally)! When I talk about a core conviction, it is a belief deep in your soul that you hold so strongly—nothing will cause you to let go of it. Following Jesus requires a core conviction of his IDENTITY and MISSION. Look at the question Jesus asks the disciples in v. 20:

Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” (Luke 9:20, ESV)

If you are going to tell people about Jesus—you must have a core conviction about his identity.

A Costly Commitment

Second, you have to count the cost. Jesus links the cost to his previous words about his mission. He then outlines some conditions for discipleship.

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23, ESV)

I want you to read that verse again and ask yourself—what does that mean? What does it mean for you? Jesus is portraying this vivid, shocking and horrifying image. Remember, we take for granted, 2000 years later that Roman Crucifixion is in the history books. Rhe disciples were living it. Crucifixions happened on a regular basis—they were gruesome and horrific. So put yourself in their shoes.

This image was taken from the Roman custom whereby a condemned person would carry their crossbar to the site of their execution. It was a public processional—literally people walking their funeral. What Jesus is implying here is this: “the person carrying their cross knows their life in this world is finished (ZECNT, 390).” If I take up my cross and follow Jesus there is no turning back, as the song says. Jesus just predicted his death and he is telling his disciples, if you want to follow me … that is the road.

I want you to notice a key point: denying yourself is more than just putting aside worldly pleasures. You might say, “I am going to deny myself coffee, or chocolate, or burgers … for a time.” However, this verse is talking about disowning yourself—it is turning from the idolatry of self-centeredness.

The Ears of A Child

Finally, you need the ears of a child. In Luke 9:44 Jesus says this:

Jesus said to his disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” (Luke 9:44, ESV)

I love that image, “let these words sink into your ears …” I would add, “let them sink all the way down to your hearts.” Why does Jesus say this? I think Jesus is telling them, and us, that life is not always celebratory. You can’t stay on the mountain, you have to walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Suffering is coming. It is part of the death to life mission.

Are Jesus words sinking into your ear? Or is there wax build up? My wife is a nurse, so I know all about wax build up in the ears. Sometimes it clogs our hearing and you have to clean it out! Jesus is saying something crucial here. He is going to die … for us. When he says, “take up your cross,” he is inviting us to suffer for the mission as well. Are we ready? Are his words sinking in our ears and taking root in your heart? Because the disciples don’t get it. Their ears are clogged because the next moment the disciples are arguing about who is the greatest! Picture this scene. They are all celebrating—they are all talking about how great Jesus is and what he did. Then, they are arguing about, I think, who Jesus likes and will use the most. Peter says to John—“Anything you can do I can do better!” John replies, “I can do anything better than you …” back and forth. Then we read this …

But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.” (Luke 9:47-48, ESV)

First ears … now the child. What is Jesus doing? In the ancient world, children had no power, status or rights. They were insignificant. Many children died in infancy. It was a child in the previous scene who was tormented by a demon. Jesus is not using the child as an exemplar, but he is teaching the disciples a lesson on true greatness. And he turns their worldview upside down!

On the mountain, God himself told the disciples about Jesus, “This is my Son, my Chosen One, listen to him! (9:35)” Jesus speaks and tells them to let his words sink in their ears. Then he brings out a child and says this: “the least among you is the greatest.” Stop arguing about who is the best!

The New Exodus

I want to take you to the mountain. As Peter and John and James were sleeping, Moses and Elijah appear with this flash of light. The disciples watch as they are talking to Jesus. Look what they were saying in v. 31:

And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. (Luke 9:30-31, ESV)

Moses, Elijah and Jesus … wow! What a scene. And what are they talking about? They are talking about the mission. Jesus is about leave for Jerusalem, where he will deny himself, take up his cross and lose his life.

Luke gives us a clue about the significance of Jesus mission. I want you to circle that word “DEPARTURE.” Literally, in the Greek it can be translated as “Exodus.” What an image! In the Old Testament, the Exodus was the story of God delivering his people out of slavery in Egypt, by grace, parting the Red Sea, and defeating their enemies. Now, Luke is pointing us toward the NEW EXODUS, the ultimate once for all EXODUS that Jesus is about to accomplish.

In Exodus, the blood of the Passover lamb was painted on the door of the people of God. Now, the blood of the Lamb of God is painted on the hearts of every one of his followers. Jesus is about to begin a journey to Jerusalem that will cost him his life so that we can be saved! That is the mission! That is COSTLY GRACE! The biggest turning point in Luke’s Gospel is 9:51 when we read this …

When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. (Luke 9:51, ESV)

To Jerusalem … where he would die. To Jerusalem … the new exodus begins. Jesus is laser focused on the cross. The rest of Luke’s Gospel is taking us to the cross. We may live in an anti-Christian age, but the blood of the lamb still runs red to cleanse the hearts of his people. The blood of the lamb is still effectual for all who call on his name. And the mission the Father sent the Son to accomplish is now lived out through his church as we take up our cross and follow him.

Courageous Resilience in 2024 Pt 3

A Response Rubric for 2024

As we conclude our series on courageous resilience in 2024, let’s discuss our response to the trends. While the five trends we covered in part two are not exhaustive, I expect them to be accurate. Still, the question remains, in light of these snow fall predictions, how do we respond? How do mature Christians, ready for battle with the forces of darkness, prepare for the secular age we live in? Happily, the Apostle Peter wrote a letter with this goal in mind. Peter expounds a message to Christians and churches under persecution (Far greater than ours!) during the first century. He writes to cultural exiles. How does Peter exhort the believers? He provides a response rubric in 1 Peter 4:7-11:

“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.”

The end of all things is at hand. Come quickly, Lord Jesus! Until he does, Peter offers a rubric for navigating 2024 in America. In this moment, we are “stewards of God’s grace.” I believe Peters shows us a rubric for navigating our times, which I will call “The Five C’s of Cultural Engagement.”

First, CLARITY. Peter says we need to be “self-controlled and sober-minded.” In other words, you need to think clearly about the issues. You need to see them rightly in light of God’s Word and the Gospel. Too often we become distracted and enticed by the world’s offering and systems. Don’t fall for the wisdom of the world—pursue the wisdom from above (James 3)! When you are thinking clearly, you will also speak clearly and with conviction to those in your orbit. Where do you need clarity for 2024?

Second, CULTURE. This one may seem obvious. If you are doing cultural engagement, you need to think about culture! However, we live in a visual, narrative culture where messages are often passively received rather than critically evaluated. Every show you watch, every song you listen to, every advertisement you see and, increasingly, every post you receive on social media has an agenda. They have message. They are trying to capture your heart. The way to combat this is to know the end of the true story. Jesus wins. Jesus will come back. The “end of all things is at hand,” so do not settle for the lies of the moment. Know the culture and expose the idols that have gripped our hearts. Daniel Strange wrote a wonderful book entitled, Plugged In, which can teach you how to do this.

We live in a visual narrative culture where messages are often passively received rather than critically evaluated. Every show you watch, every song you listen to, every advertisement you see and, increasingly, every post you receive on social media has an agenda. They have message. They are trying to capture your heart. The way to combat this is to know the end of the true story. Jesus wins. Jesus will come back. The “end of all things is at hand,” so do not settle for the lies of the moment.

Third, CREED. Throughout church history, theologians and church leaders have gathered to make a statement of belief. Pastor Dave Hentschel famously said, “you have to dig into a creed.” A creed is a statement of what we believe. They are filled with theology. They were passed down for teaching the next generation the truth about Jesus. When you are engaging the culture, you need to know what you believe. The Apostles Creed begins this way, “I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord […]” Think about the theological truths that are packed in that statement alone. A secular person might say, “How can you believe God made the world? That’s ridiculous!” How would you respond? To be a “steward of God’s varied grace” is to be someone who shares the Gospel, with love and clarity.

Fourth, COUNSEL. This point is something desperately needed in today’s world. People are hurting and lonely—the statistics bear that out. People don’t feel heard. The breakdown of institutions has left people without community. The rise of no-fault divorce has ruptured the family system. The church has the opportunity to step in and offer something different. Peter tells us to “love one another earnestly.” He tells us to show “hospitality without grumbling.” One of the best apologetics you have in 2024 is to show hospitality and love. When you do that, it opens the door to conversation and counsel around life issues. Could we become warm and hospitable people in 2024? As Rosario Butterfield has written, “The Gospel Comes With a House Key.” A hospitable spirit opens a door for the Gospel. That’s the hope for 2024.

Finally, COURAGE. The reality is that all of this requires courage. In 1 Peter 3:15, the Apostle tells us “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect […] (NIV).” This is the quintessential passage for the apologist. If you want to have this courage, what do you need? First, give your heart to Jesus as LORD. Second, be prepared to share. About what? Hope. As such, third, people need to see hope within you. How do you share? With gentleness and respect. There is a time to confront with the truth, but always do so courageously with gentleness and respect. Do not engage the world because you want their respect. Rather, share the Gospel because Jesus has your heart and you are serving him alone.

Glory & Dominion

This article made many predictions. Some may happen, others may not. Either way, snow is coming in 2024. How much? We do not know. Still, we must be ready. We must clearly know our calling this year. As we close, 1 Peter 4:11 offers a purposeful outline: “To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

This is Peter’s summary statement after he tells us how to engagement the culture. God needs to get the glory. God is in control no matter what. This year, it will be tempting to think the sky is falling. We will be enticed to believe that God is not in control and we need another savior. Both of those statements are false. Instead, if you want to live with courageous resilience, you must ask two questions constantly:

Where can God get the glory? Am I trusting that He has Dominion?

Glory and dominion. That is the bedrock of courageous resilience. My prayer is that we would be people who point others to God’s glory, who trust in God’s dominion, and who engage the skeptic in 2024 and beyond.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part three of the three part series on courageous resilience in 2024.

Where Do We Turn When We’re Desperate?

Pastor Dave Hentschel

Sermon Summary: Luke 8:40-56

Sometimes we find ourselves facing desperate situations that leave us feeling helpless and alone. In times of despair, where do we turn? The answer lies in turning to Jesus and holding onto the unwavering belief that He is with us in our most challenging moments. This sermon reflection delves into Luke 8:40-56, unveiling the transformative journey from despair to hope.

Part 1: The Situation

The passage begins with Jairus, a synagogue leader, desperate and pleading for Jesus to come and heal his dying daughter. It’s a moment of raw vulnerability as a father watches his beloved child slip away. We can all relate to Jairus in our own desperate situations, whether it be health crises, financial struggles, or broken relationships. Desperation often propels us to seek help beyond our own abilities, leading us to the feet of Jesus.

Part 2: The Interruption

As Jesus is en route to Jairus’ house, a woman who has suffered from a debilitating ailment for twelve years interrupts the journey. In her desperation, she reaches out and touches the fringe of Jesus’ cloak, hoping for healing. This interruption, though seemingly deterring, becomes a powerful illustration of faith. Jesus acknowledges her faith and heals her, showcasing that even in the midst of one person’s desperate situation, another can find unexpected redemption. This interruption teaches us that God’s plans are higher than ours, and sometimes, in the midst of our trials, He brings about unforeseen blessings.

Part 3: The Resurrection

While Jesus is still speaking with the woman, messengers arrive to inform Jairus that his daughter has died. In the face of death itself, Jesus encourages Jairus with the words, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” What follows is nothing short of a miraculous resurrection as Jesus raises the dead girl back to life. This event demonstrates the power of unwavering faith in the midst of the most dire circumstances. Even when all hope seems lost, Jesus is the resurrection and the life, capable of bringing forth new life from the ashes of despair.

No matter what we face in life, we can all remember the words of Jesus, “Do not be afraid, only believe.”

There are three Possible Outcomes of God’s Intervention in our times of Desperation:

A) Sometimes God keeps us FROM the trial:

In His mercy, God may shield us from certain trials altogether. Through His divine protection, we experience His grace in avoiding situations that could potentially overwhelm us.

B) Sometimes God keeps us THROUGH the trial:

God’s promise is not always to remove us from difficulties, but to be with us in the midst of them. As we navigate trials, His presence sustains us, providing strength, comfort, and an enduring hope that transcends our circumstances.

C) Sometimes God uses the trial to deliver us unto Himself:

In the grand tapestry of our lives, God weaves even the most challenging trials into a masterpiece. These hardships can serve as a pathway that leads us closer to God, fostering a deeper relationship with Him and ultimately delivering us into His eternal presence. In some ways the resurrection of this little girl was a foretaste of the great resurrection one day, when God will say to all who have died, “Child Arise,” and for those who are in Christ, they will!

When faced with desperate situations, we turn to Jesus, remembering His words, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” Through the lens of Luke 8:40-56, we see that in our desperation, God invites us into a transformative journey – from the depths of our situation, through unexpected interruptions, to the resurrection of hope. Regardless of the outcome, we find solace in turning to Jesus, who is the source of our strength and the anchor of our faith.

Recommended Resource:

Little Girl Get Up by Rick Malwitz

Courageous Resilience in 2024 Pt 2

Five Trends To Watch

In part one of this “Courageous Resilience” series, we laid a foundation for the challenges before us in 2024. Now, let’s get practical about the snowfall predictions. What should we be watching out for in 2024? I’ll do my best to make some predictions. At the end of the year, we can assess how well I did. Each of these points has significant worldview implications. I will then offer a rubric for responding well.

1. 2024 Will Reveal An Acute Political Moment: 2024 is a presidential election year in the United States. It seems every presidential election, in recent years, has become more contentious than the last. Part of this has to do with a growing worldview divide in the west. Secularism is on the rise and because Millennials and Gen Z are affiliating less with organized religion, they are replacing it with political engagement (at least on certain causes they care about). The result: politics is now a religion. Trump v. Biden, then, is a battle between two saviors, not a debate over ideas and policies. So, this year, expect to hear a lot about Christian Nationalism, abortion, free speech, identity politics, open borders and more. We must learn how to apply Biblical principles to these issues. The problem, recently, has been that people are reading the same Bible yet coming to different conclusions. Expect, again, to see Christians attacking other Christians. People will leave churches because they don’t agree politically with other people in the pews. My hope, however, is that this time around, we can learn to disagree without demonizing. Don’t get me wrong, there are important issues. Debate the issues! However, when the debate is done, love your brother and sister.

Secularism is on the rise and because Millennials and Gen Z are affiliating less with organized religion, they are replacing it with political engagement (at least on certain causes they care about). The result: politics is now a religion. Trump v. Biden, then, is a battle between two saviors, not a debate over ideas and policies.

2. 2024 Will See A Continued Normalization Of The Gender And Sexuality Narrative: This issue has steadily grown in influence and acceptance over the last 10-15 years. June has become a holy month on the secular calendar. Last year was the first time I said, “We are not going to Target in June.” A few years ago, a San Francisco choir “jokingly” sang that they were “coming for our children.” The goal? Normalize the gender and sexuality narrative at the youngest ages. Except they were serious! Now, nearly every cultural institution is mirroring the same message: entertainment (even Disney!), the military, medicine, education, and yes, a growing number of churches. The recent conference from Andy Stanley and announcement from the Vatican are evidence of this reality. As a result, if you disagree, it will require courageous reliance to stay true to the Gospel.

3. 2024 Will Bring Continued De-Legitimization of Institutions. Yuval Levin wrote a wonderful book a few years ago entitled, “A Time To Build.” In the volume, he argued that, for a society to flourish, it must build strong institutions promoting civic and relational connectedness. The problem is people have no allegiance to institutions anymore. Case in point: many people in Congress do not appear interested primarily in serving the country. Rather, they want to get famous by building their social media platforms (Obvious examples are Alexandria Ocasio Cortez on the left, and Lauren Boebert on the right). No wonder Congress has an abysmal approval rating. However, it does not stop with government. Media, medicine, and even churches have all taken a hit in recent years. The COVID pandemic put the CDC, NIH, and WHO on the hot seat—and they are still are to this day. The average person feels that no one is telling the truth. Election integrity will be a big issue this year and it will be interesting to see how people respond to the outcome.

4. 2024 Will Cause A Re-Focus on the Nuclear Family: As a result of my first three predictions, I am hopeful these last two will bear positive fruit. Parental rights became a lightning rod issue in the Virginia Gubernatorial election. Beware infringing upon parent’s rights to raise their own children! This has facilitated an exponential rise in homeschooling. Expect this trend to continue as more and more people don’t trust outside influences with the youngest among us. I also expect to see the rise of alternative media choices driven by this re-focus on the nuclear family.

5. 2024 Will Cause A Resurgence of Spiritual Formation: Finally, I believe the church will recognize that the spiritual formation of the next generation is crucial to our mission. In 2017, Rod Dreher famously wrote a book called, The Benedict Option. His essential argument was that Christians have lost the culture war. Therefore, we should retreat and invest in our own institutions—classical schools, churches, businesses, etc.—for the purpose of discipling the next generation in the Christian worldview. At my own church, programs like AWANA, homeschool co-ops, and mentoring programs are popular and on the rise. This is a good thing—and I pray it continues. Some will argue that, if you retreat from the rest of culture, you are sacrificing mission. I understand that argument. However, I’m not sure how effective the mission is if you lose soldiers in the process. The truth is, some people can handle it and have a natural gift of evangelism. Others (and I am particularly thinking of young kids here) cannot. The bottom line: we need to know what we believe, be able to articulate and defend what we believe, and be confident in our identity in Christ. We need to be resilient. Then you go into battle.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part two of a three part series on courageous resilience.

“The bottom line: we need to know what we believe, be able to articulate and defend what we believe, and be confident in our identity in Christ. We need to be resilient. Then you go into battle.”

Courageous Resilience in 2024 Pt 1

Courageous Resilience in 2024

A Resolute Time | I am sitting at my desk and peering out my office window on a beautiful, sunny, January morning in New Jersey. My weather app tells me that snow is looming on the horizon this weekend. However, we are not sure the amount. It could be one inch, it could be ten inches, or the snow may never materialize. Weather reports can be frustrating! Do I buy gas for the snow blower? Or can I spend the weekend with my family in peace?

2024 is barely a month old but it feels like this weather report. People are making predictions about the stock market and the presidential election—they are estimating the amount of impending snow coming along with its ramifications. Will it be one inch or will there be a cultural avalanche? We don’t know. One thing I can predict with certainty—snow is likely coming this year so it is best to prepare for the coming storm.

The Underground Sessions seeks to accomplish two goals: equip the saints and engage the skeptics.

This entry was originally published as the first in a series of articles I will write this year for our Underground Sessions (U.S.) newsletters. For those not familiar with U.S., it is the cultural engagement and apologetics ministry arm of MBC. Our events and resources seek to accomplish two goals: (1) First, we want to equip the saints for the work of ministry—particularly in the area of Christian worldview training. (2) Second, we want to engage the skeptic with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. At Underground, we specifically attempt to find cultural touchpoints for spiritual discussion. Recently, the term cultural apologetics has been in vogue. It is exactly what we seek to do at the U.S. If want to know more about cultural apologetics, check out Paul Gould’s BOOK with the same title, or the newly minted Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics.

Resolved: 2024 will be a year of courageous resilience for Christians.

With that said, let me come back to my initial image of the snowstorm. I do believe 2024 is a year that will pose some challenges; we just do not know how much snow we will need to shovel. Despite the uncertainty, this is a resolute time for Christians seeking to live out their faith. What do I mean by that? To be resolute is to be firm or determined; unwavering. Or, if I put it in a more familiar term, we need some New Year’s Resolutions that match the current moment.

I’ll suggest one.
Resolved: 2024 will be a year of courageous resilience for Christians.

2024: A Year (Requiring) Courageous Resilience

What do I mean by courageous resilience? To have courage means we are willing to say and do what is right in the face of opposition and suffering. What’s interesting is that there is, currently, an intramural debate happening in the evangelical world regarding courageous cultural engagement. This has been called, tongue in cheek, the “winsome wars.”

To have courage means we are willing to say and do what is right in the face of opposition and suffering.

On the one hand, many will argue that our witness should be more winsome. In other words, our style should be charming and attractive to the outside world. We should win people with kindness and sound reasoning. The downside is this approach can create a tendency toward accommodation of secular cultural narratives under the guise of “mission.” This approach lacks, at times, the prophetic truth that a lost world needs to hear. It jettisons courageous truth telling and prioritizes “respect” from cultural elites for the purpose of garnering a seat at the table. Carl Trueman recently wrote an article at First Things highlighting the danger of this approach.

On the other hand, there are some who argue that, because of our cultural moment, winsome apologetics is not as effective as it once was. Today, we need to be more prophetically confrontational. We need to understand the world will hate us for what we believe. However, this should not keep us from sharing the truth. Author Aaron Ren has outlined the argument well in an article he titled, “The Three Worlds.” In summary, he outlines the positive, neutral and negative worlds (along with time periods). Since 2014, he argues, we have been living in the negative world, where true Biblical Christian faith does not have cultural swaying power. Thus, we should take Jesus words in John 15:18-19 very seriously:

If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

Many Christians have not come to grips with this reality. In fact, many Christians, and influential Christian leaders, are arguing just the opposite: our missional effectiveness should be oriented toward the secular world respecting us. To be blunt, this seems the opposite of what Jesus says. The caution with the confrontational approach is we can become too prickly, which is fair.

In fact, many Christians, and influential Christian leaders, are arguing just the opposite: our missional effectiveness is attuned to the secular world respecting us. To be blunt, this seems the opposite of what Jesus himself says.

Why do I raise this point? Precisely because this is the current debate surrounding cultural engagement. Should we be more winsome? Or should we be more prophetic? Of course, one can argue that you need both. I think that is true. You need both TRUTH and GRACE, which Jesus himself embodies (John 1:14). Jesus met the woman at the well in John 4 with loving truth, but he also turned over tables at the temple (Matthew 21:12-13). Both approaches, unless you are the Son of God, require true courage.

When we are courageous, there will be consequences. People will push back. As such, we must be resilient to weather the storm. No matter the snowfall totals, we plow forward in faithful obedience to Scripture. We follow the God who reveals himself in those Scriptures.

Editor’s Note: This is part one of a three part series looking at Christian worldview implications for 2024.

Do You Believe Jesus Has The Power to Forgive? (Luke 7:36-50)

Valentine’s Day Haters

In Luke 7:36-50 we find a story where Jesus displays the scandalous power of love and forgiveness to a woman who crashes a party. Speaking of love and forgiveness, Valentine’s Day is a mere two weeks away. Anyone excited about Valentine’s Day? It’s a complicated holiday. Some people love getting dressed up, going out for a nice dinner, or getting chocolates. Other people hate Valentine’s Day. If you google, “I hate Valentine’s Day,” you will get article after article outlining disdain for February 14th (Sorry if that’s your birthday!). Based on my in depth research, I suspect more people hate the holiday than love it.

There is one major complaint about Valentine’s Day that gets to the heart of the haters: roses. They are a common gesture on Valentine’s Day. More to the point, roses as an apology are inadequate. Did you know some people have assigned certain flowers meaning when it comes to apologies? Roses have long been associated with love and emotions, which makes them an ideal gift for an apology. For example, red roses indicate passionate love for a partner. White roses signify the acknowledgement of past mistakes and a desire for a fresh start. If you combine caused florists to recommend them as a perfect gift displaying your desire for forgiveness and love. Don’t be afraid to add a dash of baby’s breath letting your partner know you are hoping for renewed trust! Here is what I want you to see: when forgiveness is true, love deepens. That is Jesus’ climactic message in Luke 7:47. Jesus says this,

“But he who is forgiven little, loves little (Luke 7:47, ESV).”

Little forgiveness equals little love. By contrast, if you commit a grave sin with wide ranging impact and hurt—it requires a larger measure of forgiveness leading to an outpouring of love. As we will see, in order to understand forgiveness you need to recognize the depth of your sin.

The Party

Our section opens with a party, a banquet hosted at the house of a “certain” Pharisee. What’s interesting is that this scene contrasts with Luke 5:27-32. There, Jesus also goes to the house of a tax collector and the main guests are “sinners.” In that scene, the Pharisees burst in and complain. Now, in Luke 7:36-50, Jesus has another meal with a Pharisee, but the guest list is likely a “who’s who” of the contemporary cultural elites.

This sets up a contrast with Luke 5. Instead of the Pharisees crashing the party, a different figure shows up.

“And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment (Luke 7:37, ESV).”

This time a “sinner” enters the Pharisee’s home. The word, behold, indicates that this was a shocking turn of events. The first question you might ask is—how did she get in? The Pharisees need better security! Well, in the ancient world, much of life was lived in public, not behind walls. Entertainment was a public affair—the doors of the house would be wide open and, basically, anyone could wander in.

This woman takes a huge risk to enter the party—she knows her status, she knows she will be looked down upon. Yet, the fact the she brings a gift of oil indicates this was premeditated. She did not just wander in. Why would she do this? Let’s examine her interaction with Jesus.

“… and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment (Luke 7:38, ESV).”

What is this all about? She comes into this party, ignores all the elites, and runs right to Jesus. This caused a commotion, I guarantee. I think she is weeping loudly. She gets at Jesus feet and wails! Are they tears of repentance? Or are they, as some have suggested, tears of anger? These could be tears of rage because these Pharisees, these elites, have not recognized who Jesus is. They have not extended him a kiss of greeting or washed his feet. She sees what they miss—he is the King who is worthy of worship! So she bows at his feet and lets down her hair in reverence!

This scene offers a common Lukan contrast: there are overt sinners, like this woman. And there are cover sinners, like the Pharisee, who we will examine in the next movement. What does this overtly sinful woman teach us about our approach to Jesus? I would suggest the text shows us three actions:

First, RISK. This woman knew her status in society, she knew the reception the elites would offer. Maybe they would throw her out of the house! Maybe they would put her in jail! And yet … she took the risk to run to Jesus. She chose to publicly associate with Jesus. What are you willing to risk to come to Jesus? Our culture downplays sin. People try to cover their mistakes for fear of shame. It is becoming increasingly harder to say you love Jesus. Earlier, John The Baptist spoke truth in difficult times … and eventually he would be killed. There is risk in coming to Jesus. Confessing your sin and coming to Jesus requires risk, because when people know your sin they might look at you differently. Jesus doesn’t. He already knows your sin. Bring it to him.

Second, REVERANCE. Do you see the way this woman treated Jesus? She kissed his dirty feet in worship. She cried tears of anger because others were not worshipping him. This act of humility shows us the lengths she was going to worship Jesus. We have no concept of this in the 21st century. We come to worship in our climate-controlled sanctuary, with our clean clothes and sanitary homes. This woman did not care about any of that—it was all about Jesus. Are you revering him in your life? He is worthy.

Third, REPENTANCE. The tears she wept, the tears she rained down on his feet to some extent, I believe, showed her contrition and humility. She desired peace with the God of the universe and she recognized this prophet, this Jesus could offer that. And he does later in the passage. Friends, do you recognize your sin … and will you leave it at Jesus feet? Some people, they know they are sinners, but nothing changes. Their “repentance” is false. We need to come to Jesus like this woman and leave our life of sin. Are you repenting regularly to Jesus?

The Story

Next we turn to Simon the Pharisee. He has a problem with the sinful woman.

“Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner (Luke 7:39, ESV).”

He is judging the woman and he is judging Jesus. He thinks, “how could this man, who says he is a prophet, let this unclean woman, this sinner, touch him!? Gross!”

This verse places a magnifying glass on our own hearts. I suspect, many of us are reticent to air our dirty laundry, like the sinful woman. Our social media society has taught us to curate our images—we strive to put our best foot forward. But in our hearts we are like the Pharisee. We look at other people and say, “At least I am not as sinful as them!” We are COVERT sinners! Now, Jesus is going to turn to us and tell a story.

“A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both (Luke 7:41-42, ESV).”

This might seem like a brief story by modern standards—let’s call in a scenario based question. Here is what’s amazing—in three sentences, Jesus cuts to heart of the matter. What do we see?

First, we have a moneylender. In modern terms, this is your banker or creditor. This is your Wells Fargo, your SoFi, your CitiBank. Then you have two individuals who have loans with this bank—maybe it’s a mortgage, an auto loan, a credit card. Actually, let’s use student loans, which you may remember can’t be used in bankruptcy. Bottom line: both these people have DEBT. However, Jesus makes it interesting—one owes 500 denarii (Almost 2 years salary), the other owed 50 denarii (2 months salary). So, one student went to a private school, the other went to community college! Then, for whatever reason, Wells Fargo becomes benevolent and cancels the student loan for both—woah! That’s great news!

Now, here is the thing: one owed a lot, the other owed a little. Both debts were forgiven. In fact, that word, “cancelled,” can be translated as “graciously forgiven.” Would you have a different reaction depending upon your debt? Jesus, then, asks an interesting question. He does not say, “wasn’t it great they both were forgiven?” He does not ask, “Is this an example of economic inequality?” NO! He asks a deep, important question that gets to the heart:

“Now which of them will love him more?” (Luke 7:42, ESV)

Who will love more? Why does Jesus ask this question? He is, graciously trying to lead the Pharisee, and us, to deeper self-reflection and awareness. Yet, while one number was large and the other were small … THEY WERE BOTH IN DEBT! Both of them would go to debtor’s prison but for the grace of the moneylender. He is tying the amount of their debt to the depth of their love.

What just happened? I’ll tell you what happened: Jesus crashed the party. Jesus ruined the party. Jesus held a mirror up to the Pharisee’s heart in public and exposed his sin for all to see. Remember—Luke is always trying to show us that Jesus came to save lost people who don’t know they are lost.

Is that you? Where does Jesus need to ruin your party? This is the point for many of us: we think this world, this life, is one big party that we are hosting. We think it is all about us! And, because we are the host, we have an image to curate. Don’t let people see the room in your house that is a mess. Instead, let them see the wonderfully curated room! We think we can hide. We will do whatever we can to maintain our image. Some of us are working so hard to make ourselves look good, to hide our sin, for other people and it’s exhausting! What will it get us??? We have no peace!

Friends, Jesus wants to ruin your party so that you can find true peace and joy!

The Scandalous Climax

Now we’ve reached the scandalous climax. When Jesus asked Simon, “Do you see this woman (v. 44)?” He knew he saw her. However, he did not see her as Jesus saw her. Jesus sees her inside and out and he is about to change her life. In doing so, he offers Simon an invitation to a transformed life as well. Jesus concludes:

Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” (Luke 7:47, ESV)

This conclusion is scandalous. “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven …” What??? This woman disrupted the party, Jesus insulted the host and now to add insult to injury he directly forgives this woman:

And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” (Luke 7:48-49, ESV)

“Who is this, who even forgives sins?” Everyone around the table is whispering to themselves. I wonder, are they more shocked at his forgiveness than his miracles??? Often, when we read about a miracle in Luke, the people are AMAZED! Here, I think they are shocked because their world has been turned upside down—only God can forgive sins! Yet, Jesus does it. This is scandalous! It is the scandalous power of forgiveness. And don’t miss it’s transformative effect. Jesus says, “he who is forgiven little … loves little.”

So, Jesus offers these final words to the woman at the party:

And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Luke 7:50, ESV)

This is the last thing he says to the woman after this crazy scene. He knows she cannot stay. This woman needed an amount of faith to take the risk to enter this party. As a result, she has experienced forgiveness. Don’t miss that last clause: “Go In Peace.” Do you see what Luke is doing? He is bringing together the Isaiah 52 imagery of the whole scene. This woman has come in faith, she has kissed the beautiful feet of the one who has brought the good news. Now … now … she can have peace. Why? Because of the forgiveness and love of Messiah, the Savior, has been given.

He is the one who brings the RED ROSE of love. His blood ran red on the cross to cleanse us like the WHITE ROSE. Love and forgiveness met on the cross. Because Jesus died and then rose to life, defeated sin, hell death, and Satan …. he breathes the BABY BREATH of hope into our lives! He is offering us the flowers of the Gospel. Will you take them? Some of us today resonate with the woman in this story. You feel like an outcast—these flowers are a reminder that on the cross Jesus showed his love for you. If you resonated with the Pharisee—and your heart is hard—these flowers are a reminder that Jesus love can thaw the coldest heart. I don’t care how much you hate Valentine’s Day … TAKE THEM! Receive the good news! How beautiful are the feet of the one who brings the good news?! They are so beautiful that we must bow at his feet, lay down our crowns, and celebrate him. This world is not our party … it is His party! He is inviting us in. That should bring us to tears. That should give us peace.

A Sermon Summary on the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:17-49)

By: Pastor Dave Hentschel

In Luke 6:17-49, Jesus delivers the Sermon on the Plain, a profound discourse that encapsulates the essence of what it means to follow Him. This sermon serves as a foundational guide for believers, outlining the values, commands, and litmus test of Jesus’ kingdom. As we delve into the message, we discover the transformative principles that shape the Christian journey.

Section 1: The Values of Jesus’ Kingdom (Luke 6:20-26)

Jesus begins the sermon by highlighting the values that define His kingdom. These values stand in stark contrast to the world’s standards, challenging followers to embrace a radical way of living. The beatitudes (Luke 6:20-26) paint a vivid picture of the blessedness found in humility, compassion, and a hunger for righteousness. In this section, we explore the profound shift required in our hearts to align with the kingdom values proclaimed by Jesus.

Section 2: The Commands of Jesus’ Kingdom (Luke 6:27-42)

Building upon the foundation of kingdom values, Jesus provides explicit commands that guide the conduct of His followers. He calls for love toward enemies, forgiveness, and generosity (Luke 6:27-36). This section delves into the practical implications of these commands, exploring how they challenge our natural inclinations and compel us to embody the selfless love of Christ.

Section 3: The Litmus Test of Jesus’ Kingdom (Luke 6:43-49)

The concluding part of the sermon introduces the concept of the litmus test for genuine discipleship. There are two parables, the parable of the two trees and the parable of the two builders. Jesus emphasizes the importance of bearing fruit and building our lives on the solid foundation of His teachings (Luke 6:46-49). This section explores the idea that true followers of Jesus not only hear His words but also put them into practice. The litmus test challenges us to evaluate the authenticity of our faith and prompts a reflection on the firmness of our commitment to Christ.

In summary, the Sermon on the Plain serves as a comprehensive guide for those seeking to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. By exploring the values, commands, and litmus test of Jesus’ kingdom, believers are equipped to navigate the challenges of discipleship.

Recommended Resource:

As a valuable resource for further study, Alistair Begg’s “The Christian Manifesto” (Link here) offers insights that complement and deepen our understanding of the timeless principles presented in this profound sermon.

What Would It Take To Leave Everything? (Luke 5:1-32)

Leaving Everything

In Luke chapter 5 we meet a tax collector named Levi. Jesus enters the scene after performing miracles and gaining notoriety. One day, he passes by Levi’s tax booth and makes a jarring request:

After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything, he rose and followed him (Luke 5:27-28, ESV).

A simple request. I imagine he looks him in the eye and says, “Follow me.” We are not told if Levi asked any questions, if he thought about it for a while … we just read that he “left everything.”

What would it take for you to leave everything? Now, when I ask the question, there likely different responses depending on your station in life. If you are on the younger side—a teenager or young adult—you don’t think twice about this. You might say, “Jesus, of course I will leave everything for you … there’s actually not much to leave! Where ever, when even, I will follow.” I remember the days when I didn’t pause to think about that. By contrast, if you are a bit older you are counting the cost of leaving everything. In fact, you might be pushing back on my question. You say, “Hold on—I have a family who relies on me, I have a mortgage, I have to feed my kids, I have a retirement account built up … am I really willing to leave it all?”

And that is the point. What would it take? Since it is Jesus who makes the request, we should take it seriously.

An Astonished Heart

We have no chance of answering Jesus call without faith. That is a central theme in Luke 5. This year, I resolved to identify five shifts I’d like to make in the coming year. I anticipate this will become an annual exercise. One shift, in particular, has become a burden on my heart: I want to BUILD GREATER FAITH in my life. How? How do we build a transformative faith in our lives? Foundationally, we need an astonished heart.

To be astonished is to be “filled with the emotional impact of an overwhelming surprise of shock.” Notice—there is an emotional impact. In other words, this is not just an intellectual exercise; something moved your heart. I’ll call it an “I can’t believe it” moment. Have you ever had that happened? Something occurs and you say, “I can’t believe it.”

When the disciples encounter Jesus in Luke 5:1-11, he offers a challenge: “Put out into the deep and let down you nets for a catch (5:4).” This seems an innocent request. However, every 1^st century fisherman worth their salt would know you don’t fish in the deep waters during the day—you fish at night! Still, Jesus has piqued their interest, so they agree. The result? They catch so many fish their boats fill with water due to the weight! The response of the disciples should garner our attention:

But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon (Luke 5:8-10, ESV).

They were astonished by the catch of fish. There was an emotional impact. They just had an “I can’t believe it” moment! This faith-building episode offers a glimpse of what Jesus can do in your life. If God is calling you he wants to show you something. Jesus wanted to show Peter something greater than he could imagine. I think God wants that for my life and for your life. The truth is we are afraid to follow Jesus into the deep waters because we do not know what will happen. Jesus offer reassurance and redirection of mission:

And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him (Luke 5:10-11, ESV).

Jesus says, “Don’t be afraid—I am calling you to something greater! I want to build your faith with some fish, so you will trust me on the mission.” What was ultimately the Disciples response? The left everything to follow him. What would it take for you to leave everything for Jesus? You need an astonished heart.

A Sober Analysis

In our quest to build greater faith in Jesus, we must identify and slay the faith killing dragons in our lives. What are those? Luke 5 offers some examples through the Pharisees. The chapter shows a “pharisaical progression” the kills faith before it can take root in our hearts. I’ll capture it with three words from the text: sitting, questioning, and grumbling. Each comes with a message.

First, the message of SITTING is, “we know more than God.” When the Pharisees first show up (Luke 5:17), they are glaring down their noses at Jesus. They are thinking, “Who is this man? What does he think he knows?” Moreover, we do the same think when we do not trust or have faith in God. We think we know more than he does.

Second, the message of QUESTIONING is, “we resist what God has revealed.” As the Pharisees moved into the questioning phase (Luke 5:21), they were becoming more belligerent with Jesus. Even though they had seen his miracles, they kept asking him questions to trap him, to push back on the truth. This was done from a resistance posture. Again, we can do the same thing. Some of us have seen God work in our lives but we still question unendingly.

Finally, the message of GRUMBLING is, “we refuse to surrender to God.” The grumbling phase is really about a refusal to surrender to Christ. The Pharisees did it—and we do it. I’ve watched it happen many, many times. People ask questions when, truthfully, they simply disagree with God and will never give their lives to him. Is your grumbling a refusal to surrender to the God you already know is powerful enough to save you? Are you just upset that he wants to rule your life?

Sitting, questioning and grumbling. Which faith killer is coming for you? In each case, we are resisting God’s work and killing the faith he wants to build in us.

A Humble Acknowledgement

All of this brings us back to the question: how do you build transformative faith? Let me offer an axiom: “An astonished heart builds faith but a resistant heart kills faith.” Write that down somewhere and mediate upon it. However, an astonished heart requires a humble acknowledgement that we are reticent to offer.

At the end of the day, we must know we are sinners and we need a Savior. Otherwise, we will always trust ourselves to save the day. We can’t. This is the crux of the matter in Luke’s Gospel. Remember, so many of Luke’s stories are pointing to lost people who do not know they are lost. Luke is exposing supposedly righteous people who are actually terrible sinners; they just won’t admit it. Instead, they are sitting, questioning, and grumbling because the true King threatens their perceived power.

What they needed, and what we need, is a humble acknowledgment of our sin. That is the beginning step to building faith. Trust Jesus with your life! Have you done that today? Jesus is calling to you, “follow me.” He is whispering to our hearts. He challenges the Pharisees again and makes it very clear:

And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled […] And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:30-32, ESV)

Yes. Sinners need to come to repentance. They need to humbly acknowledge their sin and turn from wicked ways to Jesus. Commentator Mike McKinley captures it correctly: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but those who are ill. The question is not whether Jesus is able to save, but whether we are able truly to confess our need of him.”

Why won’t you confess your sin? Why is it so hard to tell Jesus you need him? We need him. Let’s let him astonish our hearts and build our faith in 2024 and beyond! When we do that, we will be ready to leaving everything and follow Jesus.

What Did Jesus Come to Do? (Luke 4:14-44)

Sermon summary

In the gospel of Luke, specifically in Luke 4:14-44, we find a profound exploration of the “job description” of Jesus. This passage unveils the core mission and purpose behind the life of Jesus Christ, shedding light on the significance of recognizing and embracing Him as the CEO of our lives. As we delve into the teachings and actions of Jesus, we discover a transformative message that carries timeless relevance.

This passage in Luke provides a comprehensive overview of Jesus’ earthly ministry, encapsulating His teachings, miracles, and interactions with people. Let’s explore key aspects of Jesus’ job description outlined in these verses:

Jesus came to Proclaim the Good News (Luke 4:18-19): Jesus declared His mission by quoting from Isaiah 61, proclaiming liberty to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and freedom to the oppressed. He came to bring the good news of salvation and liberation to all who would hear and believe.
Jesus came to bring Healing and Deliverance (Luke 4:31-37, 40-41): Jesus demonstrated His authority over sickness and demonic forces. His healing touch and powerful words showcased His divine ability to bring physical and spiritual restoration. Embracing Jesus as the CEO of our lives means seeking His healing and deliverance in every aspect.
Jesus came Teaching with Authority (Luke 4:31-32, 43-44): Jesus’ teaching was marked by authority, wisdom, and divine insight. He came to guide, instruct, and illuminate the path of righteousness for those who would follow Him. Accepting Jesus as the CEO involves surrendering to His teachings and allowing them to shape our lives.
Jesus came bringing the Kingdom of God (Luke 4:42-44): Jesus emphasized the primary importance of the kingdom of God. His mission wasn’t confined to earthly concerns but aimed at establishing God’s reign in the hearts of people. Embracing Jesus as the CEO involves making the kingdom of God the central focus of our lives.

As we reflect on Luke 4:14-44, we encounter the profound and transformative job description of Jesus. Embracing Him as the CEO of our lives means surrendering to His authority, seeking His healing, learning from His teachings, and prioritizing the kingdom of God.

Jesus also invoked a variety of responses, some embraced him, others rejected him. It’s essential to grasp the gravity of recognizing who Jesus is. C.S. Lewis eloquently captures this sentiment with his powerful words: “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”

C.S. Lewis’s words remind us that the importance of Christianity is not to be taken lightly—it demands a response of either acceptance or rejection. As we consider the impact of Jesus’ mission, may we wholeheartedly embrace Him as our CEO who brings infinite importance and eternal significance to our lives.

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