Author: David Worcester

Lead Pastor of Compass Church http://CompassChurchSD.com #Jesus, #Family #ChurchPlanting #CollegeMinistry. #Missions http://GospelAppointments.com @collegiatecoll

You Are Invited To The Easter “After Party” – Luke 15:11-32

Tagged , , Leave a comment

From my reading in Luke 15:11-32 in the One Year New Testament.

So The Party Began…

I imagine a huge bash going on in heaven with God and the angels right now. This Easter thousands of people started their new life in Jesus! And that is something to celebrate!

The Parting, Then The Party

The story of the prodigal son is one of the most famous of Jesus’ parables. Jesus is continuing his explanation to the Pharisees about why he prioritizes spending time with tax collectors and “sinners”. Here’s the story.

A man had two sons. One son told his father that he wanted his share of the inheritance and his father agreed. The son moved to a distant land, wasted all the money on wild living, and soon was starving and broke.

In desperation he took a job feeding pigs until he realized that even the servants of his father got better food than he did! He decided to go home in shame. He was hoping his father would let him work the with the other hired hands.

Welcome Home Party

As he was returning his father caught a glimpse of him on the horizon from a long way off and he began running! The father was so filled with love for his son that he embraced him, kissed him and welcomed him home!  The son then humbly repented of his sin. Instead of reprimanding him the father told his workers to bring a robe, a ring, sandals, kill the fattened calf, and throw a huge party! Here’s the reason…

“for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.” Luke 15:24

Today, Easter Sunday this happened all over the world.

People who were dead received new life in Christ.

Those who were lost stumbled into a church building for one reason or another and were found in Christ.

That is something to celebrate! I love that last phrase, SO THE PARTY BEGAN!

Our father feels this way whenever one sinner repents and turns to Jesus.

The angels rejoice whenever one sinner repents and God along with them! We should be joining the party right?

The Party Pooper

Every party has a pooper thats why we invited the older brother. The older brother was jealous that the foolish younger brother was getting such an extravagant party after being so dumb. It wasn’t fair! So he complained to the father and this is the father’s response.

“Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’ ”Luke 15:31–32

It is truly a HAPPY DAY when the dead are raised to life!

I follow some mega churches pastors on Instagram and today I was tempted to be jealous of the thousands of salvations they were having. In those moments I was acting like the older brother. If you are in ministry here’s a very relevant question.

Are you genuinely excited when you hear stories of OTHER ministries growing and reaching a lot of people?

Or are you skeptical, jealous, or wish it was your ministry? 

For those not in full time ministry you can apply this on a micro level.

When your friend leads someone to faith do you get excited with them?

Whenever the lost or found and the dead are raised we should rejoice.

Rejoice with me over the thousands of people young and old, American, Asian, African, European, Australian, White, Black, Hispanic, and many others who were found in Christ today in an Easter service! Let the party begin!

Just think about it…

If you start celebrating now you will have practice for heaven!

If you like this article share it on Facebook, Twitter or subscribe by Email.

How To Start An Angel Party! – Luke 15:1-10

Leave a comment

From my reading in Luke 15:1-10 in the One Year New Testament.

Jesus spent so much time with tax collectors and notorious sinners that he was criticized for associating and even eating with “sinners”. Jesus responded with three stories, two of which I will summarize.

Leave the 99

If a man has 100 sheep and one gets lost he will leave the 99 in the wilderness and go look for the lost one until he finds it. When he does find it he will joyfully carry it home and tell all of his friends to rejoice along with him! Then Jesus said,

“In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!” Luke 15:7

Jesus cared about the lost! I believe as Christians we should get excited along with heaven when a lost person is saved.We need to make going out and reaching the lost a priority in our lives.

Where’s My Coin?

Jesus tells another parable about a woman who had ten silver coins and lost one. She will light a lamp and search high and low through the entire house until she finds it. When she finds it she will invite her friends and neighbors to rejoice with her!  Then Jesus said,

“In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.” Luke 15:10

If we want to bring joy to God and his angels then we should seek out the lost.

Want to start an angel party? 

There are many ways to reach out to the lost, but tomorrow is Easter Sunday and a great opportunity to invite someone who does not normally go to church!

If you don’t have anyone to invite I encourage you to think about who in your life is lost that you could start seeking to share the good news!  Nothing will bring you more joy in this life than being a part of leading someone to Jesus.

Let’s get this angel party started and be a part seeking and saving the lost!’

If you like this article share it on Facebook, Twitter or subscribe by Email.

What Is The Cost Of Following Jesus? – Luke 14:25-35

Tagged Leave a comment

From my reading in Luke 14:25-35 in the One Year New Testament.

Jesus made some pretty radical claims about the cost of following him. Let’s look at a few…

Love and Hate

“If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:26

Jesus is not actually saying that we should just hate our families.

He is saying that that the earthly love we have for our families should look like hate when compared to the love we have for God.

Basically Jesus is saying “whatever you love most in life you must love me much more.” The reason we can make the assumption is that in the rest of God’s Word it is clear that we are to love our families and even our enemies.

Carry Your Cross

“And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:27

The cross is an instrument of death. Carrying your own cross means being willing to sacrifice yourself for the sake of Jesus even if it means dying for him.

Count The Cost

Jesus encourages his listeners to count the cost before deciding to follow Jesus. He uses two illustrations.

  • When you construct a building you must make sure you have enough money to build it otherwise you will waste your money and look foolish.
  • If you are going to war you need to get advise and decide weather an army of 10,000 could take on an army of 20,000. If not then you can save many lives and try to negotiate terms of peace.

The last phrase of this paragraph seems to be a summary statement for this section.

“So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.” Luke 14:33

Surrender is the prerequisite for following Jesus.

This doesn’t mean that everyone has to give all their money away but it does mean that when we decided to follow Jesus we must be willing to give up anything he asks us to. We must be willing to give up sinful habits, unhealthy relationships, sometimes our comfort and surrender it to Jesus.

Jesus is Lord, and he wants us to treat him like it!

If you liked this post share it on Facebook, Twitter, or Follow the Blog Via Email (see top right).

 

#Selfie – The Danger of Self Promotion – Luke 14:1-24

Tagged Leave a comment

From my reading in Luke 14:1-24 in the One Year New Testament.

“Shotgun No Blitz!”

Growing up we used to play the game where when you saw the car you yell “shot gun” and then you get to sit in the front seat. We would fight over the better seat. Jesus dealt with a similar issue with some people who were with him.

Jesus saw that all the people who came to the dinner party he was attending were maneuvering to try and get the best seats. Noticing this, Jesus gave some powerful advice.

Imagine you are at a wedding.

Don’t take the most important seat, because if someone even more distinguished than you comes you will be embarrassed and asked to move to one of the least important seats.

If you take the lowest seat first then when the host recognizes you you will be put in a better position and will be honored in front of everyone. Here’s the moral of Jesus’ story.

“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 14:11

“Back Seat No Leg Room!”

After learning about humilty and a verse on “putting the interests of other above our own” we put a different spin on our game. Instead of yelling “shot gun on blitz” we would yell “back seat no leg room.”

#Selfie

I am active on Instagram and I see way more “selfies” than I would care to. Our culture tells us that if we don’t promote ourselves no one will. Often when we are in the process of self promoting we don’t even recognize it. It is such a part of our culture, we need to make a conscious effort not to toot our own horn.

How Do You Humble Yourself?

I think humbling yourself is choosing to allow others to have the spotlight. To celebrate others and to give them the priority. It is coming to a place where you are more worried about the happiness of others than your own happiness. As many have said…

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself it is thinking of yourself less.”

People love being around someone who genuinely looks out for their interests. Humble people are a joy to be around.  Jesus story is basically a paraphrase of a Jewish proverb…

“Don’t demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great. It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table than to be sent away in public disgrace.” Proverbs 25:6–7

It may take longer to “make it big” or for you to reach the audience you want. But if you choose humility and if you are promoted then it will be because you are meant to be there and not because you pushed for it. Then you will be better prepared for the greater responsibility that comes with notoriety.

Are you willing to wait humbly to be promoted? 

If you liked this post share it on Facebook, Twitter, or Follow the Blog Via Email (see top right).

What Was Christ’s Relationship With The City Of Jerusalem? – Luke 13:23-35

Tagged , , 1 Comment

From my reading in Luke 13:23-35 in the One Year New Testament.

Chicken In A Good Way

Jesus loved Jerusalem even though it was the place where he would be killed.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.” Luke 13:34

Christ’s love was so great that he desired to care for the people of the city as if they were his own children.

He used the illustration of a mother hen caring for her chicks by protecting them under her wings to illustrate the tender care he wished to give them.

But Jerusalem refused to live under his protection, instead they rejected him and killed him.

“And now, look, your house is abandoned. And you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’” Luke 13:35

Because they rejected him, Jesus “abandoned” the great city to their own devises. Ironically after Christ’s resurrection Jerusalem would be the very place that Christianity first exploded with growth!

Jesus then made a prophesy by saying that they wouldn’t see him again until they said he was indeed the Messiah. This was fulfilled on Palm Sunday which we just celebrated. As Jesus rode into the city on a donkey they said,

“Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!” Matthew 21:9

A Love Hate Relationship

As you can see Jesus had a love hate relationship with Jerusalem.

The people of Jerusalem loved him, then they hated him.

But Jesus never stopped loving them. 

I pray that I will have that same love for the places where God has called me to minister. I want to love the campuses of San Diego as well as the community God has put me in even if I am repeatedly rejected.

If you liked this post share it on Facebook, Twitter, or Follow the Blog Via Email (see top right).

Why REPENT Is More Than Just A Scary Word – Luke 13:1-22

Leave a comment

From my reading in Luke 13:1-22 in the One Year New Testament.

Repent! 

When most people hear the word repent in our culture today we think of  an angry preacher on the street corner with a big sign yelling REPENT. But Jesus uses this word as a way of describing where our hearts need to be in order to come to God.

Someone told Jesus that some people from Galilee had been murdered by Pilate as they were offering sacrifices. In Jewish culture it was common to think that bad things happen to someone because they were a sinner (see the book of Job). Jesus asked the people if they though that the ones who were killed were worse sinners than others in Galilee. Than he answered his own question.

“Is that why they suffered? Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God. Luke 13:2–3

To repent in the Greek is μετανοέω (metanoeo) which means “to change one’s way of life as the result of a complete change of thought and attitude with regard to sin and righteousness.” -Louw Nida

Repentance is a choice to turn from your sin and turn to God. 

Without repentance we can not receive Christ and benefit from his forgiveness. That means we have to be willing to let go of our sin and allow God take it away.

The step after turning from our sin is turning to God. We must look to him for forgiveness and not our own effort.

This doesn’t mean that we have to fully understand everything we are giving up at the time of conversion. It does mean that at the point conversion we are willing to obey the best we know and are willing to trust God to change us.

Some sins and addictions die harder than others and it is possible to still struggle with a sin after already repenting of it. Even after conversion we all need to have a habit of repenting when we mess up and restoring the fellowship with God.

It is a tragedy that many modern preachers are afraid to talk about sin and repentance because unless someone understands and agrees that they are a sinner why would they see their need for a savior. Repentance is the key to life change.

Repentance is the doorway to forgiveness.

Do you have anything you need to repent of today?

If you liked this post share it on Facebook, Twitter, or Follow the Blog Via Email (see top right).

The Only No-Risk Investment Of Your Money – Luke 12:32-59

Tagged , Leave a comment

From my reading in Luke 12:32-59 in the One Year New Testament.

The No-Risk Investment

Jesus told the people to sell their possession and to give to those in need.

“Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven!” Luke 12:33a

Now this doesn’t mean sell ALL of your possessions, but it does mean generously and creatively find ways to give. Some of people say, “I can’t afford to give, I’m strapped”, but I think that what Jesus is getting at here is “you can’t afford not to give.” Whatever you give with a pure heart you will be rewarded for!

When you give creatively and sacrificially you are storing treasure for yourselves in heaven. Heaven is going to be great for all Christians but there will be different levels of reward for those who are faithful.

Glass Fully Full

One illustration that helps me understand rewards in heaven is this. In heaven we will all be completely happy. It will be like having our glass all the way full with joy. Those who have obeyed God and followed closely will be rewarded with bigger glasses and therefore have greater capacity for joy. Those who don’t follow closely but believe in Christ will be completely full of joy but might have a lesser capacity.

This is just one perspective that helps me but we don’t know exactly how the reward system will look in heaven. What we do know is that it is meant to be a legitimate motivation for our obedience. If it wasn’t then why would God put the verses that talk about it in the Bible?

The Safe of Heaven

“And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it.” Luke 12:33b

Your investment is totally secure in heaven. There are no robbers in heaven because there is no sin in heaven! If you give to those in need you will be rewarded, period.

Lead Your Heart

“Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Luke 12:34

In the movie Fireproof they talk about how destructive it can be if we listen to the world’s instructions to “follow your heart.” Following your heart can lead to sin and a ruined life. Instead we are to “lead our hearts” to obey God and do what we know is right. As we lead our hearts our desires will come with it and over time God will change our desires to fit more closely with God’s.

When you choose to give you will end up caring about what you give to.

Giving does many things for you, but perhaps the greatest thing it does is change our hearts.

What can you do to give sacrificially this month?

If you liked this post share it on Facebook, Twitter, or Follow the Blog Via Email (see top right).

 

How To Guard Yourself Against Greed – Luke 12:1-31

Tagged Leave a comment

From my reading in Luke 12:1-31 in the One Year New Testament.

In Jewish society, it was tradition for the eldest son to receive the entire inheritance of their father. Here, a man who was most likely the younger bother asked Jesus to tell his old brother to split their father’s inheritance with him. Jesus responded that really he wasn’t the one to sort that out and then warned him about the heart of the problem.

“Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” Luke 12:15

You Must Be The Monopoly Guy

It is interesting that Jesus warns agains “every kind” of greed. This means that there are various ways that greed can rear its ugly head in our lives.

When most people think of greed, they think of real life Monopoly. The greedy are the rich who exploit the poor, drive fancy cars and benefit from the unjust work of the less fortunate. Many rich people do fall into the trap of greed, but they are not the only ones who deal with this problem.

The Other Face Of Greed

The poor struggle with greed just as much as the rich. Actually, the man who asked Jesus the question was the one who didn’t get the money!

The poor are greedy for what they don’t have, and the rich are greedy with what they do have! 

Greed is not about how much money you have; it is about your mentality toward it.

Bigger Barn Syndrome 

Jesus tells a parable of a man who had a very fertile farm that produced more crops than he needed. He had plenty for himself and even had filled his existing store rooms with extra! Instead of giving the remainder away, he built bigger barns for his crops so that he could just sit back, be lazy and party it up! Here is God’s perspective on this issue.

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” Luke 12:20–21

God judged the man for putting his hope in earthly wealth and not in God. It is foolish to trust in riches instead of trusting in God!

If you want to experience real life, then beware of greed. Be generous. Don’t let money control your life. Remember, Jesus’ words, “life is not measured by how much you own.”

You can buy temporary happiness, but you can’t buy joy!

Life is really about loving God and loving others! If we let money become an idol in our lives, we will miss out on the most important things and will waste  our lives! I encourage you to read this whole passage yourself because Jesus continues talking about the danger of worrying about money and how those who seek him first will be provided for!

If you liked this post share it on Facebook, Twitter, or Follow the Blog Via Email (see top right).

 

Why Guarding Your Eyes Is Guarding Your Life – Luke 11:29-54

Tagged , Leave a comment

From my reading in Luke 11:29-54 in the One Year New Testament.

Eye Sores

In our culture, we have images and messages constantly thrown at us through billboards, advertisements, movies, tv shows and websites. If we are not careful to guard our eyes, we can fall prey to temptation and it can start affecting our souls. Here’s what Jesus said about the issue.

“Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is bad, your body is filled with darkness.” Luke 11:34

What you see really does affect you. Jesus is teaching that if we let something into our eyes and into our minds, it has the power to corrupt our souls.

Eye Guards 

Unfortunately, in our culture it is impossible to stay completely isolated from unwanted images or sights. But we can create boundaries to help ourselves avoid them as well as develop habits for when we do see unwanted garbage. My favorite quote on related to this issue is by Martin Luther,

“You can’t stop the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.” – Martin Luther

We all struggle with the problem of looking at what we shouldn’t. Here’s what Jesus says for us to do.

“Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.” Luke 11:35–36

I think it is easy to get jaded with the constant barrage of negative images streaming in front of our eyes these days. It can be hard to know if we are being negatively effected by them.

Personally, I want to protect myself from unnecessary temptations. I want to be a person of integrity that is filled with light through and through.

Jesus said that if we are filled with light, our whole life will be radiant. What a great testimony we will be to the world, radiating God’s light everywhere we go! What are some ways to guard your eyes?

Maybe You Should Try..?

  • Eliminating a questionable TV show you may enjoy.
  • Not going to certain websites that have inappropriate ads.
  • Avoiding certain potentially tempting Facebook or instagram pictures.
  • Not going to movies unless you check a good Christian review first.
  • Avoiding actual places where you will be over-exposed to temptations.

 

Whatever you have to do, it will be worth it. 

 When you do mess up, confess it to God and allow God to forgive you!

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9

If you keep your eyes from evil, they will be filled with light and your life will radiate for the world to see!

If you liked this post share it on Facebook, Twitter, or Follow the Blog Via Email (see top right).

 

Why Your Prayers Might Not Be Answered… Lack Of Shameless Persistence – Luke 11:1-28

Leave a comment

From my reading in Luke 11:1-28 in the One Year New Testament.

Jesus tells a story to teach us the power of persistence in prayer. Here’s the basic gist of the story.

Say you went to a friends house to borrow bread at midnight and you say “I have a friend visiting but don’t have anything for him to eat.”

Your friend says, “Don’t bother me, I’m already in bed for the night and so is my family!” But you won’t take no for an answer.  You keep knocking and knocking and finally he will get up and give you what you need! Jesus finishes with this statement…

“But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.” Luke 10:8

Don’t Give Up!

If you are praying for something, don’t give up! We know that God loves us more than this disgruntled neighbor and wants to give us good things. If we keep asking him, it is likely he will answer in his time.

I know for me, persistence in prayer is not something at which I am great. I pray and ask, but often after praying once I think I have it covered. This passage on the other hand encourages me to keep praying for the things I want to see God do! Jesus goes on…

“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Luke 11:9–10

Keep Asking

We should never stop asking God for things because he never wants to stop blessing us! As we seek him he will answer the prayers that are according to his will. Like a loving Father, he wants to give us good things!

“You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” Luke 11:11–13

God Gives Great Gifts

God is better than any earthly father because he gives even better gifts! He gives us his Holy Spirit, Who is the greatest gift of all. He is our comforter, guide and the one who gives us courage! The Holy Spirit is the promise of our salvation!

If you have something that you are praying for and haven’t seen God answer yet, don’t give up! Keep praying. Keep knocking! Keep asking and see what God does!

If you liked this post share it on Facebook, Twitter, or Follow the Blog Via Email (see top right).