How to hear God’s voice!

Luke 16: 27-31 says, “And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father’s house—for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ “But Abraham *said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ “But he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!’ “But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”

Observation: Jesus is telling parables to his disciple and lays out something that almost seems to say, “You want miracles, but you don’t need them because you have the Word.” At the end of CH 16 he’s talking about Lazarus and the rich man. They both die. Rich man goes to hell, Lazarus (poor man) goes to heaven. Rich man asks that Lazarus return to earth to warn his family that if they too don’t believe in God they will end up in hell (he figures that if a dead man returns to earth, everyone would have to believe that!). God (as Abraham) tells Rich man that his family have the writings of Moses and the prophets (The Bible) and that should be enough to believe. Have you ever heard a friend say they are waiting to hear from God by “putting a fleece before God.” Judges 6:14-16 Gideon wanted a “sign” from God. Today, we too want signs from God. Why? Because our faith is not enough. We are the same as the rich man, we want a miracle to prove what God is saying is true. There is nothing wrong with a good ol’ fashion miracle, but Jesus himself was teaching his disciples that the Word (testimony) of God should be enough to believe.

Application: So how are we to know what God is asking of us just from his Word? Faith. God will speak to your heart, then you can use his Word to test what God is saying. If it aligns up, you’re probably good to go. If you are still not sure, ask another person you know who is hearing from God. They can give you wisdom. I think God speaks in 3 ways today: The Spirit in your heart, The Word, and other Godly people who are digging into God’s word and hear from him. So do you need to make a big decision and you are waiting for a “sign from above” but it’s not coming? Maybe God is wanting you to kick in your faith life. Trust in him, spend time with him, listen to him, and it’s hard to go wrong.

Prayer: God, let me live a life of FAITH that doesn’t always need the signs. Let me be in your word and trust you to lead me in every decision.

Salted or Unsalted Chips?

Luke 14:34 says, ““Therefore, salt is good; but if even salt has become tasteless, with what will it be seasoned?”

OBSERVATION: Jesus is walking down the road and a large crowd begins to gather along with his disciples. he’s giving them instruction on how to be his disciple. He lays out the big picture when he tells them that if they don’t hate their families they can’t follow him (he didn’t literally mean this because that would have violated the law, and Jesus taught to fulfill the law) so he was trying to make a point. He also talks here about the price of carrying the cross. He shoots off a few more of these powerful illustrations. But, I love what he ends with because he starts talking a language that all of us 21 century fast-food fans can understand…salt.

Salt was used for two important things in the days of Jesus…to make things taste better and for preserving foods (and human bodies…mummies).  So salt makes things taste good and it preserves. This is not the first time he has taught about salt. (Matthew 5:13 ““You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.”) So the whole point of using salt as the illustration had a two part meaning.

APPLICATION: Jesus wanted his disciples to know that there are certain characteristics when it comes to being a disciple. Just as salt has specific uses, like making chips and french fries taste better, we are to bring about a good taste to the message of Cross to those around us. How? In the way that we represent the gospel. When I say “represent” think of it as “re-present.” We are presenting the gospel to those around us, but if we do not have the characteristics of a disciple, we will be useless and thrown out. What are the characteristics? It starts with submission, love, trust, and obedience. A disciple is a follower. What did Jesus say about being a follower? We see that he teaches many things about what it means, but the whole point is to be sold out in life for him. Salt makes chips taste good, so disciples bring life and preservation to those around us.

PRAYER: God, do I make the gospel tasty to my friends, neighbors, co-workers? Don’t let me loose my usefulness.

Jesus is the un-coolest dude ever!

Luke 13:23-27 says, “And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” And He said to them, strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. “Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up to us!’ then He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ “Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets’;and He will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from; depart from Me, all you evildoers.’”

OBSERVATION: Can you imagine being a child of Father Abraham hearing such words? The crowds had assumed that because they were physically related to Abraham they would be able to enter the kingdom of Heaven. Yet, he was teaching almost the exact opposite of what they wanted to hear. While we know there was great fruit of Jesus’ ministry during this time, we also know me met a ton of opposition. It’s almost like the whole purpose of a Pharisee was to discredit what he was teaching because he would totally upset the status quo of the religious standards at the time. Jesus lays out two of the craziest statements in my opinion in this passage. First, he tells the parable (a earthly story with a heavenly meaning) about the gates of Heaven and that we should want to go through the unpopular gate because many will want to enter through and will not be permitted. Second, he says the first will be last and the last will be first. That would totally rock anyone’s understanding of what it meant to be a child of God at the time.

APPLICATION: I remember when I was a child and all the kids would fight to be the first in line, thus becoming the line leader. Those were the good ol’ days. If you had the fortunate opportunity of being the line leader there were certain fringe benefits with the position. Being the first to race to the jungle gym, first to get pizza at lunch, first to the bathroom, and the ability to lead other kids in your footsteps were just a few of those benefits. But, if we apply what Jesus said, we would learn that while my earthly benefits were plentiful, I would be wise to accept my place in the back because those rewards were irrelevant in the bigger picture. I’m reminded of what Luke 14:11 says, ““For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” I have always wanted a good reputation and sometimes gone overboard in making sure people know I have my act together…at least on the surface. But, if I apply these passages to my life I must know that God will be responsible for letting people know what they need to know about me.

Back to why Jesus is so un-cool. He is totally counterculture. He is the exact opposite of what the religious leaders thought was cool. We was probably more like a nerd. Why? Because so few were following him and he knew way more about God’s word than they did. Today, some kids pride themselves in being un-cool, which in itself turns into a click…the un-cool kids (which makes them cool). But none of that even matters. This gives me a peace for a few reasons. 1) They masses will never really like what Jesus has to say. 2) Sometimes I take responsibility when others don’t like what I preach, but that is not my responsibility, I’m only to preach. 3) When I feel that my walk is strong but others aren’t following, I can know that Jesus pretty much said that is how it’s going to work anyway.

So the moral of this story: Love God, Love Others, you’ll probably be a nerd but that’s ok.

PRAYER: God, you know one of my struggles is impressing others and trying to be spiritually popular and cool. Remind me that your son was un-cool, and in your eyes, the Fonzy of Christians. I just want to be madly in love with you.