Greenlakes Baptist

Luke 12:22-32 God�s Security

Jesus tells us not to worry about our future. He tells us not to worry about what we will eat or wear or keep. Why? Because God has promised to look after us. God provides food for the beasts of the world, and He loves us more than they. In the same way He is the source of all we need. After all it is God who gave you a quick mind or athletic body. It is God who provided the opportunity for your education or the foundation provided by your parents. He who has brought you thus far will care for you in all things. This does not mean it is time to sit back and do nothing waiting for God to come through. The sparrows, you notice, do not sit in their nest and wait for seed to come jumping up into their mouths. They are busy doing the work of being sparrows. The ultimate result of our work is provision from God, not just our own scrapings. Seek first God and His kingdom and He will add the things you need to you.
Without Wax,
Dr. Dwight
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Luke 12:13-21 Beware of Riches

We are greedy by nature. Enough is never enough, we always want more. More money, more security, more power, more stuff. Perhaps there are other places in the world as infected with materialism as the U.S. but none come to mind offhand. Jesus warns those to whom He preaches about the foolishness of acquisition. Our life does not consist of possessions. Even the person who has everything faces the loss of all. No matter how much security we build in our wealth or property, it cannot insulate us from death. At the end of life God demands an accounting for what we have been given. What use then are bigger garages, more expensive cars, of full IRA’s? Jesus warns us that greed can blind us to the need for spiritual preparation focused on heaven. Let us fight the monster of materialism. Let go of what you have, put it in God’s hands and cease grasping over each new thing you want. The best way to fight materialism is to give the first 10% of what you earn to God through a local church. Just do it.
Without Wax,
Dr. Dwight
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Luke 12:8-12 The Unforgivable Sin

There are multiple points of view about this, but what seems to make the most sense to me is that seeing Jesus perform a miracle by the power of the Holy Spirit and accusing Him of drawing power from the devil is blaspheming the Holy Spirit. As such it would not be a sin available to us today given that Jesus no longer walks the earth in mortal form. Other interpretations include the unforgivable sin being never acknowledging Jesus as Lord. This is related to the Holy Spirit in that it is His power that enables the validating miracles of Christ’s ministry. Of course, acknowledging Jesus as Lord is one of the conditions of salvation thus this view makes the unforgivable sin not getting saved in the first place. Some, out of a spirit of intimidation, will hide behind this verse when you question their experience. I myself was challenged by someone entrenched in Hindu thinking. He claimed various healing miracles as a result of meditation and ritual. I questioned the source of power for and truth of these miracles and he immediately warned me that I would be blaspheming the Holy Spirit if I questioned these miracles. Kind of a neat package. Better not question what I say or God will get you. Beware those who refuse discussion and investigation, they usually have something to hide.
Without Wax,
Dr. Dwight
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Come See Us

If you have been enjoying my posts and growing in your knowledge of God through them, why not come join us on Sunday. The 15^th we begin a new series, “Tough Questions for God.” In it I will explore various questions the congregation has asked about God and His dealings with the world. I would love to have you come and I know you will be warmly received by our attenders. Our regular Sunday service starts at 11am and is usually over by noon. The church phone number and address are here on the website. I hope to see you soon.
Without Wax,
Dr. Dwight
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Luke 12:1-7 God Knows Everything

Nothing is hidden from God. He sees everything because He is present spiritually everywhere. He sees more than our outward actions, He knows our hearts. Our inmost thoughts and fears as obvious to Him as our height or hair color. God sees our secrets and He declares that they will not remain secrets. The result of His knowledge, however, is not rejection, but love. God understands the dark underbelly of our worst self and loves us nonetheless. Jesus reminds us that God loves us so much that even the hairs on our head are counted. (not that hard to do in my case) If this God who knows us is for us, whom should we fear? Jesus reminds us that we need not be afraid of earthly powers that can kill us, but the evil one who tries to tempt us away from Christ. He seeks to steal us from the love of God by blinding our eyes to the truth about salvation. He leads us on with fantasies about everyone going to heaven or all religions being the same. Let us lay aside such delusions and rejoice in the truth that Jesus lived and died for my rescue and no other can save me.
Without Wax,
Dr. Dwight
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Luke 11:45-54 Too Much Law

When Jesus rebuked the Pharisees the teachers of the Law applauded. After all the Pharisees may be strict, but their interpretation of the Law was not as well thought out of exhaustive as that of these experts. Nevertheless the teacher of the law mentioned here is stung by Christ’s critique. The issue is not ever stricter adherence or more accurate adherence to the Law. Jesus rebukes outward, seeming obedience in both groups. Both have a reputation for being religious yet lack a vital connection to God. When Jesus points out their deficiency the two groups begin plotting against Him. We must watch our hearts so that the good regard of others does not replace the joy of following Christ. We have to keep our focus on pleasing God, not pleasing any religious establishment. Let us pursue our relationship with God together and quit worrying what everyone else in church thinks of us. Let us also quit passing judgment on others as to our measurement of how godly they are.
Without Wax,
Dr. Dwight
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Luke 11:37-44 Majoring On The Minors

Jesus rebukes the Pharisees, a strict sect of Judaism, for observing the old Testament law in accordance with fine detail without letting that Law penetrate and change the attitudes of their hearts. They are concerned with the outward show of godliness having to do with ceremonially washing their hands and conspicuously giving a tenth of their garden herbs while neglecting love and justice. We too seek righteousness in strange ways. Rather than seeking to live out the commands of Christ we worry over issues like what style of music we should play in church and which clothes we should wear when we attend on Sunday. We strive to be at the church for every event held there, but do not invite our friends to attend. We count as righteousness the things we can control and ignore the risky behaviors Jesus demanded such as telling out neighbors about Jesus or loving our neighbor as ourselves. Let us cease majoring on the minors. Let us concentrate on knowing God through both information and obedience.
Without Wax,
Dr. Dwight
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Luke 11:33-36 Shining, Not Stopping Light

It has been said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. Usually this sentiment is on the lips of some romantic character in a movie or novel. Somehow they imagine that staring into someone’s eyes gives them insight into that person’s deepest self. God casts the saying in another light. The eyes are the windows by which things enter the soul. If our eyes are focused on the light, especially the truth of God then our whole self will be full of light. If we bury our eyes in the filth and immoral activity of the world then our soul will be full of darkness. Obviously, one application of this passage is to keep ourselves free from the enslaving power of pornography. On a less clear cut level this verse encourages us to evaluate what we watch and read and play. Let us be wise as to what we use to fill our souls.
Without Wax,
Dr. Dwight
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Luke 11:29-32 Unseen Signs

Jesus is Himself the sign to His generation. He appears, heals the sick, raises the dead, casts out demons, and teaches with authority. Nevertheless the religious leaders condemn Him and the people relegate His ministry to a circus sideshow. Jesus rebukes the crowds on the basis of history. When Jonah went to the Ninevites, they repented and turned to God, despite their pagan background. When Solomon reigned the queen of the south came up in pursuit of the touch of God she saw clearly upon Solomon. One greater than Jonah or Solomon is here and the Jews refuse to recognize Him. Thus at the end of time those of Nineveh and the Queen of Sheba will judge the present generation for their obtuseness. Just as Christ’s identity was evident in His deeds, so too His current activity is evident in His work. Setting some arbitrary sign by which God will show you He is real is foolishness. Look within your life as it is. You will find the fingerprints of God everywhere already. Give him your problem and ask Him to solve it as He wants, then you will see Him work.
Without Wax,
Dr. Dwight
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Luke 11:27-28 Whom God Blesses

The casual followers of Jesus who were attracted by His fame and healing did not understand His intent. Here a woman in the crowd calls out a blessing upon Jesus, asking God to bless His mother. Jesus replies that those who obey God will be blessed, not just those associated with His life. In a sense he seems to be challenging the woman to go beyond listening into obedience. Blessing is, in part, a matter of doing, not just being. Being a follower of Jesus secures heaven even if we never do anything significant for God. Existing, even if we never follow Jesus secures the love of God the Father for us. Blessing, however, is another story. It is not that God does not love us enough to bless us. The world, however, is designed in such a way that when we disobey God there are natural consequences and when we obey Him there are natural benefits. The truth is easier to remember than a lie. Honesty attracts more people than hiding behind a mask. The examples are endless and the blessing of God comes with obedience to His word.
Without Wax,
Dr. Dwight
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