Luke 12
is going to be divided up, at least into four parts, because these messages ARE for THIS season, and these WORDS are what Holy Spirit wants to me to exhort. Part 1 was about Hypocrisy, intended for the religious spirit that focuses on the falsity “of you instead of me.” These spirits like to hide behind walls and draw lines in the sand. They judge, kill, destroy and condemn. Their mission is to mix fear and dominion, with tradition and rigid opinion to intimidate their fellow man. Yes. Modern-day Pharisees exist today. Instead of being a lamp stand and reflecting God’s love, they sit under baskets, and whisper condemnations about all the Christians who have been led astray. I pray for increase in Followers of the Way - for zealous Christians who keep their eyes faithfully focused on Jesus! Let me say, the poetic sermons, in Luke Chapter 12 set the stage for the end of age! I believe these are the signs that describe the end times, so please pay attention, and keep a sober mind! Hypocrisy and love of money is rampant in our streets! Our generation is driven by anarchy and apostasy - where rebellion, and religious spirits have been actively pursuing men. While God can intervene, at any time, His word is clear. He is patiently waiting for humanity to draw near. He has already sent His Son, to redeem us from our sin. And He sent Holy Spirit to live on the inside of hearts of men. He has not left us, or taken away His love. In fact, it is just the opposite! He is administering the corrective discipline referred to in Hebrews 12. This is what the author of Hebrews said, “And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children?" He said, My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child. As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?” Hebrews 12:5-9 NLT Discipline? You may ask what what we need discipline from. Perhaps this a good time to share Romans, Chapter 1. But before I do, let me just say, that in my flesh, His thoughts are not my thoughts, and His ways are not my ways. I had a very hard time coming to terms with God, for so long I walked in rebellion. I believed in parts of His Word, but I made excuses and justified most of what I heard. Then the Lord allowed me to come to the end of myself, and this is when I contemplated suicide. There was consequence to my sin that He allowed me to endure, but He is such a Good Father that He sent Jesus to rescue me from the pit. In that moment, I died to myself; and in that moment I understood His love - and this is when I decided to fully surrender my will to Him. Romans 1 says, “So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved. Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.” Romans 1:24-32 NLT As you can see, all of humanity is in need, because not one of us walks in His purity. Evil is the intent of our heart, until we receive Jesus, and are set apart. Lust gives birth to sin, and sin gives birth to death. Human unrighteousness is a progression - rejecting one aspect of God leads to even greater rejections of Him. The Parable of the Rich Fool is just another example of humanity's plight, where we foolishly think that we have it all right. This is a message that everyone needs to hear - especially the wealthy who live throughout the world. And in America we teach individualism - where self-reliance and independent thinking defines our human existence. Most Americans who say they are Christian don’t even believe that Jesus brought both unity and division. They think that no matter what your religion, all paths lead to Heaven. They think God is the Creator of Unity. But you will see, later in Chapter 12, that Jesus himself says, "I came to cause division." So, today, I pray for people like me, "the rich fools" who have been led astray. Riches and glory is not of this world, yet, this is the story we have all been told. Greed and Getting are the values we hold. And Money and More is what we have worked for. Land and Homes, Trucks and Cars, Shoes and Clothes, and Entertainment Shows - This is the gold the typical American heart worships and longs for. High salaries and pension plans, retirement savings and 401K plans. Climbing the ladder of success while stepping on sisters and brothers - this seems to be what many aim for! This is the message of Part 2 in the 12th Chapter of the Book of Luke. The Parable of the Rich Man is actually a destitute fool. Do you think God cares about our money, our fame or our glory? No! He is not toting the gospel of prosperity. Jesus came, as a lamb to model and preach the gospel of suffering. This is the TRUE testimony that we much teach! The gospel of dying to self to pick up His cross, and follow Jesus! Let’s get real! Bible prophecy is not about you or me! It’s about the fulfillment -of who Jesus is. And it's not about spiritual gifts, and it definitely is not about money and wealth. Bible prophecy is all about Jesus as prophet, priest, the king - and our prosperity is His blood, the key that gives access to the Kingdom of Heaven. Dominion - is also not as you think. Dominion is actually the FREE Gift of God’s grace. The Independence and Democracy that our founding fathers foretold was not about separation from God. Instead, it was all about being free from the greedy kings of this world. We are not meant to be separated from God. In fact, it is just the opposite! We are to hide His Word in our hearts, so that we do not sin against him! Psalm 119:11 How do you think Jesus felt when the rich fool got it wrong? It must have totally broken His heart to see him foolishly absorbed by this stronghold. The rich fool said, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.” Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” Then Jesus said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, “What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.” Then he said, "I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!” “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.” So here we see Jesus getting angry when a man wants equality with dividing his father's estate. For humanity, this is a a really big thing! Fairness and equity are completely related to money, civil rights and physical property. But Jesus calls this GREED, and says, "Life is not measured by how much you own.” After addressing the man, He turned to his disciples, and said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life - whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in 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. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Luke 12:13-34 NLT Part 2 of Chapter 12 in the Book of Luke is totally about wealth - but not the way we think! It's about the faithfully devout who are focused on spreading the gospel of Jesus, and promoting Kingdom glory and wealth.
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