We are all on trial. The religious and the irreligious, believers and atheists, everyone must stand before God’s throne for judgment. The standard for justice is God’s perfect law. And it is by that standard, that everyone deserves to be condemned.
Every Last Word features the Bible teaching ministry of Dr. Philip Ryken. The mission of this ministry is to broadcast clear Bible teaching that glorifies God and helps people grow by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. This weekly program helps Christians apply God's Word to everyday living.
Every Last Word features the Bible teaching ministry of Dr. Philip Ryken. The mission of this ministry is to broadcast clear Bible teaching that glorifies God and helps people grow by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. This weekly program helps Christians apply God's Word to everyday living.
Jesus gives His followers a parable to teach them how people respond to the good news of the Gospel. Some people embrace it enthusiastically, but quickly fall away because it wasn’t rooted deep within them. Others have it snatched from them before it even enters their consciousness. Still others believe, but when they tested, the truth gets strangled inside of them. There are some people, however, in whom the Word of God firmly takes root and produces wonderful fruit in their lives and the lives of others. What kind of person are you?
A prostitute walks into the dinner party of a prominent religious leader. She cries over Jesus’ feet, then uses her hair to dry the tears. She then pours very expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet. The religious leader is indignant. Surely Jesus can’t be a prophet if he’s letting this woman touch him! The Pharisee is in for a powerful lesson today concerning his own sinfulness and lack of love.
Are you disillusioned with God? Are you disappointed because your expectations haven’t been met? Maybe God didn’t heal you or provide certain finances? John the Baptist dealt with these same struggles. The very man who proclaimed Christ as the Messiah was now doubting that himself. John dealt with his doubts in a way that sets an example for each of us.
Have you ever been faced with someone who is mourning a death, and not known how to respond? It’s easy to turn away and not comfort them, because we don’t know what to say or how to handle their grief. Jesus meets grief head on. When faced with a widow who was burying her only son, He doesn’t shy away from the uncertainty of what to do. How does Jesus Christ confront death?
Most of us would like to have more authority. We would like people to do what we want, when we want it. The centurion in Luke actually did have this kind of influence. When he said something, it was done. But when this powerful man came across Jesus, the centurion was the only one who recognized that his authority amounted to nothing in comparison to that of Jesus’.