Author: Bible Community Church

Get Ready: The Lord is Coming, Part 4 – Luke 12:40-48

We are continuing our series on being ready for the Lord’s return. “You too be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect”. Jesus starts addressing the apostles directly. “You too”. The apostles were hand-picked and specifically called for the purpose of the gospel. They are spiritual leaders so their salvation is not in doubt (Acts 1:21-22). Not everyone could be called an apostle. The condition of the apostles has been around since John the Baptist and a witness of the resurrection. To this group of apostles, Jesus tells them they also need to be ready.

In response, Peter asks if the parable is for the apostles or for everyone else? Peter has a hard time receiving what Jesus is saying. They are the apostles so of course they are ready. The apostles were used to being treated specially (Matthew 13:10-12). 

Jesus gives a statement of who is in vs out. Who is ready and who is not. Who will be rewarded and who will be punished. This should be taken seriously and it is an important doctrine. We are not saved by believing in Jesus’ return and yet knowing His return encourages us to live faithfully. There are clear signs between those who are driven by this doctrine vs those who are not. Remembering Jesus will return keeps us near Jesus Christ and matures us. Apply this doctrine to your life every day and you will be different. That’s what the early church did. Sadly, the modern church has abandoned this doctrine or pushed it to the background.

Who will be in when Jesus returns? The faithful and prudent steward.

Faithful – being genuinely redeemed

  • Our faithfulness starts with our true faith. Because God is faithful we are faithful. True belongs to those who repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • To believe means always believing in all circumstances. In Acts 2:42, we see a continual devotion to fellowship, breaking of bread, praying, and God’s word.

Prudent – being wise, understanding, and sensible.

  • Prudent people apply their faith to their lives. The application of faith is wisdom.
  • Faith’s result is prudence because salvation is not theoretical but actual. We possess Jesus Christ and demonstrate it practically by our wisdom.
  • Example: In Acts 16:24-25, after being beaten and thrown into jail, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God. Their salvation was real and they proved it.
  • The Christian is justified by faith and proven by sanctification

Steward – to manage the household

  • Many commentaries say the steward is the church leader. An example is 1 Peter 5:1-4 The church elders must shepherd the flock and be good stewards until Jesus returns.
  • However, the steward can also refer to every Christian because every Christian is God’s steward. We are all God’s servants

As a reward to the faithful and prudent steward, the master would give authority over the goods. The steward should do what the master commands faithfully and wisely, thinking of the glorious reward.

What does the steward do?

  1. Obeys the great commission which is to share the gospel and make disciples. We should not forget the Lord’s charge and constantly pursue the spreading of the gospel in creative ways
  2. Uses their spiritual gift – Everyone is given a spiritual gift by the Holy Spirit. It is a mark of salvation (1 Peter 4:10). A good steward will know and use your spiritual gift until Jesus comes

Those who are faithful stewards are blessed. The root of the word ‘blessed’ is approval. If you are blessed then you are approved by Jesus. The approval invokes imagery of a seal used to officially affirm the content held within. The ones who are blessed are the workers whom the master finds working. We don’t know when the master is coming which means we must start working from now on until He returns. Focus on what Jesus says and the fact that He is coming. Prioritize being ready for His coming and we will be blessed at His return.

In verse 44, Jesus says, “Truly I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions” Whenever Jesus says “Truly I say to you” it is for emphasis and certainty of promise. Without a doubt, we have a guaranteed prize, a heavenly reward. On earth, every reward is comparatively small to our heavenly reward. Surprisingly, those small rewards still make us happy but only temporarily. No matter how happy or how long or great something is on earth it is eventually tainted with sadness. However, our heavenly reward will be great and everlasting. There will be no sorrow at all in heaven, only everlasting joy. So our prayer is that every member of our church would be faithful. Wrestle with Jesus’ promises and live accordingly.

Then Jesus switches his attention to those who are not prepared in verse 45. The unfaithful steward changes his behavior when the master leaves. He has another heart, a heart of hypocrisy which listens to himself instead of his master. He tells himself that “my master will be a long time coming” in contradiction to Jesus saying He will come soon. This is presumptuous and against God’s word. It is arrogant and acting as if they know more than God. As a result, the unfaithful steward beats the other servants. This shows their sinful self-will and their lack of repentance or salvation. Salvation is denying yourself, taking up your cross, and following Jesus. Lastly, they eat and drink and get drunk. This is succumbing to the pleasures and pursuits of the world instead of heaven. It is a worldly spirit inside this steward and not the Spirit of God (Eph 5:18).  

The master will come on a day when the unfaithful steward does not expect and at an hour he does not know (Luke 12:37-38, Mt 27:43, 1 Thess 5:3). When he returns and finds the unfaithful steward, He will execute just and divine punishment. The master will cut him in pieces (a severe and painful punishment) and assign him a place with the unbelievers (they will be cast into hell). This is a warning to everyone. If you are not faithful now then you are in danger. Hell is the horrifying place marked by gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13:41-42). It will be eternal pain and sorrow.

The life we have now is our duty to be ready and to prepare for Jesus’ coming.  We are all busy. Our lives are hectic and filled with many things. But we must be faithful in our busyness. This life is our pilgrimage of preparation. Jesus is coming back. Center our lives await Jesus’ return and apply His promise every day.

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Better Way to Thank the Lord – Psalm 97:12

Life without thanksgiving is described as tragic, as gratitude to God is central to a fulfilling life. The act of giving thanks, regardless of life’s circumstances, draws God’s attention and enriches life with blessings. The Apostle Paul’s encouragement to be thankful in all things (1 Thess. 5:18) highlights the transformative power of a grateful heart.

During the Thanksgiving holiday, people often focus on worldly blessings. However, Christians are called to make Thanksgiving more meaningful by prioritizing gratitude to God above all else. Remembering His holy name and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit in understanding Jesus’ teachings (John 14:26) ensures that our gratitude glorifies God.

The sacredness of Yahweh’s name underscores His holiness. Historically, scribes demonstrated deep reverence for God’s name, emphasizing His set-apart nature. Yahweh revealed Himself as “I AM,” and Jesus Christ, as Yahweh in human form, manifested the fullness of God’s identity, showing His divine nature and mission.

God’s holiness sets Him apart as utterly unique and perfect (Exodus 15:11). Without Scripture, humanity would remain unaware of His true nature. Even righteous figures like Isaiah, who encountered God directly, were profoundly aware of their own sinfulness in the presence of His holiness (Isaiah 6:5). The seraphim’s proclamation, “Holy, holy, holy, is Yahweh of hosts” (Isaiah 6:3), captures the unmatched purity of God.

Recognizing God’s holiness leads to an awareness of human sinfulness. His perfect standard exposes the severity of sin, which is destructive and leads to death (Romans 3:20). Yet, through His grace, God’s holiness brings people to repentance and forgiveness, transforming lives and enabling believers to love Him and live in righteousness.

Holiness and happiness are deeply connected, as true joy is found in pursuing holy things. When people seek unholy pursuits, they often find misery instead of fulfillment. God’s holiness brings redemption and aligns believers with His purposes, leading to growing happiness and sanctification as they walk with Him.

Many misunderstand holiness, seeing it as stern or joyless. Jonathan Edwards highlighted this misconception, noting how holiness is wrongly viewed as unpleasant. However, pursuing holiness brings ultimate happiness, as it allows believers to see God (Matthew 5:8). Holiness begins with salvation and grows through sanctification, culminating in glorification as believers obey God’s Word.

True thanksgiving extends beyond material blessings to appreciating spiritual blessings. By remembering God’s holy name and living by faith, Christians cultivate daily communion with Him. Gratitude flows from recognizing His holiness and grace, enriching life with spiritual depth and eternal joy.

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Get Ready: The Lord is Coming, Part 3 – Luke 12:39-40

Jesus tells us no one knows exactly when He is coming. He will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night, which means we must always be ready and prepared to receive Him when He comes. The key question is: Are you ready? If He were to come tonight, would you be prepared? (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Whether you are a strong or weak Christian, you must be ready.

Some might think that Jesus’ return is a broken promise or far off because it has not happened yet. Maybe we don’t need to be prepared because His return is unlikely to be soon. The truth is, even if He is not coming soon, you are at least going to Him soon. Even if it does not seem like Jesus is coming, we know He will come unexpectedly. So we must prepare ourselves daily. There are many theological camps that differ on the order of the events in Revelation, all the major views at least agree that Jesus is coming.

No one knows when Jesus is coming. Everyone who has tried to predict the date has been wrong. While we don’t know the timing, we know the manner. He will come in the air before the seven years of great tribulation. The rapture will be when Jesus snatches up all the believers to Himself before He judges the earth (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

The whole universe is waiting for Jesus’ return (Romans 8:19). To help His disciples understand His return, Jesus continues to use the illustration of the master and servant. This illustration is used by Jesus multiple times and emphasizes the nature of His return.

A thief always comes when you least expect it, waiting for a moment of relaxation or distraction. If you knew the thief’s timing, you would be ready. Since no one knows, the only way to be prepared is to live in constant readiness. We should take Jesus’ warning seriously. In this parable, the thief is Jesus Christ. Human thieves sometimes fail to be secretive but Jesus never fails.

The Son of Man is coming. The title Son of Man highlights Jesus’ humanity. However, Jesus is no ordinary man but the Son of Man spoken of in Daniel 7:13-14. He is the man in whom the fullness of Deity dwells (Col 2:9). He is the Son of Man who the one who died and rose again, is full of might, dominion, and glory, will come in glory and terror to bring His wrath upon His enemies.

“The phrase “is coming” in the original language is in the progressive present tense. This means His coming began as soon as He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:11; 1 John 2:18). This means Jesus coming is guaranteed because it has already begun. He is coming but He is also patient. He is waiting for the repentance of sinners. So this is a warning to unbelievers to repent and be saved. Believe in Jesus before it is too late.

But this is also a message to the believers. “You too” is directed at the Christians. Christian be ready! Do not be distracted by the world. Too many Christians are not ready because they love the world (Luke 9:26). “Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:32) who looked back. Remember what happened in the days of Noah where they ignored Noah’s preaching and were caught eating and drinking when the floods came (Matthew 24:37-38). The problem is that many of us wish for a comfortable and enjoyable life. This friendliness and attraction to the world is poisonous sugar. Loving the world is hostility towards God (James 4:4). Not loving the world is our dutiful suffering as Christians. If you are worldly, then you are not ready.

Many Christians take Jesus’ warning too lightly. They do not expect Jesus’ coming just like Jesus said (Luke 12:19-20). Jesus will come suddenly and demand your very soul.

There are those who are wrongfully ready. They try to predict Jesus’ coming. They are not of the Holy Spirit but of another spirit, a lying spirit. That is why they always end up wrong and as heretics. Do not listen to those who claim to know when Jesus is coming. They have never been right and will never be right. Jesus’ coming is not a Biblical exam or a matter of knowledge. We are simply called to be ready. Like the boy who cried wolf, those who keep claiming to know actually end up hurting the reputation of the church. So trying to find out when Jesus is coming is not being ready.

The most important thing to being ready is being a Christian. Being a Christian means Jesus is central to your life. He is everything. Without Jesus, a Christian is nothing. Jesus is not merely someone special but Jesus is your Lord for whom you risk everything (Philippians 3:8). Ultimately for the Christian, God is living in you. They are made new by Christ, transformed, and given new life, all in Christ.

The Christian always lives by faith. They have been crucified with Christ and the life they live they live by faith in the Son of God. (Galatians 2:20). That is why they can suffer for Christ’s sake (Romans 8:18). They enjoy God and give Him all the glory in all circumstances (1 Corinthians 10:31) They are loyal to God and remain committed to Him (1 Corinthians 15:58). The Christian obeys God’s commandments and live according to God’s purpose (Colossians 3:18-21, Ephesians 6:3-9)

How to be ready? By being a Christian and living the Christian faith, being fully satisfied with Christ, and following Jesus Christ. And do this always. Then either when Jesus comes or at the end of your life, you can claim like Apostle Paul, you have run the race and you are ready to meet the Lord.

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Get Ready: The Lord is Coming, Part 2 – Luke 12:37-38

The blessing for the Christian is rooted in their relationship with Christ as His devoted servant. Jesus describes His disciples as slaves, a term emphasizing their complete dedication to Him through faith. Their lives are marked by a deep desire to please their Master by hearing and obeying His commands. They welcome His lordship and live in anticipation of His return, preparing themselves through a posture of servanthood and readiness.

The Master, in turn, is eager to bless His faithful servants. His determination is evident in His efforts to find those who exhibit the marks of devotion. Just as the shepherds were given a sign to recognize Jesus in the manger, there are spiritual signs that identify the faithful servants who are prepared to partake in heavenly blessings. These signs set them apart as those awaiting the Lord’s return with eager anticipation.

A hallmark of these faithful servants is their vigilance—they remain spiritually awake and alert. This attentiveness is demonstrated by their commitment to Scripture, which is described as a treasure inspired by the Holy Spirit. Through regular engagement with God’s Word, believers deepen their understanding of the Lord and reveal their spiritual condition. This active relationship with Scripture is vital preparation for meeting the Master when He comes.

Prayer is another crucial way Christians prepare for Christ’s return. Prayer reveals the health of a believer’s spiritual life, as it involves opening one’s heart and mind to the Lord. Though it can be a struggle, prayer is a privilege that demonstrates faith. Neglecting prayer weakens spiritual vitality, much like sleep deprivation affects physical health. True believers persevere in prayer, recognizing its importance for their relationship with God.

Faithfulness is a defining trait of those who remain alert and ready for the Lord’s return. Jesus highlights qualities such as integrity, reliability, and a willingness to be used by God. This faithfulness is not self-generated but inherited from God, who is always faithful. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, believers can live in a way that glorifies God and maintains their readiness for His return.

The reward for faithful servants is extraordinary. Jesus promises to serve those who have been vigilant, inviting them to recline at His table while He ministers to them. This act reflects the humility and love of the Master, who delights in blessing those who have been steadfast in their devotion and alertness.

Believers are called to live in constant readiness for the Master’s return. This involves abiding diligently in God’s Word and maintaining a fervent prayer life. These practices not only prepare Christians for Christ’s coming but also sustain their faith and strengthen their spiritual health as they navigate daily life.

The urgency of this call is emphasized in Mark 13:35-37, where Jesus warns His followers to stay awake, as the exact timing of His return is unknown. Christians must resist spiritual complacency and remain vigilant, living with an unwavering focus on their faith and a readiness to meet their Master at any moment.

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Get Ready: The Lord is Coming – Luke 12:35-37

Jesus begins to shed light on His second coming. His first coming had a wonderful result and we can be assured that His next coming will happen and have a glorious result as well. So Jesus warns us to be prepared for His eventual return. We don’t know when but we do know for sure He is coming.

Why did Jesus bring up His second coming now? This topic seems out of context. He just told every believer not to worry. Those who are full of worries are always looking at their situation. They are without hope. Jesus gives us all hope by telling us about His second coming so that those who are worried may look forward to it. Also, Jesus teaches, “Where your treasure is, there your heart is also”. We lay up our treasures in the kingdom of God based on Jesus’ return.

Is he really coming? Yes, without a doubt. How do we know Jesus will return?

Jesus must return to complete the work He began in His first coming. He is alive and the Son of God cannot lie. Therefore Mark 13:26 will happen according to what Jesus said. Is Jesus really alive? Every other religion’s leader has died and remains dead. However, every disciple of Jesus confirmed Jesus to be alive and witnessed His ascension. He is the Creator, not the creature. He conquered sin and death. He will finish His work of salvation and bring all the elect to glory.

Jesus is coming to bring justice. Men have practiced injustice and many people have suffered injustices. No one is perfect but there are those who have been abused or oppressed unjustly. An example of this is the aborted babies. Every year, millions of babies are murdered. Who will right the wrongs? Who will bring justice to those babies? Not just the babies but all the people who have been treated wrongly especially the church. Who will punish Satan? Jesus will judge everyone including Satan according to their deeds (Rev 20:12). Many Christians have been persecuted and martyred for Christ. It still happens today in parts of the world where Christ is hated. William Tyndall was burned alive at the stake. His crime was simply to translate the Bible into English. For the sake of those treated unjustly, Jesus will return to bring true and final justice.

Scripture says Jesus is coming. If the Bible says and Jesus says then it is the truth. Scripture is sufficient. It is God’s word and by God’s authority in the Scripture, we know Jesus is coming. God’s word cannot be broken (Matthew 26:54).

The second coming will be spectacular. There are no words to describe Jesus coming from heaven with trumpet sounds flanked by hosts of angels. It will be the most exciting moment in history.

Why are Christians not excited?

  • They have bad theology such as preterists. Preterists believe Jesus already came back around 70 AD. Hyper-preterists believe based on Matthew 24:34 that all Biblical prophecies have been fulfilled a long time ago. Their bad theology results in denying Jesus’ future coming because they think it already happened. They also deny future bodily resurrection and the future final judgment. Revelation is only symbolic. So nothing to be excited about.
  • Hyper-sensationalism. They only focus on when Jesus is coming. They think they can predict Jesus’s coming based on signs or visions. An example is when a group thought Jesus would come in 1988. People sold everything and gave up on their normal lives. Jesus did not come in 1988. Everyone who has committed to a particular date has ended in failure, heresy, and ruin. Apostle Paul believed Jesus was coming soon and it motivated his faith. He desired to be more like Christ. This is the healthy understanding of Jesus’ coming. We don’t know when but He is coming.
  • Christians can be ignorant and indifferent to Jesus’ coming. They are too busy with their daily lives. Whatever happens, happens. They care more about their earthly life instead of Jesus’ coming.

We must be excited for Jesus’ second coming. The second coming will be different from the first coming. The first coming brought justification and sanctification. The second coming will complete our salvation with glorification. As a born-again Christ, our hope and excitement is for the second coming when we will be truly rid of our sin and dwell with God face to face. The Second coming will be many things, including the end of history and the beginning of eternity with a new heaven and a new earth. It will be a marriage celebration with the Groom (Jesus) and the Bride (the church) together. It will be amazing. It will be brighter, greater, and last forever. We let our worries of this world overshadow the greatness of the second coming.

So Jesus says, “Gird up your loins and keep your lamps lit.” Girding up your loins means keeping yourself in a perpetual state of readiness. We should continually be aware of and ready for His second coming. Be on the lookout and prepared to take quick action. It’s too late to gird up your loins once you hear the trumpet sound. You need to be ready before the moment happens (Exodus 12:11).

We must gird up our minds. Our minds are sluggish and drunk on the world. We need the spirit of pilgrims which is always moving forward and pressing onward. Remember the parable of ten virgins who were waiting for the groom to appear. Five virgins were prepared with lots of oil. This was their preparation and readiness.

We must gird up our lifestyle. We have too much clutter and too many distractions in our lives. As Christians, we should see our lives through the eyes of God and we should discern what can be removed from our lives.

Jesus says “Keep your lamps lit”. This is so you can see in the night when something happens. The Word of God is your lamp. By God’s word, we know God’s mind and will. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”. Submitting our lives to God’s word is how we keep our lamps lit.

Trying to get ready when Jesus comes is too late. Keep thinking about the second coming while remembering the first coming. We look back at the cross so that we look joyfully forward to the Great White Throne. Another benefit is that the present will seem small and temporary.

So are you ready? Are you ready for Jesus to come back again? The servants are waiting and expecting. Waiting can be boring. But if you have high expectations then waiting becomes exciting. We have the highest of expectations and can be excited.

Jesus will come through the door. Thieves come through some other way (John 10:1). But the waiting servant can recognize their master right away because they love Him. No one recognized Jesus after He was resurrected but Apostle John did through love (John 21:7). The Christian loves Jesus and will know Jesus by their love. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve gone to church or what you’ve done. You must love Him. If you love Jesus you will be ready and waiting for His coming. Jesus loves you and His love for you will never fail. Be ready.

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Fear and the Kingdom Citizen, Part 2 – Luke 12:32-34

Continuing his series on living fearlessly as Christians, Pastor Paul delves into Jesus’ teachings on the heart’s true focus. Jesus urges us to center our lives on Him and His kingdom rather than on worldly wealth, particularly money. He reminds us that as members of God’s kingdom, Christians are spiritually rich because our Father supplies all we need. “The earth is Yahweh’s, and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it” (Ps. 24:1). As God’s children, we inherit endless resources and are called not to let material possessions rule us. Instead, wealth should serve us, not the other way around.

Jesus commands us to “sell our possessions and give to charity” (Luke 12:33). With new hearts given by the Holy Spirit, Christians are led to give rather than to keep for themselves. Everything we have ultimately belongs to God, making us stewards of His blessings. Our call is to be faithful in managing what God has entrusted to us. Through the Spirit, we recognize that nothing compares to the kingdom’s value, as illustrated in Matthew 13:44. Only through God’s work in our lives can we come to treasure His kingdom.

Since Jesus resides in our hearts, our loyalty cannot be divided. He said, “No one can serve two masters…You cannot serve God and money” (Matt. 6:24). Our lives reflect what we serve. Those who worship wealth cannot find satisfaction even if they accumulate more (Luke 12:17). The Apostle Paul shared that the secret to contentment in all circumstances is making Jesus our King (Phil. 4:12-13).

In a world obsessed with wealth, we are called to be focused on giving to those in need. Jesus teaches us to build “money belts that do not wear out”—to invest in heaven by giving generously. Our heavenly treasure will never be subject to decay or theft, for our rewards in heaven are secure with Jesus.

For those who feel they have little to give, remember that generosity goes beyond material possessions. Christians can give through service, encouragement, and kindness, knowing that every act of love is an investment in heaven.

Those who solely amass treasures on earth are shortsighted, for we brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing with us (1 Tim. 6:7). When we live with heaven in mind, our actions reveal our commitment to our true home with Christ. Through God’s grace, we are transformed from receivers to cheerful givers.

Devotion and charity are closely linked (Acts 2:42, 45). When we give, we show obedience to our King, not as an obligation, but as a joyful act of worship. Why are some Christians more generous than others? Our sacrificial giving reveals the true condition of our hearts, for “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34). Our heart reflects our innermost self, and God calls us to set our hearts on things above, where Christ is (Col. 3:1-2).

In the end, what matters most is the condition of our hearts and our heavenly perspective. God, by His grace, has transformed us to love Him deeply and to see His kingdom as our greatest investment. When we live this way, there is nothing to fear.

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Fear and the Kingdom Citizen – Luke 12:32-34

In today’s text, Jesus reassures His disciples not to fear, reminding them they are part of His kingdom and under His protection. This kingdom assurance invites believers to place their entire trust and investment in God, as opposed to worldly worries and anxieties that burden those outside of God’s care.

Jesus refers to His followers as a “little flock,” portraying them as His beloved sheep. This phrase underscores both their vulnerability and their distinctiveness as those few who enter through the narrow gate, chosen and led by God Himself.

God’s gift of the kingdom is a demonstration of His will, which is inherently good, pleasing, and perfect (Romans 12:2). His intent is to provide both security and freedom from fear for those who follow Him and are part of His “little flock.” This assurance is a promise rooted in God’s steadfast commitment to His people.

This “little flock” has specific characteristics that allow them entrance into God’s kingdom. Key traits include true repentance initiated by God and a childlike faith. True repentance represents a complete turning from sin, while childlike faith reflects dependence, humility, and openness to God’s guidance.

A childlike heart and humility are essential traits in the kingdom. Since pride is natural to humanity, humility must be cultivated through repentance and faith. This humility, alongside a trusting disposition toward God, enables kingdom citizens to receive and reciprocate God’s merciful and kind nature.

Upon entering the kingdom, believers no longer fear, experiencing righteousness, joy, and peace in the Holy Spirit. Unlike those outside the kingdom who prioritize material concerns, kingdom citizens rest assured that God provides for their material needs, allowing them to focus on spiritual growth and peace.

Passion for knowing God and devotion to serving Christ become hallmarks of a true kingdom citizen. The believer’s priority is to serve and honor King Jesus, who laid down His life for His followers. Such devotion fuels joy and trust in God, even amid hardship.

In summary, believers in God’s kingdom live free from fear, sustained by His promises and provision. Their lives are marked by humility, trust, and joy as they prioritize serving the King, confident in His protection and peace. This distinct relationship with God, illustrated by trust and dependence, defines the kingdom citizen.

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The Lord Jesus Commands: Do Not Worry, Part 3 – Luke 12:29-31

Anxiety is something we face every day. Our lives are full of worries. Jesus our Lord is confident we can overcome worries in Him. John Wesley was once on a mission trip to America. The ship is caught in a violent storm. Everyone on board was terrified and panicking. However, one group, the German Moravians, displayed calm and peace during the storm. Afterward, Wesley asked them if they were afraid. They answered they were not afraid to die. They proved that they had peace in their hearts through Jesus Christ. John Wesley wrote, “This was the most glorious day I had seen” because he had witnessed the power of Jesus manifest so clearly in their response to the storm.

Last week we learned three points from Jesus:

  • Knowledge matters – worrying is not beneficial to any situation. If you know this, then worry should not be our first reaction.
  • Thinking matters: Consider who God is and realize the truth. Understand how God takes care of His creatures and you are more valuable than them.
  • Faith Matters: by faith, we can trust and enjoy God because God is faithful.

How do we apply faith in our circumstances? We must go to God’s word, find a promise that applies to our situation, reflect and meditate on that promise, stand on God’s word in that situation, and give thanks.

Two more points to deal with worry. First, is our relationship with God, and second is our devotion to God.

Our relationship matters. Knowing God as Father matters. We have a divine Father therefore we are not alone. What a comfort it is that you are not going through your situation alone. No father abandons their child just because they have made a mistake. How much greater is our heavenly Father’s care for us.

“Do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink and do not keep worrying”. Jesus is referring to our basic needs. The nations of the world are the gentiles and the pagans. They have no room for God in their heart and only react to their circumstances according to their own wickedness and blindness (Ephesians 4:17-19). The gentile can only understand according to the flesh. Their attempts at religion are futile and they have no relationship with the Father.

God the Father is the first person of the Trinity. Whatever God the Father does is good because He is good. He is the real and perfect Father. Isn’t it amazing that Jesus’ Father is our father (John 20:17). God the Father is so kind. Irrationally kind. There are low points in life where we sometimes question our salvation. We look at ourselves and see nothing good. But this is exactly how we know we are saved. Because God saves the sinner (Romans 5:6-7). This is our wonderful Father who gives you life for all eternity. So you do not have to worry because God is your Father. He’s not someone else’s Father but your Father. You are adopted into His family through Jesus Christ according to the good pleasure of His will (Ephesians 1:5). So the Christian is adopted into the family of God, which is called the church, to be coheirs with Jesus Christ and to receive the same love from God that Father that is given to Jesus Christ (John 17:23). So do not worry! God loves you as He loves Jesus Christ, as His very own child.

“But the Father knows that you need these things.” He knows presently what you need. He is always there with you and He always knows your deepest needs every day. Nothing happens without God’s knowledge and presence. He knows the past, present, and future (Psalm 139:4). He knows what you need before you ask Him in prayer (Matthew 6:8). He knows your needs and responds just as our earthly father would do. He leads, guides, protects, provides, teaches, and disciplines. He is our friend, our helper, our leader, and more. He does all these things perfectly and abundantly (Philippians 4:19). We might not understand all His ways and His timing or how He does things. But He is our Father. Therefore we must trust the Father. We must rest in the Father. Our Father is Yahweh. We can depend on Him by waiting patiently (Psalm 27:10).

Secondly, our devotion matters. Jesus commands what to do instead of worrying. “But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you”. This is the devotional attitude we need to overcome our anxiety. Seeking refers to a single-mindedness of heart and focus on the kingdom of God (Luke 15:8). Seeking is an active and consuming pursuit. We must seek Jesus because He is ready and wants to help us.

We are to seek the kingdom of God which is where Jesus is. Only the born-again believer can see the kingdom of God (John 3:3). Being born again means you have life and understand how good God is and would not trade God for anything in this world (Matthew 13:44). We seek God’s kingdom by prayer (Philippians 4:6-7). Remember to always turn to God in prayer in your time of need. This must be our first reaction to everything. Pray to God in the same way we would dial 911 for emergencies. Seek God by reading the Word of God (Isaiah 55:1-2). God’s word and commands will not fail (Isaiah 34:16). God’s word is given to us so our joy may be complete (1 John 1:4). His word is good and will encourage you (Proverbs 12:25). God’s word is perfect. Place your confidence in the Bible. Take God at His word.

When you seek first God’s kingdom then “All these things will be added unto you”. More than we know and more than we ask, beyond our expectations, God will provide. Therefore do not worry but trust in your Heavenly Father and seek Him in prayer and in His word.

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The Lord Jesus Commands: Do Not Worry, Part 2 – Luke 12:25-28

Jesus continues to provide evidence for His command: Do not worry. Thanks to this command, as Christians, we can live free from anxiety and free from worries. This is because we believe in God Almighty who has no worries. He is our faithful Father and if He does not worry then His children have no need to worry either.

Six principles to be free from worry. We will cover three of them today.

Knowledge matters. You must know what worry is and that worrying is useless. If you keep worrying, instead of helping you, it eventually becomes poisonous. To be worry-free, you must realize there is nothing worry can really do. Jesus says, “And which of you by worrying can add a single cubit to his life span? Therefore, if you cannot do even a very little thing…” Worry cannot add to or lengthen anyone’s life span. People are living longer these days but no matter how disciplined or healthy you are you cannot determine when you die and prevent your death when your time is up (Deuteronomy 34:7). No amount of anxiety can extend one’s life beyond what God has determined. Our life is not under our control but God’s (Luke 12:20). At the pinnacle of your life, if God deems it, he can demand your soul. All our days are ordained before we are even born (Psalms 139:16). So you don’t have to worry because there is nothing worry can do.

“Why do you worry about other matters?” When you start worrying about one thing, it will spread into other matters. Worry starts focusing on small matters and brings you down (Proverb 4:23;12:25). Stress and anxiety cause many health issues in our generation, even acting as a catalyst for cancer. Worry has zero nutritional value. It’s harmful. So do not be friends with worry. As a Christian, worry is your enemy.

Thinking matters. To prove His point, Jesus asks us to “Consider the lilies, how they grow”. He is telling us to think in a particular way. Consider is the keyword (Luke 12:24). It means to observe and think carefully to gain understanding. What are we to consider? How God cares for the lilies in the best way even though they don’t do anything. There are flowers everywhere in all parts of the world. Why do those flowers still grow and bloom and display their beauty though they don’t worry or labor at all. Because God shamelessly provides everything they need to bloom beautifully. Their beauty is greater than Solomon, the most wealthy and extravagant king in all of history.

So Jesus rhetorically asks, “How much more will he clothe you?” Humans are different than plants or animals. Man was created in God’s image with a great purpose (Genesis 1:27-28). God values people more than anything else in creation. Believers are not second-class citizens or slaves. Believers are special, they belong to Him, bought by the sacrifice of His only beloved Son. That’s how precious we are in God’s eyes. God loves us and saved us (Romans 8:32). Jesus says, if you think about how much God cares for us than lilies, then we have no need to worry. Consider the fact that you are in Christ. Lilies have nothing to do with Christ, but you are in Christ. That’s the difference of “how much more”. That’s why Paul can say to die is gain. Whatever happens, consider you are in Christ. When you begin to worry, remember you are in the Lord. Reflect on your spiritual status. You are a Christian who is in Christ! Whatever happens is caused by God for our good. We can trust Jesus without worry.

Faith Matters. Faith is the best deterrent against anxiety. “How much more will He clothe you?” This is God’s fundamental promise to every believer. God will provide what you need (Luke 10:4, 22:35). This promise is echoed in Psalms 37:25. “I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging for bread”. Jesus pinpoints the source of our worry. “You of little faith.” Little faith means small faith. It’s not no faith but it is little faith. These are believers who fail to display their faith outwardly. Though they have faith, it is a faith that is not practiced or tested.

By faith we know who God is and how to please Him and seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). God is known and pleased by Jesus Christ. Therefore Jesus Christ is the only object of our faith.

Characteristics of little faith

  • Ignorant of God (little knowledge of God and His word). Lots of assumptions about who God is.
  • God seems smaller than their issues. God seems weaker than men (Numbers 13:2). This causes us to be too embarrassed to act on faith. Genuine faith is not blind faith but faith that stands on the word of God. The Bible teaches us who God is and what He says. Faith believes and acts on God’s word.
  • Tries to handle things on their own. Even though Jesus is always with us, near us, and able to help us, instead of relying on Jesus, we rely on ourselves. Turning to Jesus for big and small needs is not shameful but being faithful (Mark 4:37,40). God doesn’t want you to handle as much as you can by yourself and only turn to him when you fail. That’s not how faith works. From the beginning faith acts in obedience (Hebrews 11:8).

Great faith sees Jesus clearly in the darkest situations. Peter could see it was Jesus walking on the water during the raging storm. Even in the darkest circumstances, faith places its trust in Jesus. When the situation gets tougher, Jesus must be closer. Fix your eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). Don’t look at anyone or anything else. Why do you worry? You have lost sight of Jesus. Does Jesus change? Does Jesus grow weak? Is he far away? Of course not. We must seek Him diligently, especially in His word. Spend time with Jesus in meditation and prayer. This is the proven way of faith.

Conclusion

Three things to be free from worry. Worrying is useless and worrying will not change anything. Think about God’s care for you and how much He loves you. Have faith and look to Jesus. Then instead of worrying we will know the will of God for us. New time, three more points about being worry-free.

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The Lord Jesus Commands: Do Not Worry – Luke 12:22-24

In today’s passage, Jesus reassures His disciples not to worry, emphasizing that true abundance is found in Him. However, just as the disciples often forgot, we too are prone to forgetfulness as we bear the burdens of life’s challenges. This forgetfulness amplifies our problems, leading to anxious hearts. Yet, we must remember that we are not alone—Christ is always with us. Jesus admonished His disciples for their anxious spirits, noting that they acted as though they were abandoned. Much like children who grow anxious in the absence of their parents, those who fail to trust and rely on God inevitably become worried and anxious.

Worry is incapable of comprehending divine priorities. Jesus reveals that God the Father knows our true priorities and our greatest needs, such as food and clothing, which are essential for life. Jesus further teaches not to worry about life’s necessities like food, because life is about more than just sustenance. Scripture commands believers to cast all their anxieties upon Christ, for He cares for us (1 Pet. 5:7; Ps. 37:25). What God provides, and how we receive His provision, should be met with a heart of contentment (1 Tim. 6:8). It is often discontentment that leads to worry and anxiety.

Jesus also advises His disciples not to worry about their bodies or their clothing, for life is more than what we wear. Since the Fall in Genesis 2, God has provided clothing for humanity. The deeper issue lies in mankind’s dissatisfaction with what God provides. It is crucial to recognize that life is not solely about food and clothing. Unlike animals, humans possess souls, and we are called to focus on God, who alone can meet our spiritual needs.

In essence, God provides for our greatest need—our salvation and spiritual growth. The most important aspect of human life is the health of our souls. Like the rich fool in the preceding verses, it is foolish to focus only on material wealth. The world falsely promises that accumulating more will bring satisfaction, but this is far from the truth. Our souls need forgiveness and the richness of a relationship with God, and only Jesus can provide for this deepest need (v. 21).

Death is inevitable and can come unexpectedly to anyone, regardless of age. Therefore, it is essential to prepare for death, as we will all face God’s judgment. We can only be saved and enter God’s presence through the righteousness of Christ, which is credited to us by faith.

Through Christ alone, we have the full assurance of salvation, and our souls are secure in His death and resurrection. Only when our souls are saved can we find true peace and freedom from worry. Ultimately, we will enter God’s presence in heaven, where there will be no more sorrow, death, or pain (Rev. 21:4). This ultimate security, provided by Christ, sustains us through life’s trials, for we know the end. Though we may face difficulties, we do not need to worry, for Christ is our safeguard.

Moreover, we should not worry because God deeply cares for and values His children. Jesus says, “Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (v. 24-25). Ravens, unlike other birds, are completely dependent on God’s provision.

How much more valuable are Christians in God’s eyes! Believers are precious to God because we have been redeemed at a high cost—the sacrifice of Christ. Through Christ’s righteousness imputed to us, we become sons and daughters of God (Gal. 4:5-7) and are made new (2 Cor. 5:17). Our value in God’s sight is immeasurable, for when He sees us, He sees Jesus dwelling within us.

As forgiven and redeemed believers, we are called to live free from worry and anxiety, glorifying God through our trust and obedience to His Word and sovereignty. Childlike faith leads us to love and trust in God and His promises. In all that we do, may we glorify God, for He has provided not only for our greatest need but abundantly more.

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