Tag: luke

Who Isn’t Ready for Jesus’ Second Coming – Luke 17:31-37

God continually demonstrates His faithfulness throughout Scripture by keeping every promise He makes. One of the clearest evidences of His faithfulness is the fulfillment of prophecy. The probability of the countless prophecies recorded in Scripture being fulfilled by chance is virtually impossible. Yet God has faithfully fulfilled them all. The only prophecies that remain unfulfilled concern Christ’s second coming and the events that will follow. Before that glorious day, however, Scripture teaches that the world will grow increasingly sinful and corrupt, leading ultimately to God’s judgment. As Jesus continues teaching His disciples about the coming of God’s kingdom and His return, He also warns that not everyone will be ready when that day arrives. The common characteristic of those who are unprepared is an unhealthy heart. In today’s text, Pastor Paul examines two marks of an unhealthy heart that reveal who is not ready for Jesus’ second coming.

A worldly heart is unprepared for the coming of God’s kingdom. Such a heart loves the world, is focused on earthly things, and has not been transformed by God’s grace. Jesus warns His disciples that when He returns, they must be concerned with His presence rather than their possessions. Some will be so attached to their earthly goods that they will hesitate to leave them behind. These are the unprepared. A person’s response to Christ’s return will reveal the true condition of the heart. Those who treasure material possessions more than Christ will miss the significance of His coming and face judgment.

Materialism is a preoccupation with earthly things rather than the kingdom of God. Those who love the world are governed by its sinful principles. As the Apostle John writes, “All that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world” (1 Jn. 2:16). A worldly person embraces sin rather than resisting it and fears the opinions of others more than the judgment of God. The heart was never created to have two supreme loves. If the world becomes our treasure, God cannot be treasured rightly. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21).

Materialism is ultimately worldliness. To love the world is to place oneself in opposition to God. Since Satan is the ruler of this fallen world system, those who love the world submit themselves to his influence rather than to God’s rule. Yet the world is temporary and unable to provide lasting satisfaction. King Solomon experienced every earthly pleasure imaginable and concluded, “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity!” (Ecc. 1:2). In contrast, believers are called to have the perspective of the Apostle Paul, who wrote, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom. 8:18).

Christians may be tempted by the world for a season, but because they have been born of God, they cannot ultimately love the world as their master. One way believers fight worldliness is by remembering that the world is empty and powerless against death. Death eventually strips away every earthly achievement and possession. The world was never intended to be our ultimate purpose. Christians are pilgrims passing through this life and stewards of what God has entrusted to them until they enter eternal glory. Jesus asked, “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” (Mk. 8:36).

Godly and heavenly-minded believers fix their hearts and minds upon Jesus Christ—His person, character, and saving work. The Christian alone finds true satisfaction in Christ. Those who know Christ yet continue searching for fulfillment elsewhere will inevitably look to the world and be disappointed. Samuel Rutherford beautifully described Christ’s surpassing worth: “Put the beauty of ten thousand worlds of paradise into one… and yet it would be less to that fair and dearest Well-Beloved, Christ, than one drop of rain to the whole seas.” To treasure anything above Christ is spiritual betrayal. When Christ becomes our highest treasure, we will also treasure His Word and walk in the power of the Spirit. Scripture equips believers to resist the world while sanctifying their hearts.

Therefore, the direction and trajectory of the Christian life must remain fixed upon Christ and His Word. When believers neglect the sanctifying work of Scripture, they place themselves in danger of having their hearts and minds gradually captured by the world.

Here’s a polished rewrite of the second major point and conclusion, maintaining the same paragraph structure and theological emphasis while improving clarity, flow, and readability.

A divided heart is unprepared for the coming of God’s kingdom. Jesus gives a sobering warning in this passage: “Remember Lot’s wife.” What makes Lot’s wife such a striking example is that she was delivered with her family from the city by escaping, yet perished in the end because her heart was attached to it. She came so close to safety but never entered into the blessing God had prepared for her. Her story reminds us that outward association with God’s people does not guarantee genuine salvation. Many professing Christians may appear religious on the outside, yet their hearts remain unmoved by Christ. Lot’s wife serves as a warning that it is possible to be near the people of God and still far from God Himself.

A divided heart has another master competing with God. In Genesis 19:17, Lot and his family were commanded to flee Sodom and not look back. Yet Lot’s wife looked behind her because her heart remained attached to something she was leaving behind. Though her feet were moving away from Sodom, her affections were still rooted there. Her actions reveal several marks of a divided heart: half-hearted devotion, partial or delayed obedience, and a greater concern for losing earthly comforts than for maintaining fellowship with God. To guard against these dangers, we must regularly ask ourselves who truly reigns over our hearts and what brings us our deepest joy and satisfaction. If Christ were to return tonight, would He find us wholly devoted to Him or divided by competing loves? This is why Jesus commands His disciples to remember Lot’s wife.

The command to remember is significant throughout Scripture. In the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, Moses commanded the Israelites to remember how God delivered them from Egypt (Ex. 13:3). Though it seems impossible that anyone could forget such a great act of salvation, God knew how quickly His people could drift when trials and hardships arose. The same danger exists for believers today. Remembering God’s works strengthens faith, while forgetting them often leads the heart back toward sin and worldliness.

The heart always follows its treasure, and a divided heart eventually reveals itself through disobedience. Lot’s wife received more warnings than many people ever receive, yet knowledge alone could not save her because her heart remained unchanged. Information without transformation is insufficient. True obedience occurs when both the mind and the heart are submitted to God. Furthermore, a divided heart often remains hidden during seasons of comfort and ease but becomes exposed when a person is forced to choose between Christ and competing affections. In that decisive moment, the true object of worship is revealed. Jesus therefore calls His disciples—and us today—to learn from Lot’s wife. A divided heart and an idolatrous heart are inseparable.

The only remedy for a divided heart is to treasure Christ above all things. As our love for Christ grows, competing loves lose their hold on us. We must continually ask ourselves whether we are seeking Christ above everything else or pursuing lesser treasures. The Apostle Paul possessed status, influence, education, and earthly success, yet when he encountered Christ, everything else lost its value. He wrote, “But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Phil. 3:7–8). Paul’s transformed life demonstrates what happens when Christ becomes the supreme treasure of the heart.

To follow Christ faithfully, we must cultivate quick obedience and carefully guard our affections. We should pay attention to what occupies our thoughts, what causes us anxiety, and what continually competes for our devotion. These competing loves must be put to death as we abide in God’s Word. Peter exhorts believers, “Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation” (1 Pet. 2:2). One of the clearest indicators of spiritual health is a growing appetite for Scripture. At the same time, we must live with Christ’s return continually before us. As we do, we are reminded that our hope rests not in ourselves but in Christ’s perfect righteousness, which has saved us and will sustain us until the day He returns in glory.

Sometimes we view the devotion of the early church in the book of Acts as extreme because they lived with a constant expectation of Christ’s return. Yet their anticipation was not rooted in fear but in love for Christ and confidence in His promises. They understood the warning of Lot’s wife and sought to live with hearts fully devoted to their Savior. Their readiness for Christ’s return strengthened them to endure suffering, persecution, and hardship for the sake of the gospel. Likewise, our preparation for Christ’s coming is not found in stockpiling supplies or becoming consumed with earthly anxieties, but in examining our hearts daily before God. May we strive to pray as David prayed: “Teach me Your way, O Yahweh; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name” (Ps. 86:11). A heart united in its love for God is a heart prepared for the return of Christ.

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What If Jesus Returned Tonight – Luke 17:26-30

Today, we are asking a very serious question: What if Jesus returned tonight? We are looking at three warnings every Christian should know and pay attention to frequently. Jesus says in verse 26, just as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating, drinking, marrying, and being given in marriage until the day Noah entered the ark and the flood came. It will be the exact same on the day the Son of Man is revealed. The Bible is a book full of warnings. God never throws a sucker punch at His people; He always warns us before judgment falls, just as He warned Adam and Eve. However, it is not easy for us to stay awake and hold onto the thought that Jesus is coming soon. We get busy with normal everyday life, and we stop caring for the return of the King. But the Lord warns us that He will come for sure. It is his promise and absolute reality.

Before His coming, the world will look as usual, but we must not be consumed by it. Look at how Jesus describes the days of Noah and Lot. People were eating, drinking, marrying, buying, selling, planting, and building. Jesus never says that marriage or eating or building is a bad thing. God is not against these normal human activities. The problem is that these things progressed to consume their entire attention while they completely ignored God’s warning. They were intoxicated with everyday life, living as though this world is the only world that matters.

We see this exact spiritual blindness in Daniel 5. King Belshazzar threw a great feast for a thousand of his nobles, drinking wine and enjoying a grandiose party. He acted like nothing was happening, even though a great invading army was right outside his kingdom. That very same night, Belshazzar was killed. His judgment was sudden and unexpected because he was entirely focused on his earthly pleasure.

If we set our minds primarily on earthly things, our pilgrim spirit dies, and we stop being homesick for heaven. This is what the Bible calls worldliness. Worldliness is not simply having a job or participating in society; it is adopting the values, desires, and priorities of a world that lives independently of God. It is when we push God and eternity to the margins of our lives. If our hope is bigger for earthly success than it is for having Jesus Christ, we are worldly. Colossians chapter 3, verses 1 and 2 command us that if we have been raised with Christ, we must keep seeking the things above, setting our minds on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. We apply this by making Jesus our supreme treasure and prioritizing the word of God to renew our minds. We must also fight worldliness with real prayer. Real prayer is not just talking; it is true communion and intimacy with God. When we practice real prayer, we realize that nothing in this world can satisfy us but God alone.

When Jesus returns, it will be a complete and sudden judgment for those who are spiritually asleep. Jesus repeats that the flood came and destroyed them all, and fire and brimstone from heaven destroyed them all. God emphasizes the totality of the judgment. For 120 years, the people in Noah’s day ignored the warning. They probably looked at the sky, saw no black clouds, and thought Noah was just joking or going through a midlife crisis. But the day came when Noah entered the ark, and God closed the door. The judgment arrived suddenly, decisively, and completely. For unbelievers and those who are spiritually asleep, His coming will be a dreadful sucker punch. They will be knocked down because they are not ready.

Why does Jesus warn His chosen disciples about this severe judgment? Because genuine believers need this exhortation to remain watchful. The warning prepares us to live differently. Think about it, if you take this seriously and believe Jesus could come tonight or tomorrow, how would you calibrate your life from now on? This warning also equips us to warn others. God preserves His people through warnings, and He calls us to wake up those around us. If we truly believe judgment is coming, we cannot stay silent about the gospel to our family members and friends who are living in spiritual darkness.

His coming is absolutely certain and real, so we must live faithfully right now. Jesus treats Noah, the ark, Sodom, and Lot as real historical beings and events. This is not an allegory or a metaphor. Just as the flood was real, the return of the King is real. God never breaks His promises, because if He broke even one promise, we could not trust Him at all. God is faithful, and He never speaks falsely. In Luke 17:30, Jesus uses what we call a futuristic present tense, saying the Son of Man is revealed because it is so incredibly certain that it is as if it is happening now.

How do we prepare for a coming that is so sure? We do not prepare by trying to predict the date, but by waiting watchfully and faithfully. Watchful means living each day with the awareness that Christ could return at any time. We prepare by abiding in Christ, making Him our only true home. When you have a heavenly perspective, you remember that this earth is not your final resting place. There was a defector whose family had to worship secretly in North Korea, risking execution. Her grandmother would tell her that their true home was over there in heaven. That heavenly perspective is what allows a believer to endure anything, knowing we are just stopping by this place.

We also prepare by remaining faithful in our ordinary duties. We do not quit our jobs or stop living normally. Instead, we honor and glorify Christ in our daily responsibilities. Revelation 2:10 tells us that if we are faithful unto death, He will give us the crown of life. We must be like the believers in 1 Thessalonians 1:7-8, where the word of the Lord sounded forth from them in every place as they waited for His Son from heaven. Waiting is not idleness. It is a life of faith, holiness, and service.

What if Jesus returned tonight? Are you ready to welcome Him? We can avoid being swallowed up by this world of simply eating, building, and planting if we continuously stay watchful. If a man truly fears God, he can love his wife and pursue his work with extraordinary skill and diligence, all while eagerly waiting for the glorious return of his King. Waiting for His return is not a crazy thing at all. It is a central part of our Christian life, and it must drive us to do our absolute best for His glory every single day.

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Look Out for Fake Christs – Luke 17:23-25

In Luke chapter 17:23-25, the Lord presents a critical warning regarding the signs of His return. The theological timeline of the second coming includes both the rapture of the church and Christ’s physical return to earth to establish a literal earthly kingdom. Because believers may face intense persecution and even the great tribulation, Jesus provides a severe warning against deception. As history and modern cults show, false messiahs continually arise, claiming to complete an unfinished mission of Jesus, operating through satanic power. Believers must understand this danger and apply the biblical solutions Christ provided to remain faithful.

Jesus warns His disciples, “They will say to you, look there, look here”. This warning is directed to true Christians because even the elect can be vulnerable to deception. When believers face deep suffering, persecution, or emotional pressure, they become susceptible to the counterfeit hope offered by false teachers. Even John the Baptist, while suffering in prison, momentarily questioned if Jesus was the true Messiah.

False Christs and their followers are deeply convinced of their own lies, often backed by visible demonic power and an intense, expert level knowledge of scripture. 2 Thessalonians 2:9 explains that the coming of the lawless one is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and false wonders. These false movements are often supported by collaborators such as date setters who predict the exact timing of Christ’s return, and political saviors who promise deliverance during times of national or economic chaos.

The first biblical solution to the threat of false Christs is to ignore them completely. Jesus commands, “Do not go away, and do not run after them”. Believers must not entertain their messages, investigate their claims, or allow a seed of interest to take root in their minds. Testing the waters by searching the internet for anti-biblical arguments out of curiosity can lead to a disastrous spiritual fall. The Word of God is entirely sufficient and clear. When believers start searching outside of Christ for hidden revelations, they have already lost half the spiritual battle.

False Christs often operate in hidden, secretive locations, claiming private revelations in basements or secluded gatherings. In stark contrast, Jesus declares that His return will be completely public, open, and universal. Luke 17:24 states that just as lightning flashes from one part of the sky and shines to the other, so will the Son of Man be in His day. His return will be sudden, visible, and cosmically supernatural, transcending human time zones and geography. Every eye will see Him, from the greatest nations to the smallest, secluded tribes. Jesus will not return as a ghostly figure; He is the sovereign Yahweh who possesses all authority in heaven and on earth, and He will return in a glorified, physical body to the sound of a great trumpet.

The ultimate safeguard against deception is viewing Jesus through the lens of His historical work. Verse 25 declares, “But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation”. This is the heart of the true gospel. The real Jesus came in humility to suffer for the sins of humanity and destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8, Hebrews 2:14). On the other hand, false messiahs completely avoid the cross. They seek their own glory, demanding to be served rather than serving. Their false gospels focus on physical protection, earthly wealth, and loyalty to a human leader rather than the forgiveness of sins. Historically, following these false leaders ends in destruction and death, whereas the true Christ came to give abundant life (John 10:10).

As the end of the age approaches, the activity of false Christs will only increase. The picture between the real Christ and a false Christ is as distinct as black and white. Believers must diligently study the Word of God to know the true Jesus, leaving no room for deception. By trusting and obeying the biblical Christ who suffered for our salvation, the church will remain faithful and secure while continually waiting for His glorious return.

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Certainty – Luke 17:22-37

Jesus had just proclaimed to the Pharisees that the kingdom of God was already in their midst. The kingdom has already come through the person and work of Christ, yet it has not been fully consummated on earth. In this passage, Jesus turns from the Pharisees to his disciples in order to teach them four certainties regarding the future: the certainty of the days leading up to Christ’s return, the certainty of Christ’s second coming itself, the certainty that believers long for his return, and the certainty that while the exact day remains unknown, Christians are called to live with enduring hope. Jesus explains that extraordinary events will precede his return and exhorts his disciples to remain spiritually alert and prepared.

Before examining these certainties, it is important to understand the concept of millennialism within Scripture. The term comes from the Latin word “millennium” referring to one thousand years. Historically, Christians have generally held to three major views concerning Christ’s thousand-year reign: premillennialism, postmillennialism, and amillennialism. Our church holds to the premillennial position because we believe it most faithfully reflects John’s description in Revelation 19–20. In those chapters, John refers to the thousand-year reign six different times following the period of the Great Tribulation. According to this understanding, God will gather his people to himself and Christ will reign physically on earth for one thousand years.

The first certainty is that the days leading up to Christ’s return will unfold exactly as Jesus described (vv. 26–36). Although the Father has appointed a fixed time for Christ’s coming, humanity will continue living in apparent normalcy, “just as it was in the days of Noah,” when people were eating, drinking, marrying, and carrying on with everyday life (v. 26). Yet Christ’s return will come suddenly and unmistakably, like lightning flashing across the sky (v. 24). Just as death is certain for every person, the return of Christ is also certain and imminent. His coming will bring both judgment and separation. Out of love for his disciples, Jesus warns them beforehand so that they would remain vigilant and steadfast rather than spiritually unprepared.

The second certainty is that Jesus Christ will indeed return after the events he described. His return will not be hidden or isolated, but a global event witnessed by all people (Matt. 24:30). Scripture assures believers of this certainty because all authority belongs to Christ, and nothing occurs apart from his sovereign power (Matt. 28:18). Furthermore, the coming reign of the Son of Man has been consistently foretold throughout redemptive history. From the promise of the coming seed in Genesis 3:15, to Daniel’s vision of the Son of Man receiving dominion and glory (Dan. 7:13–14), to the angelic declaration in Acts 1:11, Scripture repeatedly affirms that Christ will come again to establish his kingdom.

The third certainty is that true Christians long for and eagerly anticipate Christ’s return. A believer’s hope in the return of Christ is inseparable from salvation itself. As children of God, Christians desire his appearing because they know that when he is revealed, they will be made like him and will see him as he truly is (1 John 3:2). Their longing for his return flows out of genuine love for him, even though they have not physically seen him (1 Pet. 1:8). Christ is infinitely more precious than the treasures of this world; therefore, those who truly love him will naturally desire to be with him.

The Christian also recognizes that life on earth is temporary and that our true citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20–21). Believers are pilgrims passing through this world rather than those seeking ultimate satisfaction in it. Their deepest desire is to dwell eternally with the Lord. This hope in Christ’s return is demonstrated through a life marked by obedience, holiness, and faithfulness. Without a fixed hope in Christ, people become increasingly captivated by the world and unable to overcome its temptations. For this reason, Christians must pursue holiness diligently. Persistent spiritual indifference is dangerous because it reveals a heart that is no longer captivated by Christ or consumed with the desire to be with him forever.

The fourth certainty is that although the exact day of Christ’s return remains unknown, believers are called to live with a living hope (Mark 13:32). Jesus made it clear that no one knows the precise day or hour except the Father. Nevertheless, the disciples lived the remainder of their lives in hopeful expectation of Christ’s return. The Apostle Paul exemplified this hope as he neared the end of his life, declaring that he had fought the good fight, finished the race, and looked forward to the crown of righteousness awaiting him (2 Tim. 4:7–8). Biblical hope is therefore not passive speculation, but steadfast confidence that shapes the way believers endure, persevere, and live faithfully in the present.

Christians can therefore live with certainty regarding both the present age and the future that God has promised. The Word of God assures believers that Christ will return, that his promises are true, and that eternal glory awaits his people. In light of these truths, believers must hold firmly to Scripture, remain faithful in the daily spiritual battle, and continue living with hopeful expectation. Our confidence is not placed in the uncertainties of this world, but in the sure promise that our Lord Jesus Christ will one day return and bring his people home to be with him forever.

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Why People Miss the Kingdom of God – Luke 17:20-21

In Luke 17:20-21, the Pharisees questioned when the kingdom of God was coming. Jesus answered that the kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, nor will they say to look here or there, because the kingdom of God is in your midst. This message is incredibly relevant today because God still rules as king. Humanity exists in only two domains: the kingdom of God or the domain of Satan. The kingdom of God in Christianity is about a present reality, not just the afterlife. Focusing on the kingdom means focusing on who Jesus is in all circumstances, recognizing him as the Lord of lords and the King of kings.

Why do some people miss the kingdom of God even when it is a present reality? The Pharisees failed to recognize Jesus as king because their kingdom view was completely unscriptural. They completely misunderstood the difference between the first coming and the second coming. The first coming was full of suffering and humility, but they expected a visible political national savior who would liberate them from Rome. They focused on external religion over inward transformation, rejecting Jesus because he demanded their hearts. Furthermore, pride and self-righteousness created intense resistance. Because they believed they were already righteous, they felt no need for a king who offered true righteousness.

To enter the kingdom of God, a person must be as low as Jesus Christ. Matthew 5:3 states, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”. This is the foundational principle for entering the kingdom. God is not fooled and notices if a person lacks true humility. Being poor in spirit means a complete spiritual bankruptcy, the absolute emptiness of self, and an unworthiness before God that results in total dependency on Jesus alone. It is the complete absence of pride and self-reliance. Job demonstrated this realization by rejecting himself and repenting in dust and ashes after his self-confidence collapsed in the direct presence of God (Job 42:5-6).

Entering the kingdom is also like the merchant who found a pearl of great value and sold all that he had to buy it (Matthew 13:45-46). Gaining the kingdom means receiving Christ and his rule with a willingness to forsake everything else. Christ is worth more than everything, requiring total commitment and a complete reorientation of life with no competing loyalties.

Many people miss the kingdom today because they misplace Jesus based on their own preferences and felt needs. Some claim Jesus is merely an excellent moral teacher, admiring his ethics while completely rejecting his authority over sin and repentance. Others portray Jesus as a political symbol for Christian nationalism, seeing him merely as a divine supporter of their side. Some seek a soft Jesus who only offers encouragement and never confronts sin, while others use him as a means to personal success and material gain through the prosperity gospel. However, the real Jesus declares, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me”. (John 14:6)

The Pharisees missed the king standing right in front of them because of profound spiritual blindness. Spiritual blindness is a condition where a person is unable and unwilling to perceive the truth of God, even when that truth is actively present. To cure this blindness and enter the kingdom, a person must experience regeneration. Regeneration is a completely God-initiated act accomplished through the hearing of the gospel, where the Holy Spirit raises the spiritually dead to conscious faith in Christ. As Jesus explained in John 3:3, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Every believer must be actively abiding in Christ every day. 1 John 3:6 states that no one who abides in Him sins. Abiding means receiving, actively trusting, and completely surrendering to Christ. Jesus provided this vital imagery in John 15:5, saying, “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing”. Separating from the vine inevitably leads to spiritual death. If people miss the first arrival of the humble king, they will not see him coming again with trumpets and clouds of angels. Believers must realize they are living in front of the king right now. Let us continually love him, honor him, and worship the king who died in our place and carried every single sin on the cross.

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The Faith That Truly Saves – Luke 17:14-19

Today, the focus is on the Gospel of Luke 17:14-19 to understand the side of faith that truly saves, unlike a faith that is only external and outwardly religious. When ten lepers were cleansed, only one, a Samaritan, returned to give glory to God. Jesus said to him, “Stand up and go. Your faith has made you well”. Only the faith that Jesus affirms can truly save a sinner. Many claim to be born-again Christians. Ligonier’s State of Theology survey in 2025 revealed that almost half of American evangelicals believe Jesus was a great teacher but not God. This is not just biblical illiteracy. This alarming statistic shows that people are not truly saved because they do know Jesus, and their hearts are not transformed. People may be religious actors, but they have not met Jesus personally. They are like the nine lepers who were healed but did not return to give glory to God.

The text shows that the Samaritan goes back to Jesus before seeing the priest, proving that saving faith is found in Jesus Christ alone. Out of the ten lepers seeking physical healing, nine Jewish lepers continued on their own way after being healed, but the one Samaritan turned back to Christ. Turning to Christ is the key. As Martin Luther noted, “After all, Christ must be everything: the beginning, the middle, and the end of our salvation. We must lay Him down as the first or foundation stone, rest the others and themselves on Him, and also attach the rafters or the roof to Him. He is the first, the middle, and the rung in the ladder to heaven. Through Him we must begin, must continue, and must complete our progress to life.”

To turn to Christ means to convert, which is a complete change of direction. True conversion is not just saying a mere prayer, feeling close to God, or undergoing behavior modification. Any religion can modify behavior, but true conversion involves a changed heart. Theologian Robert Letham defined “Conversion is the human response to God’s work of regeneration, consisting of repentance and faith, in which a person turns from sin and turns to God in Christ.” Sinners are spiritually dead and unable to convert by human effort; they must be born again by the Holy Spirit. Repentance is turning away from sin, recognizing it as treason against God, and faith is the response of a changed heart turning to Jesus Christ to rely on His saving work.

How do believers know they have a true saving faith? The text provides several marks based on the Samaritan’s actions.

First, true converts “glorify God with a loud voice”. Recognizing God as the source of mercy, the saved heart responds to who God is and what He has done. How else can we respond to a true and powerful understanding of who God is? We are saved by God, not by anything else, not by our works, but by the grace and power of God. So we glorify God with a loud voice. Romans 11:33-36 declares that from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Believers are not ashamed to shout hallelujah publicly because they are freed from spiritual leprosy. Just as Stephen saw the glory of God before his death in Acts 7:55, Christians must be consumed with God’s glory in all circumstances.

Second, true converts worship Jesus. The Samaritan fell on his face at the feet of Jesus. Since the Old Testament taught that only God is to be worshiped, bowing to Jesus recognizes His absolute deity. They recognize Jesus as God and worship. Worship is not just singing; it is yielding your will and obeying Christ’s authority, seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness(Matthew 6:33). True worshippers are humble. “When you cannot understand God’s dealings, you must still bow before His throne and worship.” – Charles Spurgeon

Third, true converts give thanks to Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 commands that in everything give thanks, because it is God’s will. Thanksgiving reveals the heart, not just appreciation for a physical benefit. “A thankful heart is one of the primary identifying characteristics of a believer. It stands in stark contrast to pride, selfishness, and worry. And it helps fortify the believer’s trust in the Lord and reliance on His provision, even in the toughest times. No matter how choppy the seas become, a believer’s heart is buoyed by constant praise and gratefulness to the Lord.” – John MacArthur

Fourth, saving faith produces a heart response. The Samaritan left the other nine behind and returned to Jesus. Just as Zacchaeus abandoned his idol of money after meeting Christ, a truly converted person decisively turns away from past sins. The Christian must leave their old life behind. The Christian must be different from what they used to be. This is a heart response.

Finally, true converts trust in Christ’s forgiveness. The Samaritan boldly trusted Jesus, just as the Apostle Paul trusted God to save him despite being a former blasphemer in 1 Timothy 1:13. There is a boldness to claim forgiveness, no matter how great the sin is. This is true trust in the infinite worth of Christ’s work. Forgiveness is unlimited because Christ died for all sins! Unrepentant sin is unforgiven sin. Every sin is forgiven, which is trust in Jesus Christ. This is why every Christian preaches the gospel to themselves every day. Remind yourself that Christ died for your sins, recall that His righteousness is credited to you, and reject the lies of condemnation.

In verse 19, Jesus officially affirms and confirms saving faith by saying, “Stand up and go”. This command implies rising up with a new relationship, a new life, and a new mission. Today, Jesus confirms faith not audibly, but through the Scripture. Hebrews 1:2 says that in these last days God has spoken through His Son. The Word of God is the final, sufficient, and authoritative voice. Believers recognize, receive, and respond to the Word of God, the Bible. Romans 10:9-11 explains that if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart, you will be saved. Confession requires a public, costly acknowledgment and total submission to Christ. Believers must check and examine their faith not by comparing themselves to others, but by aligning their lives with the Word of God.

There are two kinds of Christians in this world. One kind is like the nine lepers who obey outwardly but only care about the gift and the blessing, ignoring the Giver. The other kind holds onto Jesus, never letting go. They build their foundation entirely on Christ, crying out in repentance for God to be merciful to them as sinners. Jesus will hear those people and affirm that their faith has saved them. Believers must examine their faith to see if they are seeking only gifts or if they are truly living to glorify, thank, and worship Jesus Christ in all circumstances.

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Faith that Does Not Work – Luke 17:11-19

“A man may be sanctified, and yet be almost a Christian” (Matthew Mead). There are many who exhibit moral reform and outward discipline, yet lack true heart transformation. Such individuals may appear religious, even commendable, but they are not truly born again. External change, apart from inward renewal, produces a form of godliness without its power.

In this passage, Jesus Christ is traveling toward Jerusalem when He enters a village and encounters ten men afflicted with leprosy. Standing at a distance, as required by social and ceremonial law, they cry out for mercy, recognizing that He alone has the authority to heal them (vv. 12–13). Leprosy was not only physically devastating but socially isolating, rendering its victims outcasts. In response, Jesus instructs them to go and show themselves to the priests, and as they go, they are cleansed. Yet only one—identified as a Samaritan—returns, glorifying God and giving thanks.

All ten men obeyed Christ’s command and received physical healing, but only one experienced true spiritual restoration. The nine, though outwardly obedient, remained inwardly unchanged. Their response exposes a sobering reality: it is possible to obey Christ externally and still remain estranged from Him internally. This is the essence of empty religiosity—impressive in appearance, yet devoid of saving grace.

External obedience is often rooted in self-interest. It seeks benefit rather than communion, the gift rather than the Giver. It is marked by a lack of genuine praise, a conditional commitment, and an avoidance of what is costly. Such obedience is inconsistent and situational, arising when convenient or advantageous. There is little to no true devotion, no deepening fellowship with God, and no reverent awe before His holiness. Instead, there exists a subtle calculation—what must be given versus what can be gained. The result is a life that may appear religious but lacks spiritual vitality and growth.

This kind of superficial faith often leads to false assurance, which in turn produces either hypocrisy or legalism. True assurance, however, flows from a genuine love for the Savior. Only a heart transformed by grace will yield the kind of faith that results in joyful, enduring obedience. This raises important questions for self-examination: Do we pursue Christ when no one is watching? Do we ask Him to expose and change areas of mere external conformity? Do we genuinely care for the condition of our souls? Do we preach the gospel to ourselves daily? Would we still seek and love God if there were no visible rewards or recognition?

The nine men who did not return demonstrate what may be called temporary faith. Their belief was not insincere in the moment—they trusted Christ enough to obey His command—but it was ultimately shallow and short-lived. It was driven by need rather than devotion, by benefit rather than worship. Temporary faith responds to crisis but does not endure beyond it. In contrast, true saving faith perseveres. It remains anchored in Christ through trials, suffering, and uncertainty. Even the disciples were asked by Jesus, “Where is your faith?”—a question that continues to confront believers today. The authenticity of faith is revealed not merely in moments of need, but in the ongoing pattern of a life centered on Christ and shaped by His Word.

Temporary faith cannot save because it is not rooted in Christ Himself. When faith is anchored in circumstances or personal gain, it inevitably collapses. The nine experienced a remarkable miracle, yet their faith dissipated because it was never grounded in a true recognition of who Jesus is. Saving faith, by contrast, rests in Christ alone. It involves trusting Him personally, turning from sin, and valuing Him above all else. Such faith endures because its object is unchanging.

The failure of the nine also reveals a deficient understanding of sin. Though they were healed of a severe and debilitating disease, they remained indifferent to their deeper spiritual condition. In this sense, leprosy serves as a powerful metaphor for sin. Just as leprosy corrupts the body and isolates the individual from community, sin corrupts the entire person and separates the sinner from God. The numbness associated with leprosy mirrors the spiritual numbness of those who do not perceive the gravity of their sin. Because the nine did not grasp their need for forgiveness, they saw Jesus merely as a healer rather than as Savior and Lord.

Spiritual deadness produces indifference. Those who are numb to sin feel no urgency to seek Christ. He becomes peripheral—useful in times of need, but not central to life. Such people remain spiritually asleep, and only the work of the Holy Spirit can awaken them to their true condition.

External obedience, then, is insufficient to save. No one can manufacture a transformed heart through effort or discipline. Salvation is the work of Christ alone. It requires repentance from sin and genuine faith in Him, resulting in a life transformed by the Spirit.

The question, therefore, is unavoidable: Do we truly desire Christ Himself, or merely the benefits He provides? The answer reveals the nature of our faith. Let us not be content with outward conformity or fleeting devotion. Instead, we must come to Christ in humility, seeking not only His gifts but His lordship. Return to Him with gratitude, as the one healed leper did, and give Him the worship He deserves. Examine your heart, turn from all that competes with Him, and cling to Christ alone. For only a faith that treasures Him above all else will endure to the end and bring glory to God both now and forever.

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Forgiveness and Faith – Luke 17:5-6

In Luke 17:5-6, the apostles say to the Lord, “Increase our faith”. This text continues the context of examining humility and what the humble can do. There is an inseparable relationship between humility, faith, and forgiveness. The context is Jesus commanding that if a brother sins seven times a day and repents, he must be forgiven. To forgive unceasingly around the clock is a massive burden, which is why the disciples ask for their faith to be increased.

However, the apostles misunderstood faith by asking for an increase, assuming that a bigger quantity of faith is required for a harder task. Faith is not about quantity. Christians think that if we have more faith, than they could obey the command to forgive. This assumes that bigger and increased faith leads to self-sufficiency, but having spiritual authority does not mean operating independently from God. Asking for increased faith biblically means depending on God more, but the disciples wanted a bigger tool to handle the matter themselves.

Furthermore, saving faith and everyday faith are the same plant; saving faith is the root, and everyday faith is the fruit. Believers already have this faith from conversion. So increasing faith is not about seeking a new, additional power, but living out the faith already possessed.

The Lord defines biblical faith by responding, “If you have faith like a mustard seed”. The issue is not the quantity of faith, but whether there is actual reliance on God. Not how large it is, but if you have true faith. Biblical faith means personally coming to Jesus, leaving self-reliance, and depending on Him for life. It is not just agreeing with Him, but turning from sin and turning toward Christ.

Believers are called to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Walking by faith does not mean ignoring reality, but relying on God’s word over human feelings and obeying even when it does not make sense. A genuine, small faith is like a mustard seed; while it does not seem impressive, it is real and mighty. Faith might be small, but what matters is that it’s real. The church is also small, a little flock, but size doesn’t matter, as long as it’s a real church. We are all little children, turning from self, letting go of control, trusting God, and depending on Him completely (Mt 18:3).

Jesus tells the disciples that with faith like a mustard seed, they could say to a mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and be planted in the sea, and it would obey you”. A mulberry tree represents something deeply rooted and humanly impossible to remove, much like the command to forgive unceasingly. Just as planting a tree in the ocean to bear fruit seems impossible, true forgiveness and salvation are impossible by human power alone, but with God, all things are possible (Mark 10:24). We must realize that salvation is God’s greatest miracle and accomplished the most difficult task, yet we are saved by faith.

Faith must be expressed and put into practice. For example, when a relative of John Macarthur’s son was tragically murdered by a robber, the parents chose to forgive the killer. How could they do that? Because God commands it and faith obeys. True faith lives in obedience, trusting and depending on the Lord. Similarly, the Roman centurion demonstrated mighty faith simply by trusting Jesus’s authority to heal his servant. His faith was not systematic with lots of details, but he expressed his faith in Jesus without needing to see anything (Matthew 8:8-9). Faith is expressive and practiced. True faith continues to trust, obey, and speak out even when nothing has happened yet and we are still waiting. There’s nothing else we can do but have faith.

Jesus concludes the definition by stating, “and it would obey you”. When real faith is practiced, it aligns with God’s will and participates in His authority. Practicing faith means the result will happen in God’s timing, or He will provide something even better for His glory (Hebrews 11:39-40). The Christian calling to forgive unceasingly, love enemies, and overcome sin is completely beyond natural ability without faith. Therefore, believers must continually practice this small but genuine faith, trusting that God is always good and His power is always enough to handle the impossible.

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A Church that Jesus Builds – Luke 17:3-4

Based on today’s text, Jesus teaches that the church He builds is composed of believers marked by humility. Humility is not synonymous with low self-esteem; rather, it is rightly understanding one’s position before God and others. It consists of two essential components: obedience to the Lord in all circumstances and a genuine love for others expressed through service. As such, humility is foundational to the identity and function of a true church established by Jesus Christ.

The humble church that Jesus builds remains vigilant and spiritually alert (v. 3). In this context, Jesus understood that external influences could cause His disciples to stumble, particularly the influence of the scribes and Pharisees. Therefore, He commands them to pay careful attention and to be aware of the spiritual dangers present in the world. To “be on guard” implies discernment and readiness. The Jewish leaders posed a serious threat because they were false teachers who opposed Christ and rejected His truth.

Those who are humble practice self-denial and rest in God’s sovereignty. Without humility and spiritual alertness, it becomes difficult to rebuke others biblically and consistently. When humility is absent, confronting a sinning brother may lead to pride, anger, or bitterness rather than restoration. Sensitivity to sin diminishes, and the goal of forgiveness may be lost. Hypocrisy can emerge when forgiveness is offered halfheartedly. Failing to guard our hearts may create a chain reaction that damages relationships. In contrast, humility enables believers to respond with both truth and grace, preserving the goal of restoration through rebuke and forgiveness.

The humble church that Jesus builds hates sin and seeks restoration when sin occurs. Jesus clearly instructs His followers to rebuke a brother who sins and to forgive him if he repents (v. 3). The focus here is on relational, or horizontal, sin between believers rather than sin against God. Such sin may involve words, actions, attitudes, or any failure to uphold righteousness in relationships. Since the church is made up of imperfect people, conflict is inevitable. Nevertheless, a healthy church addresses these issues through faithful rebuke and genuine forgiveness.

The necessity of rebuke within the church is emphasized by Jesus in this passage. Its purpose is not to prove oneself right but to restore a sinning brother to fellowship with God and the church. The Old Testament provides a clear example in the life of King David, who committed grave sins. The prophet Nathan confronted David with humility, making it clear that his message came from the Lord. This account demonstrates that true rebuke always involves both truth and grace.

Rebuke, in its basic sense, means to correct, reprove, or offer sharp criticism. This is why many believers avoid it altogether. However, the biblical concept of rebuke involves speaking truth with gentleness and love. As Rod Mattoon explains, “This rebuke is to be strong enough to inspire repentance. To ‘rebuke’ does not mean to point out every sin, for Jesus also warns against being judgmental. Rebuke is always to be done in love and compassion, not in a censoring and judgmental spirit. Its purpose is to bring the sin to the attention of the offending person and restore them to fellowship with the Lord and other believers.”

In a true church, rebuke and forgiveness are normal aspects of dealing with sin. Humility is required in order to rebuke rightly. A humble rebuke does not arise from a sense of superiority or a desire to control. Instead, it is characterized by honesty, gentleness, and a desire for restoration. Scripture calls believers to restore one another in a spirit of gentleness while remaining mindful of their own vulnerability to temptation. This reflects a posture of valuing others above oneself.

Humble rebuke serves as the pathway to genuine repentance and forgiveness. Without it, sin remains concealed, allowing the sinner’s heart to grow hardened and spiritually unhealthy. Hidden sin often intensifies over time, leading to greater destruction. Therefore, humility is essential so that believers may lovingly confront sin for the spiritual benefit of others.

Rebuke grounded in truth produces repentance, and repentance opens the door to forgiveness rooted in grace. True repentance results in a transformed heart and changed behavior. Forgiveness, in turn, involves a deliberate decision not to hold the offender accountable for their wrongdoing. Believers must be committed to forgiving regardless of how their rebuke is received. This includes refusing to seek revenge, harbor grudges, or retaliate. Forgiveness is an act of obedience to God, reflecting the forgiveness believers themselves have received.

The humble church that Jesus builds forgives continually. Jesus teaches that even if a brother sins repeatedly and repeatedly repents, forgiveness must be extended each time (v. 4). This reflects the pattern of God’s own forgiveness toward His people. It also implies that believers should not keep a record of wrongs. Ongoing forgiveness is a vital expression of faithful obedience in the Christian life.

Humility undergirds forgiveness, serving as the soil in which it grows. Recognizing one’s own need for God’s mercy enables a believer to extend that same mercy to others. Forgiveness becomes the outward expression of inward humility. Where true humility exists, God is actively at work in and through that individual.

Biblical forgiveness does not mean ignoring sin for the sake of superficial peace or politeness. Nor does it imply immediate restoration of trust. Restoration is often gradual, requiring time and consistent faithfulness. True forgiveness acknowledges sin and maintains accountability. When forgiveness is absent in a church, it signals a breakdown in fellowship. Conversely, a loving church is marked by continual forgiveness exercised in both truth and grace. A failure to forgive not only damages relationships but also weakens one’s witness and hinders spiritual vitality.

Forgiveness is a lifelong discipline for the believer. In every relationship, a greater measure of forgiveness leads to greater unity and spiritual health. One may obey many commands, but without forgiveness, obedience remains incomplete. The example of Joseph illustrates this truth; forgiveness was essential to the fulfillment of God’s work in his life. Ultimately, the pinnacle of Christ’s suffering and death was the forgiveness of sinners. Forgiveness transforms the heart’s posture toward others, even when trust must be rebuilt over time. God demonstrated His power to forgive through the love and humility displayed at the cross. Without forgiveness, genuine love for God, the church, and even one’s enemies is impossible.

Therefore, believers must remain spiritually alert, engage in gentle and truthful rebuke, and extend forgiveness generously and consistently. As Jesus builds His church, the Spirit works to cultivate humility and love among His people. These qualities serve as clear marks of a church that truly belongs to God, who first loved and forgave us.

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How Essential Biblical Humility Is – Luke 17:1-2

In Luke chapter 17, the primary theme connecting the first ten verses is humility. Jesus directs this message specifically to His disciples, which directly implies the believing community, the church. Believers must be intentional in preparing for eternal realities. Handling stumbling blocks, forgiveness, and serving one another all require one essential trait: biblical, Spirit-produced humility. Every Christian is embedded with the seed of humility at conversion. Without God’s humility, there is no incarnation, no Messiah’s arrival, and no redemption for sinners. Therefore, we must understand how necessary it is to practice humility in every situation.

Biblical humility is not self-hatred, pretending to be worthless, or displaying low self-esteem. Genuine biblical humility means knowing who God is, knowing who you are, and living in dependence on Him instead of yourself. It sees God as holy and sovereign, and sees oneself as a sinner saved by grace. Humility is a heart that bows to God and bends toward others.

Furthermore, humility is a mark of true salvation. The humble person constantly depends on God’s grace and gladly obeys His authority. It objects to the self-righteousness of the Pharisees, who built their faith on a work-based mindset. Instead, humility says, “I obey because I belong; I serve because of God’s grace”. Philippians 2:5 commands believers to have this sustained mindset and deep disposition, which was also in Christ Jesus. If Jesus were prideful, there would be no cross and no salvation.

Jesus states in Luke 17:1, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come”. Because we live in a fallen, sinful world, facing stumbling blocks is unavoidable and sure to come. A stumbling block literally means a trap, snare, or bait—anything that causes a person to sin, trip spiritually, or fall away from the faith. In the believing community, stumbling blocks can manifest as false teaching, hypocrisy, pride, legalism, worldliness, or careless words.

However, Jesus issues a precautionary warning: “But woe to him through whom they come”. This is a serious warning from Jesus to all believers. Humility comes to the rescue in avoiding this trap. Humility recognizes personal weaknesses, making the believer self-aware of how fragile and broken they are. Because the humble person knows they need God to help them live right, they do not take unnecessary risks. Humility redirects attention outward to love and serve others, preventing the self-centered impulses that lead to sin.

The consequences of putting a stumbling block before another believer are gravely serious. Jesus declares in Luke 17:2, “It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble”. This is not poetic exaggeration but a serious warning. A millstone was a massively heavy stone turned by a donkey, and could weigh up to 1000 pounds. This is a better punishment than causing one of these little ones to stumble.

Who are these “little ones”? While they certainly include children, broadly speaking, the little ones are genuine, born-again Christians (Matthew 19:17, 1 John 5:21). Every Christian can be vulnerable, weak, and gullible. Because believers are not yet glorified and face many temptations, remaining in sin exposes our limits. Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall (1 Corinthians 10:12). “This does not mean that Christians who cause someone else to stumble will lose their salvation and incur God’s eternal wrath. If that were so, none could be saved, because we all have sinned in this manner.” (Steven Cole) Jesus uses this vivid, severe language to indicate that causing a vulnerable believer to fall into sin is a devastating offense.

Because causing offense is so serious, believers must actively cultivate the humility given at conversion. First, look to Jesus as the only perfect role model, who learned obedience and humility through suffering (Hebrews 5:8-9). Second, realize that suffering is a teacher in the school of humility. Like Jacob, whose soul became humble through days of evil and trial, suffering is meant to wear down pride and train the believer (Genesis 47:9). Never waste suffering, but use it to bow down before God. Finally, grow in humility by receiving correction and accountability without making excuses (Proverbs 12:1). A humble Christian constantly asks, “Will my actions build faith? Am I serving out of love and truth, or ego and anger”?

Biblical humility does not weaken necessary actions like church discipline; rather, proper discipline protects the little ones from wider stumbling. Church discipline is often blamed for causing some to stumble; it is often the case that the lack of church discipline allows sin to remain, which sets a poor example, leading to the stumbling of others. Therefore, we must all be humble lest we stumble or cause others to stumble. Humility is the most precious compliment a believer can receive. As Charles Spurgeon noted, one should not desire to be the principal man in the church, but rather be lowly and willing to be a doormat for all to wipe their boots on, so long as God is glorified. Let the church continually cultivate this deep humility to protect the vulnerable and honor the Lord.

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