Luke Part 2 Week 19

Day 1 

RECEIVE 

Luke 12:6-7 

⁶ “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. ⁷ And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” 

Jesus was addressing those He called “Dear friends” (Luke 12:4). He wanted them to know how valuable they were to God. Those who now read these verses should be comforted as they realize God knows every detail about them and loves them more than anyone else could.  

REFLECT 

Does this passage help you in knowing how precious you are to God? 

RESPOND 

Join with a friend in considering how valuable you are to God. Read Matthew 6:25-27 to see another passage that records what Jesus said about this. See also 1 John 4:19.  

Day 2 

RECEIVE 

Luke 12:8-10 

⁸ “I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. ⁹ But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels. ¹⁰ Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” 

This passage reveals the importance of acknowledging Jesus as your Savior here on earth. To deny Him now will mean He will deny you later. Verse 10 refers to what some call “The Unforgivable Sin.” In Matthew 12:31-32 Jesus accused the Pharisees of this sin because they accused Him of being able to cast out demons by the power of the devil rather than by the Holy Spirit. 

REFLECT 

Many today wonder if they have committed the unpardonable sin. The fact that they are concerned about it shows the Holy Spirit is still working in their lives so they have not committed it. 

RESPOND 

Some teach that it is impossible now to commit the unpardonable sin. They reason that Jesus is no longer on earth to be accused of casting out demons by the power of the devil. 1 John 1:9 also reveals people can be forgiven as they confess their sins to God. One thing is certain; the unpardonable sin would be passing from this life without believing in Jesus as Savior. There is no second chance after that.  

Day 3 

RECEIVE 

Luke 12:11-12 

¹¹ “And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, ¹² for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.” 

This passage should not be used as an excuse for not properly preparing to teach when you have time to prepare. It has to do with an unexpected circumstance when there is no time to prepare. One could say a quick prayer to heaven but then an answer must be given. At that time the Holy Spirit would bring to mind what the individual has been studying and thinking about in the past. 

REFLECT 

Have you ever been in a situation where you had no time to think before needing to answer? 

RESPOND 

Visit with a friend about what Nehemiah did when the king asked what was troubling him. It could have cost his life to be sad in the king’s presence. Read Nehemiah 2:1-6 to see how Nehemiah shot a short prayer to heaven before answering.  

Day 4 

RECEIVE 

Luke 12:13-15 

¹³ Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.” ¹⁴ Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” ¹⁵ Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” 

Jesus was asked to settle a dispute between brothers. He recognized at the heart of the dispute was greed of the brother who wanted the estate divided with him. What Jesus said should ring down through the ages, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” 

REFLECT 

Think how many today are measuring their value by how much they own.  

RESPOND 

Greed is covetousness. See Exodus 20:17 that records God’s command not to covet. See also what Jesus said about the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:34-40). Jesus referred to two of them that summarized the Ten Commandments. If one loves his neighbor, he will not want his wife or what he possesses.  

Day 5 

RECEIVE 

Luke 12:16-19 

¹⁶ Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. ¹⁷ He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ ¹⁸ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. ¹⁹ And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ 

As was His custom, Jesus made a point with a story. This one had to do with a person trying to accumulate all the possessions he could during his lifetime. Jesus told how the main person in the story planned to build more storage space so he could accumulate “enough stored away for years to come.”  

REFLECT 

How does this story Jesus told apply to your life? 

RESPOND 

Do you know of those who are trusting in their wealth to carry them through the rest of their lives? What if they die of a heart attack or a stroke tonight? What good would that wealth do them then?