Bible

Continuing in the book of Luke here in the Bible room today, we are reading Session 4, the summaries of chapters 11 and 12.

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Luke

Session 4

Chapter 11. Teach

His disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray as John had done:

• So, Jesus gives them the words to pray:
• Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name;
• Forgive us our sins as we forgive others;
• And deliver us from the evil one;
• Then Jesus says: Suppose one goes to a friend at midnight,
• And asks this friend to loan him a loaf of bread;
• The friend says he and his family are in bed, leave them alone;
• But if he persists to ask, the friend will loan him all he wants;
• Jesus says to keep asking, keep seeking, and keep knocking;
• And the Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him;
• Jesus removes a demon from a man who is unable to speak;
• When the demon is removed, the man begins to speak;
• Some in the crowd are amazed by what Jesus has done;
• But others say He is using Beelzebub to remove demons;
• He says a house divided against itself cannot stand;
• How then could the leader of demons come against demons?
• He says anyone who is not with Jesus, is against Jesus;
• Blessed are those who hear the word of God, then keep it;
• The crowd asks Jesus to give them a sign from heaven;
• He says this is an evil generation, asking for a sign;
• There will be no sign from heaven except Jesus himself;
• Jonah was sent as a sign to Nineveh, and they repented;
• Now, One greater than Jonah is here;
• A lamp is to be put on a lampstand where everyone can see it;
• The people must check their eyesight so they can see the light;
• A Pharisee asks Jesus to have dinner with him, which He does;
• Then, he questions why Jesus does not first wash his hands;
• Jesus says they are concerned about the outside of the vessel;
• When the inside of the vessel is full of wickedness;
• He says they think by giving alms they are made clean;
• Jesus says they should give alms, but not ignore the love of God;
• They are like men walking over unseen graves;
• Unaware of what’s in the graves;
• One of the lawyers tells Jesus He is offending them also;
• Jesus agrees, says the lawyers are good at condemning people;
• But never offer any help to those they condemn;
• Jesus says God has sent them prophets and apostles;
• But they have been persecuted and killed by the lawyers;
• This generation will be held accountable for all the bloodshed,
• From Abel to Zechariah of all who would seek the truth,
• But they were kept from the truth by the lawyers themselves;
• From then on, the scribes and Pharisees begin to accuse Jesus.

Chapter 12. Fear

Jesus has drawn a large crowd, so large they are trampling each other:

• He speaks to them: Beware the hypocrisy of the Pharisees;
• Everything said in the dark will be revealed in the light;
• Do not fear those who would kill you as that is the end;
• But fear Him who can kill you, but can also cast into hell;
• You are very valuable to God, therefore do not fear;
• He even has the hairs of your head numbered;
• Jesus says anyone can be forgiven for sinning against Him;
• But blaspheming the Holy Spirit is unforgiveable;
• Someone in the crowd wants Jesus to talk to his brother;
• His brother is not wanting to divide their inheritance;
• Jesus says: Beware of covetousness: Life is not what you have;
• A certain rich man said he would build bigger barns;
• He had money, so he said he would ‘eat, drink, and be merry;’
• But God said: You fool, tonight you will die;
• Then who will take possession of all you have collected;
• He had saved money for himself, but was not rich toward God;
• Jesus tells His disciples: Do not worry about your life;
• God feeds the birds, and you are way more valuable than them;
• Look at the lilies of the field who do not strive for anything;
• Yet not even Solomon was clothed in such finery;
• Do not worry about your clothes or your food and drink;
• God knows what you need and He will provide for you;
• Seek first the kingdom of God and He will give you the rest;
• Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also;
• Be ready and watching, for the Son of Man is coming back;
• To whom much is given, from them much will be required;
• Jesus says He did not come to bring peace to the earth;
• He actually came to bring division, even among families;
• He says people can see when the weather is about to change;
• But they are not able to see the changes Jesus is bringing.

End of Session 4 of the book of Luke.