Rating our mental gymnastics

 In spite of Jesus's clear warning to the rich that they are already reaping their rewards and should not expect to have rewards in Heaven (Luke 6), Western Christians expend great effort to dilute the warnings of Jesus and to advocate the wealthy in their congregations (James 5). How do reconcile your wealth with these warnings?

High Steppin

 Christians have long received hope from passages like Luke 6:17-26. Perhaps we should be reading the passage as an indictment on our self-interest driven lives instead of as a secret password for entering paradise. What do you want to be doing when Jesus returns? Will you be loving in Word or deed (Jn 3)?

Get Over Here!

 Colossians 2:8 warns us of being taken, like spoil by the world's way of thinking, instead of following the teachings of Jesus Christ. Many Christians believe that they have not been taken captive by the world's way of thinking, but still hate their neighbors, block aid to the poor, and fail to care for the immigrant. In what ways have you come to adopt worldly thinking instead of clinging to the teachings of Christ?

THOSE PEOPLE...

 Jesus urged His followers to show unusual courage when it comes to dealing with people (Matt 10:28). Are there groups of people you fear? Do you find yourself shying away from certain people groups? How can trust God to care for you when you are confronted with a representative from a group you fear?

Is God still working on you?

In Revelation 21, God creates again. Throughout Scripture, God is always doing something new—often when least expected. How is God creating something new in you? Have you stopped growing and become proud of never changing?
 

Jesus makes the unseen seen

When the disciples argued over who was to be the greatest, Jesus pointed to the one least likely to be heard, thought of, or even seen (Luke 9). By pointing to the most powerless, Jesus made the unseen seen, and reminded us all that the path to greatness is actually found in humility. Who do you ignore? Could they be the greatest among you?

Still Room at the Table

 Jesus told a parable about a feast with no guests (Luke 14). In the parable, the host is disgusted by the way his invitation is disregarded that he uninvites them and extends an invitation to those with the least social standing and power. We might notice that even after opening the table to everyone, there was still room for more. Who would not want at your table that Jesus would still invite?

Pastor Awesome's Cardboard Pentacost

 Jesus promised His disciples that they would do greater works than Jesus Himself (John 14). Rather than thinking of impressive miracles, we might remember that the Spirit Jesus demonstrated was love and care for others. How does the Holy Spirit work through you to demonstrate even greater love than Jesus?

The great repentance performer

 The Apostle Paul declared that God was now calling everyone, from every place to repent. However, Paul's sermon didn't focus on new restrictions or actions. Instead, Paul pointed to the love of Christ, and how we are now called to emulate that love (Acts 17). How do you demonstrate the love of Christ?

Sinners in the Temple of God

In Luke 15 Jesus tells of three lost things. His audience was filled with 'sinners' who likely felt lost themselves, because of their exclusion from Temple life. Jesus's parables make it clear that the religious leaders were actually the ones who were not only lost but were stubbornly remaining lost. Are the people you think of as 'lost' as lost as you are?

 

Awesome Sword of Fire

 

Christians have used Christ's teaching from Luke 12 to maliciously defend attacks on non-Christians. By skewing what Jesus tells us is inevitable to say that these divisions are desirable, we miss Christ's central teachings on humility and self-sacrifice. Do you create divisions to serve others and defend the persecuted, or do you divide by persecuting others?

Are you?

 

Many have commented on how quickly the Palm Sunday (Luke 19) crowd turned on Jesus, but maybe their turning was no different from our willingness to reject Jesus's teachings and instead adopt a mob mentality that demeans empathy, charity, and understanding. Are you willing to live like Jesus for Jesus?  

 John revealed in his gospel that Judas had been stealing from the funds that were set aside by Jesus and His disciples to help the poor (John 12). Oddly, many Christians use words from this chapter to curtail giving to those in need, by declaring that there will always be poor people. Have you stolen from the poor by misapplying Jesus's words to serve your own greed?

Awesome's Treasures

 When the Israelites entered the promised land they found an abundance of food (Josh 5). This provision reminds us of the grace God extends to us through Jesus Christ (Eph 2). Perhaps we should consider how much has been given to us and how having received gifts, we should give to others (Matt 8).

Fear and Darkness

 When God made a covenant with Abraham, the Bible describes a "horror of great darkness" falling on him (Gen 15). During this time of fear and darkness, the covenant of blessing was established. Where can you find hope in your time of fear and darkness?

Behind the banner?

 Moses hid his face when he realized that it was scaring those who saw it (Ex 34). Do we try to hide those who are different from us by forcing them out of public areas? What do you find so frightening that you find ways to hide it from your sight? Are you afraid to see someone different 

Pastor Awesome doesn't get it

 Before becoming a follower of Jesus, Peter humbled himself and declared himself to be a sinner (Luke 2). While the word "sin" is unpopular, most of us hold some guilt over a time in our lives when we failed to live up to our own values. The promise of Christ is that He can free us of our guilt, if we can just face it.

What would Jesus do with a Jehu bracelet?

 While Christians seek to be 'Christlike' or to live out Christ's teachings, we might find ourselves redefining Christ to make our actions more seem legitimate or 'good.' 1 Peter 2

sure, you can turn water into wine, but why would you?

 The first miracle Jesus performed was to change water into wine (Jn 2). This miracle saved the reputation of the hosts and probably saved the servants from being punished for not having enough wine on hand. John calls the miracle a 'sign,' but we might wonder is this a sign of Jesus's concern with each person's dignity or is it a sign that He can provide more than we even ask for? 

Big Guy and the Baptistry

 When Jesus was baptized, God testified who Jesus was (His Son - Luke 3), and so Christian baptism provides an opportunity for the candidate to say who Jesus is and state their faith in Christ. While this is a beautiful picture of Christ's work in us, it is only the beginning. Saved by faith through grace, Christians are now called to live out the gospel in our communities by demonstrating the love and care of Jesus.