HOPE OF THE WORLD

I DESIRE JESUS

"Work hard to enter the narrow door to God's Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail. When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Lord, open the door for us!' But he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from.'

Luke 13:24-25, NLT

Finding salvation requires more concentrated effort than most people are willing to put forth. Obviously we cannot save ourselves--there is no way we can work ourselves into God's favor.

The effort we must put out "to enter through the narrow door" is earnestly desiring to know Jesus and diligently striving to follow him whatever the cost. We dare not put off making this decision because the door will not stay open forever.

Then he said, "Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own."

Luke 12:15, NLT

Jesus says that the good life has nothing to do with being wealthy, so be on guard against greed (desire for what we don't have). This is the exact opposite of what society usually says. Advertisers spend millions of dollars to entice us to think that if we buy more and more of their products, we will be happier, more fulfilled, more comfortable.

How do you respond to the constant pressure to buy? Learn to tune out expensive enticements and concentrate instead on the truly good life--living in a relationship with God and doing his work.

"Anyone who isn't with me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me."

Luke 11:23, NLT

How does this verse relate to Luke 9:50; "Whoever is not against you is for you"? In the earlier passage, Jesus was talking about a person who was driving out demons in Jesus' name. Those who fight evil, he was saying, are on the same side as one driving out demons in Jesus' name. Here, by contrast, he was talking about the conflict between God and the devil. In this battle, if a person is not on God's side, he or she is on Satan's. There is no neutral ground. Because God has already won the battle, why be on the losing side?

If you aren't actively for Christ, you are against him.

If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?

Luke 9:24-25, NLT

Nothing material can compensate for the loss of eternal life. Jesus' disciples are not to use their lives on earth for their own pleasure--they should spend their lives serving God and people.

If this present life is most important to you, you will do everything you can to protect it. You will not want to do anything that might endanger your safety, health, or comfort. By contrast, if following Jesus is most important, you may find yourself in unsafe, unhealthy, and uncomfortable places. You will risk death, but you will not fear it because you know that Jesus will raise you to eternal life.

"What sorrow awaits you who are rich, for you have your only happiness now."

Luke 6:24, NLT

If you are trying to find fulfillment only through riches, wealth may be the only reward you will ever get--and it does not last.

We should not seek comfort now at the expense of eternal life.

"And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye* when you have a log in your own?"

Luke 6:41, NLT

Jesus doesn't mean we should ignore wrongdoing, but we should not be so worried about others' sins that we overlook our own. We often rationalize our sins by pointing out the same mistakes in others.

What kinds of specks in others' eyes are the easiest for you to criticize? Remember your own "planks" when you feel like criticizing, and you may find that you have less to say.

AMMAR & NURUL SPECIAL OCCASION

And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.

Luke 5:11, NLT

There are two requirements for coming to God. Like Peter, we must recognize our own sinfulness. Then, like these fishermen, we must realize that we can't save ourselves.

If we know that we need help, and if we know that Jesus is the only one who can help us, we will be ready to leave everything and follow him.

When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.

Luke 4:13, NLT

Christ's defeat of the devil in the desert was decisive but not final. Throughout his ministry, Jesus would confront Satan in many forms.

Too often we see temptation as once and for all. In reality, we need to be constantly on guard against the devil's ongoing attacks. Where are you most susceptible to temptation right now? How are you preparing to withstand it?

One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, "You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.*"

Luke 3:21-22, NLT

Theologians have long been troubled by Jesus' allowing himself to be baptized by John. After all, this baptism was for sinners. Why, then, did Jesus do it? He did it because he is both God and human--he underwent baptism and even death as only a human could; he lived a sinless life and rose from the dead as only God could. This baptism by John in the Jordan River was another step in his identification with us sinful people; and the arrival of the dove signifies God's approval. Now Jesus would officially begin his ministry as God's beloved Son walking the dusty roads of Israel.

When you are hurting, depressed, broken, remember: You have a Savior who understands your humanity. When you sin, remember: He has paid the price for your disobedience.