Luke 17:11-19:27

Although Luke the physician frequently mentions ministries of healing, the focus of his narrative shifts to Christ’s teaching and preaching in the final days of his life. The curriculum is varied in its scope and practical in its purpose, covering such subjects as wealth and its proper use; meekness, faithfulness, thankfulness, and watchfulness in the life of a disciple; proper priorities as illustrated in the rich young ruler (who did not have them) and blind Bartimaeus (who did). Few parental tasks are as challenging as that of teaching your children to say “Thank you”. In spite of your best intentions, you will soon discover that ingratitude and thanklessness come naturally, rather than their counterparts. “One who forgets the language of gratitude can never be on speaking terms with happiness.” It is the rare child indeed who regularly and spontaneously says “Thank you!” after enjoying an act of kindness. Parents, Grandparents, take heart! If it is any consolation, the problem is at least as old as the book of Luke. In 17:11-19 Jesus heals ten lepers of their horrible disease. But upon finding themselves cleansed, only one returns to offer thanks and worship. The brief episode ends with this haunting question: “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the nine?” 17:17. It is a question worth asking yourself today. When was the last time you told your spouse, your children, your minister, or your God, “thank you!” for a blessing that has recently come into your life? Make today an unscheduled Thanksgiving Day in your heart and house. You don’t need turkey and dressing to say thanks to those you love. Chp.18: Most men try to pray, yet so few know how. There are two kinds of prayers: the prayer—the one that meets God’s standard and the one that does not. This is illustrated by our Lord in the parable of the Pharisee and the publican. He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves and were confident that they were righteous [that they were upright and in right standing with God] and scorned and made nothing of all the rest of men….God, I thank You that I am not like the rest of men—…but the tax collector [merely] standing at a distance, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but kept striking his breast, saying, O God, be favorable (be gracious, be merciful) to me, the especially wicked sinner that I am! I tell you, this man went down to his home justified (forgiven and made upright and in right standing with God), rather than the other man; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted. Luke 18:9-14 Both men went to the same place, at the same time, for the same purpose—to pray. The Pharisee prayed in his religious pride, expecting God to answer because he thought himself worthy. He informed God of his own goodness, that he was better than others. He boasted of his good works. He said, “I fast, I give.” This is the kind of prayer that does not meet God’s requirements. It is self-righteous prayer. The publican and his prayer…He came to God in great humility, conscious of his unworthiness, confessing himself a sinner and begging for mercy. This is a righteous prayer. It is a rare privilege to pray, because it brings you into close fellowship with God, admitting your need for Him and your utter dependence upon Him. Prayer is asking and receiving; it is talking with God. It is making your request known unto Him in faith. The Scripture is so simple on the surface that we are in danger failing to recognize its immensity. Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 The Lord instructs the believer to ask, seek and knock, because these three words cover the whole spectrum of prayer. Prayer is asking and receiving. When you know the will of God regarding a need, whether it be material or spiritual, you can ask and receive. This prayer according to the revealed will of God. I John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us. And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him. Prayer is seeking and finding. When you do not know the will of God regarding a need, whether it be material or spiritual, then you are to seek His will in prayer concerning this need until you find it. This is prayer for a knowledge of the unrevealed will of God in a specific need. Col. 3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Prayer is knocking and opening. When you know the will of God and yet you find a closed door, you are to knock, and keep on knocking until God opens the door. This is tenacious prayer—prayer for mountain-moving faith. Knocking prayer perseveres until the impossible becomes the possible. This is miracle-working prayer. Matthew 14-21 The epileptic son whose father asked Jesus to heal him after the disciples did not! To ask, to seek, to knock are the Lord’s instructions for prayer. PRAY Luke 18: 1 Also [Jesus] told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not to turn coward (faint, lose heart, and give up) …because Jesus said, Men ought always to pray.” Prayer is imperative. You are commanded to pray. Matt. 26:41 All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak CHAPTER 19: “All of theology can be reduced to this narrow focus: Christ came into the world to save sinners.” If you made a list of names of people who you would definitely NOT want to receive a dinner invitation from…who would they be? Luke 19 records the story of Jesus dining at the home of an “undesirable”, a man who was despised and spurned by his fellow Jews. Zacchaeus was a tax collector – and he had purchased this right from the Romans! Tax collectors were viewed as thieves and traitors—and with good reason. They were free to assess taxes as they saw fit. Little wonder public opinion was dismayed when Jesus accepted Zacchaeus’ invitation to dinner. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus associated with questionable types, adulterers, tac collectors, the sick, poor, and disadvantaged. Why? In order “to search for and to save such souls” v.10. Have you developed that habit yet? Invite someone over to dinner that you might not normally be attracted to, but who needs a listening ear and a loving friend? Hospitality = the act or practice of receiving and entertaining strangers or guests without reward, or with kind and generous liberality. It means sharing your family life with some one else. How is the family life you have to share? Hospitality can range from a simple cup of coffee to a meal at your regular table to an elaborate dinner party, overnight guests, or an extended visit. Scripture stresses hospitality ... BEGINS WITH YOUR FAMILY; SECONDLY, TO THE BODY: "Practice hospitality to one another--that is, those of the household of faith. (Be hospitable, that is, be a lover of strangers, with brotherly affection for the unknown guests, the foreigners, the poor and all others who come your way who are of Christ's body.) And [in each instance] do it ungrudgingly--cordially and graciously without complaining [but as representing Him]. I Pet.4:9] "So then, as occasion and opportunity open to us, let us do good (morally) to all people [not only being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith--those who belong to God's family with you, the believers." [Galatians 6:10] "By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another--if you keep on showing love among yourselves." [John 13:35] It is a command, not a choice..."Do not forget or neglect or refuse to extend hospitality to strangers [in the brotherhood]--being friendly, cordial and gracious, sharing the comforts of your home and doing your part generously--for through it some have entertained angels without knowing it." [Hebrews 13:2] Seems we should not only be hospitable to those we know and love - our buddies, but to those who can not reciprocate. An open home is a witness to the world. Many will never experience the Gospel of Jesus Christ if they do not encounter the Salt and Light of this world...God's people. Our homes should be hospitable to the world - without compromise!!!