Jesus hits hard in the places where we live.  He challenges us about temptation, especially to not tempt others.  He challenges us about rebuke.  He challenges us about repentance.  Finally, He challenges us about forgiveness.  These issues can all hit so very close to us personally.  What does Jesus say?

We don't get a pass. The Pharisees wanted to give themselves a pass because they felt they were financially blessed, they used loopholes in the Law to get around true righteousness. 

Being trustworthy with a little in order to be trustworthy with a lot.  Are we trustworthy with the riches of the Kingdom?  Do we lean into our earthly possessions for the benefit of the growth of the Kingdom of God?

In Luke 15, Jesus gives 3 parables illustrating what happens in heaven when a sinner comes to Jesus, or a lost sheep returns home.  What is our attitude toward the lost and wayward?

There are lots of religious practices and beliefs, but there is only one door that leads to salvation.  Make sure you have entered that door. 

Christ's Kingdom grows through our prayers.  It grows as God heals people.  It grows as the love of Christ is shown.  It grows as the Gospel is communicated.  It has grown from the smallest seed to a large tree.  It has worked into the whole batch of dough and is rising.  

No one is exempt.  We will all die (unless the rapture happens).  We will all face a judgment - resulting in either living eternally in the presence of God or in eternal separation from God.  We must repent and turn to God to receive that promise.  We are also called to bear fruit.  What do we do with unfruitful things?  What will God do with us if we fail to bear fruit?

Following Jesus brings with it a certain amount of division that happens when people don't like our decision, but it also brings a call to try to live unoffensively with others.

We can hoard the things of this world, thinking we will then have provision.  We can worry about the things of this world, but that only pulls us further from God.  Keep His values as our values and life will be better. 

We can fear the things of this world or we can trust God.  Revere God, Trust God, Proclaim God and see what He will do.