The Open Word (Audio)

We hear the stories in the Bible, from Earth’s creation to the virgin birth…and those are integral to the Christian faith. But, a lot of people may only accept part of those truths…refusing to accept that those events could have happened that way. As Pastor David explains just how wide-spread those beliefs are, we’ll see the similarity to those who denied Jesus during His life on earth. We can’t explain many things in the Bible with human understanding, which is why faith and trust is vital in relationship with God.

We serve a God that is limitless, He can move mountains, and created heaven and earth. So why do we always think we can do better than His promises. Although we try to push our own agenda, God will accomplish His will no matter how much we get in the way. And that is exactly what we will hear in today’s message from Pastor David. Even powerful leaders in history made selfish decisions that should have destroyed nations, except that God was ultimately in control and His will would be done.

Jesus said that a good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. In today’s message from Luke chapter 6, Pastor David expounds upon Jesus’s words. Pastor David explains that a true Christian will have evidence of God working in his life. He will be more generous, kind, and loving than he was a year before because of the Spirit of God working inside him. This is the good fruit Jesus talks about. Conversely, no one can be a Christian and continuously produce the fruits of evil and rebellion.

Have you ever perused the self help section at your local library or book store? It’s enormous and getting longer every day. However, as this section grows, it seems that people are becoming more depressed, dissatisfied, and confused. In today’s message in the Gospel of Luke, Pastor David teaches us that it is not man’s wisdom we need, but it is God’s. 1,000 human counselors, authors, and teachers cannot provide the help me need. However, the Lord and His Word can.

The Bible says that the earth and everything in it is the Lord’s. However, because the Lord is a kind and generous God, He allows us to look after and manage His stuff. In today’s message from the Gospel of Luke, Pastor David encourages us to be wise stewards of the things and talents the Lord has entrusted us with. We should waste little time investing in things that can only earn us temporary rewards in this life. Instead, we should give generously towards those things that will advance the Lord’s Kingdom.

Greedy people are not fun to be around. Selfish people are mean and usually full of anxiety. Generous people, on the other hand, are full of joy and a pleasure to be around. In today’s message from the Gospel of Luke, Pastor David encourages us to be generous. All that we have comes from the Lord. Our physical gifts, our talents and abilities, and even our very lives are gifts from above. As we are good stewards and generous with all we have been given, God’s joy is poured out in our lives.

When the woman who was caught in adultery was brought before Christ, Jesus did not condemn her. Instead, He said to the Pharisees, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” In today’s message, Pastor David warns us against being too judgmental. He also reminds us that only the Lord God is omniscient and omnipotent. Therefore, only Jesus is fully able to rightly judge an individual. Christians are instructed to show mercy to others because they have been shown much mercy by the Lord.

None of us would know God or follow Him on our own. It is only because of the Lord’s great mercy and grace that we have become His children. In today’s message from the Gospel of Luke, Pastor David admonishes us to be merciful. Showing mercy to others is not an option. We cannot wait until we feel like being merciful, for if we wait until the emotions come, we will wait forever. Instead, Christ’s disciples are to put on mercy like a garment. We are to forgive others just as we have been forgiven.

When Jesus taught, He said, “Love your enemies.” Jesus’s words do not make sense to the un-regenerated mind. How can we possibly love those who persecute us? In today’s message from the Gospel of Luke, Pastor David teaches us that the only way to obey the Lord’s commands is through the power of the Spirit working inside the Believer. When we remember all that God did to forgive us when we acted as His enemy, we can then demonstrate His love to those who hate us.

Many crowds followed Jesus because of the miracles and wonders He performed. However, only a few sought after the Lord enough to be called disciples. It was from this smaller group of disciples that Jesus chose the final twelve. Pastor David points out in today’s message that there are different levels of intimacy with the Spirit. Though there is such a thing as common grace that everyone, even the wicked, enjoys, there is special grace reserved for those that are called to follow the Lord Jesus.