Luke 12

"Dear Precious One, Yesterday, I spoke to you about fear. Today I want to talk to you about worry and sins that lie behind so many of your worries:..."

"Dear Friend, You need to treat the issues of the kingdom with a sense of urgency. There is never a time to be complacent. As you read the verses..."

"Dear Disciple, As I will say in the verses below, what I am talking to you about today is a matter of urgency:I'm not just talking theory. There is....."

"Peter asked, "Lord, is that illustration [about being ready] just for us or for everyone?" And the Lord replied, "A faithful, sensible servant is...."

Is that me among the death notices? I need to think about dying. Not in a scared way, nor some kind of morbid obsession. I need to remember that death is coming… and it's not the end. I need to prepare for my real retirement, the one that will last forever. All of the "busyness" that surrou

So when the storm hits, are you ready? Tom Norvell compares Jesus' coming and our being generous to being prepared for a winter storm.

"[Jesus continued,] "Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast......"

"Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said, "When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, 'Here comes a shower.' And you are right. When....."

"[Continuing his warning against greed, Jesus] told them a story: "A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, 'What..."

"[Jesus continued his teaching about not worrying:] "Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all....."

How much do you really need? What we have is not what determines how rich we are and our job is just a means to an end, not the real goal or end.

So how is your retirement plan? Russ Lawson reminds us that what we pursue for security and to help us live longer really determines the quality of our lives in our older years, and God must be the center of all of that.

"[Jesus continued,] "I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning! I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and...."

"Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life — whether you have enough food to eat or enough....."

When was the last time you got away with a friend and the Father? We all need to get away now and again and retreat into the quietness and grace of God for our renewal.

Can obsession claim you body and soul? We can get so caught up in wanting more that we kill ourselves.

"And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so...."

"Then someone called from the crowd, "Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father's estate with me." Jesus replied, "Friend, who made me...."

"Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, "Beware..."

"[Jesus said,] "I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. ... When you are..."

"Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger...."

"Dear Faithful Follower, People are afraid of many different kinds of things. That's why one of the most frequent commands in the Scriptures is not to..."

"But God said to him, 'You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?' Yes, a person is a fool to store up..."

"[Jesus continued,] "What is the price of five sparrows — two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your..."

"[Jesus continued,] "I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of..."

"[Jesus continued,] "Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get..."

"When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will..."

"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you...."

"[Jesus continued,] "Dear friends, don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. But I'll tell you..."

"[To his disciples, Jesus continued,] "And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don't worry about how to...."

Inspirational illustration of Luke 12:6-7 -- Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Inspirational illustration of Luke 12:11-12 -- When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.

So what are we supposed to do about such days as this? Phil Ware shares Scriptures pertaining to the IRS deadline for taxes and other issues related to money.

Our prayers often treat God as if he is the free Amazon delivery service for our every whim and want. Phil Ware with Andy Johnson remind us that our prayer is for the bread we need today, not the extravagance we want for ourselves.

How much has your stuff become your owner? Patrick Odum challenges us with some real truths about luxury and greed and what it does to our walk with God and our genuine opportunities to be happy.

How many tepees is enough? We know who won't get our stuff when we die, and storing it in bigger or more tepees won't help!

So where are you investing your time, your moments, your days? Rubel Shelly reminds us to focus and live based on what lasts and is important and endures into eternity.

"[Jesus continued,] "Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.""

"Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes."

"But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well."

"I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God."

Inspirational illustration of Luke 12:8 -- I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God.

Inspirational illustration of Luke 12:28 NLT -- And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

Inspirational illustration of Luke 12:23 -- Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.

Inspirational illustration of Luke 12:31 -- But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

When was the last time you counted your blessings? We must realize that with our blessings comes the responsibility to use them generously.

Who do you believe is Rubel Shelly writes about the serious subject of unity and division and the way we view and deal with those who are not one of us.

Sin is very misleading Sin is deceptive and offers shortcuts that ultimately enslave.

Are you ready for the big wedding? Phil Ware concludes his series on Church to Kingdom, C2K, and reminds us that as Jesus' people, we are the bride of Christ and need to be ready for our wedding.

What's the real threat to our culture? Rubel Shelly writes about our greatest cultural enemy in spiritual warfare, consumerism or greed.

Are you so sure you don't judge people? Rubel Shelly reminds us that we have to make correct judgments about many things and many people, the secret is not being judgmental.

How are we going to define ourselves? Max Lucado reminds us that we shouldn't and we can't define who we are by what we have or don't have, but by our contentment in the Lord.

Isn't this an oxymoron? Mike Barres reminds us that God wants to bless us and he also wants to conform us to Jesus: so let's not use our Christianity for selfish motives.

Are you enslaved to the desire of always wanting more and better? Money really doesn’t grow on trees -- and some of us are growing more aware of this fact every day. Truthfully, most people deal with financial stress

How much stuff do you own and have in your garage? Stuff enslaves us rather than blesses us and people count most in our lives.

How much stuff makes us free? Paul Faulkner talks about how possessions seem to take over our lives and own us.

When questioned, most people questioned would give up many precious things for 10 million dollars. Would you? Max Lucado challenges us to think about how many of us give up our values and most precious life connections for far less than millions of dollars because we are greedy for something.

What would you take if our house were burning down, and, if everyone were already out of the house? Melissa Troyer reminds us that things are just things, but if we have people we love then we have what matters most!

How can this bring me more joy? Patrick Odum tells about a boy who shared his winnings with his father rather than spending it only on himself and the joy that this attitude brought the father and Patrick compares this to the joy we give our Father, God, when we share.

Let's worship today, praising God and asking for the help of the Holy Spirit as we seek to respond to people as Jesus did! Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in online, virtual worship through words and music using YouTube videos to help us understand how to give fitting replies to others in different conversation contexts.

Should we be surprised that so many call themselves Christians but never live for Jesus? Phil Ware shares a passion on his heart about the way we have privatized and personalize conversion and salvation that eliminates the necessary grace of Jesus' community, family, and spiritual community.

Communion was intended to be an I-can't-believe-it's-me-pinch-me-I'm-dreaming invitation to sit at God's table and be served by the King himself. Max Lucado tells about sharing communion as a boy and what it means to us now -- more than symbol, it's sacrament, a holy time of anticipation.

How in the world does having less mean having more? Rubel Shelly reminds us that even in a season when folks have less than they are used to having, if they look they will actually find that they have more.

Have you found the source of peace for every season? Tom Norvell describes Jesus as the only source of peace in any season.

Is your life stuck at the light? A car stuck at a light reminds

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, James Nored and Phil Ware share the significance of Jesus' Triumphal Entry as they begin a special Holy Week series.