Luke QT

Luke QT: EE training on Summer of 2018

Chapter 1

1-38 I am the servant of the Lord

Today’s passage (Luke 1:1-38) is foretelling John the baptist and Jesus Christ’s birth and Luke describes John as (17)“to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” and Jesus as (32) “the Son of the Most High”. In both cases, I can observed that angels were involved indicating God’s divine calling and importance of the events.

The most impressive thing on today’s passage to me is Mary’s reaction on the news delivered by the angel Gabriel. Her first reaction was (34) “How will this be …?” as Zechariah’s (18), and, I think, this reaction would be normal to anyone on this kind of surprising news - a virgin having a baby, the Son of the Most High. But the impressive thing is that, after the Gabriel’s explanation, she said, (38) “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” To me, this is FAITH. Considering a very young girl (maybe, age doesn’t matter for faith), Mary showed amazing faith on Lord and His word.

My prayer today is that God help me so that everyday I can joyfully confess “Jesus is my Lord and let it be according to your word”. The pray also goes to our training team. Praise Christ Jesus our Lord.

38-80 My spirit rejoices in God

Mary’s praising is indeed blessing, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,”

My spirit rejoices ~~

Chapter 2

1-21 Who is Christ the Lord

I also blessed by verse 11. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

The Savior and Lord! Praise God and thanks for sending Jesus Christ. My lips only can confess, as shepherds did (20) “glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”

22-52 Light for revelation to the Gentiles

I also see that Simeon’s praise is beautiful, starting with (29) “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace …”. He was so pleased and now he could finish his life because (30) “for my eyes have seen your salvation”. Just beautiful.

Another noticeable is (32) “a light for revelation to the Gentiles” Simeon was prophesying that Jesus is Savior for all people including the Gentiles like us. Praising God.

Chapter 3 His winnowing fork

I was impressed by, (9) “Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (17) “His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

John the baptist was preparing Jesus’ path who will be the judge and has authorities for final destination of a man, human being. This reminds me of urgency, that we all have to abide in Jesus and let others know of coming judgment.

Chapter 4 I was sent for this purpose

(33) "but he said to them, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose." That verse also impresses and helps me to focus on goal, purpose and priority of my life. The reason God has us being here instead taking right away to heaven - spreading the Gospel.

Holy Sprit fills my heart with joy when my lips are adoring goodness of God. Praise the Lord.

Chapter 5 Leave everything and follow him

In Luke chapter 5, Jesus taught the word of God, healed the sicks, performed miracles. Also called His first disciples telling them, (9) “from now on you will be catching men”. Peter and James’ reaction was, (11) “left everything and followed him” which is same to later Levi (Matthew)’s (28).

“Leave everything and follow him” is what Jesus kept commanding to his followers throughout the chapters of the Gospel of Luke, better to say, throughout the all 4 Gospels, or even I should say, throughout the whole Bible. We, as christians, should “leave everything and follow Jesus”, and not to be church goers, nor men practicing religion (종교인 宗敎人), nor lukewarm, nor pretenders. As inline with what Hosun’s shared yesterday, we ought to become fishermen of man. Leave everything, follow, … spread Gospel. Matthew 7:14 “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few”

Prayer items:

1. For Jae Choi, who heard the Gospel on last Saturday OJT, to open his heart and surrender his life to Jesus
2. For the team (and church), to leave everything and follow Jesus, and to make evangelism become the most important part of our life
3. For myself, evening time devotional - don’t waste (in Youtube) but spend time with God

Chapter 6

1-19 Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath

Jesus was doing his ministries and the scribes and the Pharisees, the leaders of Jews, were watching him. They were so obsessed by laws and regulations and forgot the God’s purpose of those rules - which is LOVE. They accused that Jesus healed a handicapped on the Sabbath, and Jesus replied (9) ”is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?”

I am asking to myself, “Am I doing things for LOVE or for other reasons?” Father, please remove my hypocrisies and pretenses.

20-49 Blessed ... Woe

Jesus is teaching “blessed” and “woe”.

Blessed … poor, hungry, weep, and people hate b/c Jesus … Woe … rich, full, laugh, people speak well …

What am I pursuing for? Am I worldly? Can’t witness our precious Lord, and boastful about people like me? Father, help me to be poor and humble so I can be desperate for You. Help to fill my heart with Words, obey, and be content only with You. Help to weep over my sinful nature and the lost souls. Help to be boldly share You, love whom hate me, and follow You joyfully.

Mercy on me. Mercy on us.

Chapter 7

1-17 Centurion’s Faith

(6-8) “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” And Jesus marveled at his faith. I don’t think Jesus admired many and can imagine that the centurion knew/understood,

(1) he is not worthy (2) Jesus is the Lord and has divine authority.

Like as in EE’s session.07, “A”dmit, “B”eleive, “C”ommit - faith involves admitting how sinful self is and believing and committing (surrendering) to Jesus Christ, our precious Lord.

Father, please help me/us to have faith like the centurion’s.

18-50 John the Baptist and Repentance

A woman came and washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and perfume. What a picture of repentance and worshiping the Lord! Typical response to Jesus - I am sorry for my sins and thanks for saving me even though I am a terrible sinner. This Monday morning, this passage reminds me again His goodness and draw me to worship Him. Praise Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior!

Contrast to her, the Pharisee thought (39) “what sort of woman this is … for she is a sinner” and (30) “the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by John” They did not repent because they thought they were not sinners and rejected Jesus, their Messiah.

Father, please keep remind us that how sinful we are and how desperately need you. With the poor spirit and gratitude, we truly worship you like the woman did, live godly life for You are holy and joyfully witness you for others also need You, desperately. Father, please help us, we desperately need You - everyday, every morning, every moment ...

Chapter 8

1-25 Those who hear the word of God and do it

Jesus kept proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God through the parables while showing His deity by calming a storm.

A couple things blessed and challenged me this morning.

1. (16,17) “No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.” The Gospel, the truth, the goodness of God, should be and will be known and manifested; first by Jesus Christ and followed by His disciples. Praise God, Your name only be exalted!

2. Jesus kept emphasizing the importance of obedience, (15) “As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.” and (21) “But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

Father, please bless us that we open our heart to hear Your words and obey them. Please bless us so we keep proclaiming the good news as the Lord did. Lord, we love you and joyfully tell how good You are and what You have done for us.

26-56 Do not fear; only believe

Jesus healed the sicks, casted out demons, and even raised the dead showing who He is - as the demon-possessed man confessed, (28) “Jesus, Son of the Most High God”. The Son of the Most High God, who also showed His love as He healed the woman who was sick for 12 years and dying, and as He told her tenderly, (48) “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” Jesus kept giving them care, love, hope and, eventually, salvation from imperfect conditions of theirs. He is doing so today for us too. Thanks and praise the Lord!

(50) tells us our responsibility, “Do not fear; only believe“. Believe in the Lord Jesus, God almighty! Also the reaction of the once demon-possessed man reminds us our mission, (39) “And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.” I believe the once sick woman also had similar reaction.

Father, help us have faith; not to fear the world, the power of evil, people, nor circumstances, but only believe in You. Help us to keep loving, caring others and proclaiming, in season or out of season, who Jesus is and how much You have done for us.

Chapter 9

1-36 Sending 12

KH's

Jesus sent 12 disciples to proclam to the kingdom of God. For that He gave them powers and. Authorities. Those powers are given to us for God's kingdom not for ourselves. That's the reason Jesus told them " take nothing" so we only can rely on Him

JY

Amen, very similar thought. I always excited and challenged by reading about Jesus sending His disciples for evangelism with take nothing but rely in Him only. Feeding 5000 also proves that we can rely on Him is more than enough for He is almighty. Praise the Lord ~~

37-62 The cost of following

JS's

“Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head....go and proclaim the kingdom of God"

I pray that Jesus continues to reveal the truth through the book of Luke. Our home is not this earth, nor is it our home and family. Just as birds have nests to return to, we must remember that our end goal is the kingdom of God, where Jesus is sitting at the at the right hand of our Father and interceding on our behalf. Therefore, let us not bury ourselves in this temporary land but instead live for what is everlasting -- eternity in the kingdom of God.

JY

Little late “Amem”, for we just came back from the retreat where internet wasn't good - which is good actually ^^ Well said Jeesun! I totally agree, “The cost of following Jesus”, it’s worth it and can gladly pay the cost for eternity of God’s Kingdom is much much precious than any other thing. As also Jesus said, “my yoke is easy and burden is lighter”, I pray that we all take our cross daily joyfully. Praise God.

Chapter 10 Sending 72, Good Samaritan, and Martha & Mary

In this chapter, I am able to draw the essential applications of Christian life - "love neighbors".

(1-24) Jesus sent 72, the very similar event to sending 12 in chapter 9, with these two similar events, I can see the importance of sending (for us “going”) for evangelism. This reminds me of the Great Commission which starts with (Mat 28:19) “Go”. We must “go” where harvest is plentiful, should not be sitting in the comfortable church building only but “go” and share the good news. With which, I believe, we can participate in our Lord’s joy; (20) “he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit” only place in bible mentioning Jesus’ rejoicing. In (25-37), Luke has the parable of Good Samaritan. It seems to me this is beautifully arranged so I can get the applications of the Christian life style - proclaiming the Gospel and helping the needs, the harmony of Great Commission and Great Command - "love neighbors". And (38-42), the “Martha and Mary” story tells that what base we should do all these things - Jesus Christ, His Word, the Bible.

Father, please bless us so our whole life is Jesus centered by witnessing how good You are and how much You have done for us and by helping the needs. So through us, Your glory only be magnified to the world, and all of Your creatures worship You. Father, please help us follow Your Word not our own understanding, feeling, nor worldly teachings. We love You and gladly want to obey for You are a so good God.

Chapter 11

1-28 the Lord’s prayer

(1-13) Jesus teaches how to pray to disciples; we should pray boldly and persistently.

One verse caught my eyes; (13) “how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” I couldn’t connect “give the Hope Spirit” within the passage. So researched and found one pastor explains this way - we asks products but God gives generously the source of the products. Holy Spirit is the source of fruits (Galatians 5) and source of power for evangelism (Acts 1:8) and we are sanctified by the Spirit. I am not sure if that comment is 100% accurate but helpful for me to understand. And think that comment is inline with (1 John 5:14) “if we ask anything according to his will he hears us”. Since the Spirit helps our prayers as well, the Spirit will guide our prayers to God’s will. Since the Spirit is one of trinity God guides our prayer to His will. Regardless of correctness of any comments, Jesus' saying, “how much more will the heavenly Father give”, comforts me because the fact is that He is faithful and a good God, the best.

(14-26) teaches on spiritual discernment. And again our Lord stressed on obedience saying, (28) “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

Father, help us to pray boldly and persistently, and to discern well based on Your Words and to obey them.