#disciplemaking
#adventcalendarday12
#willyoujoinme

Hi everyone, after you’ve read Luke chapter 12, you’re half way through – well done!

As Luke continues to recount this section of teaching by Jesus, the Pharisees are still in the firing line but then he turns to make things pretty personal to the disciples and others in the crowd listening to them. So yes, the Pharisees still seem to be the “bad guys” but I think Jesus’ intent is to make sure that his disciples (including us) don’t fall into the same traps of self-interest and hypocrisy. (And let’s face it, it’s pretty easy to use others as scapegoats – “at least I’m not as bad as them!”)

How about an honest critique of: our attitudes towards others; how we use our money; what we stay up late worrying about; our readiness for Jesus to return? Go ahead, spend a few minutes now scoring yourself out of 10 on each of those issues (you can’t use 5!)

Now before you go flogging yourself . . . let’s rewind just a bit and pay attention to vv4-12 & 22-34. For most of us, the important thing to hear is that we are inherently important to God and he will take care of us – provide for us, forgive us and give us the kingdom. Remember we are children of a good father (Luke 11) who hears and provides for all our needs.

But just as children learn how to live from their earthly parents, so we should learn how to live, even more so, from our heavenly father. So instead of worrying about money – become generous with it, learn how to give it away (and like your heavenly father, give life as you do it). And don’t put off being generous – do it now. Haven’t you already got enough? Learn to live as though Jesus is returning sometime today! Be on the alert constantly to ways in which you can bring life to others. Learn how to initiate reconciliation – be a peace-maker, rather than a peace-keeper.

Jesus warns that the values of the kingdom are at odds with the values of the world and we all know how true that is. But Jesus says to press on with them anyway, despite opposition.

And finally today a word about fire. Compare v49 with 3:17. At the judgement, Jesus will burn up everything that is false, greedy, hateful and hurtful. All those things come as a result of fear. But Jesus says, “seek the Father’s Kingdom” (v31) and to me it’s like: when we fill up our lives with kingdom attitudes and actions, they replace all the fear-induced ugliness. We become attractive to live with and good to be around. We become the good news of the kingdom.

• Who can you bring life to today?
• Who needs you to forgive them?
• Who do you need to be forgiven by – what steps can you take for reconciliation?
• Who could really use your money? (Remember – you have enough!)