“Woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.”
Luke 6:24
It’s easy to fall into the trap of placing our trust in material wealth and possessions. We live in a world that constantly tells us that more is better, that financial security is the key to happiness. But Jesus challenges this notion, reminding us that worldly riches are fleeting and ultimately unsatisfying.
This isn’t a blanket condemnation of wealth itself, but rather a warning against the worship of money and the false sense of security it provides. As the Apostle Paul reminds us, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils” (1 Timothy 6:10). Our true security and provision come from God alone, who promises to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19).
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
**God’s Mercy
Although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
1Timothy 1:13
**God’s Forgiveness
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.
Ephesians 1:7-8
**God’s Power
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18
**God’s Compassion
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
**God’s Presence
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6
**God’s Security
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.
So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. (1 Peter 4:19) Peter’s words seem strangely out of place for us today. In our age and time, we seem to value to comfort and ease above most anything else. It is for this reason that Peter’s teaching (as inspired by the Spirit of God) strikes us so forcefully.
As Christians, we will suffer. Suffering is not limited merely to the realm of the wicked. The righteous also endure pain and agony as we traverse this life.
We want to think that following Christ will somehow exempt us from suffering. But, the hard truth remains that Believers struggle with physical hurts, material deficiency, relational pain, and emotional injuries. Suffering occurs in everyone’s life at some point.
There will be times that we will even suffer as a result of following God. Peter says that those who “suffer according to God’s will” should continue to follow God and love others. Following Christ may result in particular pains as those in the world reject us, harm us, and smear us.
In those times of heartache, remember that God is with you. (John 14:8) We should also understand that all who follow a righteous path will suffer. (Matthew 5:12) And we ought to consider that Christ suffered for us. (1 Peter 2:21)
We can make it through difficult times. The pain that we endure is only temporary. We await a day when we will be with Jesus. In Heaven, all suffering, heartache, and pain will cease. (Revelation 21:1-7) Even so, come Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20)
1 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
How do Christians prepare for the coming of the Lord? Paul gives us five principles to guide us in this matter. Be blessed this week as you await the arrival of the Lord!
6 On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. 7 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. 8 But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Get up and stand in front of everyone.” So he got up and stood there. 9 Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” 10 He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was completely restored. 11 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.
Luke 6:6-11
In the end, the question “Who is Jesus?” isn’t just about accumulating knowledge. It’s an invitation to a transformative relationship. It’s a call to believe Him, trust Him, and serve Him with our whole hearts. As we do so, we’ll find that Jesus is not only who He claims to be but that He is everything we need and more than we could ever imagine.
In that vein, let us examine one more attribute of Jesus from Luke 6 today.
**Jesus is the Truth Teller
In His interactions with the religious leaders, Jesus consistently spoke truth, even when it made people angry. This reminds us of several important points:
Truth doesn’t change with societal shifts or popular opinion
God’s truth applies to all people, in all places, and at all times
Speaking truth, even in love, may sometimes make others uncomfortable or angry
As followers of Christ, we’re called to speak the truth in love, not compromising on God’s Word while also not speaking from a place of anger or hatred.
1So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain. 6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
1 Thessalonians 3:1-10
Let us glean some practical principles from 1 Thessalonians 3. I pray that these precepts will edify and encourage you in your walk with Christ.
**Trials and troubles are inevitable
**The Church should seek to strengthen believers who are suffering
**We ought to pray for fellow believers who are struggling
**We should pray that our love and purity will increase
Tragedy is a fact of life. Living on planet that is dominated by sin and rebellion ensures that tragedy, heartache, and pain will always be with us. Natural disasters and man-made disasters are all too common in our world.
Some tragedies are seen by all and are experienced on an international or national level. Other calamities affect us in our local sphere. Still other tragic circumstances are felt on a very personal and deep level.
How do we respond to tragedy? How are we (as Christians) to respond when loss, death, heartache, and pain strike our country, our family, our church, and our lives? Perhaps these three thoughts will help.
In times of tragedy, the first act the Christian needs to undertake is prayer. We absolutely should pray. We ought to pray for the victims and their families. We should pray that God’s comfort and strength would be felt and realized in their lives.
We should also proceed with caution when dealing those who have suffered a tragedy. Sometimes, our words may cause more harm than good. Spouting platitudes such is “it was God’s will” and “there is a purpose for everything” are not helpful when someone is grieving and in pain. In times of tragedy, people need our presence more than they need our words. We ought to be there for them, cry with them, and love them.
Obviously, I do believe that God has a plan and that Romans 8:28 or Jeremiah 29:11 are true. I do believe that these verses teach essential and eternal principles. I’m merely suggesting that these phrases are not helpful in the time of grief because they imply that people should just “get over” their tragedy. Let’s not make the situation worse than it already is. Instead, let’s love people in and through their grief.
Finally, we must respond with compassion to those who are suffering. We are all sinners and we all need Jesus. Let’s not withhold compassion from someone who is experiencing a tragedy because we may disagree with them. Jesus came and died for us even when we were in sin (Romans 5:8). Let us respond with the same level of compassion as our Savior.
Following these three principles will not make things better overnight. Overcoming tragedy and grief is a painful process that could take years. In the meantime, may we as God’s people commit to helping, serving, and loving those who are suffering and hurting. And as we minister, may we realize that we will need the same type of ministry when tragedy strikes our lives as well.
1 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels. 2 Some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” 3 Jesus answered them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” 5 Then Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
Luke 6:1-5
Many folks have different opinions about the nature and character of Jesus. But what does the Bible reveal about Jesus? Luke 6 reveals important truths about Christ that we need to see. Today, we will explore one of these topics in detail.
**Jesus is the Standard
In a world where the Pharisees and Sadducees believed their interpretations were the ultimate standard, Jesus boldly declared Himself as the true measure of Scriptural hermeneutics. He is the one who defines, fulfills, and perfects the law.
This truth serves as a powerful reminder for us today. How often do we, like the religious leaders of Jesus’ time, elevate our preferences and traditions to the level of Scripture? We must be cautious not to add to or subtract from God’s Word. Jesus alone is the head of the church, and His Word is our ultimate authority.
2 While the sun and the light, The moon and the stars, Are not darkened, And the clouds do not return after the rain; 3 In the day when the keepers of the house tremble, And the strong men bow down; When the grinders cease because they are few, And those that look through the windows grow dim; 4 When the doors are shut in the streets, And the sound of grinding is low; When one rises up at the sound of a bird, And all the daughters of music are brought low; 5 Also they are afraid of height, And of terrors in the way; When the almond tree blossoms, The grasshopper is a burden, And desire fails. For man goes to his eternal home, And the mourners go about the streets. 6Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, Or the golden bowl is broken, Or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, Or the wheel broken at the well. 7 Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it. 8 “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “All is vanity.”
Ecclesiastes 12:2-8
The Preacher warns us one last time to live wisely because death will come to us all. These verses are filled with metaphors that detail the brevity and sure end of life……
In the day when the keepers of the house tremble,
And the strong men bow down;
When the grinders cease because they are few,
When the doors are shut in the streets, And the sound of grinding is low;
For man goes to his eternal home, And the mourners go about the streets.
Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed,
Or the golden bowl is broken, Or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, Or the wheel broken at the well.
Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it.
These metaphors represent fading human vitality and life’s end. Youth fades, bodies break down, spirits fail, and death comes to all.
Thanks be to God for our salvation. These events will transpire in our lives. We possess everlasting life and a place in heaven. Death will not be the end for us. Rather, it will be the fulfillment of all that God has promised us. Death awaits, but Christ will be with us every step of the way and will lead us home.
mrtonyfrench 