Good Morning my beloved,
We welcome you to worship today in the name of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for joining us today, whether it's your first time or you are a faithful member of our family in Christ, your presence is appreciated. It reminds me of both the blessing and importance of community and the shared faith that unites us all.
I urge you to please pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are facing extremely high levels of persecution abroad, these individuals are often risking their lives for their faith. I also humbly ask that you would continue to pray for the effectiveness and financial resources of this ministry, so that we may continue to lead many around the world to Christ. Mankind was created to worship God.
It is amazing how powerfully our Lord personally addresses His people through Scripture according to His sovereign will and divine purposes—His nearness, faithfulness, and sovereign providential care. How wonderfully, He calms our fears, quieting our restless hearts and fills our spirit with overflowing joy, causing our souls to abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Proof that Bible is not just a book of information about God, but the living Word of God, and nothing happens outside of His sovereign control. Even still, I don’t believe there’s a single Christian who is able to say, "I’ve never been discouraged," or, “I’ve never been weary, disheartened." Because we’ve all been there. And imagine that some of us have been weary in well doing, right? Have you ever been weary in doing well for others? I don't believe there’s anybody who been in Christian service for very long who doesn’t eventually get to that place. And when you open up the Word of God, seeking to be refreshed, to be encouraged and remember that He offers encouragement for a weary servant. Galatians 6:9-10, "And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith." In Colossians 3:16-17, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with gratefulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
Whenever I begin to grow weary in ministry, yes, even I grow tired and weary, I find comfort in His Word. Matthew 28:20, teach them and keep on "teaching them to keep all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Man, you want to talk about encouragement, Jeremiah 1:19, "And they shall fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you."
The closer you get to Christ, the more you emulate Him in the world, they will hate you. And sadly, even many of those in the church, are going to turn against the way they turned against our Lord. And, if they only speak well of you, remember His Words in Luke 6:26, "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers were doing the same things to the false prophets."
Do not become disheartened, remember, it was the self-righteous religious that went to Pontius Pilate and demanded His crucifixion when He confronted a corrupt, false religious system, not the unregenerate, unbelieving world.
Keep proclaiming the Truth, there will be those who will hear His voice! Scripture affirms that when anxious hearts listen, He quiets their fears and grows them in joyful trust. Once the Holy Spirit begins to illuminate the Word of God, the events of the world finally start to make sense.
Believe it or not, our text today is not just part of the promise for anxious hearts—it's really about where your heart is. If your heart is fixed on things below rather than on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God, it's going to be very, very difficult to fulfill these commands. In fact, it's going to be almost impossible. If you're attached to this world then it's reasonable to be anxious and it's reasonable to worry and it's reasonable to be afraid because circumstances in this life are volatile. We live in a world where things are always rapidly changing and the reality is, we have very little control over many aspects of our lives, whether directly or indirectly. The perception of control is often an illusion, especially when we consider the vast array of factors that are beyond our control, such as unforeseen illness, unexpected death or divorce, and natural disasters.
Job 5:7 reminds us of the universal truth that suffering and hardship is an inherent and inevitable part of the human condition, as natural and predictable as sparks rising from a fire as well as the need for reliance on God's grace. In John 16:33, Jesus even said in the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." The problem is not the capriciousness and chaotic nature of this fallen world, I believe the problem is the churches attachment to it, prioritizing personal and political agendas over preaching and teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It's the reason that professing Christians are not experiencing transformation because they are being deceived by a powerless, counterfeit gospel. You cannot be regenerated apart from the power of the Holy Spirit. The salvation that Jesus offers demands a radical transformation of the heart, a transfer of loyalty, and a transfer of priorities from earth to the Kingdom of God. Do you not know that our Father delights to give us everything that produces righteousness and joy and peace? Romans 14 assures us that "The kingdom of god is righteousness and joy and peace in the Holy Spirit." In Psalm 37:4, David says "Delight yourself in Yahweh; And He will give you the desires of your heart." What do you have to worry about? He has at His disposal every resource in His Kingdom, so just seek first the kingdom and everything you need will be added to you! Every Christian is blessed with all spiritual blessings without limitations.
That's what Paul is talking about when he erupts in in praise to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ in Ephesians 1:3-6, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him in love, by predestining us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He graciously bestowed on us in the Beloved." It's important to mention, these blessings are not earned, cannot be bought, but are freely given by God’s grace, rooted in His eternal plan for the believer's inheritance in Christ.
I pray that I when I finally finish this journey, it will end triumphantly so that my children and all those who know me can see that true faith is not the absence of trials and suffering, but the enduring presence and peace of Christ through it. That I can proclaim like Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith." As you run your race, I strongly urge you to fix your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith, Who will carry you across the finish line.
Let's pray
Heavenly Father,
Father, we again thank You for Your Word, we trust that our hearts will be tremendously enriched in the midst of our weariness, our discouragement for You are our strength and our refuge. Father, we hold fast to Your promise that nothing can separate us from Your love which is in our Lord Christ Jesus. Fill our minds with peace, our souls with rest culminating in the utmost confidence that You are at work and will sustain us with Your unfailing love. O gracious and loving Lord, help those of us who have been called to the ministry to be faithful to guard the Truth from distortion and corruption, telling sinners about the love of God, as well as warn those who refuse to repent and believe the Gospel about the Wrath and Judgment that awaits them. Father, I trust that this ministry will continue to bear fruit because You have ordained it to be so for Your glory and for Christ's sake. It is in His precious name we ask and pray these things.
Amen
Today's Message: Little Flock, Great God!
Since the rapid expansion of digital technology, the rise of digital ministries, through podcasts and social media platforms, it has allowed large numbers of charismatic individuals, without any formal theological education and training or ecclesiastical accountability, to amass large number of followers to disseminate teachings that prioritize personal opinions and deviant interpretation straying from the tried and true historically established church doctrine, making the challenges of pastoring the flock of Christ more complex and more difficult every year. Allow me to add, pastors were never intended to be "digital influencers" or "video content creators," designed to get millions of likes and hundreds of shares, but faithful God-ordained teachers of the Gospel, who are called to shepherd the flock of Christ, answering to God for his teaching, not to strategically craft posts to gain followers. The role of the "influencer-pastor" has significantly blurred the lines between ministry and branding, with some church leaders dressing for Instagram photos, curating sermons for "algorithmic appeal," and clipping portions of messages, turning them into TikTok-friendly snippets. Ultimately, turning worship into a carefully crafted marketed experience rather than a sacred encounter with God.
Open your Bibles with me if you will, to the Gospel of Luke chapter 12, verses 32-34. I encourage you to follow along with me as I read these few, but power packed verses to set them in our minds and allow it take root in our hearts and minds. If you have been following along with us in our ongoing study of Luke chapter 12, the last several weeks, you know we have been talking about Scripture's blueprint for anxiety-free living, grounded in truth, trust and unwavering faith that our Heavenly Father sees, knows, and cares for us intimately. I pray that you are as excited as I am to get started. Luke 12:32-34.
"Do not fear, little flock, for your Father is well pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give it as charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Let's look at verse 32, "Do not fear, little flock, for your Father is well pleased to give you the kingdom." The language Jesus uses here is not just a theological command, it is a powerful declaration of divine reassurance. The phrase "Do not fear," is repeated throughout Scripture as a divine command deeply rooted in God’s presence and power.
Jesus' instruction serves as both a comfort and a challenge, directly countering the natural anxieties we face as human beings, replacing our common fears with the confident hope in God's provision and protection. "Little flock," personalizes the command not to worry, evoking the imagery of sheep. Notice that He's not dismissing their vulnerability; He's tenderly acknowledging it, Recognizing their small number and size, vulnerability, facing uncertainty, prone to embrace the temptation to worry. We are the lowest of the low, defenseless and dependent, in need of a shepherd's loving, tender care. So He reminds us, "Do not fear, you belong to the Good Shepherd."
It's easy for us as Christians to feel alone and outnumbered, overwhelmed in a world, where our beliefs and values are often met with opposition and hostility by God-hating Christ-rejectors. Jesus Himself warned His followers that being hated and persecution is not just an anomaly but a consistent reality for those who openly live godly lives. Since the earliest days of the church, Christ's sheep have needed entrusted shepherding. Quite frankly, it's rare to find that kind of pastoral leadership today with a well-rounded skill set; sound doctrine, ambition and compassion. Many think too much of themselves, overconfident in their abilities, beyond dispute or challenge, focused on the "success of the church" as if it were a personal business rather than trusting God, relying on His provision. If you want to experience anxiety-free living, you have to let go earthly things, perishable things, temporary things such as food, clothing, or material possessions, things that can be lost, stolen, or diminish over time and set your desires on heavenly things, such as eternal rewards and spiritual blessings which are lasting, and rewarded by God which you will enjoy forever, by developing character traits built on denying one's self, mercy and compassion, offering service to God and others, treasures found in the kingdom of God. In Matthew 6:21, Jesus reminds us "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." I cannot imagine anybody in their right mind wanting to worry about providing for their needs on their own rather than relying on God's provision. Where else but the Kingdom of God can you get the guarantee of such an overflowing, everlasting return?
Have you ever wondered why after Jesus teaching about Treasures in Heaven, He follows it by talking about your eye saying "The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!" Because the eye symbolizes one's inner vision or inner perspective and determines whether one's life is characterized by spiritual light or darkness. If your eye is spiritually healthy, your whole body is going to full of light then you're going to live a life illuminated by God's Truth, wisdom, and righteousness. If your eye is spiritually unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness, you're going to live a life dominated by worldly achievements such as the pursuit of status, power and fame, and material possessions, things that can never deliver true fulfillment, only temporary pleasure, which is fleeting and typically creates dependency by the constant desire to maintain the same level of temporary "satisfaction." I'd rather live a life of self-denial, pleasing to God, hearing "Well done, My good and faithful servant" at the end of my earthly journey from Christ at the Bema Seat, the which by far the highest honor any man can receive than a thunderclap of applause from men and a "Depart from Me, I never knew you" from Him at the Great White Throne Judgement, by living a life of self-deception, believing I'm saved, thinking I'm pleasing God. It's not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less and others more. Seizing the opportunity to do good over self-indulgence. Ephesians 2:10, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." Oh beloved, there is no amount of human praise that can surpass divine approval.
Are you absolutely sure that just believing is enough, there's no biblical standard to adhere to after coming to Christ? Scripture teaches true followers of Christ are characterized by a willful turning away from self and sin, resulting in a change of heart and change in their life's direction. It is a result of the inevitable work of the Holy Spirit taking up residence in the life of a genuine believer. I strongly urge you to closely examine yourself now, while there's still time to change your eternal destination. Tomorrow isn't guaranteed. Each day is a gift, not a given. I'm convinced that most people miss the point of this text. A man's life is defined by the master he serves. If you love your sin, you're at war with God. If you are at peace with God, you are at war with your sin. You'll love one and hate the other. Only an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ can grant you everlasting peace, He's the Prince of Peace.
There's so much more I could add here, but for the sake of time, let's move on to verse 33, "Sell your possessions and give it as charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys." Following Christ is not just a radical shift in our speech, attitude, and behavior, it's also a shift in our priorities. True security doesn't lie in earthly things, but in spiritual investments in the Kingdom of God. Jesus is encouraging a radical detachment from wealth and material possessions and to shifting our priorities to the Kingdom of God and pursuit of spiritual riches. When we align our hearts with God's desires, His desires become our desires.
Obedience is not merely a command, it's an inevitable response to God's grace. It's living a life that reflects His deep love and compassion for humanity and His longing for all people to be saved. It's living a life that fulfills the Law, "Loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and loving your neighbor as yourself." John 14:15, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." And if you really trust Him, if you truly believe He'll take care of you, and protect you, then if you're asked, you must be willing to give up of anything you once valued more than your relationship with Christ. The Holy Spirit seals believers as God’s own, serving as a assurance of their inheritance until He returns. Our hope is secure in the finished work of Christ in the power of God and it is proven to be secure when we walk in obedience to His holy will.
Just to be clear, nobody gets into heaven because he sold all his possessions and gave all of the money to charity, that's not what Jesus is saying here. Scriptures teaches that sinners are forgiven and declared not guilty by grace alone through faith in Christ alone—salvation is obtained through faith in Jesus Christ apart from any human effort of good works or religious deeds. If it were up to us, we'd loose our salvation. The presence of the Holy Spirit literally guarantees our salvation. If you are genuinely saved, there's nothing that can break that seal. Scripture knows nothing of a salvation that doesn't submit to His absolute Lordship, which produces willing obedience, born out of shear gratitude for what God has done for us through Christ Jesus. Remember His teaching in the Beatitudes, "Blessed are the poor in spirit." To be "poor in spirit" one must mourn over his sinfulness, recognize his absolute spiritual poverty, it's the one who understands that he is utterly powerless in his ability to obtain salvation. It's a level of total and complete desperation.
So, being poor in spirit is a real brokenness, real desperation, a real hunger for salvation, it is the recognition that we have nothing to offer God. So much so that it is eagerly willing to let go of anything and everything just to obtain it. It's like the parable of Pearl of Great Price, where the man upon finding one pearl of great value, that was so precious to him that he willingly went and sold everything that he had just to have it.
I believe the Christianity found in the church today lacks that level of desperation that Jesus commands in the Beatitudes. I see Christians who want to negotiate their way into the Kingdom of God. It's as Jesus said in Matthew 11:12, "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force." Self-righteous, self-deluded Christians today are exhibiting a dangerous level of spiritual pride, believing they can secure their place in the Kingdom of Heaven by trying to force their way in, willing to let go of nothing. It's what I call a "Just add Jesus mentality," that stems from a Burger King Theology where you can "Have it your way!" That's not the salvation of self-denial that Scripture teaches, its not the salvation that Jesus offers.
Do not be deceived by the New and Improved Jesus Who loves you so much, He willing to accept any sin just to have you. Oh He will accept you where you are, but rest assured, He will not leave you in the same condition He found you. True salvation produces obedience to Christ, not pridefully marching around in rebellion. God demands absolute righteousness to enter the kingdom of heaven, a standard so high that no human can ever achieve it. Christians who think too highly of themselves, which God strongly condemns, will be humbled by the Lord. Before you were saved you were so vile, so wretched, both on the inside and the outside, that you were condemned, alienated from God and destined for Hell. However, through faith in Christ, you have been transformed, there's a new you, the one who is in Christ, has been justified and is declared righteous before God and is being sanctified, continually being made holy as God is holy.
The transformation process is so radical, so profound, that even the most wretched sinner cannot remain in a habitual pattern of sin. The old self is crucified and the new self is born, created in the likeness of God, enabling believers to live in true righteousness and holiness. When you are truly born-again you are no longer conformed to the world but are being transformed by the Spirit. You love the things you used to hate and hate the things you used to love. Do you hate your sin? Does it make you cry out, like Paul, "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" Praising Him for the grace and forgiveness offered through Christ. Repentance is not a one-time event but a continual turning away from sin and toward God. If not, you better examine yourself. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:12, "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall."
At its heart, verse 33 is a deliberate call to spiritual readiness, unclenching our fists and being ready to let go of all possessions if and when God requires it. Freedom from anxiety does not come from accumulating wealth or earthly goods but one's true treasure is found in heaven. Its a reorientation of our values, with an emphasis on trusting Him for our provision above all else. Money belts with treasure stored in heaven, never wear out and are safe from thieves. I'd like to encourage you to take an inventory of your "possessions"—not just the material ones, but also the immaterial ones, like your time, your talents, your relationships and your financial resources. Ask yourself: "Who or what am I truly prioritizing? Do these things anchor me to Christ or do they bind me in chains, making me a slave of comfort?" Releasing isn't about loss; it's making more space in our lives for God.
I can assure you of this my dear brothers and sisters, Jesus never leaves us empty-handed or alone. The Good Shepherd knows we are not the strongest or the wisest lambs out there in the wilderness. We are not lost sheep all alone, we are part of a larger flock, the Body of Christ, we look out for and draw strength from one another. Christians are not just some random collection of individuals, we are an intentionally chosen people, a hand picked community, called together by God. Even when Jesus is forced to leave the flock to go searching for one who has gone astray, He leaves knowing the remaining ninety-nine will hold together, instinctively protecting one another and tending to each other's needs. Scripture is replete with passages giving us clear commands to love one another as He has loved us, carrying each other’s burdens, which includes but is not limited to prayer, but includes unselfishly caring for their needs, physically, spiritually and financial. This is clearly demonstrated in the parable of the "Good Samaritan," where Jesus teaches that the true neighbor is the one who loves sacrificial, gives selflessly, showing mercy and compassion to someone in need, irrespective of racial, religious, or socioeconomic differences.
It grieves me deeply to imagine that any professing Christian, who has received much grace, mercy and compassion from our Lord, could remain indifferent to the needs of others. The love of Christ is not merely something to be received and hoarded with clinched fists. it is intended to pass freely through our hands. It in not meant to be restricted to a few, but to flow like rivers of living water from the hearts of those who believe in Him by God's divine design. How can we possibly withhold the overflow from such a precious gift from those around us? Biblical love is not merely a noun, a fleeting emotional response but a powerful verb, requiring effort though sacrificial acts of generosity, compassion, in service to others. It is a reflection of God’s character, a willingness to prioritize another's well-being over our own, even when emotions are absent. Luke 12:48, emphasizes that greater responsibility accompanies greater blessing."
That brings us to verse 34, the core of the passage, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." As mentioned earlier, this is a passage about self-examination, a call to look closely at your life and your loves to determine where your heart really is. Jesus never asks us to do anything that He hasn’t already done. He surrendered everything, so that we could be reconciled to God, eternally living in His presence. When we let go, we inherit it all.
May God's love for us in Christ inspire us to offer help to the single parent struggling to meet the needs of his/her children, bringing to mind the grace that carried us in our own darkest hour. Or prompt us to visit the often forgotten elderly widow who sits alone, silently longing for companionship, as we recall the countless times the Lord sat and comforted us in our loneliness.
Psalm 145:8–9 affirms: "The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works."
Jesus’ compassion for others was not a passive emotion, but a conscious choice that moved Him toward action when He saw people in distress, setting the standard for us all to follow.
It is my heartfelt prayer that we would all not just hear these words, but will allow to let them pierce our calloused hearts that has desensitized to God's message, reshape our priorities, and ultimately will encourage us toward action leading to spiritual growth, a greater community with a deeper love for one another, to become more Christ-like in thought, word, and deed.
May it be so..
And now may the Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen
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