Luke – Wide Open Doors!
It is no wonder people of this world are confused. They were confused before Jesus came down from heaven. People were confused as Jesus walked the earth, teaching people about God and His Kingdom, His ways, His love, and His Truth. Why? Because it was the opposite of what was being taught and lived.People are still confused today. A recent nationwide survey completed by the Barna Research Group determined that only 4 percent of Americans had a “biblical” worldview. When George Barna, who has researched cultural trends and the Christian Church since 1984, looked at the “born- again” believers in America, the results were a dismal 9 percent.
Barna’s survey also connected an individual’s worldview with his or her moral beliefs and actions. Barna says, “Although most people own a Bible and know some of its content, our research found that most Americans have little idea how to integrate core biblical principles to form a unified and meaningful response to the challenges and opportunities of life.”
What is a worldview?
A worldview is the framework from which we view reality and make sense of life and the world. “It’s any ideology, philosophy, theology, movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God, the world and man’s relations to God and the world,” says David Noebel, author of Understanding the Times.
For example, a 2-year-old believes he’s the center of his world, a secular humanist believes that the material world is all that exists, and a Buddhist believes he can be liberated from suffering by self-purification.
Someone with a biblical worldview believes his primary reason for existence is to know, love and serve God.Worldview versus Biblical Worldview
The world tells us daily that we are to live life on our own power, having it all, doing it all our way. We are the master of our destiny. We are to rise up and battle the world…on our own.
Here is the big problem. Nonbiblical worldview ideas don’t just sit in a book somewhere waiting for people to examine them. They bombard us constantly from television, film, music, newspapers, magazines, books and academia.
Because we live in a selfish, fallen world, these ideas seductively appeal to the desires of our flesh, and we often end up incorporating them into our personal worldview. Sadly, we often do this without even knowing it.
Whether conscious or subconscious, every person has some type of worldview. A personal worldview is a combination of all you believe to be true, and what you believe becomes the driving force behind every emotion, decision and action. Therefore, it affects your response to every area of life: from philosophy to science, theology and anthropology to economics, law, politics, art and social order — everything.
Have I confused you even more? Stay with me…A biblical worldview is based on the infallible Word of God. When you believe the Bible is entirely true, then you allow it to be the foundation of everything you say and do. That means, for instance, you take seriously the mandate in Romans 13 to honor the governing authorities by researching the candidates and issues, making voting a priority.
HOLY PAUSE…
Do you have a biblical worldview? Answer the following questions, based on claims found in the Bible and which George Barna used in his survey:
–Do absolute moral truths exist?
–Is absolute truth defined by the Bible?
–Did Jesus Christ live a sinless life?
–Is God the all-powerful and all-knowing Creator of the universe, and does He still rule it today?
–Is salvation a gift from God that cannot be earned?
–Is Satan real?
–Does a Christian have a responsibility to share his or her faith in Christ with other people?
–Is the Bible accurate in all of its teachings?
Did you answer yes to these? Only 9 percent of “born- again” believers did. But what’s more important than your yes to these questions is whether your life shows it. Granted, we are all sinners and fall short, but most of our gut reactions will reflect what we deep-down, honest-to-goodness believe to be real and true.
Let’s read how Jesus comes along and teaches the opposite of the worldview thinking and clarifies Who God is, Who He is and why he came to his disciples first and then to the rest of the world.
Luke 9, New Living Translation
Herod’s Confusion
7 When Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, heard about everything Jesus was doing, he was puzzled. Some were saying that John the Baptist had been raised from the dead. 8 Others thought Jesus was Elijah or one of the other prophets risen from the dead.
9 “I beheaded John,” Herod said, “so who is this man about whom I hear such stories?” And he kept trying to see him.
Jesus Feeds Five Thousand
10 When the apostles returned, they told Jesus everything they had done. Then he slipped quietly away with them toward the town of Bethsaida. 11 But the crowds found out where he was going, and they followed him. He welcomed them and taught them about the Kingdom of God, and he healed those who were sick.
12 Late in the afternoon the twelve disciples came to him and said, “Send the crowds away to the nearby villages and farms, so they can find food and lodging for the night. There is nothing to eat here in this remote place.”
13 But Jesus said, “You feed them.”
“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Or are you expecting us to go and buy enough food for this whole crowd?” 14 For there were about 5,000 men there.
Jesus replied, “Tell them to sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 So the people all sat down. 16 Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread and fish to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. 17 They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers!
Peter’s Declaration about Jesus
18 One day Jesus left the crowds to pray alone. Only his disciples were with him, and he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”
19 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other ancient prophets risen from the dead.”
20 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”
Peter replied, “You are the Messiah sent from God!”
THINK ABOUT IT…
It is almost amusing if were not so sad when we read of the confusion of Herod who thought his sins were covered up nicely by killing John. Then Jesus comes behind the “Preparer” with the follow up Truth of repentance and Herod is confused once more. “Who is this man?”
To clear up any confusion the disciples might have, Jesus asks, “Who do people say I am?” A test of the view of the world. Then his followup question, “But, who do you say I am?”
HOLY PAUSE…Jesus asks us daily, through His Holy Spirit, “But, who do you say I am?” Who is He? Does our behavior match who we say He is? When we answer these questions honestly, He will clear up any confusion we might have.
Can we readily and truthfully declare, like Peter, “You are the Messiah sent from God!” when He asks?
In the end, it is our decisions and actions that reveal what we really believe.
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2).Dear Heavenly Father, Lord and Savior,
I am not confused. We repent of following the world’s view of things at times without considering that it is the opposite of what you teach. We were created to love you back, give you praise and glory for all while coming to you in gratitude for all. You are God and we are not. We do not need to be in control, you have life, abundant and true, covered by your cleansing blood. Thank you, Lord. Continue to grow and produce the fruits of Your Holy Spirit in us, developing the characteristics of You. Help us to love like you love us. I want what you want.
In Jesus Name, Amen. I believe.
Simple faith in the Creator of all, Who is in all and controls all is what living the life of a believer is all about. Jesus sends out his disciples to be an extension of Himself. He has invited them to follow Him in His mission to seek and to save the lost, to heal and restore in His Name and by His power, to show mercy and walk humble with Him. He still invites us today to do much the same.
Luke 9, New Living Translation
THINK ABOUT IT…
There are times in our lives when God acts in such mighty ways that fear sweeps in as our first response. For believers, this kind of jaw-dropping fear, shock and surprise, in the impossible made possible, quickly turns to awe and reverence of God. If you know God, you know what God can do. Nothing is impossible with God.
26 So they arrived in the region of the Gerasenes, across the lake from Galilee. 27 As Jesus was climbing out of the boat, a man who was possessed by demons came out to meet him. For a long time he had been homeless and naked, living in the tombs outside the town.
32 There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby, and the demons begged him to let them enter into the pigs.
–Jesus has power over all demons.
From demon possessed to a minister of the Gospel? When pigs fly? Yep!
The disciples battled the storm by themselves. (Don’t judge, we do the same!) When it looked like too much to handle, they finally yelled for help of the One who was there at the creation of the sea. Or did they? They yell, “Master, we’re going to drown!” This doesn’t seem like an actual cry for help, just a acknowledgement they were all in trouble and the boat might capsize. Their small faith prevented them from asking for his help as soon as trouble loomed in the skies of storm. Most were fishermen on this sea, they could sense trouble. They relied on their own understanding to fix the problem. They trusted in themselves first. They thought they could handle this storm based on past experiences. Besides that, what would a carpenter’s son know about handling the sea?
We learn from this faith lesson to trust that God is sovereign and has a purpose in every pain or fear of the unknown. We learn that if we seek his face in every situation, he will show us what he has for us. Jesus brings peace to the waves of water rolling in on top of them. We learn from this episode of Jesus’ power to be content in any and all circumstances. We learn to trust him even when it seems dangerous. We learn to turn to Jesus first and not “lean to our own understanding” of life.
22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. 23 As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger.
Dear Heavenly Father, Lord and Savior
We are family
Everyone can see we’re together
Who doesn’t like to hear and sing along? This uplifting, joyful song sung by Sister Sledge almost has it right. Include the brothers and sisters together in Christ and you’ve got it! Here’s my lyric modifications: 
19 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they couldn’t get to him because of the crowd. 20 Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and they want to see you.”
Jesus took this as an opportunity to teach another spiritual lesson: being a part of His spiritual family is much more important than any human relationship and is based on obedience to the Word of God. It is not enough to “hear” the Word of God; we must also “keep it” (Luke 8:15). 
We are family!
16 “No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed. A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house. 17 For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.
We cannot receive The Light of the world, Jesus Christ, into our once dark hearts, enlightening our minds and flooding our souls and then try to cover Him up with continuing in our selfish ways. Once the Messiah has entered in, He’s in. It would foolish and impossible to hide The Light of Salvation.
I am reminded what Jesus said later to his followers, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels.” (Luke 9:26) 
Dear Heavenly Father, Lord and Savior,
4 One day Jesus told a story in the form of a parable to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him: 5 “A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it. 6 Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants. 8 Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!” When he had said this, he called out, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”
Women are not only mentioned but they are an important part of the ministry and mission of Jesus Christ our Lord and their Lord. Upon believing in Him, they follow Him and contribute to His ministry financially. The women supported Jesus and the other disciples because they believed in Jesus and his work to seek and to save lost people. Later, at the foot of the cross, it would be these women who stayed with Christ. It would be these women who brought spices to the tomb to dignify the body of Christ. It would be these women who would be the first to meet the RISEN Christ and told to go tell the others! 
Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, 2 along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. 
Men and Women were created with specific gifts and talents and tasks they can do well because of their uniqueness. When we work together, with respect for each other’s differences and abilities as we follow Jesus, the ministry of Jesus is exponentially multiplied for Christ, in Christ, with Christ living in each one of us…brothers and sisters, united in Christ.
Dear Heavenly Father,
thankful for walking still. I am a fast walker, (which is annoying to some). I still walk about two miles a day. Feet are important to get us where we want to go. I’m grateful for my feet. Some have to use other forms to get around.
39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!”
47 “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” 48 Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.”
NO ONE is beyond forgiveness from Jesus. No one.
A woman who knew her sin was determined to come to the One and only who could forgive her. She risks coming into the home of a Pharisee. It is such a gutsy thing to do that she is not stopped, only ridiculed as she weeps uncontrollably. She does not care. She throws all caution to the wind. She comes from behind Jesus in humility. She quickly breaks open her life savings and pours out the contents from the once sealed alabaster jar on the beautiful feet who has brought good news! 
