Luke 17

Pastor Marshall Ochs | April 28, 2024

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Luke 17. This chapter draws our attention to two core themes — faith and gratitude. Jesus teaches a parable on the duty of a disciple and those same duties show up in the healing of the 10 lepers. These themes are corner stones of God’s kingdom, but many of the leading Jews in Jesus’ day are missing it. In fact, more foreigners than members of God’s chosen people are in touch with what God is up to. If we aren’t careful, this same predicament can be present in our lives on the eve of the second coming of Jesus. Therefore, pay attention to yourselves!

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Read Luke 17:1-10. We see Jesus rebuking the Pharisees for their love of money, attitude towards marriage, need for excess and lack of compassion. Their example leads others into sin when they should be leading others into living a holy life for God. The warning is that as leaders with spiritual influence over others there is a greater responsibility to be a Godly example. Our motives, words and actions matter.

• In the realm of influence that God has given you, do you represent God’s way or do you represent the way you like to do things?

• Pray and ask the Lord to show you if your behavior and lifestyle represent Him or your personal preferences.

Jesus speaks about forgiveness and what that looks like. The Apostles express that they need more faith to forgive others the way Christ is explaining. Christ instructs them that all they need to do is use the faith they already have. Jesus goes on to teach that as a servant, we serve out of a sense of duty for what Christ has done for us. God doesn’t owe us! We owe Him everything! It is our duty to forgive, repent and obey.

• Is there someone you need to forgive and have been challenged to do so? Remembering what God has forgiven us for makes it much easier to extend the same forgiveness to others. Pray and ask God to show you any attitude of unforgiveness you may be struggling with and help you extend the same grace, mercy and forgiveness that was so lovingly lavished on you.

Read Luke 17:11-19. Jesus heals 10 lepers, but only one returns to say ,“thank you.” Jesus tells the one who returns to thank Him that his faith has made him well. This is another example of how faith and gratitude go hand in hand. It is noteworthy here that the man who returned to thank Jesus was not a Jew, but rather a Samaritan. The foreigner modeled the attitude of gratitude more that the Jews who knew the scriptures and didn’t model them.

• Do you find that you have an attitude of gratitude, or do you take the things the Lord does for you for granted? Take time to notice and thank the Lord for what He has done for you. The blessings are too many to count!

Read Luke 17:20-37. In this passage, Jesus teaches about the Coming of the Kingdom of God. Jesus tells the Pharisees that the Kingdom of God is already among them. They didn’t recognize it when it was in front of them. Jesus goes on to give warning that when He returns, some will be going about their lives and not be prepared for His return. Many in the first century missed Jesus’ first arrival and didn’t recognize Him as the true Messiah. We must be spiritually awake, prepared and be about His business and not miss His return!

• If Jesus returned today, would you be ready?

• Are you going about your life without any awareness of His second coming?

• Are you in love with this world and its pleasures more that Jesus? Pray and ask the Lord to prepare your heart and mind for the things of God rather than the temporary things of this world.

Luke 16

Pastor Marshall Ochs | April 21, 2024

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Luke 16. This chapter includes two parables and a rebuke of the Pharisees. Jesus uses negative examples in his parables to contrast how disciples should invest in God’s Kingdom and the dangers of living as a Pharisee. The negative examples in His parables remind us that we can learn many things from trials and tribulations. We don’t need perfect circumstances to grow, we need proper focus on God’s Kingdom.

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In the Gospel of Luke, we encounter a rich tapestry of parables, each teaching us valuable lessons. Some parables illuminate positive examples, such as the joy of finding a lost coin or the compassion of the Good Samaritan. Others present warnings, revealing the consequences of greed, pride, or spiritual blindness.

In Luke 16, we find two parables featuring negative examples: the parable of the dishonest manager and the story of the rich man and Lazarus. These teachings challenge us to consider our priorities and the use of our resources in light of eternity.

The first parable begins with a wealthy man who learns that his manager has taken advantage of his position by wasting his possessions. He calls the manager to give an account of his stewardship and announces his imminent dismissal. Faced with a crisis, the manager devises a cunning plan. He reduces the debts owed to his master by various debtors.

In Luke 16:19-31, we encounter the story of a rich man who lived in luxury, indifferent to the suffering of others, especially the beggar named Lazarus at his gate. Their lives differ, one adorned with wealth, the other marked by destitution and illness.

But their paths converge after their deaths, where the rich man finds himself in torment while Lazarus reclines by Abraham's side. Here, Jesus paints a vivid picture of the consequences of a life lived solely for self-indulgence and disregard for the difficulty of others. It exposes the hardened hearts and misplaced priorities of the religious leaders of Jesus' time. Even in torment, the rich man pleads for a sign to warn his family, a sign beyond signs, yet his request is denied. Why? Because they have Moses and the prophets, they have the Word of God to guide them. Yet, even a resurrection would not convince them if they refuse to heed that.

Let us not be like the rich man, fixated on the fleeting pleasures of this world. Instead, let us heed Jesus' call to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves.

Reflection Questions:

1. How am I currently stewarding the resources God has given me, including my finances, time, talents, and influence?

2. Am I using my resources primarily for my own benefit, or am I actively seeking to bless others and advance God's kingdom?

3. What changes do I need to make in my priorities and lifestyle to align more closely with God's stewardship principles?

4. How can I cultivate a heart of generosity and selflessness in my approach to wealth and possessions?

5. How can I avoid being overly critical and judgmental of those who are not like me?

6. How can I stop running from the pain I am walking through and embrace the lessons God is teaching me?

7. What is the Holy Spirit asking you to leave at the feet of Jesus?

Luke 15

Pastor Marshall Ochs | April 14, 2024

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Luke 15. This chapter covers the Pharisee critique that Jesus is receiving sinner and eating with them. The theme of meals has surfaced multiple times in Luke. It speaks to the primary vehicle Jesus used for spreading the Kingdom, and informs how we should view evangelism today. To answer the Pharisee’s criticism Jesus teaches three parables to expose the hearts of the Jewish leaders and address issues we continue to struggle with today.

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As we journey with Jesus toward Jerusalem, the final destination of His earthly ministry, we encounter a series of events and teachings that reveal the heart of God and His kingdom. Among these narratives, the theme of meals and dining emerges prominently.

Jesus, in His infinite wisdom and love, dines not only with the religious elite but also with those deemed as sinners. Through His actions, He challenges the norms and invites us to reconsider how we view hospitality and evangelism. For Jesus, the dinner table becomes a space where the kingdom of God is shared, relationships are formed, and lives are transformed.

In Luke's Gospel, we witness Jesus using meals, tables, and homes as primary settings for His ministry. He teaches in synagogues, but His most profound teachings often occur outside the walls of formal worship.

This emphasis on dining with sinners is not accidental. It is a deliberate demonstration of God's heart for the lost and broken. Jesus' parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son illustrate God's relentless pursuit of those who have wandered away. The joyous celebration accompanying their repentance reflects the heart of the Father, who longs for reconciliation with His children.

Yet, amidst these stories of grace and redemption, we encounter the resistance of the Pharisees. Their inability to rejoice over the repentance of sinners exposes their own hearts hardened by self-righteousness and legalism. They fail to understand the essence of the kingdom, which is marked by repentance, forgiveness, and extravagant love.

As we reflect on these narratives, let us examine our own hearts. Are we like the Pharisees, focused on rule-following and comparison rather than on extending grace and mercy? Are there lost individuals around us whom we need to pursue with the love of Christ? How can we use our own dinner tables as instruments of God's kingdom, inviting the lost and broken to experience His grace?

Reflection Questions:

1. How does Jesus' approach to dining with both Pharisees and sinners challenge our own understanding of hospitality and evangelism?

2. Reflect on the significance of Jesus teaching primarily in homes and around meals. How does this impact your view of ministry and sharing the good news of Jesus?

3. In what ways can we use our own dinner tables as vehicles for sharing the hope that we have in Jesus Christ?

4. Consider the parable of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. How do these stories reveal God's relentless pursuit of the lost and His joy in their repentance?

5. Reflect on the attitudes of the Pharisees depicted in these parables. How do their attitudes towards sinners and repentance challenge us to examine our own hearts?

6. Are there lost individuals around us whom we need to pursue? How can we extend hospitality and offer meals as a means to share the gospel?

7. Consider your own position in relation to the characters in these parables. Are you the lost sheep, the prodigal son, the bitter older brother, or perhaps even a Pharisee? How might God be calling you to repent and come home?

Luke 14

Pastor Marshall Ochs | April 7, 2024

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Luke 14. This message continues the theme of examining our focus. The setting for this chapter is a sabbath dinner. The guests should be focused on God and His faithfulness over the years, but they are more concerned with positions, titles, and receiving honor. This maneuvering for status means the ones who are hurting and broken get overlooked. Christ performs one miracle and teaches three parables that address the “me” centered culture of the 1st century and the world we live in today.

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The setting in Luke 14 is a dinner party on the Sabbath. The Shabbat meal was a time to focus on God amidst the distractions of the week. Their time together should be centered on the Guest of Honor—Jesus Christ. However, in Luke 14, we see how easily our focus can shift from God to ourselves and our own desires.

Imagine being at that dinner party, where the atmosphere should have been one of reverence and celebration of God. Instead, the guests' priorities were misplaced. Jesus, all-knowing people's hearts, revealed their true intentions.

It's easy to get caught up in seeking recognition, praise, and position, just as the guests did at the dinner party. But in doing so, we risk missing out on our purpose—loving God and caring for others.

Jesus taught through a miracle and parables, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing God and caring for those in need. He urges us to expand our circles and reach out to the broken, the lost, and the marginalized. Following Jesus requires a radical shift in priorities. It means putting Him above everything else—status, possessions, relationships, and even our lives.

Therefore, may our focus this week and every week be to walk humbly, taking our place at the table of our Lord. Let us carry our crosses daily, counting the cost of discipleship and placing Jesus at the center of everything we do. For in Him alone will we find true fulfillment and eternal blessings.

Reflection Questions:

1. How often do I find my mind focused on the wrong things?

2. In what ways do I prioritize myself or others over God in my daily life?

3. How can I shift my focus back to God when distractions and self-centeredness creep in?

4. Do I overlook the needs of others when I'm too focused on myself and my desires?

5. In what ways can I take up my cross daily and go after Jesus?

Heavenly Father, forgive us for the times we have allowed distractions and selfish desires to take precedence over You. Help us to refocus our hearts and minds on You, the Guest of Honor in our lives. Teach us to love as You love, to prioritize Your kingdom above all else. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Luke 13

Pastor Marshall Ochs | March 31, 2024

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Luke 13. This message was recorded on Easter Sunday and follows the many ways humans are prone to focus on the wrong issue. Disciples, Pharisees, and members of the crowds would regularly ask Jesus questions about the daily news, the sins of others, and even the law of Moses. With every question, Jesus would guide them to a better question that involved self reflection on what God was doing in their life. This practice helps us shift our focus from the distracting issues of the day and back to Jesus.

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Read Luke 13:1-9. Jesus is headed to Jerusalem where ultimately, He will be crucified. He uses the news of the Galileans deaths to make an important point. Some speculated that they died because they were sinful or rebellious. Jesus uses this opportunity to draw attention to their own spiritual lives. We shouldn’t be focused on others sin – or our opinion of what we believe others sin condition is, but rather we should be focused on the sin in our own lives and what Jesus is saying to us about our relationship with Him.

• Do you find yourself focusing on the condition of other peoples lives around you – your kids, spouse, neighbors, friends, coworkers, etc., rather than on your own? We do this to avoid hearing what the Lord is saying to us about our lives. Is there an area (or areas) in your life that you know God is speaking to you about? Are you distracting yourself by focusing on other people or worldly issues in order to avoid dealing with it?

• There is coming a day when we will be held accountable and have to answer for what we did with God’s son, Jesus. God will inspect our lives just as this man inspected his fig tree. Will God find your fruit tree barren or bearing much fruit? What are you doing to develop a relationship with Jesus and live for Him?

• There is appointed unto every person a time to be born and a time to die. Are you ready? We live life thinking that we have more time. However, we never know when we will leave this earth. We are accountable for the stewardship of time on this earth that God has given us. No matter when or how death in this life happens to us, we must realize that it is not the end. There is life after this world. Are you confident where you will spend it?

Read Luke 13:10-21. Here is another example of having the wrong focus. The leaders were upset with Jesus healing this woman on the sabbath. Yet, they missed the point! We are much like the crippled woman. Our sin condition has us bound up, bent over and crooked. Religious rules and practices don’t heal us or save us! Only Jesus can!

• In what or whom have you put your confidence in? Religious traditions or Jesus? Jesus is the only right thing to focus on! Are you willing to change your focus off of your circumstances, the world and its problems and place your trust and confidence in Christ alone? If you haven’t done this, let today be the day of true salvation and a life change that will last for eternity!

Read Luke 13:22-30. Many people are not willing to put forth the effort it takes to truly follow Jesus. Going to church, hearing His teachings, giving money to the church is not salvation! There is only one way to enter into Heaven and that is through faith in Christ – repenting of sin and accepting His shed blood as our covering for sin. There are not many paths to Heaven – ONLY JESUS!

• Have you truly repented of your sin, accepted the free gift of salvation through Christ? The invitation is clear. Will you accept it before it’s too late? You don’t want to be like those who are knocking on the outside of the door, and you hear, “I never knew you.”

• Focusing on the wrong things – sins of others, things of this world, being a church member (or a club member) does not make you a follower of Christ. Examine your life – your heart. Have you ever focused on Jesus in any meaningful way?

Read Luke 13:31-35. Once again, the Pharisees are trying to take Jesus’s focus off of what he was doing and try to instill fear in Him. Jesus didn’t care about those threats. Jesus was focused on Calvary! The enemy will try to distract you from living a life that is dedicated and living for Jesus with fear, worry, anxiety, judgmental attitudes, unforgiveness, shame, etc. You can’t carry that baggage with you and live a life that is meaningful for the Lord. Living for Jesus isn’t easy, but it’s completely worth it!

• What are you fearful about? Surrender it today!

• What has your focus? Surrender it today!

• What baggage are you carrying? Surrender it today! Don’t waste your life looking at the wrong things! Focus on Christ, His work on the cross and the EMPTY TOMB!

Luke 12:22-59

Pastor Marshall Ochs | March 24, 2024

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Luke 12:22-59. These verses challenge Christians to consider how they are stewards of God’s resources, rather than owners. We do not own our possessions, our talents, our bodies, or our time. Instead we steward them because they belong to God, and one day we will have to give an account for how we managed His resources.

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Today is Palm Sunday. The day when the people of Israel welcomed Jesus, laying their cloaks on the road, cutting branches from trees to spread for his arrival, and crying out Hosanna in the highest! Yet by the end of the week, they exclaimed, crucify Him. As we enter Holy Week, it can be easy to remove ourselves from the ones who cried out to crucify Him and only put ourselves in the Hosanna in the highest crowd. That is one of the ploys of the evil one: for the weight of God's wrath on Jesus to be minimized or for us not to see the weight of our sin. Jesus came to conquer sin and death. Just as the people of that time sought a Savior from Rome, we often envision how God should save us from our battles. The problem then and now is we make it about us, and it is never about us. It is about Jesus and His Kingdom! This conflict between God's will and our own persists to this very day.

Everything belongs to God. The anxiety stemming from an ownership mindset dissolves when we live as stewards of His gifts. Are we actively seeking God's guidance in managing what He has given us? Our possessions, talents, businesses, bodies, time, and even our children are all divine gifts, not sources of identity. Do you find yourself feeling anxious or stressed? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where you are trying to be in control and then take that to the feet of Jesus, ask for forgiveness, and begin to walk in the peace that only comes from Jesus. There is peace in His presence; there is joy in His presence!

Jesus's arrival ignites a transformative fire, bringing either peace or division. Submitting to Him as the Prince of Peace yields peace, while resistance produces discord, even within families. Everything—our possessions, relationships, and time—is not ours. Will we use these resources selfishly, or will we live in continuous prayer, asking God daily, show me how to steward what You have given me wisely today? I want to be a faithful and wise manager. I want to surrender all my desires for His. Father, remove every desire that is not of You, take us by the hand, and lead us in Your ways for Your glory. We love and praise Your mighty name, Jesus! Fill our homes, fill our workplaces, fill our cars with Your presence. Give us the courage to speak boldly the name of Jesus! Make us worthy of Your calling, fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by Your power so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified!

Luke 11:37-12:21

Pastor Marshall Ochs | March 17, 2024

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Luke 11:37-12:21. These verses cover the contrast between the Pharisees and the disciples. These verses outline the outer life and inner life of those who follow Jesus. It covers numerous exhortations to forsake hypocrisy, walk in obedience to Jesus, and count the cost of discipleship.

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We continued today with the teaching on the “inner person. ” Let’s take a closer look into the text this week and apply it to our daily lives. Pray and ask the Lord to reveal what changes need to take place.

1. Read Luke 11:37–42. This cleansing was more ceremonial washing, rather than for the purpose of hygiene. Jesus uses the reference to a cup to make the point that the Pharisee’s cared more about the appearance of the outside, instead of what was on the inside. The Pharisee’s wanted to be seen as holy, rather than being holy. The inward life didn’t match the outward life.

a. Do you find yourself caring more about what you present to others and how they see you, rather than what is really going on inside of you? A friend of mine said, “People spend their time and money on what they value. ” What do you value most? Do you spend time and money your outward life and appearance and neglect the inward life? We should be concerned with both. However, if our inner life is holy, it will overflow into an outward life of holiness.

2. Read Luke 11:43 – 12:3. In this passage we see Jesus answering a lawyer’s question and using it to teach about hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is when you act one way in public and a totally different way in private. Hypocrisy can cause us to become puffed up and believe the lies of the enemy and this world. Ultimately, this lifestyle is exposed. Regardless of what you think others see or know about you – God sees the real you, and eventually others often do too.

a. Do you find yourself living differently Monday – Saturday than you do on Sunday? Are you different in front of your church family than you are at home or work? Are you a Christian on the outside only? Pray and ask the Lord to bring your inner life under God’s control, and your outer life will reflect Him.

3. Read Luke 12:4–12. What does a life under God’s control look like? Jesus teaches the disciples to not fear man, but God. We should be living our lives so that God thinks well of us rather than worrying about what others think of us. Our value comes from our Creator! He died for us!

a. Do you find your value in what others think of you? Do you know that you have great worth as a child of God? Rest in the knowledge that God loves you! He’s ALL that matters!b. Do you hide your faith in public or are you confident and unashamed of your faith? Pray and ask the Lord who He wants you to befriend and build relationship with so that you can share your faith with them. Don’t worry about what you will say to them. God will put the words in your mouth!

4. Read Luke 12:13 – 21. Jesus is asked an inheritance question and uses it to teach about greed. The issue is not in having wealth but, how having it impacts ones heart. Everything we have is from the Lord!

a. Do you find yourself using words like the rich man in this parable – “my crops, my barns, my grain?” Do you recognize that all good gifts are from the Lord? You are merely a steward. You can’t store up money and possessions for yourself and be rich toward God. Pray and ask the Lord to show you what has become an idol for you. Is it the things of this world or a life dedicated, committed and controlled by God?

Luke 11:1-36

Pastor Marshall Ochs | March 10, 2024

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Luke 11:1-36. These verses cover a series of teachings that Christ gave the disciples. Jesus teaches on prayer, the spiritual realm, and the connection between your eye and your inner self.

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We encounter a moment where the disciples approach Jesus with a request: "Lord, teach us to pray." Their inquiry stemmed from a dual motivation. On the one hand, they observed devout groups of their time engaging in unique forms of prayer, and on the other, they sought guidance on how to pray correctly. In response to their plea, Jesus answers, illuminating prayer from two perspectives: a conversation with a father and a dialogue with a friend.

Prayer is likened to talking with a father. We approach God with reverence, acknowledging His holiness and surrendering our desires to His will. It's an intimate conversation where we express our needs, seek forgiveness, and invoke divine protection.

However, Jesus doesn't stop there. He reveals another facet of prayer, likening it to a conversation with a friend. God eagerly awaits our prayers, not as a begrudging obligation but with open arms. The parable of the persistent friend at the door underscores the importance of boldness and persistence in our approach to God. We're encouraged to emulate the audacity of the man who persistently sought help, confident in the goodness of the One we're addressing.

He is the perfect Father and faithful Friend, surpassing any human comprehension. If we know how to give good gifts and respond to bold requests, how much more will our Heavenly Father graciously meet our needs and answer our prayers? Therefore, let us confidently approach the throne of grace, boldly presenting our petitions before God, knowing He delights in our time with Him. Let our prayers be marked by audacity and expectancy, for we serve a God who not only hears but responds to the cries of His children. May we, like the disciples, continually seek to deepen our understanding of prayer and deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ. May we learn to always pray in all things, in every conversation, before every decision – “Pray without ceasing.”

In the Gospel of Luke, we find many stories about Jesus casting out demons. Some may wonder why Luke includes so many of these accounts. However, we begin to understand the answer when we grasp the visible world is intertwined with the invisible realm, as outlined in Ephesians 6:12-13.

Satan and his demonic forces are not distant entities; they actively engage in spiritual warfare. Their attacks target the mind and body, seeking to exert control and sow chaos. Through these stories, Luke points us to the reality of the spiritual battle and our need to heed Jesus' teachings concerning it.

Jesus rebukes those demanding more signs, declaring that an evil generation seeks signs instead of responding to the truth presented. Jonah preached repentance to Nineveh without signs, and Solomon imparted wisdom to the Queen of Sheba without miraculous displays. Now, someone greater than Jonah or Solomon stands before them, and yet they demand further proof.

The parable of the lamp reveals this demand for signs. The eye, like a lamp, illuminates the inner self. A healthy eye perceives light, filling the inner being with brightness. Conversely, an unhealthy eye covers the inner self in darkness. Likewise, our perception shapes our reality; a greedy eye fixates on yourself, while a judgmental eye sees only problems. What are you looking for? May we fix our eyes on Jesus!

Jesus' exhortation underscores the transformative power of embracing His light. When our entire being is filled with His radiance, we become beacons, illuminating the dark world around us. The only way for us to be filled with His radiance is to sit in His presence, consume His Word, and allow the Holy Spirit to transform us into the image of Jesus Christ. Let us, therefore, meditate on His Word, day and night, and shine forth His light in a world desperate for Jesus.