DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE

Sermon Series: The Gospel of Luke

Sermon Text: Luke 17:11-19

Sermon Title: Jesus and Ten Lepers

Sermon Points: 

1. A Call for Mercy

2. Jesus' Response

3. Unexpected Worship

4. The Real Sickness

5. The Real Healing

Big Idea: There are two responses to God's mercy, worship or entitlement. 


Daily Devotional Guide

"I just want what I deserve."


That statement might make sense if it's said by a man who didn't get paid for the work he did. It might even work for a professional athlete stuck in a bad contract. But when it comes to any member of the human race talking to the God of the universe, wanting what we deserve is the worst thing that could possibly happen to us. 


The man who did $1,000 worth of work and received nothing for his efforts really does deserve to get paid. An argument can at least be made that an exceptional athlete who helps his team make millions deserves a little in return. Both of these people brought something worthwhile to the table. 


Not so when it comes to us and God. All we bring to the table is our sin. And the natural payment for that sin is death. None of us really wants God to give us what we deserve. Everything we get that is not hell is the result of a benevolent, patient, and gracious God.


So it would only make sense that Christians be the most sincere worshipers of all. We were dead in our sins and headed to hell but God, through no work of our own, made us alive together with Christ. We have been healed of spiritual leprosy. Coming back to tell Jesus thank you only makes sense. 


Entitlement is the enemy of worship. Why would we worship God for giving us something we deserve? But the gospel fuels worship. It tells us of our utter hopelessness before God and His great grace in giving us new life. As you read, listen, and pray this week, ask God to reveal to you any areas of entitlement in your heart. Thank him for giving you His grace rather than what you deserve. 


Monday - Genesis 12:1-20

Tuesday - Genesis 15:1-21

Wednesday - Genesis 19:1-38

Thursday - Genesis 22:1-24

Friday - Genesis 26:1-35

Saturday - Genesis 27:1-46

Sunday - Genesis 35:1-29

DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE


Sermon Series: The Gospel of Luke

Sermon Title: Jesus Would Like To Have A Word With You

Sermon Text: Luke 17:1-10

Sermon Points:

1. A Word to the False Prophets

2. A Word to the Broken-Hearted

3. A Word to Those of Little Faith

4. A Word to the Entitled


Big Idea: Biblical justice isn't always comfortable but it is always good. 


Daily Devotional Guide


Not everything makes the movie. Some scenes end up on what's called the cutting room floor. When they make movies about Jesus, the passage we're looking at today usually ends up on the cutting room floor. These are some hard sayings from Jesus. They're not hard because they're difficult to understand. They're hard because we know exactly what Jesus is saying.

When we read the Bible, it's important to remember that what God wants to say is infinitely more important than what we would like to hear. People don't like to hear about being tied to stones that weigh hundreds of pounds and thrown into the sea. But that's what Jesus wanted to say. If we only focus on the parts of scripture that make us feel comfortable or that look good on a coffee mug, we'll miss what God is saying. 

As you listen, read, pray, and respond this week, ask God to give you a sensitive heart to His word. Fire your inner defensive coordinator and repent of those areas in your life where you've strayed from the commands of Christ. Perhaps when we do that, we'll leave the sanitized, Hollywood version of Jesus on the cutting room floor and begin to truly know, love, trust, and follow the Jesus of the Bible. 


Monday - James 1:12-18

Tuesday - Matthew 18:15-20

Wednesday - Matthew 18:21-35

Thursday - Galatians 6:1-10

Friday - 1 Timothy 1:1-20

Saturday - 2 Timothy 2:1-26

Sunday - Luke 17:11-19