E-pistle for May 14, 2010
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E-pistle
Dr. Dan Hite, President FreeWay Foundation May 14, 2010
Outnumbered Two To One
(Luke 14:1-35)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Bear the cross and come after Jesus, v. 27.
2. Count the cost in advance (building a tower), vv. 28-30).
3. Fight against a larger enemy (10,000 vs. 20,000), vv. 31-32.
4. Forsake all to follow Jesus, v. 33.
II. Observations: on the sacrifice of discipleship?
1. The soldiers must be trained and experienced veterans.
2. They need to have superior equipment and supplies.
3. They need to have a brilliant leader with a strategy for victory,
including day by day tactical plans.
4. They need to be highly motivated to fight for a worthy cause.
"Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten
thousand to flight . . . I am the Lord your God," Leviticus 26:1, 8.
III. Meditation: on how an outnumbered army can win the victory (vv. 31-32)
1. Use experienced veterans, whenever possible, to train the
new recruits.
2. Provide them with excellent materials and supplies, plus a
secure supply line of spiritual and material support.
3. The headquarters staff (under the Supreme Commander) must
develop and plan practical tactics to achieve strategic spiritual
goals.
4. Build morale (espirit de corps) using the "love" motivation
(I Corinthians 13) to help people and to glorify God.
IV. Application: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Train to be a soldier of the cross, including "cross-bearing" daily.
"Study to show yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need
to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth," II Timothy 2:15.
2. Recognize that the enemy is strong, but that I, through Christ, can
defeat Him . . . because "He who is in you is greater than he who is in
the world," I John 4:4.
3. Follow my great Leader to sure victory . . . "We are more than conquerors
through Him who loved us," Romans 8:37.
3. Rejoice in the privilege of being a part of God's triumphant purpose in
this world today . . . "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say rejoice!"
Philippians 4:4.
What Kind of a Son am i?
(Luke 15:1-32)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Jesus told the parable of the lost sheep, vv. 1-7.
2. Jesus told the parable of the lost coin, vv. 8-10.
3. Jesus told the parable of the lost son, vv. 11-32.
II. Meditation: on four sons who typify responses to their father's orders
(Matthew 21:28-32 and Luke 15:11-32)
1. One son said, "I will not" . . . later repented and obeyed,
Matthew 21:29.
2. Another son said, "I will go, sir" . . . but he did not go, Matthew 21:30.
3. The younger Prodigal Son refused to do the right things, saying: "Give
me" . . . and he left home, Luke 15:12-13.
4. The elder son thought, "I am being treated unfairly . . . what's the profit?"
Luke 15:25-32. (This last son obeyed the Father, but had a bad attitude.)
The ideal son would say, "I'll obey" and do it with a good attitude. None of
the examples above fits this ideal pattern.
III. Revelation: on the spiritual implications seen here
1. Sometimes we reject God's orders . . . like Jonah. If so, we need to repent
and obey Him.
2. Sometimes we give "lip-service," saying, "I'll do it," but we fail to obey . . .
like bragging Peter. This also, calls for repentance and obedience.
3. Sometimes we are disobedient, rebellious, and demanding before our Father
. . . like the Prodigal Son . . . not obeying Him, and wasting our precious assets.
This, too, calls for repentance and obedience.
4. Sometimes we are faithful to the Father, enjoying His presence and provision
(Luke 15:31), but we want to exclude others who are less worthy of the Father's
love . . . like the elder brother. Once again, we need to repent and obey!
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. I must not disobey the Father's directions; I must follow His orders gladly and
immediately.
2. I must not pledge faithfulness to Him unless I follow through by doing exactly
what I promise.
3. When I am rebellious and "in the far country" of alienation, I must repent and
return to my loving, forgiving, accepting Father.
4. I must not be jealous of God's blessings upon another person who seems to
me to be unworthy. (None of us deserves God's grace!)
PRAYER: Lord, help me to live in a constant state of repentance for my sinful actions and
and attitudes, and to maintain a faithful posture of submissive obedience to Your
commands. AMEN!
"Choose your friends carefully.
Your enemies will choose you."
- Yasser Arafat
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