Luke 15:8-10

"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Won't she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she find it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.' In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God's angels when even one sinner repents."

 

Luke 19:10  "For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost."

Luke 11:9-10  "And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened."

Matthew 28:8  The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel's message.

Philippians 1:18  But that doesn't matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine (see verses 15-17), the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.

Philippians 2:17-18  But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.

Philippians 3:1  Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith. 

Philippians 4:4  Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again--rejoice!

Psalm 30:5  For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning.

Psalm 30:11  You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning, and clothed me with joy, ...

Isaiah 55:12  You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands!                             

 

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Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.

 

Luke 15:3-7 Part 2 of 2

So Jesus told them this story: "If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.' In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven't strayed away!"

 

"And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders."

Isaiah 40:11  He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.

Matthew 18:13  "And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn't wander away!"

 

"When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.' " 

Luke 15:9  "And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.' " 

Luke 15:32  " 'We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!' "

1 Peter 2:25  Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.

 

"In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven't strayed away!"  

Matthew 9:13  Then he added, "Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: 'I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.' (Hosea 6:6) For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners." 

Luke 5:32  "I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent."

Luke 15:10  "In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God's angels when even one sinner repents."

Romans 3:19-20  Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. (see verses 9-31)                                  

 

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Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.

 

Luke 15:3-7 Part 1 of 2

So Jesus told them this story: "If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.' In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven't strayed away!"

 

So Jesus told them this story:

Matthew 13:3  He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: "Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds."

"If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do?"

Ezekiel 34:5-6  "So my sheep have been scattered without a shepherd, and they are easy prey for any wild animal. They have wandered through all the mountains and all the hills, across the face of the earth, yet no one has gone to search for them." (see verses 1-24)

"Won't he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness" 

Exodus 3:1  One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God.

 

"and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it?"  

Ezekiel 34:16  "I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak. But I will destroy those who are fat and powerful. I will feed them, yes--feed them justice!"  (see verses 1-24)

Psalm 119:176  I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten your commands.

Jeremiah 31:10  "Listen to this message from the LORD, you nations of the world; proclaim it in distant coastlands: The LORD, who scattered his people, will gather them and watch over them as a shepherd does his flock."

Matthew 18:12  "If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost?"

Luke 5:32  "I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent."

Luke 19:10  "For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost."                      

 

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Luke 15:1-2

Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people--even eating with them!

 

Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach.

Mark 2:15  Later, Levi [Matthew] invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus' followers.) [see also Matthew 9:10]

Luke 5:29  Later, Levi [Matthew] held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi's fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them.

 

This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people--even eating with them! 

Matthew 11:19  "The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, 'He's a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!' But wisdom is shown to be right by its results." [see also Luke 7:34]

Mark 2:16  But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, "Why does he eat with such scum?" [see also Matthew 9:11, Luke 5:30]

Mark 7:5-8  So the Pharisees and teachers of religious law asked him, "Why don't your disciples follow our age-old tradition? They eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony." Jesus replied, "You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.' [Isaiah 29:13] For you ignore God's law and substitute your own tradition."

Luke 5:21  But the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to themselves, "Who does he think he is? That's blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!" [see verses 17-26]

Acts 11:2-3  But when Peter arrived back in Jerusalem, the Jewish believers criticized him. "You entered the home of Gentiles and even ate with them!" they said. [see verses 10:1-11:18]

Galatians 2:12-13  When he [Peter] first arrived, he ate with the Gentile Christians, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn't eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. As a result the Jewish Christians followed Peter's hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. [see verses 11-21]          

 

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Luke 14:34-35 Part 2 of 2

"Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!"

 

"Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!"

Revelation 2:7  "Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. Whoever is victorious will not be harmed by the second death." (see verses 8-11)

Revelation 2:17  "Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it." (see verses 12-17)

Revelation 2:26-29  "To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end, To them I will give authority over all the nations. They will rule the nations with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots. (Psalm 2:8-9) They will have the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give them the morning star! Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches." (see verses 18-29) 

Revelation 3:5-6  "All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine. Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches." (see verses 1-6)

Revelation 3:12-13  "All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God--the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name. Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches." (see verses 7-13) 

Revelation 3:21-22  "Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. Anyone who has ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches." (see verses 14-22)          

 

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Luke 14:34-35 Part 1 of 2

"Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!"

 

"Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor,  how do you make it salty again?"

Mark 9:50  "Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other."

"Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away."

Matthew 5:13  "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless."

"Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!" 

Matthew 11:13-15  "For before John came, all the prophets and the law of Moses looked forward to this present time. And if you are willing to accept what I say, he is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!" (see verses 7-19)     

Matthew 13:8-9  "Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand." (see verses 1-23)

Matthew 13:40-43  "Just as the weeds were sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father's Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!" 

Mark 4:23-24  "Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand." Then he added, "Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given--and you will receive even more." (see verses 21-25)    

 

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Luke 14:28-33 Part 2 of 2

"But don't begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, 'There's the person who started that building and couldn't afford to finish it!'

 

Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? And if he can't, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own."

 

"Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him?"

Proverbs 20:18  Plans succeed through good counsel; don't go to war without wise advice.

Proverbs 24:6  So don't go to war without wise guidance; victory depends on having many advisors.

Proverbs 27:12  A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.  

So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own."

Luke 14:26  "If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison--your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters--yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple."

Luke 18:28-30  Peter said, "We've left our homes to follow you."  "Yes," Jesus replied, "and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, will be repaid many times over in this life, and will have eternal life in the world to come."               

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Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.

Luke 14:28-33 Part 1 of 2

"But don't begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, 'There's the person who started that building and couldn't afford to finish it!'

 

Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? And if he can't, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own."

 

"But don't begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?"

Psalm 127:1  Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.

Proverbs 13:16  Wise people think before they act; fools don't--and even brag about their foolishness.

Proverbs 14:15-16  Only simpletons believe everything they're told! The prudent carefully consider their steps. The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence. 

Proverbs 16:1  We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer.

Proverbs 19:21  You can make many plans, but the LORD's purpose will prevail.

Proverbs 24:3  A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense.

Proverbs 24:27  Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house.

Philippians 3:7  I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. (see verses 5-9)         

 

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Luke 14:25-27 Part 2 of 2

A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, "If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison--your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters--yes, even your own life. Otherwise you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple."

 

"And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple."

Matthew 10:38  "If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine."

Matthew 16:24  Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me." 

Mark 8:34  Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross and follow me."

Luke 9:23  Then he said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me."

John 19:17-20  Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. And Pilate posted a sign on the cross that read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it.          

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.

 

Luke 14:25-27 Part 1 of 2

A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, "If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison--your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters--yes, even your own life. Otherwise you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple."

 

A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, "If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison--"

Deuteronomy 33:9  "The Levites obeyed your (the LORD's) word and guarded your covenant. They were more loyal to you than to their own parents. They ignored their relatives and did not acknowledge their own children." (see verses 8-11)

Malachi 2:5-6  "The purpose of my (the LORD of Heaven's Armies') covenant with the Levites was to bring life and peace, and that is what I gave them. This required reverence from them, and they greatly revered me and stood in awe of my name. They passed on to the people the truth of the instructions they received from me. They did not lie or cheat; they walked with me, living good and righteous lives, and they turned many from lives of sin." (see verses 1-9) 

 

"your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters--" 

Matthew 10:37  "If you love your father or mother more than you love me (Jesus), you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine." 

 

"yes, even your own life. Otherwise you cannot be my disciple." 

John 12:25  "Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity." 

Matthew 10:39  "If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life to me, you will find it."

Mark 8:35  "If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it." (see also Matthew 16:25, Luke 9:24) 

Luke 17:32-33  "Remember what happened to Lot's wife! If you cling to your life, you will lose it, and if you let your life go, you will save it."

Luke 14:33  "So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own."  

Acts 20:24  "But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus--the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God."   

Revelation 12:11  "And they (our brothers and sisters) have defeated him (the accuser/Satan) by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus) and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die." (see verses 1-12)    

 

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Luke 14:21-24

"The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, 'Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.' After the servant had done this, he reported, 'There is still room for more.' So the master said, 'Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.' "

 

"The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, 'Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.' "

Luke 14:13  "Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind."

Matthew 22:9  " 'Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.' "

"After the servant had done this, he reported, 'There is still room for more.' So the master said, 'Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full.' "

Matthew 22:10  "So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with guests."

" 'For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.' "

Matthew 22:8  "And he said to his servants, 'The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren't worthy of the honor.' "

Matthew 21:43  "I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the proper fruit." (see verses 33-46)

Luke 20:19  The teachers of religious law and the leading priests wanted to arrest Jesus immediately because they realized he was telling the story against them--they were the wicked farmers. But they were afraid of the people's reaction. (see verses 1-19)

Acts 13:46-48  Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and declared, "It was necessary that we first preach the word of God to you Jews. But since you have rejected it and judged yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we will offer it to the Gentiles. For the Lord gave us this command when he said, 'I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.' (Isaiah 49:6) When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and thanked the Lord for his message; and all who were chosen for eternal life became believers. (see verses 44-52)

 

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Luke 14:16-20 Part 3 of 3

Jesus replied with this story: "A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to tell the guests, 'Come, the banquet is ready.' But they all began making excuses. One said, 'I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.' Another said, 'I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.' Another said, 'I now have a wife, so I can't come!' "

 

"Another said, 'I now have a wife, so I can't come!' "

Deuteronomy 24:5  "A newly married man must not be drafted into the army or be given any other official responsibilities. He must be free to spend one year at home, bringing happiness to the wife he has married."

Deuteronomy 20:7  " 'Has anyone here just become engaged to a woman but not yet married her? Well, you may go home and get married! You might die in the battle, and someone else would marry her.' "

Proverbs 5:18  Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth.

Ecclesiastes 9:9  Live happily with the woman you love through all the meaningless days of life that God has given you under the sun. The wife God gives you is your reward for all your earthly toil.  

Luke 9:57-62  As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, "I will follow you wherever you go." but Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head." He said to another person, "Come, follow me." The man agreed, but he said, "Lord, first let me return home and bury my father." But Jesus told him, "Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God." another said, "Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family." But Jesus told him, "Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God."  

 

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Luke 14:16-20 Part 2 of 3

Jesus replied with this story: "A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to tell the guests, 'Come, the banquet is ready.' But they all began making excuses. One said, 'I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.' Another said, 'I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.' Another said, 'I now have a wife, so I can't come!' "

 

"But they all began making excuses. One said, 'I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.' "

Matthew 22:5  "But the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business."

Jeremiah 32:8-9  Then, just as the LORD had said he would, my cousin Hanamel came and visited me in the prison. He said, "Please buy my field at Anathoth in the land of Benjamin. By law you have the right to buy it before it is offered to anyone else, so buy it for yourself." Then I knew that the message I had heard was from the LORD. So I bought the field at Anathoth, paying Hanamel seventeen pieces of silver for it. (see verses 6-25)

Jeremiah 32:42-44  "This is what the LORD says: Just as I have brought all these calamities on them, so I will do all the good I have promised them. Fields will again be bought and sold in this land about which you now say, 'It has been ravaged by the Babylonians, a desolate land where people and animals have all disappeared.' Yes, fields will once again be bought and sold--deeds signed and sealed and witnessed--in the land of Benjamin and here in Jerusalem, in the towns of Judah and in the hill country, in the foothills of Judah and in the Negev, too. For someday I will restore prosperity to them. I, the LORD, have spoken!" (see verses 26-44)

 

"Another said, 'I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.' "

1 Kings 19:19-21  So Elijah went and found Elisha son of Shaphat plowing a field. There were twelve teams of oxen in the field, and Elisha was plowing with the twelfth team. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak across his shoulders and then walked away. Elisha left the oxen standing there, ran after Elijah, and said to him, "First let me go and kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you!" Elijah replied, "Go on back, but think about what I have done to you." So Elisha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them. He used the wood from the plow to build a fire to roast their flesh. He passed around the meat to the townspeople, and they all ate. Then he went with Elijah as his assistant.

 

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Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.

 

Luke 14:16-20 Part 1 of 3

Jesus replied with this story: "A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to tell the guests, 'Come, the banquet is ready.' But they all began making excuses. One said, 'I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.' Another said, 'I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.' Another said, 'I now have a wife, so I can't come!' "

 

Jesus replied with this story: "A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations."

Isaiah 25:6  In Jerusalem, the LORD of Heaven's Armies will spread a wonderful feast for all the people of the world. It will be a delicious banquet with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat.

Matthew 22:2  "The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son."

"When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to tell the guests, 'Come, the banquet is ready.' " 

Matthew 22:3-4  "When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify those who were invited. But they all refused to come! So he sent other servants to tell them, 'The feast has been prepared. The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the banquet!' "

Esther 5:4  And Esther replied, "If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a banquet I have prepared for the king. (see verses 5-12, 6:14-7:10)

Proverbs 9:2-6  She (Wisdom) has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table. She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come. She calls out from the heights overlooking the city. "Come in with me," she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says, "Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways behind and begin to live; learn to use good judgment."

 

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Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.

  

Luke 14:15

Hearing this, a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, "What a blessing it will be to attend a banquet in the Kingdom of God!"

 

Hearing this, a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, "What a blessing it will be to attend a banquet"

Isaiah 25:6  In Jerusalem, the LORD of Heaven's Armies will spread a wonderful feast for all the people of the world. It will be a delicious banquet with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat. 

Revelation 19:9  And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb." And he added, "These are true words that come from God." 

 

"in the Kingdom of God!" 

Matthew 12:28   "But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you."

Mark 9:1  Jesus went on to say, "I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God arrive in great power!"

Mark 10:23-25  Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!" This amazed them. But Jesus said again, "Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!"

Mark 14:25  "I tell you the truth, I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new in the Kingdom of God."

Luke 13:28-29  "There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for you will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you will be thrown out. And people will come from all over the world--from east and west, north and south--to take their places in the Kingdom of God."

Luke 22:16-18  "For I tell you now that I won't eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God." Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, "Take this and share it among yourselves. For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come."

Romans 14:17  For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

 

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.

 

Luke 14:12-14

Then he turned to his host, "When you put on a luncheon or a banquet," he said, "don't invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you."

 

Then he turned to his host, "When you put on a luncheon or a banquet," he said, "don't invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward."

Luke 6:32-34  "If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return."

 

"Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind." 

Luke 14:21-24  "The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, 'Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.' After the servant had done this, he reported, 'There is still room for more.' So the master said, 'Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. For none of those I first invited will even get the smallest taste of my banquet.' " (see verses 15-24

 

"Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you."

Proverbs 19:17  If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD--and he will repay you! 

1 Corinthians 15:23  But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17  We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 

 

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Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.

 

Luke 14:7-11

When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: "When you are invited to a wedding feast, don't sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? The host will come and say 'Give this person your seat.' Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, 'Friend, we have a better place for you!' Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

 

When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table,

Matthew 23:6  "And they (the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees) love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the seats of honor in the synagogues."

Mark 12:39  "And how they (the teachers of religious law) love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets."

Luke 20:46  "Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets." 

 

he gave them this advice: "When you are invited to a wedding feast, don't sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? The host will come and say, 'Give this person your seat.' Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, 'Friend, we have a better place for you!' Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests." 

Proverbs 25:6-7  Don't demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great. It's better to wait for an invitation to the head table than to be sent away in public disgrace.

 

"For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." 

2 Chronicles 7:14  "Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land."

Psalm 18:27  You rescue the humble, but you humiliate the proud.

Proverbs 29:23  Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.

Luke 18:14  "I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. " (see verses 9-14)

James 4:10  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

 

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Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.

 

Luke 14:1-6 Part 4 of 4

One Sabbath day Jesus went to eat dinner in the home of a leader of the Pharisees, and the people were watching him closely. There was a man there whose arms and legs were swollen. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in religious law, "Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?" When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away. Then he turned to them and said, "Which of you doesn't work on the Sabbath? If your son or your cow falls into a pit, don't you rush to get him out?" Again they could not answer.

When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away. Then he turned to them and said, "Which of you doesn't work on the Sabbath? If your son or your cow falls into a pit, don't you rush to get him out?"

Luke 13:15-16  But the Lord replied, "You hypocrites! Each of you works on the Sabbath day! Don't you untie your ox or your donkey from its stall on the Sabbath and lead it out for water? This dear woman, a daughter of Abraham, has been held in bondage by Satan for eighteen years. Isn't it right that she be released, even on the Sabbath?" 

Deuteronomy 22:4  "If you see that your neighbor's donkey or ox has collapsed on the road, do not look the other way. Go and help your neighbor get it back on its feet!"

Matthew 12:11-12  And he answered, "If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn't you work to pull it out? Of course you would. And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath." (see verses 10-17)

Again they could not answer. 

Matthew 22:46  No one could answer him. And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions. (see verses 41-46)

Mark 12:34  Realizing how much the man understood, Jesus said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions. (see verses 28-34)

Luke 20:39-40  "Well said, Teacher!" remarked some of the teachers of religious law who were standing there. And then no one dared to ask him any more questions. (see verses 27-40)

 

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Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.

 

Luke 14:1-6 Part 3 of 4

One Sabbath day Jesus went to eat dinner in the home of a leader of the Pharisees, and the people were watching him closely. There was a man there whose arms and legs were swollen. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in religious law, "Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?" When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away. Then he turned to them and said, "Which of you doesn't work on the Sabbath? If your son or your cow falls into a pit, don't you rush to get him out?" Again they could not answer.

"Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?"

Exodus 20:8-11  "Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters,  your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set in apart as holy." (see also Deuteronomy 5:12-15) 

Exodus 23:12  "You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but on the seventh day you must stop working. This gives your ox and your donkey a chance to rest. It also allows your slaves and the foreigners living among you to be refreshed."

Matthew 12:2  But some Pharisees saw them do it and protested, "Look, your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath." (see verses 1-8)

Luke 6:9  Then Jesus said to his critics, "I have a question for you. Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?" (see verses 6-11)

Luke 13:14  But the leader in charge of the synagogue was indignant that Jesus had healed her on the Sabbath day. "There are six days of the week for working," he said to the crowd. "Come on those days to be healed, not on the Sabbath." (see verses 10-17)

John 5:10  ... They said to the man who was cured, "You can't work on the Sabbath! The law doesn't allow you to carry that sleeping mat!" (see verses 1-15)

 

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Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.

 

Luke 14:1-6 Part 2 of 4

One Sabbath day Jesus went to eat dinner in the home of a leader of the Pharisees, and the people were watching him closely. There was a man there whose arms and legs were swollen. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in religious law, "Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?" When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away. Then he turned to them and said, "Which of you doesn't work on the Sabbath? If your son or your cow falls into a pit, don't you rush to get him out?" Again they could not answer.

There was a man there whose arms and legs were swollen. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in religious law,

Matthew 22:35  One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: ... [see verses 34-40] 

Luke 5:17  One day while Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of religious law were sitting nearby. (It seemed that these men showed up from every village in all Galilee and Judea, as well as from Jerusalem.) And the Lord's healing power was strongly with Jesus.

Luke 6:7  The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees watched Jesus closely. If he healed the man's hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath. [see verses 6-11]

Luke 7:30  But the Pharisees and experts in religious law rejected God's plan for them, for they had refused John's baptism. [see verses 24-35]

Luke 10:25  One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: "Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?" [see verses 25-37]

Luke 11:45  "Teacher," said an expert in religious law, "you have insulted us, too, in what you said." [see verses 39-54]

Luke 20:45-47  Then with the crowds listening, he turned to his disciples and said, "Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be severely punished."

 

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Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.

 

Luke 14:1-6 Part 1 of 4

One Sabbath day Jesus went to eat dinner in the home of a leader of the Pharisees, and the people were watching him closely. There was a man there whose arms and legs were swollen. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in religious law, "Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?" When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away. Then he turned to them and said, "Which of you doesn't work on the Sabbath? If your son or your cow falls into a pit, don't you rush to get him out?" Again they could not answer.

One Sabbath day Jesus went to eat dinner in the home of a leader of the Pharisees, 

Luke 7:36  One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat.

Luke 11:37  As Jesus was speaking, one of the Pharisees invited him home for a meal. So he went in and took his place at the table.

and the people were watching him closely. 

Matthew 12:9-10  Then Jesus went over to the synagogue, where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, "Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?" (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.)

Mark 3:2  Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus' enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man's hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath.

Mark 12:13  Later the leaders sent some Pharisees and supporters of Herod to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested.

Luke 11:53-54  As Jesus was leaving, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees became hostile and tried to provoke him with many questions. They wanted to trap him into saying something they could use against him.

Luke 20:20  Watching for their opportunity, the leaders sent spies pretending to be honest men. They tried to get Jesus to say something that could be reported to the Roman governor so he would arrest Jesus.

 

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.