Luke 5

Written on 05/10/2024

Verses 1-11

  • Verses 4-5. Obeying God always produces results, even if it doesn't make sense to your natural mind.

  • Verses 8-10. In the presence of God, we realize that we are sinners, and that we do not deserve God's generosity. Peter realized this.

    • But we do not have to be afraid. If we accept the gospel and follow Jesus, God, by His own power, will make us into the people that He wants us to be (Matthew 4:19).

      • Know that you are forgiven, and that God has qualified you to work for His kingdom! Your purpose is to bring others to Christ!

  • Verse 11. Living out God's purpose for you requires leaving behind every other purpose. In other words, do not live for yourself, for self-promotion, or for any other ambition. Do everything with your new purpose in mind—to help others come to know Christ.

 

Verses 12-14

  • Verse 13. Know that God desires to heal sicknesses.

  • Know that it is God's will to heal all believers, and every believer is healed, at least, when they die and enter the kingdom of heaven. Trust God's timing for when people are healed, even if death must come first.

    • But there are many cases when physical healing will come today! So, pray for the sick today!

    • Therefore, the ultimate healing is to preach the gospel to others. Help unbelievers to become believers, and you will be bringing healing to many!

 

Verses 15-16

  • Take moments often to pray in private. These times are important to keep you prepared when life demands much of you. 

    • And the more demand there is, the more you should pray, just as Jesus did!

 

Verses 17-38

  • See teaching on Matthew 9 and Mark 2 for details.

 

Verse 39

  • Here, Luke adds a detail not present and Matthew and Mark's account of this teaching.

  • After learning that we should not carry old practices into a new life of following Jesus, we learn that people tend to desire the old more than the new.

    • Because they're familiar and people are comfortable with them, the common man will want to cling to old, religious practices even if they come to Christ. It's hard to let go of religious traditions, but such is necessary.

    • It may seem comfortable to keep certain religious traditions, while trying to be a disciple of Jesus, but understand that keeping old traditions will only hinder your faith. 

      • Even if it's uncomfortable, let Christ totally redefine how you serve God, and do only what you find in the Word!