luke-8:1-13

When it comes to the subject of casting out demons, we are prone to fall into the ditch on either side of the road, either downplaying something that is entirely scriptural, or finding demons behind every bush. As with all biblical topics, the truth is found in the middle of the extremes. Certainly ... Lee mas

Luke 8 begins with an account of Jesus expanding His outreach as He traveled from "one city and village to another, proclaiming the kingdom of God" (8:1). Today, at the beginning of chapter nine, we read of His sending out the twelve (9:1). They could obviously reach more villages than He could by H... Lee mas

We, of course, read Jesus' Parable of the Sower and the Soils in Matthew's Gospel three months ago. Let's consider it a little more closely today. It is not a parable about heaven-bound Christians who are more or less receptive to their pastor's sermons. It is a parable that explains why some people... Lee mas

In my article last month, The Limits of God’s Grace, I tried to show how God’s grace is frequently presented in such a manner that it nullifies the numerous scriptures that clearly speak of the absolute necessity of holiness if one is to ultimately gain entrance into heaven. Those scriptures are too... Lee mas

Introduction You are going to love this story. Jesus told it using just one sentence, but with a little imagination, it can easily be expanded without doing any harm to the lesson. A man is walking across a neighbor's field early one morning when something poking through the soil—perhaps exposed fro... Lee mas

“Sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it” (Gen. 4:7, emphasis added). As was pointed out in the previous chapter, our sanctification is a joint effort on the part of God and ourselves. We grow to be progressively more like Jesus as we cooperate with the Father... Lee mas

Recently released from jail, a young communist disciple wrote to his fianceé, breaking off their engagement: We communists have a high casualty rate. We are the ones who get shot and hung and ridiculed and fired from our jobs and in every other way made as uncomfortable as possible. A certain percen... Lee mas

Matthew 21 describes perhaps one of the most impressive praise services ever witnessed. As Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, He was greeted by a multitude of joyful praisers. With great enthusiasm they waved palm branches and shouted "Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in t... Lee mas

An illustrative discourse or story that uses common events and culture and is meant to convey a meaning or lesson. Jesus used parables extensively. Some of the OT parables are Trees Making a King (2 Sam. 12:1-4); The Thistle and the Cedar (2 Kings 14:9); Israel, a Vine Planted by Water (Ezek. 24:101... Lee mas

Grace be with you, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ Glad to be in the presence of all of you again, beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord. Let's pray: Oh God in heaven, we thank you, we love you and we praise you. For being our God and Father, we thank you, Lord, and that w... Lee mas