Lawrence DeMetrius

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Letter of Apostle Luke – The Gospel
An Intimate Review
Pt 8
By Lawrence DeMetrius

Mortal Ability to Discern Common Truths

In [Lk 12:54-59; 13:10-17; 14:1-6] Jesus Christ addresses one’s natural ability to discern certain truths. King Solomon writes,

If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not He that pondereth the heart consider it? And He that keepeth thy soul, doth not He know it? And shall not He render to every man according to his works?
[Pro 24:12]

Apostle Paul writes,

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
[Rm 1:18, 19]

Although mortals do not know or understand all that is, they do have an innate ability to discern right and wrong. In these passages, Christ was challenged by Hebrew leaders who deemed His acts of compassion profane because He did them on the Sabbath Day. But He checked them outright which discouraged others from interrogating Him further. The acts referred to are the healings of a woman who was inflicted by an evil spirit and another who suffered with dropsy.

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

In [Lk 13:1-9, 23-35] Christ expounds upon the inability to judge the degree of one’s wickedness based on the unfortunate events they have and are experiencing. The examples He gave involved victims of terrifying deaths. However, He emphasized that the most unfortunate death is that of one who transitions to immortality as an unrepentant sinner.
Christ also clarifies that one’s mortal lifetime will expire, at which time unrighteous spirits will be forever banished from the delightful presence of Yahweh. [Eze 18:4, 19-23, 31, 32; Jn 3:19, 36; 8:12] Utilizing The Parable of The Barren Fig Tree, Christ expounds upon the grace that is imparted to repentant mortals, by which they are empowered to live righteously before THE LORD. [Jn 15:5; Rm 3:23-26; II Cor 12:9] He also admonishes all souls to enter in at the strait gate while there is opportunity to do so. [Lk 13:23-30] Yahweh knows and applies the appropriate time needed for each soul to obtain the mind of repentance. In this passage, Apostle Luke notes woes that were specific to the Hebrews who rejected and plotted against Christ during His visitation on earth. [Lk 13:31-35]

The Parables of The Mustard Seed and Of the Leaven

In [Lk 13:18-22] Christ uses The Parables of The Mustard Seed and Of the Leaven to express that no matter how unreceptive people may be to Christ’s Gospel, it is most relevant and must be effectively proclaimed in every nation.

Humility Is the Way to Exaltation

In [Lk 14:7-11] Christ teaches the protocol of taking the lower seat in the house of honorable people. It is the best way to invoke invitation to a higher seat of honor. Apostle Peter writes,

Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for GOD resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of GOD, that HE may exalt you in due time:
[I Pet 5:5b, 6]

Apostle James writes,

Humble yourselves in the sight of THE LORD, and HE shall lift you up.
[Jam 4:10]




The Parable of the Great Supper: Real Ministry Pt 1

In [Lk 14:12-24] Christ instructs His disciples with The Parable of The Great Supper, to offer the holy feast to others, namely those in need and likely unable to recompense them for it. This emphasizes being a good neighbor, seizing opportunity to be hospitable and creating friendly relations. Christ reiterates that true born-again believers are recognized as such by those who are not. Because there are always souls who are predestined to become sons of GOD, it is always appropriate for the Elect to be comfortable with administering the divine Gospel to diverse groups of people. Yahweh’s great feast is always prepared for those who desire to take part in it.

The Value of a Restored Soul: Real Ministry Pt 2

In [Lk 15] Apostle Luke writes of Christ’s devotion to restoring souls to their rightful place in divine worship. He uses three parables to expound upon the value of restored souls and the great rejoicing it invokes throughout the heavenly realms. Apostle Luke again notes how some religious Hebrew leaders detested Christ for his engagement with marginalized communities. Christ warmly received and imparted what He could to them while He had their undivided attention. Indeed, He is the personification of Yahweh’s love for all people. In Yahweh’s perspective, the Life and Blood of Christ was well worth the restoration of souls back to HIMSELF. [St Jn 3:16; II Cor 5:17-19; I Jn 2:1, 2]

All or Nothing: Real Ministry Pt 3

In [Lk 14:25-35] Jesus Christ expressed that whosoever is not ready, willing and able to forsake all to follow Him is not worthy of Him, nor can they become His disciples. He admonishes those who are to count up the cost of being so. He makes it clear that 100% COMMITMENT is required from each of His students. In His perspective, one must give all or nothing of themselves for His cause. [I Cor 8:6; Jn 14:15; Mt 5:19; Jam 4:7]

The Parable of The Unjust Steward: Real Ministry Pt 4

In [Lk 16:1-13] Christ uses The Parable of The Unjust Steward to expound upon wise stewardship. In it He provides the following concepts.
1. When one’s backs is against the wall and they stand to lose something of value, they will find a way to resolve pressing issues. In this parable, the thing valued is NOT stewardship but favor with debtors who could help an UNJUST steward maintain the quality of life he desired, should he be fired from his stewardship position. Furthermore, he entertained no excuses or regrets for his action. [Lk 16:1-3]

2. In pressing circumstances, one’s personal abilities and urgency to effectively utilize them, is fully engaged to quickly produce the needed results. In this parable, the unjust steward expected to lose his stewardship position because of his wastefulness. He knew he would not be able to replenish his employer’s investment, as he should have been able to per the time and goods allotted him. Therefore, he resolved to offer bills of settlement to each of his employer’s debtors at huge discounts. His primary intent was not to pacify his employer but to cushion his fall from stewardship. Ironically, the unjust steward was not lazy or unskilled. He simply did not use his allotted time and talent to their fullest potential. [Lk 16:4-7]

3. Despite the poor return, the employer commended the unjust steward for exercising his ability to act wisely and produce what he was able to at the last minute. [Lk 16:8]

4. Christ is cognizant of one’s priority of stewardship over temporal and spiritual things. In His perspective, those who work diligently to acquire temporal gains are also capable of generating spiritual gains.

Christ expects His disciples to possess His Own mindset in regard to helping redeemable souls, be restored to their spiritual inheritance in THE LORD. He wants them to wisely utilize the authority imparted unto them as stewards in Yahweh’s Kingdom. [Lk 16:8-12; 12:32; Rm 8:14-18] Christ then clarifies that no one can serve or worship Yahweh and mammon, the god of avarice. [Lk 16:13-15] Those who desire temporal wealth, status and pleasures more than spiritual richness in Yahweh, have no room in heart for HIM or the fulfillment of HIS will. [I Jn 2:15-17; Mt 6:24] Without the mindset of Christ, one lacks the ability to be a wise steward in Yahweh’s kingdom and elements thereof. [Lk 12:34]

The Beginning of the New Way Began with the Preaching of John the Baptist

In [Lk 16:16] Jesus Christ said,

The LAW and the PROPHETS were UNTIL JOHN: SINCE THAT TIME the KINGDOM OF GOD is preached, and EVERY man PRESSETH into IT.
[Lk 16:16]

*law Gk #3551 nomos (nom-os) it is…
1. law through the idea of prescriptive usage
2. general regulation specifically that of the Mosaic Law and its volumes
3. the Gospel of Jesus Christ
4. figurative of a principle

*prophets Gk #4396 prophetes (prof-ay-tace) it is a foreteller, inspired speaker and poet

*kingdom Gk #932 basileia (bas-il-i-ah) it is royalty, rule and realm

*preached Gk #2097 euggelizo (yoo-ang-ghel-id-zo) it means to announce good news, especially the Gospel of Jesus Christ

*presseth Gk #971 biazo (bee-ad-zo) it means to force, crowd oneself into, be seized and suffer violence

Per Christ, the divine Gospel has always been a challenge for people to wholeheartedly accept and conform to. However, those who are predestined to worship Yahweh will at their appointed times be endowed with the mind of repentance or change. This is prerequisite to receiving the ability to genuinely embrace Jesus Christ and His Gospel. [St Jn 1:12, 13; 4:23, 24; 6:37-40, 44, 45, 65; 10; Rm 8:28-30; II Tim 2:24-16]






The Subject of Divorce

In [Lk 16:18] Apostle Luke addresses the subject of divorce. Here Christ clarifies that anyone man who marries a divorced woman is guilty of adultery. While divorce is not at all favored of Yahweh, it is not the unpardonable sin. [Lk 12:10; Mk 3:29; Mt 12:31; I Jn 1:8, 10; 5:16, 17] Because some have entered into marriage agreements that were not ordained by THE LORD, there is mercy and forgiveness when they have to resolve them. Per Christ, it is the marriage that Yahweh ordains that no one is to put asunder. [Mt 19:6] In all things, children of Yahweh’s kingdom are to desire the fulfillment of HIS will in their lives. This certainly is inclusive of partnerships in marriage. [Mt 6:10; I Jn 5:14, 15]

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