Everyday Truth with Kurt Skelly

The Argument Jesus Wouldn't Settle

Luke 12:13-21

"He's not being fair!" "Tell him to give me what he owes me!" For most of us, we'd be flattered that somebody trusted our judgement to settle a dispute. Not Jesus though. He took the conversation in an entirely different direction...

 

An Audience of One

Luke 12:1-12

Perhaps you are not familiar with that term: "an audience of one." It means that we should live our lives for the approval of, and in the respect of, one person alone. But how easy is it for us to live for the approval of people or live fearing the rejection of people? Jesus taught a powerful lesson about both the importance of and the reasons for living our lives for the smile of God alone. 

 

Knowing the bible without knowing the bible

Luke 11:45-54

Sounds confusing, huh? But Jesus had some pretty pointed words to say to a group of people called the lawyers. Don't think courtroom; think Old Testament Law. These were men who were experts in the details of the OT Mosaic Law. Yet for all of their intelligence and study, they couldn't see the Law's purpose or discern their own character by it!

Don't forget to wash your hands!

Luke 11:37-44

When I was a boy, I frequently forgot to wash my hands before dinner. My mother would dutifully ask me, "Did you wash your hands?" My reluctant reply caused her to follow up with, "Let me see them." Busted. An off the the bathroom sink I went. Washing hands is important for a number of practical health reasons. So then what did Jesus mean when he told a group of Pharisees that they were wrong for making hand washing such a big deal?

 

Candles don't work if your eyes are shut.

Luke 11:12-36

There are only two reasons people can't physically see, A) there is not light available (as in a cavern) or B) you are blind. Jesus spoke to both of these conditions and related it to our ability to apprehend truth.

More blessed than being the mother of Jesus!

Luke 11:27-32

Can you imagine what a blessing it must have been to grow up with Jesus? After all, he was perfect in all of his ways. It must have been amazing! Yet when one woman actually exclaimed what a blessing it must have been actually to be the mother of Jesus, the Lord answered her in a unique way. 

 

 

A clean house doesn't matter if no-one lives there.

Luke 11:14-26

Who lives in your heart? If it's Jesus, he's not roommates with the devil. In fact, the child of God--indwelt by the Spirit of God--ought to be demonstrating the power of God is every day living! Jesus had a lot to say about this to a group religious people who knew a lot about religious politics, but very little about the actual power of God.

Why do I have to keep on praying? Didn't God hear me the first time?

Luke 11:5-13

Have you ever wondered about those things? God knows everything, so why does he need us to pray over and over about the same thing? Why did Jesus teach about this man that had to ask--almost beg--to get his request answered? 

What do people mimic about you?

Luke 11:1-11

One of my sons is an incredible impersonator! Family dinners were always full of laughs when he would begin his impressions of people we all knew! But idiosyncrasies aside, what if people were to mimic the life you live? What priorities would they embrace? What would you have to teach them to be and to do?

When serving God becomes the problem!

Luke 10:38-42

The Christian life is full of distractions! It seems that Christians are distracted from the Lord by any number of temptations, trials, pleasures, misplaced priorities, etc. But would it surprise you if I said that *serving God* can actually be the problem itself? Yup. It's true. Find out how in today's episode.