Luke 5:27-32; Luke 14:1-6, 12-14; Luke 15:1-2; Luke 19:1-10; John 13:1-5, 12-30
We are loved. How can we not then be happy? How can we not love, others, as we have been loved?
We have been forgiven of our sins… and this, by God, how can we not be relieved and grateful, and, want that (relief) for others? (1Cor 6:11; Eph 2:1-10)
Blessed, happy, are the poor in spirit… - “I have nothing to give… nothing of my own... but you accept me, anyway…”
Blessed, happy, are those who mourn… - “I have sinned, I sin, I am sorry… but, you forgive me, you comfort me…”
How many of us are happy to be here? To know that we are loved by God and welcome? Just glad that we could come in and be… accepted by God and others…?
An inventory of this past week...
How many of us are acceptable based on our performance last week?
How many of us wish we had acted differently in the moment?
How many of us wish we had “done” better?
So now…
How many of us are happy, glad, relieved, that God loves us in Jesus and does not treat us as our sin deserves, but is merciful, patient, tolerant, and kind, and invites us into fellowship with Him - seeing, knowing, that we are works in progress, progressing, working the process… with Him? (Psalm 103; Rom 2; 5; 7&8; 1Peter 1)
Quick survey of Luke… Jesus eats and eats some more - Luke 5:27-32; Luke 14:1-6, 12-14; Luke 15:1-2; Luke 19:1-10
● Accept - those who sin
● Condone - not, the behavior
● Patient - long suffering, slow in avenging wrongs, long-tempered, avoids the premature use of force (retribution) that rises out of improper anger...
● Tolerant - to restrain, forebear
2Cor 6:17 “...be separate…” (see 1Cor 5:9-10)
The privilege of “being” Jesus to the lost… (Prov 4:18; Matt 5:13-16; John 5:18; Acts 4:13)
1Peter 2:11-25; 3:8-22
Come to the table… John 13:1-5, 12-30
