5 Minute SONspotshttp://www.sonspots.org/index.htmlBible studies and interviews from SONlightendavid.tate@sonspots.orgCopyright 2009 SONlight Foundation2010-07-30T13:30:32-05:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Wed, 27 May 2009 13:48:12 -0500SONlight5 Minute SONspotssonlight, sonspots, sunlight, sunspots, bible study, interviewSONlight's 5 Minute SONspots. Broadcasting since 1977.Five minute long bible studies progressing through the bible thoroughly verse by verse. Combined with 5 minute interviews with Christian men and women. Broadcast on radio stations worldwide. The five minute discipleship companion to SONlight's 60 second evangelism spots.29.798877-95.496299http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/http://www.sonspots.orghttp://www.sonspots.org/link_files/SONspots-Logo-Small_1.png5 Minute SONspots5-Minute-SONspotshttp://feedburner.google.comSubscribe with PodnovaSubscribe with NewsGatorSubscribe with NetvibesSubscribe with PageflakesSubscribe with My Yahoo!Subscribe with ODEOSubscribe with GoogleSubscribe with PlusmoSubscribe with The Free DictionarySubscribe with Bitty BrowserSubscribe with NewsAlloySubscribe with Live.comSubscribe with Excite MIXSubscribe with Attensa for OutlookSubscribe with WebwagSubscribe with Podcast ReadySubscribe with FlurrySubscribe with WikioSubscribe with Daily RotationThank you for expressing interest in SONlight's 5 Minute SONspot program. Each new message is added to the podcast the day it is broadcast on KHCB 105.7FM in Houston, TX. If you have any questions about any of these messages or wish to discuss a particular message, leave a comment on that message on our blog page. www.SONspots.org/blog7631 - Centurion's Servantdavid.tate@sonspots.orgBible Study2010-07-23T13:29:27-05:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/5-Minute-SONspots/~3/FN-wX1DBhFk/7631-Centurions-Servant.phphttp://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7631-Centurions-Servant.php#unique-entry-id-229
Let’s study Luke 7, verses 1-10.
When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue." So Jesus went with them.
He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, `Go,' and he goes; and that one, `Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, `Do this,' and he does it."

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

Dr. Luke, as a gentile, was sensitive to the ethnic conflict between Jew and Gentile. At the same time he was keenly aware that all people need to have a faith relationship with Jesus Christ.

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]]>A general has authority over his troops, but Jesus has authority over everything. - Luke 7:1-10http://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7631-Centurions-Servant.php#unique-entry-id-229http://www.sonspots.org/files/podcast_229.mp37630 - Wise and Foolish Buildersdavid.tate@sonspots.orgBible Study2010-07-21T13:29:21-05:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/5-Minute-SONspots/~3/LTJ88uF-hAk/7630-Wise-and-Foolish-Builders.phphttp://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7630-Wise-and-Foolish-Builders.php#unique-entry-id-228
In our study of Luke we come to a passage today that is known by many boys and girls from Sunday school lessons. It is a passage that most Christians are familiar with, but one that deserves a bit more consideration. From Luke 6:46-49:

Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.

This is the same lesson that many of us have heard before, and is a nearly identical telling of the same illustration that Jesus gave in his Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7:24-27. Many might be more familiar with the text of that passage, but in Luke we gain some additional insight.

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]]>Sometimes that which is familiar to us eludes our notice. - Luke 6:46-49http://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7630-Wise-and-Foolish-Builders.php#unique-entry-id-228http://www.sonspots.org/files/podcast_228.mp37629 - Bad Fruitdavid.tate@sonspots.orgBible Study2010-07-19T13:29:05-05:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/5-Minute-SONspots/~3/u-3JgfkL4wU/7629-Bad-Fruit.phphttp://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7629-Bad-Fruit.php#unique-entry-id-227
In our study of Luke we have come to chapter 6 and an illustration from Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain about fruit, both good and bad.

From Luke 6:43-45:
No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

The principle here is communicated through the illustration that good trees produce good fruit, and bad trees produce bad fruit. This would have been an example that was clear to his audience of people that were closely connected to agriculture and raising and eating fruit.

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]]>The only thing that rotten fruit is good for is to be thrown out and used for compost. - Luke 6:43-45http://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7629-Bad-Fruit.php#unique-entry-id-227http://www.sonspots.org/files/podcast_227.mp37628 - Judge Notdavid.tate@sonspots.orgBible Study2010-07-16T13:28:50-05:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/5-Minute-SONspots/~3/CjljRiFXN2Y/7628-Judge-Not.phphttp://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7628-Judge-Not.php#unique-entry-id-226
Jesus taught us very clearly the danger of judging others. Lets look at Luke 6:37-42.

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

He also told them this parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, `Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.”

This passage continues the words of Jesus as He delivered the “Sermon On The Plain.” He extends his teaching about attitudes that would permeate his followers.

Judge not! The principle given says that a believer does not take over God’s role and judge either an outsider or a fellow Christian. This is not the role for a believer. We are never called upon to pass sentence upon another person. Such an action would be sin.

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]]>Each of us is to be very careful to apply the same standards and expectations of behavior to ourselves as we do to others. - Luke 6:37-42http://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7628-Judge-Not.php#unique-entry-id-226http://www.sonspots.org/files/podcast_226.mp37627 - Ethics of Lovedavid.tate@sonspots.orgBible Study2010-07-14T13:28:33-05:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/5-Minute-SONspots/~3/ID_FA6AYFjg/7627-Ethics-of-Love.phphttp://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7627-Ethics-of-Love.php#unique-entry-id-225
Is the definition of love, as viewed by the world system, the same as God’s definition of love? Listen to Luke 6:27-36 and we’ll talk more.

"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even `sinners' love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even `sinners' do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even `sinners' lend to `sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

This discourse by Jesus came from his lips during what some people call ‘The Sermon On The Plain.’ Many people were listening, including the twelve men Jesus had appointed to be His apostles a short time before these words were spoken.

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]]>Jesus spoke of many things in His ministry on earth, but what He taught us about Love is particularly important. - Luke 6:27-36http://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7627-Ethics-of-Love.php#unique-entry-id-225http://www.sonspots.org/files/podcast_225.mp37626 - Blessings and Woesdavid.tate@sonspots.orgBible Study2010-07-12T13:28:10-05:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/5-Minute-SONspots/~3/hIBX907WWqI/7626-Blessings-and-Woes.phphttp://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7626-Blessings-and-Woes.php#unique-entry-id-224
Today we will be studying Luke 6:17-26. Pay attention to the contrasts in this passage:

He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon, who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by evil spirits were cured, and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.

Looking at his disciples, he said:
"Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when men hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.

"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.
"But woe to you who are rich,
for you have already received your comfort.
Woe to you who are well fed now,
for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will mourn and weep.
Woe to you when all men speak well of you,
for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.

We notice that at this time the crowds continued to seek Jesus. All kinds of people thronged to Jesus, from near and far.

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]]>In His Sermon on the Plain, Jesus taught us that things are not always how they appear to be. - Luke 6:17-26http://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7626-Blessings-and-Woes.php#unique-entry-id-224http://www.sonspots.org/files/podcast_224.mp37625 - Twelve Selecteddavid.tate@sonspots.orgBible Study2010-07-09T13:27:50-05:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/5-Minute-SONspots/~3/U9pDAHn5v0I/7625-Twelve-Selected.phphttp://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7625-Twelve-Selected.php#unique-entry-id-223
In our study of Luke’s Gospel, today we study about Jesus appointing twelve disciples to be apostles.

Listen as I read Luke 6:12-16.
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Matthew, Mark and Luke all give a list of the names of the twelve men Jesus appointed to be apostles. The first chapter of Acts also has a list.

This is an awesome act in history. First we find the Son of God, in perfect fellowship with His Father, setting aside twelve men to be trained for the task of being used to establish and nurture the Church — the body of Christ — and to be leaders in this first century work of God.

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]]>God has a plan for all of us, and today we look aat His choosing of 12 men and His plans for them. - Luke 6:12-16http://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7625-Twelve-Selected.php#unique-entry-id-223http://www.sonspots.org/files/podcast_223.mp37624 - A Withered Hand Restoreddavid.tate@sonspots.orgBible Study2010-07-07T12:59:24-05:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/5-Minute-SONspots/~3/HCa31RhizKM/7624-A-Withered-Hand-Restored.phphttp://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7624-A-Withered-Hand-Restored.php#unique-entry-id-222
Today we study the fifth confrontation of Jesus with the Pharisees in this section. In the first confrontation (Lk. 5:17-26) the Pharisees objected to Jesus forgiving sin. The second time (Lk. 5:29-32) found them accusing Jesus of associating with sinners. In the third conflict (Lk. 5:33-39) the Pharisees objected to the fact that Jesus and his disciples did not fast. Number four (Lk. 6:1-5) was the accusation by the Pharisees that the disciples were unlawfully working on the Sabbath by picking heads of grain, cleaning them and eating.

Let’s look at Luke 6:6-11 and we will talk more.

On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Get up and stand in front of everyone." So he got up and stood there.

Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?"

He looked around at them, and then said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was completely restored. But they were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.

Since Jesus could read their hearts He knew their thoughts and motivations. He knew they were prideful and oppressive. In John’s Gospel (7:19) He boldly announces that even though they taught obedience to the Law and required others to keep it strictly, that not one of them kept the law. This is why He would call them hypocrites.

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]]>Jesus and the Pharisees never really got along, because the Pharisees were too focused on obeying their outward tradition, but Jesus was focused on love and people’s inward condition. - Luke 6:6-11http://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7624-A-Withered-Hand-Restored.php#unique-entry-id-222http://www.sonspots.org/files/podcast_222.mp37623 - The Lord of the Sabbathdavid.tate@sonspots.orgBible Study2010-07-05T15:02:56-05:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/5-Minute-SONspots/~3/_WX25xjo5SA/7623-The-Lord-of-the-Sabbath.phphttp://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7623-The-Lord-of-the-Sabbath.php#unique-entry-id-221
In our study of the Gospel of Luke we are now entering the sixth chapter. The passage for today presents yet another effort by the Pharisees to discredit Jesus. He did not fit into their expectations of a conquering Messiah who would overthrow the Romans and establish the kingdom of God on earth.

But let’s read Luke 6:1-5; then we can discuss it:
One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grain fields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels. Some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”

Jesus answered them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” Then Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

The underlying problem was the restrictive rules, which had been imposed upon the Jewish people for observance of the Sabbath. In this way the Pharisees had become Lord of the Sabbath. These traditional rules went far beyond the requirements of the Mosaic Law.

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]]>We can often get attached to our traditions of the conventional rules of society, but God’s rules are the ones we need to pay attention to. - Luke 6:1-5http://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7623-The-Lord-of-the-Sabbath.php#unique-entry-id-221http://www.sonspots.org/files/podcast_221.mp37622 - Something Newdavid.tate@sonspots.orgBible Study2010-07-02T15:02:18-05:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/5-Minute-SONspots/~3/r4XwUV1u9Gk/7622-Something-New.phphttp://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7622-Something-New.php#unique-entry-id-220
In our study of the book of Luke we are in Luke 5:33-39 today. I’ll read this passage and then we can discuss them.

They said to him, "John's disciples often fast and pray, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours go on eating and drinking."

Jesus answered, "Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast."

He told them this parable: "No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old one. If he does, he will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says, `The old is better.'"

This passage is yet another confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees.

The word Pharisee comes from the term ‘separated.’ They practiced keeping a distance between themselves and the people, for they did not want to become defiled. The Pharisees were ‘proud’ people. They lived to make a good appearance. They kept conspicuous habits that were meant to ‘call attention’ to their holiness. Jesus kept pointing out that even good things done with wrong motives were empty.

In this passage the Pharisees have raised the issue of fasting. A fast was meant to be a time of refraining from food in order the pray.

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]]>Jesus often used parables to bring large ideas within the grasp of His audience. - Luke 5:33-39http://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7622-Something-New.php#unique-entry-id-220http://www.sonspots.org/files/podcast_220.mp37621 - The Call of Matthewdavid.tate@sonspots.orgBible Study2010-06-30T15:00:43-05:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/5-Minute-SONspots/~3/XoMuObxuN7o/7621-The-Call-of-Matthew.phphttp://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7621-The-Call-of-Matthew.php#unique-entry-id-219
In our study today Jesus calls a Jewish man by the name of Levi to join his followers.

I will read Luke 5:27-32. Listen:
After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.

Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and `sinners'?"

Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

In those days some people had Roman names in addition to their Jewish name. Levi was also known as Matthew as he’s called in the book of Matthew, which he authored under the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

Levi was a Jew who worked for the Romans as the area’s tax collector. Capernaum was an important custom post on the caravan route between Damascus, in the northeast, and the coast of the Mediterranean. Most Jews had no respect for these collaborators with the Romans, since some overcharged the people and kept the profits.

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]]>Jesus calls people from all walks of life to follow Him. Even those professions that are scorned by society. - Luke 5:27-32http://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7621-The-Call-of-Matthew.php#unique-entry-id-219http://www.sonspots.org/files/podcast_219.mp37620 - Lillian - Abortion and Forgivenessdavid.tate@sonspots.orgInterview2010-06-28T14:59:50-05:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/5-Minute-SONspots/~3/B9PW0g8d-uE/7620-Lillian-Abortion-and-Forgiveness.phphttp://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7620-Lillian-Abortion-and-Forgiveness.php#unique-entry-id-218
Her background was a mental health nurse, and after having served in the past in missions overseas, she is now moving towards entering missions again after retirement. She will be serving as a Finisher with Operation Mobilisation, and is considering serving in a position on the Logos Hope with 450+ people in missions work on this ship.

She is also considering service in Haiti, or with other opportunities, but she is patiently waiting for the Lord’s leading. She then shares a young man’s testimony of service on the Doulos ship after 2 years serving with OM.

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]]>http://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7620-Lillian-Abortion-and-Forgiveness.php#unique-entry-id-218http://www.sonspots.org/files/podcast_218.mp37619 - A Paralytic Walksdavid.tate@sonspots.orgBible Study2010-06-25T14:59:31-05:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/5-Minute-SONspots/~3/6dM1DPrwFb4/7619-A-Paralytic-Walks.phphttp://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7619-A-Paralytic-Walks.php#unique-entry-id-217
Our Scripture portion for study today is Luke 5:17-26. It relates how Jesus healed a paralytic who then walked away carrying the mat on which he had been so helpless.

Listen as I read the scripture: Luke 5:17-26:
One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick.
Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."

The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, "Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, `Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, `Get up and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. . . ." He said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today."

We are told that many Pharisees were around Jesus in this passage. This is the first use of the word ‘Pharisee’ in Luke’s gospel. The name Pharisee literally comes from the term ‘separated.’

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]]>We all generally understand the value of good friendships, and in this study we consider a man who had very good friends. - Luke 5:17-26http://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7619-A-Paralytic-Walks.php#unique-entry-id-217http://www.sonspots.org/files/podcast_217.mp37618 - Leper Healeddavid.tate@sonspots.orgBible Study2010-06-23T14:55:00-05:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/5-Minute-SONspots/~3/2bubOi43YBQ/7618-Leper-Healed.phphttp://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7618-Leper-Healed.php#unique-entry-id-216
In the fifth chapter of Luke we see the authority Jesus had over illness and disease clearly demonstrated. Two different miracles of this nature are given there.

Today we will investigate how a leper was healed by the power of God as expressed through Jesus Christ.

Let me read Luke 5:12-16:
While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell on his face to the ground and begged him, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" And immediately the leprosy left him. Then Jesus ordered him, "Don't tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them." Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

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]]>Jesus was never one to avoid interacting with the outcasts of society. - Luke 5:12-16http://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7618-Leper-Healed.php#unique-entry-id-216http://www.sonspots.org/files/podcast_216.mp37617 - Call of Four Fishermendavid.tate@sonspots.orgBible Study2010-06-21T15:07:42-05:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/5-Minute-SONspots/~3/XPefYZfag48/7617-Call-of-Four-Fishermen.phphttp://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7617-Call-of-Four-Fishermen.php#unique-entry-id-215
We are now in Chapter 5 in the Gospel of Luke.

Today we’ll talk about Jesus calling his first four disciples. Listen as I read Luke 5:1-11:

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."

Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."

When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners.

Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men."

This interaction between these fishermen and Jesus was not their first meeting. Jesus had met these four men during the first year of his ministry, when he visited John the Baptist in the region of the Jordan.

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]]>As we consider the call of four fishermen, remember that all of us have been called to something. - Luke 5:1-11http://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7617-Call-of-Four-Fishermen.php#unique-entry-id-215http://www.sonspots.org/files/podcast_215.mp37616 - Jesus Prayeddavid.tate@sonspots.orgBible Study2010-06-18T14:50:10-05:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/5-Minute-SONspots/~3/MHk8Bpu3V1I/7616-Jesus-Prayed.phphttp://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7616-Jesus-Prayed.php#unique-entry-id-214
In our study through the Gospel of Luke we have come to Luke 4, verses 42-44. They tell us:

At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. But he said, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent." And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

The events in this portion of Scripture occurred about a year and one-half after Jesus began His ministry. These scenes are from the beginning of the first tour of Galilee, which Jesus made with the four fishermen whom He called to follow Him. Two sets of brothers, James and John, and Peter and Andrew, were chosen by Jesus to be mentored by Him.

The thing we notice in this passage is that at daybreak Jesus sought a lonely place. The parallel passage in Mark 1 (35) tells us he rose in order to have time for prayer. If you recall, at this time multitudes of people sought Jesus to help solve their particular problem or heal their diseases. So Jesus needed some quiet time to prepare for meeting and ministering to people.

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]]>Jesus’ example of quiet prayer and conversation with God the Father should serve as a strong reminder of its importance in our lives. - Luke 4:42-44http://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7616-Jesus-Prayed.php#unique-entry-id-214http://www.sonspots.org/files/podcast_214.mp37615 - Authority Over Spiritsdavid.tate@sonspots.orgBible Study2010-06-16T14:42:52-05:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/5-Minute-SONspots/~3/xeAsLJL5b40/7615-Authority-Over-Spirits.phphttp://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7615-Authority-Over-Spirits.php#unique-entry-id-213
Today we are searching Luke 4:31-40 (edit: not verse 41). Let me read those verses:
Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath began to teach the people. They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority.

In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, "Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are --the Holy One of God!"

"Be quiet!" Jesus said sternly. "Come out of him!" Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.

All the people were amazed and said to each other, "What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!" And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.

Jesus left the synagogue and went to the house of Simon. Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.

When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.

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]]>Jesus demonstrated that he had authority over spirits and sickness. - Luke 4:31-40http://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7615-Authority-Over-Spirits.php#unique-entry-id-213http://www.sonspots.org/files/podcast_213.mp37614 - "Lillian" - Saved and Full of Joydavid.tate@sonspots.orgInterview2010-06-14T14:04:06-05:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/5-Minute-SONspots/~3/Xdma41rX7_I/7614-Lillian-Saved-and-Full-of-Joy.phphttp://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7614-Lillian-Saved-and-Full-of-Joy.php#unique-entry-id-212
Her background was a mental health nurse, and after having served in the past in missions overseas, she is now moving towards entering missions again after retirement. She will be serving as a Finisher with Operation Mobilisation, and is considering serving in a position on the Logos Hope with 450+ people in missions work on this ship.

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]]>“Lillian” shares with us her testimony and the ways in which the Lord has saved her and blessed her with a fullness of joy..http://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7614-Lillian-Saved-and-Full-of-Joy.php#unique-entry-id-212http://www.sonspots.org/files/podcast_212.mp37613 - Rejection at Nazarethdavid.tate@sonspots.orgBible Study2010-06-11T13:22:42-05:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/5-Minute-SONspots/~3/s_jfSPzxq6E/7613-Rejection-at-Nazareth.phphttp://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7613-Rejection-at-Nazareth.php#unique-entry-id-211
We are now studying in Luke 4. Listen to verses 14-21:
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.

He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

In the first sentence we find that Jesus was “in the power of the Spirit.” This truth characterizes the years of ministry of Jesus Christ. Jesus lived in the dynamics of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and also of Father God living in and through Him. In the Gospel of John, Chapter 14 (v.10) Jesus told His disciples that “it is the Father living in me, who is doing His work.” This accounted for the continual flow of divine power through Jesus.

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]]>Let’s consider the message that Jesus brought to the people of his hometown. - Luke 4:14-21http://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7613-Rejection-at-Nazareth.php#unique-entry-id-211http://www.sonspots.org/files/podcast_211.mp37612 - Third Temptationdavid.tate@sonspots.orgBible Study2010-06-09T13:07:47-05:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/5-Minute-SONspots/~3/4oI_nZlIis8/7612-Third-Temptation.phphttp://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7612-Third-Temptation.php#unique-entry-id-210
In our study through the Gospel of Luke we have progressed to Luke 4 where we are told the devil tempted Jesus for forty days. Scripture then gives us three examples of the devil’s temptation.

We have already studied the first two. To review: The first came when Jesus was hungry. In a deceitful way the devil challenged Jesus to prove He was the Son of God by creating bread from a stone.

Satan’s question regarding the deity and position as God’s Son sought to drive Jesus to show pride and prove this fact. They both knew Jesus was the Son of God, but Satan was prodding Jesus to pridefully prove this fact. If Jesus had become prideful that would have been sin, and the sin would have destroyed Jesus as well as God’s plan of redemption for mankind. Jesus calmly rebuked the devil and continued to look to His Father to provide His every need.

Temptation two was a brazen invitation for Jesus to join Satan’s rebellious campaign against Father God.

True to form, the devil deceitfully offered Jesus a short cut to power over kingdoms on earth. This would be given to Jesus by the devil if Jesus would worship him. That’s an invitation for Jesus to become a part of his evil, rebellious forces, to turn against Father God. Again Jesus stood firm in the power of God and rebuked the devil.

Today we examine the third temptation of this series.

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]]>Temptation was something that even Jesus experienced. - Luke 4:9-12http://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7612-Third-Temptation.php#unique-entry-id-210http://www.sonspots.org/files/podcast_210.mp37610 - Second Temptationdavid.tate@sonspots.orgBible Study2010-06-04T09:57:29-05:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/5-Minute-SONspots/~3/1VJmPZ4l01I/7610-Second-Temptation.phphttp://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7610-Second-Temptation.php#unique-entry-id-209
In our study of Luke we are carefully looking at the temptations which the devil laid before Jesus, seeking to compromise his sinless, perfect character. Today we will focus on the second of this series of three battles. Listen to Luke 4:5-8:

The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours." Jesus answered, "It is written: `Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.' "

This passage is an awesome display of the devil and his evil character in stark contrast to Jesus and His yielded, trusting character.

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]]>Resisting temptation is so important in each of our lives, and it was even more important in the life of Jesus. - Luke 4:5-8http://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7610-Second-Temptation.php#unique-entry-id-209http://www.sonspots.org/files/podcast_209.mp37611 - "Lillian" - Operation Mobilisationdavid.tate@sonspots.orgInterview2010-06-07T09:33:25-05:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/5-Minute-SONspots/~3/6BjXEl_H0R4/7611-Lillian-Operation-Mobilisation.phphttp://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7611-Lillian-Operation-Mobilisation.php#unique-entry-id-208
Her background is as a mental health nurse, and after having served in the past in missions overseas, she is now moving towards entering missions again after retirement. She will be serving as a Finisher with Operation Mobilisation, and is considering serving in a position on the Logos Hope with 450+ people in missions work on this ship.

She is also considering service in Haiti, or with other opportunities, but she is patiently waiting for the Lord’s leading. She then shares a young man’s testimony of service on the Doulos ship after 2 years serving with OM.

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]]>“Lillian” shares with us about her experiences with Operation Mobilisation http://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7611-Lillian-Operation-Mobilisation.php#unique-entry-id-208http://www.sonspots.org/files/podcast_208.mp37609 - First Temptationdavid.tate@sonspots.orgBible Study2010-06-02T08:43:35-05:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/5-Minute-SONspots/~3/QkUatTTs-90/7609-First-Temptation.phphttp://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7609-First-Temptation.php#unique-entry-id-207
We are studying the book of Luke and are now in Chapter Four which tells us about the devil’s temptations of Jesus early in His ministry.

Today, let’s to focus upon the first in this series of three testings.

At this early point in the public ministry of Jesus, God arranged for Jesus to demonstrate to a sinful, hurting world, as well as to Satan that although Jesus was fully human and was subject to human temptations just like all of us.

Equally important was that Jesus – the Son of Man – was able to demonstrate to all men that God had a plan and had provided resources so that men and women could victoriously stand against the devil while living here on earth. You see, God knew that there would be spiritual battles, and He did not leave us helpless.

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]]>Our struggles with temptation are not easy, but Jesus has demonstrated how we ought to stand firm. - Luke 4:1-4http://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7609-First-Temptation.php#unique-entry-id-207http://www.sonspots.org/files/podcast_207.mp3First Time Preachingdavid.tate@sonspots.orgBlog2010-06-06T14:59:01-05:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/5-Minute-SONspots/~3/boF_-H9qw4k/First-Time-Preaching.phphttp://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/First-Time-Preaching.php#unique-entry-id-206Magnolia Bible Church on Sunday. It was a great responsibility, and I was thankful for the opportunity and greatly appreciative that the Lord enabled the message to go very well.

Pastor Scot Wall was out of town leading a retreat at Camp Peniel, and he extended me the invitation to come preach in his place. It was an intimidating opportunity, and was something that I went into with great respect for the responsibility of bringing a message to the body of Christ in that setting.

I thought it went well, and was very affirmed and incredibly encouraged by the many positive responses after the service. My contact at the church, one of the elders, was very surprised that it was only my first time preaching, as he thought that I did an excellent job.

Joe Wall, Scot’s dad and the Executive Vice President of East West Ministries, was also very surprised to learn that it was my first time, and made the very encouraging remark that he felt that the Lord might have a calling in my life to do this more.

David Preaching

Faith During the Drought
For this sermon I am preaching on 1 Kings 17.

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]]>David Tate preaching at Magnolia Bible Church on 1 Kings 17 - Faith During the Droughthttp://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/First-Time-Preaching.php#unique-entry-id-206http://www.sonspots.org/files/podcast_206.mp37608 - "Lillian" - Missions After Retirementdavid.tate@sonspots.orgInterview2010-05-31T13:32:41-05:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/5-Minute-SONspots/~3/6DzprvoI5Dk/7608-Lillian-Missions-After-Retirement.phphttp://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7608-Lillian-Missions-After-Retirement.php#unique-entry-id-205
She entered the mission field for the first time when she was 40, and after she finished serving in Romania she came back to the states and finished her career as a nurse. Now after officially retiring she is moving towards re-entering the mission field (probably full-time). She will be serving as a Finisher with Operation Mobilisation.

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]]>“Lillian” shares with us about her experiences with Bible smuggling and currently with being involved in missions work after retiring from her work as a nurse.http://www.sonspots.org/blog/files/7608-Lillian-Missions-After-Retirement.php#unique-entry-id-205http://www.sonspots.org/files/podcast_205.mp3