Scott LaPierre's Blog: Scott LaPierre | Living God's Way | Pastor, Author, and Speaker, page 23

Tax Collectors and Sinners Draw Near to Jesus (Luke 15:1 and Haggai 2:10-13)

Luke 15:1 says, “Tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to Jesus.” The end of the previous chapter contains the strongest verses in all of Scripture regarding discipleship. Jesus preached them because the crowds were bloated. They were filled with people who weren’t true disciples. Jesus wanted to thin the ranks. The tax collectors and sinners not only remained but drew closer to him. They were tired of their spiritual sickness, and wanted to be made well. Are you spiritually sick? The...

How Does God View Mortgages?

We know how God views debt. We have also looked at the national debt, credit card debt, and automobile debt. But how does God view mortgages? What does the Bible say about mortgages? Read on (or listen) to find out!Table of ContentsOur StoryBeing Upside Down in Your MortgageThree Ways to Avoid a MortgageFirst, Consider a RentalSecond, Live ModestlyThird, Purchase a Starter HomeTwo Pieces of Advice If You Decide to Purchase a MortgageFirst, Understand "Qualifying"Second, Choose a 15-Year Vers...

First Sit Down and Count the Cost, So You Don’t Start and Then Stop (Luke 14:28-35)

In Luke 14:28 Jesus said, “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?” Jesus wanted to prevent people from starting to follow him and then stopping later. Expectations shape experiences. When you know the cost involved in following Christ, there’s a better chance of persevering. So, he used two illustrations that both involve foresight. He wants us to have the foresight to NOT be like the failed tower-builder. In...

Consequences of National Debt, Credit Card Debt, and Automobile Debt

Our national debt, credit card debt, and automobile debt have many negative consequences. Let's look at each of them.Table of ContentsOur National DebtBiting the Bullet to Pay Off Our National DebtSacrificing Our Children's Future for Our PresentThe Bible's Condemnation of Our National DebtHow Much Debt Do We Individually Have?Credit Card DebtAutomobile DebtWe can get an elevated view of debt by considering the situation in our country. Then we can zoom in and look at the situation in ho...

Jesus Said, “You Cannot Be My Disciple If…” (Luke 14:27)

It is as though Jesus said, “You cannot be my disciple if you won’t do these things.” This is probably the clearest teaching on discipleship in all of Scripture. “Great crowds” followed Jesus. While many popular religious leaders would try to make the crowds even larger, Jesus seemed to try to stop people from following Him. Of all the statements He made that turned people away, we have reached the most shocking: “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple” (Luke...

How Does God View Debt?

How does God view debt? First, let me share a story that illustrates the world's view of debt...A man came home with a fancy new car. His wife asked, “Why did you buy that? We can’t afford a new car, and there was nothing wrong with our old car.”The man answered, “Our old car needed a new battery.”His wife replied, “Then why didn’t you just buy a new battery?”The man said, “Well, I was faced with a choice. A new battery cost $100 and a new car cost $25,000, and they wanted me to ...

What Does It Mean to Love Christ? (Luke 14:26)

What does it mean to love Christ? In Luke 14:26 Jesus said, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” We know Jesus didn’t literally mean to hate our parents, spouse, children, and siblings, because that would contradict other verses:First Timothy 5:8 says, “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the ...

The Virgin Shall Conceive and Bear a Son, Immanuel (Isaiah 7:1-14)

Isaiah 7:14 says, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and call his name Immanuel (which means God with Us).” Prophecy can have a near, partial fulfillment and a future, greater fulfillment. In Isaiah’s day a young girl was a virgin. She would get married, cease being a virgin, have a child, and name that child, Immanuel. There is nothing miraculous about this birth, other than God predicted it. When Ahaz saw this child named Immanuel, he would think of Isaiah’s words and the child...

Jesus said, “If Anyone Comes After Me and Does Not…” (Luke 14:25-26)

In Luke 14:26 Jesus said, “If anyone comes after me and does not…” and then he listed things that make it seem like He tried to discourage people from following Him. In this sermon we looked at a few other examples of this happening. Because if Jesus said these things in His day and they’re recorded for us, then we should hear the same thing in our day so that we know what is involved in following Him.Table of ContentsFamily Worship GuideSermon NotesJesus said, “If anyone comes after me,” th...

A King Gave a Great Banquet and Invited Many (Luke 14:15-24)

In the Parable of the Great Banquet in Luke 14:15-24, Jesus said, “A king gave a great banquet and invited many.” Those who had been invited began to make excuses, which represent the excuses many people give to the gospel. In response to the king invited the Gentiles, and all those who are poor, crippled, blind, and lame. Spiritually speaking these people represent all of us. Do we make excuses too?Table of Contents for A King Gave a Great Banquet and Invited ManyFamily Worship Guide for A ...