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

Jesus Christ Was Raised to Life for Our Justification

Romans 4:25 says, “[Jesus Christ] was delivered up for our trespasses and raised to life for our justification.” The first half looks back to Good Friday when Jesus died for our sins. The second half moves to Easter Sunday. This is what we’re celebrating today: Jesus being resurrected for our justification. Justified means, “Declared righteous.” What does this have to do with Jesus’s resurrection? Jesus is our Substitute. He died in our place and took the punishment we deserve. If He stayed dead...

When We Say, “Father Give Me My Share” (Luke 15:11-12 and Exodus 3:11-14:17)

When we say, “Father give me my share,” as the rebellious younger son did in Luke 15:11, we set ourselves up for problems. We always want to have soft, teachable, receptive hearts that are submissive and sensitive to God’s will. We never want to keep pushing for our will when God has made His will clear. The worst that can happen is not that God will keep saying no. The worst that can happen is He can finally let us have our will even to our own detriment.https://youtu.be/ft7lT39Ys4kWhen w...

There Is Joy in Heaven over One Sinner Who Repents (Luke 15:8-10)

In Luke 15, verses eight and 10, Jesus said, “There is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.” Because there are so many people, it is easy to feel like we are not special to God: we are one of who knows how many other people who have been saved? Could our salvation be that meaningful to God? These parables answer that question. There’s joy in heaven, not just over the salvation of hundreds or thousands of people, but over one sinner who repents!https://youtu.be/dOZ7extp6CEJesus said, ...

Jesus Came to Seek and to Save the Lost (Luke 15:3-5 and Matthew 13:44-46)

Jesus said of Himself, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). The Parable of the Lost Sheep, better than any place else in the Gospels, reveals Christ’s heart to seek and to save the lost.https://youtu.be/5SmTMgu3OE0Luke 19:10 says, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” The Parable of the Lost Sheep reveals His heart to save the lost.Table of ContentsFamily Worship GuideSermon NotesLesson One: Jesus seeks and saves the lost, because they’re valua...

What Does the Bible Say About Saving Money?

What does the Bible say about saving money? Does God want us to save money? Read on (or listen) to find out!Table of ContentsWe Develop the Habit of Spending or Saving MoneyThe Bible’s View of Saving MoneyAvoiding Financial RegretsSaving Money the Right WayTaking Advantage of Time and InterestContrast Peter and PaulAccumulating Money Wrong WaysAvoid Gaining Money CorruptlyAvoid Gaining Money QuicklyWhat about Gambling?Is the Stock Market Gambling?Teach Your Children to SaveHelped by GodA...

Are You Burdened by Sin? (Luke 15:2 and Psalm 32:1-5)

Psalm 32:1-4 describes what it feels like being burdened by sin. David was one of the most vibrant and vigorous men in Scripture, but his sin prematurely aged him. His health deteriorated dramatically at an early age, especially in Old Testament times, and especially for a man as physically gifted and strong as he was. The tax collectors and sinners drew near to Jesus to have their sin burdens lifted.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8htGj... 32:1-4 describes being burdened by sin. ...

The Danger of Self-Righteousness and Understanding Justification

The danger of self-righteousness is that it prevents people from recognizing their spiritual sickness. Self-righteous people think they’re spiritually healthy, so they don’t look to the Great Physician. If you’re sick, but you think you’re healthy you don’t know anything’s wrong. You won’t get the medical attention you need. You keep getting worse, often without knowing it. It is dangerous to be physically sick and not know it, but it’s even worse to be spiritually sick and not know it. If you’r...

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...