February 15, 2025 Morning Devotional
Morning Devotion: Read Luke - Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles
Luke 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. 3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. 4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. 5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. 6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.
Imagine having the power cure diseases and having the power over devils. That is what the lord gave His twelve disciples. He sent them out with great power. However, that power came with a caveat; they were to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and that men should repent.
The gospel of Mark gives us further information. Mark 6:11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. 12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent. 13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.
Repentance is one of the greatest obstacles in preaching today. Preachers seldom if ever preach repentance.
Jesus preached repentance. Luke 5:32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
The disciples of the Lord were sent out to preach repentance The church was sent to do them same.
Luke 24:46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Repentance is not turning over a new leaf, nor is it changing a lifestyle, nor is it penance. Repentance is realizing that sin condemns you to hell and making a 180 degree turn toward Jesus and casting yourself at Jesus’ feet seeking God’s mercy, and forgiveness, and Salvation that He has provided in His Son Jesus.
Today, people want Jesus and all His goodness of that relationship, thinking life will be better while clinging to their sin and sinful life. In other words they want salvation and still want to live in their sin.
This is an age old problem. Jeremiah 7:9 Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; 10 And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?
Here is what they were saying, I am delivered, I can live the way I want, I am delivered by God. We see that today in our christian world. They say: I am saved, I can live the way I want. They thought they could live the way they wanted then bring their worship into the house of God as if everything was ok. God said NO!
Jesus saves us from sin, He didn’t save so we could continue in sin. Why in the world would Jesus have to go through so much in sacrificing, and suffering, and dying for sin if all one would do is continue to live in sin. That my friend is a silly oxymoron and an indicator that one may not be saved at all.
If you claim to be saved and continue to live in sin, you may want to question your relationship with God.
The choice is still yours,
Pastor Cook
