Lk14:25-35 Decision Point

# Decision Point
## Luke 14:25-35
[Hạ Long Bay, Vietnam. Vincent Guth](https://unsplash.com/photos/3sR_0NhWMEI "caption")

>>>
+ This is where we are:
  + 1 **month** since BC declared a
  + public health **emerg** COVID19.
+ Coronavirus is **destructive** + spreading
+ We're all **isolating** in our homes
  + only going out for **essential** trips
  + e.g. **groceries** or **doctor**.
+ We're **connecting** with people via
  + **phone** and internet, but
+ we're not going **out** to visit
  + **friends**, or **church** family,
  + and definitely not our **seniors** --
  + for their own **protection**!
+ It's **stressful**, and in times like these,
  + it's hard to **think** about
+ what it **means** to:

---

# How do I **follow** Christ in times of **crisis**?

>>>
+ anxious for **loved** ones
  + fearful for **economy**, finances
  + frust. can't do **activities** we want
+ in the midst of a **pandemic**,
  + does it even **matter**
  + whether we **follow** Christ or not?
+ As dive into today's passage in **Lk14**
  + we'll see that **esp** during crisis,
+ we need to turn our attention to
  + behold the **Lamb** of God
  + who takes away the **sin** of the world

______
**[BRIEF PRAYER]**

---

## [Luke:](# "ref") The **Kingdom** of God
+ Jesus uses many **parables** to describe
 + What the kingdom of God is *like*, and
 + Who will *enter* it
+ [(14:15-24)](# "ref") Parable of the **banquet**:
 + "*Compel* people to come in, that my house may be *filled*."

[Brandenburg Alps, Austria.  Paul Gilmore](https://unsplash.com/photos/qKIaA41lMjM "caption")

>>>
+ In Luke, Jesus **tells** us
  + what the **kingdom** of God is like, by
+ how He **heals** + performs miracles,
  + teaching in **parables**, and
  + His **actions** leading to the cross
+ **Last** time, in ch14, the **kingdom** is
  + a joyful **celebration**, that
  + **we**, too often, reject.
+ **Today's** passage focuses on the
  + **commitment** required to
  + be Jesus' **disciples**.

******
[25](# "ref")
Now great crowds accompanied him, 
and he turned and said to them,

[26](# "ref")
“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.

[Luke 14:25-35 (ESV) (p.1/6)](# "ref")

******
[27](# "ref")
Whoever does not bear his own cross 
and come after me cannot be my disciple.

[28](# "ref")
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?

[Luke 14:25-35 (ESV) (p.2/6)](# "ref")

******
[29](# "ref")
Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation 
and is not able to finish,

all who see it begin to mock him,
[30](# "ref")
saying, 
‘This man began to build 
and was not able to finish.’

[Luke 14:25-35 (ESV) (p.3/6)](# "ref")

******
[31](# "ref")
Or what king, going out 
to encounter another king in war,

will not sit down first and deliberate 
whether he is able with ten thousand

to meet him who comes against him 
with twenty thousand?

[Luke 14:25-35 (ESV) (p.4/6)](# "ref")

******
[32](# "ref")
And if not, while the other 
is yet a great way off,

he sends a delegation 
and asks for terms of peace.

[33](# "ref")
So therefore, any one of you 
who does not renounce all that he has 
cannot be my disciple.

[Luke 14:25-35 (ESV) (p.5/6)](# "ref")

******
[34](# "ref")
“Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, 
how shall its saltiness be restored?

[35](# "ref")
It is of no use either for the soil 
or for the manure pile. It is thrown away.

He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

[Luke 14:25-35 (ESV) (p.6/6)](# "ref")

---

1. Examine Our **Hearts**
 + *Building* [(v28-30)](# "ref")
 + *Battle* [(v31-32)](# "ref")
2. Count the **Cost**
 + *Family* [(v26)](# "ref")
 + *Fortune* [(v33)](# "ref")
 + *Freedom* [(v27)](# "ref")
3. Remember Our **Identity** [(v34-35)](# "ref")

>>>
+ 3x to **take away** from passage:
+ (1) 2 **analogies** to prompt us to
  + check our **expectations**
  + as we draw **near** to Him:
  + **why** are we seeking Him?
+ (2) 3x Jesus says "this is a **req.**"
  + you **must** do this to be My **disciple**
+ (3) Jesus says to those He's **chosen**:
  + this is **who** you are: **live** like it!
+ Starting in **v25**, we're no longer in
  + the **dinner** at Pharisee's house,
+ we're **outside** in public, and:

---

Now **great crowds** accompanied him, 
and he **turned** and said to them

[Luke 14:25 (ESV)](# "ref")
["Christ Curses the Pharisees", Etching by F.A. Ludy after J.F. Overbeck, 1843. Wellcome Collection, CC-BY 4.0](https://wellcomecollection.org/works/yrgj46d3 "caption")

>>>
+ **Most** of the world does not care
  + to **draw near** to Christ.
+ But in times of **need**, 
  + **many** will seek Him.
+ 2 weeks ago, we remembered
  + **Palm Sunday**, when crowds shouted:

---

**Hosanna**! 
Blessed is he who **comes** 
in the name of the Lord, 
even the **King** of Israel!

[John 12:13 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Leon, Mexico. Levi Hernández](https://unsplash.com/photos/2rjmDDQrXUI "caption")

>>>
+ And **yet**, it was many of 
+ the **same** people who,
+ just a few **days** later, shouted:

---

**Away** with him, away with him, 
**crucify** him!

[John 19:15 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Lac d'Anterne, France.  Hugues de Buyer-Mimeure](https://unsplash.com/photos/-wT0iS-TSZM "caption")

>>>
+ ... as we remember last wk on **Good Fri**
+ Their **joy** turned to **anger** because
  + Jesus did not fulfill **expectations**.
+ They did want **healing** + rescue,
  + but didn't **ack** what they really
  + needed **rescue** from.
+ After feeding of **5,000**,
  + the crowds **found** Jesus
  + across the sea + **sought** him out.
+ And Jesus said to them:

---

Truly, truly, I say to you, 
you are **seeking me**, 
not because you saw **signs**, 
but because you ate your **fill** of the loaves.

[John 6:26 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Ales Krivec](https://unsplash.com/photos/QnNqGoCnBg0 "caption")

>>>
+ What they **sought** wasn't even
  + the spectacle of the **miracle**:
+ bc a sign always **points** to sth,
  + and they weren't **interested**
  + in the **implications** of the sign.
+ They had an immediate **need**,
  + and wanted it **met**
+ This is how **we** -- **I** -- often pray:
  + "Lord, I'm in **need**, under **stress** --
  + **fix** the problem, **satisfy** my need!"
+ It's **ironic**, bc we who are so **cavalier**
  + about seeking God's **blessings**
+ are very **shrewd** when it comes to
  + **earthly** commitments:

---

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?

[Luke 14:28 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Olga Serjantu](https://unsplash.com/photos/qRMoJcbZSkE "caption")

>>>
+ Building a **tower** is for
  + **protection** or **safekeeping**:
+ It's a **large** + **expensive** project,
  + not sth you just **jump** into:
  + **sit** down first, plan
+ To **count** means: as w/pebbles,
  + to **reckon**, determine, vote
+ How much is it going to **cost**
  + (word means to **consume**, devour)
+ e.g., back in **single** days:
  + friend asks all friends to help **move**:
+ ☻ sure, group of young **guys**:
  + how **hard** could it be?
+ day of: I'm the **only** one who showed!
  + learned: **ask** first before commit!
+ if I know how to **plan**
  + before committing to **projects**,
+ why should I think committing to **Christ**
  + is any **different**?
+ Not just how strongly I **begin**, but
  + how strongly I **finish** 
+ And no matter how **private**
  + we may **like** our lives to be,
+ there are always people **watching** us:

---

Otherwise, when he has laid a **foundation** 
and is not able to finish,

all who see it begin to **mock** him,
[30](# "ref")
saying, 
‘This man **began** to build 
and was not able to **finish**.’

[Luke 14:29-30 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Andrew Ouellet](https://unsplash.com/photos/8OrT8pPU6Zc "caption")

>>>
+ not that we **fear** others' disdain, but
  + our **success** / failure is **public**:
+ if I make a **bold** decision for Christ, but
  + fail to **submit** values, thinking,
  + manner of **speech**, decisions to Him,
+ then my **failure** will be as well-known
  + as my **proclamation** was
+ e.g., where I **grew up**, there was
  + a house whose **owner**
  + wanted to renovate it into a **castle**:
+ but only did a **tower**, part of a wall
  + stayed that way for **years**
+ everyone **knew** it: the **failed** castle
+ We, working on our own **holiness**,
  + may be **afraid** to fail publicly, so
  + build tower first in **secret**, then
+ once life + heart where I **want** them,
  + **reveal** the completed tower: tada! 
+ But only **tiny** towers can built secret
  + and the **light** of the **glory** 
  + of Christ cannot be **hidden**.
+ The 2nd analogy is going into **war**:

---

Or what **king**, going out 
to encounter another king in **war**,

will not **sit** down first and **deliberate** 
whether he is able with **ten** thousand

to meet him who comes against him 
with **twenty** thousand?

[Luke 14:31 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Andrew Neel](https://unsplash.com/photos/1-29wyvvLJA "caption")

>>>
+ Before **rushing** into battle,
  + sit down and **plan**:
  + what will it take to **win**?
+ Following Christ means
  + waging war against **sin + self**:
  + not sth we just naturally **fall** into
+ We must **conscious**, intent, daily
  + **die** to sin + **deny** selfishness
+ It's a war we **cannot** win on our own
  + we must make **peace** with God
+ ack we need Christ's **death**
  + to pay the **penalty** for our sin
  + hence win the **victory** over it.
+ Must **trust** Him enough to **obey** Him
  + call Him as our **Lord**.
+ During this time of **crisis**,
  + it is good that we **draw near** to God
+ But it's not **enough** to seek Him! 
  + As we come near to **seek** the Lord:

---

# Do I seek Jesus for His **blessings** or His **Lordship**?

>>>
+ In times of desperate **need**:
  + what am I **expecting**
  + as I **approach** Jesus?
+ do I **believe** He is **able** to rescue, +
  + am I **willing** to be His **disciple**?
______
**[PAUSE + CUT]**

---

1. Examine Our Hearts
 + Building [(v28-30)](# "ref")
 + Battle [(v31-32)](# "ref")
2. **Count the Cost**
 + *Family* [(v26)](# "ref")
 + *Fortune* [(v33)](# "ref")
 + *Freedom* [(v27)](# "ref")
3. Remember Our Identity [(v34-35)](# "ref")

>>>
+ if we **desire** to be Christ's **disciples**,
+ what does He **ask** of us?
  + what are the **prerequisites**?
+ 3x Jesus says, "if you **don't** do this,
  + you **cannot** be My disciple":
+ describe the 1 **commitment** needed:
  + hate earthly **family**
  + forsake all we **possess**
  + bear our own **cross**
+ Sounds pretty **scary**!

---

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**.

[Luke 14:26 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Steven Van Loy, Biarritz, France](https://unsplash.com/photos/oUhSla4L_98 "caption")

>>>
+ **hate** is a pretty strong word!
  + deep **emotion** of opposition,
  + to **despise**, abhor
+ ☻ Those of us at **home** might say:
  + "I've been stuck in **isolation** 
  + w/my family for a **month**:
+ "**Hate** my family? Check and done!" ☻
  + (turn to your neighbour!)
+ **Parallel** passage in Mt10 highlights the
  + **comparison** of strength of love:

---

Whoever loves **father** or **mother** 
**more** than me is not worthy of me,

and whoever loves **son** or **daughter** 
**more** than me is not worthy of me.

[Matthew 10:37 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Great Smoky Mountains, USA. Jordan Whitt](https://unsplash.com/photos/b8rkmfxZjdU "caption")

>>>
+ Our usual appl: specific **times**/places
  + when God takes **centre stage**
  + in our thoughts + esp **emotions**
  + (e.g., praise + **worship**)
+ then we don't **think** about family,
  + **swept away** by emotion for God.
+ But not **feasible** to live that all time
  + so no **impact** / change daily life.
+ Sometimes, what I **love** more than God
  + is the **people** in my family:
+ e.g., **mornings** w/fam are crazy:
  + family has **urgent** + visible needs, so
+ I fail to spend **undistracted** time
  + **listening** to God.
+ Sometimes, what I **love** more than God
  + is the **ideal** of family:
+ everybody **happy** + content, **comm.** well,
  + **tidy** home, productive + **admired**.
+ So when it **doesn't** look like that, I
  + can't **stand** it: frustr, bitter, angry.
+ How do I love God **and** love my family? 
+ Bible is **cohesive** whole:
  + the **same** God commands in 1Jn:

---

For this is the **message** 
that you have heard from the beginning, 
that we should **love one another**

[15](# "ref")
Everyone who **hates** his brother 
is a **murderer**, 
and you know that no murderer 
has **eternal life** abiding in him

[1 John 3:11,15 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Mayur Gala](https://unsplash.com/photos/2PODhmrvLik "caption")

>>>
+ (And yes, it is the same word for **hate**)
+ So **hate** parents / children / sibs,
  + but **love** our brother?
+ Earthly family **comes** from God, and
  + in Christ we have **new** family of God:
+ with eternal **ties** that are even stronger
  + than the ties of our **earthly** families,
  + which "merely" last but a **lifetime**
+ We very much have **responsib**, each
  + to those in our own **household**.
+ e.g., 1Tim:

---

If a **widow** has **children** or grandchildren, 
let them first learn 
to show **godliness** to their **own household** 
and to make some **return** to their parents, 
for this is **pleasing** in the sight of God.

[1 Timothy 5:4 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Nancy, France. Rémi Walle](https://unsplash.com/photos/UOwvwZ9Dy6w "caption")

>>>
+ This is also to allow the **church**
  + to focus on **caring** for those who
  + don't have **anyone** caring for them.
+ But **commitment** of discip to Christ
  + means our singular **intent**
  + is to **follow** Him:
+ so subord every **relationship** under
  + **obedience** to His commands
+ Later in **Luke**, Jesus addresses those
  + who treat **money** as ther master:

---

No servant can serve **two masters**,

for either he will **hate** the one 
and **love** the other, 
or he will be **devoted** to the one 
and **despise** the other.

You cannot serve **God** and **money**.

[Luke 16:13 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Steve Johnson](https://unsplash.com/photos/0sPFjdcRhko "caption")

>>>
+ **Family** obligations and
  + the **desire** for a peaceful home, can
+ be just as powerf **alluring** a master.
+ Don't seek Jesus as a **means** of 
  + seeking **blessing** for our families;
+ Rather, our **goal** is 
  + to **love** God + follow Him:
  + serve **family** as way of serving God.
+ And **money** is also an insiduous master!
  + v33 addresses our **possessions**:

---

So therefore, any one of you 
who does not **renounce** all that he **has** 
cannot be my **disciple**.

[Luke 14:33 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Daniele da Volterra, "The Prophet Elijah", 1550](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Daniele_da_Volterra_001.jpg "caption")

>>>
+ "all he has": not just money but **poss.**:
  + **under** me, in my control
+ "renounce": **order** / struct **apart** from,
  + say **goodbye**
  + cf "submit": order **underneath**.
+ Money is **necessary** for life, but
  + does not **constitute** our life
+ **Clinging** to possessions reflects **fear**
  + that we don't have **enough**, that we
  + can't **protect** selves / loved ones.
+ Remember our Heavenly **Father** 
  + provides for us **abundantly**! 
+ Luke 12:

---

**Fear not**, little flock, 
for it is your Father's good **pleasure** 
to give you the **kingdom**.

[33](# "ref")
**Sell** your possessions, and **give** to the needy.

Provide yourselves with ... 
a **treasure** in the heavens that does not **fail**

[Luke 12:32-33 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Paul Morris](https://unsplash.com/photos/1Z2niiBPg5A "caption")

>>>
+ not that **owning** things is **evil**
  + but **separate** the person
  + from the **possessions**
+ **Use** the material blessings God gave us
  + to show **mercy** on those in need --
+ best long-term **investment** strategy!
+ Saying "goodbye" to **possessions**
  + and earthly **family**
+ is all part of denying **ourselves**: v26:

---

If anyone comes to me and does not **hate** ... 
even his **own life**, he cannot be my disciple.

[Luke 14:26 (ESV)](# "ref")
[R. Dr. Manoel Miranda, Brazil. Samuel Martins](https://unsplash.com/photos/3U7HcqkIbb4 "caption")

>>>
+ **hate** own life != feel "my life **sucks**":
  + i.e., **unhappy** w/hand dealt to me.
+ != **despising** gift of life God gave us
  + != **deliberately** getting COVID:
  + reckless + **harms** others!
+ in v27, Jesus uses image of **cross**:

---

Whoever does not bear his own **cross** 
and come **after** me cannot be my **disciple**.

[Luke 14:27 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Christ on the way to Calvary. Valdés Leal, Juan de. c.1661](https://www.museodelprado.es/en/the-collection/art-work/christ-on-the-way-to-calvary/c035162a-872d-433d-81ac-d449199eba82 "caption")

>>>
+ Cross an instrument of **torture** + death
  + to **bear** own cross means
  + to be a **dead man** walking.
+ It's not just about enduring **suffering**
  + but a daily **reminder** of death:
+ I've **died** to sin + self, so
  + sin shall have no **mastery** over me!
+ I've **given up** my freedom to sin, and
  + am a **slave** to righteousness *(Rom6)*,
+ but that means I'm freed **from** sin --
  + I don't **desire** to live in it any longer --
+ & gained true **freedom** by Son of God
  + in the knowledge of His **truth**.
+ And Jesus is not **behind** us,
  + driving us as a **slave master**;
+ He's gone **before** bearing **suff** of sin
  + already **triumphed** over sin + grave.
+ So in this world we're always
  + both **dead** and **alive**
  + as 2Cor says: we're

---

Always **carrying** in the body the **death** of Jesus, 
so that the **life** of Jesus 
may also be **manifested** in our bodies.

[11](# "ref")
For we who live are always being 
given over to **death** for Jesus' sake,

so that the **life** of Jesus also 
may be manifested in our mortal flesh

[2 Corinthians 4:10-11 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Tel Aviv-Yafo. Joseph Barrientos](https://unsplash.com/photos/oQl0eVYd_n8 "caption")

>>>
+ Never **tire** of the msg of the **cross**:
+ It **reminds** us that in our 
  + daily **struggle** w/sin,
+ Christ has already **died** for us
  + to make us **dead** to sin
+ And He is **risen**, risen indeed, that we
  + may manifest **life** that overcomes!

---

# Am I willing to offer **family**, **fortune**, and **freedom** on the altar?

>>>
+ To **love** God w/all **heart** / life / strength
+ means finding **stronger** bonds in the HS
  + than our **earthly** family ties;
+ saying **"goodbye"** to all we have
  + differentiating **possessions** we own
  + from the **person** we are in Christ;
+ It means **remembering** every day, that
  + through Christ we are **dead** to sin
+ we no longer live for **ourselves**
  + but for **Christ** who gives us new life
+ so we are **freed** from sin
  + and **slaves** to righteousness

---

1. Examine Our Hearts
 + Building [(v28-30)](# "ref")
 + Battle [(v31-32)](# "ref")
2. Count the Cost
 + Family [(v26)](# "ref")
 + Fortune [(v33)](# "ref")
 + Freedom [(v27)](# "ref")
3. **Remember Our Identity** [(v34-35)](# "ref")

>>>
+ at this point, some **listeners** may say,
+ "You ask **too much**! I've already
  + **volunteered** more than 
  + my **fair** share for God,
  + **sacrificed** for His Name.
+ "I have very real, immediate **stresses**
  + I need to **deal** with right now.
+ "Now You want me to **yield** to God my 
  + **family**, **possessions**, and own **life**?
  + That's all I have **left**!"
+ If you're **asking** that, you're **not** alone:
+ Jesus, after asking the **rich young man**
  + to **sell** all had + **give** to poor,
+ **summed** it up like this:

---

"It is easier for a **camel** 
to go through the eye of a **needle**

than for a **rich** person 
to enter the **kingdom of God**."

[26](# "ref")
And they were exceedingly **astonished**, 
and said to him, “Then **who** can be saved?”

[Mark 10:25-26 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Egypt. Mariam Soliman](https://unsplash.com/photos/Ht5XmeuLyDg "caption")

>>>
+ Not only for **rich** people,
  + the **demand** of discip is so **high**
+ "If that's what **takes** to be discip,
  + then **who** could possibly **qualify**?"
+ And this was Jesus' **reply**:

---

Jesus looked at them and said,

“With **man** it is impossible, 
but not with **God**.

For all things are **possible** with God.”

[Mark 10:27 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Thailand. Dominik QN](https://unsplash.com/photos/9gGQvhC4PEY "caption")

>>>
+ We should **not** interpret this to mean
  + God will do anything we **want**!
+ The **ability** to **follow** Him as discip,
  + the **repentant**, changed heart,
  + the living **faith** to obey Him in 
  + every **aspect** of life --
+ these are **gifts** given as **God** enables.
+ This is why Jesus says in **John 6**:

---

And he said, “This is why I told you 
that no one can **come** to me 
unless it is **granted** him by the **Father**.”

[John 6:65 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Alex Woods](https://unsplash.com/photos/pZVi92S-ZMs "caption")

>>>
+ He said after another **call** to commit
+ Many of His **followers** turned away:
  + "It's **too hard** to do,
  + Who is able to **hear** + do it?"
+ So many **left** Jesus at that point, that
  + He even asked the **twelve**:

---

“Do **you** want to go away as well?”

[68](# "ref")
Simon Peter answered him, 
“Lord, to **whom** shall we go?

You have the **words** of eternal life, 
[69](# "ref")
and we have **believed**, 
and have come to **know**, 
that you are the **Holy One** of God.”

[John 6:67-69 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Ciucaș Peak, Romania. David Marcu](https://unsplash.com/photos/78A265wPiO4 "caption")

>>>
+ They were **chosen** by Christ
  + to receive the **faith**, and
  + the **experiential** knowledge
+ that Jesus is **Saviour** sent by God:
  + there's **nowhere** else to go, and
  + nowhere else they'd **rather** be
+ This is our **identity** in Christ! We are
  + the **church** -- εκκλησία -- 
  + those **chosen** by God's grace.
+ We can no more **return** to a life of sin
  + than **salt** can become **unsalty**:

---

**Salt** is good, but if salt has lost its **taste**, 
how shall its **saltiness** be restored?

[35](# "ref")
It is of no **use** either for the soil 
or for the manure pile. It is **thrown away**.

[Luke 14:34-35 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Michael Walter](https://unsplash.com/photos/qMVgO95H3pM "caption")

>>>
+ How does **salt** become **unsalty**?
  + by very **defn**, sodium chloride salty
  + it's a **counterfact.**, impossibility.
+ Jesus is saying to those He's **chosen**:
  + this is **who you are**: you **are** salty
+ you **have** died to sin already,
  + you **have** been forgiven, and
  + you **have** the light of Christ in you --
  + **Remember** this! **Live** like it! 
+ Parallel passage in **Mt** 
  + adds the analogy of **light**:

---

You are the **light** of the world. 
A city set on a hill cannot be **hidden**.

Let your light **shine** before others, 
so that they may see your **good works** 
and give **glory** to your Father who is in heaven.

[Matthew 5:14,16 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Iceland. Davide Cantelli](https://unsplash.com/photos/H3giJcTw__w "caption")

>>>
+ Not about **striving** to do 
  + **more**, more good works,
  + but remem. **who I am** in Christ.
+ The **require.** of discip. are costly:
  + it demands we yield **everything**.
+ But we have been **chosen**, redeemed:
+ We may not always **feel** salty or bright
  + but it is the **gospel** within us
+ that gives us the **aroma** of Christ
  + and the **light** of God's glory.
+ Is there **anyone** then who can be **saved**?
  + **yes**! by God's **grace**
+ We'll read about some of these 
  + **next** time in Lk15:
+ Of those labelled as the **"sinners"**, who
  + came seeking **forgive.** + healing,
+ Jesus said:

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Therefore I tell you, 
her sins, which are **many**, are forgiven -- 
for she loved **much**.

But he who is **forgiven** little, **loves** little.

[Luke 7:47 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Yuriria, Mexico.  Cristian Newman](https://unsplash.com/photos/Zi8-E3qJ_RM "caption")

>>>
+ ch15: lost **sheep**, lost **coin**, lost **son**:
+ These are the ones who can be **saved**:
  + the ones who know **need** saving
+ and they are **precious** in God's sight!

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# What can I do when I don't feel **salty** or **bright**?

>>>
+ When we don't **feel** partic. Chr.;
+ When the **habits** and **places** we 
  + usually use to **define** ourselves
  + are suddenly **stripped** away:
+ **Remember** who we are in Christ!
  + Jesus **loves** you + has **saved** you;
+ You've **died** to sin + self, and have
  + **life** of risen Saviour in you!
+ Even in the midst of a **pandemic**,
  + you **are** salt, you **are** light --
+ now **live** like it:
  + exude **fragrance** of Christ

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