Red Letter Questions, Part 6: Lord or Not?

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

The setup to the red-letter question:

Don’t let a human rule stop you from helping or healing

Do experience God’s blessing, but don’t think this world will satisfy

Do the hard work of loving your enemies

Don’t judge

Do forgive

Do understand that your mouth reveals the true condition of your heart

The Red-Letter Question in Luke 6:46
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do what I say?”

Paul’s version:
They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him.
They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. – Titus 1:16

The rest of the story:
“As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are 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.” – Luke 6:47-49

What’s the point?

When we are disobedient, we are and .

When we are obedient, we are .

What is Jesus saying to Christ the King Community Church?

Reality: The CTK family has a need for volunteers in our .

Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” – Matthew 19:13-14

Reality: Our community needs volunteers at the .

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. – James 2:14-17

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” – Matthew 25:40

“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
        “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’” – Matthew 25:44-45

Reality: The God of Heaven may be calling you to …right now.

“And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.” – Acts 22:16

Small Group Questions

1. What do you like most about November? What do dislike most about November? Why?
2. Read all of Luke 6 out loud. What is God saying to you prior to His “red-letter question” in verse 46?
3. What principle about obedience can you draw from The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders? How can you enhance your foundation this coming week?
4. Grant laid out 3 areas where God is speaking to CTK as a church family. What’s one area of your own life where God is calling you to obey? Did anyone in your group respond to either of the needs described above (kid’s ministry or the winter shelter)?
5. Do you need to confess any areas of hypocrisy in your own life? Do it now.
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?