201. Rebuking a Brother
All Christians believe that “If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother.” (Matthew 18:15 cf. Luke 17:3-4)
202. God’s Timing
All Christians agree that God’s timing is not our timing. When Jesus heard that His friend Lazarus was sick, he delayed traveling there two extra days. Like Martha, we might say, “Lord, if you would have been here, my brother wouldn't have died.” (Luke 11:21) Jesus prayed a public prayer, “Father, I thank you that you listened to me. I know that you always listen to me, but because of the multitude that stands around I said this, that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" (vs 41-43) And his friend rose from the dead.
203. I Am the Resurrection
All Christians believe Jesus when He said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies. Whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” (vs 25-26)
204. Politics
All Christians believe that this world’s politics cares more about the world and the nation than Jesus. “The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, ‘What are we doing? For this man does many signs. If we leave him alone like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.’ ” (Luke 11:47-48)
205. Worldly Considerations
All Christians agree that though they were well versed in Holy Scripture, it was worldly rather than heavenly considerations that led to religious leaders plotting Jesus’ death. Caiaphas the high priest revealed his thoughts when he said, “ ‘it is advantageous for us that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.’ … So from that day forward they took counsel that they might put him to death.“ (Luke 11:49-53)
206. Thanksgiving
All Christians believe that giving thanks to God is an important part of prayer. Of ten lepers healed by Jesus, only “One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice.” (Luke 17:15)
207. When the Kingdom
All Christians believe that the kingdom of God is both here now, “for behold, the Kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21) and will come in its fullness at Christ’s return, “your kingdom come.” (Matthew 6:10)
208. His Return
All Christians believe that Jesus will return and that “as the lightning, when it flashes out of the one part under the sky, shines to the other part under the sky; so will the Son of Man be in his day.” (Luke 17:24 cf. Matthew 24:27)
209. As the Days of Noah
All Christians believe that the time just before Christ’s return will be very much like the days of Noah before the flood came. “As the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ship, and they didn't know until the flood came, and took them all away” (Matthew 24:37-39 cf. Luke 17:26-27)
210. As the Days of Lot
All Christians believe that the time just before Christ’s return will be very much like the days of Lot destruction came upon Sodom suddenly (Luke 17:28-29). And that we should learn from Lot’s wife and not look back to this world’s goods. “Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take out things that are in his house. Let him who is in the field not return back to get his clothes.” (Matthew 24:17-18 cf. Mark 13:15-16; Luke 17:31) “Whoever seeks to save his life loses it, but whoever loses his life preserves it.” (Luke 17:33)
