Introduction

Good day to all! I am most pleased to meet everyone online once again. Whether you are here in person or joining us online, let us contemplate a question: What exactly was Luke trying to achieve when he wrote the Gospel of Luke? What purpose did he seek to convey, and what theme was he trying to express? It is imperative that we cultivate good habits of abstraction, summarisation, generalisation, and organisation. Without such habits, one tends to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information after learning, lacking a clear understanding and failing to grasp the essence.

Let us summarise the Gospel of Luke. Consider, what is the central theme of this book? Summarisation is a good habit. Today, let us cultivate this habit of thinking and reflection. Let us connect the entire Gospel of Luke like a single thread so that we can have a clear understanding. In truth, those who serve gain the most because they must explain to others and cannot afford to speak recklessly. Of course, some habitually speak nonsense, which not only hinders their own growth but also leaves others clueless about what they are saying.

If we fail to grasp the main thread and the central idea that Luke sought to express in his writing, then our reading is in vain, indicating that we are only capable of quoting out of context. Listen carefully, for I want to train you in the abilities of abstraction, summarisation, generalisation, and organisation, to the point where you can clearly string together the entire Gospel of Luke. Only then, when you listen to others expounding on the scriptures, will you find that you can no longer tolerate the scattered and disconnected bits of information. Today, let us begin to cultivate the habits of abstraction, summarisation, generalisation, and organisation.

Today, I present you with two thematic choices. The first is, That you may know the certainty of those things wherein you have been instructed. Do you find this title suitable? The second is, Many will fall, and many will rise. Let us vote. Which do you think is better, the first or the second? What do you think the Gospel of Luke is truly about? In the past week, even until before this Bible study, I was pondering which of these themes was the more fitting one. It was a strenuous process. Each time I abstract, summarise, generalise, and organise, it feels like shedding a layer of skin, consuming many brain cells and causing some to fall, so that new ones may arise.

Eventually, I made my choice and selected the second theme. Let us reason why I made this selection. The first theme, That you may know the certainty of those things wherein you have been instructed, does not specify what those things are. It loosely fits anywhere. After learning mathematics, you may know the certainty of those things wherein you have been instructed; after learning physics, you may know the certainty of those things wherein you have been instructed. What does this mean? It lacks specificity.

If I were to choose the first theme, how would I elaborate on it? It is difficult to articulate. Therefore, I felt that the theme should be: Many will fall, and many will rise. After arriving at this theme, I reviewed the entire Gospel of Luke from beginning to end, and indeed, this theme is the most appropriate. Large sections of the Bible speak of many falling and many rising.

It turns out that Luke, when writing the Gospel of Luke, had a slightly different stance from Matthew, Mark, and John. Although they were all discussing the same events of Jesus, Matthew spoke of two kingdoms and two pursuits. This is the two kingdoms that Matthew consistently emphasises from beginning to end. Luke, on the other hand, underscores many will fall, and many will rise.

In fact, the matter of many falling is not easily accepted by the average person. Why did Luke write about many falling and many rising? It was because, throughout the process, Luke and Paul witnessed the rise and fall of the gospel. When writing the Gospel of Luke, Paul had likely been arrested in Rome, imprisoned, and awaiting Caesar's judgment. At that time, the Roman Empire was governed by the rule of law. To this day, we do not know who this Theophilus was to whom Luke wrote. It has been speculated that Theophilus was to defend Paul, and Luke described these events to him, suggesting that he was a lawyer.

These details are not crucial. What matters is that many of us remain perplexed to this day. Look at Paul, having devoted himself to the Lord to such an extent, yet he was arrested after a few years, followed by several years in prison. Before that, he was with Caesar and was now being escorted to Rome, enduring much suffering along the way. He was arrested; see, he is a cursed man. Many cannot truly discern this, so Luke wanted to write about these things.

Many stumbled because of Jesus being crucified; many stumbled because of Paul's arrest and accusations. Many will fall, and many will rise. This is what Luke wanted to convey. After Jesus was born, he was brought to the temple:

“And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: ‘Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.’ And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, ‘Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.’” (Luke 2:25-34)

These words are well-spoken, because the Christianity established by Jesus, during the Roman Empire, was a maligned and perceived cult. To the Jews, it was a heresy, and to the Roman Empire, it was not a normal affair. Preaching about a person rising from the dead? It sounds strange. Brothers and sisters, know that in the Gospel of Luke, Simeon's words are only written by Luke in the entire Bible. Why did he write them? Because Luke wanted to show one thing: Jesus came into this world to cause many to fall and many to rise.

The problem is that when we talk about God, we assume that God is the good person we understand, that he wants to save the whole world. When we talk about Jesus, we assume that Jesus is a good person, like Santa Claus, riding reindeer and randomly giving out gifts, thinking he is a good person. In fact, Jesus is not a good person; Jesus is a stumbling stone. If we think carefully, Jesus has done many puzzling things. Many fall as they think about them, and some rise as they think about them. It all depends on the choices in the thoughts and intentions of the heart. At this time, the thoughts and intentions in people's hearts will be revealed.

What are you pursuing? If you pursue worldly dreams, I tell you, you will fall on the rock of Jesus Christ and be shattered into pieces. As a prophet, Simeon saw Jesus born and come to the temple and made a prophecy that has had a profound impact on later generations. Even today, everyone should know that many will fall and many will rise.

Many fall so miserably that you say: God! What have you been doing? God also wants to ask you what you have been doing. The intentions of the heart will surely be revealed. In the gospel of Jesus Christ, it is both a stumbling stone and a rising stone. If you are willing to fall, you deserve it, and if you are willing to be raised, then I thank God. In fact, whether you fall or rise, I thank God.

Everyone should know that Chinese Mingding Destiny has studied the matter of falling deeply. In the past years of building the church, I followed the Apostle Paul. If people want to leave, I will never keep them. If they leave, I will never ask them to come back. If they come back, I will treat them as people walking in from the street, as if I never knew them before.

Falling and rising are part of the gospel we believe. Don't think that if someone falls, you have to live or die. Those who should fall will fall, and those who should rise will rise. For example, if some pastors do not act properly, do you know what I will think? I don't care. If you are Joseph, even if you have a bad pastor, you can still be the prime minister of Egypt.

Some people say that their pastor is bad and put all the blame on him, but in fact, their problem has nothing to do with their pastor. The gospel of Jesus Christ is originally a stumbling stone. Jesus did many things on purpose to make people fall, such as deliberately using parables to teach people the word of God, so that people can ponder why he did this.

Those who are willing to seek will definitely understand; those who are not willing to understand, then forget it. People who want to fall will fall; those who don't want to fall will not fall. Falling means not believing in Jesus and always looking for objective reasons. To these people, I can only say: You deserve to fall. Jesus wants to be a sign that is spoken against. We also become signs that are spoken against together with Jesus Christ, so that the intentions of people can be revealed, so that we can know whether they are rising or falling.

“Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Luke 3:8-9)

Can you understand these words? Our God actually wants to cut down some and raise up some. Don't try to discern good and evil with God about those that are cut down. God will not make mistakes. You will find that the entire Gospel of Luke is all about some things being discarded and some things being raised up; some people entering the kingdom of God and some people being thrown into hell.

“His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.” (Luke 3:17)

Incomplete Faith System Causes People to Fall

If we carefully ponder these things, you will see that it is easy to fall and easy to rise; it all depends on the choice in our hearts. Whether you choose to go left or right, whether you choose Gods kingdom or mammon, whether you choose eternal life or this life, it all still depends on your own choice. Why do some people fall and some rise? People live by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Luke understood this sentence all at once, because Luke's faith has a system, and he inherited Paul's gospel system. In fact, everything that comes from the mouth of God has a system. Remember, those with a system are raised up, and those without a system are prone to falling.

Next, we will examine the scriptures that cause people to fall. Some people are silly and think that everything recorded in the Bible is the word of God. Know that some words in the Bible cause people to fall, and some words raise people up. If you do not establish a complete faith system, you will become dizzy when you read it. That is why I don’t want everyone to be ignorant. Don't really be an ignorant person. Do you think the Bible is all the word of God? If it is the word of God, Gods word wants to cause some people to fall and raise some people up. Do you want to examine this matter carefully?

David is recorded in the Bible as having committed adultery. Do you also want to imitate him? What happened to David later? Those kings imitated his ancestor David and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. Are you confused? Doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord, why could David still commit adultery and murder?

If a person looks at the Bible with a rigid mindset like the Pharisees, even keeping the Sabbath is keeping a Sabbath that makes people fall. Is there any benefit in observing a Sabbath that makes you fall? So don’t be an ignorant person anymore and insist that the entire Bible is Gods word. The Bible also records Judas suicide. Do we also have to follow and learn this?

Brothers and sisters, build a complete faith system. People live by every word that comes from the mouth of God, not by some words, nor by a certain word that God said, but by every word that God said! Let us not be ignorant people any more. Start to understand what God said with your mind. Do not take things out of context and randomly take a sentence as divine sword or imperial decree. Otherwise, even if you bring Jesus out, it will be of no effect. Do you really know Jesus? Do you know how Jesus taught? Many people fall because they fall on the lack of a faith system.

Lack of the Power of the Holy Spirit Causes People to Fall

What is the second thing that causes people to fall? It is the power of the Holy Spirit of Jesus.

Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region. And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:14-18)

How many people have the power of the Holy Spirit caused to fall? When we talk about Christians, is a gospel without the power of the Holy Spirit still a gospel? The power of the Holy Spirit is what causes people to fall. How many people has this Holy Spirit caused to fall? Today, we don’t have this problem anymore. A few years ago, someone would argue about praying in tongues with you for a long time. If there are still such people now, I would be depressed. How can there still be such ignorant people?

Do you understand? Without a system of faith, without the power of the Holy Spirit, thinking that you have a pure faith and wanting to lead everyone to reform. Where can you go? Go to a gospel without power? Is a gospel that cannot cast out demons and does not have the power of the Holy Spirit still a gospel?

The Holy Spirit and the power of the Holy Spirit are key elements of the gospel that Paul believed. What Jesus did on earth was to prove that he was the Son of God with the great power of the Holy Spirit. Paul said in the world that the Lord is not a matter of words. It's a matter of the Spirit. If it is a, then we will pull it out to test it. If it is pulled, it will be diarrhea, then forget it. Therefore, I deeply hate the gospel without power. This incident caused many people to fall on this rock all at once.

God's Requirements Can Also Cause People to Fall

You may wonder, why doesn't God care? Because God wants these people to fall, God wants to show the intentions in them, and what these people pursue is not the kingdom of God at all. So what do they pursue in their bones? I don’t know. I didn’t know them before, but now I know what they are pursuing in their bones. Therefore, we must know that our God is a God of great power. Paul said:

And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:4)

Now who dares to say this sentence: The things I say, the path I speak, what I say is not using wisdom and tactful words, is to prove with the Holy Spirit and great power? Today, how many people preach by relying on wise and tactful words! When they preach, they move the history of and the history of out from beginning to end. May I ask, are you a history teacher? Still a gospel teacher? After speaking, I don’t know what they are talking about.

The Kingdom of God depends on power, on its ability to change the world, on the Spirit of God within us, and everything is done, the Bible is used in the explanation of all spiritual events that transpire amongst mankind. Without the spiritual ability to affect the outcome, what are we as Christians doing? Today, in regards to our belief system, we must ensure that we believe until we reach the very root of our understanding and our faith.

Brothers and sisters, we must have great hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Our hope is definitely not in beauty, not in sleep, nor in maintenance and health products. Our hope is in Jesus Christ. As long as we have great hope through the power of the Holy Spirit, there will be no unsolvable problems. I thank God for allowing me to know him and for finding the mysteries of the gospel when I was seeking in the dark. Brothers and sisters must begin to know that imitating Jesus is a key component of the gospel of Jesus. Only those who are like Jesus count, and what are those who are not like Jesus doing? If you only have lip service and cannot do anything, then what is the use?

A few days ago, I met a Christian who told me that their pastor said: Our Jesus Christ is so poor. I'm very depressed. How could Jesus be poor? Jesus even hired a chief financial officer, Judas, to help him manage his finances. What kind of person can do this? That’s what rich people can do! Because there is too much money in the money bag, Judas is not very visible, which is like todays as our China has too much wealth, so we cant see those corrupt officials taking small amounts, or even ten billions, as the amount is so insignificant to the overall capital in circulation.

You must know how rich our God is! Jesus went to the river and caught a fish, and there was a silver coin in the fishs mouth. Traveling around the world with twelve disciples was a very easy and burden-free thing. If I were to take twelve people around the world, try it, it would cost a lot of money. Jesus used five loaves of bread and two fish to feed five thousand people at once, and the remaining food could be packed into twelve baskets. Can such a Jesus be poor? Jesus asked Simon to go to the deep water to fish, and the fish was so abundant that it almost broke the net. Our God is really amazing, and those who follow Jesus will not live in poverty.

We must know that among the disciples Jesus called, some fell and some rose.

Now it happened on the Sabbath that He went through the grainfields. And His disciples plucked the heads of grain and ate them, rubbing them in their hands. And some of the Pharisees said to them, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?” (Luke 6:1-2)

This Sabbath is a falling Sabbath! Today when we observe the Lord's Day, it can get people falling or it can raise them; reading the Bible can also get people falling or it can raise them, the key depends on how you read it. If you don’t read through faith, what will happen? Many people read the Bible as a history book. We must know that our God is a stumbling stone. For example, Gods requirements:

“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods, do not ask them back. (Luke 6:27-30)

Some people choose to believe when they hear these words, but some choose not to believe. They don’t believe, but they still have to do it. Can it be implemented? It’s difficult. Chinese Mingding Destiny has not done anything else, but only one thing, that is, how God says, we will implement it. Read it and believe it, believe it and do it, and after doing it, exclaim: Wow! Its just amazing! If not, you will enter a dead loop when you read the following scriptures:

Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full, for you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. (Luke 6:20-21, 25)

Is it entering a dead loop? Can you understand these words? It’s good if you can understand it! This is actually for people to fall, so don’t fall on this rock. In fact, hungry people need God very much. Those who need God will experience fullness. After being full, they will forget God and become hungry again. People climb up in the midst of falling, and then fall and climb up again. Of course, some people will never get up again after falling.

Don’t fall on purpose, and don’t always want to fall when you have nothing to do, and then say: Pastor, you caused me to fall! I said: You have never stood up, so what are you talking about falling? It’s me who made you fall? You have always been lying down. Its very interesting. She’s just playing with me. Brothers and sisters, today we must begin to rethink. For example:

Give, and it will be given to you: (Luke 6:38)

Some people respond to this: Forget it, what if no one gives it to me after I give it out? People fall because of disbelief. In fact, if you are a generous person, giving away will never lead to lack. I have never seen a selfish and stingy person become a wealthy person, because they live as a debt in the world. What value can they create if they live only for themselves all day long?

Today you must know that whether we people fall or rise depends entirely on the choice in your heart. When this matter is said, the devil will be furious! Although what I am saying is really not a religious leader, Jesus is the religious leader, I am just a little follower, but I am following well, and I have followed the blessings.

Unlike John sitting in prison, thinking wildly: Is Jesus the savior I was talking about? I once said that I am not worthy to carry his shoes. He will use a winnowing fork to clean his field, gather the wheat into the barn, and burn the chaff in the fire. As a result, because he was squatting in prison, his thoughts were completely messed up. Why? Because he still wants to go out and hang out: I don’t want to be in prison, I still want to go out and hang out, I still have career plans, and my career has not been planned yet!

So John sent two disciples to ask Jesus: Are you the one we are waiting for? Why is the one we are waiting for different from what we imagined? We thought you were riding on a horse and holding a gun, sweeping everything and overthrowing the Roman Empire and re-establishing the Empire of Israel. It would be great if it could prosper like the Kingdom of David and even recapture the Roman Empire! I also hope to be on your side as the left and right hands, to get an official position, preferably as a prime minister or a feudal official. John is really completely confused.

Allowing People to Stumble and Rise

People often stumble because of Jesus. For example:

Then He called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece. Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” (Luke 9:1-5)

Some people, when encountering those who do not welcome them, insist on preaching the gospel, causing annoyance to both themselves and others, and leading to feelings of frustration. If people do not want to listen to you, what are you still doing there? Let those who wish to stumble, stumble, and let those who wish to rise, rise. You might say, Doesn't Jesus want to save people? Saving one more is always good. That's correct, but Jesus ministers according to people's desires. Therefore, Jesus preached the word of the kingdom of God and healed the sick, resulting in the feeding of five thousand people with five loaves and two fish.

Many people think, How wonderful it would be if Jesus opened a bakery next to the temple in Jerusalem! Supplying the whole city with food every day, distributing bread daily, with many people lining up at the door. Wouldn't it be great to evangelize them all? But Jesus does not do this, doing it once or twice and then stopping. Many people are thus confused: Why do this and not do it regularly? Clearly, He could open a chain store like McDonald's or KFC, like Jesus feeding five thousand people with five loaves and two fish, without even needing flour, water, or oil, and produce so much bread. Wouldn't the money come pouring in! Perhaps some might even discuss franchising with Jesus! But Jesus didn't do any of this.

If you are a glutton, you will stumble over the five loaves and two fish. But if you are not a glutton, and you seek the kingdom of God, you won't care too much about the five loaves and two fish after eating them, because you only care about the kingdom of God. The ways in which Jesus causes people to stumble are countless. For example, Jesus said, I must go to Jerusalem and suffer, and then rise again on the third day. Many people don't understand: What's this? How can this be? Rise again on the third day? They are very confused, but Jesus did this: He laid down His life and then gained life.

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? (Luke 9:24-25)

How many are willing to lay down their lives for Jesus today? How many are willing to die for Jesus? Very few. Many people run away at critical moments. Peter denied the Lord three times; many would probably deny Him seven times. If a person is afraid of death and craves life, they will stumble on this path of craving life and fearing death.

Casting Out Demons Can Also Cause People to Stumble

The way of our Jesus Christ is a way that causes people to stumble. Jesus Christ heals the sick, casts out demons, preaches the gospel, and then gives authority to people.

Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven. (Luke 10:20)

Even casting out demons can cause people to stumble. Casting out demons is the word of God, but the gospel of Jesus Christ includes much more than just casting out demons. Are you truly willing to give yourself? Have you truly repented? The power to cast out demons is small, not requiring great ability. Jesus gives you authority, and you cast out demons in Jesus' name, and the demons will submit to you. But dealing with the evil deeds in your own life requires some effort. The anointing and gifts that Jesus gives, relying on Jesus' power and being greatly filled with the Holy Spirit, make casting out demons easy. But relying on the power of the Holy Spirit to put to death the evil habits of our flesh is a series of fierce battles.

Brothers and sisters, repent! All who do not repent will stumble. If you strive to repent diligently, God will surely help you. Don't become complacent because you have cast out a few demons, walking differently, like millionaires, not even knowing who you are anymore. That is nothing. Casting out demons relies on God's authority; it is God Himself who does it. You have only spoken a few words.

When we believe in Jesus Christ, we must believe in the entire system, not just a small part. Don't think that we are amazing just because we can speak in tongues. Speaking in tongues is nothing. If I give you an aircraft engine and you ignite it, you will go up, but after coming down, you will become mincemeat. Will that work? You must have wings, navigation, an engine, etc., so that you can sit in the plane, fly up safely, and land safely. If any part breaks, you will suffer enough, let alone having no wings or cabin, just holding an engine. Do you want to commit suicide? That won't work; you will end up being a cannonball fired out. Speaking of the system of faith, don't keep dwelling on a small anointing or gift, not knowing the reason why.

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. (Luke 10:21)

Isn't this deliberately causing people to stumble? The wise and prudent think they are very capable, but God hides from them. If you think you are not capable, but have a simple faith like a baby, God will reveal to you. Our Chinese Mingding Destiny simplifies this matter, believing simply what others say we should believe.

If a third-grade student can read novels, what difficulty is there in reading them in the sixth grade? The logical system that Paul and Luke passed down is: For so it seemed good in Your sight, which is to let those people stumble. Those who stumble deserve to stumble, and those who should rise, let them rise. It's that simple.

But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.” (Luke 11:15)

And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven. (Luke 12:10)

I want to tell you that what the Holy Spirit does is evident to all. A pastor of a church was arrested by the government, and many people thought he was arrested for the sake of the way of Jesus, but a good friend of his told me, My friend was arrested, and that is entirely God's will. It turned out that he had hung a large banner in the church that read, Forbidden to pray in tongues. Why do you want to forbid praying in tongues? Are you more powerful than God? Isn't this blaspheming God, blaspheming the Holy Spirit?

Brothers and sisters, never go against God. There are too many places for people to stumble in this world. Blaspheming the Holy Spirit causes one to stumble, and accumulating wealth for oneself also causes one to stumble. We must be careful today. Trusting in God is the only way.

Luke chapter 12 writes that hypocrites stumble; unwatchful servants stumble; unrepentant people stumble. In chapter 13, those who do not bear fruit all stumble, and those who bear fruit all rise. The kingdom of God is wonderful. As for whether you and I are people of faith, willing to say, God, I will trust in You. Have mercy on me, so that in my days in this world, I may finish the path I should walk, keep the way I should keep, and win the battle I should fight! In this way, stumbling and rising are immediately separated.

Chinese Mingding Destiny does not preach the way of Santa Claus; the way it preaches is not polite at all, not ambiguous at all, that's just how it is.

And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ (Luke 13:22-25)

You know the Lord, but the Lord does not know you; it's useless. Just like we all know the President of the United States, but the President of the United States does not necessarily know us; everyone knows China's top leader, but China's top leader does not necessarily know us; everyone knows North Korea's top leader, but North Korea's top leader does not necessarily know us. Today we must begin to build a complete system of faith, be a victorious person, and stop believing in a fragmented way. Even if you have eaten and drunk in the Lord's presence and observed the Holy Communion, it is useless.

He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ (Luke 13:27)

Some explain this as going to the darkness; that is nonsense.

The Cost of Being a Disciple Can Also Cause People to Stumble

And great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. (Luke 14:25-27)

So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. (Luke 14:33)

These words are harsh. If you say, Lord, I cannot forsake it, that is your own choice, and I will wish you good luck. Forsaking means no longer being entangled by these things. If God truly speaks to you, telling you to sell all your possessions and give them to the poor, then do it, absolutely no problem. Of course, first you must confirm whether it is God speaking to you.

The parable of the prodigal son: There is an elder son and a younger son. The younger son is raised up, but the elder son stumbles.

No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. (Luke 16:13)

Therefore, there are too many places for people to stumble: those who commit adultery stumble; those who serve mammon stumble; those who carry worldly dreams and pursue worldly wealth stumble. Those who serve God rise; those who live holy lives rise; those who live in this world by relying on God, carrying heavenly visions and dreams, rise. Jesus Christ really doesn't care whether one more or one less person stumbles; it all depends on the choice in your heart.

We studied Luke chapter 17 and were very excited. It writes that a servant returned, and the master said, Prepare dinner for me. The servant said, I am very tired from working all day. Nevertheless, he must prepare dinner, lay down his burden, and serve the master, and only after the master has eaten can he eat. This is what Jesus taught: When you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ If you do not think it is your duty to do, you will stumble. People always feel that it is not their duty to do; doing it seems like adding something to God. Then you are finished, so we must rethink.

In the days of Noah, a large group of people stumbled; in the days of Lot, a large group of people also stumbled and were destroyed. This is our God. Looking through chapter by chapter, it continues to talk about who is being stumbled and who is being raised up, all the way until Jesus Christ is crucified. I urge everyone to carefully reflect on themselves. Our God is the God of the living, not the God of the dead. While we are alive, trust in Him well. Do not stumble on this rock. You must pray well, lest you enter into temptation.

Satan Wants to Sift Us Like Wheat

And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to strength, strengthen your brethren.” (Luke 22:31-32)

This passage is only written in Luke. If you believe in Jesus, Satan will want to get you. If you don't believe, Satan has already gotten you. If you want to believe, Satan will desperately want to get you, sifting you like wheat. But do not stumble. When we stumble, turn around and stand up again, and then strengthen our brethren. Luke, in his writing, is talking about stumbling and rising.

When we look at Luke, what was Peter's condition? Peter lacked something in his bones. At that time, he denied the Lord three times, and later, when he saw those who came from James, he was afraid and acted hypocritically. We must never be cowards. Know that Revelation clearly writes:

But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)

This is so that our faith will not be so dull, so that our God will open our minds, so that we can understand the word of God, receive power from above, and so that we can glorify His name in this world.

Summary

Many people stumble, many people rise; this is my summary of Luke. This summary is very good, hitting the sore spot of the devil. In any case, be a person who rises, and never be a person who stumbles. May God raise us up among all nations. Even if we are slandered, blasphemed, and defamed, it doesn't matter, because the Jesus we believe in is originally such a Jesus, never pleasing people, only pleasing God. In this world, we must uphold God's way every day, because this world and everything in it will pass away, but the word of God endures forever.

May God, when we reach the kingdom of Jesus Christ and see each other, may we congratulate each other and say: Thank God that we held fast to God's way in our days in this world, until the day of victory came. Someone asked me, Will we still know each other in heaven? We don't drink Meng Po soup when we go to heaven, how can we not know each other? Those who drink Meng Po soup eventually go to hell.

Even what Abraham did four thousand years ago is still being told as his story in heaven. I hope that the victorious stories we do in this world will also be told in heaven in the future. Be determined to be a person who is raised up. What we do in this world is not easy, and it is difficult and uncomfortable to be a person who is raised up because we have to pay the price, but it is even more uncomfortable to be a person who stumbles.

I will tell you a very interesting idea. Some people are greedy and lazy, and occasionally use drugs, causing a lot of chaos. They enjoy it very much at the beginning, but it is extremely uncomfortable afterward. This life is very empty and painful, and that is a portrayal of life. There is another way: I work hard at the beginning, pay the price for God, I sow in tears, and when the time of harvest comes, I will shout with joy.

I think it's better to be bitter first and then sweet than to be sweet first and then bitter. Looking at the trend, bitter first and then sweet is a bull market, and sweet first and then bitter is a bear market. Which do you want? Of course, you want a bull market. If we want to mix, we must mix in the kingdom of God, mix on the true way of God. Completely give ourselves, so that the momentary, light affliction may achieve for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, until we see the face of the Lord and receive His praise, and our story will also be told in eternity.

May God bless everyone!