Matthew 24:45-51 Parable of the Unfaithful Servant (1975) Zane C. Hodges

Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has made ruler over his house?

There is no greater incentive to faithful living then the realization that our Lord Jesus Christ may come back at any time. When that realization is lost, very much else may be lost also. What is the outer darkness in this parable? Can Christians experience weeping and gnashing of teeth for lives of unfaithfulness to Jesus Christ? www.ZaneHodges.org #eternalrewards #discipleship #disciple #outerdarkness

Preparation for Comfort Zane C. Hodges (1980) Isaiah 40:1-5 and Luke 3:1-6, 10-14

"Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God."

What do you really know about the comfort of God? Do you understand God's comfort in your own life and are you able to share it with other people? Our hearts and lives are not ready for the blessings with which God desires to comfort us until we know something about comforting other people in their need. When God's people pursue equity, honesty and kindness, then God's glory can be seen in the midst of His people and other men will also see it there. Sometimes we make the mistake of thinking that God is looking for geniuses, orators or superstars, but what God is really looking for are people who have a genuine concern for the needs of other people, who are scrupulously honest, and who really know something about the art of kindness and consideration and gentleness towards all. When God finds an individual like that, He can build the kind of life which can be filled with the blessings and mercies of God, which are the only true comfort of the human heart. God is always eager to comfort His people if we are prepared to receive it. Other passages mentioned include: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, James 1:27, 1 John 3:17, Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 5:7, Philippians 4:5 and John 13:35.

Luke 16:19-31 Pleasure Has an Exit Door Marked Death

Zane C. Hodges (1993)

What is the most potent, the most addictive, the most intoxicating, and the most dangerous drug known to man? Pleasure. The purpose of the story of the rich man and Lazarus is not to explain why Lazarus and the rich man are where they are, but to show that these two men have traded places. Those who never believe in Jesus Christ for the free gift of eternal life will one day find that their days of pleasure will come to an end. The Word of God is more valuable than a whole lifetime filled with pleasure. The only really stable and solid thing in this world is the Word of God. Other passages: 2 Cor 5:8; Ephesians 2:8-9; Luke 24:13, 25-27.