A Community of Faith, A Lighthouse for Christ
Jesus has been teaching emphatically about the values of God which are so very different from the cultural values of the Pharisees and our own. He’s repeatedly taught that God doesn’t put the same weight on material possessions and is more concerned that possessions be used well than that they be returned to Him. Tonight, … Read more
We are moving to our last habit of highly Godly people. We are moving away from the book of Nehemiah (but will reference it) and will be focusing on Luke 10: 1-12. “The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few…” Scripture Reference Luke 10: 1-12 Sermon Audio Sermon Notes Introduction Harvesting crops has become … Read more
This week we continue with the least popular habit of highly godly believers, one which is perfectly suited for Thanksgiving week, namely fasting! Scripture Reference Nehemiah 9: 1-3 Sermon Audio Sermon Notes Fasting in Israel, Fasting in the Church Fasting in Nehemiah’s time – Humbling themselves before the Lord Fasting in the Church Never required, … Read more
Luke 15 introduced 3 parables explaining with increasing intensity God’s passion for the lost – the Parable of the Lost Sheep, the Parable of the Lost Coin, and the Parable of the Lost Son (i.e. the Prodigal Son). In chapter 16, we see Jesus talking to disciples and apparently some Pharisees (verse 14) and see … Read more
As we continue examining the habits that bring us closer to God and which His Spirit uses to transform us increasingly into the likeness of Christ, we next consider what it means to worship, and specifically what it means to worship acceptably, in a godly manner, in spirit and in truth. To help us, we … Read more
Once again we encounter Jesus at a dinner party – this time on a Sabbath at the home of a leading Pharisee. At the beginning of Luke 14, Jesus challenged them by healing a man on the Sabbath. Then He told a parable regarding the value of humility, lest someone else humble you – because … Read more
We continue our discussion of the classic spiritual disciplines that have transformed Christians for centuries with a look at what is probably the most crucial habit outside of worship – embracing God’s Word in our daily lives. Scripture Reference Nehemiah 8: 1-12 Sermon Audio Sermon Notes We Must Embrace God’s Word in a Transformative … Read more
As Jesus’ journey toward Jerusalem progresses, He becomes increasingly direct about the consequences of repenting or rejecting Him. Luke’s overwhelming theme is salvation, and that’s foremost in tonight’s encounter. In Luke 13: 5, he talks about “repent or perish.” In Luke 13: 6-9, he describes an unfruitful fig tree, the national symbol of Israel, that … Read more