Sometimes You Can’t Go Home (Luke 4:14-30)
Jesus went “home” to Nazareth. He was initially accepted as a leader and teacher. But his message did not fit the narrative that they had all believed. They did not want a Messiah for all, just for them and when all was said and done, they ran him out of town. We have no indication that he ever returned. How do we respond when the message of Jesus is a bit different than what we have imagined?WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Jan 31, 2021Sometimes You Can’t Go Home (Luke 4:14-30)
Sometimes You Can’t Go Home (Luke 4:14-30)Jesus went “home” to Nazareth. He was initially accepted as a leader and teacher. But his message did not fit the narrative that they had all believed. They did not want a Messiah for all, just for them and when all was said and done, they ran him out of town. We have no indication that he ever returned. How do we respond when the message of Jesus is a bit different than what we have imagined?
- Jan 24, 2021Jesus Understands (Luke 3:21-23; 4:1-13)
Jesus Understands (Luke 3:21-23; 4:1-13)
Jesus begins his public ministry at the age of 30. He is baptized not because of his sins, but in a step of showing that he is orienting his life in obedience to the Father. Luke shows how Jesus is truly the son of God in his lineage. Following this is the temptation in which we see Jesus using the Scriptures to fight off the misuse of the Scriptures by the Devil. We will discover in this passage the importance of making sure we follow God and not the tempting shortcuts of the enemy. - Jan 17, 2021Preparing the Way Luke 3:1-20
Preparing the Way Luke 3:1-20
What does it look like to live a godly life? What are practical ways to show people that I have reoriented my life and my thinking to put God first. One of the most enigmatic characters in the Bible is John the Baptist. There was something about him that drew people to him. His message was clear and simple. His advice practical. His awareness of the scope and focus of his mission undeniable. We can learn much from this unique servant of God. - Jan 10, 2021Like Us…But Different (Luke 2:39-52)
Like Us…But Different (Luke 2:39-52)
We have very little knowledge of what Jesus was like as a child. Some have tried to come up with descriptions, but they are speculative at best. Luke gives us one story and several descriptions of the young Jesus. We also discover that in many ways he was just like us in his growth and development; all the way to being obedient to his parents. Yet he was different in that he understood there was a higher call on his life.
- Jan 3, 2021God’s Faithful Plan (Luke 1:57-80)
God’s Faithful Plan (Luke 1:57-80)
What would be the first words out of your mouth if you had been rendered speechless for almost a year? We encounter just such a person in Luke 1. Zechariah the priest was rendered speechless until his son John would be born. When his ability to speak returned it was a shock to everyone. But what he said was truly inspired and gave all a glimpse of the plan of God that had been unfolding for centuries. - Dec 27, 2020God Knows (Luke 1:1-25)
God Knows (Luke 1:1-25)
After a year of canceled plans, dashed hopes, and diminished dreams, upon whom can we
rely? We know we can rely on God. And yet we sometimes wonder; does God
really know who I am or even where I am? The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth
give us some answers - Dec 20, 2020Finding Love in Our Differences – 1 John 4:7-21
Finding Love in Our Differences – 1 John 4:7-21
Love that is truly love is a unifying force. When we really love someone we are able to see their best qualities and we are able to accept their differences. When we truly love someone we initiate acts of kindness, we don’t count the cost in helping them, we are safe in the relationship, and we look for ways to bridge our gaps. God is love. God so loved that He sent His Son. The real Christmas story is about love. - Dec 13, 2020Finding Joy in our Discouragements (Luke 1)
Finding Joy in our Discouragements (Luke 1)
Joy is not a word that we have heard uttered much over the past year. And yet in the midst of difficulties and struggles those who follow Jesus can have a sense of joy. In our passages today we meet two very familiar women. Each with much to be concerned about, but each aware that God had chosen them to participate in His plan in a very special way. In what should have been a time of discouragement they found joy and so can we. - Dec 6, 2020Peace in the Middle of Our Struggles (Luke 2:8-20)
Peace in the Middle of Our Struggles (Luke 2:8-20)
We see it all around. The word peace appears on cards, in Christmas displays, and even in store displays during this season. We all want peace. We desire peace. The angels declared God’s peace to those who were favored by God. But what does that mean? How can one have peace with God? We will learn what the shepherds learned 2000 years ago. Peace is a person. Jesus is the source of peace. - Nov 29, 2020Hope in Uncertain Times: Luke 2:22-38
Hope in Uncertain Times: Luke 2:22-38
Hope. It is often a word we use as a synonym for “wish.” But hope in the Bible is not used as a wish, it is a certainty that is yet to be fully realized. Hope in the Bible is based on God’s promises. We will see two individuals today who lived in hope day in and day out and were not disappointed. They saw with their own eyes what God had promised. Their story and their hope can encourage us. Howington. Released: 2020. - Nov 22, 2020A Lament When One is Down – Psalm 142
A Lament When One is Down – Psalm 142
A cave is typically dark, damp, and lonely. For most people caves are intriguing from a distance. People also face “caves” in life. We at times find ourselves in dark, lonely places in our soul. David did. We find a poignant cry to God in Psalm 142 that apparently was uttered when David was in the cave. We find a reminder that in our darkest moments, the hope that God is there can be enough. - Nov 15, 2020Psalm 94 – A Community Lament over Injustice
Psalm 94 – A Community Lament over Injustice
God is a God of justice. God expects his people to be people of justice. In this community lament the psalmist cries out to God for the way the rich and powerful are treating the powerless in the community. What is most disturbing is that the tone of the psalm points to the fact that the oppressors are actually part of the larger community of the nation. The call is for God to exact his righteous judgment against oppression of the weak. - Nov 8, 2020Lament over one’s own sin – Psalm 51
Lament over one’s own sin – Psalm 51
Sometimes we exercise the prayer language of lament when we have suffered a personal loss. But what about when we have caused the pain and the loss due to our own sin. Psalm 51 is David’s prayer of lament due to his own sinful acts. When sin empties us, God in his grace still hears us. - Nov 1, 2020Lament – Crying out to God: Psalm 13
Lament – Crying out to God: Psalm 13
No matter who you are, or how strong you believe your faith to be, you have no doubt asked God questions like: “Where are you?” “How can you not see what I am going through?” “Why do you not act more quickly?” These are the questions of Lament. God has given us Lament as a prayer language to put words to our grief and struggles. - Oct 25, 2020Jude: Stay Strong
Jude: Stay Strong
Often times we emphasize the content of one’s teaching and we will warn against false teaching or a false narrative. The book of Jude is also a warning to folks to beware of false teachers. But his approach does not delve into the specific nature of the teaching. Instead he focuses on the character and behaviors of false teachers. The readers in the First Century as well and you and I today are warned to beware of those who use God’s grace as an excuse to be selfish and sinful.