THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 13:28-30 “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth…” (Luke 13:28) Jesus is still speaking about those who thought they were ‘saved’. He describes a scene where people from all times and places gather. It will be a huge feast and celebration, and Jesus will welcome each one. But there will…
Author: Norm
Does He recognize me?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 13:22-27 “I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me you evildoers!” (Luke 13:27) Jesus is asked about how many or few will be saved. He shifts the focus to the man who asks: ‘you make sure you are saved!’ Apparently many think they’re saved, but Jesus does not…
Where are You God?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 89 “Lord, where is your former great love?” (Psalm 89:49) This psalm starts by repeating God’s promises to guard His people forever. But then it faces how God’s people are crushed and defeated. Ethan (the Psalmist) cries out to God, ‘where are You???’ ‘Why are you withholding Your love from us?’ Many…
Bringers of salvation???
THE STORY OF JESUS: Isaiah 24-27 “We have not brought salvation to the earth.” (Isaiah 26:18) We live in a sin-messed world: “a curse consumes the earth!” (24:6) God hates the violence, abuse, injustice, misery, immorality. He established Israel to be a light in a dark world, but that light faded. Called to be a blessing, they…
Leaders held accountable!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Isaiah 20-23 “I will depose you from your office, you will be ousted from your position. (Isaiah 22:19) Isaiah is speaking against the leaders of all countries, including Jerusalem. “The authorities that exist have been established by God.” (Romans 13:1) This does not make them right or good, but responsible and accountable. Church leaders…
Small yet significant!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 13:18-21 “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like a mustard seed.” (Luke 13:20) Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a mustard seed, and to some yeast. On the one hand it is small, insignificant, almost invisible. And yet it packs a punch, and impacts much and…
God’s mission… and ours!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 13:10-17 “Should not this woman whom Satan has kept bound be set free?” (Luke 13:16) God’s mission is to restore His creation and His family into His rest. To set us free from Satan’s lies, and give us the life He created us for. The OT Law was put in place to…
“I’m talking to YOU!”
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 13:1-9 “But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (Luke 13:5) Jesus is warning His religious audience not to focus on the sins of others. The fig tree was well known to Jews as a prophetic symbol of Israel. The prophets used it to challenge God’s people for not bearing good…
Is it time to change how we do ‘church’?
“In many ways, the shift from the inherited Christendom mode to a predominantly missional mode of church is the biggest challenge facing the church since the Reformation. We are, whether we like it or not, living in what is rightly called a post-Christendom, post-Christian, postmodern world. We cannot assume that the ideas formulated in completely…
Can’t you see what’s happening???
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 12:54-59 “How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?” (Luke 12:56) Jesus says we should be able to interpret what is happening in the world. Think it through, where is society and the world drifting? The gap between rich and poor, the rise in mental illness and…