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…
My closest friend!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 88 “Darkness is my closest friend.” (Psalm 88:18) According to the title, this psalm was written by Heman the Ezrahite. When I grew up, Heman was the master of the universe. But this Heman is not so strong: he is hopeless,discouraged, defeated. The verse above is the last line, where his prayer…
God’s dream family!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Isaiah 17-20 “The Lord Almighty will bless them, saying, ‘Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance.’” (Isaiah 19:25) These words would have been hard for God’s people to hear. Isaiah is saying that one day even their enemies will be God’s family. We have a glimpse of God’s…
This is us, not God!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Isaiah 13-16 “Their infants will be dashed to pieces before their eyes; Their houses will be looted and their wives violated.” (Isaiah 13:16) Its words like these that lead many to reject the bible. How can God say this, how can this be the same God Jesus spoke of? But this is not…