THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 19:11-27 “The people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once.” (Luke 19:11) Travelling preachers will often use the same stories again in differing contexts. This parable sounds the same as the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). But on this occasion He was talking to those who expected…
Worshiping God, not worship!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 96 “Declare his glory among the nations…” (Psalm 96:3) The glory of God is the shining brilliance of Who He is and what He does. The GREATNESS and the GOODNESS of God is the content of our worship. We experience God’s greatness and goodness in our lives! We express our wonder or…
Skilled at doing good!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Jeremiah 4-6 “They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good.” (Jeremiah 4:22) God created us to live good lives, to do good works (Ephesians 2:10). So why is it that we often struggle to know and do what is good. It seems that doing evil comes naturally, but not…
Blaming God?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Jeremiah 1-3 “Why do you bring charges against me? You have all rebelled against me!” (Jeremiah 2:29) I suspect God often asks this question… ‘why are you blaming Me?’ Our world is a mess not because God has turned on us. Human greed, lust, violence and folly are the recurring themes of history….
Jesus is the life-changer!!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 19:1-10 “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” (Luke 19:5) Zacchaeus thought he was checking Jesus out; now Jesus takes charge. In a sense, Jesus steps in to his life uninvited – “I must stay at your house!” Little did Zacchaeus know that morning how Jesus would turn…
I want to see Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 18:35-43 “When all the people saw it, they also praised God.” (Luke 18:43) This blind man wasn’t the only one whose eyes were opened. The same group that tried to silence the blind man now see this healing. They did not understand – could not see – that this was what Jesus…
Still do not know…
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 18:31-34 “They did not know what he was talking about.” (Luke 18:34) The Jews understood that a messiah was coming. They did not comprehend that their messiah would die. They expected victory, not defeat; a crown, not a cross. Even after several years with Jesus, the disciples still did not understand. I…
I am a camel!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 18:18-30 “When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy.” (Luke 18:23) Would you rather have many people thankful in heaven for how you blessed them? Or fewer people thankful because you kept most of your wealth for yourself. To use most of your money for yourself, or…
Worship starts with God
“At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women,…
Hardened heart?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 95 “Today, if only you would hear his voice, do not harden your hearts!” (Psalm 95:8) This psalm is calling for a response from us when we experience God. God is always speaking and working in and around us, yet we often miss it. Many of us will sit in church today,…