THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 1:21-25 “(The Lord has) taken away my disgrace among the people.” (Luke 1:25) At that time, in that culture, barrenness was a disgrace “among the people”. The word translated “disgrace” actually means a bad name or reputation. In our day, there are also cultural stigmas that shame people with a bad name….
Pointing others to Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 1:5-20 “To make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1:17) Before the birth of the messiah baby, another baby is born. This aged couple, like Abraham and Sarah, is part of God’s salvation plan. Their child will be filled with the Spirit even before he is born – a special…
Hearing Jesus (He’s talking to YOU!!!)
(Sermon preached on Sunday, September 24, 2017, at Maranatha Church, Cambridge) Read through John 21:15-25. As you read this passage, notice how Jesus speaks personally to Peter, and addresses his own heart issues. Jesus does not let Peter shift the focus to John (“the other disciple”), making it clear to him that “you must follow me!”…
What He has done for me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 66 “Let me tell you what he has done for me.” (Psalm 66:14) I recently heard a pastor lament all the “I”s and “Me”s in worship today. His concern was that worship had become ‘all about me’, instead of God. I can’t say where peoples hearts are when they express their worship….
Inspired to join in!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Esther 4-5 “If you remain silent at this time, deliverance will arise from another place.” (Esther 4:14) I am God’s image-bearer (and so are you), called to lead this world with God-like character. The story of the world, (and my story) is one of failure to fulfill our roles. We are silent when…
Ordinary, everyday discipleship
“Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Colossians 3:17) As a Jesus follower, I am committed to living LIKE Jesus in the details of my life. Not just being religious (going to church, praying before meals, reading bible, etc. Following Jesus is about how you…
Seeing God in my story!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Esther 1-3 “All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king.” (Esther 2:23) This brief moment in the plot seems unimportant, but it is not. As we shall see, this moment recorded by the king, will come up again in the story. The story of Esther…
Sharing the story of Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 1:1-4 “I too decided to write an orderly account for you.” (Luke 1:3) I love thinking about Luke, and how he came become a messenger of Jesus. Luke was a doctor (Colossians 4:14), and a fellow worker with Paul (Philemon 1:24). When Paul was left alone (and abandoned by Demas), only Luke stay with…
Crush that snake in Jesus’ Name!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 16:15-20 “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15) The good news is NOT just about our being forgiven, it is about our being restored. Restored as God’s image-bearers, ruling over all creation. This is the good news that the creation itself longs to hear (Romans 8:19-22)….
Doubt that still sees!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 16:9-14 “Jesus appeared to them (and) rebuked them for their lack of faith.” (Mark 16:14) Today I sense the Lord asking me about my faith. Not about the doctrines I claim to believe, but about my confidence in Him. Here the disciples could not believe the impossible, the unseen. Like Thomas, “Unless…