THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 2:8-14 “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” (Luke 2:10) What would it take to bring great joy to ALL people? To the poor, oppressed, homeless, anxious, abused, lonely, sick, depressed, distraught? Think of all the people living at this very moment; how many of…
Room for Jesus?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 2:1-7 “Because there was no guest room available for them.” (Luke 2:7) Middle Eastern culture is known for it’s strong hospitality. Yet no one would take in an young expectant mother? Maybe the town was full for the census Maybe all the spare rooms were spoken for. But no one would take…
The sun will come up!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 1:67-80 “The rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death…” (Luke 1:78-79) When life is reasonably easy, and things are generally OK, hope is a small matter. But when you live in the dark, in the shadow of death,…
Survey – Growing to be more like Jesus
Last Sunday I took another survey. I was trying to gauge whether disciples were actively working on personal growth areas in their relationship with Christ. The response to the first question was obviously unanimous: do you struggle in any specific area to reflect the character of Jesus? — YES!!!! The next question was intended to identify…
His hand is on me too!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 1:57-66 “For the Lord’s hand was with him.” (Luke 1:66) The details surrounding John’s birth caught peoples’ attention. A barren older lady becomes pregnant, her husband loses his voice, in the temple! And then this naming incident – everybody! names their first son after the father. That Zechariah agrees with this radical…
Great things for me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 1:46-56 “The Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is his name.” A young, single girl discovers she is pregnant… with the messiah!?!? Her life has just been radically altered forever. Something deep within her explodes – not with rage or despair but with praise. These words reveal…
Because of Jesus in you!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 1:39-45 “The baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Luke 1:41) Have you ever tried to help someone experience Jesus? Seems to me that instead of trying to move people toward Jesus, we just need to bring Jesus to them. Mary did nothing but show up,…
God will do it!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 1:26-38 “For no word from God will ever fail.” (Luke 1:37) We may recall this translation better: “nothing is impossible for God!” The literal words are: no word/thing of God will be powerless. In other words, when God plans something, it happens. This is not saying that God can do ANYTHING (like create…
Pointing people to Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 1:5-25 “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 not be the messiah, but he will prepare the way. He will be…
To know Jesus better!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 1:1-4 “So that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” (Luke 1:4) Was Theophilus a person, or a ‘friend of God’ as the word means? Was he Paul’s lawyer, a Jewish priest, a converted Roman official (‘most excellent’)? We know that Luke was a dear friend of…