THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 4:14-21 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.” (Luke 4:18) The Spirit of God represents everything about God: His heart, mind, power, purpose. Jesus is energized by the Spirit of God, He is on fire for God and for…
Prepare for battle!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 4:3-13 “When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.” (Luke 4:13) What all these temptations have in common is that they hit Jesus where He is vulnerable. These may not be your weaknesses, but where are you vulnerable? The deceiver is crafty; he is always…
The battle is hard!!!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 4:1-4 “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.” (Luke 4:1-2) God has just affirmed Jesus as His well-pleasing, much-loved son. God’s Spirit has filled and energized Him, He is on fire…
This is my story, too!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 3:23-38 He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph… the son of Adam, the son of God. (Luke 3:23,38) Genealogies (or family trees) can give us a sense of connection to our past. We see that we are a part of a bigger story, part of a bigger family. Luke…
The Jesus blessing!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 3:21-22 “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22) When is the last time someone told you they loved you? Or that they were very pleased with you? When is the last time you said this to one of your children? Or can you remember…
God’s word is not chained!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 3:19-20 “He locked John up in prison.”(Luke 3:20) God sends John to prepare the way for Jesus; Satan tried to silence him. But can God’s purpose be thwarted, can God’s plans be stopped? This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal….
Good news for me, through me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 3:15-18 “John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.” (Luke 3:18) John is proclaiming good news in the wilderness. Many people come and he welcomes them with ‘you brood of vipers’ (v.7). He warns them about the axe at the root (v.9), and the unquenchable fire (v.17). Is this…
Show me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 3:10-14 “‘What should we do then?’ the crowd asked. (Luke 3:10) What is the heart of religion, the endgame for God? That we reflect His love and compassion as His image-bearers. He is not interested in religious rituals or acts of piety. True religion for God is compassion for the needy (James 1:27)….
Pruning my branches!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 3:7-9 “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Luke 3:8) Here is the real test of our sincerity: does it produce any fruit? God is not looking for mere words, He wants sincere action. We’re no different, we want someone who says they’re sorry to show it too. To say sorry, yet not…
Wake up call!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 3:1-6 “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” (Luke 3:4) Here God uses John – a wilderness prophet – to prepare people for Jesus. John caught peoples’ attention with his extreme ways and words. “John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist,…