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Bible Text: Various | Preacher: Keith Pond | Series: Amid the Darkness | Various
In this passage, Jesus deals with the religious leaders' anger and annoyance that He eats with tax collectors and sinners by telling three parables. Each parable deals with something being lost, hunted for, and then found with joy and celebration. However, in verses 11-32, the focus not only rests on on the prodigal but on the elder son in verses 25-32. Rather than rejoicing, he is bitter and angry that the Father has allowed the prodigal to return home.
Jesus warns the crowd that half-hearted discipleship is actually not discipleship. Christ must be our all and have our primary allegiance.
Jesus is at a feast with the religious authorities, and there have been some awkward silences due to Jesus condemnations of them. Then after another one, a man shouts out “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” Jesus then gives a story that shows that not all who think they will be there will be, but in fact many they assumed never will be there are invited and come.
What does God's word say to the saint who finds himself in the midst of overwhelming darkness and despair? When there, you may wonder, "What's wrong with me? Christians shouldn't be here, should they?"
I am so glad we serve a God who will not leave us nor will He forsake us. Therefore, His word provides us hope and assurance when we find ourselves in such dark and despairing days or with which we can come alongside brothers and sisters in the midst of their agony. - Keith Pond
Bible Text: Luke 14:1-14 | Preacher: Jeremy Mollenkopf | Series: Luke's Good News | Luke 14:1-14
Jesus has been teaching and calling for repentance, and one man asks if Jesus is saying not many will be saved. Jesus does not directly answer this but instead focuses on making sure you are part of the group (large or small) that will be saved. The narrow door of repentance and faith will only open for a short time and then it is too late. Jesus does not say this in anger though, for He is determined to go to His death to save those over whom He weeps.
Jesus compassionately heals a woman, but all the religious leader can see is that He did this on the Sabbath. Jesus uses this demonstration over Satan’s power to discuss His kingdom and its power.
Jesus finishes calling them to be right with God, and they respond (in essence), “But what about Pilate! What about the Galileans…” Jesus calls them to focus on their own sin instead of that of everyone else, and they must bear fruit of repentance before it is too late.