Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of 1/24/10:
1. Jesus’ desire to reach out to the hopeless, to sinners, brought Him into opposition with the religious leaders who had nothing but contempt for them. Jesus’ mission was to reach out to the lost (Luke 5:27-32; 19:10).
2. Jesus told three parables to refute the attitude of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law and to show God’s concern for the salvation of sinners; He told the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son.
3. God is the shepherd who looks for lost sheep; the creator whose image is stamped upon human being; and the father who waits and looks for the return of his lost son. The religious leaders in their self-righteousness didn’t see themselves as in need of salvation
4. “Jesus always saw the potential in people. The sheep could be brought back to the flock and bring joy to the shepherd; the coin could be found; and the son could return home and lovingly serve his father. There is hope for every sinner because Jesus welcomes everyone.” (Warren Wiersbe)
Monday, January 25, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Lessons For The Religious, Part 3
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of 1/17/10:
1. As Jesus dined at the home of a prominent Pharisee He addressed a third topic, being a respecter of persons, that is, interacting with people on the basis of their position, influence, social standing, or money. The Pharisees socialized and ministered on the basis of those who could repay them/do them some good, Jesus urges ministry to those who cannot repay or return the favor, by doing that His followers will lay up treasure in heaven. (James 2; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; Matthew 6:19-21).
2. The last of the four topics Jesus deals with at this banquet is the issue of the importance of not rejecting His offer of the kingdom.
3. There are those today who reject Jesus’ offer of eternal life on the basis of flimsy excuses not unlike the ones offered in the parable (material things, business, relationships).
4. Commitments for the coming year based upon Jesus’ teaching in Luke 14:1-24. With the help of God (as I yield to the control of His Spirit):
-I will be more grace-oriented, merciful and loving
-I will stop competing with others for attention, being self-promoting
-I will not treat others on the basis of what they can do for me or the position they hold
-I will share my faith with others as God gives me opportunity
Recap of 1/17/10:
1. As Jesus dined at the home of a prominent Pharisee He addressed a third topic, being a respecter of persons, that is, interacting with people on the basis of their position, influence, social standing, or money. The Pharisees socialized and ministered on the basis of those who could repay them/do them some good, Jesus urges ministry to those who cannot repay or return the favor, by doing that His followers will lay up treasure in heaven. (James 2; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; Matthew 6:19-21).
2. The last of the four topics Jesus deals with at this banquet is the issue of the importance of not rejecting His offer of the kingdom.
3. There are those today who reject Jesus’ offer of eternal life on the basis of flimsy excuses not unlike the ones offered in the parable (material things, business, relationships).
4. Commitments for the coming year based upon Jesus’ teaching in Luke 14:1-24. With the help of God (as I yield to the control of His Spirit):
-I will be more grace-oriented, merciful and loving
-I will stop competing with others for attention, being self-promoting
-I will not treat others on the basis of what they can do for me or the position they hold
-I will share my faith with others as God gives me opportunity
Monday, January 11, 2010
Lessons For The Religious, Part 2
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of 1/10/10:
1. Jesus observes guests jockeying for positions of honor at a dinner given by a prominent Pharisee and takes the occasion to teach about the need for humility and the dangers of pride.
2. Pride is the “essential vice, the utmost evil,” according to C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity; more deadly than “unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness” which Lewis calls “mere fleabites” by comparison. Competition is at the heart of pride.
3. Humility is not thinking lowly of ourselves or putting ourselves down. Humility is taking a genuine interest in other people, not always focusing on ourselves.
4. The costs of pride are: it separates us from God (James 4:6; Proverbs 3:34); it separates us from other people; it keeps us from spiritual growth; it keeps us from emotional growth; and it keeps us from contentment.
Recap of 1/10/10:
1. Jesus observes guests jockeying for positions of honor at a dinner given by a prominent Pharisee and takes the occasion to teach about the need for humility and the dangers of pride.
2. Pride is the “essential vice, the utmost evil,” according to C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity; more deadly than “unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness” which Lewis calls “mere fleabites” by comparison. Competition is at the heart of pride.
3. Humility is not thinking lowly of ourselves or putting ourselves down. Humility is taking a genuine interest in other people, not always focusing on ourselves.
4. The costs of pride are: it separates us from God (James 4:6; Proverbs 3:34); it separates us from other people; it keeps us from spiritual growth; it keeps us from emotional growth; and it keeps us from contentment.
Lessons For The Religious
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of 1/3/10:
1. In Luke 14:1-24 Jesus confronts the wrong thinking of the religious crowd of His day. He condemns their hypocrisy and empty ritual/habit/religious observance; instead He urges them to live mercifully, graciously, and freely. He condemns their pride/self-seeking attitude and urges them toward humility. He condemns their exploitation of others, their respect of persons and instead urges them toward generosity of nature and service, serving those who cannot pay them back. He condemns their excuses that keep them from salvation; they should respond to the message.
2. Jesus condemns their legalism. Legalism is an attempt to approach life’s issues without thinking and without love. There are seven dangers of a legalistic approach to life:
-the legalist treats people as objects
-replaces love with manmade rules
-majors on minors
-legalism has no power to deal with spiritual need (neither salvation or sanctification)
-cannot produce growth, instead it interferes with growth
-produces a false humility
-infects others with a false spirituality
Recap of 1/3/10:
1. In Luke 14:1-24 Jesus confronts the wrong thinking of the religious crowd of His day. He condemns their hypocrisy and empty ritual/habit/religious observance; instead He urges them to live mercifully, graciously, and freely. He condemns their pride/self-seeking attitude and urges them toward humility. He condemns their exploitation of others, their respect of persons and instead urges them toward generosity of nature and service, serving those who cannot pay them back. He condemns their excuses that keep them from salvation; they should respond to the message.
2. Jesus condemns their legalism. Legalism is an attempt to approach life’s issues without thinking and without love. There are seven dangers of a legalistic approach to life:
-the legalist treats people as objects
-replaces love with manmade rules
-majors on minors
-legalism has no power to deal with spiritual need (neither salvation or sanctification)
-cannot produce growth, instead it interferes with growth
-produces a false humility
-infects others with a false spirituality
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