The Vine Community Church: Recent Episodes
The Vine Community Church
Sometimes a person must be brought low in order to see both life and God with clarity. From that well of despair and lowliness, a person must cry out for mercy. Jesus' ears are fixed for that one.
As Jesus nears Jerusalem, He needs to correct the eschatological expectations of the Twelve. He reminds them of His primary task as the Messiah, based upon Old Testament prophetic expectation, but they remain blind to it.
Many believe in Jesus, having their life changed by Him, but are they believing in a saving way?
The death of Jesus did more than save the Church, it purified her. So, Jesus calls the Church to grow into that purity in a practical way. It happens by brothers and sisters in Christ confronting unrepentant sin that still abides.
Five false hopes that send people to hell, and one true hope that sends people to heaven.
Jesus tells a parable to teach of a great coming reversal. Many expecting to be in heaven will wake up in hell, and the most unlikely will be carried to heaven. Jesus reveals why in this shocking teaching.
This sermon explores the roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the work of redeeming sinners.
The Spirit is the fulness of God, possessing personhood and deity, and must be worshiped as such.
In order to affirm that God is three in One, it requires all three persons possess the fullness of deity. This sermon explores the deity of the Father and Son from Scripture.
Biblical, Trinitarian Christianity must affirm that God is One, but eternally existent in three persons.
Jesus tells a parable of an unrighteous man, but to teach on righteous living. While salvation comes by faith in Christ alone, He shows that our temporary obedience directly impacts our eternal experience.
In Jesus' longest parable, the Prodigal Son, He begins by showing that sometimes a person's sin must take them to rock-bottom before their pride is crushed and repentance begins. However, it is at that low spot that the joy-driven, unbridled grace of God not only forgives, but then blesses the penitent sinner beyond comprehension. All they must do is simply come to Him. On the other hand, self-righteousness blinds a person from seeing their need to come. While they're sin has separated them from God, they're believing themselves to be close. The second half of this parable shows how deceptive and damning it really is. Yet, despite this, the good news is that God in Christ still offers forgiveness even to these. So may they respond in faith!
In Jesus' longest parable, the Prodigal Son, He begins by showing that sometimes a person's sin must take them to rock-bottom before their pride is crushed and repentance begins. However, it is at that low spot that the joy-driven, unbridled grace of God not only forgives, but then blesses the penitent sinner beyond comprehension. All they must do is simply come to Him. On the other hand, self-righteousness blinds a person from seeing their need to come. While they're sin has separated them from God, they're believing themselves to be close. The second half of this parable shows how deceptive and damning it really is.
In Jesus' longest parable, the Prodigal Son, He begins by showing that sometimes a person's sin must take them to rock-bottom before their pride is crushed and repentance begins. However, it is at that low spot that the joy-driven, unbridled love and grace of God not only forgives, but then blesses the penitent sinner beyond comprehension. All they must do is simply come to Him.
In Jesus' longest parable, the Prodigal Son, He begins by showing that sometimes a person's sin must take them to rock-bottom before their pride is crushed, and repentance begins.
Jesus teaches on the joy of God in the salvation of a sinner. All of heaven celebrates over the recovery of the lost.
Jesus teaches on the joy of God in the salvation of the sinner. In contrast to the self-righteous grumbling of the scribes and pharisees, God loves to seek out sinners and rejoices when they're found.
One of the most difficult concepts for many Christians to embrace is the sovereignty of God. When one considers the ramifications of this doctrine, many grow cold, lose heart, or even become antagonistic. However, the way Scripture portrays God's sovereignty is that it is the occasion for joy and hope. In this psalm, we see this reality on full display, as Israel has just suffered a humiliating defeat in battle. Rather than shy away from it, the psalmist even says that it was God who crushed them in their affliction! Yet he does not remain here. He sees that though the hand of the Lord has crushed them, it will be this same hand that lifts them up, and thus, he hopes in God all the more.
There is a great cost to following Jesus. Following Him requires us to be willing to relinquish family, self, and stuff as first priority. He is Savior, but also Lord, demanding full allegiance and preeminence in our minds, hearts, and lives.
Jesus tells a parable that would've been received as ridiculous and ludicrous, but to expose the impossibility of a self-righteous person entering the Kingdom. It comes as judgment upon the religious leaders of Judaism, but a warning to religious people in general.
Self-righteous pride kills the soul, but humble dependence saves the sinner. Jesus teaches the way up is by first going down. The humble will be exalted.
Satan's greatest tools have always been false teachers and false religious systems. They bind and trap people from the true path to heaven. Jesus confronts the hypocrisy of such leaders and demonstrates His power over Satan's greatest tactic.
We are constantly inundated with a message that begs us to place our hope and trust in things that are doomed to fail us. Despite the temptation to trust in mankind, this broken and fallen world, or the promises of this world, the message of the psalmist is crystal clear: God alone is worthy of our trust. In this psalm, David provides three key reasons why we are called to place our faith in God alone. First, God is true, though all men are liars. Second, God is safe, though times are not. Finally, God is sure, though all else is transient. Yet all alike culminate in the truth that God is who He claims to be, and therefore, we can trust Him.
In this psalm, David brings the people into worship of God by drawing out three fundamental ways God displays His grace to mankind: He is Savior, He is Sovereign, and He is Sustainer. Thus, the reflection of the psalmist is clear, in that God is deserving of our worship. As we think of these attributes of God today, the same truth rings through to us. God truly is all of these things and more, and therefore, our fundamental purpose in life is to bring Him praise.
Two motives cause Jesus to remain faithful to the cross: His conviction of the word and compassion for the sinner. May this be the motive for every Christian's faithfulness as well.
Jesus teaches who will be included into His Kingdom and who will be excluded. Jesus is the narrow door, but we must possess the key.
Psalm 19 is popular among biblical Christians because God reveals himself through natural revelation in Psalm 19:1-6 and then as if that is not enough reveals much more through his special revelation in Psa. 19:7-11, a section of the Psalm that details the attributes, characteristics, and benefits of His Word, in other words, the work of God’s Word in the heart of the believer. Pastor Bruce will focus primarily on verses 7-11.
To the world, God's kingdom seems insignificant and invisible, but it's coming is inevitable. Jesus encourages His disciples not to lose heart. His purposes will be accomplished in time. The Kingdom of God may not look as many presume it to look, but it's coming is sure.
There is only one answer to the brokenness of a fallen world -- Jesus Christ. Our lostness in sin is unfixable and permanent. However, there is One who can straighten it. The beauty of Christ's person never grows old, and this passage gives another wonderful picture of what God has accomplished through His sympathetic work. For the one who knows their need, Christ mercifully draws near to redeem their unworthy life. He sees us, calls to us, speaks to us, and touches us in our greatest need.
Jesus illustrates the need to repent with a parable. God's patience is great, but time is of the essence. For no one knows when it will be their final hour. The Lord calls for self-examination to see if our life bears true fruit in keeping with repentance.
What is the purpose of calamity in the world? How do we make sense of evil and suffering by the hands of wicked men and natural disaster? Is God just in these things? Is He trying to send us message? Is all of it merely judgment against unchecked wickedness? And is there something more we're supposed to know? Jesus responds to these questions in a powerful way.
We live in the time of grace, yet many have failed to discern that. As a result, they presume on God's patience, ignoring the coming judgment. Jesus says to settle your accounts with Him before it's too late.
Following Christ may create division in the most intimate of places, even the family, but He calls for full allegiance.
Jesus instructs on His final return, giving four kinds of people who will meet four different fates.
The difference between a fruitful Christian and an apathetic, lukewarm one, is a sober watchfulness for the Master's return. Jesus instructs His disciples to stay alert and prepared for His return. For by so doing, they will persevere and receive His blessed reward.
Jesus reveals that mere words are cheap. What you love is seen in where your treasure is.
God is our Sacrificer, Sacrifice, Substitute, and Savior. We do nothing; He does everything. Believe in Him and be reconciled!
Jesus continues His teaching on battling fear, worry, and anxiety. This sermon shows His tactic for putting off worry in the Christian life.
Jesus begins a teaching on battling fear, worry, and anxiety. This sermon lays the foundation of where it must begin.
Jesus commands us to get an eternal perspective. For every temporary pursuit will fade, but only what's done for Christ will matter.
In this Easter sermon, Paul gives the problem, solution, and motive for why Christ had to rise. The Resurrection is the cornerstone upon which Christianity stands and the central component of any true hope.
Jesus gives two final points of instruction for how to stand firm in times of hostility.
To be a person who is in a right relationship toward his or her Creator is the most critical issue anyone faces. The common way this is described is whether a person is “saved” or not. Unfortunately this concept, though a central theme of the bible, is misunderstood by many, even within the church. What does it mean? What does it entail? Why is it so important? And how does one know if they are saved? The problem is sin and that the solution is in and through Jesus Christ. In this sermon we will see the commands: repent and believe the gospel.
Being a Christian is easy until opposition comes. Hostility reveals the truth of the heart. Will we stand as true, or fall as a hypocrite? Jesus gives the first principle for standing firm.
To be a person who is in a right relationship toward his or her Creator is the most critical issue anyone faces. The common way this is described is whether a person is "saved" or not. Unfortunately this concept, though a central theme of the bible, is misunderstood by many, even within the church. What does it mean? What does it entail? Why is it so important? And how does one know if they are saved? These are the sort of questions this small series will seek to explain. This is a basic explanation of why we need salvation and what that means. In the second sermon we will see the solution that God provides for the problem of sin: the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Jesus now turns to indict the judaistic lawyers. The interaction reveals four marks of a false spiritual leader.
Jesus attacks people, leaders, and systems of false religion, giving three typical marks of hypocritical religionism.
In this psalm, David's own life is being threatened as Saul pursues him, and his own countrymen betray him. Yet rather than wallow in despair, David recollects who God has revealed Himself to be in His Word, and forms his prayer in light of this. What this psalm portrays for us is a rich portrait of who God is in His attributes. God is our Advocate who saves us; God is our Helper, who sustains us; and God is the righteous Judge, who delivers us. It is in light of who God is then that we are called to trust in the name of the Lord all the days of our life.
Jesus teaches that those who reject Him from a hard heart will always demand more signs, truth, and evidence. However, this passage declares that more than enough truth has been sufficiently revealed. Unbelief is not for lack of light and truth, but lack of sight. Do you see, or are you blind? That is the critical issue.
Jesus confronts His largest crowd yet and His opening word is one of judgment. He's assessed their hearts and found them wicked. They are hardened in their self-righteousness, and their only end will be judgment. The call of Christ is to see yourself rightly by seeing Him rightly. His holiness exposes our sinfulness. We must run to Him for mercy.
More damning to the soul than immorality is morality. Moralism is one of the greatest tactics of the devil to deceive a person into thinking they are right before God. Jesus warns that any moralistic pursuit, void of the Word and truth, is subject to a worse kind of fate.
There's a difference between one who's not yet heard the Gospel and one who willfully rejects. One is ignorant, the other hardened. We tend endlessly to marshal evidence, bring arguments, reason, debate, etc. with the one who rejects, but Jesus doesn't. When dealing with a hard heart, He does only one thing. This passage shows what and explains why.
As Jesus's time for the cross approaches, He begins to draw some very clear lines. Either you are with Him or against Him. Either you will gather with Him or scatter, but there is no neutrality. There is no middle ground when it comes to Christ. Not to be with Him is to be against Him.
In Psalm 52, David draws a sharp contrast between the righteous and the wicked. Not only do these two different types of people have vastly different outcomes, their lives in the "here and now" are vastly different. Yet the basis of it all rests upon the unfailing, covenant love of God. As we look to this same reality today, the message remains much the same: are we the man who trusts in the Lord and have made Him our refuge, or do we, as Doeg, love evil more than good, lies more than truth, and this age more than God?
In this final passage on prayer, Jesus teaches that we should pray because it is the Father's mean through which He'll grant His promises. Our confidence in Him should come from our understanding of His perfect character. The Father cannot default on a promise because it is not in Him to do so. This is why we can ask in boldness.
Jesus tells a story to teach us that praying must be bold, shameless, and confident. Our confidence does not come from our great faith, but God's great faithfulness. The Christian's boldness is premised upon their knowledge of God's character. Jesus teaches that when we need something from the Father, get a conviction of Who He is, and then just ask Him!
This Sermon examines the history of praying in Judaism during Jesus' day. It is a brief survey, but shows the contrast between empty prayers with prayers offered from the heart. If true prayer is worship, then they must come from a pure heart.
In this much beloved psalm, David unfolds the reality of what genuine confession of sin and repentance looks like. He portrays just how deeply the corrupting power of sin has ruined every man, woman, and child. Left to our own devices, we would have no hope at all. Yet the psalm bleeds through with the character of God at every turn, leading us to see that God is indeed a merciful and gracious God to us poor, wretched sinners. If we turn to the Lord with a broken and contrite heart, these He will not despise.
In this final petition, Jesus teaches His disciples to pray for protection. It is a critical petition of the Christian life, especially in times of trial and temptation. For without the Father's protection, we should have no assurance of finishing our race. There is a precious promise with this final principle, but it is upon the Christian to ask for it.
Our fellowship with the Father is a function of our fellowship with our siblings in Christ. This sermon explores the importance of unity, forgiveness, and love in the body of Christ. Joy, hope, and fruitfulness in the Christain life is premised upon our willingness to absorb the wrongs committed against us. We must forgive just as Christ forgave. It is only then will we have full fellowship with our Father in heaven.
The Lord instructs us to pray for the forgiveness of sin. However, to know what we're asking, we first need to know what sin actually is. With so many thoughts, views, and opinions as to what sin is, this sermon gives a primer on sin from a biblical perspective, and what the sinner is therefore asking.
How we view wealth and power will ultimately reveal much about the state of our hearts. In this psalm, the Sons of Korah speak to the reality that it is the height of folly to trust in riches. The reason is quite simple: death is the great equalizer of all mankind. In death, no amount of money, power, or prestige you had in this life will make any difference in the world before God. The only meaningful difference will be if you've trusted and hoped in God, for He alone has the ability to redeem you from the power of death.
Cómo vemos la riqueza y el poder, en última instancia, revelará mucho sobre el estado de nuestros corazones. En este salmo, los Hijos de Coré hablan de la realidad de que es el colmo de la locura confiar en las riquezas. La razón es bastante simple: la muerte es el gran igualador de toda la humanidad. En la muerte, ninguna cantidad de dinero, poder o prestigio que tuviste en esta vida hará ninguna diferencia en el mundo ante Dios. La única diferencia significativa será si has confiado y esperado en Dios, porque solo Él tiene la capacidad de redimirte del poder de la muerte.
Jesus gives a third principle for prayer. Since God is our Father, He has bound Himself to provide for His children in a familial way. His Fatherhood is our confidence, and that is why we can petition Him. He may not always give us what we want, but He is a good Father Who promises to give us everything we need for faithfulness to Him. As such, while this principle is a request, it's also an affirmation of His promise to provide.
This familiar phrase in the Lord's Prayer is just that - familiar. But what does it mean? The Kingdom of God is a large, misunderstood concept, but if we're to pray for it's coming, then we ought to know what it means. This sermon explores the priorities of some of the New Testament prayers themselves, giving insight into what praying for the Father's kingdom to come really means.
In a world filled with the constant threat of chaos through natural disasters, the warfare of men, and even the schemes of Satan, the simple truth remains: God is bringing this age to an end, and the outcome is secure. God's Kingdom will reign eternal and the Lord shall be exalted in all the earth. Therefore, the rallying cry of the psalmist is that the people of God have no reason to fear. because their God is with them in the midst of impending doom and will not fail on His covenant promises. For us, the truth remains much the same. God is our shelter and strength in the midst of this chaotic world, but one great day, chaos will give way to everlasting peace under the rule of Christ.
Prayer is often seen as man's tool, not God's. It is seen as a means for us to get what we need, rather than giving to God what He is owed. This sermon explores the highest priority of all true praying -- the hallowing of the Father's Name. Not only is the glory of God to be the driving motive behind every petition and praise from the heart, but it's also our confidence for answered prayer.
Before we know what to Pray, we must know to Whom we pray. Jesus invokes the doctrine of the Fatherhood of God as the basis for all true praying. Addressing God the Father in prayer is not a throw-away, introductory formula, but a rich privilege. This sermon shows why.
Jesus begins to instruct on true prayer. This sermon introduces some basic principles of biblical praying, establishing some groundwork for the Lord's lengthy teaching.
Ser esclavo de Jesús es la única vida libre, y es el fundamento de toda libertad que disfrutamos.
Being a bondslave of Jesus is the only free life, and it is the foundation of every liberty we enjoy.
Este salmo se enfoca en exaltar las virtudes de lo que llama “La Ciudad de Dios”, que es Jerusalén. La ciudad se ve más alta que todas las demás ciudades de la tierra y es celebrada por sus virtudes y bondades. Si bien las razones por las que se celebran son muchas, todas se enfocan en el hecho de que Dios se preocupa por ellos y les ha dado este significado especial. A medida que el salmista retrata esta realidad en el canto, ilustra el cuidado de Dios por su pueblo y el resaltar que Dios mora en medio de ellos, los preserva de sus enemigos y los sostiene en su misericordia en toda la vida y la muerte.
This psalm focuses on extolling the virtues of what it calls "The City of God," which is Jerusalem. The city is seen higher above all the rest of the cities on earth and it is celebrated for its virtues and goodness. While the reasons they celebrate are many, they all focus on the fact that God cares for them and has given them this special significance. As the psalmist portrays this reality in song, he illustrates God's care for His people and this city by highlighting that God dwells in their midst, preserves them from their enemies, and sustains them in His lovingkindness in all of life and death.
In this simple, yet wonderful story, Jesus reminds all believers of the true priority - the Word of God. Both women in this passage love Jesus, but one chooses the better thing. One becomes anxious, the other becomes satisfied. It's a straightforward, yet helpful reminder of what must remain the absolute priority in every Christain's life. If the Word remains first, all secondary issues will care for themselves.
Esta familiar parábola es quizás una de las parábolas más incomprendidas de toda la Escritura. A menudo se divorcia de su contexto, convirtiéndolo en una enseñanza sobre la ética del Reino, o vivir más como Jesús. Sin embargo, el significado de la parábola está determinado por el contexto. Jesús se enfrenta a un abogado farisaico y usa la parábola para exponer el fracaso del abogado ante la ley. El propósito del pasaje, entonces, es conducir al pecador hacia la misericordia que se encuentra solo en la cruz de Cristo.
This familiar parable is perhaps one of the most misunderstood parables in all of Scripture. It is often divorced from its context, turning it into a teaching on Kingdom ethics, or living more like Jesus. However, the meaning of the parable is determined by the context. Jesus is confronting a self-righteous lawyer and uses the parable to expose the lawyer's failure before the law. The purpose of the passage, then, is to drive the sinner toward mercy found only in the cross of Christ.
Solo una vez en el Evangelio se registra a Jesús teniendo gozo. Este pasaje da ese rara ocasión, pero también el contenido por el cual Él se regocija. Es un texto profundo, que muestra cómo Jesús se alegra al meditar sobre la soberanía del Padre en el plan de salvación. Una rica sección, que revela la profundidad de la gracia de Dios y lo que debe guiar nuestro gozo.
Only one time in the Gospel is Jesus recorded as having joy. This passage gives that rare glimpse, but also the content over which He rejoices. It's a profound text, showing how Jesus is made glad by meditating on the Father's sovereignty in the plan of salvation. A rich section, revealing the depth of God's grace and what ought to guide our joy.
¿Por qué unos creen y otros rechazan? Pablo da nueve razones. Hay una sabiduría a la que el mundo llama sabiduría pero Dios la llama insensatez. Y hay una sabiduría a la que recurren los cristianos que el mundo llama tontería. Pablo muestra cómo el camino de la verdadera salvación viene a través de la revelación divina, no de la racionalidad y perspicacia humanas. Debemos deshacernos de nuestros enfoques orgullosos y acercarnos a Dios como niños, sabiendo que el verdadero conocimiento solo se obtiene con una postura humilde.
Why do some believe, and others reject? Paul gives nine reasons. There's a wisdom the world runs to that God calls foolish. And there's a wisdom Christians turn to that the world calls foolish. Paul shows how the path of true salvation comes through divine revelation, not human rationality and insight. We must throw off our prideful approaches and come to God as infants, knowing true knowledge comes only by a humble posture.
The Israelites find themselves in the midst of a war they are suffering agonizing defeat in, and evidently, God is not with them in the battle. The dilemma of it all is that they are innocent sufferers who have not forsaken the covenant with their Lord. Like Jesus asleep in the boat with His disciples, God seems to be deep in slumber as their enemies ravage and destroy them. In spite of these circumstances, they continue to place their hope in God, all the while recognizing His sovereignty. Behind their affirmation of His sovereignty is an implicit reality that the New Testament makes explicit: all of God's children will suffer. Yet rather than despair, lose faith, or accuse God of wrongdoing as we undergo trials, we must rest confidently in God's redeeming, covenant love.
Only one time in the Gospel is Jesus recorded as having joy. This passage gives that rare glimpse, but also the content over which He rejoices. It's a profound text, showing how Jesus is made glad by meditating on the Father's sovereignty in the plan of salvation. A rich section, revealing the depth of God's grace and what ought to guide our joy.
Solo una vez en el Evangelio se registra que Jesús tiene alegría. Este pasaje da esa rara visión, pero también el contenido por el que se regocija. Es un texto profundo, que muestra cómo Jesús se alegra al meditar sobre la soberanía del Padre en el plan de salvación. Una sección rica, que revela la profundidad de la gracia de Dios y lo que debe guiar nuestra alegría.
Los discípulos regresan de su primer esfuerzo misionero e informan de su éxito a Jesús. Los discípulos se regocijan por el poder y la autoridad que mostraron en la expulsión de los demonios. La respuesta de Jesús es corregir esta alegría fuera de lugar. Si los discípulos perduraran toda una vida de ministerio fiel, Él sabía que su alegría no se podía encontrar en el éxito temporal del ministerio, sino en algo eterno. Reorienta su pensamiento para centrarse en la verdad de que sus nombres han sido escritos en el cielo. Ese es el lugar de la verdadera alegría, y uno que durará. es el lugar de la verdadera alegría, y uno que durará.
The disciples return from their first missionary endeavor and report their success to Jesus. The disciples are rejoicing over the power and authority they displayed in the casting out of demons. Jesus' response is to correct this misplaced joy. If the disciples were to endure a lifetime of faithful ministry, He knew their joy couldn't be found in temporary ministry success, but in something eternal. He reorients their thinking to focus on the truth that their names have been written in heaven. That is the place of true joy, and one that will last.
Alejado de la presencia de Dios y rodeado de captores que se burlan de él por su fe, el salmista se hunde cada vez más en la depresión. Mientras su alma se derrite dentro de él, recuerda la fidelidad de Dios a su pueblo, Israel. A pesar de las burlas interminables de sus enemigos y la desolación de sus circunstancias, incluso a pesar de la batalla por su propio corazón vacilante, continúa predicándose la verdad a sí mismo: Esperanza en Dios, porque todavía entraré en la presencia de mi salvación y de mi Dios.
Removed from the presence of God and surrounded by captors who mock him for his faith, the psalmist sinks deeper and deeper down into depression. While his soul melts away within him, he remembers God's faithfulness to His people, Israel. Despite the unending taunting of his enemies and the bleakness of his circumstances, despite even the battle over his own wavering heart, he continues to preach truth to himself: Hope in God, for I shall yet enter into the presence of my salvation and my God.
It is not enough to tell people the blessing of salvation if they receive the Gospel, but we must also warn them of the consequences of rejection. In this passage, Jesus lays out three warnings the evangelist is to give to one who does not receive the Gospel. It is a sobering passage, but one that is critical to understand, if we're to be faithful ambassadors of the Kingdom.
No basta con decirle a la gente la bendición de la salvación si reciben el Evangelio, sino que también debemos advertirles de las consecuencias del rechazo. En este pasaje, Jesús expone tres advertencias que el evangelista debe dar a alguien que no recibe el Evangelio. Es un pasaje aleccionador, pero que es fundamental de entender, si queremos ser fieles embajadores del Reino.
As Jesus commissions His disciples to be sent out, He tells them some will receive their message and some will reject. He gives some instructions on how to respond to both. In this sermon, we explore three day-to-day principles for evangelism, why we should be optimistic, and how we should respond to a person who receives our message.
Jesus commissions the seventy-two on their first mission. The purpose is to train them for future ministry. This passage yields five important principles for effective evangelism, and all of which focus upon the evangelist's heart. There are some essential attitudes that every follower of Christ must possess, if they're to be used by Him. It is a simple, yet wonderful passage, reminding us that Christ is Lord of the harvest, but brings in His crop through His people.
David is near the brink of death and crying out to the Lord for relief. His body is failing him, his friends and family depart from him, and his enemies seek this as an opportunity to surround him. Yet astoundingly, he recognizes his current agony is largely the result of personal sin. The Lord is disciplining him, and quite harshly so. Amazingly, he does not plead for the consequences of his sin to be removed from him. Instead, David shows a genuine repentance and godly sorrow over his folly that ultimately looks to the Lord with much faith. All throughout this psalm we find a startling reminder of the seriousness of sin and its consequences, and our own need for genuine repentance before the Lord.
Jesus challenges three would-be followers who've not yet discovered the nature of true discipleship. Many are eager, but have not counted the cost. Others have counted the cost , but are working in their own power to hedge against it. And, then, others are willing to follow Jesus, but with a divided heart. In these difficult words of Jesus, He shows forth the heart of a true follower. It is a challenging passage, but one worthy of much meditation.
In a day in which so many tribes are fighting for their own justice, Jesus shows the inclusive nature of the Kingdom, and that it must be defined by mercy. It's an important passage which sets the stage for the next ten chapters of Luke's Gospel. Jesus will now begin some intensive teaching for His disciples as He now begins His journey to Jerusalem to be crucified. It's a wonderful passage showing us the character that must define our mission as the Church. It is an often overlooked passage, but one that is timely and instructive for every age.
Every which way we look, it appears as if the wicked thrive and the righteous always get the short end of the stick. Yet appearances are ultimately not as they seem to be. One day soon, the wicked and everything they have will disappear; like wisps of smoke in the air, they will fade into obscurity—but the righteous will remain and inherit what God has promised to them. It is in light of this greater reality that the righteous are called to continue doing good and entrusting themselves to their unfailing God, for He is their refuge.
The fundamental problem of the human heart is pride. It is the soil from which every other sin grows. In this passage, the disciples of Jesus begin debating who will be the greatest in the kingdom. Jesus just finished teaching on the nature of self-denial, yet these decipisles are self-centered. Jesus, knowing what is in the hearts, understands this to be an issue of pride. This sermon explores the pitfall of pride. It is a great danger for the church and there are many lessons for how to identify it. Jesus then offers the only solution, which is true humility -- something He identifies as true greatness.
The fundamental problem of the human heart is pride. It is the soil from which every other sin grows. In this passage, the disciples of Jesus begin debating who will be the greatest in the kingdom. Jesus just finished teaching on the nature of self-denial, yet these disciples are self-centered. Jesus, knowing what is in their hearts, understands this to be an issue of pride. This sermon explores the pitfall of pride. It is a great danger for the church and there are many lessons for how to identify it. Jesus then offers the only solution, which is true humility -- something He identifies as true greatness.
Paul gives three more purposes God has in weakness. He wants us dependent on Him, He wants to display His power through us, and He wants us to derive a true strength. This is a passage very much backwards to our natural senses, again showing the backwards way of the kingdom. To seek escape from weakness, is to escape true strength. Paul shows the very place the Christian should want to be is in weakness. For there, we derive a true strength, where God will always sustain us with a sufficient grace.
In this Psalm, David gives a scathing portrait of the nature of mankind. To the very core of his being, the natural man is wicked in all his ways. Yet these are not merely the thoughts of David, this is how God views every man, woman, and child. Contrary to how many would view themselves in comparison to others, this psalm then compares the character of the natural man against the backdrop of God's supreme holiness. When all is considered and we see things as God sees them, we are left to one conclusion: we are utterly hopeless apart from the grace of God in Christ.
We live in a world that seeks strength, victory, success, and triumph. But the way of God is the way of weakness. This sermon explores how God is pleased to use the weak. It is His preferred method. From Genesis to Revelation this is God's pattern for accomplishing His purposes. For it is through weakness that His glory and strength can shine most bright. When the Church learns to embrace weakness, instead of always trying to solve it, then we become a more fit vessel to be used by God for Kingdom purposes. And in this, the Christian begins to learn true contentment.
Why does God allow weakness and trouble in life? Is there a goal to such affliction? Paul gives purposes for our pain. For the unbeliever, difficulty is the result of living in a fallen, broken world. But for the Christian, God is doing exceedingly beautiful things in our pain. Paul pours out his heart in the passage, giving us insight into how the Apostle himself viewed such God-permitted weaknesses in his life.
We explore a second pitfall common in the Christian life. The disciples have become enamored with Jesus' power and authority, but He wants to remind them their focus must always be the cross. This sermon explores the concepts of shame and weakness. Many view weakness as something to be solved, but Jesus views it as something to be embraced. We spend our days trying to figure out how to conquer our weaknesses and triumph over them. Yet Jesus says weakness is the very means through which God will accomplish His purposes. Therefore, we ought to embrace it.
In this Psalm, David prays in startlingly vivid ways as he asks the Lord to deliver him from his enemies by exacting vengeance upon them. We often struggle with these types of Psalms because we believe them to be in some way, shape, or form, counter to the New Testament ethos to love our enemies. Yet David was a man after God's own heart—and that even includes his plea that God would strike his enemies down, in the inspired words of Scripture we find here. Thus, the question remains: how do we rightly understand the place of imprecatory psalms in the life of the Christian?
The disciples go from their highest moment to their lowest. They go from having their faith turned into sight at the transfiguration to total unbelief. This sermon explores the first of four pitfalls in the Christian life. It's not uncommon to go from a high experience of joy in the faith to a low moment of veritable unbelief. There is a great warning here, but also helpful instruction on what to do from our Lord.
This sermon shows three more ways in which the glory of Christ is revealed during the transfiguration event. Jesus wanted to bolster the faith of the disciples by revealing His divine identity. Jesus just told the disciples that He was going to suffer, but He also told them they would suffer as well, if they truly were to follow Him. Therefore, Jesus gave the disciples a preview of glory as motivation to keep following Him.
The apostle Peter tells us the prophets made careful searches and inquiries concerning the time and the setting that the Christ would come. The Spirit of Christ revealed to them not only the glorious salvation we have in Jesus through His first coming, but of the glories to follow in His return. As we look to the prophecies concerning Christ's birth, life, death, and resurrection, nestled throughout these same passages are the promises of our glorious future hope, yet also, the hope of Israel.
We come to the heart of Jesus' message. The Gospel is not about self-fulfillment, but self-denial. The way up is the way down. The way to gain life is to lose your life. Jesus teaches on the costliness of following Him. He says it requires a complete abandonment of your former identity, and then reassociation with Him. The one who desires to follow Jesus must lay down all former ways of life, take up their cross every single day, and follow Him. This is a message that doesn't sell, but it's one the truly converted heart loves.
Peter offers the great confession that Jesus is the Christ. This passage functions as the pinnacle of the Gospel up to this point. Jesus instructs the disciples to tell no one about this revelation because they still have much to learn about the nature of Christ's true role as God's Messiah. Jesus informs them for the first time that He is not only Messiah, but a suffering Messiah Who is to fulfill the Old Testament promise of death and resurrection at the hands of His own people. This is a revelation that would have utterly shocked them. This is a wonderful passage showing the foundation upon which Christ would build His Church -- the confession of Jesus as God's Messiah.
Jesus feeds the 5,000. A familiar and much loved story. Jesus now performs His greatest miracle at the pinnacle of His popularity. Yet Jesus will use this as an opportunity to teach His disciples. His great lesson is to serve people before serving yourself. For God will always supply the ministers' needs. It is also a passage declaring the deity of Christ, yet again. A wonderful account calling us to come, trust, and obey. We see Jesus' compassion and it's an enlightening model for ministry.
Jesus sends out His disciples on their first mission. His goal is to teach them important lessons that will serve them well for a lifetime of ministry. The focus of Jesus' desire is for them to learn true dependency on Him. Everything they may need for faithfulness, both spiritually and physically, Jesus will provide. Their only job is to be faithful.