As followers of King Jesus, we are in ever-growing conflict with the powers of this world, In Luke’s gospel Jesus admonishes us to watch and pray in his final, public teaching. Are we ready to stand up for Jesus when it costs us to do so?

Very often we don’t recognize God’s plan to rescue us from death to life because it doesn’t come in the wrappings or structure we expect. And, in addition, we sometimes resist the change because it would make us too uncomfortable.

Geno's concluding remarks can also be heard in this excerpt from the complete recording of the congregational meeting.

The pastors and elders answered questions and shared about our current financial situation and how we are responding to the current downturn. They also spoke about a building repair plan, God's work in our midst and where we believe the Lord Jesus is guiding Hope Chapel into the future.

Jesus headed first-thing to the Temple right after his Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem because he intended to throw out idols of commerce and establish Himself as the true King and Lord of all God’s people, worthy of their worship.

In the time gap between Jesus’ first advent and his second coming we are called to oppose the illegitimate powers that reign by bearing witness to the One True King until he returns to make all things right.

Jesus will not take second place in our lives. We must completely surrender our lives to Jesus and, second, surrender anything that competes with Jesus for first place in our lives.

While we wait and groan for the coming of the kingdom, we ought to keep praying and not lose heart.

We shouldn't allow our preconceived ideas of what God has for our lives blind us to other divine possibilities. Our desire to avoid suffering shouldn't blind us from something Jesus may be asking us to walk into with Him. We have a message of mercy for all to hear!

Jesus’ death and resurrection challenges the idolatry behind the Pharisees’ “tree house” religion.