Many people these days, including Christians, struggle to make sense of the purpose of their life. Luke ends his gospel account in the same way that he began, by offering certainty and fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

How can we meet Jesus today? It is tempting to think that we are unlucky for not having met Jesus in the flesh but in this passage we see how Jesus expects us to meet him - in the Scriptures and in the bread.

Notes:

Remember Jesus' words (vv1-12)

Meet Jesus... (vv13-35) a) ...in the Scriptures b) ...in the bread

You don't need to be an expert or an eloquent preacher to share Jesus with others. You just need three simple words. And to do it yourself.

Notes:

the Lamb who waves (vv35-36)

the Teacher who stays (vv38-39)

the Messiah who transforms (vv40-42)

the One who surprises (vv43-46)

the Son who reveals (vv47-51)

What are we to make of Peter's call to 'give a defence' for the faith? Are we all to become specially trained, intellectual Christians? Or is there another way to give reasons for the hope we have?

Why should we share our Christian story to those around us? In this passage we learn from the example of the Samaritan woman that the the Lord Jesus knows our story, and that He wants us to share our stories so that others may know Him. We are called to be active in reaping in the spiritual harvest, “Come and see the Saviour of the world!”

James shares from Matthew as we hear that Christians are salt and light in the world.

Notes:

We are salt

Jesus is the light

The Church is the light

We are the light

Connor speaks from Colossians on being motivated to the fundamentals in the way Paul intended.

When we feel disappointed and disillusioned it can be tempting to look back to the past with nostalgic longing as though the ‘glory days’ are behind us. In this passage the Chronicler gets us to look back at Solomon’s kingdom in order that we might look forward to Jesus’ eternal kingdom to come.

Christians have been saved by grace alone through faith alone, but to what end? This passage challenges us to not just enjoy God’s forgiveness but to seek the expansion of the kingdom of God among the nations.

Notes:

With the temple built...

...the kingdom expands (vv1-6, 17-18)

...the nations ascend (vv7-11)

...the worship perpetuates (vv12-15)

It is often said that ‘clarity is kindness’, but how clear can we be of God’s love towards us, particularly given our ongoing struggles with sin? In this passage we are shown various reasons why we can be absolutely certain of God’s enduring love towards us