Sunday sermon by Kevin Jensen — When he shared the sacred bread and cup at the Last Supper and linked them to his body and blood, Jesus taught and modeled three ways in which sharing in the Lord's Supper should transform our relationships with one another. Text: Luke 22:1-30

This episode covers the final segment of Section 4 (The Spiritual Realm During Israel's United Kingdom) and opening segment of Section 5 (The Spiritual Realm During Israel's Divided Kingdom). From Section 4, we cover two references to angels in Psalm 78 and two brief explorations of the state of the human spirit after death in Ecclesiastes. Beginning Section 5, we consider the story of a prophet in Israel who lied about a supposed appearance of an angel.

Jesus’ Parable of the Tenants called the ancient Jews to consider whether they were giving God what he was due as the rightful Lord of Israel. In the same way, it calls us today to consider whether we are giving God the fruit due him as Lord of our lives—and especially whether we are showing proper honor to Jesus, the Son whom God sent to reconcile us to himself. Text: Luke 19:45 to 20:19

In this fourth segment of Section 4 (The Spiritual Realm During Israel's United Kingdom), David faces the angel of the Lord, who brings punishment on Israel for David's sin. Also, we consider what some of David's psalms say about angels, including cherubim.

Sunday sermon by Kevin Jensen — Faith in different people can express itself very differently: as people bringing babies to Jesus, as a rich ruler wanting to be saved, as a blind man begging for sight, as a tax collector ready to turn his life back to God. But in all its odd shapes, faith in God always involves pursuit of Jesus. Then it faces a question: When we come to Jesus, will we follow him? Text: Luke 18:15 to 19:10

In this third segment of Section 4 (The Spiritual Realm During Israel's United Kingdom), we examine three recurring themes that arise in the stories and psalms of David and continue elsewhere in Scripture: (a) similarity to angels used to describe character or power; (b) angels praise and exalt God; and (c) not much goes on in the realm of the dead (or does it?). Download worksheets for "The In-Between" at http://www.summitviewchurch.net/class-materials.html.

Sunday sermon by Kevin Jensen — With three parables, Jesus explained how God feels about sinners who turn to God and are saved. How does God feel about them? He is filled with joy! Jesus calls us to share in that same joy, and to come to him trusting that he will rejoice over us, too. Text: Luke 15

In this second segment of Section 4 (The Spiritual Realm During Israel's United Kingdom), Israel's King Saul does what God has forbidden: he consults a medium in order to speak to the spirit of a deceased person. And it works! Can human beings really speak to the dead? Why does God prohibit such an act? What does this tell us about the situation of people who have passed from this life? Find the Section 4 worksheet at http://www.summitviewchurch.net/class-materials.html.

Sunday sermon by Kevin Jensen — Responding to a dispute over an inheritance, Jesus warned his listeners to be on guard against greed, and to seek what makes one rich toward God. Then we will not be selfish or scared, but—trusting in God our good Father—we will be generous to use what God gives us to bless others. Text: Luke 12:13-34

In this first segment of Section 4 (The Spiritual Realm During Israel's United Kingdom), an evil spirit from God comes upon King Saul. Does God have evil spirits? Does he send evil spirits upon people to punish them? What does this tell us about the spiritual realm? And what warnings and encouragement does this story offer us today? Download the Section 4 worksheet at http://www.summitviewchurch.net/class-materials.html.