In this passage, Jesus begins his ministry. He identifies himself as the Anointed One of Isaiah 61, and embraces the mission of the Messiah for himself. But the people of Nazareth seem to have an issue with this. What is all this poor, oppressed, blind talk? Do you recognize that the Kingdom of God is for the humble? 

Jesus emerges from the waters of baptism and the Father cries out "You are my Beloved Son". But Adam was also the son of God, and how did that turn out? Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to see if he can do what Adam and Israel and all else failed to do when faced with temptation

Jesus' Baptism. Why was it important? What is God saying in the baptism of Jesus? What is Luke trying to communicate to us in the genealogy of Jesus? Is Jesus finally the solution to all of our problems? 

God has not sent a prophet for 500 years, but the time has come for John the Baptist to begin his ministry. What will he come preaching? Well one simple message, Repent! What is true repentance? What is it reflected by? Are you truly repentant? 

As the final sermon in our series on the marks of a healthy church, we are looking at Church Membership. Now membership isn't mentioned in the Bible, but does that mean it isn't biblical? Should you be a member of a local church? What is the authority given to the local church? All these questions looked at and more. 

The church is called to evangelize the lost, but also to disciple those who come to know the Lord. Discipleship, is therefore part of the mission of the church. And it matters to God because holiness matters to God. So what does discipleship look like? 

What is the mission of the church? Has Jesus given us a mission? And if so, how do we, as a local church, set out on that mission? 

You cannot read through the book of Acts and the New Testament and not recognize that Spirit is alive and active in the church. But is that what we should expect today? What are the gifts of the Spirit, and how do we take seriously the command to earnestly seek the gifts? 

A church that does not have qualified and dedicated elders and shepherds is a church that is failing in the eyes of the Lord. What is the calling of the elder? What should we strive for in prospective elders? What should we hold our elders accountable to? 

How will God deal with the problem of our sinfulness? How can a holy God be united with an unholy people? How can God maintain his justice and his righteousness and let sinners go unpunished? There is only one answer...