Scripture: Romans 12:1-9, Two forces are at work on the Christian, the force to conform to the image of this world, and God transforming our mind by His Word. Do not despair, dear Christian, and do not be conformed to the world. Rather be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you might discern through the word what is good and acceptable and perfect. There are times when we might feel that we must display every spiritual gift, but Paul assures us that we are one body, and God has measured faith to each of us in order that we might perform whatever our gift(s) may be. Finally, in all you do, let your love be genuine, abhor evil, and always hold fast to what is good.

Scripture: Luke 9:23-56, Jesus foretells His death twice. Jesus says anyone who follows me must deny themselves and take up his cross daily. In the presence of Moses and Elijah and three disciples, Jesus is transfigured. A demon possessed boy is healed and Jesus is rejected in a Samaritan village.

Scripture: Luke 9:10-27 John 21:17, Jesus is bread from heaven and providing free food (recall Jesus telling Peter to "feed my sheep"). He is undoing the curse given by God after Adam and Eve sinned. Jesus takes what is finite and make it infinite! He makes what we have to be enough. This applies to the Lord's Supper. Jesus asks Peter, "Who do you say I am? Who, do YOU say Jesus is?

Scripture: Romans 11:6-12:2, Why do so many Jews not believe? Answer, they reject the Gospel. God says He will use the rejection by the Jews for goo, --- to bring the Gospel to the Greeks.

Scripture: Luke 8:40-9:17, This teaching reviewed the woman with the flow of blood touching Jesus as well as the healing of Jairus's daughter. In the former, Jesus healed by means (His garment). In the latter Jesus told the laughing people, knowing that she was dead, to not fear, only believe. Jesus can turn death into sleep. Both woman were restricted from being a fount of life. Death attacks the fount of life. Christ has come to undo death.

Scripture: Romans 9:30-11:12, In Romans 11, Paul says that there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; ALL who call on the name of the Lord will be saved. The question remains, however, how do you call on Christ if you do not believe? Moreover, how do you believe without hearing, and how do you hear if no one is sent to share the gospel with you? God sends His pastors to share His saving grace. The world may view Christ as a stumbling block, but in reality, He is the only pathway to salvation.

Scripture: Luke 8:26-48 Revelation 12, Jesus travels to the Gentile land of Gerasenes where He encounters a demon-possessed man who is shackled. The significance of the shackles is discussed together will why the demons are terrified of the spoken word of Jesus. Jesus then saves a woman of faith who has been discharging blood for 12 years.

Scripture: Romans 9:1-10:14, In chapter 9 of Romans, St. Paul again says in verses 15-16 "So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who has mercy" ... and continues in chapter 10 verse 4, "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes."God wants all to realize who He is and to turn and repent of their sins.

Scripture: Luke 8:16- 39 Zechariah 9:16, Jesus teaches us: the Gospel should be proclaimed, not hidden; the definition of His family are those that hear the Word of God and do it; and Jesus gives us the assurance that He saves us individually as exemplified by traveling a long distance to remove demons from just one man.

Scripture: Romans 8:11-9:15, All Christians suffer an internal conflict. Thanks be to God that he took our salvation out of our hands. St. Paul confirms in Romans that nothing in creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:39).