God's Truth, God's Grace - New Port Presbyterian Church

In Luke 4:31-44 we see that Jesus has complete authority. People respond with astonishment and demons and illnesses obey Him. Be encouraged to also joyfully submit to His kingship as you marvel at and are moved by His power and authority.

In Luke 4:14-32 we see Jesus publically proclaim that He is the fulfillment of Isaiah 61. The people who heard Him rejected Him. Be encouraged to embrace our faithful Lord every moment of every day.

We see in Luke 4:1-13 that Jesus was faced with temptation in the wilderness when He was most vulnerable - during great weakness, hunger, and loneliness. When are you most vulnerable to temptation? Christ was victorious over every one of Satan's temptations and His victory over sin empowers our victory over sin. Because He was faithful in the wilderness - and always - He is able to be our Redeemer and our Lord. He is worthy to be worshiped and served always!

In Luke 3:21-38 we see, through the genealogy and baptism of Jesus, that He is the unique Son of God and unique Son of Man. Blessed are all those who delight in and take refuge in Him. 

In Luke 3:15-20 we see that John's purpose in life was not to point to himself but to bear witness to Christ. In looking at this passage, we can be encouraged to make this our purpose as well. 

As we look at Luke 3:1-14 and consider John the Baptist's ministry, we are encouraged to consider how we ourselves have prepared the way for the Lord, whether we're keeping our heart open to Him, if we are taking the message of salvation into the world, and if we are repenting, believing, and bearing fruit. As we do these things it will feel like we are living in the wilderness as we live countercultural lives. The Lord is the God who provides for His people in the wilderness, though. He is the Living Bread who came down from heaven to sustain His people in the wilderness. Praise God!

As we continue through the gospel of Luke, we see Jesus' great understanding, faithfulness, and submission in Luke 2:39-52. Be encouraged to marvel at how we are united in faith to Him and have our lives hidden in Him. 

In Luke 2:22-20 we see faithfulness displayed by Mary and Joseph, Simeon, Anna, and God Himself. Be encouraged to display faithfulness in your own walk as you trust in God's faithfulness. 

In looking at 2 Corinthians 3:18 and Romans 12:2 we are reminded that God's redemption brings forth transformation.

2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image, from one degree of  glory to another. For this comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of  God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.