HBC Website

The sermon text for this Lord’s Day (Luke 7:11-17) tells the story of a miracle unique to the Gospel of Luke. The central point of the story appears in v. 16, “A great prophet has arisen among us.” The Old Testament predicted that God would raise up the ultimate prophet who would speak for Him. The point of this miracle was to demonstrate that Jesus is that Prophet. He is God’s promised Prophet, Priest, and King.

In our sermon text for this Lord’s Day (Luke 7:1-10), we encounter a “wonderful” faith in an unexpected person: a Roman centurion. Several important themes are woven into the story. It foreshadows the universal scope of the gospel message. It enlarges the picture of Christ’s mighty power. It stresses our unworthiness to approach Christ. But, the heart of the text is verse 9 where Jesus pronounced his approval of this man’s trust and used it to instruct the crowd about what faith looks like.

The sermon text for this Lord’s Day (Luke 6:43-49) concludes Luke’s account of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Jesus made it clear that his coming kingdom belongs to those who hear him and follow him. Learning and obeying his words characterize all who trust Christ; it is evidence of true faith.

The sermon will continue our journey through the Gospel of Luke entitled, From Bethlehem to Emmaus. The text is Luke 6:37-42, the third section of Luke’s brief account of Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount. The main point focuses on the Christian’s responsibility to deal with others mercifully. The larger context challenges the hearer to learn to live as citizens of the Kingdom by hearing and following Jesus.

Luke records Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” in chapter six. Jesus introduced it by pronouncing hope-filled blessings on those who

follow his teachings. He also pronounced cursings (woe) on those who reject him (6:20-26). In today’s sermon text, Jesus focuses on the core element of the ethical norms for his Kingdom. It is love. But not just any kind of love will do. Jesus requires a radical kind of love.

In a sin-cursed world we will have a wide range of experiences. We will enjoy experiences that bring satisfaction and some measure of happiness, but mingled along the way are experiences that range from setbacks to devastation. There is no path that is continually upward. But as you walk through this world, you are not called to tough it out all by yourself, and never have the assistance of others to come alongside and help shoulder the weight.

Luke includes a condensed version of Jesus’ famed “Sermon on the Mount.” It is his kingdom message and extends all the way through chapter six. Today’s sermon text serves as an introduction to the message. It begins where the sermon ends, dividing people into two groups.

The Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, and Luke

contain overlapping information. For this reason, they are called

the “Synoptic Gospels” (meaning “seeing together,” or a common

view). Mark’s account of Jesus’ call of his disciples adds

additional insights not found in Luke. Therefore, we will consider

the two accounts together.

Luke records a series of confrontations between Jesus and the religious leaders of that society. In today’s text, the 1confrontations reach a climax with two controversies about Sabbath regulations. Verse 5 is the hinge that links the two stories together.

This is the third in a series of five brief stories that bring Jesus into sharp conflict with the religious leaders of his day. This story contrasts the “newness” of the Gospel of Jesus with the old Law of Moses.