Lessons for Living (Audio)

One of the hallmarks of Jesus’ time on earth was His attention to others and compassion for their situations. In this story we see the same thing. He was only a short time away from giving His life for the sins of mankind, which would cause Him to be out of fellowship with God the Father for the first time in eternity. Pastor Mark will be teaching about the great love and care Jesus had for this woman in particular and all of us in general. He will be explaining as well how we can miss God’s best when we get hung up on man-made rules and regulations instead of focusing on loving others.

Since the Israelites of Jesus’ day were primarily farmers, Jesus used examples they were familiar with to explain about Heaven to them. He often spoke of fig trees since they were a common plant of that time. He likened the outward evidence of the inner work of the Holy Spirit to fruit. Good fruit indicated successful outworking of God in one’s life; bad fruit indicated God was not working through one’s life. Pastor Mark will be clarifying the particular characteristics of this Godly fruit, and will help us to understand the necessity for Godly fruit to be evident in our lives.

Since the Israelites of Jesus’ day were primarily farmers, Jesus used examples they were familiar with to explain about Heaven to them. He often spoke of fig trees since they were a common plant of that time. He likened the outward evidence of the inner work of the Holy Spirit to fruit. Good fruit indicated successful outworking of God in one’s life; bad fruit indicated God was not working through one’s life. Pastor Mark will be clarifying the particular characteristics of this Godly fruit, and will help us to understand the necessity for Godly fruit to be evident in our lives.

Admitting that one is wrong is innately difficult for us. Taking the next step and adding action to that admission is even harder. Repentance involves not only saying words, but backing them up with action and a change in mindset. This was the challenge John the Baptist presented to the people of his day, and Jesus reiterated and expanded on. Pastor Mark will be sharing what Jesus said about how to get into His kingdom. Jesus will also be pointing out to these people that this is a life or death decision, a point that we would do well to remember as it applies to us.

Admitting that one is wrong is innately difficult for us. Taking the next step and adding action to that admission is even harder. Repentance involves not only saying words, but backing them up with action and a change in mindset. This was the challenge John the Baptist presented to the people of his day, and Jesus reiterated and expanded on. Pastor Mark will be sharing what Jesus said about how to get into His kingdom. Jesus will also be pointing out to these people that this is a life or death decision, a point that we would do well to remember as it applies to us.

Jesus, when He came to earth the first time, had a lot of religious misconceptions to overcome and displace. From at least the time of Lot, this belief that bad things happened only to bad or sinful people held sway among many people. Even today lots of people hold to this belief, either subconsciously or overtly. Pastor Mark will be teaching from the book of Luke where Jesus attacks this mindset. Jesus will be showing that living in a fallen world is why bad things happen. He will also be teaching that God is able to use bad events in people’s lives to accomplish His will.

Jesus, when He came to earth the first time, had a lot of religious misconceptions to overcome and displace. From at least the time of Lot, this belief that bad things happened only to bad or sinful people held sway among many people. Even today lots of people hold to this belief, either subconsciously or overtly. Pastor Mark will be teaching from the book of Luke where Jesus attacks this mindset. Jesus will be showing that living in a fallen world is why bad things happen. He will also be teaching that God is able to use bad events in people’s lives to accomplish His will.

For those who have only a casual understanding of Jesus’ teachings about Himself, they tend to believe that He was all about peace and love, and that’s all. A more careful reading of what He had to say about what He came to bring show more than just peace. As Pastor Mark will be teaching, one of the results of Jesus’ confirming His claims of divinity will be division. And deep division – between family members and even couples. He came to invade the kingdom of darkness and as some people are set free from the grip of Satan, relationships will be damaged.

For those who have only a casual understanding of Jesus’ teachings about Himself, they tend to believe that He was all about peace and love, and that’s all. A more careful reading of what He had to say about what He came to bring show more than just peace. As Pastor Mark will be teaching, one of the results of Jesus’ confirming His claims of divinity will be division. And deep division – between family members and even couples. He came to invade the kingdom of darkness and as some people are set free from the grip of Satan, relationships will be damaged.

Repentance. We hear this word many times in reference to the Gospel, and for good reason. The Bible says that without repentance no one can be saved. It also makes it clear that believing in Jesus is not enough; the book of James implies that “belief only” thinking puts you on the same level as demons! Pastor Mark will continue his sermon from the book of Luke, where Jesus warns His listeners of the coming of a new Godly Kingdom. He speaks of their need to change their ways so they can become citizens of this new Kingdom.