Lessons for Living (Audio)

One of the problems we sometimes have as Christians is being critical of other Christians who spend what we think of as too much time with their non-Christian friends. The Pharisees kind of had the same complaint of Jesus. Jesus, however, was trying to help them understand that it was time for new thinking. Pastor Mark will be introducing three words for today – NEW, STRETCH, CHANGE – and how those apply to the Gospel and to our lives. Jesus sees the potential in every person; we need to do the same. We need to proclaim the Good News – that the Son of Man came to seek and to save those who are lost.

It’s interesting to read through the Gospels and follow the story of Jesus and his brief sojourn on this earth. Pastor Mark will be continuing through the book of Luke, showing us what Jesus did and said. He said He came to forgive men of their sin – forgiven means removed and forgotten. The problem for the Pharisees is that they knew that only God can forgive sin; they had to decide if they believed Jesus is God or not. Pastor Mark will be teaching on the purpose of communion, and the four points of examination: looking back to the cross, looking within, looking forward, and looking around.

It’s interesting to read through the Gospels and follow the story of Jesus and his brief sojourn on this earth. Pastor Mark will be continuing through the book of Luke, showing us what Jesus did and said. He said He came to forgive men of their sin – forgiven means removed and forgotten. The problem for the Pharisees is that they knew that only God can forgive sin; they had to decide if they believed Jesus is God or not. Pastor Mark will be teaching on the purpose of communion, and the four points of examination: looking back to the cross, looking within, looking forward, and looking around.

Everybody prefers love to hate or indifference. Jesus came to model to us what love is and what love requires from us. Love is a verb – it requires us to act, not just talk about how we “love”. Pastor Mark is sharing from the book of Luke about Jesus’ everyday life, and teaching on what Jesus did and how we are to learn from His example. Getting people to Jesus requires compassion, boldness, and determination. The text will contain an example of love in action, as four guys help out their crippled friend. We’ll also see Jesus begin to butt heads with the religious leaders as He begins to assert Himself as God.

Everybody prefers love to hate or indifference. Jesus came to model to us what love is and what love requires from us. Love is a verb – it requires us to act, not just talk about how we “love”. Pastor Mark is sharing from the book of Luke about Jesus’ everyday life, and teaching on what Jesus did and how we are to learn from His example. Getting people to Jesus requires compassion, boldness, and determination. The text will contain an example of love in action, as four guys help out their crippled friend. We’ll also see Jesus begin to butt heads with the religious leaders as He begins to assert Himself as God.

Jesus’ ministry was revolutionary to the Jews, because it was one that was based on meeting external as well as internal needs. As His followers, it is important for us to learn not just what He did but why He did it. Pastor Mark will be showing us that Jesus teaches us to focus on the individual and their need. As we watch Jesus heal the sick, we see that one touch from Dr. Jesus can change your life and your world forever. Of course, as He performed these miracles, His fame spread and there was more demands on His time. But we see that He doesn’t alter His routine – He continues to spend lots of time in prayer.

Jesus’ ministry was revolutionary to the Jews, because it was one that was based on meeting external as well as internal needs. As His followers, it is important for us to learn not just what He did but why He did it. Pastor Mark will be showing us that Jesus teaches us to focus on the individual and their need. As we watch Jesus heal the sick, we see that one touch from Dr. Jesus can change your life and your world forever. Of course, as He performed these miracles, His fame spread and there was more demands on His time. But we see that He doesn’t alter His routine – He continues to spend lots of time in prayer.

Before we became Christ followers, we may have thought we had an idea of what being a Christian actually was. After our conversion, we realized that we didn’t really have any notion of what this life with God was about. In today’s teaching, Pastor Mark will be reminding us that once Jesus comes on board of the boat of our lives, everything changes. Even though many times difficulties of a kind we hadn’t previously known arise, we have the peace and contentment that God has promised to those who choose to follow Him. I would encourage you to celebrate this life you now have and to share with those around you the love of Christ.

Before we became Christ followers, we may have thought we had an idea of what being a Christian actually was. After our conversion, we realized that we didn’t really have any notion of what this life with God was about. In today’s teaching, Pastor Mark will be reminding us that once Jesus comes on board of the boat of our lives, everything changes. Even though many times difficulties of a kind we hadn’t previously known arise, we have the peace and contentment that God has promised to those who choose to follow Him. I would encourage you to celebrate this life you now have and to share with those around you the love of Christ.

Even though we are told to “make disciples of all nations”, oftentimes we are not aware of what being a disciple of Christ actually is and what it requires of us. Pastor Mark will be using the story of the miraculous catch of fish to illustrate the process that Peter went through in embracing his position as a disciple of Jesus. He will also be showing how the actions of being a disciple require a mindset that is radically different than the one that we are raised with and encouraged to embrace. May God grant you the grace to humbly follow His instruction and become the disciple of Christ that God wants you to be.