Life Center

Jesus came to set us free, to recover our sight, to release our oppression, and to cancel our debts. Jesus wants all of us to experience this good news.

This is why Jesus was tempted: to help you and to save you. So when you’re battling, come to Jesus!

Father’s Day, June 18, 2017

Introduction and offering:

Welcome to our Summer Bible Series—we are working our way through the gospel of Luke. Today we’re in chapter 4—it’s the story of the temptation of Jesus.

How many of you are ever tempted to do the wrong thing? If your hand is not up, you either lack self-awareness or are living in denial! I often say that I can resist anything except temptation! Actually, Oscar Wilde said that—I have no trouble with temptation. I do have a problem with lying! I am tempted every day—as are you. I know you’re thinking, “Pastor Joe, how could a spiritual giant like you be tempted?” We tend to think that if we’re tempted, something must be wrong with us. But as we’ll see in today’s story, temptation comes to the best, most righteous among us!

Here’s the story:

Luke 4:1–13

1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”

5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.”

8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written:

“ ‘He will command his angels concerning you

to guard you carefully;

11 they will lift you up in their hands,

so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

13

Repentance isn’t just feeling sorry for what you’ve done; you change it.  And repentance addresses specific behaviors.  It does no good to repent for something you don’t do, and keep doing something else you shouldn’t.

Luke: The Gospel for Everyone

Repent!

Luke 3

Repent!  Any questions?  You’re free to go.

Welcome to the Summer Bible Series—we are working our way through the gospel of Luke.  And today we are in Luke 3, which is the story of John the Baptist’s ministry, the baptism of Jesus and His genealogy.  I’m going to quickly walk us through the whole chapter, then I want to come back to John’s message of repentance and talk about what it means for us.  Then I’ll invite the worship team to come back; we’re going to take some time to recalibrate our lives back to Jesus.

Offering: Our Big Deal this year is Think 3: think 3 generations into the future.  One of the most important things we can do is invest in the generations coming up behind us.  And one way to do that is through our children’s ministry, Life Center Kids.  Every weekend we love and teach over 600 children in Life Center Kids, from newborn through 6th grade.  It requires hundreds of volunteers who are willing to Think 3 and see the value of investing in our children.  Would you be willing to be one of these volunteers?  We need you, especially this summer when all our volunteers, like you, are taking vacations—we have lots of extra spots to fill.  If you’d like to help, you can:

Go to our website: lifecenter.net/servekids

1. John’s message: Repent!

Luke 3

1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene—2 during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

Last week we saw that Luke did not begin chapter 2 by saying, “Once upon a time,” but “In those days.”  Luke wants us to know that this is not a fairy tale.  This story really happened; it’s grounded in history.  And nowhere is that more clear than here, where Luke names the Roman Caesar (

Christians believe that the most extra/ordinary thing ever is that God became a man. Almighty God (extraordinary) became one of us (ordinary). The story of how this happened is filled with the extraordinary in the midst of the ordinary.

June 4, 2017

Introduction and offering:

Merry Christmas! Yes, it’s Christmas in June! For our Summer Bible Series, we are working our way through the Gospel of Luke, and today we are covering chapter 2, which is the famous story of the birth of Jesus. Shepherds, angels, the manger—the works! In June! It’s an extraordinary story—in the truest sense of the word. In the most ordinary setting, the most extraordinary thing happens!

ILL: On January 12, 2007, a man at a metro station in Washington DC started to play the violin. In the next 45 minutes, he played six pieces by Bach. During that time, about 1,100 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Only 6 people stopped to listen, including a 3 year-old boy whose his mother finally forced him to move along. About 20 dropped money in his case without stopping to listen; he collected $32. When he finished playing, no one noticed, no one applauded. One woman stopped to listen and engaged the musician in conversation because she recognized him.

You see, the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the finest classical musicians in the world. He had just played some of the most elegant music ever written, on a violin worth $3.5 million dollars.

Two days before playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100 a pop.

The Washington Post staged this as part of a social experiment. Do we recognize talent or beauty in an unexpected context?

In the midst of a very ordinary setting—hurrying to work on the subway—here’s something extraordinary: one of world’s greatest musicians playing some of the world’s greatest music on one of the world’s most expensive instruments. The extraordinary embedded in the ordinary = Extra/ordinary.

Christians believe that the most extra/ordinary thing ever is that God became a man. Almighty God (EXTRAORDINARY) became one of us (ordinary). The story of how this happened is filled with the extraordinary in the midst of the ordinary. It’s Joshua Bell playing in the subway—on steroids! As we read and discuss the story today, I pray that each of you will have the hope that an E

The life you’re looking for is on the other side of yes.  Yes Lord to anything, anytime, anywhere.

May 28, 2017

Introduction and offering:

Have you ever been intruded upon?  Someone shows up unexpectedly and uninvited and interrupts what you’re doing.   

ILL: A few weeks ago, Laina and I were at the Oregon coast in the little town of Manzanita.  I was busy working on some long term planning when there was a knock on the door.  No one ever knocks on our door in Manzanita.  It was a young man selling cleaning solution, and he immediately launched into a high speed sales pitch.  It was an intrusion.  I didn’t want to be bothered and I sure wasn’t shopping for cleaning solution!  So honestly, I was irritated and tempted to tell him to get lost.  But he was working so hard that I decided to listen to his pitch—and I bought 3 bottles of his product!  I know what you’re thinking…

It gets worse.  He stopped by an hour later and asked to use my phone to call his boss who had dropped him and several others off and then disappeared.  I let him use my phone, then, since it was cold and raining and getting dark, I offered to drive him to the grocery store to meet his boss.  On the way, we saw and picked up 3 of his coworkers.  While waiting for the boss to arrive, they needed to deliver some product to homes, so I drove them around Manzanita, dropping off cleaning solution for an hour.  These kids were from Detroit, New Jersey, Chicago and LA.  They had stories!  I got more than cleaning solution—I had an adventure, made some friends and I got a story to tell you!  

So, let’s be honest.  Do you like it when people intrude?  No.  So, what about when God intrudes?  How do you feel about God inserting Himself into your life and messing with your plans?  That’s what happened to a young woman named Mary; we’re going to see how God intruded into her life in a big way and how she responded.  

Welcome to our Summer Bible Series in the gospel of Luke.  Today, we’re going to read Luke 1:26-45 which predicts the birth of Jesus. Here’s the story:

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We point to Jesus.

May 21, 2017

Introduction and offering:

Have you ever wondered where to start a story?

ILL: When I was 13 and a brand new Christian, I was asked by our youth pastor to give my testimony at a retreat with my fellow junior high students. I had no idea what a testimony was, so I asked, and he told me to tell my story. I started, “I was born on August 11, 1951…” and for the next hour, gave every detail I could remember of my 13 years on the planet. He was too kind to interrupt and stop me, but he should have! It was a disaster!

When Luke writes his gospel, the story of Jesus, where does he start? The story starts with…John the Baptist. But actually, as we’ll see, it goes back way farther than that.

Welcome to our Summer Bible Series in the gospel of Luke. Today, we’re going to read Luke 1:5-25 which predicts the birth of John the Baptist. I started my miserable junior high testimony with my birth. You’d think that’s where the story of Jesus would start too, but only two gospels have birth narratives: Matthew and Luke. Mark begins with John the Baptist preaching—so both John and Jesus are already 30 years old when the story starts. John begins in eternity past with Jesus as the pre-existent Word: “In the beginning was the Word.” Only Matthew and Luke tell about the birth of Jesus, and only Luke gives us lots of information about the births of John the Baptist as well. Luke weaves together these two births which were 6 months apart. It looks like this:

John’s birth predicted. Luke 1:5-25

Jesus’ birth predicted. Luke 1:26-56

John’s birth. Luke 1:57-80

Jesus’ birth. Luke 2:1-20

Today, we’re going to try to cover the birth of John the Baptist and see what we can learn.

Luke 1:5–25 (NIV)

5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to

Is the story of Jesus a true story, or a legend made up by Christians? Luke addresses this directly in the first four verses of his gospel.

May 14, 2017

Introduction and offering:

Today, we kick off our Summer Bible Series. This summer, we’re going to work our way through the gospel of Luke, which I’m calling “the gospel for everyone.” Luke wrote his gospel for everyone—he tells more stories about Gentiles, women, the poor, and the marginalized than any other gospel writer. He wanted us to know that Jesus is for everyone!

Each week, we’ll read a short passage from Luke, and ask, “What does this tell us about Jesus? About us?” Our goal is to know Jesus better and follow Him more closely. I hope that you’ll use the SOAP method and read the assigned passage each week before Sunday.

Read the Scripture: for next Sunday, it is written on the bottom of your outline. Read it and ask God for one thing. Then observe: what does it say? What is the point? What does the author mean? Then apply: what will I do? What is God saying to me? How will this change the way I think, talk and live? Then pray your one thing back to God. I hope you’ll do this each week, and you’ll come prepped for Sunday. And if you get something great, be sure to share it with me—I need all the help I can get!

Today we’re going to read the first four verses of Luke—it’s Luke’s preface to his gospel. He’s going to answer the question: can I trust the gospel? Is this true or just a nice story?

ILL: Have you heard the story of the lady who got a cookie at the Neiman-Marcus cafe in Dallas? She loved the cookie and asked her server for the recipe. Her server replied that they don’t give it away. “Could I buy it?” she asked. Her server said yes and when she asked how much, the server said two fifty. Imagine her surprise when her credit card bill arrived that month with a $250 charge for that cookie recipe. She tried to return it and get the charge removed to no avail. So to get her revenge, she posted the recipe online for everyone to have for free! Justice for the little guy!

It’s a fun story…it’s just not true. It’s an urban legend that has been around in multiple forms for more tha

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hewbrews 12:1-2)

Guest Speaker, Pastor Keith Jenkins. Great faith isn’t a momentary event. Great faith has to be built over a long period of time. Faith must be authenticated through trials.

INTRO:

Easter review – 78 new kids checked in to kids ministry and heard the gospel, Over 75 people made decisions for Jesus and took a bible on their way out! 175 baptisms – 75 of those people made the decision on the spot to get baptized!  We witnessed God move in people’s lives. I don’t ever want to treat the incredible move of God casually. May we never lose our excitement at seeing the work of God! I pray that we will continue to celebrate one salvation like it’s a thousand. That we would always throw heavens party here when if even just one person is baptized.  That we would never lose our passion to see our neighbors, friends, and family find and follow Jesus.  We are not just doing church, we are seeing a move of God in our generation!

What if I told you Jesus wants every christian to be rich? Would you believe me?

Jesus wants every christian to be rich… on the inside.

John 10:10   – The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. life to the full, starts on the inside. Spiritual disciplines are the ways through which Jesus invests into us.

2 Corinthians 8:9 – 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty you might become rich.

Did Jesus become poor to make us rich externally?

Jesus speaks to the church in Laodicea in Revelation 3:17-18 – 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

Having everything outside doesn’t translate to anything on the inside. Just because you have your life together on the outside, doesn’t mean it’s together on the inside.

Your day is going fine and then something little makes you snap?

External circumstance draw on our internal wealth.

God wants to make deposits into your spiritual bank accounts.

I was blown away by how the often the bible talks about internal riches.

Romans 10:12 – For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him.

Ephesians 3:16-17 – 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spi