In many walks of life we hear the term “optics” being used. It refers to how something will look or be perceived by the public. Optics may work as a principle in business and politics, but an expression of faith that is optics or image based is shallow. Jesus reserved his harshest rebukes for religious […]

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Today we will examine Luke’s account of what is often called the Lord’s Prayer. However, these words are not what Jesus actually prayed, but provide a model for prayer. As we consider prayer we need to think about the one we are addressing. We need to think about what we are saying and we need […]

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The parable of the Good Samaritan is one of the most familiar stories in all the Bible. The concept of a Good Samaritan has endured throughout the years and has even been in current Chicagoland headlines. The story is a response to the question: Who is my neighbor? It is a question we need to […]

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What does it mean to follow Jesus? What does it take? What is the trueessence of faith? In a stunning statement and an awesome event some of Jesus closest disciples will learn the core of consistent faith. It is far more than we can imagine. It is a greater challenge than we can envision. And […]

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Sometimes we find that we need the reality of resurrection more than others. This past year with so much uncertainty, so much death, so much unrest, it seems that we all need something that gives us hope for the future. As we will see in our passage today the resurrection of Jesus Christ is that […]

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Jesus allowed one true public celebration of who he was on that first day of the week before his crucifixion. In a moment in which many were celebrating, Jesus weeps. These were not tears of joy. They were not tears of fear. They were tears of sadness because he knew this city that God had […]

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One thing we discover repeatedly about Jesus is that while on God’s timetable, he was not in a hurry. He made time for each person. In our passage we find him in the presence of a very important man who needs help. Yet along the way, Jesus stops to pay special attention to an unnamed, […]

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Each person is responsible before God as to how they respond to the truth of His Word. How one responds is directly related to the “soil condition” of his or her heart. The reality is that we can do the work to prepare our hearts to be receptive to God’s truth. What is the condition […]

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If you have ever wondered if Jesus truly accepts outcasts, this sermon is for you. If you have pondered the depth of God’s love that could lead him to forgive you, despite anything you may have done this sermon is for you. We see Jesus forgiving one who had the reputation as a sinner, when […]

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In Luke’s account of the “Sermon on the level place,” we find four key themes that should be standards for following Jesus. Choose to love our enemies. Look at our own faults before pointing out the faults of others. Let the our words and our works reflect the presence of Jesus in our lives. Live […]

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