In this first passage from the book of Malachi, the prophet must share a burdensome message with his people. They had forgotten God's love, and had allowed their relationship with him and with others to become distorted. Malachi reminds them that God has a covenant love for them, and that this love should be the foundation for their obedience. His love is demonstrated in his sovereignty in salvation, and this realization should lead God's people to utter humility and thankfulness. Have we been changed by God's love? Do we delight in his word and in sharing our faith?

In this final passage from the book of Luke, the resurrected Jesus appears to his disciples, assuring them that he is not a spirit but flesh and bone. He eats with them and teaches them from the Scriptures, opening their minds to understand what has taken place as well as the gospel message that they are to preach. They are called to a life of mission, proclaiming Christ and him crucified for the forgiveness of sins. As believers, we too are called to this mission. Are we faithfully sharing the gospel with our family, friends, and neighbors as we live as missionaries where God has planted us? From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Church of Bend.

In this passage from the book of Luke, the resurrected Jesus walks along the road to Emmaus with two disciples. They are discouraged, filled with disillusionment and doubt. They don't recognize the Lord for who He is, and don't yet fully understand the gospel or why he had to suffer and die. Jesus gently rebukes them, and then begins to teach them, beginning with Moses and the Prophets. He shows them that all of the Scriptures are about him and foretold that these things were to come. Do we see Christ in the Old Testament as well as the New? Do we have room for suffering in our theology? Are we regularly reading the Word and spending time in prayer so that we may abide with Him? From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Church of Bend.

In this passage, Luke tells us about a rich man, Joseph of Arimathea, who took Jesus' body and buried it in his tomb. The next day, as women went to honor the body of their Teacher, they found the tomb to be empty, and saw angels who told them that Jesus had risen, just as he had told them. When they told Jesus' followers what they had seen and heard, they were greeted with skepticism. What will our response be to the good news of Jesus' resurrection? Are we willing to be subject to skepticism and rejection in our relaying of the gospel to others? From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Church of Bend.

In this sermon from the book of Luke, Luke tells us about the final moments of Jesus' life, as he commits his spirit to the Father and as the veil in the temple is torn in two. Those looking on at his crucifixion recognized his innocence, and were grieved at his execution. What will our response be to the atoning death of Jesus? From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Church of Bend.

In this sermon from the book of Luke, Luke tells us about the two criminals who were crucified on either side of Jesus. One of them mocked Jesus, while the other recognized him for the Savior that he was and put his faith in him. Jesus promised the criminal that he would be with him that day in Paradise, giving us all hope for the forgiveness of our own sins. From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Church of Bend.

In this passage from the book of Luke, we come across four truths. First, the reality of weeping for the lost: professional mourners wept over Jesus as he walked the road to the cross. But Jesus told them to not weep for him but for themselves and their children; he knew their condition was far worse that his own. Second, the reality of God’s judgment: Jesus gives a prophesy and parable, implying it would be better that children would not be alive to experience the severe judgment that is to come. Thirdly, the reality of our great substitution: Jesus died as a criminal, but not for his crimes, for ours. And lastly, the reality of forgiveness: Jesus forgave the Roman guards that executed him. And he offers us the free gift of forgiveness as well. Questions to ask ourselves: Do we weep for the lost in our city? Does it affect our lives? Have we received his forgiveness? Do we reflect this forgiveness to others?

In this passage from the book of Luke, we encounter three areas in which we see a glimpse of freedom from our sins. First, God’s plan for freedom: Jesus was proclaimed innocent – even by Pilate himself - but that Jesus was silent and didn’t defend Himself during the trails is no tragic injustice or an accident, rather it is the plan for justice from God to free us. Second, the rejection of Pilate’s plan: Pilate tried to use a murderer as a bargaining chip to have Jesus released, but the Nation of Israel would have none of it. They wanted Jesus crucified as God’s plan for freedom was not what they wanted; they wanted a Savior who would free them from Rome. Finally, there’s the true cost of freedom: The murderer, Barabbas, is the picture of all of us on death row - without hope and without God. And like the Barabbas’ release from prison and death, the cost for our freedom was paid by another - Jesus. Questions to ask ourselves: Are we still astonished beyond measure that Jesus does all things well in our lives? Or have we walked away from the closeness we once had with Jesus because things seemed to go wrong and we hold God accountable for not stepping in and doing something and stopping the way things have turned out? Are we thinking Jesus should act more like our Genie? Are we off following our own plans now? What allegiance do our lives show?

In this passage from the book of John, we find the first eyewitness of Jesus’ resurrection: Mary Magdalene. Mary visits Jesus’ tomb and finds the stone rolled away. Her initial reaction to His resurrection isn’t to believe He has risen, but rather, she’s skeptical and thinks His body was taken somewhere by someone. She rushes off to tell the disciples. When the disciples come upon the tomb they see Jesus’ burial clothes but His body gone. Peter saw the evidence, but didn’t yet respond with faith. Instead, he went home to think. John saw the evidence and, without seeing Jesus in person, he believed – though he didn’t understand until later. After the disciples left, Mary came face-to-face with Jesus; then she believed He was resurrected. A question to ask ourselves: How do we respond to Jesus life, death and resurrection? It is the most significant question any of us will ever answer.

In this passage from the book of John, we see three things taking place on Palm Sunday that should challenge us in our way of thinking: the cry of the people, the humility of the king and the confusion of the crowd. As Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowd cried out “Hosanna!” (“Save us!”). They were looking to Jesus to be their political Savior; they were looking for the Messiah that would save them from Rome. Instead of riding in on a white stallion, though, Jesus rode in on a young donkey, displaying his character of humility and fulfilling the prophesy from 500 years before. The crowd reacted to this entrance on a donkey: the disciples didn’t understand the significance until after Pentecost; the crowd continued to bear witness of miracles Jesus performed, looking for more miracles to come from Him; and the Pharisees wanted to kill Him. Questions to ask ourselves: Is our desire for Jesus? Or for some other benefit? Are we characterized by righteousness, salvation, humility and peace? Are we patient with people, loving and serving them? Are we going to live for this kingdom or His Kingdom?