There is a big difference between hoping in something and hoping in Someone. We all have dark days where hope seems lost, but Easter reminds us that Jesus is Lord of the Third Day. And that is a great day of hope.

One of the most profound mysteries of the Christian faith is that the God of this universe who holds all power and who holds all wealth should choose the essential expression of His heart and love and character as that of the cross. In this lesson, we learn about the cross in preparation for Easter next week...and that without the cross, there can be no Easter.

In the context of spiritual blindness from both the disciples and the critics of Jesus, a literal blind man is brought to Jesus. Jesus touches him and his vision is partially cured. Jesus touches him a second time and his vision is completely cured. Sometimes we need a second touch from the Master's hand to cure our spiritual blindness.

Idolatry is when we worship and serve created things rather than the Creator. Our condition is unimaginably serious and universally shared. Sometimes is our idols are good things that have taken over our lives. I cannot replace an idol by turning away from it. I have to turn toward something. I have to fall in love with Jesus...that deeper relationship moves me away from my idol.

The Gospel transforms hearts. Jesus tells this story in Luke 18 to highlight three heart conditions. The self-indulgent, the self-righteous and the humble heart. Only one finds favor with God.

We're starting a new series this weekend. It's called Restoration. It's about how we live in our world as gospel people. How do we join the restoring work God wants to do? We are called to serve our city for the sake of the city and the glory of God, seeking her flourishing and renewal.

A recent Time Magazine article cited not violence, infidelity, drug use or poor education as key contributors to destruction of family life in America, but business. We live in a fast paced, highly connected world with schedules packed from the moment we crawl out of bed to the minute we fall back into it, exhausted. This is not the life God has planned for us. Jesus encourages us to take his yoke, to find rest, to slow down...

God's people tend to drift away from Him. He sends prophets and sometimes He even brings discipline into our lives to bring us back to him. But we can rest in the comfort that no matter what we have done and how far we have drifted God is always faithful and His compassions never fail.

Zacchaeus was betting everything he had that affluence, wealth and possessions were what would give meaning and fulfillment to his life. It wasn't working. Jesus invites him to an intimate relationship that changed his behavior.

We live in a society that tends to talk about Right and Wrong as if they were just matters of personal taste. Nobody’s right; nobody’s wrong. But Jesus teaches there is absolute and transcendent goodness, and it is defined by God alone.