Stapleford Baptist Church

APOLOGIES for the 'muddy' sound quality.

We're taking a break from Luke's account of the life of Jesus Christ to read the letter written by one of Jesus' most notable followers - Paul of Tarsus - to the relatively new church in the city of Rome. And how does he start his letter? By pointing his readers to Jesus! What a treat for them, and for us as we read a copy of that letter.

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Is this the highpoint of Jesus' life on Earth? He is feted by the crowds as he arrives in Jerusalem. They are proclaiming him as King. Well, it's true, he is a king, but their misunderstanding of his kingship is total. He's not arriving to conquer the city on a warhorse complete with an army - he's arriving on a young donkey and he's only got a week left to live. Do we misunderstand him too?

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Luke is continuing his record of Jesus' teachings ... and, as so often, what Jesus has to say isn't altogether comforting. He tells a story in which a royal figure (a picture of Christ himself) leaves 10 servants (i.e. us) to look after his belongings (i.e. this world) while he goes away to get crowned as king. When he returns (i.e. Jesus' return) he finds that some of those servants have taken care of his belongings and some haven't ...

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Why did Jesus come and live on earth and then die on earth?Why didn't he stay in the comfort of Heaven? Two people who could give you an answer to that are in this week's look at Luke's account of Jesus' life. And one of these two can't see and the others into dodgy finance. Should you take any notice of what they say?

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Oh dear! Today Luke's record of Jesus' life give us three examples of how not to get a good life after your death. The first is when we trust religion, the second when we trust status and achievements, the third when we trust in the good things we've done for God. And Jesus says "none of these count where it matters". What are we to do?

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A repeating theme in today's snapshot of Luke's 'life of Jesus' is faith - faith that leads to healing, faith that leads to answered prayer and faith that leads to eternal safety. May God give us all such faith in him.

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When Jesus talks about sin, do you expect to get zapped, or do you think it's something that can be ignored? In the brief section of Luke's account of Jesus' life that we look at today we find Jesus condemning the persons who drive others to sin and preaching a way back to God by repentance and forgiveness ... and the need for humble service (not driving others to sin) to the God who accepts our repentance and forgives us, though it's totally undeserved.

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This week, Dr Luke tells us about Jesus' critique of everyone who relies on themselves rather than calling out to God in repentance to rely on him. Before he came to earth, the standard you and I would have had to achieve to please God was daunting but Jesus has raised the standard - it's now impossible; we must rely on him only.

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After several months we're back with Dr Luke's account of Jesus' life ... and what a strange part we come across today! Jesus tells a story about the manager of a business who engages in some seriously devious practice in order to save his skin ... and Jesus seems to commend him for that. Strange or what! Doesn't Jesus condemn cheating in other places? What's going on? Watch the video and find out!!

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Death is dead! Christ has risen! He has died, thereby dealing with the sin ... for ever. And now he's drawing people of all types, and all histories into the family of God. If he's drawn you in, then join in our celebration ... and if not, use this celebration to ask him to join you to his family. He forgives. He delivers. He loves. He strengthens. Praise King Jesus who was dead, but is alive.

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