Why is it so important that we pray? Because we need to sleep.

Message: The gospel according to Luke            Text: Luke 22:39-46

~Jesus’ struggle with the Father’s will.                                

~My struggle with the Father’s will.                                                                            

 Who is present: (Jesus) Satan, Father, an angel, disciples

Vs 46  It isn’t to escape temptation, but to not enter it (overcome, overpower, give in, fall into)

Why is it so important that we pray? Because we need to sleep.

The devil doesn’t just want you to do some bad things. John 10:10

Someone knew an angel was there…

Worrying…thinking…assuming, is not praying.

Satan's demons always have a hand on you, pressed either against your chest or your back. Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit always has His hand on you, pressed either against your chest or your back.

Jesus’ struggle with the Father’s will.

Message: The gospel according to Luke         Text: Luke 22:39-46

~Jesus’ struggle with the Father’s will.                                

~My struggle with the Father’s will.                                                                             

Who is present: (Jesus) Satan, Father, an angel, disciples

In Gethsemane the human part of Jesus is struggling with God the Father as every human struggles with God over our will versus God’s will. What were they struggling over…or who were they struggling over?

These struggles always involve choice, in this instance the choice to love…to love someone else more than yourself. Jesus loves you and had to choose to love you again.

Luke 22:34 Father forgive them…                                             

vs 35 the rulers                                                                           

vs 36-37 the soldiers                                                                  

vs 39 one criminal

Do you know anyone who is worthless? Jesus’ love for you has nothing to do with what you do, it is for what you are, you are His!

The cross is the measure of God’s love for you…nothing else.

Job as a father

Message: Job as a father Text: Job 1:1-5

The book of Job is one of the earliest Bible stories written. Israel as a nation and the priesthood had not happened yet. Job is the priest/pastor of his home, nothing changes that. The priesthood/pastorate were designed to help the larger community, not take the place of the father in the home (Esau and his birthright)

According to the number of them all—a sacrifice for each of his children, individually (Susanna Wesley)

See how busy Job’s life must be, but he’s up early in the morning sacrificing for his children. This is important to him, his children are important to him and their relationship with his God is important to him. Job does not join them and they do not join him. (The Prodigal Son)

The devil doesn't get it, We don't get it, but Jesus gets it.

Message: The gospel according to Luke        Text: Luke 22:31-34

The devil doesn’t get it:                                                                        

Satan has asked for you by name (Job, Sceva’s sons)

Martin Luther, “Whenever I enter my study, close the door, and open my Bible, the devil meets me there.”                       

“You can tell the character of a man by looking at his enemies.”

We don’t get it:                                                                                           

No one knows themselves like they think they do.                       

Matthew Henry, "The stronger the temptation to sin is, the stronger the resolution must be against it."   

Beware of “self righteousness” which is technically an oxymoron.                                                                           

We need to do what we can, only problem with that is  John 15:5.

Jesus gets it:                                                                                              

Satan asked and Jesus said yes.                                                               

We grow thru our tests. Our failures make us more than our successes.

Who is the worst? Who is the greatest?

Message: The gospel according to Luke

Text: Luke 22:21-30

Vs 24 Who is the worst? Who is the greatest?

No one really changes grudgingly, but by the calling of Jesus.

The calling: A strong impression upon the soul; A still small voice like a whisper over your shoulder—Isaiah; A Shepherd’s Voice—Jesus.

Worldly discontent—not content until we have more of the same.

Godly discontent—more of the same no longer contents us at all. God has something else for us, something more, but it’s not of this world.

I Corinthians 16:15, “…they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.”

Passover has always been a meal of remembrance

Vs 15 “This Passover…” Why is this Passover so special?

A Tale of Two Cities—Charles Dickens

Vs 19-20 Passover has always been a meal of remembrance. The Lord’s Supper is still a meal of remembrance…remember something new God has done. Passover pointed backward and forward. The Lord’s Supper points backward and forward. Backward to the cross, forward to…what?

Teresa of Avila, "Check them by remembering that your kingdom is not of this world, and that everything comes quickly to an end, and that there is nothing in this life that goes on unchangingly."

Getting ready for the Last Supper.

The Devil Doesn't Get It

Message: The gospel according to Luke            

Text: Luke 22:1-6 (3, 5)

The devil doesn’t get it:

Genesis 1:27  Every human is created in the image of God.    

Romans 3:12, James 1:17  That’s where our good comes from.                                                                                          

Philippians 2:13, 1 John 4:19 Christians ramp it up a notch.

Satan’s temptation of Eve: he tempts her to be like God (more than the image of God) Why? Because he wants Eve  to be like him and he wants to be like God…Satan wants to be God.

Satan’s temptation of Jesus: he wants Jesus to worship him. Why? Satan despises our worship of Jesus and craves our worship of himself probably more than anything else. Satan wants to be worshiped as if he were God.

Satan is the ultimate prejudiced bigot and the ultimate narcissist. He hates everything and everyone who is not him; he wants everything to worship him; he wants everything and everyone to revolve around him.

…and you’re not like that and he doesn’t get it! Satan can’t fathom your love and repentance.

Who does Satan use?

Message: The gospel according to Luke            

Text: Luke 22:1-6

Chief priests, scribes, Judas, captains—the devil and his angels. Ephesians 6:12 The devil loves to work thru people…people just like you and me. Has the devil ever used you? Those who are in the most danger of being Satan’s tool are those who don’t think he is or can use them.

Satan didn’t really understand God’s plan, he still doesn’t. 1 Peter 1:12. The cross didn’t surprise him, but the resurrection did!                                                        

 Did the devil’s plan work? ______

Romans 8:29. “God takes what the enemy means for evil and turns it for good.” But no one can see it at the time.

John Stott, "The wiles of the devil take many forms, but he is at his wiliest when he succeeds in persuading people that he does not exist."

Faith may seem like the scariest thing but it’s actually the safest thing.

Message: Mother’s Day. Faith may seem like the scariest thing but it’s actually the safest thing.

Text: 1 Kings 17:9-16 Elijah and the widow of Zarephath

Vs 12, They don’t have anything to lose, they’re on a path to death anyway

Vs 13, “First” give it to God. There is an order to things in God’s economy and life doesn’t work until we get the order right. Giving back to God “first” is where the test of faith is.

Faith may seem like the scariest thing but it’s actually the safest thing.

~The best thing you can do for your “son” is to put Jesus first, then let Jesus take care of your “son.” You are giving your “son” to Jesus to care for.

~The worst thing you can do for your “son” is to put your “son” first. You are then trying to remove your “son” from Jesus’ care and depending on your own care for him.

Replace “son” with whatever ________, the test of faith might be for you.

When the widow of Zarephath obeyed God’s Word she opened the way for God to take care of her son. Faith, love, obedience to God’s Word opens the way for God to get involved in your life and your son’s life.

We can approach Jesus out of fear or out of love.

Text: Luke 21:5-36                                                                 

2nd Coming of Jesus,   21:27-28, 36

70AD, destruction of Jerusalem/temple,   21:5-6, 20

Stand--Luke 21:36, “…stand before the Son of man.”

Postures:

Stand--Romans 14:9, “For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.”

Kneel--Philippians 2:9-11, “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Fall--Revelation 4:10, “the 24 elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne…”

We can approach Jesus out of fear or out of love.

Love instead of fear  (want to instead of have to)

1 John 4:17-19, “Love has been perfected among us in this:  that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.”

(Part 2)Believing faith...then growing faith that builds a strong hope by experience.

Message: The gospel according to Luke             (4-5-20)

Text: Luke 20:27-38

Believing faith…

Romans 10:9, “If you will confess with your mouth…”

Romans 10:17, “Faith comes by hearing…”

then growing faith that builds a strong hope by experience.

The most important second in your life.

Hebrews 11:1, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for...”                                                                             

Romans 5:4, “Tribulation, patience, experience, hope.” (KJV)

Hope for the present and future is built on what God has done in the past. He is still building hope in you thru experience.

What are you hoping for?

The most important second in your life.

(Part 1) Believing Faith...then growing faith that builds a strong hope by experience.

Message: The gospel according to Luke             (4-5-20)

Text: Luke 20:27-38

Believing faith…

Romans 10:9, “If you will confess with your mouth…”

Romans 10:17, “Faith comes by hearing…”

then growing faith that builds a strong hope by experience.

The most important second in your life.

Hebrews 11:1, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for...”                                                                             

Romans 5:4, “Tribulation, patience, experience, hope.” (KJV)

Hope for the present and future is built on what God has done in the past. He is still building hope in you thru experience.

What are you hoping for?

The most important second in your life.

Government

Message: The gospel according to Luke

Text: Luke 20:20-25

Taxes: honor/respect the governing authority.

Consequences and the “arm chair quarterback.”

Tithes: Ps 24:1, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.” Job 41:11, “…everything under heaven is Mine.”

Like a river flowing into the ocean.

Tithing pays for doing God’s work.

Your stuff is already God’s stuff, so God doesn’t need more stuff.

Jesus wants you.

Jesus likes you.

Jesus has come to you. So, come to Him.

Cornerstone

Authority

Message: The gospel according to Luke

Text: Luke 20:1-8

Matthew 28:18, “All authority is given unto Me…”

You:

~Most of the time authority for us is a control issue, who has control?

~Psalm 24:1, Job 41:11

~Jesus doesn’t have to ask anyone, needs no permission, doesn’t have to explain Himself, and doesn’t have to answer to anyone…so He usually doesn’t. 

Others:

~Daniel 4:17, 34-35   King Nebuchadnezzar

~Jesse, David, Nebuchadnezzar, Quirinius, Caesar Augustus, Joseph, Mary, Bethlehem

Romans 8:28

You only believe the part of the Bible that you live.

Text: Luke 20:41-47                                                

“You only believe the part of the Bible that you live.”

Matthew 22:42, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?” They said to Him, “The Son of David.”

Text: Luke 20:41-44

Luke 20:42,       LORD (Jehovah) – Lord (Adonai) (Gen 15:2)

John 8:24 (NIV) “I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.”

Text: Luke 20:45-47

They love: the best things, the best places, taking other people’s things, what people think about them…they love themselves.

Colossians 1:16, “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.”

He does not exist for us, we exist for Him

Life like a jigsaw puzzle

Testing

~13 in an upper room

~Garden, scattered, (fear, turning point)

~Cross, (fear)

~Resurrection (fear, turning point, preaching point)

~Acts 1, 120 in an upper room

~Acts 2, 3,000

~Acts 4, 5,000

~Acts 8:4, persecution, spread worldwide (the fish)

~1 Peter 1:6-7   Pure faith

~James 1:3-4    Perfect (mature) faith

All comfort does for the church is make us comfortable.

During the testing of your faith, that’s where your turning point will be. 

Acts 8:4, “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the Word.”

1 Peter 1:6-7, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Pure faith

James 1:3-4, “Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Perfect (mature) faith

The Lord's Supper

Message: The Lord’s Supper

Text: 1 Corinthians 11:24-25

(2 Corinthians 11:3) “The simplicity that is in Christ.”

Corporately-FGBC:

“This do…Go, make disciples, baptize, teach”

Individually:

Love, trust, obey…Jesus

Drawing a Bolder Line

Message: The gospel according to Luke

Text: Luke 19:41-48

The emotions of God: Sadness, grief, anger—the passion and urgency of God.

Time is still running out, and people are already lost so what more do they have to lose?

Shane Rosenthal, "The Jesus we preach is so kind, gentle, and loving, it is a wonder that He was ever crucified."

The emotion of God inspires emotion in us. If Jesus were with us in the flesh today, would someone still kill Him?

If you won’t stand up for Jesus when there is no real consequence, why would you stand up when there is a real consequence?

Living divisively, living decisively

Drawing a bolder line in my life and with my life.

A Hand on my back and a hand on my chest. Matthew 28:19 & Zechariah 3:1