Luke 17.7-10 Click for Audio

Slaves by Birth, Sons by New Birth

Luke 17:7-10

Introduction
Last week, we learned about life in the community of God, the church.  We learned that as disciples, we are not to be the cause of someone else’s sin.  When someone sins against us we are to act biblically; we are to rebuke them and if they repent, quickly forgive.
The disciples knew that if they were going to be consistently faithful in this command from our Lord then they were going to need some supernatural aid.  They asked that Jesus would increase their faith to make them worthy of such a difficult task.  Jesus told them that they didn’t necessarily need more faith, but diligently use the faith they already possessed.  A working faith produces diligent service unto God.  True faithfulness will place the disciple in a relationship with God where the disciple begins to accomplish what he was created to do, namely, bring glory to God through service to God and others. Continue Reading

Luke 17.1-10 Click For Audio

Disciples, Rebuke, Repent and Forgive!

Luke 17:1-10

Introduction

TT- A disciple must not be the cause of offence and when he is sinned against, he must rebuke and forgive his offender.

It was in these days of Jesus’ ministry that He was gaining more and more true followers.  It was true that some followed Him so they could see signs and wonders and others because they felt He was going to be the answer to their prayers concerning the overthrow of Rome.  However, some were real followers.  They were coming from the down and out who through God’s sovereignty had no where else to turn, they were coming from the empty religion of Judaism who finally saw the futile was of works religion.  These new converts were young and weak in the faith.  Jesus begin to teach His disciples how to care for the souls of a weaker believer.

We too as disciples should pay close attention so we can care for the souls of those whom God send to us here at GCC.

Jesus tells His first disciples how to care for the weaker brother and we as His church must pay close attention and do likewise. Continue Reading

Luke 16.19-31 Click for Audio

A Tale of Two Men

Luke 16:19-31

Introduction

Our text today is yet another parable addressed to the Pharisees.  The thrust is similar to those from the previous weeks.  Jesus receives sinners because in the Kingdom of God, there is a great reversal.  This reversal often has to do with those who seem to be rich in this life often will be in great want in the life to come.  Likewise, those who are poor in this life may, in fact, be those whom God has selected for eternal life.

This past week my family and I spent a few days on a cruise ship.  Each evening we ate at our assigned table with the assigned guests.  One such person named Jeffery, we ate with each evening.  I don’t really know much about Jeffery other than basic dinner conversation.

Before we ate, my family and I prayed and thanked the Lord for our food as we always do.  The second night, I asked if the others around the table would care to join us.  So, we prayed together.  Jeffery, I learned, was basically semi-retired and spent most of his time on various vacations and cruises living the high life. Continue Reading