Grace Community Church

Luke 11.5-13 click for audio

Lord, Teach Us to Pray (part 2)

Last week, our Lord taught us the principles of prayer content.  Our prayers should consist of praying to our heavenly Father for His decreed end…His name being vindicated and His Kingdom consummating on earth.  Jesus went on to explain that we should also ask God; depending on Him for our every need from the bread we eat to the sins that need to be forgiven.  Jesus shows us we are to pray for the things that God promises to accomplish.  When we pray correctly, we pray for God to accomplish His will.

This week our Lord shows us what our approach should be to prayer.  In other words, Jesus shows us a proper prayer attitude.  Last week the key word was dependence this week it is persistence. 

After giving us the model prayer, Jesus tells a parable to illustrate how to pray.  Notice in this parable words like impudence, ask, seek, knock…all these are words of persistence.  We are to keep asking, seeking, and knocking until our godly requests are answered.

The big problem with our praying is that we are often praying very selfish trivial prayers.  Rather, we should be praying God ordained big prayers.

Let’s look together at how Jesus so masterfully teaches us to pray.

This is God’s Word…

Lk 11:5 And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves,

Lk 11:6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’;

Lk 11:7 and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’?

Lk 11:8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.

Lk 11:9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Lk 11:10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

Lk 11:11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;

Lk 11:12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

Lk 11:13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Lord, grant us perseverance in prayer as we trust You as Father. Continue Reading

Luke 11.1-4 %22Click for audio%22

Lord, Teach Us to Pray

Introduction

Jesus was a man of prayer.  Luke shows us all through his gospel that time and time again Jesus could be found praying.  He was always in the mode of prayer.

Lk 6:12 In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.

The disciples watched Jesus.  They knew that if he could not be found, He was probably hiding away in prayer.  They also saw the power of Jesus’ prayers.  They knew that many amazing things took place after Jesus had prayed.  The feeding of the five thousand is one example.

Lk 9:16 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd.

The connection to last week’s message with Mary and Martha is that there, Luke showed the importance of listening to God, here we learn the importance of speaking to God.

We must be careful to really listen and we must be careful when we speak.  Regardless what many moderns say, God is not our homeboy.  It is true we can approach the throne of grace with boldness because of the work of Christ but we had also better approach God with fear and reverence.

The disciples wanted to be closer to God and in Jesus they saw this.  When they watched His life, they saw a life totally dedicated to and in communion with God.

I pray that you also like this unnamed disciple desire a closer communion with God.  Since Luke leaves this disciple unnamed, let’s plug ours into the sentence.  Let’s ask Jesus the same question…Lord, teach us to pray.

This is not the same prayer found in Matthew.  There, Jesus is preaching the Sermon on the Mount and instructs on prayer.  Here, Jesus is approached by a disciple and asked about prayer.

A disciple is dependent on God for instruction in godliness through the Word.  A disciple is also dependent on God for not only proper instruction but also everything else as well.  Notice how this short prayer models a disciple’s dependence on God for all things.

This is God’s Word…

Lk 11:1 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”

Lk 11:2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.

Lk 11:3 Give us each day our daily bread,

Lk 11:4 and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.”

Jesus, teach us to pray in the right manner and for the right things… Continue Reading

luke 10, 38-42 click for audio

Devoted or Distracted?

Here before us today is another account that has only been preserved for us by Luke.  This is the encounter Jesus has with Mary and Martha.

This text is all about welcoming a guest.  It’s about hospitality.  Under normal circumstances, Martha’s acts would be correct and Mary’s would be wrong.  Here, however, the scene is much different.  The guest reclining in their home is not a normal visitor but the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  The Visitor has Word of eternal life.  The Words Jesus shares with this household are the Words of the Gospel, the Kingdom, and discipleship.

It’s not by accident that this text follows the account of the Good Samaritan.  The lawyer was one who refused to be even hospitable to the man in need.  Here we see to women who welcome Jesus into their home.  No doubt this was a town in which the disciples had already been as they were sent on ahead by Jesus.

Mary, not Martha gives Jesus the welcome He seeks by listening to His teaching.  Jesus is concerned with genuine hearing of the Word.  The Lawyer in our account last week heard what Jesus said but did not really hear.  Mary, on the other hand, gives Jesus her undivided attention…she is hearing like Jesus desires.

Notice as I read, the difference between distracted sinful Martha and Mary who is on the edge of her seat as she listens to every Word Jesus has to say.  Also notice that in her distractedness, she becomes agitated because her sister is not concerned with the things she is anxious about. Continue Reading

Luke 10.25-37 Click For Audio

The Lost Man With All the Answers

Today, we are going to look together at one of the most famous parables Jesus told.  Many today who know little of the Bible or of Christianity know this story.  However, as well known as this story is, its true meaning is rarely understood.

Since the early 20^th century and the teaching of fundamentalism, Christianity has been wrongly reduced to intellectual assent to a list of doctrines.  In the face the liberal assault on the Bible the fundamentalists purpose was to combat what the liberals were teaching.  The problem arose as the fundamentals went too far the other way.

Liberals taught the Bible is not God’s Word and it has no authority.  Fundamentalists said it is God’s Word and does have authority.  Liberals taught that Christianity is simply a social movement and that the teaching of the Good Samaritan parable is one proof of that and that we are to be kind to people because Jesus said go do likewise.  The fundamentalists said that Christianity is not a social movement but truths to be believed.  That was where they departed from what Jesus taught.  We today are a product, in many cases, of the fundamentalist’s partial gospel.  Liberals say Christians are to be about correcting all the social ills and fundamentalists say Christians are to believe correct truths.  Both systems have partial truths and both systems fall short of Christianity.

True biblical Christianity is about believing correct doctrine and out of that belief in manifest mercy and care of others.

I say all that because before us today is a Lawyer who knew all the right answers to Jesus’ questions but was lacking the behavior that knowing these truths should produce.  I’m afraid that there are many folks in our churches today who can pass a Bible test but are not converted.  Knowing the right answers and being a Christian are not the same thing.  This man in our text today, knew the answers but was not a follower of Christ. Continue Reading

Luke 10.17-24 Click For Audio

A Time for Rejoicing

The Scriptures have a lot to say about Jesus.  Who He is and why He came.  The Bible tells us that Jesus was angry when the moneylenders had blocked the entrance with their moneymaking schemes.  We learn from the Bible Jesus wept as He looked over the ancient city of Jerusalem.  We learn that He was amazed as He saw the centurion’s faith at work.  Here, in our text for today we see Jesus rejoicing.  What was it that made our Lord rejoice?

What makes you rejoice?  I remember years ago reading the Bible for the first time.  I mean not just a verse but actually sitting down and reading long sections.  God’s Word has become for me a source of rejoicing.  The Bible never ceases to amaze me as it stretches my mind, not only to understand it but to grasp the infinite Lord who is the Hero of the Bible.  I love how Scripture shatters about every preconceived idea we have about Jesus.  What do you rejoice in?

The 72 newly commissioned disciples return from their first mission trip rejoicing over the outcome.  Everything Jesus said came true.  They are pleased and so is Jesus.  Jesus is overjoyed at the results, as are the disciples.  But Jesus wants to take their rejoicing to a new level.  Understand, this is the only place in all the Gospels that the Bible says Jesus rejoices.  As I read today’s text, notice with me the two things that are cause for rejoicing.  Also, please notice the great reversal Luke highlights between those who are wise in their own eyes and those who are needy.  Also notice the close relationship Jesus has with His Father.  Finally, notice what the disciples see that the prophets of old did not see…  Continue Reading

Everyday Life of a Disciple

Everyday Life of a Disciple

Jesus has just finished making sure that His followers understand what being a disciple is all about.  He introduced them to the concept of cost.  We learned last week that for us there will be costs as well.  For some the cost may be greater and of a different type than others, but all will experience the cost of discipleship.  There should be a cost.  The cost means it’s worth something.

Today, we see Jesus sending a portion of His committed followers on ahead to basically do what John the Baptist did, prepare the way of the Lord.

In our text today, we’re going to get a taste of discipleship from Christ’s viewpoint.  I want you to look for a few things from the text: Notice what Jesus tells His disciples to pray, to do, and what to rejoice about. Continue Reading

Luke 9-56-62 Click for audio

Counting the Cost of Discipleship

Introduction

So far in the ministry of Jesus on earth things have gone pretty well.  He has travelled and healed, worked miracles, and been able to teach and preach the message of the Kingdom of God.  Jesus is the people’s Messiah.  Probably at this point His biggest challenge was the crowd.  The Bible tells us that He was limited in where He could go because the crowd was always there, always wanting more.  The crowd and His disciples followed Him wherever He went.

Jesus also knows that the tide is about to turn.  From here on out being a follower is going to require an unprecedented amount of loyalty and sacrifice.  Being a disciple will have an extreme amount of cost for the would-be follower.

Jesus has never painted a rosy picture for His disciples but has told them the truth about their commitment to Him.  He continues, in this text, to share with them what they are about to get into.  He’s not trying to discourage them from following, but He does want them to know up front what the cost will be.  He wants everyone on the same page as far as requirements of discipleship.  He isn’t trying to make following Him sound like a walk in the park.

Do you know what the cost is?  Have you considered the cost?

We live in a day when Christianity is often viewed as something that will make you feel better about yourself.  It’s as if its some sort of therapy for your self-esteem.  Many people want to go to church so they feel better about themselves.

We also live in a day when the church is to open its doors to any and everybody.  In today’s world we are to be seeker friendly and water down the gospel so as not to be offensive.  Pastors and church leaders will come up with various schemes to try and make the church more appealing to lost people so that the lost will want to come and enjoy themselves with everyone else…is this loving?  Is it loving to manipulate and sell someone something?  Is it loving to sugar coat sin and the requirements of Christ so that they will be easier to swallow?  Jesus didn’t.

I think it’s time the church started acting like the Lord in terms of being the true church and not some social club.  It’s time we start examining the Scriptures to see even what we are to be about and to do.  It’s time pastors and church leaders stop trying to sell people a bill of goods simply to stroke their own egos.  It’s time we start looking at Christianity not as the title to a social group but the name of followers of Christ.

Jesus gives us a reality check here in this passage.  Here again are His terms of discipleship.  Please don’t think this is Pastor Brian on a soapbox, this is Jesus not me.  If you wish to disagree and complain, take it up with Him…

In our text today, we are going to see some misunderstandings concerning following Christ. Continue Reading

Luke 9-56-62 Click for audio

Counting the Cost of Discipleship

Introduction

So far in the ministry of Jesus on earth things have gone pretty well.  He has travelled and healed, worked miracles, and been able to teach and preach the message of the Kingdom of God.  Jesus is the people’s Messiah.  Probably at this point His biggest challenge was the crowd.  The Bible tells us that He was limited in where He could go because the crowd was always there, always wanting more.  The crowd and His disciples followed Him wherever He went.

Jesus also knows that the tide is about to turn.  From here on out being a follower is going to require an unprecedented amount of loyalty and sacrifice.  Being a disciple will have an extreme amount of cost for the would-be follower.

Jesus has never painted a rosy picture for His disciples but has told them the truth about their commitment to Him.  He continues, in this text, to share with them what they are about to get into.  He’s not trying to discourage them from following, but He does want them to know up front what the cost will be.  He wants everyone on the same page as far as requirements of discipleship.  He isn’t trying to make following Him sound like a walk in the park.

Do you know what the cost is?  Have you considered the cost?

We live in a day when Christianity is often viewed as something that will make you feel better about yourself.  It’s as if its some sort of therapy for your self-esteem.  Many people want to go to church so they feel better about themselves.

We also live in a day when the church is to open its doors to any and everybody.  In today’s world we are to be seeker friendly and water down the gospel so as not to be offensive.  Pastors and church leaders will come up with various schemes to try and make the church more appealing to lost people so that the lost will want to come and enjoy themselves with everyone else…is this loving?  Is it loving to manipulate and sell someone something?  Is it loving to sugar coat sin and the requirements of Christ so that they will be easier to swallow?  Jesus didn’t.

I think it’s time the church started acting like the Lord in terms of being the true church and not some social club.  It’s time we start examining the Scriptures to see even what we are to be about and to do.  It’s time pastors and church leaders stop trying to sell people a bill of goods simply to stroke their own egos.  It’s time we start looking at Christianity not as the title to a social group but the name of followers of Christ.

Jesus gives us a reality check here in this passage.  Here again are His terms of discipleship.  Please don’t think this is Pastor Brian on a soapbox, this is Jesus not me.  If you wish to disagree and complain, take it up with Him…

In our text today, we are going to see some misunderstandings concerning following Christ.

Please hear God’s Word…   Continue Reading