Sermons from November 2018
“Jesus Heals A Man With A Demon” (Luke 8:26-39)
Jesus Heals a Man with a Demon (Luke 8:26-39) Luke continues to show how people are responding to Jesus. The parables were about how we respond to his word. This passage, like the one before it, provide examples of people responding to Jesus’ power. The episode is found in all three synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). One of the significant differences being that Matthew mentions two demoniacs. The easiest answer is that Mark and Luke refer to the greater…
“Restore Us, O God” (Psalm 80)
Restore Us, O God (Psalm 80) How do you approach God when you need restoration? Advent is about waiting/anticipating God’s restoration. In Psalm 80, Asaph longs for the covenant blessings to be returned to Israel. He pictures God as an angry Shepherd who left his flock, in the midst of their enemies, to feed upon their tears. He longs for the Lord’s restoration and favor. The Psalms teach us how to communicate with God. We learn to express our emotions…
“Jesus Calms the Storm” (Luke 8:22-25)
Jesus Calms the Storm (Luke 8:22-25) We allow our circumstances to dictate the state of our faith rather than trusting in the person and work of our Savior. Similar to the scene in Jonah, but the parallels are probably little more than coincidental with accounts of a stormy sea. Jesus has been teaching in parables about the importance of how we hear and respond to God’s Word. Read Luke 8:22-25. I. The Fear of the Disciples The “Mills Fire” –…
“Wholehearted Thanksgiving” (Psalm 9)
Wholehearted Thanksgiving (Psalm 9) We’ve heard a lot about recounting in the news over the past few weeks. Once again, Florida was in the middle of the controversy. At least we have our act together over here in California… Hopefully, recounting the wonderful deeds of the Lord isn’t so complicated. Psalm 10 has no title supporting the theory that 9-10 were originally one (mostly acrostic) psalm. However, due to a significant shift in the mood, we will only focus on…
“The Family of God” (Luke 8:19-21)
The Family of God (Luke 8:19-21) This follows Jesus’ teaching on the parables (the Sower and the Lamp). In both cases, the emphasis was upon how people respond to God’s Word. There are many inadequate ways to receive God’s Word (road, rocks, thorns). It is only the good soil that hears God’s Word and does it who will produce fruit. Along the same lines, the lamp is the light of God’s Word that illuminates the truth for those in darkness,…
“Civil War” (Judges 20-21)
Civil War (Judges 20-21) Conclusion: Israel’s religious decline > moral decline > political decline. Upon receiving their portion of the Levite’s concubine, Israel gathered for battle. Read Judges 20-21. The near elimination, and subsequent restoration, of the Benjamites portray Israel’s need for a king. I. Vengeance Upon Benjamin (20:1-48) 1. A Devastating Unity (1-18) 400,000 Israelites gather for a divine mission. Upon hearing the Levite’s story, minus any self-incriminating details, Israel unanimously decide to attack Gibeah, demanding Benjamin hand over…
“The Light of God’s Word” (Luke 8:16-18)
The Light of God’s Word (Luke 8:16-18) The parable of the Sower was related to the proclamation of God’s Word and the various soils in which it lands. The good soil bears much fruit. That fruit is the multiplication of the Word received. Jesus stays on the same subject, but transitions to another analogy. God’s Word is not only like a seed, but it’s also like a light. Because men love the darkness, we don’t always appreciate the light. It…
“It Was the Worst of Times” (Judges 19)
It Was the Worst of Times (Judges 19) Judges ends with a description of the political and religious decline of Israel (reverse of introduction). Last week we noted the corruption of worship as idolatry in the household of Micah escalated to idolatry in the tribe of Dan. The decline magnifies in the following section where Benjamin looks like Sodom. You won’t find illustrations of this chapter in your Children’s Storybook Bible. Why is this so dark? (19:1; cf. 17:6). Judges…