Luke 16:1-13 Our Lord here desires to have His people thinking much about their glorious future and the opportunities before them. To do this, Jesus gives a perplexing parable about an unbeliever whom believes have much to learn from! Jesus states that unbelievers are often sharper with their money than Christians are. We should be seeking to use our wealth to benefit others, who may as a consequence, come to know the Lord Jesus. Thus in serving others and not ourselves, we prove to be faithful servants of God. We know all too well that money and wealth are often a snare. We must be resolved to never serve them. Rather, we should use them to serve the Lord. Themes include: Heavenly-mindedness, devotion, idolatry, faithfulness (ours), service, contentment.

1 Timothy 4:1-16 After all his training under Paul, the young Timothy has been commissioned to pastor the church at Ephesus. Paul warns his graduated apprentice that tough times are coming. For false teachers inspired by demons will be seeking to lure away sheep entrusted to his care. Timothy must combat this coming enemy on two fronts: 1) Keeping a close watch over his own spiritual walk and pursuit of godliness, and 2) teaching the Scriptures unwaveringly.

Luke 15:25-32 These 3 glorious parables of chapter 15 are reaching their mighty crescendo in the actions of the ‘older son’. The point is not the prodigal, the point is the older brother. The party has begun, but he refuses to come in. Both the younger brother and the father’s actions have scandalised the older son. Grace infuriates him. It doesn’t seem fair. With the father heading outside, we see that he indeed has always had two lost sons, not one.

Luke 15:11-24 Having just given the parables of the Lost Sheep & Lost Coin, we can comfortably say that Jesus has well and truly made His point. The sight of tax collectors and sinners coming to Him on bended knee should evoke wonder, praise, and joyous celebration. Grumbling and anger over such good news makes no sense, it’s unnatural. And yet the Pharisees and Scribes won’t come to the party. So, Jesus rams home his point with a final parable in defence of His ministry toward the most notorious sinners. The Parable of the Prodigal Son has 3 main characters: The father, the younger son, and the older son. This morning we’ll consider the first act of this great parable, which focuses on the father and the younger son. It is a story highlighting the depths of depravity and rebellion, and the heights of grace and redemption.

‘What Brings Joy to God?’ Luke 15:1-10 In defence of his ministry to the outcasts and social ‘deplorables’, Jesus gives 3 beautiful parables concerning God’s heart to seek and save the lost. Each parable is filled with celebration over sinners coming home! Themes include: salvation, grace, rejoicing in heaven, lost being found, eternal life.

Luke 14:25-35 Having left a dinner meal with the Pharisees, Jesus is now again confronted by a great multitude wanting to follow him. His popularity is increasing but Jesus knows that many are jumping on the bandwagon and haven’t considered where this road heads. Willing to risk his numbers, Jesus confronts the crowds with a shocking ultimatum. When it comes to following him, it’s either ‘all or nothing’. Jesus’ terms for discipleship are startling and even outrageous. Who does he think he is to demand so much?

Luke 14:12-24 Our scene returns with Jesus still at the dining table of a prominent Pharisee’s home. He has just unmasked their pride and warned them that if they continued to refuse to humble themselves, God would humble them everlastingly. Jesus now goes on to explain what true hospitality looks like and who are the ones that will be welcomed into the eternal kingdom of God. Jesus does this with an unforgettable parable: A mega banquet is all prepared, but the invited guests make a myriad of last-minute excuses seeking to be excused. Will the banquet turn out to be a flop? Will the Great Hall be empty? Jesus reveals that when it comes to the guests of the kingdom of God, the exclusions will be shocking. But it will be the ‘inclusions’ that will truly be unbelievable...

Luke 14:1-11

2 Corinthians 3:7-18 We worship what we Behold and We become what we behold. One of the ongoing battles christians face everyday is to not rely on our good works for assurance but on the person and work of Jesus. We can have the tendency to think that Glorifying God is to simply obey him and his commands. While this may be true in part, truly Glorifying God should come as a result of Beholding his Glory and its resulting obedience. Trying to Glorify God without beholding him is like spinning our wheel in the dirt with our obedience and sheer human will and not going anywhere. This passage encourages us to abandon any hope and assurance that we may place in our own works, remembering that bearing fruits is the work of the Spirit. But rather we are to hold on to Jesus and behold his Glory. We need to behold Christ because: - He is our sufficiency and therefore our confidence - He is more Glorious - He has enabled us to see his Glory through his person and work in salvation - His Glory drives true and everlasting transformation... This passage reminds us that the new covenant through Christ is more Glorious. Since the person and work of Jesus is sufficient and greater in Glory, then as we behold his Glory that is what drives our transformation into the image of Jesus.

Luke 13:22-35 Once again Jesus is revealed as the travelling, itinerant preacher who is always on the move. As often happened during his sermons, a voice from the crowd arose with a question, “Will there be only a few who are saved?” Jesus again uses the opportunity to place his hearers in the valley of decision. The kingdom is at hand, the door is narrow and it is soon shutting. Now, not later, is the time to respond to Him. Following this urgent call, the Pharisees speak up and warn Jesus of a powerful foe who wants him dead - Herod. Jesus is undeterred and testifies that He goes to Jerusalem for the very purpose of dying! The passage concludes with a lament from Jesus over Jerusalem. Present day Israel in front of him was no softer toward God than its forefathers. The door is closing and only sorrow and misery awaits, unless they respond now…

‘How to get God’s Wisdom’ James 1:5-8 Themes: - What is the wisdom God gives? - What does it mean to have faith? - Consider God’s goodness toward His children, trusting & obeying him.

1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Paul has dealt with numerous issues throughout this letter to the Corinthians - ranging from members fighting about which pastor they are pledging their loyalty to, to drunkenness during communion, to members suing one another in court! What a mess. But which issue does Paul leave for the close of his letter? The matter of ‘first importance’ - the gospel of the resurrection. The Corinthians had began to deviate from this foundational Christian doctrine. Perhaps this was the primary cause for all the chaos this church found itself in?

John 19:1-16 Here in the nineteenth chapter of John’s gospel, we are shown the final stage of Jesus’ trial. There are a lot of voices in this trial, and Jesus, like a lamb mute before its shearers, is strangely silent for much of it. His enemies and earthly judge can be heard loud and clearly, but does the reader hear the sermon that God Himself is preaching throughout this trial?

Luke 13:10-21 We now find Jesus move from preaching outdoors to teaching indoors. He moves from the streets to the synagogue. In the previous verses He promised that the nation would be given a little more time. He promised he would dig around the fig tree and fertilise it. And so He does, because His name is ‘Faithful and True’. But this particular Sabbath, he heals a woman who was gravely afflicted by Satan. And it’s precisely at this point that the extent of the fig tree’s rottenness again becomes visible. There is outrage over his supposed desecration of the Sabbath. Jesus responds with two brief parables which again highlight the times and the evident work of God among them. These are important times the Jews find themselves in and missing it is to risk everything. The reader finds himself in the same position… Themes include: the Kingdom of God, God’s mercy, Jesus’ power, light vs. darkness, the Great Commission, motivation for disciples to reach the lost.

Luke 13:1-9 Jesus’ long discourse through chapter 12 has finally reached its end. Some from the crowd who were listening brought to His attention a recent and fatal tragedy that befell some Jews who had been worshiping at the temple. Jesus had just warned of judgement, so is what happened to these poor men a sign of God’s judgement? Jesus allows no room for those who hear His Word to worry about the sins of others. Each hearer must refrain from quickly passing judgement and rather rigorously self-examine one’s own condition. Jesus ends with a parable showing that the window of opportunity for the nation is quickly closing. Time is running out. God’s patience will not last forever, His Spirit will not strive forever, nor will His mercy be offered forever. The nation has but ‘one more year’….