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’….

Acts 13:1-3 Which is the kind of church that God is most desirous to use? The modern evangelical church is always in great danger of trying to advance a ‘spiritual’ kingdom using the wisdom of man. KPI’s, marketing, and pragmatism are all too familiar techniques used to achieve church growth. But what does the Scriptures say? How does Christ build His church? What kind of local church do we see God working through in the N.T.?

Luke 12:49-59 Jesus begins to ramp up the call to enter the kingdom before it is too late. He threatens judgement and even his passion for the coming judgement. This is all escalating because the people are wilfully closing their eyes to the times. The work of God is obvious, and the One whom He has anointed is obvious. Therefore, he closes with a parable warning them to quickly settle and respond to His terms before things reach the final courtroom. Themes include: listening to God speak, Jesus’ return, year of the Lord’s favour, judgement, persecution and perseverance, the cross and salvation

Luke 12:41-48 Jesus is still mid-flight in his discourse on His second coming. He has just given two parables about the need to be prepared and now introduces a third to begin landing this plane. This 3rd parable focuses on the way true disciples/servants demonstrate hearts that are prepared for their master’s return. Quite simply - the proof is in the ‘doing’. Jesus' main question is, ‘Who is the faithful and wise manager whom His Master will find so DOING when He returns?’ Themes include: Second Coming, obedience and disobedience, stewardship, serving, reward and punishment, heaven and hell

Luke 12:35-48 - He has just talked about stewardship of our possessions - Now he talks about faithful stewardship with our gifts and knowledge of the truth. Themes include: Second Coming/return of Christ, stewardship,

Romans 6:1-14 Here in Romans 6, Paul addresses the question: ‘If God just forgives every sin, then doesn’t that mean I can just keep on sinning?’ The answer is found in the fact that we have undergone a change in our nature, and if that is true, the reality is that we will no longer want to continue to sin.

Luke 12:22-34 Having just taught the crowds the parable of the rich fool, Jesus now turns to his disciples for some additional points they need to hear. The theme of covetousness continues, albeit not on the part of the rich but the needy. Those who have little can still fall prey to coveting what they do not have. So Jesus seeks to alleviate their anxieties and cure their worry by pointing them to their Father in heaven who is their provider. He reassures them with God’s track record of faithfulness toward creation.