This week as we continue our series B.L.E.S.S., we will consider why beginning in prayer is both a call and a gift. God calls us to join him in his mission to our neighbors, when we pray our hearts are more and more conformed to God’s heart. Prayer changes the way we see ourselves and others to the way that God sees everyone. Join us as we look to Christ, resting in his grace.
Author: goodshepherd
Being a Blessing like Jesus – Genesis 12:1-3
This Sunday we begin our six week series called "Blessed to Bless". To start the series, we'll be looking at God's promises to Abram in Genesis 12. Promise after promise was given, and in the end, God promised that all people would be blessed through Abram and his descendants. Come be reminded that Jesus was the ultimate answer to those promises, and He is also the reason we are blessed to bless.
Christ-like Humility – Luke 14:1-14
This Sunday we find ourselves in the Gospel of Luke, as Jesus is invited into the home of a Pharisee on the Sabbath. The simple dinner changes, however, when Jesus compassionately heals a man who was suffering. Come and hear the teaching that followed, that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, while those who humble themselves will be exalted. Jesus is king of an upside down kingdom!
Glory Among the Nations – Isaiah 66:18-23
In the book of Isaiah, the prophet brings messages from God that at times declare judgment and at other times proclaim hope. This Sunday we jump into the very end of the book, where the prophet shares amazing hope right in the midst of judgment. Come and hear the good news that God's salvation is for all the nations, and that our entrance into that salvation is through a narrow door - the One Isaiah called Emmanuel.
And Justice for All – Genesis 18:16-33
This Sunday we go back to the book of Genesis and see an amazing interchange between Abraham and God. In this conversation/prayer, Abraham appeals to both the Lord's justice and the Lord's mercy while interceding for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. And while the prayer wasn't answered in the way Abraham desired, we see that justice and mercy (and grace) were ultimately found somewhere else.
Testing Jesus – Luke 10:25-37
In Luke 10, an expert in the law, seeking to justify himself, came to Jesus to test him. In response to his question, Jesus ends up giving him on of the most famous parables he ever spoke: the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Come hear how futile it is to try to justify ourselves. And then find out who the true hero of the story is.
The Rich Fool – Luke 12:13-21
As we continue in our series Grace Abounds, we come across a teaching from Jesus that might at first glance not seem to abound with much grace. Jesus warns his followers to avoid all kinds of covetousness. For when we hold on to what we have we are blinded from the truth that all we have is a gift from God and it is to be used in service for others. Even though we are prone to hold back what we have, God did not hold back his Son so that our sins might be covered. It is for this reason followers of Christ are called to generosity.
Teach Us to Pray – Luke 11:1-13
This Sunday we turn to the Gospel of Luke where we hear one of Jesus' disciples ask for a lesson in prayer. And as Jesus begins his prayer, he invites his disciples, both then and now, to address God in an astonishing way - as Father. Come hear the good news that we have an all-knowing, all-powerful, perfectly good God that considers us His children because of Christ.
A Promise Kept – Genesis 18:1-14
As human beings, we've all made promises, and we've all broken promises. Sometimes we make promises we shouldn't have made. Sometimes we make promises with good intentions but circumstances make them impossible to keep. Thankfully, we have a God that keeps every promise he has made. Join us this Sunday as we see a promise that was seemingly impossible to keep, but find out nothing is too difficult for God.
Peace Through the Cross – Galatians 6:11-18
This Sunday we jump into Paul’s letter to the Galatians. And as Paul concludes this important letter, he takes the pen from his scribe and finishes by writing with his own hand. Join us as we find out what was so important that Paul wrote the words in large letters and leave knowing the peace...