Harvest Church of Minden

Through the anxious times, we have an opportunity to talk to people about the hope that is in us. As we do that, we need to assess our perspectives to make sure that we are following in the steps of Jesus, and love as he calls us to love, and judge in the way that shows the mercy we have received. 

Improved audio from last weeks message

Looking at the Sermon on the Plain/Mount according to Luke and how these beatitudes can be seen in the light of our present circumstances as we hold out for the hope of the coming Kingdom.

How do the people of Israel get from the understanding of Sabbath given in Exodus 20, to the way it was regulated in Jesus' day? We explore a brief survey of the Scriptures to see how work is defined through the generations and how expectations not clearly communicated can cause people to stumble. 

Jesus came up against the hypocrisy of religion in many areas. In Luke 5, he interacts with people questioning why his disciples do not fast and Jesus points them to the differences of faith and religion. We need to be wary of the intentions behind our faith and what we are doing as well.  

As we read about the Leper and the Paralytic, who were healed, we are able to see how Jesus brings to a person what they need. The authority that Jesus has continues to amaze the crowds as he does the will of the Father. 

To be a Christian is to be missional. As we look at the people that Jesus called to be his disciples and apostles, they may not have been our first choices. But ones who were called, they were given a specific mission to accomplish. The same is true for us as individuals and as the church.

A main theme running through the book of Luke is the Kingdom of God. Jesus preaches about the kingdom and shows his authority in many areas which amazes the people. We too need to be about the Kingdom of God in our life with our words and deeds. 

As Jesus starts his ministry in the gospel of Luke, he has some confrontation in his hometown. The audacity of his statement about fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah angers the people, but it shows how the Messiah is in their midst in the power of the Spirit and he is there for everyone, Jew, Gentile, Samaritan. 

The temptations that we face daily are nothing new under the sun. We look at the example that Jesus has set, and it helps us to face the temptations head on in order to be obedient to will of the Father. We are in a battle for our allegiance; who will be our master?