March 28, 2013
Of the four soils that Jesus described in his parable about receptivity to God’s Word, the thorny soil probably best resembles American hearts. There has never been a generation so blessed with access to the Bible and the gospel message. Yet, American believers have a stunted spiritual maturity. They spend their days distracted by so many things that they fail to focus on the important. Are you cultivating the seed of God’s Word or is your spiritual life getting lost in the weeds?
March 24, 2013
This is from Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain, describing the new economy of the kingdom of heaven. Instead of reciprocal response, the believer is to respond out of a new spiritual character, as God does. God’s kingdom people are to “love, do good, bless and pray” because this is what’s in them to do regardless of how others treat them. God’s people are revealing His character to the world by this. Jesus’ sermon is subversive to the world’s economy which says to respond in kind. Jesus says that we are to “love, do good, bless and pray” no matter how we are treated. The Jesus’ Way turns the world upside down.
March 22, 2013
The more that crowds gathered around Jesus, the more often He would “withdraw” to pray. Jesus modeled an important rhythm between doing ministry and personal devotion. We recognize the need for food and rest for our physical bodies after exerting work, but we often overlook the need for our souls to be replenished after doing ministry. Do you ever withdraw to pray?
March 20, 2013
Jesus answered all three of Satan’s temptations with Scripture. Luke gives a shortened version of the Deuteronomy 8:3 passage, which Matthew’s gospel quotes fully: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt.4:4). Ironic that both the Luke and Matthew passages should have the same reference. Jesus overcame Satan with the power of God’s Word. We have this same Word available to us.
March 17, 2013
The 84 year old widow, Anna was looking for the redemption of her people. She fasted, prayed, and spoke of this daily at the temple. Seeing the infant Jesus, she worshiped and gave thanks to God. Where are the modern day people like Anna who are looking for Christ’s return? If the Lord delays, I plan to still be preaching at 84 too.
March 15, 2013
Against family tradition, but in accordance with the Lord’s instruction, Zechariah named his son John. The boy grew and became known as John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Christ. When Zechariah wrote the name, no doubt he wrote it in Hebrew: יוֹחָנָן (Yôḥanan), which means “Graced by Yahweh.” Since the New Testament is written in Greek, his name appeared as: Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs) in Luke’s text. In English, the name “John” is derived from this Hebrew/Greek lineage and has become the most common masculine name in the Western world. According to Jesus, John was the greatest ever born up until that time. He truly lived up to his name, as the angel Gabriel had predicted. He was great before the Lord.
March 10, 2013
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Luke 10:25-37
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evangelism
Pastor Gary Combs continues the “Loving Our Jerusalem” sermon series with this message based on the parable of the Good Samaritan. In this message we learn that the question is not “Who is my neighbor?” But rather, “What kind of neighbor am I?’
January 13, 2013
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Luke 2:52
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discipleship
Pastor Gary Combs begins a 5-week sermon series about discipleship entitled “Healthy for Life.” This series is based on Luke 2:52 which says that Jesus grew in four areas. These four areas might be described as the four ways or “B”s of how we can grow more like Jesus. These four “B”s of discipleship are: believing, behaving, becoming, and belonging.
May 5, 2012
Born again hearts and transformed minds required. Man-made worship will not do. Only the blood of the Lamb applied can prepare us for acceptable worship. Not where or when you worship. Not what style of music or clothes you wear. No, to please God, we must worship in the way He prescribes– in spirit and in truth.
April 29, 2012
What Jesus did for the disciples after His resurrection, He will do for us. Understanding Scripture requires more than literary wisdom and intellect. It requires spiritual rebirth. One of the marks of an authentic Christian is that Jesus has opened their mind to His Word. Do you love God’s Word?