Sermon Recap: Luke 7-8:18
SERMON RECAP: PASTOR NATE LEVERING
MARCH 27, 2022
LUKE 7-8:18
MARCH 27, 2022
LUKE 7-8:18
Greetings from Lake Havasu City. My children have Spring Break this week (prayers appreciated) and we are visiting my grandmother. As they jump in and out of the pool with screams of laughter, I hope you are energized with the same childlike joy today. Happy Monday, church!
Over the weekend, Pastor Nate brought us into Luke 7-8:18 for a greater look into a journey of faith. What does it look like to live faith in Jesus out? For the disciples, it looked like leaving behind their preconceptions of who they were and their ties of identities, following Jesus wherever He went. What a journey! Their faith journeys brought them into homes of lepers, in the midst of waving seas, and face to face with miracles. And yet, the most powerful image of this journey, dare I say, is addressing their own sin and being forgiven.
Why does forgiveness often feel like a burden? Either we begrudgingly offer it to someone we really don't want to, or we shyly come to Jesus knowing it's unfortunately required. Of all the times I've needed forgiveness or needed to offer it to someone, I can't think of many times my heart sprang to life. Forgiveness often exposes more sin. Maybe it's pride (it's definitely pride). Maybe it's selfishness. Perhaps the block is arrogance or negligence (which is worse?). Think back to a time when you were desperate for forgiveness. What was that like? What turmoil did it cause in you? How were you also required to acknowledge your fault and humble yourself? What was that like?
In Luke 8, after Jesus meets with the woman who is a known sinner (does that not make you laugh too? Aren't we all known sinners? Anyway ... ), Jesus continued the journey, bringing good news to all people. As a great crowd was gathering, Jesus began with a parable of the sower:
"A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold" (Luke 8:5-8).
"And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’ Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience" (Luke 8: 9-15).
As difficult as it is to swallow for us prideful folk, forgiveness is a necessary component to a life of faith. If we have received forgiveness, which we have, then we should freely give it. Where are the seeds of faith in your life? How have they been planted? How have they grown and been harvested?
Deep Dive Questions:
1. How would you describe your life of faith?
2. As Jesus moves, His disciples follow. Where has Jesus been leading you lately?
3. Seeing the miracles performed and hearing the words of Jesus, encourages their faith. What encourages your faith?
4. When Jesus meets with the sinful woman, she falls at his feet and begins to weep, cleaning Jesus' feet with her tears, kissing them and anointing them with oil. Is this desperation or appreciation?
5. When are you most desperate for Jesus to forgive your sins?
6. When are you most appreciative of forgiveness? How can your forgiveness of others set them free? Why does that matter?
Over the weekend, Pastor Nate brought us into Luke 7-8:18 for a greater look into a journey of faith. What does it look like to live faith in Jesus out? For the disciples, it looked like leaving behind their preconceptions of who they were and their ties of identities, following Jesus wherever He went. What a journey! Their faith journeys brought them into homes of lepers, in the midst of waving seas, and face to face with miracles. And yet, the most powerful image of this journey, dare I say, is addressing their own sin and being forgiven.
Why does forgiveness often feel like a burden? Either we begrudgingly offer it to someone we really don't want to, or we shyly come to Jesus knowing it's unfortunately required. Of all the times I've needed forgiveness or needed to offer it to someone, I can't think of many times my heart sprang to life. Forgiveness often exposes more sin. Maybe it's pride (it's definitely pride). Maybe it's selfishness. Perhaps the block is arrogance or negligence (which is worse?). Think back to a time when you were desperate for forgiveness. What was that like? What turmoil did it cause in you? How were you also required to acknowledge your fault and humble yourself? What was that like?
In Luke 8, after Jesus meets with the woman who is a known sinner (does that not make you laugh too? Aren't we all known sinners? Anyway ... ), Jesus continued the journey, bringing good news to all people. As a great crowd was gathering, Jesus began with a parable of the sower:
"A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold" (Luke 8:5-8).
"And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’ Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience" (Luke 8: 9-15).
As difficult as it is to swallow for us prideful folk, forgiveness is a necessary component to a life of faith. If we have received forgiveness, which we have, then we should freely give it. Where are the seeds of faith in your life? How have they been planted? How have they grown and been harvested?
Deep Dive Questions:
1. How would you describe your life of faith?
2. As Jesus moves, His disciples follow. Where has Jesus been leading you lately?
3. Seeing the miracles performed and hearing the words of Jesus, encourages their faith. What encourages your faith?
4. When Jesus meets with the sinful woman, she falls at his feet and begins to weep, cleaning Jesus' feet with her tears, kissing them and anointing them with oil. Is this desperation or appreciation?
5. When are you most desperate for Jesus to forgive your sins?
6. When are you most appreciative of forgiveness? How can your forgiveness of others set them free? Why does that matter?
If you were not able to attend on Sunday
and receive our Easter promotional timeline,
here it is! We hope you connect in!
And as always, if you'd like to connect with a pastor,
please call the church office at
(209) 532-1381 or email info@sierrabible.com.
and receive our Easter promotional timeline,
here it is! We hope you connect in!
And as always, if you'd like to connect with a pastor,
please call the church office at
(209) 532-1381 or email info@sierrabible.com.
Recent
Archive
2024
April
July
2023
February
April
July
November
2022
January
February
Book Review: The Meaning of MarriageMeet An Elder's Wife: Connie OrthSermon Recap: LUKE 1Book Review: The Good FightMeet Randy RichterSermon Recap: LUKE 2Meet Terri: A Friend for AllMinistry Update: Friendship TeamSermon Recap: Luke 3Meet Our New Kids Ministry Director!Missions Update: Hope of the Nations
March
Sermon Recap: Ukraine/ RussiaMinistry Update: WorshipSermon Recap: Luke 4Ministry Update: Junior HighMissions Update: Katie D. with EFCA WestSermon Recap: LUKE 5Meet The REAL MVP: Deb MartinelliBook Review: Revolution in World Missions by K.P. YohannanSermon Recap: LUKE 6Meet Pastor NateMinistry Update: Celebrate RecoverySermon Recap: Luke 7-8:18
April
May
June
Volunteer Spotlight: Linda RomaniTransition Update: June 3Sermon Recap: The Rule of Life, June 5Volunteer Spotlight: Dawn RomaniCheck Us OutVolunteer Spotlight: Heather HauschildtSermon Recap: June 12To The DadsSermon Recap: What and Why Sabbath?Congregational Meeting UpdateMeet & Greet With Ginny MilnikYou Made Waves!Sermon Recap: Prayer & FastingMeet