Sermons from 2018 (Page 4)
The Visible Kingdom, Part 1
Luke 17:22-37 ~ Following his revelation to the Pharisees and his disciples about the kingdom in their midst (the invisible kingdom), Jesus reveals that there will be a second coming. Pastor Rod Bunton explores what Jesus says about this visible kingdom.
Are We in the Kingdom?
Luke 17:20-21 ~ The Jews, traditionally, were looking for the messiah and the promised kingdom and had many expectations about how that would look. Pastor Rod Bunton tells us the surprising answer that Jesus gave the Pharisees when they asked when the kingdom of God would come.
Your Faith Has Made You Well
Luke 17:11-19 ~ Continuing his journey to meet his predetermined fate in Jerusalem, Jesus visited a village of lepers to heal them of their illnesses and to demonstrate yet another contrast between true believers and pretenders. Pastor Rod Bunton explains how only one who was healed was truly grateful and how the faith that he exhibited brought him healing that was more than physical.
Faith and Duty
Luke 17:5-10 ~ Continuing his teaching to the disciples in the presence of the Pharisees, Jesus covers two topics that separate true believers from self-righteous pretenders. Pastor Rod Bunton helps us understand the importance of true faith that is given by God and our duty to serve him without expecting anything in return.
Giving and Taking Offense to Sin
Luke 17:1-4 ~ Speaking to a mixed crowd, Jesus begins to focus more on his disciples with teaching that describes how believers should live and draws comparisons to the way non-believers (like the Pharisees) live their lives. Pastor Rod Bunton explains the message being taught in this passage that covers two aspects related to sin: don’t offend other believers by causing them to sin and don’t be offended when other believers sin against you.
They Have Moses and the Prophets
Luke 16:19-31 ~ Continuing his teaching, Jesus related a parable about the rich man and Lazarus that paints a clear picture of eternal suffering in Hell. Pastor Rod Bunton explains that Jesus wanted to drive his audience to repentance through the pleading of the rich man who thought he would find himself in Heaven but faced reality after death, failing to heed the warnings while he was still alive.
Characterizing Empty Religion
Luke 16:14-18 ~ After hearing Jesus teach about the dishonest manager and the impossibility of serving two masters, the Pharisees (who were lovers of money) ridiculed Jesus. Pastor Rod Bunton explores Jesus’ response to this ridicule where he identifies four things that characterized the Pharisees and other empty religions.
Waiting Patiently for the Lord
Mark, a missionary to Lebanon, gives us an update on his work — including the recently launched Shepherds’ Training Institute. This leads to a short message from Psalm 40 about trusting and waiting on the Lord.
No Servant Can Serve Two Masters
Luke 16:1-13 ~ Jesus told a parable to his disciples and the Pharisees in attendance about a dishonest manager who is fired then takes action to benefit himself and is praised for his shrewdness. Pastor Rod Bunton clarifies this confusing parable to expose the real lesson that Jesus was teaching and how it applies to our lives.
Blessed Are Those Who Dwell in the House of God
Psalm 84 ~ The author of Psalm 84 describes his longing to be in God’s dwelling place, even for a single day. Pastor Ben Khazraee teaches about how this intense longing for God’s place is a longing for God himself.
A Walk Through Psalm 25
Psalm 25 ~ As redeemed sinners struggling to live in a sinful world, we may look to ourselves or others for our hope. Pastor Charlie Greenwell takes us on a walk through Psalm 25 and points out the many promises and the wonderful hope found in trusting in and waiting on the Lord.
What Sort of People Ought You to Be?
2 Peter 3:11-18 ~ In the first half of this chapter, Peter teaches that the Day of the Lord—with its judgment and destruction—will come. Pastor Doug Link encourages us, since we have this knowledge, to follow Peter’s exhortation to live our lives accordingly.