The Gospels record seven last statements of Jesus. Luke and John record three each, but Matthew and Mark each tell us of only one statement Jesus made from the cross. Surely, Jesus said more than that … but for these two Gospel writers, this one statement was all that needed to be recorded. … For many, it is the most moving, disturbing, and powerfully haunting statement of the seven: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” These words reflect not only the darkness of this horrific experience Jesus...
Today, we’re going to go to our scripture immediately. Listen now as we go to the Gospel of John for the first time this season, hearing a bit of his version of what happened that day (John 19:25-27, NKJV)… Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” 27 Then He said to...
I love all the gospels, I guess, for a variety of reasons. The Gospel of Luke is special to me in this sense: His Gospel highlights Jesus’ concern for the meek and the lowly of our world. I don’t know if you’ve ever thought about this or not, but consider these things… The Gospel begins by highlighting Jesus’ lowly position in society—born in a stable with a feeding trough for a crib… In Luke’s description of Jesus’ ministry, we find Jesus consistently concerned for the sinner—the outcast, the unclean, and...
I’ve had the privilege of being with several people as they were approaching death. A person’s dying words sometimes simply express his/her needs: “Could you move the pillow?” or “May I have a drink?” Sometimes they express a concern for others—a final ‘I love you’ or ‘It’s going to be O.K.’ A person’s final words reveal what is on his/her heart at that time, and sometimes they reveal the nature of the person’s faith, as well. I’ve told you before what my mother’s last words were: “I’m happy!” We interpret...
Every time the season of Lent comes around, I ask myself what it is I want to get out of this season. Maybe it’s because of all I’ve been through in the past year, but I don’t want to waste another season, another day, or another moment, of this life frivolously. I want my life to count for something—for God. And so, I have to ask myself, what is this season going to be all about for me … and for you? So, as I was getting ready for this...
Why do you think it is that Christianity gets such bad press at times? Have you ever thought about that? I think down throughout history and comments that have been made about followers of Christ… Friedrich Nietzsche said, “In truth there was only one Christian and He died on a cross.” George Bernard Shaw quipped, “Christianity might be a good thing if anyone tried it.” And even today, I continue to hear the comments of the skeptics which say things like: “I have no problem with Jesus. It’s those who...
So far, we have spoken of two main characteristics of those who are ‘People of Grace’: They are those who… Know there is grace to be had… Are seeking grace enthusiastically (not afraid to ask)… And today, we move on to another very important characteristic of those known as a ‘People of Grace.’ Let’s see if we can pick up on it, as we listen to the Apostle Peter and his attitude toward what God and his Son, Jesus, had done in his life (2 Peter 3:1-18, NLT)… This is...
Thousands of Dutch residents spent time digging through their garbage after they learned that they might have thrown away a diamond. A local jeweler sent 4,000 clients a mailing marking the tenth anniversary of his store. Two hundred of the envelopes contained a small diamond, while the others contained cubic zirconium, a cheap substitute used in costume jewelry. Many people who received the letter ignored it, thinking it was junk mail and threw it away without looking inside. When only a few people responded to the mailing the jeweler called...
Throughout my life, I have known several people (my father being one of them) who seemed to live day-by-day free and unhindered, no matter what was going on in their lives. They had something. They definitely had a confidence that came from somewhere besides themselves. It was obvious that whatever was empowering their lives was something bigger than themselves! After living with many of these folks for years and studying their lives and what made them tick, I am convinced that what they had—that allowed them to live free and...
Some of you may remember the sermon series from a couple of years ago called ‘Plan B.’ For many, it was a series that hit them right where they were at; for others, it was an uncomfortable time because it reminded them of where they’d been before—in the midst of a time of life they didn’t plan on! I probably don’t have to even say this today, but I’VE BEEN LIVING THROUGH PLAN Bs IN MY LIFE FOR THE PAST YEAR… On January 4 of last year, I had quadruple...
