Key Passage - Luke 4:1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. Sermon Outline Link

We begin the season of Lent by reading the story of Jesus entering the desert, fasting for weeks, and being tempted to trade everything in for empty promises.

Luke 7:1 After Jesus finished presenting all his words among the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 A centurion had a servant who was very important to him, but the servant was ill and about to die.

A servant of a Roman military leader is ill and several different groups draw together to heal him.

What if your condemnation or redemption is in your own hands?

35 Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be merciful (kindness to the ungrateful and wicked)l, just as your Father is merciful.37 Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not con…

Jesus takes his followers from across the countryside. He teaches them to break the negative cycle of their ancestors. You can see the pictures referenced using the Google Slides link below Link to Google Slides

We compare and contrast Jesus' message to his followers in two different gospel versions.

Peter and the disciples witness a catch of fish unlike anything they'v ever seen and then they are called to follow Jesus.

Day and night, crowds and isolation, water and land, success and failure all wrapped up in only eleven verses.

Jesus travels from synagogue to synagogue until he arrives in his hometown. He challenges the home crowd and they do not respond well.

Jesus travels home to read an ancient text in the synagogue of his childhood. He proclaims to the people that the ancient message of God has been fulfilled in their hearing.

The story begins with and is advanced by servants who are willing to follow Mary and Jesus.

A group from Nazareth travels to a wedding in Cana and Jesus shows the remarkable power his bringing to humanity.

Paul encourages a new faith community and I compare Paul's previous journey with the message.

Mary is approached by the angel, is told she will be a mother, and she immediately goes to share the news with Elizabeth

The prophet speaks to a torn and broken nation, offering a message of hope and purpose.

The prophet speaks to a torn and broken nation, offering a message of hope and purpose.

John the Baptist's dad Zechariah describes how his child will be like the rising sun on a new day.

We begin the Season of Advent with a text of anticipation and hope.

In the final reading of the Christian year, the people of Jerusalem question and debate who is the true king and what that king can do.

In the final reading of the Christian year, the people of Jerusalem question and debate who is the true king and what that king can do.

As the disciples are admiring the Temple, Jesus shifts the focus to an offering made by a widow.

Jesus compares and contrasts a widow giving a tiny amount to the massive 2nd Temple structure.

Prayer of Examination God of Love... …did I see myself and others through the eyes of Christ’s love this week? God of Peace… …did I bring my anxious thoughts before You in prayer? God of Wisdom… …did I create silence to hear and understand Your intended outcome? God of Justice …did I shed light on the sins for which I must seek forgiveness? God of …

Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount with a message about sheep in wolves clothing and trees that produce bad fruit. Both were warning signs of false prophets that do not know or practice the true intentions of God.

Jesus asks his followers to consider their flaws before pointing out others. Once considered they are encouraged to pray boldly for help with those flaws.

Jesus addresses the our tendency to judge each other rather reflect on on our actions and words.

Sermon Series - Sermon on the Mount and the book The Narrow Path. Jesus his followers reducing our desire for valuables and increasing the value of other human beings.

Sermon Series - Sermon on the Mount and the book The Narrow Path. Jesus teaches his disciples to pray.

Jesus instructs his followers to let go of desires for more of all things, so they can turn their eyes to what matters most.

Jesus draws us away from trumpets and lights and likes on social media, to quiet reflection on our need for healing.

In a continued reading of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus urges his followers to think of the times they have been selfish an objectified another person, so they address the personality trait that caused them to do it.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus talks about oaths we make and the reasons we make them. Link for The Narrow Path- https://www.amazon.com/Narrow-Path-Subversive-Jesus-Satisfies/dp/0593444272

We start a new series reading through the entire Sermon on the Mount. Jesus sets the tone for the followers who have joined him.

We are starting a new series based on the book - https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Narrow-Path-Audiobook/B0CMK8KXRC and I encourage you to check it out. As we move into a season dreading the speeches we might hear from both sides, Brad suggested we hear a speech from Jesus.

Jesus notices the disciples are wondering about measuring value and establishing greatness. He responds with a lesson that the disciples will not forget.

Jesus reinforces the sacrifices he will make in Jerusalem, but the message is temporarily lost on the disciples because they were distracted. Jesus sits them down and explains an important topic.

After answering an important question correctly, Peter gets an important and painful lesson about sacrificial leadership.

After answering an important question correctly, Peter gets an important and painful lesson about sacrificial leadership.