Sermons from August 2021
Luke 4:16-30 – Bring Your Nothing
In this week’s passage, Jesus proclaims that the long awaited “year of the Lord’s favor”, is here! In his very brief sermon he tells his hometown, the people he grew up with, that he is, in fact, the Messiah. In two strange analogies to Old Testament stories, he tells them the surprising nature of his ministry: God’s grace is free, is open to the gentiles, and we should receive it as humbly as a widow and a leper. This shocking claim enrages the town. And we should ask ourselves, how do we respond?
Luke 3:23-4:15 – The Last Adam
In this week’s passage, we will Jesus, the descendant of King David, and of all our “father” Adam, and also, most importantly, the Son of God, face temptation from our adversary, the devil himself. We will be encouraged as Jesus faces temptation, just as Adam did, and just as we do: as a human. Using the same resources we have available to us, the leading and empowering of the Holy Spirit, and reliance on God’s promises and commands in his word.
Luke 3:1-22 – Preparing the Way for the Lord
After more than 400 years of silence from God and enduring much political and moral upheaval, Israel was presented with an extraordinary moment. God sent a prophet named John (a.k.a., the Baptist) whose message was one of repentance, baptism, and forgiveness to turn hearts toward God in preparation for a coming Savior who would change the world. This Sunday we will look at God’s remarkable faithfulness and mercy and also see how John’s message is just as relevant for us today as it was centuries ago.
Luke 3:23-4:15 – That We May Know Him
This Sunday we begin a new sermon series diving into the great story of the Savior of the world, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, written by a man named Luke. The author’s purpose for writing is clear: he wants the reader to have greater certainty of what he has heard about Jesus. Whether you are a member of Stonebrook or simply seeking to understand who Jesus really is, we will read Luke’s Gospel to know Jesus better and to trust him more, for we will discover there is no one like him.
First of all, Pray. The Effect of the Gospel on the Gathered Church
First I’ll set the stage, the context of the letter. The Apostle Paul had an interesting problem on his hands. He had spent three years with the church he started in Ephesus, living with them and instructing them night and day, imparting to them the whole counsel of God. After this he wrote them a definitive letter reminding them of The Gospel and instructing them in how they were to conduct themselves. Now, just a few short years…