One advantage of Easter–the focus is almost always on the story of Jesus. By now many pulpits have returned to moralizing: we must/should/ought to…. This is “what to do” without the “why to do it.” The gospel is the story of Jesus. It is powerful—for salvation and for life. Tell the story of Jesus. Help …
Category Archives: Jesus
The Jesus Story (7): To Whom Is God Sending You with the Story of Jesus?
We have been rethinking Acts, the gospel, the good news of Jesus. This sermon is conclusion. This series is a summary of what I saw when I studied Acts. Here are the principles we have identified: the story of Jesus is a life and death story (a death and life story); the story of Jesus …
Continue reading “The Jesus Story (7): To Whom Is God Sending You with the Story of Jesus?”
The Jesus Story (6): Resurrection to Ascension, 40 Days of Getting Ready to Be Sent Forth with the Story
Luke, in Acts 1, writes about Jesus’ presence with his disciples for 40 days after his resurrection, “speaking to them about the kingdom of God.” Jesus had been preaching about the klingdom during his entire ministry (Mark. 1:14-15). The kingdom was a frequent subject, in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7), and in the …
The Jesus Story (5): A Story That Changed the World–a Story That Changes Everything!
We are rethinking Acts, the gospel, the good news of Jesus. This series of lessons, shared during the weeks leading up to Easter, reflect what I learned, lessons I heard, applications I saw when I studied Acts. We know these stories—do we really know these stories? I see in this series a study to encourage …
The Jesus Story (4): A Story of Forgiveness
I am thinking and rethinking Acts, the gospel, the good news of Jesus. This sermon series seeks to summarize what I saw when I studied Acts. We know these stories—do we really know these stories? I see in this series a study of first steps toward obedience, responding to and living out the Easter story, …
Continue reading “The Jesus Story (4): A Story of Forgiveness”
The Jesus Story (3): A Story to Be Told to the Most Unlikely
I am thinking and rethinking Acts, the gospel, the good news of Jesus. This sermon summarizes my study of Chapters 8-10. I will not mention many details of those chapters. You can read them. Stephen’s sermon and stoning; the scattering of the saints which served to spread the gospel; to Samaria; to a proselyte Jew …
Continue reading “The Jesus Story (3): A Story to Be Told to the Most Unlikely”
The Jesus Story (2): A Story to Be Told
I am restudying Acts—seeking perspective, insights. I want to understand the gospel, the good news of Jesus, the story of the resurrection from the perspective of the early church. This study is based on my study of Acts 1-8. I will pass over many details of those chapters. I mentioned some of them briefly last …
The Jesus Story (1): A Life and Death Matter
Can you hear the story? Take care what you hear. Take care how you hear. I am rethinking Acts, the gospel, the good news of Jesus. This study is a summary of what I see when I read chapters 1-5. I will not have time to mention many important details which are found in those …
Continue reading “The Jesus Story (1): A Life and Death Matter”
It All Begins with God–“Before” [#5]
In the final sermon in the series, we seek to understand what it means to say that “God goes before us.” We look at what God accomplished in Jesus by studying three New Testament descriptions of Jesus, descriptions that suggest that Jesus is our trailblazer. Here are the three texts. Jesus is– In the book …
It All Begins with God–“Beside” [#4]
Life is difficult. Life is not easy. Life is often a lonesome journey. Moving forward is challenging, difficult. At times we face seemingly impossible odds. We experience problems, setbacks, failures. We want a companion, someone who understands our needs and the nature of the journey. The last two sermons in this series show how God …