Creative Space for Wanderers
Read: We spent this past weekend at Koinonia Farms just outside of Americus, Georgia and down the road from Plains, GA where President Carter lives. The farm is one of the places that stood out during the Civil Rights Movement, where people had to make a choice to stand with the status quo or open …
Continue reading “Acts: Thrown in Jail, Peter Preaches Again”
Read: Acts 2 ends with some remarkable discussion about the fellowship of believers. While all this is going on, the disciples continue to preach the gospel. In this case, the sermon illustration comes from healing a lame beggar, one that everyone recognized. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I …
Read: Then Peter speaks. In these few words Peter distills the gospel into a concise message, powerfully delivered, and hearts are forever changed. The deep conviction of Peter, with the band of Eleven, is as powerful today as it was then. Lord help us to learn this lesson as we consider the platforms You have …
Continue reading “Acts: Peter Speaks to the Crowd at Pentecost”
Read: Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would come and here we read about the powerful event known as Pentecost, fifty days after Passover. Once again, Jesus uses a Jewish event to usher in a Christian movement. While many were moved by the experience, some simply could not believe. The faithful few were gathered as Jesus …
Continue reading “Acts: Pentecost – The Holy Spirit Invades”
Read: For those who have rendered Jesus as their personal companion, friend, and a buddy of sorts, the scene in the temple courts should provide some evidence that He did not come here to be best friends. The seriousness of His mission comes into focus as we enter the last section of Luke’s gospel. Beginning …
Continue reading “Luke: Jesus in the Temple Courts — Not So Friendly”
Read: Luke presents the wealthy, cheating, scum of the earth, tax collecting thief known as Zaccheus as the center point for teaching us how to reach those who are lost. Well, that’s probably what the people were thinking when they saw him run ahead to climb the infamous sycamore-fig tree. Jesus is going through Jericho, …
Continue reading “Luke: Zacchaeus – Sought and Saved By Jesus”
Read: It seems fitting that we should study this passage during the week that follows Easter. How many heard the message of the resurrection? Have we built relationships with those far from Christ to the point that they are open to hearing this incredible news? Jesus paints two portraits. The first is a rich man, …
Continue reading “Luke: The Rich Man and Lazarus — The Great Chasm”
Read: Make no mistake, Jesus’ call to discipleship is serious and it begins with repentance. The decision to repent is significant. The first domino to fall in a succession of events we like to call sanctification. Luke recalls two of the many parables Jesus used to teach this point: the lost sheep and the lost …
Read: In Luke’s gospel account, we’re still far from events directly surrounding Easter, but Jesus is already talking about the cross. Take some time and read the passage linked above as we consider Easter. I have to believe that most failed to understand the significance of this line of thought when Jesus spoke these words: And …
Read: Once again we see Jesus addressing the Pharisees. After rolling my eyes and a deep sigh, I jumped into the passage with the expectation of reading a lesson for the ancient religious leaders and its relevance to today’s church. While that is evident – something not to miss – this morning I was drawn …