The idols of the nations are but silver and gold,
The work of man’s hands.
They have mouths, but they do not speak;
They have eyes, but they do not see;
They have ears, but they do not hear,
Nor is there any breath at all in their mouths.
Those who make them will be like them,
Yes, everyone who trusts in them. Psalm 135:15-18

INTRO: I want to tell you what I see God doing with “us”

God has each one of us on a spiritual journey
– this describes our progress in God – we grow and develop into spiritual maturity (Ep. 4:11-14)
– what this means is that we become more at peace in Jesus, more content, less angry, and filled more with the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23)

Think of the spiritual journey like a hike in the Sierras – the Spirit is our guide
– the more we advance, the more we will take advantage of better gear and make better use of it
– we are learning about hiking, but also about everything else — weather, trees, plants, animals, stars, etc.

In a similar way, getting training in spiritual disciplines is useful for making progress in our spiritual journey
– these include learning to wait on God in prayer, the sacred reading of scripture, fasting, discernment, solitude, and so on Continue reading →

Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures Luke 24:45 (read vv. 36-53)

INTRO: When you read a novel–mystery, sci-fi, thriller, etc.–the end is satisfying if there’s a point and everything fits

In this last small section at the end of Luke, one big challenge remains
– not in regard to Jesus – the message of his life is very clear
– but the story of Jesus was never just about Jesus
– it has been about the lives he touched – especially those closest to him

So Jesus is alive from the dead, God’s Son, Messiah and Lord
– but where does this leave the disciples?
– what has he done to their lives and where do they go from here?

This is the loose end that has to be resolved before the story ends
– I want you to notice in this last section, Jesus does all the talking Continue reading →

While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad. Luke 24:15-17 (read vv. 13-35)

INTRO: In the autobiographies of many Christian leaders in the last two generations, when talking about their conversion, one statement is frequently repeated

“Since that day, I have never doubted Christ”
“Since that day, I have never doubted that I was saved”
“Since that day, I have never doubted that I was a child of God” — and so on

Sometimes I envy their assurance, but I do not share it
– most of the men and women we meet in the Bible did not share it
– Job could not say, “I never doubted God’s justice or love”
– the psalmists could not say, “I never doubted the value of living righteously”

Surely God is good to Israel,
To those who are pure in heart!
But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling,
My steps had almost slipped. (Ps. 73:1-2)

The faith of many of our biblical heroes was formed and strengthened as they struggled through their doubts
– and some of those who appear the most assured had mistakingly placed their confidence in themselves (e.g., Lk. 22:31-34)

A fundamental fact of Christianity is that God gives our life meaning
– but sometimes that meaning is challenged by tragedy
– then it may seem as if there is no order to the world and events occur randomly
– we may not fall, but we do stumble – sometimes causing injuries that leave us with a permanent limp Continue reading →

Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. Luke 24:5-7 (read vv. 1-12)

INTRO: When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, Peter was not at all comfortable with it

It must have seemed like a very awkward situation to him, so he asked, “Lord, do You wash my feet?” and Jesus answered, “What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter”
– washing their feet in that moment did not make sense, but an explanation was coming

That is the situation here
– women and men who followed Jesus are thrown into a mystery that has them completely baffled
– but as the story goes on, the pieces come together Continue reading →

Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” Luke 23:4 (read chapter 23)

INTRO: The long journey we began in Luke over a year ago is almost over

In recent chapters, Jesus made his way to Jerusalem, where he was arrested
– then we followed him through chapter 22 where he was led from one place to another:

From the Mount of Olives to the house of the high priest, from the house of the high priest to the council chamber, from the council chamber to the hall of Pilate

But now, in chapter 23, Jesus is taken from one person to another until he is led to “The Skull”

Two threads are braided through the story Continue reading →

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. John 15:1 (Read 1-11)

INTRO: Once more we return to John’s gospel where several times Jesus has said, “I am”

God has given Jesus to us–that is, to humankind
– we have been asking the question, “What came into our world at Christmas?”
– which is to say, “Who is Jesus and what is he to us?”

Today we will unpack a fourth Christmas gift: “I am the true vine”

Two things about this metaphor immediately stand out:

1. Compared to the previous metaphors, this is the most intimate
   – bread is food — fuel transformed into health and energy
   – light is illumination that ultimately guides us to the truth
   – the Shepherd is guardian, care-giver, and protector
   – but the vine and branch exist in union — they share the same life
2. The second thing that stands out in this verse is a little more complicated

Continue reading →