The Extravagant Grace of the Father
Monday April 1, 2019 Text: Luke 15:1-2,11-32 Speaker: Pastor Matthew Ude Festival: Lent Passages: Luke 15:1-2,11-32
This is the prodigal family. The younger son is prodigal with his father’s gifts. The first son is prodigal in judging others. The father is prodigal with his love. Neither son appreciates the extravagant love and gifts of the Father.
Read MoreJesus the Good Gardener
Monday March 25, 2019 Text: Luke 13:1-9 Speaker: Pastor Matthew Ude Festival: Lent Passages: Luke 13:1-9
The proper attitude when we see others suffer is not to judge them but to repent ourselves. Such repentance is absolutely necessary since sin cannot enter the presence of God. Yet it is beyond our power to produce such repentance. Therefore Christ the gardener does everything He can to create repentance in us. Being thus watered and fertilized by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God we will grow and produce fruits of faith to the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Read MoreJesus’ Love is Greater Than Man’s Desire
Tuesday March 19, 2019 Text: Luke 13:31-35 Speaker: Pastor Matthew Ude Festival: Lent Passages: Luke 13:31-35
Herod wants Jesus dead and Jesus dies. Jerusalem does not want to be gathered and they are not. Jesus’ love is so great that He allows men these choices. Yet Jesus’ love is greater still. Through His death He saves all. Through the preaching of the Word He gives men hearts that will choose Him.
Read MoreChrist Passed the Test In Our Place
Tuesday March 12, 2019 Text: Luke 4:1-13 Speaker: Pastor Matthew Ude Festival: Lent Passages: Luke 4:1-13
Jesus faced many temptations during the forty days in the wilderness but these three are recorded as a summary. Luke gives us a glimpse into the way in which Satan likes to trick us. But he also shows us the means by which we may defeat Satan. Temptation number one: I Need This
Read MoreThe Necessity of the Cross
Tuesday March 5, 2019 Text: Luke 9:28-36 Speaker: Pastor Matthew Ude Festival: Epiphany Passages: Luke 9:28-36
Jesus left the mountain of glory for the suffering of the cross. The cross was necessary because of our sin. It was more glorious because of His love. It is through the cross that we are glorified like Him.
Read MoreYes, But . . .
Monday February 25, 2019 Text: Luke 6:27-38 Speaker: Pastor Matthew Ude Festival: Epiphany Passages: Luke 6:27-38
We always have an excuse not to love and not to forgive. Jesus’ “but” is always a “but” of forgiveness and mercy. He forgives me even when I sit in arrogant judgment over another of his lambs.
Read MoreThe Beatitudes are His Blessing to those Who Do not Deserve It
Monday February 18, 2019 Text: Luke 6:17-25 Speaker: Pastor Matthew Ude Festival: Epiphany Passages: Luke 6:17-25
We are poor in spirit. We are lacking righteousness. Despite our sin Christ in His grace gives us the riches of heaven.
Read MoreThe Lord Prepares Humble Men In His Service
Monday February 11, 2019 Text: Luke 5:1-11 Speaker: Pastor Matthew Ude Festival: Epiphany Passages: Luke 5:1-11
What Christ seeks in those He calls is a heart of true humility. A heart which above all recognizes its own sin. Such a heart Christ will prepare for His work.
Read MoreGod’s Great Grace To A People In Great Need
Monday February 4, 2019 Text: Luke 4:31-44 Speaker: Pastor Matthew Ude Festival: Epiphany Passages: Luke 4:31-44
This section of Luke shows us both the great need of the people and Christ's untiring dedication to shower those in need with the gifts of God. The most important need being the preaching of the gospel and the forgiveness of sins.
Read MoreJesus Brings Grace To Those Who Reject Him
Monday January 28, 2019 Text: Luke 4:16-30 Speaker: Pastor Matthew Ude Festival: Epiphany Passages: Luke 4:16-30
Let us take a moment to consider what is going on here First this is later in Jesus ministry. Luke puts it here in chapter four seemingly fairly early on in Jesus’ ministry but he does for theological reasons. Mark show us that actually it came later. After Jesus had done a lot of
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