Luke
Jesus the Merciful Savior
The Calling to a Life of Mission
May 15, 2016 • Pastor Phil Kooistra
In this final passage from the book of Luke, the resurrected Jesus appears to his disciples, assuring them that he is not a spirit but flesh and bone. He eats with them and teaches them from the Scriptures, opening their minds to understand what has taken place as well as the gospel message that they are to preach. They are called to a life of mission, proclaiming Christ and him crucified for the forgiveness of sins. As believers, we too are called to this mission. Are we faithfully sharing the gospel with our family, friends, and neighbors as we live as missionaries where God has planted us? From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Church of Bend.
Walking With Jesus
May 8, 2016 • Pastor Neal Hackbarth
In this passage from the book of Luke, the resurrected Jesus walks along the road to Emmaus with two disciples. They are discouraged, filled with disillusionment and doubt. They don't recognize the Lord for who He is, and don't yet fully understand the gospel or why he had to suffer and die. Jesus gently rebukes them, and then begins to teach them, beginning with Moses and the Prophets. He shows them that all of the Scriptures are about him and foretold that these things were to come. Do we see Christ in the Old Testament as well as the New? Do we have room for suffering in our theology? Are we regularly reading the Word and spending time in prayer so that we may abide with Him? From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Church of Bend.
Jesus’ Burial and Resurrection
May 1, 2016 • Pastor Phil Kooistra
In this passage, Luke tells us about a rich man, Joseph of Arimathea, who took Jesus' body and buried it in his tomb. The next day, as women went to honor the body of their Teacher, they found the tomb to be empty, and saw angels who told them that Jesus had risen, just as he had told them. When they told Jesus' followers what they had seen and heard, they were greeted with skepticism. What will our response be to the good news of Jesus' resurrection? Are we willing to be subject to skepticism and rejection in our relaying of the gospel to others? From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Church of Bend.
The Darkest Hour
April 24, 2016 • Pastor Phil Kooistra
In this sermon from the book of Luke, Luke tells us about the final moments of Jesus' life, as he commits his spirit to the Father and as the veil in the temple is torn in two. Those looking on at his crucifixion recognized his innocence, and were grieved at his execution. What will our response be to the atoning death of Jesus? From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Church of Bend.
Salvation Through the Crucified King
April 17, 2016 • Guest • Luke 23:35–43
In this sermon from the book of Luke, Luke tells us about the two criminals who were crucified on either side of Jesus. One of them mocked Jesus, while the other recognized him for the Savior that he was and put his faith in him. Jesus promised the criminal that he would be with him that day in Paradise, giving us all hope for the forgiveness of our own sins. From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Church of Bend.
The Road to the Cross
April 10, 2016 • Pastor Phil Kooistra
In this passage from the book of Luke, we come across four truths. First, the reality of weeping for the lost: professional mourners wept over Jesus as he walked the road to the cross. But Jesus told them to not weep for him but for themselves and their children; he knew their condition was far worse that his own. Second, the reality of God’s judgment: Jesus gives a prophesy and parable, implying it would be better that children would not be alive to experience the severe judgment that is to come. Thirdly, the reality of our great substitution: Jesus died as a criminal, but not for his crimes, for ours. And lastly, the reality of forgiveness: Jesus forgave the Roman guards that executed him. And he offers us the free gift of forgiveness as well. Questions to ask ourselves: Do we weep for the lost in our city? Does it affect our lives? Have we received his forgiveness? Do we reflect this forgiveness to others?
Cost of Freedom
April 3, 2016 • Pastor Neal Hackbarth
In this passage from the book of Luke, we encounter three areas in which we see a glimpse of freedom from our sins. First, God’s plan for freedom: Jesus was proclaimed innocent – even by Pilate himself - but that Jesus was silent and didn’t defend Himself during the trails is no tragic injustice or an accident, rather it is the plan for justice from God to free us. Second, the rejection of Pilate’s plan: Pilate tried to use a murderer as a bargaining chip to have Jesus released, but the Nation of Israel would have none of it. They wanted Jesus crucified as God’s plan for freedom was not what they wanted; they wanted a Savior who would free them from Rome. Finally, there’s the true cost of freedom: The murderer, Barabbas, is the picture of all of us on death row - without hope and without God. And like the Barabbas’ release from prison and death, the cost for our freedom was paid by another - Jesus. Questions to ask ourselves: Are we still astonished beyond measure that Jesus does all things well in our lives? Or have we walked away from the closeness we once had with Jesus because things seemed to go wrong and we hold God accountable for not stepping in and doing something and stopping the way things have turned out? Are we thinking Jesus should act more like our Genie? Are we off following our own plans now? What allegiance do our lives show?
Trading Places
March 13, 2016 • Pastor Neal Hackbarth
In this passage from the book of Luke, we find Jesus charged with misleading the Jews, forbidding the Jews to pay taxes to Caesar, and of being the earthly king of the Jews. Jesus is not found guilty of these charges, and is in fact found to be innocent by the world's best judicial system at that time. Jesus did not go to the cross because he was guilty. In fact, everyone else was and is guilty, including us. Instead, Jesus stood in our place, taking the charges and the sentence of death for us, making a way for us to be right with God. From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Church of Bend.
Jesus Responds to Suffering and Injustice
March 6, 2016 • Pastor Phil Kooistra
In this passage from the book of Luke, we see that righteous people suffer in a sin-stained world. Faith in Christ does not promise freedom from suffering, in fact, it often means our suffering could be increased. Jesus models for us how we are to respond to injustice and suffering. We need to learn from him and follow his example, responding not in vengeance or self-righteousness, but in humility and love, knowing that a day of redemption and restoration is coming. From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Church of Bend.
A Second Betrayal
February 28, 2016 • Pastor Phil Kooistra
In this passage from the book of Luke, we find a story of failure, faith, and hope through Peter’s denial of Jesus. All of us fail, but we are not alone and there is hope. We fail because we trust in ourselves and our own strength. We fail when we do not pray. And then we fail because we fear things more than we fear God. How do we respond to our sin? Do we minimize it or mask it, or do we recognize it and repent of it? From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Church of Bend.
The Betrayal of Sin
February 21, 2016 • Pastor Phil Kooistra
In this passage from the book of Luke, we find eight realities regarding sin: sin affects everyone, we often mask or hide it, sin is known by the Lord, it is not overcome by natural means, it is healed only by our Savior, Jesus, sin thrives in darkness, is rooted in spiritual darkness, and it comes with consequences. How do we deal with sin in our lives? Are we covering it, minimizing it, excusing it, or repenting of it? From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Church of Bend.
Our Advocate in Dark Times
February 14, 2016 • Pastor Phil Kooistra
In this passage from the book of Luke, we find instruction and example from Jesus for times of darkness and despair. Jesus instructs us to pray in dark times so that we may not enter into temptation. If Christ and the disciples needed to pray in moments of temptation, how much more vital is it that that we would pray in our times of darkness? Jesus is our example. He understands our loneliness, our fears, our faith, our weaknesses and our suffering. Are we preparing ourselves now, in the good times, for the dark times through prayer? From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Church of Bend.
Instruction on Temptation and Suffering
February 7, 2016 • Pastor Phil Kooistra
In this passage from the book of Luke, we encounter a case study about temptation, and find the following truth: everyone is tempted. We are tempted by the flesh, by the devil, and by the world. This temptation does not come from God himself, but from our desires. The battle is in our mind for our heart. Our greatest weapon against temptation is our advocate in Jesus Christ and prayer. God does not desire for us to fail, but even when we do, God is at work. Repentance is a gift of God, and forgiveness is always available. Are we prepared for when we are tempted? From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Church of Bend.
Greatness at Ground Level
January 31, 2016 • Pastor Neal Hackbarth
In this passage from the book of Luke, we learn about greatness. Everyone is grasping for greatness. The world’s model of greatness is "greatness from the top down." God’s model of greatness is "greatness at ground level." God's type of greatness is noticed and rewarded by Him. How do we view greatness? Where do we struggle with accepting that being loved and viewed as great by Christ is enough? From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Church of Bend.
The Final Passover
January 24, 2016 • Pastor Phil Kooistra
In this passage from the book of Luke, we find four things to remember Christ for when taking communion. We are to remember His love; Jesus did not suffer the cross out of obligation but out of love for us. We are to remember His returning; we are to be preparing ourselves for that day. We are to remember His sacrifice; Jesus bore the wrath of God on our behalf. And we are to remember His promise of the Holy Spirit, eternal relationship, and eternal forgiveness. Have we put our faith and trust in the finished work of Christ? From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Church of Bend.