In this passage from the book of Luke, Jesus gives direction and counsel (wisdom) to the disciples (and us) on how to live and respond in times of terror. He prophesied what will take place so that we would live now as God calls us to and to be settled when the prophecy comes to pass. He instructs us to 1) not be deceived by false messiahs with false gospels, 2) not be afraid, 3) not miss the gospel opportunities that terror brings, 4) respond by enduring terror with the joy of the gospel, 5) respond by having hope in the promise of the Holy Spirit, and 6) not give up. Questions to ask ourselves: Are we allowing God’s Word to guide us and our thinking? Is Jesus Christ our Solid Rock? Are we ready to suffer and be persecuted for God’s namesake? Is the world seeing the gospel in our response to the terror going on right now? Jesus gives us hope that our endurance will bring eternal life. Is He worth it?
Wisdom In Times Of Terror
Luke 21:5-19
November 22, 2015 • Pastor Phil Kooistra
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.