It is easy, too easy, to focus on those opposed to us. We are prone to devising tactics against them. Today we hear Jesus say that there are not as many enemies as we imagine, and those that truly are enemies do not require our vengeance. What is required is to follow Jesus in absolute surrender - even if it means a cross.
We think we know people. We put them into boxes of our expectations and then treat them accordingly. Jesus is different. He responded not to stereotypes, but to people. He reached out to those who were on the periphery of cultural acceptance. In this series from Luke 7-9, Dr. John will show how Jesus dispensed with cultural walls. He came to save sinners regardless of who they were. That includes us.
Jesus and the Desire for Greatness
May 30, 2024 • Dr. John Neufeld • Luke 9:37–48
We all want to succeed. We want our lives to matter, to make a difference, even to glorify God. But our hopes for success can morph into a need to succeed. We can become competitive and vain. Repeatedly Jesus teaches the 12 about humility. In today's passage Dr. John points to the limitations of the disciples and shows Jesus turning to a child as the example for our souls.
Jesus and His Glory
May 29, 2024 • Dr. John Neufeld • Luke 9:28–36
Have you ever looked at someone you knew and saw them in a new light? Perhaps you see your son/daughter, no longer as a child, but a parent caring for their own children. Maybe your spouse is publicly honoured for a significant achievement. In these situations, your understanding grows of the one you know. Dr. John walks us through the transfiguration of Jesus. The disciples saw Jesus in a new light. They saw Him as He was, is and always will be - the glorious Son of God.
Jesus and Discipleship
May 28, 2024 • Dr. John Neufeld • Luke 9:18–27
Anyone who follows Jesus learns quickly that the path is not smooth. The experience of discipleship is more than hard, it is a self-sacrifice. Dr. John reminds and repeats Jesus' call to pick up our cross. Whatever is forfeited can't be compared to what is gained.
Jesus and the Hungry
May 27, 2024 • Dr. John Neufeld • Luke 9:10–17
Many feel deep compassion for the hungry. Hearts are moved with sympathy for those on street corners or starving refugees of war. The disciples were empathetic for the hungry crowds that followed Jesus. But they had only one recourse - send them away to find food. Jesus had another answer. Jesus has both compassion and power. Today we learn that we can do more than sympathize. Jesus works through us for the needs of our world.
We think we know people. We put them into boxes of our expectations and then treat them accordingly. Jesus is different. He responded not to stereotypes, but to people. He reached out to those who were on the periphery of cultural acceptance. In this series from Luke 7-9, Dr. John will show how Jesus dispensed with cultural walls. He came to save sinners regardless of who they were. That includes us.
Jesus and the Twelve
May 24, 2024 • Dr. John Neufeld • Luke 9:1–9
It is one thing to enjoy a piano concert from a virtuoso. It's quite another to be invited to the keyboard and asked to play along with him. That's what Jesus does for His disciples. Dr. John teaches on their apprenticeship to do the very things they saw Jesus doing. Jesus has power to work His will through them - through us as well.
We think we know people. We put them into boxes of our expectations and then treat them accordingly. Jesus is different. He responded not to stereotypes, but to people. He reached out to those who were on the periphery of cultural acceptance. In this series from Luke 7-9, Dr. John will show how Jesus dispensed with cultural walls. He came to save sinners regardless of who they were. That includes us.
Jesus and the Synagogue
May 23, 2024 • Dr. John Neufeld • Luke 8:49–56
When we are pushed to our limit and then called to go even further, we wonder how it is possible. But faith can be stretched. Dr. John teaches about Jairus and his ailing daughter. The synagogue ruler went to Jesus believing that He could help her in her sickness. When news arrived of her death, Jesus invited him to believe even more! Jesus has power to do what we ask, and then to do more than we can ever imagine.
Jesus and a Hemorrhaging Woman
May 22, 2024 • Dr. John Neufeld • Luke 8:40–48
The woman had been sick for 12 years and found no medical help. She gave doctors all her money and got nothing in return. When she reached out to Jesus with faith, she was made well in an instant. Today, Dr. John teaches on the sufficiency and power of simple faith. To trust Him in all circumstance is the secret of peace.
Jesus and the Demons
May 21, 2024 • Dr. John Neufeld • Luke 8:26–39
Christians believe in the supernatural. We trust in a God we cannot see and hold on to faith for our future. So, it shouldn't shock us that the demonic world is real and active, despite being mocked by our world. Luke portrays Jesus confronting the powers of darkness to bring healing and serenity to a tortured body and mind. For some, the healing of a possessed man stirred fear and distance from Jesus. For the man, he had cause to proclaim to all the mercy and power of God.
The Supremacy of Jesus
May 20, 2024 • Dr. John Neufeld • Luke 8:16–25
Some like to bargain. They negotiate their price on a car and haggle at the farmer's market. God does not bargain. We come to Him on His terms and submit to His authority. In this section of Luke, Dr. John teaches the supremacy of Jesus over our secret motives, family relationships and even the forces of nature. To come to Jesus is to surrender. In doing so, we find more than we could ever bargain for.
We think we know people. We put them into boxes of our expectations and then treat them accordingly. Jesus is different. He responded not to stereotypes, but to people. He reached out to those who were on the periphery of cultural acceptance. In this series from Luke 7-9, Dr. John will show how Jesus dispensed with cultural walls. He came to save sinners regardless of who they were. That includes us.
Jesus and His Followers
May 17, 2024 • Dr. John Neufeld • Luke 8:1–15
Jesus never travelled alone. He was accompanied by the 12 men He appointed as Apostles, but also by many women. That was rare for the culture of His day. When Jesus spoke publicly of the parable of the Sower, Seed and Soil, those who followed Him were privately let in on the mystery and secrets of His teaching. Dr. John reminds us that it is the committed followers of Jesus who understand the truths of the Kingdom.
We think we know people. We put them into boxes of our expectations and then treat them accordingly. Jesus is different. He responded not to stereotypes, but to people. He reached out to those who were on the periphery of cultural acceptance. In this series from Luke 7-9, Dr. John will show how Jesus dispensed with cultural walls. He came to save sinners regardless of who they were. That includes us.
Jesus and the Pharisees
May 16, 2024 • Dr. John Neufeld • Luke 7:29–50
Some reject Jesus because He doesn't dance to their tune. Since Jesus didn't fulfill the expectations of the Pharisees, they rejected Him. But Jesus didn't reject them. Jesus willingly went to the house of a Pharisee named Simon and accepted his hospitality. Dr. John teaches that this social occasion became a lesson on grace and gratitude. Even the enemies of Jesus were invited to grace.
Jesus and John the Baptist
May 15, 2024 • Dr. John Neufeld • Luke 7:18–28
John the Baptist pointed to Jesus as the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. But later John began to doubt. Dr. John teaches that those doubts evaporated as John saw Jesus, heal the lame, open the eyes of the blind and speak good news to the poor. John the Baptist witnessed the outbreaking of God's Kingdom though the compassionate ministry of Jesus. The Kingdom was evidenced by mercy and power. It still is.
Jesus and the Widow
May 14, 2024 • Dr. John Neufeld • Luke 7:11–17
Who takes note of a widow, alone and helpless, walking in the funeral procession of her only son? Jesus does. With compassion He sees the pains of death. With power He commands life back from the dead. Dr. John reminds us that all who are weighted by misery can hope in the power and compassion of Jesus. Our tears are temporary.
Jesus and the Centurion
May 13, 2024 • Dr. John Neufeld • Luke 7:1–10
We tend to label people into categories and are then surprised when they act in a manner we didn't expect. Jesus' encounter with a Roman Centurion proves that our classifications are false. This Roman soldier contributed funds to his "enemies," cared for a common slave and looked to Jesus for help. In the encounter, not only do we see the soldier tearing down cultural walls, but Jesus reached across them in response to faith.
We think we know people. We put them into boxes of our expectations and then treat them accordingly. Jesus is different. He responded not to stereotypes, but to people. He reached out to those who were on the periphery of cultural acceptance. In this series from Luke 7-9, Dr. John will show how Jesus dispensed with cultural walls. He came to save sinners regardless of who they were. That includes us.
