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The Treasure of a Merciful Moneylender

June 9, 2024 • Pastor Leah Carolan • Luke 7:36–50

The Treasure of a Merciful Moneylender (Luke 7:36-50)

Pastor Leah Carolan


1. Which Subtitle Best Describes the Story

* "Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman"

* "A Sinful Woman Forgiven"


2. No Ordinary Tears


3. Three Basic Signs of Hospitality Ignored

* Washing of the Feet

* A Kiss on the Face

* Head Anointed with Oil


4. Another Story to make a Point

* A Story About Money?

* Haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate

* A link to Aesop’s Fables for Children


5. Categories of People

* Righteous > Sinner

* Clean > Unclean­

 * Worthy > Unworthy

* Pure > Impure

* Notable > Despicable

* Debt = More Debt


NEXT STEPS

* Confess to trying to look good on the outside but ignoring your heart.

* Ask God to search your heart and show you your sin.

* Pray, weep, journal – repent.


LUKE 7:36-50 ESV

36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.


39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”

41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.”


44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”


48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

The True Disciple

June 16, 2024 • Pastor Tim Vink, Gary Sager, Pastor Steve Poole • Luke 14:28–33

Speakers: Kent Landhuis, Tim Vink, Gary Sager and Steve Poole. Scripture: Luke 14:25-33. Theme: Treasure hunters (disciples) must count the cost of following Jesus. 

Good Seed, Bad Seed, and Kingdom Treasure

June 23, 2024 • Pastor Kent Landhuis • Luke 13:18–19

Good Seed, Bad Seed, and Kingdom Treasure. Pastor Kent Landhuis    THEME - When good and evil grow side by side - we keep trusting!  TEXT - Luke 13:18-19   Three responses to evil in the world: 1.   Plant seeds.  * Luke 13:18-19 (Matthew 13:31-32) * Matthew 13:1-9, 24-27 * Romans 12:9   2. Leave weeds.  * Matthew 13:28-30 * Wisdom * Patience. * Luke 13:24-43 * Romans 12:17-21 3. Trust God. * Matthew 21:28-32 * Matthew 21:33-46 * Ask “need” questions. * Beware “trap” questions.   NEXT STEPS 1. Ask God to grow your trust. 2. Keep planting seeds! . GROWING IN TRUST   If we trust in God, we will obey. God is King and the King is in charge of the Kingdom—always. Disobedience and trust cannot coexist; if we trust God, we will walk in God’s ways - even when bad things happen to us or around us! Consider the fruit of trusting and obeying: * Trusting God helps us wait on him when he delays or is silent regarding our prayers or the fulfillment of his promises. When God delays, it is for a good reason. God’s actions are founded on wisdom and love. Keep trusting. * Trusting God keeps us from taking matters into our own hands. (As if we know better than God.) When we trust, we surrender our plans and agendas. * Trusting God overcomes fear and anxiety.  Fear and anxiety come when we take our eyes off God and start to look at our surroundings and circumstances. (When we focus on the evil around us instead of God’s goodness). * Trusting God leads to contentment. God promises to give good things to his people and God holds nothing back (Rom. 8:32). He tells us to ask him for our daily bread and to seek first his kingdom. God will supply our needs one day at a time according to his will. * Trusting God leads to acting in faith.  Knowing who God is, what God has promised, and what God has done grows faith. Faith allows us to keep trusting God in times of temptation, darkness, adversity, and affliction, as well as in times of joy and abundance.

A Formula for Finding Kingdom Treasure

June 2, 2024 • Pastor Kent Landhuis • Luke 18:10–14

A Formula for Finding Kingdom Treasure. Pastor Kent Landhuis  THEME - Treasure Hunters in the kingdom actually find real treasure.  TEXT - Luke 18:9-14 OUTLINE 1. Enter the Kingdom. * Luke 17:20-37 * Luke 18:9 * Luke 6:20-26 2. Receive Mercy. * Luke 18:9-14 * Avoid Contempt * Remain Humble * Luke 16:14-15 3. Go Justified.   * Luke 18:14 * Philippians 3:4-11 * Romans 3:21-26, 5:1-5, 8:28-39 * Galatians 2:16-17 NEXT STEPS 1. Give up trying to justify yourself and trust Jesus. 2. Read Romans 8 and celebrate finding Kingdom Treasure.  3, Practice giving to others instead of judging others --------------------- Humility Pledge - a path away from self-justification and judgment. "Hypocrite! First take the beam of wood out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye." ~ Matthew 7:5 With God’s help, I will engage the ABC’s of humility. 1. ADMIT __ Self-justification is subtle. (I have been deceived by self-justification.) __ I have judged others. (I have thought, “Thank God, I am not like… ) __ I need God to help me. (God have mercy on me.) 2. BELIEVE __ My justification is complete in Jesus! __ Comparing myself to others is wrong! __ Humility is a kingdom treasure! 3. COMMIT __ Instead of judging others, I will serve others. __ I will consider others better than myself. __ In faith, I will give to help someone in need.