Short Stories by Jesus
May 24th - June 28th, 2020
Things Lost
May 24, 2020 • Brian Gerard
When accused of spending time and eating with tax collectors and sinners, Jesus told three parables about things lost and the joy of finding them once again. The scriptural focus of this message is Luke 15:1-32. This series is based, in part, on the book, "Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi" by Amy-Jill Levine. For more information on this book, please visit the following site: https://www.amazon.com/dp/b00db32qqy/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=utf8&btkr=1
Who is My Neighbor?
May 31, 2020 • Brian Gerard
Seeking to justify his faith, a lawyer once asked Jesus, "Who is My Neighbor?" The answer to that question changes everything. The scriptural focus of this message is Luke 10:25-37 This series is based, in part, on the book, "Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi" by Amy-Jill Levine. For more information on this book, please visit the following site: https://www.amazon.com/dp/b00db32qqy/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=utf8&btkr=1
Pandemics, Protests, and Pearls
June 7, 2020 • Brian Gerard
The threats we are facing as a nation have the potential to destroy us. The Good News is that we have the potential to rise above them and create a world of peace, justice, and equity for all God's children. The question is, which path will we choose? The scriptural focus of this message is Matthew 13:45-46 This series is based, in part, on the book, "Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi" by Amy-Jill Levine. For more information on this book, please visit the following site: https://www.amazon.com/dp/b00db32qqy/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=utf8&btkr=1
The Smallest of Seeds
June 14, 2020 • Brian Gerard
The parable of the mustard seed may not be very long, but it certainly has a message worth hearing. The scriptural focus of this message is the Parable of the Mustard Seed, which is found in the following passages: Matthew 13:31-32 Mark 4:30-32 Luke 13:18-19 This series is based, in part, on the book, "Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi" by Amy-Jill Levine. For more information on this book, please visit the following site: https://www.amazon.com/dp/b00db32qqy/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=utf8&btkr=1
Heavenly Wages
June 21, 2020 • Brian Gerard
In a parable about a vineyard owner and some laborers, Jesus offers a lesson about God's grace that has very earthly implications. Scriptures used in this message include: Matthew 20:1-16 Matthew 19:16-30 This series is based, in part, on the book, "Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi" by Amy-Jill Levine. For more information on this book, please visit the following site: https://www.amazon.com/dp/b00db32qqy/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=utf8&btkr=1
A Widow and A Judge
June 28, 2020 • Brian Gerard
Our final parable in this worship series is about a widow who is seeking justice from a judge who doesn't seem interested in helping. Jesus said this parable was about persistent prayer and never losing heart but as is so often the case with parables, there's more to the story. Scriptures used in this message include: Luke 18:1-8 Amos 5;24 Micah 6:8 This series is based, in part, on the book, "Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi" by Amy-Jill Levine. For more information on this book, please visit the following site: https://www.amazon.com/dp/b00db32qqy/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=utf8&btkr=1