One of the many things I absolutely love about Yakima is the volume and variety of trees. Pine trees, Cedars, Firs, Oaks, Aspen, Flowering, and yes … fruit trees. During our time at Ghormley our family fell in love with the tall trees we lived among. And when the wind came, and those trees swayed and groaned, even better.
In our former home in Cowiche the soil was so rich (it was a former pig farm) that we could dig by hand and what we planted flourished. My favorite fruit tree (don’t tell the others) was a beautiful and very productive Peach tree near the front of our driveway. Delicious!
In our current home the soil is not so easy to dig and the trees and plants have to work harder to survive. We do have three growing Peach trees. Last year they produced a few peaches, this year’s crop is thin, but next year (the third for the peach trees) should be glorious!
There are several seemingly separate teachings in this morning’s passage. Luke weaves them here, together, for a reason. First, Jesus offers a parable about a fig tree planted in a vineyard. Second, Jesus teaches about priorities and compassion as it relates to Sabbath rules. Third, Jesus teaches about the Kingdom of God.
Our focus today is the first and the third. Alex will return to the second of the three (controversy surrounding what is acceptable to do on the Sabbath) next week (Luke 14:1-6).
How patient are you with trees, plants, vacuum cleaners, toasters, slow drivers, the person paying in pennies and nickels? How patient are you with the people growing around you? How is your “fruit” (Galatians 5:22-23) growing? Are you patient with yourself?
In our passage about the fig tree Jesus reminds us of the love and patience of our heavenly Father! And so we Love God! Love others!
God's Patience, Compassion & Kingdom (9AM)
August 28, 2022 • Curt McFarland • Luke 13:6–21
The Invitation... In Three Parts (11AM)
September 11, 2022 • Curt McFarland, Alex Rule, Dennis Whitcher • Luke 14:7–24
Today is a day those of a certain age will not forget. We remember the tears, the lost lives, the shock. And we remember that buildings will fall, and life itself will end, but Jesus remains our only hope. Part I (14:7-11): In Jesus’ day, as today, there were “status symbols” that helped people enhance their high standing in society. If you were invited to the “right homes” and if you were seated in the “right places,” then people would know how important you were. The emphasis was on reputation, not character. And so, in the first parable, Jesus counsels us to take the lowest seat, to forget our public image, because the Kingdom of God is about finding our identity in the One who knows us best. Part II (14:12-15): When we are invited to a dinner or banquet, we enjoy time with family and friends. We want to return the favor. That's the way we often live, it’s our comfort zone. But Jesus teaches that we should invite those who are in need, and those who need Him. Jesus wants us to invite those who cannot repay us. We follow Christ when we do just that. Our reward, we are told, will come later. Part III (14:16-24): The third part of Jesus’ dining etiquette reveals the heart of the host, and the hearts of each invited guest. Each makes an excuse, and each excuse seems, at first hearing, reasonable. But they reject the generosity of the host, the door is shut, they are forever outside. Oh, may we stop with our excuses!
The Invitation... In Three Parts (9AM)
September 11, 2022 • Curt McFarland, Alex Rule, Dennis Whitcher • Luke 14:7–24
Today is a day those of a certain age will not forget. We remember the tears, the lost lives, the shock. And we remember that buildings will fall, and life itself will end, but Jesus remains our only hope. Part I (14:7-11): In Jesus’ day, as today, there were “status symbols” that helped people enhance their high standing in society. If you were invited to the “right homes” and if you were seated in the “right places,” then people would know how important you were. The emphasis was on reputation, not character. And so, in the first parable, Jesus counsels us to take the lowest seat, to forget our public image, because the Kingdom of God is about finding our identity in the One who knows us best. Part II (14:12-15): When we are invited to a dinner or banquet, we enjoy time with family and friends. We want to return the favor. That's the way we often live, it’s our comfort zone. But Jesus teaches that we should invite those who are in need, and those who need Him. Jesus wants us to invite those who cannot repay us. We follow Christ when we do just that. Our reward, we are told, will come later. Part III (14:16-24): The third part of Jesus’ dining etiquette reveals the heart of the host, and the hearts of each invited guest. Each makes an excuse, and each excuse seems, at first hearing, reasonable. But they reject the generosity of the host, the door is shut, they are forever outside. Oh, may we stop with our excuses!
When Our Rules Get in The Way of His Rules (11AM)
September 4, 2022 • Luke 14:1–6
Today, the world population is approximately 8 billion and growing. The needs for work, food, medicine, and hospitals, etc. are also increasing. People are moving at a very high speed in this fast-changing world. Today the number of sick people in the world is much higher than in Jesus’ time but this is not a reason for Him to stop hearing and answering our prayers. His power of healing is the same today as it was in the past and will be in the future. In these times of constant needs and desperation we should use our wisdom and be on our knees praying. We must always look for the One who can do everything and make the impossible possible, our Creator and Ruler of the universe, our Maker and Provider. In this passage a leader of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner on the Sabbath. The house was full of many people. The leader’s intention was evil - the idea was to catch Jesus breaking the rules and laws on the Sabbath. They were watching Jesus, waiting for an opportunity to get Him into trouble, but Jesus knew the leader’s intentions and malicious thoughts. Jesus took advantage of the moment to use His healing power to heal a man and teach the Pharisees a great lesson. Here our Lord Jesus healed the man with dropsy, and many witnessed the miracle of healing on the Sabbath day. Jesus asked them if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath, but they remained silent and surprised. This reminds us of what Jesus said in Mark 2:17 “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but the sinners.”