* Up unto this point in our study of the Gospel according to Luke, we have been considering the Preparation of Christ's Ministry. We have considered birth and ministry of the Forerunner of the Messiah, and we have considered the birth, immersion, genealogy, and temptation of the Messiah. * Today, we come to the point where Jesus publicly declares His Messianic Role to those with whom He had grown up.

* In our study of the Gospel account of Luke, we have considered Luke's description of the miraculous nature of both John's and Jesus' conception and birth, and the significance of John's ministry to the authentication of the Messianic claim of Jesus. * Today, in our study of the Gospel account of Luke, we will be considering the final section of Luke's foundation of Jesus' Messianic ministry - His Baptism, Genealogy, and Temptation.

* We have been studying the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Luke. * In the first message, we discussed Luke's purpose in writing this Gospel account - "That you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed." * We then considered "Where" Luke chose to begin this account ... at the angelic proclamation to Zacharias regarding the birth of John. Luke believed that it was critical for the believer to understand the miraculous nature of John's birth and ministry. Indeed, later when Jesus was questioned by the Scribes regarding His authority, He would point them back to the ministry and testimony of John. * Today, we consider the Preparatory Ministry of John as the Forerunner of the Messiah.

* Four weeks ago, in our last message from the book of Luke, we saw the prophetic announcements of Simeon and Anna regarding he redemptive work of Christ. These announcements occurred 40 days after the birth of Jesus while Joseph and Mary were going to the Temple to present an offering for her purification according Levitical Law. * Today's passage carries us up to when Jesus was twelve years old. * As we consider the passage today, the major question that I am forced to ask myself is: "Where would I be found if others were looking for me?" * Today, we consider the importance, and priority, of the Word of God in our lives. * This message was presented on March 31, 2024 by Bob Corbin.

* As we approach our spring week of Prayer and Fasting, I felt compelled of the Lord to spend two weeks focusing on the importance of prayer in the life of the saints. Though prayer is one of the most critical aspects of the life of the believer and the church, it seems to take the least priority in the lives of many believers and churches. * Last week, we focused upon The Posture of Prayer. Though we are adopted by God and afforded the privilege of calling Him: "Abba," yet, He is still the Holy God who is the Creator, Sustainer, and Judge of the Universe - and of all mankind. Hence, though I may boldly enter into His presence because of the blood of Jesus, I must always remember: He is the Potter and I am the clay. There must be an attitude (or posture) of humbleness, and not arrogance or pride as I come before His throne. In the Scriptures, this attitude is conjoined with a physical posture of kneeling before Him. In fact, this posture is embedded into the Hebrew word (shakhah) and Greek word (proskuneo) for "worship." * Today, we want to consider the powerful impact of prayer in the realm of the Spiritual War that we fight. * This message was presented on March 24, 2024 by Bob Corbin.

* Our spring week of Prayer and Fasting is Monday-Friday, March 25-29. * Prayer is one of the most critical aspects of the life of the believer and, hence, the life of the church. Yet, it seems to take the least priority in the lives of many believers and churches. * This week, I was burdened by the Lord to teach two messages regarding the important impact of prayer. Hence, Lord willing, over the next two weeks we will be considering The Posture of Prayer and The Warfare of Prayer. * By definition, "Prayer" is "A reverent petition made to God, a god, or another object of worship. ... An act of communion with God, a god, or another object of worship." Communion is defined as: "The act or an instance of sharing, as of thoughts or feelings. Religious or spiritual fellowship." * The Bible is filled with many "balances" for our Christian walk (e.g. predestination v. free will; the perseverance of the saints v. the preservation of the saints). My definition of prayer reflects another of those balances; prayer is: "Communication with God in worship." When you believe on Jesus as your Savior, you are adopted as a child of God. Your loving heavenly Father has a desire for you to communicate with Him; He calls upon us to cast all of cares upon Him, because He cares for us. However, we need to remember ... He is still God. * As we consider the "Posture" of prayer today, we are focusing upon the latter part of that definition - the aspect of prayer being conducted in the demeanor of worship. Our "posture" refers both to our position and our disposition as we approach the throne of God above! * This message was presented on March 17, 2024 by Bob Corbin.

* Dan Nave is the Executive Director of Southeast Church Extension whose mission is to help struggling churches get healthy and healthy churches reproduce. Dan provided an expositor message from a prayer of the Apostle Paul for the church of Ephesus. * Paul shared an emphatic prayer on behalf of the church of Ephesus. He prayed that Christ would be able to be at home in their lives and that they would be able to comprehend the incomprehensible: the love of Christ! He closes his prayer with a doxology of praise to the God who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or think! * This message was presented on March 10, 2024 by Dan Nave.

* Last week, we considered the third Angelic Announcement, recorded in the book of Luke, regarding the Messianic nature of He who was born: Jesus of Nazareth! God was doing a work, through ordinary people, that marveled all of those who witnessed the rippling effects of these proclamations. The message was magnified through those who were at birth and naming of John, and those who heard the testimony of the shepherds. * Today, we transition to the next phase of God's proclamation of Jesus' Messianic claim - the prophetic announcements of Simeon and Anna. These occur during the process of Joseph and Mary fulfilling the Law regarding Jesus' birth. Leviticus 12:2-6 gives us the details of the Law regarding a woman giving birth to a son. The child was to be circumcised on the eighth day and then the woman was to present an offering for her purification on the 40th day. Hence, our passage today is 40 days after the birth of Jesus. * This message was presented on March 3, 2024 by Bob Corbin.

* This is the seventh message in our series on the book of Luke. Up until this point, we have been considering what many would consider preliminary information, but that which Luke determined to be integral to the redemptive purpose of Christ. The ministry of John - preparing the way of YHWH - was one of the chief validations of the Messianic claim of Jesus of the Nazareth (cf. Matthew 21:23-27) * Last week, we considered the numerous prophecies declaring how Christ would come - born of a virgin; born of the lineage of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, and David; born in Bethlehem; taken to Egypt; and raised in Nazareth. We considered how He would be preceded by a forerunner and that He would proclaim liberty to captives and heal the blind. We considered as well how it was prophesied that He would be crucified - that His hands and feet would be pierced, that His side would be pierced and that His bones would not be broken. We saw that it was prophesied that He would be betrayed by a friend and that it would be for 30 pieces of silver! * Today, we consider the primary event of His birth ... the angelic announcement of His birth to a group of shepherds who were watching their sheep in the fields on the outskirts of Bethlehem. In this great moment, God reveals again His desire to use ordinary people to do extraordinary things on behalf of His kingdom. * This message was presented on February 25, 2024 by Bob Corbin.

* We have spent the first five weeks of our study of Luke's account of the life and ministry of Jesus the Christ, examining the preliminary events leading up to His life and ministry! We have seen how God sent Gabriel to both Zacharias and Mary declaring that God was going to bless them and use them in fulfilling His redemptive plan. * Last week, we considered the birth and naming of John. In that message, we considered the importance of John's miraculous birth as a sign, and testimony, to validate Jesus' as the coming Messiah. * However, apart from John's miraculous birth, there were many prophecies which would be fulfilled in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus which substantially validate His claim as the Messiah. * Today, as we begin to consider chapter 2 of Luke's account, it begins with the phrase, "And it came to pass in those days ..." From the world's perspective things just seem to happen. However, from a theocentric understanding, we understand that God is, and has been, orchestrating His redemptive plan throughout course of human history. "History" truly can be seen as: "His Story." * Hence, I would like to pause today to take a "small glimpse" into the many prophecies which Jesus fulfilled. As we will see shortly, the mathematical probability that any one individual fulfilling these prophecies is astronomical, and practically unfeasible. * This message was presented on February 18, 2024 by Bob Corbin.

* In Luke chapter 1 we have seen that Zacharias and Mary each were visited by the angel Gabriel with the message that God was going to bless them and use them in fulfilling His redemptive plan. Zacharias responded with doubt and wanted a sign to validate the message. Gabriel told him that he because he doubted, he would be mute until John was born. Mary, on the hand, received the message with fear and submitted willingly to God's desire in her life. * Two weeks ago we began to consider the events surrounding the birth of John by considering The Visit of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth. Another miracle occurred when the two women with miraculous pregnancies met! The approximately sixth month old "fetus" in Elizabeth's womb leapt for joy at presence of the less-than-a-month old fetus in Mary's womb! Elizabeth additionally recognized Mary as "The mother of my Lord!" As a result, Mary praised the mighty, holy and merciful God for scattering the proud, filling the hungry, and remembering His mercy (khesed) to the nation of Israel. * Today, we conclude this section by seeing the fulfillment of Gabriel's promise to Zacharias at the birth and naming of John. * This message was presented on February 11, 2024 by Bob Corbin.

* As you know, we began an in-depth study of "The Gospel According to Luke" on December 31, and spent 3 of the 4 Sundays in January in chapter 1, taking a 1 week break for the visit by one of the missionaries we support. And while we originally planned to finish up chapter 1 this week, some unforeseen circumstances have created a need for us to take a 1-week detour into the fourth gospel, "The Gospel According to John". * Perhaps like no other time in history, this world increasingly encourages people to promote and serve themselves, especially here in the United States. But Jesus calls His followers to die to themselves by living lives of selfless servanthood. And when we do that effectively, we can have a major impact on the world because it builds unity in the body of Christ and helps draw non-believers to Jesus. * So this morning, we will be considering some secrets of selfless servanthood by looking at an event in John 13 that launched the final 18 hours or so of Jesus's earthly ministry immediately prior to His crucifixion. This event, Jesus's foot washing of His disciples, was only recorded in John's account. And we should be grateful that the Holy Spirit led John to do so, because there is much we can learn from it, and also apply to our walks as followers of Christ today. * This message was presented on February 4, 2024 by Chuck Sabo.

* As we have begun our study of Luke's orderly account of the life and ministry of Christ, we have seen the contrasting reception of Zacharias and Mary to wonderful prophetic messages of Gabriel. * Today, we see those prophetic messages begin to converge with the events surrounding the birth of John. * This message was presented on January 28, 2024 by Bob Corbin.

* Three weeks ago we began studying "The Gospel According to Luke." Luke's desire was to present an orderly account of the ministry of Jesus the Christ in order that those who heard could be assured of the verity of the testimony they had heard. * Two weeks ago, we saw that Luke began his orderly account with the Angelic Announcement to Zacharias regarding the birth of John. John needed a "sign" to truly believe the message that Gabriel was proclaiming to him. Therefore, Gabriel declared that John would be mute for the next nine months, until the birth of his son. * Today, we transition to another Angelic Announcement by Gabriel, this time to Mary. * This message was presented on January 21, 2024 by Bob Corbin.

* Last week we began studying "The Gospel According to Luke." Luke's desire was to present an orderly account of the ministry of Jesus the Christ in order that those who heard could be assured of the verity of the testimony they had heard. * Today, the goal is to examine the beginning of that orderly account. Luke, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, determined that the Good News of Jesus Christ coming into the world actually begins with the Angelic Announcement to Zacharias regarding the birth of John. * First, we consider the human vessels who God chose to use for this special privilege. Then, we consider Zacharias' interaction with Gabriel. * This message was presented on January 7, 2024 by Bob Corbin.

* Today, we begin a new series - a study of the Gospel According to Luke. * It has been well stated each of the Gospels seem to present Christ from a different "angle." Traditionally, most commentators declare that Matthew presents Jesus as "The Promised Messiah," Mark presents Him as "The Suffering Servant," Luke presents Him as "The Son of Man," and John presents Him as "The Son of God." * There were reasons why each of the writers wrote their gospel accounts. As we have considered each of these gospel accounts we have seen that indeed Matthew was a Jewish man writing to a Jewish audience about a Jewish Messiah. His focus was upon proving that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah by declaring the authenticity of His Messianic claim - through His genealogy, His miracles and signs, His teaching, and His resurrection. Mark, I believe, was writing Peter's account of the life of Christ after he was brought to Rome at the request of Paul. John declares that he was writing in order that those reading would "believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name." * As we begin our study today, we want to look at who it is that wrote this gospel (since the author does not declare himself), to whom the author was writing, and the purpose for which he was writing. * This message was presented on December 31, 2023 by Bob Corbin.

* We have been considering the prophetic declaration of YHWH through Isaiah, regarding the coming of a man child - who would be called: Wonderful Counselor; Mighty God; Everlasting Father; Prince of Peace. Each of these names are direct references back to YHWH Himself. As He revealed elsewhere, YHWH was declaring that He would manifest Himself on the earth by becoming incarnate - taking on human flesh - and being born. * This prophecy in Isaiah 9 is part of a larger section which begins in chapter 7. YHWH declares His faithfulness to the tribe of Judah ... He would not allow Syria and Israel to gain victory over Judah. To reveal His faithfulness to King Ahaz, He told Ahaz to ask for a sign ... to which Ahaz self-righteously declares, "I will not ask, nor test YHWH." * YHWH declares that He, Himself, would then give a sign To The House of David - not to Ahaz! “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Emmanuel.” (Isaiah 7: 14) Immanuel means: "God with us." * What an incredible prophecy! “The virgin” will conceive. Many have debated this term and some translations have interpreted the word as “young girl.” However, the Hebrew language has a specific word for a young girl from infancy to adolescence - na'arah. The word used by Isaiah in this prophecy, though, is almah - a veiled girl. The word is only used 7 times in the O.T. Including this passage. Consider its use in context: Song Of Solomon 6:8 “There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, and virgins without number.” * As we heard in the reading from Matthew 1 ... this prophesy would be fulfilled at the birth of Jesus. * This message was presented on the evening of December 24, 2023 by Bob Corbin.

* Happy Christmas Eve! If you've been with us either in person or via Zoom (or keeping up by listening to the messages on the various platforms where they are posted online), you know that we've been taking a deep dive into Isaiah 9:6 this month, with a focus on the four titles for Yahweh given in that verse ... Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. And because Jesus is Yahweh (God in the flesh), these titles also find fulfilment in His two advents - the one we celebrate at Christmas (Feast of the Incarnation) and the one we are confidently waiting for. * As a quick review, Steve started us out 3 weeks ago by sharing the many ways that Yahweh is our WONDERFUL COUNSELOR. Among many other things, this title speaks to God's omnipotence and that His counsel is good and perfect and therefore worthy of our continual pursuit. * Then David focused our attention on the title MIGHTY GOD two weeks ago. He shared 3 key examples of God's might being displayed for His people, the greatest of which is our salvation ... that He gives us Eternal Life through Christ! * Last week Bob took us through the third title, EVERLASTING FATHER, or more accurately father (or progenitor) of eternity. As a result, Yahweh alone is able to give us eternal life (consider the link between Isaiah 9:6a and John 3:16). * And this morning, we will examine the many ways that Messiah Jesus is our PRINCE OF PEACE, both in this life and in the life to come. But before we explore that title for God/Jesus, let's consider some additional context regarding Isaiah 9:6-7 ... * This message was presented on December 24, 2023 by Chuck Sabo.

* Advent is a time for focused reflection upon the incarnation of Jesus the Christ (YHWH in the flesh) who came to the earth in order to be the payment of our sins. This incarnation of YHWH was not something that was kept secret. Rather, YHWH gave many indicators of this in His Word. * Over the past two weeks, we have been considering the powerful prophetic declaration which YHWH spoke through Isaiah - declaring that one day a man-child would be born - who would be called: Wonderful Counselor ... Mighty God ... Eternal Father ... Prince of Peace. In Jewish thought, an individual's name - what they were called - was of vast importance and was a reflection of the individual's position, personality, or potentiality. * Consider YHWH's name ... "The One who Exists." The Creator God "named" Himself and He named Himself, "I am who I am." * In the same manner, each of these four names point toward this man-child being none other than YHWH Himself - incarnate. Last week, David considered that this child would be called "Mighty God" ... today, it becomes even more evident as we consider the implications and inferences of "Eternal Father." * This message was presented on December 17, 2023 by Bob Corbin.

* The season of Advent is a time to reflect upon the incarnation of Jesus the Christ (YHWH in the flesh) who came in order to be the payment of our sins. He did this in order that we might be reconciled to God and have peace with God. This was important in order that we might be able to live with God for all of eternity - eternal life does not begin after you die, but when you are reconciled to God! * Today is the second message in our Advent series on the names of Jesus Christ recorded in Isaiah's prophecy in Isaiah 9:6-7. Isaiah gives four names for the child that will be born. Each name is a doublet - two consecutive Hebrew words. From the use of those words in Hebrew in the Old Testament, it is compelling and overwhelming that these four names are titles for YHWH, the LORD Himself. Thus, YHWH Himself is promising in Isaiah 9:6 that YHWH will come as a child and become One called by these names. * Last week's message was on “Wonderful Counselor”. Today we consider the second doublet -- “Mighty God”. * This message was presented on December 10, 2023 by David Hayes.