Worship through Song

Sing to the King

There is a Fountain

I Will Trust My Savior Jesus

How Deep the Father’s Love for Us

A Mighty Fortress

Kids’ Teaching

Joshua & Obedience

"What is the Unpardonable Sin?" || Luke 12:10-12

+ Rejecting Jesus can be forgiven, but denouncing the Holy Spirit's direct witness (through us) about Jesus will not be forgiven. This type of rejection is unforgivable (Lk 12:10). The response by the Sanhedrin to Stephen illustrates this in action (Acts 7).

+ When we are called to defend our faith, we have no cause to fear because the Holy Spirit will take control of what needs to be said (Lk 12:11-12). Paul's defense to King Agrippa and Governor Festus in Acts 26 illustrates this in action.

Takeaways:

Put this tool in your tool kit and be prepared to use it to reassure the person God brings into your path who may fear he/she has committed the unpardonable sin - a groundless fear. 

Comfort, confidence, and compassion: Our Master will not forsake us, or abandon us, or fail us in our hour of need. This truth brings comfort and confidence for the rest of our journey.

The Holy Spirit is never tardy or late, but always right on time to help us.  He is ever-present, ever-aware, ever-timely, and ever-knowing. He knows what we are experiencing, and is prepared, whatever the hour, to assist us. 

Worship through Song

The Love of the Father

What Joy

I Will Trust My Savior Jesus

Yet Not I but through Christ in Me

Kids’ Teaching

Daniel & Friends

Which Court of Opinion Do We Value the Most? || Luke 12:8-9

I. Jesus will be our advocate if we acknowledge Him before people.

II. Jesus will be our prosecutor if we maintain a lifestyle of disowning Him.

Takeaways:

In everyone’s life there will come some moments - not everyday, not every conversation, not real often - but there will come some moments when you will know in your heart you need to speak up and stand for what is right and for Christ. When those moments come, you may feel alone - but you are not. You are not alone, you are not out of His sight, and He will give you the strength, grace, and all that you need for that moment.

Be aware that you set an example for your children and others who look up to you.

Worship through Song

Come Ye Sinners

The Love of the Father

Only a Holy God

Jesus, Strong and Kind

Christ Our Hope in Life and Death

Kids’ Teaching

Noah & Trusting God

“Overcoming the Fear of People” || Luke 12:1-7

CAUTION: Jesus warns us not to hide what we truly believe about Him.

CURE: The fear of God is the cure for the fear of man.

Takeaways

· The church must stand not against government or culture but apart from it, in order to maintain independence, enabling her to speak prophetically and point the culture towards the truth when it is drifting.

·  As a culture grows more secular and distances itself away from God and His moral values and view of life, the pressure to hide what we believe will increase for Jesus’ disciples.

·  When we fear God and truly see Him in His greatness, and know that He values us, we can live our lives without being controlled by the expectations of other people.

Worship through Song

Christ Our Glory

Good and Gracious King

There is a Fountain Filled with Blood

Jesus, Strong and Kind

Be Thou My Vision

Kids’ Teaching

Two Parables

“When Church Leaders Lose Focus of What’s Important” || Luke 11:37-52

• Jesus denounced Israel’s religious leaders because they used outward rituals and ceremonies to cover up greed and self-promotion.

• Jesus denounced Israel’s religious rule-makers who took away the key to knowledge, keeping people ignorant of the truth of the Scriptures by silencing God’s mouthpieces, the Prophets, and creating an artificial and compassionless legalism for people.

Takeaways

• Your Christian reputation, church involvement, outward words or works, will only be denounced by Jesus if they are covering a heart of greed and self- promotion.

• Jesus used stern reproof with misguided religious leaders because He knew they were headed for judgement and, in love, He wanted to get their attention before it was too late. As church leaders, we may have to do the same.

• What can leaders do to make sure that our people have the key to knowledge to day?

• Savor hearing God’s voice

• Focus on the hardcore words of God

• Emphasize the majors—love of God and justice. But don’t forget the minors—love people generously, in-and outside the church

• As leaders, regularly evaluate our hearts, cultivate a life that is congruent, being more concerned with what God sees than what man sees.

Worship through Song

What Joy

Fairest Lord Jesus

Jesus, Strong and King

Thou Lovely Source of True Delight

Not in Me

Kids’ Teaching by Ms. Jenae

Mustard Seed

“Hoarding Faith and Finances Prevents Faith and Growth” || Luke 11:33-36

I. Jesus teaches us to cultivate an honest mind because it is necessary to increasingly grasp and believe the evidence about him.

II. Character deficiencies and self-protecting attitudes hijack your ability to believe and grow

III. Acts 13:44-51 Acts 14:8-20 Acts 18:12-13

Some Jewish people were willing to accept the message of Jesus until they realized it was open to all.  Then they chose to reject the gospel rather than lose their exclusive place as the people of God.

IV. Acts 16  Acts 19

Some Gentiles were interested in the message of Jesus.  But when the power of the Gospel changed lives and resulted in lost income for them, they chose to reject it. 

Takeaways:

· A measuring stick of growth seems to be increased conformity to the generosity of God.

· Let’s strive to be known as a church that is generous to those both within and without our doors.

· Let’s evaluate our own hearts and minds for attitudes of entitlement, greed or jealousy. Those are the attitudes that prevent us from believing truth and growing in Christ.

· Let’s use increasing  conformity to the generosity of God to evaluate our own growth. Let’s strive to be generous in opening our lives to those on the outside.

Worship through Song

A Mighty Fortress

Build My Life

Christ Our Hope in Life and Death

Be Thou My Vision

Speak, O Lord

Kids’ Teaching by Ms. Jenae

Prayer

“Clear Eyes, Honest Hearts” || Luke 11:29-33

+ Clear Eyes and Honest Minds are needed to understand and accept Jesus’ claims.

+ Jesus encourages us to cultivate an honest mind and heart so that  we can increasingly grasp and acknowledge the evidence about Him.

Takeaways:

·      We should approach the Scripture with an honest hear, and an open mind, a mind of integrity, willing to allow solid evidence to determine the meaning, regardless of our preconceived ideas.

·      We must intentionally cultivate and maintain an honest heart with God.  When we recognize anger, resentment, or disappointment growing in our heart, share it with Him.  Make things right.

Worship through Song

For the Cross

Saved My Soul

Come Ye Sinners

Yet Not I But through Christ in Me

The Wonderful Cross

Kids’ Teaching by Ms. Jenae

Trusting in God

“The Price of Indifference” || Luke 11:29-32

+ Jesus labeled His generation as evil because they wanted to see spectacular signs but were   indifferent to God’s word.

+ Jesus’ generation will be condemned at the judgment because they were indifferent to His word and they failed to repent and believe in Him.

Takeaways:

• Do we recognize the privileges we enjoy?  

• What is it we are attracted to or interested in?

• How would Jesus describe us?  

• Let’s take advantage of God’s astonishing mercy.

Worship through Song

In Tenderness

Christ Our Glory

Come Ye Sinners

The Precious Blood

Kids’ Teaching by Ms. Jenae

The Son of God

“Why Reformation without Regeneration is Inadequate” || Luke 11:24-28

+ Reformation from evil ways without regeneration by the Holy Spirit is dangerously inadequate for us. 11:24-26

+ Spiritual relationship with Jesus, not a physical relationship, is the source of superior blessedness. 11:27-28

Takeaways:

· God’s redemptive plan that is for us to gain a relationship with Him, to restore us to paradise and fresh access to the tree of life, and the place of blessing, depends upon our listening to His word. The word of His Son.

· We need Jesus as more than a friend. We need Him as a Savior, a sin-bearer, a high priest, a ruling king, and a speaking prophet. We need a stronger man inside us to guard us all the way home.

· You may have sunk pretty low. But there is hope for you with a fresh encounter with Jesus. Run to Him.

Worship through Song

For the Cross

Fairest Lord Jesus

Good and Gracious King

Yet Not I but through Christ in Me

Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)

Kids’ Teaching by Ms. Jenae

Jesus is God

“Jesus’ Power Over Disabilities” || Luke 11:14-23

+ Jesus’ enemies foolishly accuse Him of expelling a mute demon by the power of Satan. (11:14-16)

+ Jesus demonstrates that the expulsion, His victory over the mute demon, is proof that God’s finger has touched Him ad that nGod’s Kingdom has broken through to them. (11:17-23)

Takeaways:

• Recognize the initiative God took to free us and open your mouth to thank Him for it. Can a genuine believer remain mute?

• The peace of prison is no peace at all.

• Jesus set free men and women like Barnabas, Philip, Mary Magdala, Aquila and Priscilla and gave them to the church as gifts to equip His people to do the work of ministry.  Once prisoners, now gifts.  He is still doing this today. 

• Whose side are you on?

Worship through Song

The Love of the Father

What Joy

Fairest Lord Jesus

Jesus, Thank You

May the Mind of Christ, My Savior

Kids’ Teaching by Ms. Jenae

Not “Me First”

“Good Gifts from Our Father’s Trustworthy Heart” || Luke 11:11-13

+ We can come to our Father with confidence, assured that He will always give us gifts that are good for us.

+ We can come to our Father with confidence and assurance that He will give us the best gift of all, the Holy Spirit.

Takeaways:

• If you struggle with anxiety or fear, make a practice of focusing on the good heart of your Father and His posture of love and generosity toward you. He knows your needs and gives you good gifts. You are safe with Him.

• If you haven’t already, begin a two-way conversation of prayer with your loving, trustworthy, generous, and safe Father.

• Ask Him to send the Spirit to those you know who don’t know Him as Father — to regenerate them and them real, true life in Christ.

• Evaluate your own heart. Is it like your heavenly Father’s? Can your children—and others—trust you for kindness, patience, and mercy? Resolve to become more like Him.

Worship through Song

A Mighty Fortress

10,000 Reasons

My Hope is Built

Thou Lovely Source of True Delight

Kids’ Teaching by Ms. Jenae

Not “Me First”

“Desperate Cases” || Luke 11:5-10

+ Jesus teaches us to approach his Father with Shameless Boldness, refusing to take no for an answer.
 
+ Jesus teaches us that we will be answered when we maintain a shameless approach and do not give up.

Takeaways:

Bring your despair to your Father.  Pound on the door expressing your emotions,  knowing your Father loves you, hears you, and cares about how you feel. 

Why do we have to keep on asking? 

      + Sometimes God has us come to the end of our resources, discover our weakness and limitations before He answers us. His reason is still full of mystery and unanswered questions. 

       + Satan resists our prayers. A battle is taking place that we can’t see.  Satan can resist, but he can’t hinder our prayers permanently. Keep praying. Don’t give up!  

The seriousness of our need/request is shown by our relentless, door pounding confidence that our Father hears us. 

Worship through Song

All Creatures of Our God and King

Build My Life

Yet Not I But through Christ in Me

Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul

Kids’ Teaching by Ms. Jenae

Jesus Is…

“Learning to Talk to Our Father” || Luke 11:1-4

+ The starting point for our learning to speak to our Father is Jesus' own habitual practice of prayer.

+ The starting issue for speaking to our Father is to place His interests/Kingdom agenda at the forefront of our concern.

+ The Father wants to hear about our interests and concerns.

Takeaways:

This prayer is not a petrified formula, but a flexible, basic outlook and orientation for our talking to our Father.

We can confidently approach God because He has demonstrated His desire for us to be His children.

The highest goals and gifts that God has planned for our journey will not come automatically or unthinkingly. We must choose them very deliberately.

Worship through Song

Sing to the King

Christ Our Glory

Thou Lovely Source of True Delight

Speak, O Lord

Kids’ Teaching by Ms. Jenae

The Good Shepherd

“The Supreme Necessity: A Sister Dispute” || Luke 10:38-42

I. First Scene — Distraction: Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, intently listening to His words, and was criticized by her distracted sister.

II. Second Scene — Clarification: Jesus interpreted Mary’s choice to listen to Him as the better dish, the only one really needed at the table of life.

Takeaways:

Persuasion: Listening to Jesus is Life’s Supreme Necessity, our Top Priority

Choose: Like Mary, We Must Choose to listen to the words of Jesus.

Help is Available:  If you want help to get started, there are folks who can help you, equip you, train you in order to make it a joy and a source of excitement as well as strength.

Worship in Song

What Joy (Psalm 146)

Only a Holy God

Thou Lovely Source of True Delight

His Mercy is More

Kids’ Teaching by Ms. Jenae

“The Good Soil”

+ Jesus assures a religious lawyer that loving God entirely and one's own neighbor is a path to life. (10:25-28)

+ Jesus defines loving one's neighbor as seeking good for all people (and any type of person) whom God puts on our path.

Takeaways:

Who is my neighbor?

• Your family. Care for them.

• Driving to work or school: the motorists you encounter are your neighbors - momentarily. Take their safety into consideration as you drive. 

• School / work - students, little guys and girls, poor ones, immigrants, annoying ones, ones with quirks, your boss, co-workers, employees are your neighbors.

• Lunch: everyone you meet on the path there and back.

• Ministry: people you minister to are your neighbors.

We can't change the world or the culture or the nation or the city. We can think globally or nationally, but we must act locally. Start small. Start simple. Pray for God's guidance. Get involved. Keep going. Set an example for children to watch and emulate. Keep loving the neighbors that Jesus keeps putting into your path. NEVER QUIT.

Kids’ Teaching by Ms. Jenae

Who wrote the Bible?

“Privileged Eyes, Happy Eyes” || Luke 10:21-24

+ Jesus rejoiced that God, in His sovereignty, revealed truth to intellectual infants.

+ Being privileged to see and hear God's truth should bring great joy!

Kids’ Teaching by Ms. Jenae

Knowing Jesus

Worship in Song

Oh for a Thousand Tongues

Christ Our Hope in Life and Death

On Jordan’s Stormy Banks

How Sweet and Aweful is This Place

Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder

“The Distress of Jesus’ Heart” || Luke 10:13-16

+ Jesus expresses profound distress over the unqualified disaster awaiting unrepentant cities.

+ Jesus explains that rejection of Him and His message is tantamount to rejection of God.

Takeaways
1. God takes His Son seriously. Jesus took the gospel seriously. We should take our Christian faith seriously.

2. We also should have concern and compassion for those facing an eternity without Christ.

Kids’ Teaching by Ms. Jenae

He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands

Worship in Song

A Mighty Fortress is Our God

Only a Holy God

Christ Our Hope in Life and Death

How Sweet and Aweful is This Place

“The End of the Story” || Luke 10:17-20

+ Satan's future defeat is guaranteed by Jesus.

+ Your future place in heaven is guaranteed by Jesus.

Takeaways
1. Are you enrolled as a citizen in heaven?

2. Love the Lord, live your whole life, serve your neighbor, fight the good fight until your very last breath, with absolute confidence. We know the end of the story. 

Kids’ Teaching by Ms. Jenae

Being in God’s Family

Worship in Song

Build My Life

Christ Our Glory

There is a Fountain Filled with Blood

Jesus, Thank You

Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder

"The High Cost for Farming for Jesus - Advanced Warning || Luke 10:1-12

+Jesus sent out workers on a risky mission with an urgent message that God’s kingdom was close.

+Jesus required his workers to warn that those who reject the message will be liable at the judgment

Takeaways

1. Don’t Hide the Warning; communicate the whole message.

2. Is the Lord of the Harvest Calling You to work in His harvest field?

3. Be involved. Make an eternal difference in this world. Passing through? Make a difference for the Kingdom of God.

4. Understand the Hardness of the Human Heart.

Kids’ Teaching by Ms. Jenae

The Gospels

Worship in Song

Saved My Soul

Sing to the King

Christ Our Glory

Take My Life

Be Thou My Vision

"Jesus Recruits Under No False Pretenses" || Luke 9:57-62

+Mistake #1: Making an impulsive decision without considering the uncertainties of life in Christ. (vs. 57-58)

+ Mistake #2: Making a decision to follow Jesus with conflicting priorities (vs.59-60).

+ Mistake #3: Making a decision to follow Jesus with a divided mind. (vs. 61-62)

Takeaways

1. Although nurturing our children and doing what is necessary to maintain godly family relationships is a God-given priority, it is possible to be sinfully selfish about my family, and wrongfully exalt my family over God’s kingdom purposes.

2. Tell the truth/Sing the truth/Live the truth:  Don’t leave out the difficulties of obedience to Christ’s commands in order to entice people to make a decision for Christ.

3. There is a difference between interest in Jesus and a faith commitment to Him. Jesus demands more than interest on the part of his disciples.  He expects a commitment rooted in trust.

4. Is Jesus calling us to reorder our priorities, loyalties, or commitments?

Kids’ Teaching by Ms. Jenae

Trust the Word of God.

Worship in Song

In Tenderness

Everlasting God

God of Wonders

His Mercy is More

Take My Life and Let it Be

"Jesus' View of Retaliation" || Luke 9:51-56

+ While moving toward His ascension to glory, Jesus was insulted by the Samaritans.

+ The disciples' suggestion to retaliate earned a rebuke from Jesus.

Takeaways

•We should expect to be insulted and rejected by some people.  Honesty requires us to admit that we have also insulted and hurt others.

•Refuse to get even.  Leave room for God’s wrath. 

•Wounded pride is the chief cause of retaliation. Ask God for help and He will help you.

Kids’ Teaching by Ms. Jenae

Wisdom from God’s Word.

"Who is the Greatest?" || Luke 9:46-48

+ Sickness--Jesus' disciples, due to petty, self-conceit, were preoccupied with being considered most important.

+ Cure--Jesus provided a cure for their sickness by explaining that even the least, the children, are important because they represent Him.

Kids’ Sunday Teaching by Ms. Jenae

"Stick it in Your Ears" || Luke 9:43b-45

+ Jesus emphatically instructs His disciples that although people were applauding His miracles today-He would soon be betrayed into the hands of the people.

+ Despite Jesus' emphasizing the importance of their anticipating His coming betrayal--the disciples failed to grasp the meaning of His words and remained unprepared.

Takeaways:

1. Examining and Trashing False Assumptions

• False Assumption 1: Being amazed by Christian talent, power, giftedness is the reflection of a godly heart. The display of talent, giftedness, and power changes peoples’ hearts.

• False Assumption 2 : We are entitled to a life without hardship, pain,  or suffering, and fairness, and justice. 

• False Assumption 3:  Christian People will always act like Christian people.

2. Suffering did not take Jesus by surprise. He knew it was coming. He knew that suffering and the cross was the path he had to walk to reach glory. The cross was an expression of the wisdom of God.

3. Deal Patiently with Beginners in Discipleship:

• Jesus endured the weaknesses of his disciples and did not give up on them. They failed to understand simple things. But they had faith enough to take up their cross and follow Jesus. Grace is better than gifts.

Worship in song!

What Joy (Psalm 146)

Christ Our Hope in Life and Death

Build My Life

There is a Fountain Filled with Blood

Worship in song!

God of Wonders

The Love of the Father

"A Glimpse of Our Final Home" || Luke 9:28-36, Part 2

+Jesus provides His disciples with a glimpse of their final home, their final destination, the kingdom of God.

+ Jesus Himself is the key that opens the door to their final home.

Worship in song with the worship team! View the lyrics by clicking here.

Saved My Soul

Build My Life

Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery

On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand

"Foretaste of Heaven-The 'Chinook' in Luke" || Luke 9:28-36

+ Eyes: Jesus' inner three apostles were eyewitnesses of God's kingdom.

+ Ears: Jesus' inner three disciples were “earwitnesses” to God's voice honoring Jesus His Son.

Takeaways

1. We can have confidence OF the reality of HEAVEN, our future home, our final destination.

2. We can have comfort knowing that the Cross, although a tragic miscarriage of justice, was an integral part of God’s redemptive program. Moses and Elijah knew it was coming. Jesus knew it was coming. All of heaven knew it was coming. It was no mistake.

3. Having hope that the best is yet to come gives us strength for our difficult journey here.

Worship in song with the worship team! View the lyrics by clicking here.

Build My Life

Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery

Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder

Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul

"Our Emotions — Shaped by Eternity" || Luke 9:25-26 

+Jesus assures would-be disciples that by choosing control of their own lives they might gain the world, but forfeit their own selves.

+ What good will it be if you focus all of your energy on this life and gain all you want in this world, but lose everything and even yourself in the end—in eternity?

+ When the world is more important to us than Jesus, the world's opinion of us becomes our master. What is the symptom of this? It is being ashamed of Jesus.

Takeaways

1. Resolve today: Fear God - not the opinions of people.

2. What is revealed when we fear the opinion of people? The treasure of our heart. What do we value the most?

3. Value your soul. It is your insurance policy for eternity.

Worship in song with the worship team! View the lyrics by clicking here.

Saved My Soul

Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder

On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand

“Cross Your Heart,” Luke 9:23-24

+ If you want to follow Jesus you have to deny your selfishness and daily follow His plan for your life rather than yours.

+Following Jesus this way always leads to life.

Takeaways

1. We can expect the process of self-denial to be a lifetime challenge.

2.  Your closest relationships are often the tools God has given you to promote and move you forward in the process of self-denial and sanctification.   Ex: Siblings, parents, spouse, children, employment.

3.  Is there a selfish desire you have ignored that is creating pain for those close to you?

Worship in song with the worship team! View the lyrics by clicking here.

Saved My Soul

Christ Our Hope in Life and Death

On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand

“Confidence in the Guiding Hand of History,” Luke 9:21-22

+ Jesus taught His disciples that His rejection and death were preplanned and not a mistake.

+ Jesus assures His disciples that His resurrection after three days was also preplanned and certain.

Takeaways

1. We can have unshakable confidence in God and His hand in history.

2. We can have that same unshakable confidence in the Scriptures that accurately foreshadow the death and resurrection of Christ.

3. We can have unshakable confidence in God’s presence and guidance in our lives even through inevitable storms and losses.

Christa Stephens leads our children in celebrating Easter in song!

Worship in Song with the worship team:

In Christ Alone

Low in the Grave He Lay (Christ Arose)

Christ Our Hope in Life and Death

Hallelujah! What a Savior

It is Well with My Soul

"Sweetwater,” Exodus 15:22-27

+ The New Testament is unified in its testimony that after death on a tree, Jesus came up out of the ground on the third day.

+ The Old Testament is unified in its testimony that trees are redemptive and that the Messiah would come up out of the ground on the third day.

Worship through Song — NEW this week is a recording done by some of the members of our worship band! We hope that this more personal recording (vs artists' youtube videos) will be helpful to the Redeemer Bible Family for engaging in singing together while we're physically apart! Please sing aloud in your homes, with us, to our Savior!

Click Here to Open the Worship Lyrics

In Tenderness

Christ Our Glory

Great is Thy Faithfulness

It is Well

The Question of Paramount Importance, Luke 9:18-20

+ After praying, Jesus took the trouble to get His disciples to review the culture's opinions about His identity. (vs. 9:18-19)

+ Jesus' disciples formally confessed Him as Messiah in full knowledge of other opinions and contradictions. (vs. 9:20)

Takeaways

1. It’s important to Cultivate an atmosphere of study - in our homes and in our churches.

2.  Let’s Fight the Urge to Follow Popular Religious Trends and Gimmicks simply because everyone else is doing it.

3.  Pray, by confidently asking the Father to open people’s minds to the truth about Jesus.

Worship through Song

What Joy (Psalm 146)

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me

It Is Well with My Soul

Worship through Song

Christ Our Glory

The Love of the Father

In Christ Alone

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Worship through Song

Jesus Paid it All

10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)

Build My Life

My Hope is Built/Solid Rock

Speak, O Lord

This Week’s Sermon: “Correctly Interpreting the Signs of the Times,” from Luke 12:54-13:9