How to Have Fullness of Joy - Nathan Rages

 

How much joy should Christians normally have?  The Bible describes the joy Christians experience as being "full" or "complete": John 3:29, 15:11, 16:24, 17:13, Rom. 15:13, 1Pet. 1:8, 1John 1:3-4, and 2John v12. 

So how can we increase our joy to the level described in these verses? 
1. Be filled with the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17, Gal. 5:22).
2. Meditate on Bible truth (Ps. 1:2, John 15:11).
3. Celebrate God’s answers to our prayers (John 16:24).
4. Praise God frequently (Phil. 4:4, Acts 16:25).
5. Gratefully relish God’s gifts (Ps. 103:2, Jam. 1:17, 1Tim. 6:17).
6. Work gladly for the Lord (Ps. 100:2, Col. 3:23-24).
7. Pursue Christian fellowship (2Tim. 1:4, 2John 1:12). 
8. Strive to make others happy (Acts 20:35). 
9. View your hardships rightly (Rom. 14:17, Gal. 5:22).
10. Handle sin issues Biblically (Ps. 51:12).
11. Look forward to heaven (Ps. 16:11, Luke 10:20).

Abstain From Fleshly Lusts - Nathan Rages

 

In 1Peter 2:9-12 the Apostle gives a straightforward practical exhortation about handling the lusts of our flesh that we contend with:  
1. WHAT we must do (v11).
2. WHY we must do it:
     Because God made us “a holy nation” (v9-10).
     Because we are “aliens and strangers” (v11).
     Because our lusts “wage war against the soul” (v11).
     Because our lives are seen by lost people (v12).

Lessons From a Neighborly Outcast - Clark Lasse

 

In Luke 10:25-37 Jesus tells the familiar parable of the Good Samaritan. Clark Lasse first discusses this Scripture and then provides an update on his mission activities in Uganda and with international college students in the US.

Who Died and Made You King? - Robert Hamilton

 

Luke 20:1-8 deals with the issue of authority, Jesus' supreme authority.

Cleansing God's House of Prayer - Nathan Rages

 

Luke 19:45-48 records Jesus cleaning the Temple a few days before His crucifixion.  In these verses our Lord did these three things:
1. He cleansed the area (v45).
     With surprising violence.  
     With supernatural authority.
2. He explained His actions (v46).
     Using Scripture.
     Emphasizing prayer in public worship.
     Condemning exploitation of worshippers.    
3. He taught the people (v47-48). 
     With gripping power.  
     Frustrating His enemies.

The King's Dramatic Arrival - Nathan Rages

 

Luke 19:28-44, records Jesus' so-called Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem when Christ the King makes His dramatic entry into the capital city.  We explore these six aspects of Christ from the story:  
1. His intentional publicity (v29-30,35-36).
2. His supernatural perception (v30-34).
3. His fulfillment of prophecy (Zech. 9:9-10).
4. His deserved praise (v36-38,40).
5. His enemies’ protest (v39-40).
6. His tearful prediction (v41-44). 

Christ Our Great High Priest - James Voon

 

Hebrews 4:14-16 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Old Covenant shadows fulfilled in Christ:
1. The high priest.
2. The tabernacle.
3. The atonement.

Spiritual Capitalism - Nathan Rages

 

In Luke 19:11-27, Jesus tells the Parable of the Minas.  Each of its  characters provide instructive lessons about the overall topic of "Spiritual Capitalism":
1. King (v12-13).
2. Rebels (v14,27).
     Actions: Rejected the king’s rule.
     Result: Completely destroyed.  
3. Faithful slaves (v15-19).  
     Actions: Humble fruitfulness.  
     Result: Praised and rewarded.
4. False slave (v20-26). 
     Actions: Lazy fruitlessness and ignorance of the king.
     Result: Lost everything.

The Seeing Faith of a Blind Beggar - Nathan Rages

 

Luke 18:35-43 records the glorious healing of Blind Bartimaeus:  
I. Reconciling difficulties between Gospel accounts.
II. A pattern of salvation:
    1. Realize your spiritual blindness and poverty (v35).
    2. Use the means of grace available (v35-37).
    3. Cry persistently for mercy (v38-39).
    4. Trust in the true Messiah (v38-39).
    5. Abandon your old life (Mark 10:50).
    6. Receive the transforming power of Christ (v41-42).
    7. Follow the Lord in joyful gratitude (v43). 

A Camel Goes Through the Eye of a Needle - Robert Hamilton

 

Luke 19:1-10 records the the surprising conversion of Zaccheus, the chief tax collector.
1. The Sinner (described).
2. The Searching.
3. The Salvation.
4. The Squawking.
5. The Signs (of repentance).

Application:
1. God saves people of all stripes.
2. Look where God is working and join in.
3. Don't suffer paralysis by analysis.
4. Remember the grace of God shown us in Christ.
5. If there are no signs of repentance, then someone is still unsaved.
6. Be confident in the saving power of God.

Becoming a Bigshot in the Kingdom: Christ's Radical Requirements for Leaders - Nathan Rages

 

Matthew 20:20-28 records the story of James and John's audacious attempt to get themselves appointed to the top two positions in Christ's Kingdom. This causes indignation from the other ten apostles and leads to Jesus teaching about the topic of pursuing leadership positions in the church -- showing how radically His Kingdom differs from the World.

The Wrong Way to pursue leadership:
1. Using personal influence to gain advantage (v20-21).
2. Pursuing roles that are not understood (v22).
3. Inciting discord among brethren (v24).
4. Copying worldly power structures (v25-26).

The Right Way to pursue leadership:
1. Accepting the cup of suffering (v22-23).
2. Submitting to God’s plans (v23).
3. Excelling at sacrificial service (v26-27).
4. Following Jesus’ perfect example (v28).

What Was Wrong With the Disciples? - Nathan Rages

In Luke 18:31-34, Jesus gives His disciples the most clearly detailed prediction of His eminent sufferings and resurrection. The disciples, however, completely fail to understand His meaning. Why was this? Why were they so clueless?

We explore the passage following this simple outline:
1. Completed prophecies (v31).
Ps. 22:1-18,34:20,69:21, Isa. 50:6,53:1-12, Dan. 9:26,
Zech. 11:12-13,12:10,13:7.

2. Comprehensive sufferings (v32-33).
Gentile involvement, mocked, mistreated, spit upon, scourged, and killed.

3. Certain resurrection (v33).
Proving atonement success, truthfulness of His claims, and our future rising.

4. Confused disciples (v34).
So be humble, teachable, and grateful for the Holy Spirit.

Living in a Grace-Centered Economy - Nathan Rages

In Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus tells the parable of the workers in the vineyard who are hired at different times, work different amounts of time, and yet are all paid the same wage.  The parable teaches these four spiritual principles:

1. Believers do different amounts of Kingdom work but receive the same salvation (v1-10).

2. Our motivation for Kingdom service is not earning wages (v10).  

3. God chooses to give greater grace to some folks than others (v14-15).

4. We dare not grumble or envy when others receive more blessings than we do (v11,15).

A Camel, a Needle, and God Who Saves Impossible Cases - Nathan Rages

Luke 18:18-30 records Jesus' interaction with a man known as the Rich Young Ruler.  This passage reveals five major lessons: 

1. Lost people misunderstand true goodness (v18-21).

2. Jesus makes radical demands on prospective disciples (v22).

3. Materialism can prevent our salvation (v23-25).

4. God’s mighty grace saves “impossible” people (v26-27).

5. All our sacrifices for Christ will be abundantly rewarded (v28-30).

Let the Children Come to Me - Nathan Rages

Luke 18:15-17 describes the children being brought to Jesus for His blessing.  The account points to several truths about Christ's concern for children:  

1. Jesus welcomes children to Himself (v15-16).

2. Adults should make it easy for children to come to Jesus (v15-16):  

     In the family.  

     In the church. 

     In our evangelism. 

3. Only child-like people can become Christians (v16-17).

What Two Prayers Can Tell You - Nathan Rages

In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus tells a parable about two men praying in the Temple: a Pharisee and a tax collector:

1. The audience (v9).

2. The parable:

     Very different men (v10).

     Very different postures (v11,13).

     Very different prayers (v11-13).

     Very different results (v14).

3. The lesson (v14).

Applications:

1. The evil of religious pride.

2. The blessing of feeling conviction about your sin.

3. The way to be justified before God.  

Keys to a Successful Life - Nathan

As Joshua was taking over leadership of God's people after Moses' death, God gave him a lengthy exhortation in Joshua 1:1-9 promising him success and prosperity if he only would do four things:

Key 1: Act with courage because of God’s promises (v6,7,9).

Key 2: Speak often about Scripture (v8).

Key 3: Meditate constantly upon Scripture (v8).

Key 4: Obey everything God has commanded (v7,8,9). 

The Forgotten One in the Christmas Story - Nathan Rages

Out of all the characters in the story of Jesus' birth, the role of God the Father is often overlooked.  This message is based on John 6:38 “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”   This verse teaches three great truths:

1. Christ existed before His conception and birth. John 1:1-2,14, 8:58, 13:3, 16:28.

2. Christ was sent into the world by God the Father.  Mark 12:6-7; Luke 10:16; John 3:16-17,34, 5:23-24,37-38, 6:29,44,57, 7:16,28-29,33, 8:16,18,26,42, 9:4, 10:36, 11:42, 12:44-45, 13:20, 14:24, 15:21, 16:5, 17:3,8,18,21,23,25; Rom. 8:32; 1John 4:9-10. 

3. Christ came to do the Father’s will rather than His own.  Matt. 26:39; John 4:34, 5:30,36,8:29, 12:49, 17:8; Phil. 2:6-8; Heb. 10:7.

Applications:

1. The Father and the Son are equally involved in our salvation.

2. We should follow Jesus’ example in submitting to our Sender.  

The Widow Who Wouldn't Quit - Nathan Rages

In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge, using the story to teach about several topics:

1. The power of persistent prayer (v1-7).

2. The certainty of God vindicating His chosen people (v7-8).

3. The scarcity of true faith when Christ returns (v8).

Jesus' Second Coming: How Will It Happen? - Nathan Rages

In Luke 17:22-37, the Lord Jesus predicts His Second Coming.  We break down the passage under these six headings:

1. Timing: After Jesus has suffered and been absent (v22,25).

2. Visibility: Sudden, public and glorious (v23-24,30).

3. Setting: Earthly life proceeding normally (v26-30).

4. Readiness: Devotion to Christ rather than the world (v31-33).

5. Division: Separating everyone into two distinct groups (v34-36).

6. Destruction: Perishing of all unsaved people (v27,29,37).