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).

Radical Commands for Christ's Unworthy Slaves - Nathan Rages

In Luke 17:1-10, Jesus gives strongly-worded directions to His followers on four topics:

1. Be careful how you influence others (v1-2).

2. Always forgive repentant brethren (v3-4).

3. Increase your faith by exercising it (v5-6).

4. Humbly remember your unworthiness (v7-10).

The Thankful Samaritan - Nathan Rages

In Luke 17:11-19 describes Jesus healing ten lepers, with only one of them (a Samaritan, no less!) returning to thank Him.  We break down the story this way:

1. The Disease (v11-12).

2. The Prayer (v13).

3. The Healing (v14).

4. The Gratitude (v15-16).

5. The Ingratitude (v17-18).

6. The Salvation (v19).

A Glimpse Into Hell - Nathan Rages

In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus tells the story of the rich man and Lazarus.  This is some of His most sobering teaching because He reveals the words, thoughts, and feelings of a man in Hell.  

We first break down the story into three parts and then go over the main lessons:

1. Their contrasting positions in this life (v19-21).

2. Their contrasting destinies after death (v22-23).

3. The rich man’s requests:

     For a small relief from his suffering (v24-26).

     For a warning to his family (v27-29).

     For a supernatural sign for his family (v30-31).

The big lessons:

1. Our situation in life may be completely reversed after we die. 

2. Unless we repent in time, we will go to a real Hell of endless extreme suffering.

3. Scripture alone, without other supernatural evidence, is sufficient for our salvation.