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| Summary: Hospitality is a Christian virtue. That’s because it gives us an opportunity to give of ourselves — to love our neighbor. |
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| Summary: We should be exceedingly grateful for our country. We are free to worship and we are free to witness on behalf of Christ. In many countries Christians are hampered, even persecuted, sometimes killed for their faith. Be glad for America.
Jesus knew that witnessing would not always be easy. That is why when he sent the group of 70 followers out, he told them that he was sending them out “like lambs in the midst of wolves.” Being a true and zealous Christian has its problems. Nevertheless, Christ told us to let our shine.
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| Summary: Jesus sent his disciples out to proclaim the same basic message that he preached: “The kingdom of God is near.” The very fact that our text comes right after Jesus has announced his coming passion and death and has started for Jerusalem indicates that this is not to be a typical kingdom. He is not seeking political rule. Rather, all the world, the secular realm as well as the church, is God’s, who rules in those two realms in different ways and by different ministers. As Christians, we’re called to be citizens of both realms. |
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| Summary: Jesus sends his followers out to proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of God. As they go, he prepares them for both success and failure in their efforts. Even doing God’s work carries with it the possibility of failure. |
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| Summary: In a culture that needs to always be right, Jesus calls his followers to share the good news of the Gospel by choosing instead to always love. |
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| Summary: The 70 disciples, sent out by Jesus in pairs, return astounded that the powers of evil submitted to them. Jesus assured them their success was no surprise. He’d seen Satan fall like lightning, removing the opposition from the playing field. The disciples’ task — our task — is to pass along the peace to a house, and from a center of hospitality create strong fellowships that can withstand adversity and drive out evil from the world.
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| Summary: Even though our efforts for the church and in the world often seem frustrating, Jesus gives us a curious but assuring image. The efforts of the early missionaries brought Satan from heaven. Our work, even if we do not see immediate results, makes a difference in all creation. |
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| Summary: In the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus expands the definition of neighbor and challenges us to realign ourselves with the values of the kingdom of God. |
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| Summary: There are plenty of times when we know what to do to solve certain life problems, but where we simply do not want to do what’s right. The challenge for us from this parable of the Good Samaritan is to act on what we do understand of the call to follow Jesus. |
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| Summary: With its expansive definition of “neighbor,” Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan continues to shock and challenge conventional thinking.
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| Summary: Jesus uses a carefully constructed story to criticize any and all worlds of narrow exclusivity. |
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| Summary: Love triumphs over legalism. |
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| Summary: The compassion we show is important, even vital for human life, but it is not hope. Until we hear and really listen to the voices of those who are under the thumb of powerful social, political and economic systems that rob them of their self-sufficiency, independence and freedom, we have only pity enough to show compassion. We do not have hope. |
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| Summary: When Jesus has said that the greatest commandment is love for God and the second, love for neighbor, he is asked, “Who is my neighbor?” His answer is to tell the story of the Good Samaritan. What if he had been asked, “Who is my God?” The answer might be a parable that sounds quite a bit like the story of the Good Samaritan because the kind of thing the Samaritan did in that story also shows us the kind of God who is revealed in Jesus Christ. |
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| Summary: The story of Mary and Martha is not the story of Mary versus Martha. This story shows us the different but complementary forms that discipleship can take. |
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| Summary: We may be well-organized, detail-oriented people, but that shouldn’t get in the way when those we meet need simply our silent presence, our companionship, our prayers. We must pay close attention to what’s right before us so we can respond in a Christ-like way. |
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| Summary: Sandwiched between the parable of the Good Samaritan and Jesus’ teachings about prayer, the narrative about Mary listening while Martha works teaches us that study prepares us for our devotional life and for serving our neighbors. All of these things form a part of our struggle against evil.
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| Summary: Jesus’ treatment of women was a break with Jewish tradition of that day and an example of the radical power of the Gospel to set us free from tradition. |
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| Summary: Life demands that we be occupied with the things of daily existence, but we can lose ourselves in the busyness. The Christian Sabbath — Sunday — and the extension of the Sabbath spirit into our weekdays provide pull-back opportunities for rest, reflection and spiritual renewal. |
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| Summary: Jesus points us away from our worry and stress and toward a single-minded focus on the deepest hope that is in us. |
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| Summary: The story of Martha and Mary illustrates the importance of achieving the proper balance between loving God and loving neighbor. God’s mission is advanced by embodying both in unison. |
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| There are 21 sermons in your results. |
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