A constant problem for the reputation of the church is the presence of persons who claim to be believers but deny the faith with their lives. This problem is not new. In fact, in John 8:30-59, Jesus had an extended argument with some who had believed in him but ended up wanting to kill him. Their lives showed that God was not their father, no matter what they said. Ever since then, there have been many so-called Christians who follow their own wills rather than Jesus' words. Let's make sure we are not among their number. (sermon notes)
Four short parables point to the surpassing value of the kingdom of God and the need to find it now.
In answer to the grumblings of some religious leaders, Jesus told three parables in Luke 15 about lost and found items: a sheep, a...
Since the early days of the church, people have tried to deny the Incarnation and still call themselves Christians. The little letter of 2...