Nlcc Walnut Grove

Even when were walking on the road of addictions, anxiety, illness, hurts, self-hatred, guilt, and shame, that looks too strong, that looks impossible for us to turn around from that road, even when we feel like nothing can be changed in our lives, what still gives us hope is Jesus.

We all have moments where we feel as though a fog has settled in our minds and our hearts. Today we will take a look at 2 disciples who had this same feeling in their own lives, and the things they did to allow Jesus to walk with them through the fog, and bring them to a place of hope, joy, and passion.

The simple fact of the matter is that for every person who encounters Christ dramatically with blinding lights and a booming voice, hundreds more meet him slowly and quietly, incognito on the Emmaus road, through friendship, Scripture, and conversation." -Pete Greig

Watch at: https://youtu.be/p_ljRMrtPcE

Does the resurrection of Jesus from the dead 2000 years ago really matter?" Believing in the resurrection is one thing, but do we know what it means? Christs death and resurrection are central to the gospel because God raised Christ from the dead so that we can be forgiven, changed by his power and face eternity with hope.

Jesus journey to Jerusalem (Luke 9-19) culminates here with his Triumphal Entry into the holy city. In his royal procession, Jesus rides into the city on a borrowed donkey, symbolizing his meekness and humility. The disciples sing Gods praise while the religious leaders feel threatened. Jesus is the humble servant king who alone brings true peace to the whole world.

There are situations or seasons where we feel hard-pressed. Where we know that life has not gone the way we have wanted it to. Where we wish for a different way for it to go. And in these times we truly wonder where to turn. Part of the beauty of the Bible is that it is brutally honest and vulnerable. As we get closer to Easter, we find that Jesus went through his own dark night of the soul. He wanted a different way. But he also prayed a very bold prayer that gave him hope and resolve to face his most hard-pressed of times. And I think we can learn much from it.

As we practice this new covenant meal, may it stir within us hope for hisreturn and thankfulness for who he is and what he has done.

Facing opposition in the form of the temptation of selfish ambition, the dangers of Satan's aggression, and the challenge of worldly antagonism, followers of Jesus can trust in Jesus as our Servant King, our Advocate, and our Saviour.

Jesus tells his followers that the temple in Jerusalem will be destroyed. He lovingly prepares them to face that horrific moment in history. As we see the destruction of the temple- we see the new house, the new building, the new temple that God was building. The people of God- the church- would become a temple of living stones filled with the very Presence of God.

Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEIjkgFZy9c

Jesus knows that He has to bring a transformation to Israel. One of the key pieces to transformation will be new leadership among God's people. Jesus is establishing a new leadership team to care for God's vineyard- His people.

Ron Davis brings us practical tools to get inspired & organized with our finances, walking us through 6 principles of stewardship.

Jesus celebrates the actions of a poor widow as she gives 2 copper coins to God. Jesus is calling each of us to practice a sacrificial generosity that sets our hearts free!

Jesus tells some men who are trying to trap Him that they are to "give back to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's'. So in this sermon, we are asking the question: 'How do we spend, save, and give in a way where we fully give God what is God's?

Ron Davis reminds us that every day we get a myriad of messages about money: from financial professionals to commercial advertisers to Facebook friends. But what does God have to say about money? It just may surprise us how much the Bible has to say about money. One such passage is the parable we are looking at today from Luke 19.

Our journey of apprenticeship to Jesus begins as we open up our hands and surrender our money to Jesus our King. Freedom, generosity, and joy are experienced as we surrender every penny we have to Jesus who invites us into His fullness of life.

Jesus' question toward the blind beggar--"What do you want me to do for you?"--reflects the core message of the gospel. That is, the good news is about who God is--that He is the One who is delighted in working for us in His mercies and power. It, however, is easy for us to fall into the temptation of Religion that makes us work for God for whatever reasons. Are you ready to be open to who God is and receive His mercies?

In this passage, Jesus turns our understanding of the world upside down. The people who get to Heaven are not the smartest, the most spiritual, or those who avoid doing really bad things. Rather, it is those of us who acknowledge our desperate need for Him. Jesus responds to our deep need with mercy, grace, and an invitation to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Bethlehem is a word that means 'house of bread'. From this house of bread comes a child who will feed a word starving for hope, love, forgiveness, purpose, and meaning. Jesus is the Bread of Life and this Christmas we are invited to taste and see that Jesus satisfies our hungry hearts.