May 28, 2023

Most weeks I close these sermon prep posts with, “See you Sunday, Grace. Come hungry!” meaning, come ready to receive the “meal” of a message preached from God’s word. But this Sunday will be another one of our regular reflection services – the fourth now in our Gospel of Luke series, Good News of Great Joy for All People – so our meal is more like a potluck.

In the place of one preached message, we will hear many reflections from many of you about how the word has been at work. Paul described the fruit of preaching in this way.

“We also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.” (1 Thess. 2:13)

Would you take time this week to prayerfully reflect back on what we’ve covered so far and consider how it’s been at work in you? You might refresh your memory by re-reading Luke 15:1-19:44. If you’re a note taker, pull them out and review what you’ve written. If you missed any Sundays this fall, you could go back and listen to sermons you missed. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see how God’s word has been at work.

Some questions to get you thinking…

  • How has your understanding of who Jesus is and what He has done been enlarged, and what effect has that been having on your life in this season?
  • Have you had opportunities to minister to others out of what you have been learning or to share this good news of great joy with someone in your life?  Share an example.
  • How is the Gospel of Luke helping you grow in your understanding of what it means to be a disciple? And of what it means to make disciples?
  • How has what you’ve been reading and learning in the Gospel of Luke been leading you to pray in your life these days?  What has it been leading you to pray for our church, our community, and the world?

See you Sunday, Grace. Come hungry AND with something to share!