This Sunday morning will be our next reflection service – the third now in our Gospel of Luke series, Good News of Great Joy for All People. In the place of one preached message, we will hear reflections from many of you about how the word of God has been at work.

Something we’ve seen consistently in Jesus throughout Luke’s gospel is that he demands a response. Receive him or reject him. Love him or hate him. Be for him or against him. Acknowledge him or deny him. There is no middle ground.

I was reminded of something the martyred missionary Jim Elliot once wrote.

“Father, make of me a crisis man. Bring those I contact to decision. Let me not be a milepost on a single road; make me a fork, that men must turn one way or another on facing Christ in me.”

He spoke like that because he understood his Savior. Jesus is the ultimate crisis man. And all who receive him, receive his words like good soil receives good seeds, “hearing the word, holding it fast in an honest and good heart, and bearing fruit with patience (Luke 8:15).”

Think of our reflection services as a “farmer’s market” where we rejoice together over the fruit God is growing. How have the words of Jesus been taking root in your life? As you have been hearing it and holding it fast, how is it bearing fruit? As we testify to how God’s word is at work, we are all encouraged to be good soil disciples.

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 9:51-14:35. 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!

(Reminder: Due to the personal nature of the testimonies that will be shared, we will not be livestreaming our morning reflection services this Sunday.)

 

Song Link of the Week

Jesus Does by We the Kingdom

Who understands the heart of a sinner?
Showers His grace over all our mistakes?
Washes us clean with His blood?
Jesus does
Who sings a song of sweet forgiveness?
Who stole the keys to hell and the grave?
Who has the power to save?
Jesus does